An Unescorted Lady

by Rita Hestand

  "You're telling me the tornado took her?" Lance's face screwed up in desperation. His voice faltered.

  Lance sat down on the hot ground, tears fell, but he didn't realize it again.

  He shook his head, "She can't— just be gone!"

  Some of the boys gathered around him, but no one seemed to know what to say.

  "Lance, you need to get some rest, you'll be able to think better in the morning." George told him.

  "I can't believe she's gone—"

  "I know, maybe we could put fliers up on the trees around, for anyone who might have seen her." George suggested.

  Lance raised his head, his eyes staring into George's. "You think she survived this?"

  "It's been known to happen." George told him.

  "We won't find anything but her body, George." Lance said almost like a whispered prayer.

  "Then, we'll bury her proper if that's all there is." George told him. He put his arm around him and walked with him to the barn. "Take my bunk in there and get some rest, I'll bunk with the boys." George told him.

  Lance nodded woodenly. He was simply going through the motions.

  How could he have been so happy, so in love, and have lost it so soon? It wasn't fair!

  He laid down on George's bunk, closed his eyes and didn't know another thing until daylight.

  The next few days were chaos. Marty and Bill along with Lance's men started rebuilding the house. Some of the towns people saw the flier on her and came to help. They formed a couple of search parties, but Marty and Joe was worried about Lance. No one had ever seen him like this. The tornado hadn't hurt many people, got a couple of barns, and everyone truly didn't know what to say to Lance. He was so torn up; he couldn't seem to talk straight.

  Lance heard the preacher talking about Trudy. "Have y'all found her body yet?"

  "No, nothing."

  "Well, I suppose we could have a funeral for her at the least."

  Lance couldn't listen to this talk. Something inside him disconnected. He got on his horse and rode away. He just couldn't talk to anyone right now.

  Funeral? How could they even suggest such a thing?

  Marty started to go after him, but Helen shook her head. "Give him some time alone. You know, I got to know Trudy pretty well while you guys were gone. She was really something. Dirt poor, honest as could be, and walked right into Lance's arms. It was like a fairy tale. You don't get over something that strong so easy. He needs time, and… he needs answers."

  "I guess you're right." Marty nodded.

  "I can't believe it just took her—" Helen muttered and shook her head, as tears clouded her vision.

  Lance went into Ft. Worth, he went to the train station, as though he expected her to be there. But there was no one.

  He knew he couldn't spend the rest of his life grieving. He knew he didn't want to be bitter about this, but he felt so cheated. He didn't blame God, he blamed himself for leaving her so soon after he married her.

  He sat down on one of the benches there and watched the people go by. He'd never felt so alone in his life.

  Three days later, he was helping move some lumber around the house structure and Weamer rode up. Weamer of all people, Lance mused.

  Lance barely knew the man, and he couldn't help but wonder why Weamer, who seldom came around people was here.

  "Mr. Weamer, can I help you?" Lance asked dully.

  Weamer eyed him closely. He took a piece of paper out of his pocket and shoved it at him, "This your wife?"

  Lance took the paper; it was one of the fliers. "It is, where did you come across it?"

  "Found it on a tree on my property."

  Lance started to walk away, "Don't you want to know what I'm doing here?"

  Lance turned, eyeing him, "Sure, what can I do for you?"

  "I found her." He said simply.

  "W-what?" Lance frowned coming closer now.

  "I found your wife."

  "You found her body?" Lance questioned.

  Weamer eyed him now, "Sure could use a cup of coffee."

  Lance watched him dismount his wagon and got him some coffee waiting patiently for him to explain. "Y-you found her body?" Lance asked his face almost white now.

  "No sir, she's been over to the docs for a week."

  "What?" Lance came straight up to him. "Is this some kind of joke."

  "N-no. It were more than a week and half ago, I was out plowin' my horse got lose and I had to run after her. I found her! She was tangled up in some brambles, but I heard her moaning. I got my horse and took her to the house. I knew there was something wrong, she didn't know her own name. I let her rest a couple of days, thought maybe she was just kind of in shock or something. So, I finally took her to the docs, and he said in time she'd be fine."

  "Alive?" Lance face contorted.

  "Yes sir."

  "Where is she?"

  "At the docs in town."

  "Is she hurt?" Lance asked, afraid to hear his answer.

  "Well, like I said, she don't know who she is. Doc said she has am… I can't pronounce the word. She can't remember who she is. That's why it took me a while to figure it out. If I hadn't seen the poster, I wouldn't have."

  "Take me there, now." Lance told him.

  Weamer gulped the coffee down as Lance hollered for George.

  "He found Trudy! She's alive!" Lance yelled.

  Chico heard and came running, "You found her?"

  "Weamer did. Thanks to the posters. She's at the docs in Ft. Worth. We're going there now. Chico will you hitch the buggy for me."

  "Si." Chico smiled.

  George scratched his head, "See, I told you sometimes these things work out."

  Lance didn't waste any time following Weamer into Ft. Worth. In his head he went over what Weamer had told him. Trudy didn't know who she was? God, but she was alive, that's what counted. He couldn't wait to see her again.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Doc Graham was a middle-aged man with brown-gray hair and light blue eyes. He was short, and wore spectacles, but he was quite sharp and witty. When Weamer introduced them, the doc asked him to sit down.

  "Did Mr. Weamer tell you about your wife's condition?"

  "Just that she couldn't remember who she was."

  "Amnesia is what they call it. It often happens when a person has been traumatized. And we aren't sure what caused it."

  "Well, that much I can tell you. A tornado caused it. She was in the yard when it happened. It took her up in it and I guess dropped her."

  Weamer came over to them now, "It must have carried her about five miles, because she was on my property when I found her, all tangled in some brambles, moaning."

  "Was she hurt badly doc?" Lance asked with trepidation.

  She had a head injury, not much else though. She did have some internal bleeding and so I checked her and that's when I found out something else."

  The doc shook his head, "The head injury is probably what caused the memory loss, but I must tell you something quite miraculous."

  "Oh," Lance looked concerned. "What's that?"

  "Your baby is fine."

  "B-baby?" Lance's eyes widened. "My baby? You mean… She's pregnant?" Lance's heart started pounding now. He couldn't believe in miracles before, but now, he wasn't so sure. Trudy was pregnant, with his baby? God, he closed his eyes and murmured his thanks.

  "You didn't know?" the doctor looked astounded.

  "Well doc, I been gone on a trail drive or months, just got back. My house was blown away by the tornado along with her. I had no idea. You mean," he stopped, as a big goofy smile broke over his face, "I'm gonna be father?" Lance smiled like a silly school boy.

  "In about four months give or take a few." The doctor smiled.

  "You mean it picked her up took her five miles down

  the road, and the baby is alright too?" Lance swallowed.

  "That's what I mean. And I guess you know for her to have survived this, and the baby, is nothing short of
a real miracle."

  Lance almost cried with happiness, and yet his words stunned him.

  "You alright, son?" The doc asked.

  Lance let one tear fall, "I can't believe it."

  "There's only one answer for this kind of thing, son. God took care of her."

  Lance nodded slowly, a smile growing on his face. "How long will she be this way, doc?" Lance's face showed concern.

  "It's not something we doctors know a lot about out here. During the war between the states there were lots of boys lost their memories due to head injuries, shell shock, but it's not something we can predict."

  "Is there anything I can do for her?"

  "Just be patient with her. It could all come back suddenly or little by little. The bad news is, it might not come back at all. Give it time and bring her back to see me in a couple of weeks."

  "I will. What do I owe you?"

  "Nothing, Mr. Weamer brought me extra milk and eggs for the past week, so we can call it even. From the looks of him, he was as shook up about her as we are."

  Lance looked at Weamer. "I guess I owe you a lot Mr. Weamer."

  "Naw, just give me some beef every now and then, and we'll call it even."

  Lance smiled, "Done."

  "Now, don't rush her to try to remember. She might recognize you and she might not. Remember patience. And in order for it all to come back right, she has to do the remembering, not you."

  Lance nodded.

  "I'll see y'all later." Mr. Weamer waved them goodbye.

  Lance paused before he went in and looked at Mr. Weamer as he was leaving. "If she comes out of this, she'll want to meet you again."

  "Just let me know, I'd appreciate it."

  Lance went up to Weamer, "I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you did. Taking care of her, getting her here to see the doc, then coming to tell me. I owe you Weamer."

  "No need. No need at all."

  Lance took one big calming breath and followed the doc.

  Trudy lay on a bed. She was staring at the ceiling, when he walked up to her and she looked at him.

  She stared, "Gosh, he's handsome doc, who is he?"

  The doctor sighed, "Well now, this is Lance Rogers, he's your husband. And your name is Trudy Rogers. But the rest of this story you'll have to figure out for yourself."

  "My husband?" Trudy repeated dully.

  "Would you like to go home with me?" Lance smiled at her.

  She looked at him and then at the doctor, "Should I?" she asked with a smile.

  "I think so, Trudy."

  "Are you sure he's my husband?" Trudy smiled at the doctor.

  "I'm sure." The doctor smiled.

  Trudy let Lance take her hand and she got up. She straightened her dress, which was tattered and dirty, and leaned to kiss the doc's cheek, "Thanks doc."

  The doctor smiled, as they walked out.

  Lance saw the hump to her stomach and smiled. He was going to be a father. His joy at being with Trudy once again made him giddy, like a schoolboy. Still, he wanted to hug and kiss her, and he knew that might shock her, so he knew he had to behave. But for how long?

  He sobered, realizing he had to get Trudy through this first.

  "What's your name?" she asked playfully.

  "Lance, Lance Rogers."

  "That's a nice name." she smiled at him.

  They talked, but nothing seemed to mean anything to her. It was obvious she didn't recognize him. Lance was happy in so many ways, but this worried him. He'd never dealt with this kind of thing and he didn't know for sure how to act around her.

  He wanted to kiss her and tell her how much he loved her, but he wasn't sure that would be right until she got her memory back.

  He drove her home and all the boys gathered around but Lance shook his head at them, and they all quieted down.

  "Weamer took care of her, she's been at the docs for a week. She still kind of weak and needs rest boys."

  Everyone noticed she was with child now and no one said a word about it.

  Everyone backed off knowing something wasn't quite right but not knowing what it was. Trudy smiled at them weakly, almost nervously.

  He took her inside, made her some tea and took her to their bedroom. The kitchen and his bedroom were the only finished rooms in the house. He wasn't sure how to handle this either.

  "Can I get you anything else?" He glanced at her as she sat in the chair by the window and sipped her tea.

  "No, I'm fine, the tea tastes good." she smiled like a child, shy and unsure of herself.

  But the house wasn't finished, and she seemed to notice but she didn't say anything.

  "The tornado blew the house away; we're rebuilding so the noise might get a little bothersome."

  "Tornado?" her eyes widened.

  "Yes, do you remember it?"

  "No, I don't." she said simply.

  "That's okay, I'll bring you some supper in a little while."

  She nodded.

  She went to sleep, and Lance didn't bother her until much later.

  He went to talk to the boys.

  "You mean, she don't know who she is?" George asked, scratching his head as the boys looked shocked by the news.

  "No, she doesn't recall anything, including the tornado. So, we gotta be patient with her."

  They all nodded, "But it's good she's alive."

  Lance let a small smile linger on his lips. "Not only that, but the doc says we're going to have a baby in about four months."

  All the boys whooped and hollered. Lance broke out in a real grin.

  When everyone scattered George lingered. "So, you're gonna be a daddy, huh?"

  "Looks that way, the doc said it was a miracle that she was alive, and the baby was unharmed. Do you realize what a miracle that is, George? I never put much stock in miracles before, but I sure am rethinking it."

  "I'd say a big one. I'm happy for you Lance." George told him.

  "Yeah, me too. But do me a favor," Lance looked straight at him now.

  "If I get to pushing her too hard about what she remembers, nudge me, will ya. I'm so anxious for everything to be back to normal, I'm afraid I might try to rush her."

  "That's sounds pretty normal to me, but I will, I promise."

  "Thanks."

  "When's the baby due?"

  "She's five months pregnant so late winter early spring, I reckon." Lance said with a smile.

  "I wasn't sure I'd live to see it," George muttered.

  "What's that?" Lance asked.

  "Three generations of Rogers men."

  "Well, it could be a girl."

  George chuckled, "That'd be something, too! You know the boys and I were worried about you, too."

  "I'm fine now!" Lance told him.

  "It ain't over yet, but I truly hope it will be soon."

  "I know. But I married her for better or worse and I'm going to do my best to make sure it's for better."

  "We'll help all we can boss." George assured him.

  "You know," Lance shook his head and sat down on the cot he'd slept on, "I was shocked to see Weamer here today, and then this…"

  "Yeah, he's a strange bird, but I knew him for a long time and he's really not a bad sort. He had been in an accident a long time ago, I guess you noticed he don't walk straight."

  "I did notice that when he got down from his wagon, but I didn't know why."

  "He and his dad were cutting down a tree and it fell on him, broke his leg in three places. People said he'd never walk again but he did. He was young when it happened and as people do, they made fun of him for years. He got to be recluse when his folks died and stuck to himself. I always felt a little sorry for him. It wasn't by choice, they badgered him to death. I remember that."

  "Well, I owe him, and we're gonna see he gets a side of beef once a month." Lance told him.

  "Alright, we'll see to that. It was good of him to do what he did."

  "Yes, I'll always be grateful." Lance told him. "You mind if I bunk
here for the next few weeks."

  "Not at all. You gonna leave her alone for a while."

  "I think it's best."

  "Probably so."

  "And about the cooking… "

  "Don't fret about that, we'll make out." George told him.

  "Thanks George, I've realized these past few days what a good crew I got and the best of neighbors too." Lance told him. "Send Rusty over to tell Marty and Joe that we found her and that she's lost her memory, will ya? They need to know too."

  "Sure thing, anything else?"

  "No, not now. I guess it will be a long winter." Lance sighed.

  George pat him on the back and smiled as he got his gear to take to the bunkhouse, "Who knows, maybe it won't take so long."

  Lance realized once George was gone that he had a long hard road ahead of him. He had no idea how to handle things and he hoped and prayed he did things right. But he did one thing he wasn't used to doing, he got down on his knees and prayed that night that he could handle things well and take care of her and that she would get her memory back and get back to being his Trudy. He also thanked him for keeping her and the baby safe and for Weamer finding her.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Three months passed and nothing changed with Trudy. She was friendly and sweet and flirted with Lance some, but he knew she wasn't back to normal yet, if she ever would be. He was worried. But he had to stay positive. He couldn't show her his disappointment.

  He ached to touch her, stroke her, make love to her, and kiss her until she was mindless.

  The one thing though that she did seem to remember was that she could cook. The first morning she went into the kitchen and began fixing breakfast, the boys ambled into the kitchen and waited for an invite.

  She saw them standing around and smiled, "Would you boys like some breakfast? I'll be glad to fix you some."

  "We don't want to bother you, ma'am."

  "No bother at all." She smiled.

  So that part of her life became a routine again. Lance was glad but he wished she would show some sign of recognition to him.