by Rhonda Grice
Jed appeared as if he were about to lean in toward her, but again, thought better of it. “Okay, well, I must be getting back to work. See you at supper… Stormy. “His voice softened as he spoke her name.
The softness was not lost on Stormy. Good Lord, what was happening, she wondered. No man, especially a man she wasn’t even sure she could trust, had ever built up such emotions inside her before.
Supper time brought only Jed to the table. Jake sent his apologies that he had other business to take care of. It was wonderful. Just Katy Marie, Jed, and Stormy; like a real family, Stormy caught herself thinking. One look at Jed and she knew he would be a great dad. Thoughts like these suddenly caused Stormy to blush, and that blush wasn’t missed by Jed.
“What are you thinking,” Jed asked.
“I was just admiring how good you are with Katy Marie.” She answered.
“Well, it’s easy to be nice to this little one,” he smiled as he tugged on her pig tails. “She is a great deal of fun, and I might add, a great checker player.” He smiled.
“Yes, let’s play checkers.” Katy Marie squealed with delight.
“Oh, just one game, then I’ve got to get to bed. I’ve lots of chores to do around here tomorrow.”
Katy Marie had already run for the checkers and checker board and was on her way back to the table. The heated checker game took a mere 20 minutes and it was obvious that Jed let her win. Although he acted like it was killing him that a little slip of a girl had beat him, he was having the time of his life. Katy Marie beamed with pride when she won and then quickly said. “Don’t worry Jed. I’m sure you will get better at it”. With those words both Jed and Stormy broke out in a roar of laughter.
“Nite everyone,” Jed said as he grabbed his hat from the rack.
“Nite, ”Stormy answered and then locked the door behind him. Stormy tossed and turned all night just thinking what her next move should be. Please dear God, don’t let Jed be stealing from the ranch, she prayed silently in her mind.
Chapter Ten
Stormy watched the clouds as they formed heavy smoke colors that mushroomed up into a big mass of darkness. Looks like a huge storm coming so better get ready for it. It was mid-October now and although most days were still warm, the nights were cold. It was hard to believe she had come here only three short months ago. So much had happened, yet Stormy was happier than she had ever been before. She had a home and a purpose now. Katie Marie needed her and that was enough.
A gust of wind brought Stormy into action as she closed the shutters on all the windows. She was thankful that Katie Marie had stayed home from school with a tummy ache. At least she didn’t have to worry about her being at school when the storm hit.
The rains came down in a torrent as strong winds blew hard against the ranch house. Carmen was up in Katy Marie’s room keeping her calm. Stormy was busy making sure there were plenty of matches and candles to deal with the early darkness of the rooms. At that moment the back door burst open and Jed practically flew over the threshold. Quickly he turned and bolted the door shut. His clothes were dripping with rain and his boots tracked mud across the kitchen floor.
“Got caught on my way from the old barn to the stables,” he explained as he took off his hat and shoes as an after-thought. “Sorry for barging in, but the rain and wind were beating me up pretty bad,” he grinned at Stormy. “Carmen is going to kill me when she sees her floor!”
She could not resist Jed or anything he wanted. “Well we wouldn’t want that. Come on in and wait it out with us girls.”
He was soaking wet and started to shiver. “Let me go see if there is anything upstairs that you can put on.” Stormy left the room as she spoke.
Soon she was back with a blanket and told Jed to take off the shirt and wrap up in it. “It’s all I could find since no man has lived in the ranch house for a long time.”
He nodded, took off his shirt and gave it to Stormy. Her eyes never left his bare chest and she found herself blushing in the dim light; glad Jed could not clearly see her flushed face.
Thunder and lightning shook the skies and rattled everything in the house. It was a bad one. She prayed the livestock were safe. It was so loud she almost shouted at Jed. “How long do you think this will last?”
“Don’t know, but at least we aren’t caught out in this mess.” He yelled back. Stormy was standing close to Jed so they could hear each other over the roar of the heavy rains hitting the roof. A loud ear piercing bang sounded as lightning struck the fence pole at the entrance to the ranch and lightening filled the sky. Stormy jumped and Jed instinctively reached out and caught her. He held her tight and comforted her with soothing words she could barely hear as the entourage of thunder kept clapping overhead.
She let herself revel in his arms and stayed there for quite a long time. After a while the thunder and rain slowed to a nice steady rain; the kind good for crops and a nice fresh smell. The raging storm in the sky was over but now there was a raging storm inside her; one that still needed to be quenched.
“Stormy, there is something I need to tell you,” Jed started, but Stormy never found out what it was. A loud knock at the door stopped any confessions Jed had been about to make. Jed opened the door to find Jake standing there.
Jake was in a hurry. “The corral was struck by lightning and one side is on fire. We need help now.” His eyes took in the blanket and bare chest, but said nothing for now.
Jed threw down the blanket and grabbed the still wet shirt from a chair. Both Stormy and Jed ran from the house to the corral and worked together to help ranch hands save the other three sides. Some of the horses had bolted, but when the storm was completely over they could easily be found.
After Stormy was back at home, she wondered how Jake knew Jed was with her during the storm. And she also wondered what the man she had started to trust with her heart was about to reveal.
Chapter 11
The weather had a chill to it, but the fields smelled fresh after the downpour. It was almost the season to get the rest of the fall crops brought in as well as making preparations for the upcoming winter. As soon as the grounds dry from the rain they should get started. Carmen showed Stormy what needed to be done from the home front and the ranch hands would take care of the rest.
It was Saturday and Stormy had insisted Katy Marie help her hang out the laundry. Even children need to learn some responsibilities, Stormy reasoned. Although some of the grounds were a bit muddy, the sun was shining brightly and it would dry the clothes in no time. They were almost done with the chore when Stormy felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She had the strangest feeling she was being watch. If it was Jake following her again she would soon put a stop to it!
Katie Marie screamed. “Help. Stormy…” But before Stormy could get around the sheets hanging on the line, she too was grabbed from behind. She fought and struggled but to no avail. Soon she was dragged to a horse and thrown over it. She could see Katy Marie being hoisted up on another. Oh dear God! It was Indians! They were being taken by Indians. She never thought she would wish for Jake but right now she would gladly take being stalked by him. The last thing Stormy saw was Carmen in the top bedroom window screaming her head off. Carmen would tell Jed and they would come get them. Yes, Jed and Jake would rescue them.
The ride was fast and furious as five braves left the ranch with Katy Marie and Stormy. All kinds of things were going through Stormy’s mind and most of them were too horrible to dwell on. She had to get Katy Marie free, she just had to.
After a few hours ride the Indian camp came into view. Immediately she and Katie were taken into a large tepee. Their hands were now tied behind them and their feet bound as well. So far Katie Marie was scared speechless and so they had not been gagged. Stormy gave her a look that cautioned her to remain quiet.
More hours went by and finally a squaw came in. She offered them food and untied their hands. Stormy new there was a guard outside or the woman wouldn’t have untied them
. Katie Marie ate and drank like she was starving to death. Stormy drank but didn’t have much of an appetite. The squaw said nothing, just gestured for them to eat.
When the woman left, Stormy spoke. “Katie Marie, you need to continue to keep quiet as much as possible. I don’t know what they have planned, or why they took us. Maybe if we act brave they will respect us and tell us why we are here.”
“Okay, I’ll be good”, Katie Marie sniffed, wiping away a tear from her eye.
The tepee was larger than Stormy had imagined it would be and the many furs on the ground made it warm and soft. Maybe they won’t kill us, she hoped. At least not Katy Marie! Why? Why did they take them? Stormy crawled to the front of the tepee and peeked through the flap. She was right, there was one brave on each side of the doorway and they were armed with spears. There was nothing to do but wait. Wait and pray.
Back at the ranch Carmen’s blood curdling scream brought half the ranch hands to the house. “English, Carmen, speak English,” Jed kept repeating to Carmen. She was so upset she had reverted to her native tongue and it took a while to calm her down.
“Injuns…Injuns took my Katie Marie and Miss Stormy!” she cried out.
“Indians,” Jed repeated. “Why there hasn’t been Indian trouble in these parts since 1865.” “Which way did they go?” He continued to grill her.
Carmen pointed in the directions the braves had taken Stormy and Katie Marie and Jed and half the ranch hands loaded with guns, ammo, and food road away from the ranch in less than 30 minutes.
Tracks were not hard to follow after the rain as most of the ground was still damp. Within hours Jed and the ranch hands were closing in on the camp. Jed knew that it would be best for just one of them to go in under the white flag and speak with the chief. He tied his bandana to a stick and slowly started toward the camp, knowing the lookouts would either let him through or kill him on the spot. He was praying for the first option.
Out of nowhere two braves appeared, taking the reins from his hand. They were in control now and would be leading him the rest of the way. He was brought to the chief’s tepee and pulled down from his horse. They guided him inside the tepee where the chief and a few of his council were sitting around the fire. Once given permission by the chief, Jed sat down.
The chief spoke broken English so Jed explained he had come for the woman and the child because they belonged to him. “Why did great chief take woman and child,” he asked
“Men from ranch come and take wedding gift cattle for my daughter, so I take your women. Women…no worth… same, but…but me must take one for the other.” The chief explains that it’s a matter of saving face.
“Why does great Chief Running Bear think we took wedding cattle?” he asked, then added. “I know nothing of this, and we have lived in peace for years now. I want to still have peace.”
The chief says men from ranch were recognized when cattle went missing. A frown passed over Jed’s face as he realized this might be true.
“Would chief return woman and girl if white men bring you eight cattle? Only four were taken, but we would bring you eight. It would be an honor to give you eight and show we are sorry.”
The chieftain drew a deep breath on his pipe and consulted with his council. Soon he said. ”We make trade, but you must bring cattle here first.”
“Agreed, but I must speak to the woman before I go.” At the nod of the chief a guard showed Jed the way to where Stormy and Katie Marie were being held.
Jed entered the teepee and Stormy and Katie Marie both jumped up and threw themselves around him. “Are you girls alright?” He asked as he looked them over.
“Yes, we are okay. What is going on? Why are we here? They haven’t told us anything.” Stormy said.
Jed explained about the cattle and that he had agreed to trade them for eight head.
“You are trading us for eight head of cattle?” She exclaimed with hands on her hips indignantly.
“Stormy, be quiet! You are lucky I’m getting to trade for you at all and you aren’t going to end up as the third wife of some brave!” he said, a little irritated.
“Sorry,” Stormy said. “I’m thankful you are here. Let’s go.”
“Not so fast”, he put a hand out to stop her. “The chief says we have to bring the cattle first. By the time I get back and round them up and make the trip back it will be tomorrow afternoon. You will have to spend the night.”
“Oh no, please hurry Jed,” Stormy pleaded.
He reached out and touched her arm. “I will. You two just stay out of trouble and do what they say.”
Chapter 12
Jed fumed on the way back to the ranch. It appears that his suspicions just got confirmed. Someone at the ranch is stealing cattle and he was pretty sure he knew who was heading up the operation. He had been suspicious for a while now and with all the strange things that had been happening around the ranch it was all starting to fall into place. A full report would be made to the sheriff as soon as he got Stormy and Katy Marie home safely. He could not believe that the rustlers didn’t just steal from Stormy, but from the Indians as well. It appears their greed is going to be the undoing of them this time. As soon as he got Stormy and Katy Marie home he had to sit down and have a talk with her.
He wanted to talk to her about more than missing cattle too. It was time to tell her how he felt about her. She is all he thinks about and he meant it when he told the chief, she belonged to him! He wanted her and Katy Marie to be in his life, and he prayed she would want him as well.
Morning came and eight of the best cattle were rounded up for the trade. Jed took two men with him to help move the small herd along. Jake had tried to act surprised when he found out about the missing cattle but his nervousness gave him away as far as Jed could tell. He just needed to find out if Jake was the main boss, or someone else. And where were all the missing cattle?
As the Indian village came into view Jed and the men were met by the same two braves as before. They helped them herd the cattle to a makeshift holding pen and then escorting them to the chief. All the men were allowed in this time, but Jed had already warned them to keep quiet unless spoken too. If the chief had changed his mind or anything went wrong, none of them would get out of here alive!
“Chief Running Bear I have brought you eight of my best stock to trade for my woman and child,” Jed spoke firmly. “I bring the best to show great chief how sorry I am his cattle were taken. The men who took cattle will be punished, I promise you.” His expression showed he meant the words spoken to the chief.
The chief nodded his head and spoke. “I believe your words and am happy you bring honor back to your ranch. We make trade now.” He signaled to one of the braves and he immediately left and soon returned with Stormy and Katy Marie. Jed gave them both a look that meant keep quiet, and they did.
Without another word they all left the Indian village. Stormy rode on the back of Jed’s horse and Katy Marie with one of the ranch hands. Jed waited until they were past the point where the braves had met them coming in before speaking to anyone.
“Okay, I think we can all breath now. Are you girls okay?” he asked.
“Oh yes,” Katy Marie said. “It really wasn’t that bad, except the food wasn’t anything like what Carmen fixes. You know, they even eat with their fingers,” she squealed. Everyone broke into laughter, amazed that a child could be captured by Indians and her only complaint was the food!
Jed helped Stormy down from his horse when they arrived back at the ranch. “I need to talk with you in private,” he said as he tied his horse to the hitching post.
“Ok, come on into the house,” she responded.
“No, I don’t want anyone to know about this meeting. There are some things going on here at the ranch you don’t know about and we need to discuss what needs to be done,” he added.
“Meet me behind the old storage shed as soon as it gets dark tonight. Don’t use a lantern. Someone might see it.”
Storm
y knew this was serious. She could hear it in his voice. “Don’t worry, I can follow the path to the bunkhouse water well and then cut across to the shed without being noticed.”
“Okay, see you then, and Stormy, be careful. I think Jake is up to no good and I don’t want him to know we are on to him.” He wanted to hold her and kiss her but he had already detained her too long and the ranch hands and Jake were watching from the bunkhouse.
Carmen grabbed Katy Marie and then Stormy. “Oh I’m so glad Mr. Jed found you and brought you back. I thought I would never see you again when those Injuns took off with the two of you. I was so frightened, Miss Stormy,” Carmen said as she tied her apron around her ample waist. “I go right now and fix you both something to eat”
Katy Marie, no worse for wear, followed Carmen to the kitchen, her words trailing off….”Carmen, did you know Injuns eat with their fingers……..”
Night time arrived and after making sure no one was outside Stormy started toward the shed. At least she would finally find out what Jed was hiding and what Jake had been up to.
The quiet of the night made her every move sound amplified, so she moved as silently as possible. Once she thought she heard voices, but she realized they must be coming from inside the bunkhouse. Cricket sounds became evident the closer she came to the shed. It was probably because the river was not far beyond it. The half-moon gave her a sliver of light and she could now see the outline of the old storage shed.
Stormy rounded the corner to the back of the shed and called for Jed. “Jed,” she whispered. “Are you here?” She asked.
Jed walked forward from the blackness of the bushes. “Yes.” he replied. “I’m right here.” He reached out his hand in the dark and she felt his fingers brush her arm. She grabbed his hand and he took her through the dark woods to a clearing where he they could sit on a log a talk.