To Honor and Cherish

by Kari Trumbo

  “Name’s James.” His lips didn’t move much when he spoke, slurring his words. “Don’t usually get many visitors.”

  “We’re sorry for intruding.” Meg touched her forehead fatigue and fright making her look older than she was.

  “Not really intrudin’, I just don’t see folks that often. People stick to the trail. You do know you’re off the trail, right?”

  “Yes sir.” Jax let a little mirth creep into his voice, then let it die quickly. “A man has followed us all the way from Kansas. We can’t seem to shake him. We had to break off the trail to make him lose us.”

  “I done a fair amount of huntin’ in my day. Staying here won’t take him off yer scent for too long. If you rode here, you left a trail, whether you saw it or not. Just depends on how good a hunter he is.” James spat in an urn on the floor.

  “We’re headed for Koochiching. Can we get there without going back to the trail?” Jax asked.

  “Whatcha want in Koochiching? Ain’t nothin’ there.” The irony of sitting in the middle of nowhere while he reviled others for the lack of population wasn’t lost on Jax.

  “My sister is there,” Meg jumped to answer.

  “What kinda fool heads out on a visit to the northern border of Minnesota in December?” He held up his hand, indicating they shouldn’t bother answering and turned back to cooking his lunch. “You’ve got about twenty miles to go, straight northeast. If you follow that trail you came from, you’ll go out of your way. Head north until you get to the Rainy River, then follow it east to Koochiching.”

  “So we could get there in three or four hours through the brush on horseback.” Jax pointed in the direction of the river.

  “Closer to four or five,” James replied. “Probably easier to walk though, horses don’t ride easy by the river.”

  “Would you be interested in keeping them for us? We’ll come back for them in a few days,” Meg asked.

  “You can leave them here. Don’t tell me what day you’ll be back, you don’t know that. This weather’s been warm. That means we’re due for a snow, and a big one.” James looked at each of them in turn.

  “You really think so?” Meg’s brow creased even deeper.

  “Won’t be here for a day or two.” He squinted out of the one window in front, “But it will be here.” James confirmed. “If you feel it get cold fast, get inside.”

  “Jax, could we make it before it gets dark?” Meg asked.

  “Well, I don’t see us being able to bunk here.” He laughed.

  Jax looked around the little cabin, there wasn’t room for an extra body, much less two. They seemed to fill the little cottage just sitting there. James looked outside again. “You might not make it before dark, it gets dark fast this time of year. You should see the settlement by the time the dark starts comin’. Don’t get lost now.” James looked serious. “I’d take you there myself but I only go to the village once a month. Frankly, I have no wish to get tangled in whatever mess you two are in.”

  “We understand, James. Thank you for letting us sit a spell. I’m sure Lars isn’t gone, but it’s as safe now as it ever will be. He’ll stick to the trail, so I’m obliged to you for the directions.” Jax slapped his hat against his leg.

  ~~~

  Meg and Jax ate and gave James a little more money for watching the horses for a few days. They each carried their own bag over their shoulders and set off on foot for the Rainy River. Meg found that the trail wasn’t difficult, but James had been right, trying to pick a path through the fallen branches and tangled mess of the forest floor would have been almost impossible on a horse. She focused on the placement of each step she took and looked up every few steps to make sure she was still following Jax.

  The terrain made talking a chore. After what Meg would’ve guessed was an hour they made it to the river. Trying to stay as quiet as possible, they had not spoken in case they had been followed. Stopping by the river, they sat down to rest before the last leg of their journey. Jax found a large rock next to the river, and he led her over to have a seat.

  They sat enjoying the sounds of the river for a few minutes, though it was cold and the rock hard.

  “I have a secret.” Jax looked at the river and tossed in a pebble. “I miss big rivers. I love your ranch, but it doesn’t have near enough water for my taste.”

  Meg felt somewhat bold after traveling with him alone for so long and his playfulness had rubbed off on her. “Is that why you haven’t tried to romance me? My ranch isn’t good enough for you?”

  Jax laughed then stopped short. “No. I don’t want any ranch at all. The only reason I haven’t romanced you is because when I talk to you I want you to hear me, not Chase,” he said matter-of-factly. He looked at her, then threw another stone into the river. His eyes took on a warm glow.

  Meg looked at the river unable to handle those eyes, contemplating this new information. He couldn’t possibly mean it. She had nothing to offer him outside of the ranch.

  “I don’t want to sound like I didn’t love him, but our love was full of work and the day-to-day of life. After a few months, I regained a routine on my own. I miss him. I always will, but my heart has moved on.”

  “So you aren’t pining for him anymore?” Jax picked up a small stone and knocked it against the one they sat on.

  “No, God took him from me. I wept for a time. I let my heart mend. Though I’m not whole, I’m doing well.”

  “And what would you need to be whole again?” he asked the rushing river almost drowning out his words.

  Could she do it? Could she say what was on her heart and the tip of her tongue? She could never tell him what she desired more than anything, was him.

  She picked her own pebble and tossed it limply into the river. “To have someone want to be with me, just for me. I guess.” She didn’t look at him to see what he thought of her answer.

  He moved closer to her on the rock. Putting his arm around her, he pulled her close to his side. She sighed into him, welcoming the embrace.

  “So, I told you a secret. You owe me one.” Jax playfully touched the tip of her pert little nose.

  “Hmmm.” She pretended to think deeply. “I guess I have a secret, too,” Meg whispered.

  “Oh, what’s that?” Jax whispered back at her.

  “You aren’t the only one with an alias. My name’s not Meghan. Everyone else calls me Meg, but you. I’ve never let anyone call me that until now. It’s never bothered me when you say it though.”

  Jax smiled at her. “That’s a pretty big secret, boss-lady.”

  “Oh, why do you call me that? It isn’t even true anymore.” She threw a stone into the river. “Meghan I can handle, but not that.”

  “Because it bothers you and I like watching your brow get all wrinkled.” He touched his thumb to her forehead.

  “When we’re old and grey and those wrinkles are there permanently, I’ll blame you.” She poked him in the ribs.

  “Promise? And will you poke at me just like that when you do it?”

  “Do you want me to?” She smiled.

  “Yes, very much. It means I’ll be right next to you, just like we are right now.”

  “I guess it would. Then yes, I suppose I will,” she said, a bit breathless.

  He kissed her hand and she blushed. They climbed off the rock and began walking together hand-in-hand toward the village of Koochiching. They made it a little before dark.

  “Jax, look. There it is, the village of Koochiching. We can go right to the post office and see if there’s a reply to my message.”

  Jax looked at the sky, and his stomach rumbled loudly. Meg sighed, she knew he wouldn’t agree.

  “It’s late in the evening. There’s no way the post is open. Let’s go find a place to stay tonight, some dinner that we both need, and tomorrow we can go down and check.”

  “I suppose I don’t have much choice?”

  “Nope. My boots are heading for the hotel.”

  “All right, lead t
he way, cowboy.”

  Meg took Jax’s arm and went to the stage coach station. They were able to get food and lodging there. This one had two rooms in the upper level and Jax and Meg rented one of them. They fell asleep, sore, cold, tired, and fully clothed, Jax’s arm wrapped protectively around Meg. They both slept better than they had in days.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Meg woke with the sun. She felt refreshed and happy, today she’d make sure Lizzy was all right and send word home to Father. Crawling out of bed quietly she looked down at the still-sleeping man lying there. She was so smitten with him. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this excited about what life could hold. If Jax didn’t want the ranch, and wanted to be somewhere else, she’d follow him anywhere. The ranch didn’t hold the same draw anymore if he wasn’t there with her. She donned her coat and bonnet quickly, excited to see if a note waited at the post office.

  “Good morning. What can I do for you Mrs…?” the man asked politely.

  “Connor, my name is…Oh, just call me Meg.” She wasn’t really a Mrs. anymore, but there was no other title that fit either. “I sent a telegram a few days ago for a Lizzy Whitte. I was wondering if she received it?”

  “Miss ‘Lisabeth doesn’t live here anymore. Fact is, she didn’t live here a’tall,” he explained.

  Meg’s face fell. How would she ever find Lizzy now?

  The post man saw her face and was quick to explain. “Don’t worry ma’am, she’s across the river at Fort Frances. She’s workin’ for a Dr. or some such. I sent the message over there.”

  “Oh, thank you. Is there a ferry across the river?”

  “Yes ma’am. But if you’re going, you’d better be going quickly. S’pec a bad blizzard to come in, prolly today, meybe t’night. Could freeze the ferry, then you won’t be able to cross ‘til she’s solid.”

  “Thank you.” Meg left the post and directed her steps back to the station to get Jax. They’d have to hurry to beat the weather. She refused to wait another day.

  Meg walked one of the two blocks back to the station when she saw Lars. She ducked into an alley to avoid being seen. They must have ridden all night on that trail to make it here so quickly. She hadn’t been seen but the alley was a dead end, totally walled off. No street behind or exit. She was trapped. If Jax came out to look for her he’d be caught, too.

  She mentally kicked herself for not waiting. Now she’d gotten them in a predicament. Meg peeked around the corner trying to avoid being seen. Another woman came closer to the alley and Meg popped out to walk alongside her, using her as moving cover.

  “Good morning. Which way is the ferry?” Meg asked in her most friendly voice.

  The lady looked at her with a strange expression and started talking loudly in a foreign language. Meg had never heard anything like it. The woman waved her arms and then started yelling and backing away from Meg as if something was wrong with her.

  Meg made it to the station the moment others on the street noticed the exchange. She ducked inside before anyone could get a good look at her. She knew she had precious few minutes before Lars would come walking through that door.

  She grabbed her skirts and ran up the stairs two at a time. Forget ladylike, they had to get out of there. She ran into the room as Jax folded up the bedrolls.

  “I thought you’d left me.” His eyes were sullen and his voice sharp.

  “I don’t have time to explain. Lars and his men are right outside,” she hissed.

  Jax got over his pique quickly, putting on his gun belt. He handed her one bag and her gun then put his bag on his shoulder. He grabbed her hand and they rushed back down the stairs. Looking up and down the street, sure enough, Meg pointed at the four remaining riders of Lars’s little group. They were talking and pointing at the station. Meg and Jax were trapped, yet again.

  Meg began to understand what Jax’s life had been like before coming to the ranch and why it had been as much of a refuge to him as it was to her. Being chased constantly was stressful and scary. She just wanted Lars and his pack to go away.

  Meg looked around for another exit, but didn’t see anything. Jax went to ask the station manager what could be done, and if there were another way out.

  “Sure!” he boomed. “My men take special way to get horses when is very cold, eh? The tunnel, it go to the dock, too. Is back here, where no one go.” His accent was European, but she didn’t know from where. He opened a door to what looked like it should’ve been a small storage area, but was actually a narrow shoot with a ladder down into a dark cave under the building. He handed Jax a lantern and bid them good luck.

  Jax climbed down first, then Meg followed. He grabbed her waist when she’d reached about half-way down and lifted her the rest of the way. They made their way along the dug-out path under the street. Meg thought it should’ve been cold down there, but it felt cool and damp.

  “I hope we didn’t, oh.” her voice echoed and was louder than expected. Jax put a finger to his lips. She hadn’t realized how loud her voice would sound in the tunnel.

  Without any sights or sounds to help them determine how far they’d gone, it seemed like it took an excruciatingly long time to get to the ferry landing. They came to the end of the cave. A wooden ladder hid in the shadows. Meg could only hope Lars wouldn’t figure out the ferry was their destination. Hopefully, the station master would help delay him.

  They climbed up the rickety ladder into a stable next to the landing. The ferry was filling quickly with goods and people before the storm. Boarding the ferry, they hid behind other passengers. Soon, it shoved off and they were headed for Canada.

  “Do you think Lars will find us?” Meg looked up at Jax, worry lining her face. She pulled herself as close to Jax as she could, hiding from the world in his steady, solid frame.

  “Try not to worry Meghan.” He touched the lines on her forehead.

  “I thought you liked those lines?” she asked, shifting her body back enough to look him in the face.

  “The ones I put there are different. These make me want to—.”

  “Shh, don’t.” Meg touched his lips with the tips of her fingers. She didn’t want anger right now.

  Jax took the hand from his mouth and held them close to his chest. “We’ll only be here for a day or two. Hopefully, he’ll be busy focusing on Koochiching and we’ll be able to slide back through without notice.”

  “And how long have you gone in the past before he finds you again?”

  “Sometimes months, sometimes right away. He probably doesn’t have friends here, so that’s why I’m hoping he’ll be held up across the river.”

  “I hope you’re right. Oh, thank Heavens. There’s the bank. It’s so cold.” She shivered.

  They disembarked and Meg asked a local man where to find the doctor. She was pointed a few blocks down. Excited, she picked up her skirts and ran. Meg opened the door with a flourish, only to be shushed by a waiting older nurse.

  “People are sick here.” The nurse scolded.

  “I’m ever so sorry. It’s just that I’m looking for my younger sister, Lizzy Whitte. I was told she may be here. Have you seen her?”

  “I daresay I have. Elizabeth is working right now in the infirmary. She’ll be able to see you later this afternoon.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Meg and Jax got settled at a nearby hotel. They took the few hours they had, while Lizzy finished her day at work, to clean themselves up after the long trip. The hotel even offered bath service. She took the opportunity to soak away the trail. The nickel charge was worth every penny.

  Meg was excited yet hesitant to finally see her sister. Will Lizzy even want to see me? Why is she working in an infirmary? What has happened to my sister? Why had that nurse called her Elizabeth? Why didn’t she come home? Meg couldn’t keep her troubled thoughts from tumbling around in her head. The infirmary was the last place Meg would’ve ever expected Lizzy to be.

  Meg met Jax that evening and they walked
back to the infirmary to see Lizzy.

  “I hope she’s okay. It’s been such a long time since she left.” Meg took the arm Jax offered.

  “Prepare yourself, Meghan. She may not be glad to see you. She may not even want to come back with us. We assumed her reason for leaving. Let’s listen to what she has to say and go from there.”

  “I know.” She hung her head thinking of all of the anger between them all these years.

  Jax took her hand and held it as they came to the infirmary. They walked through the doors and there stood long lost Lizzy. She was as beautiful as always, but different. Meg ran up to her sister and hugged her close. Lizzy had aged five years in the month she’d been gone. The twenty year old now looked her age, instead of like a child. She acted mature and graceful. The look of disdain she’d always carried was gone. She was perfectly coiffed and immaculately dressed, but more calm and elegant than Meg had ever seen her.

  “Meg, I was so surprised when I got your message. It’s so good to see you. How in the world did you find me here?” Elizabeth asked, giving Meg more enthusiasm and interest than she ever had before.

  “That’s a long story. Perfect to share over dinner, shall we?” Meg asked.

  “I…was waiting for someone. I didn’t know you’d be here today and...” Elizabeth looked perplexed, she picked at the edge of her embroidered kerchief.

  “Where were you going to go?” asked Jax.

  “The hotel is where we usually eat.” Elizabeth replied.

  “Perfect!” Meg said. “Leave word you’ll meet her there and she can join us.”

  “He. It was a man I was meeting. I’ll just leave him a note to join us, excuse me.” Elizabeth looked concerned, but only for a moment, then popped over to the desk nurse to leave a note. She rejoined Meg and Jax for the walk to the hotel dining room.

  They chatted casually about the weather as they walked, Meg noticed they all looked as uncomfortable as she felt. Jax walked between the two women, one on each arm.

  “Jax, I’m not surprised to see you still won’t let Meg out of your sight. I should’ve known better.” She looked to her feet and cleared her throat. “I’m sorry for being so forward with you.” Elizabeth blushed. Meg was shocked, she didn’t think she’d ever seen her sister do that before.