Cheyenne Reckoning

by Vivi Holt

  “But Bolt!” She burst into fresh tears. “It was riding him. Will it eat him?”

  Dan bit his lower lip, his eyes on the ground, then met her gaze with a smile. “I dunno, Gracie, but he’s strong and he’s fast. Maybe he got away. Now there’s nothin’ we can do for him right now – we gotta take care of you right now. So can you let us take a look at those scratch marks?”

  She let them pull her dress free of her shoulder, her body shaking with sobs all the while.

  Claudine breathed a sigh of relief – the claw marks were shallow and not very long or ragged. “At the rate we’re going, I’m going to run out of drawers by the time we reach the ranch,” she mumbled, tearing off another long piece of her petticoats for a bandage.

  Dan, who’d fetched some whiskey from his saddlebags to use as an antiseptic, arched an eyebrow. “Who else have you been bandaging up?”

  “Myself. And Angus.” She took the bottle from him, splashed a little rotgut on the wounds – much to Gracie’s distress – and began looping the fabric around Gracie’s shoulder and down her arm as best she could.

  Dan frowned. “Angus?”

  “He was shot. We told you that.”

  “But you helped doctor him?”

  She nodded, tying off the end of the bandage. “Of course I did.”

  He stood, walked away, then spun on his heel and returned. “He was an evil man, Claudine. You shouldn’t have helped him. He woulda killed the two of you without a second thought.”

  She stood slowly and set her hands on her hips. “He had plenty of chances to, but he didn’t. And I’m not the kind of person who can stand by and watch someone die without doing what I can to help. I had no control over what he did to anyone else, but I could control myself. After so many years under someone else’s heel, I learned that lesson. I will choose to be the best person I can be. It doesn’t matter how someone else behaves – I will not let them change me!” Her nostrils flared. “Are we clear on that?”

  He stared at her in silence a moment, then shook his head. “You’re an amazin’ woman, Claudine Hopkins.”

  She grinned. “And you’re a good man.”

  He laughed. “I dunno – I don’t think I coulda done what you did, try to save the life of a man who didn’t deserve it.”

  “Oh, I think you could. Now help me get this child onto her feet. I want to get out of this place.”

  They both carefully helped Gracie stand. She wavered but finally stood, clinging to Claudine’s forearm. “What’s wrong, honey?” asked Claudine.

  “I’m dizzy … can’t seem to stand straight …” Gracie wilted.

  Dan caught her in his strong arms and lifted her like a baby. “Fainted dead away,” he said with a frown.

  Claudine cupped Gracie’s face. It was warm, but the girl’s breathing was deep and steady. She sighed. “I guess we’ll be camping close by tonight after all.”

  “Let’s try to get out of these trees, at least,” Dan suggested. “I’ll ride with Gracie. I’d feel a lot more comfortable if we had some space in case that cougar comes back.”

  Claudine nodded. She helped Dan mount up and balance Gracie in front of him on the saddle. Gracie revived a little and was able to hold onto Goldy’s mane as they rode.

  Before long they found a clearing in the woods, where harebells and coneflowers bloomed in clumps amidst the remnants of melting snow that had melted away. A shadow blocked the path up ahead.

  “Bolt!” Gracie cried.

  Goldy trotted forward, and Claudine stood in the stirrups to look past Dan at the outline of the horse on the ground. With dusk beginning to fall, only a small patch of sunlight lit up Bolt’s prone body. Dan dismounted, then helped Gracie down.

  Claudine hurried to join them and gasped when she saw how Bolt had been ripped up by the cougar. She took the sobbing Gracie in her arms, and the girl buried her face in Claudine’s coat. “Oh, Mama, he didn’t deserve that …”

  “I know, honey. I know.” She rubbed Gracie’s back even as the bile rose in her throat. She’d witnessed so much pain and death in her life, and yet seeing Gracie’s horse lying still on the ground made her eyes well with tears. “He was a good horse.”

  Dan studied the horse, his hands on his hips. “Let’s mount up. I’ll take care of the supplies he’s carryin’. We should get movin’ before that cat comes back ‘round.” He retrieved the bedroll and bridle – Bolt hadn’t been carrying any of their other supplies – but realized they couldn’t manage the saddle between them. It would have to be left behind. Claudine helped Gracie onto Goldy’s back and the three of them set off along the trail again. Gracie’s sobs drifted back to Claudine and made her heart heavy.

  When they finally emerged from the woods, it was into a wide-open field with a bubbling stream running through the center of it. The sun had just set, and Claudine felt as though she could sleep for a month. All she wanted was to curl up in her bedroll, wrap her arms around her daughter and go to sleep.

  She was about to dismount, when a man appeared through the trees, riding a lanky chestnut horse along the trail toward them. He had a fur cap on his head and the ends of his long gray mustache dusted his coat collar. He pulled up and stared at them through narrowed eyes before riding over to them, suspicion in his eyes. “Howdy, folks. What’re the likes of you doin’ out here this time of day?”

  Dan doffed his hat. “Howdy. We’re just passin’ through on our way up to Paradise Valley in Montana Territory.”

  The man nodded. “I see. Well, you’ve a ways to go, then.”

  “We do. We were about to camp here for the night. One of our horses was killed by a cougar a couple miles back, and we’re in need of some rest.”

  The man frowned. “That is bad luck. There’s a big ol’ cat lives ‘round here, been causin’ no end of problems. In fact, that’s what I’m out here for – I’m huntin’ him. He’s killed my hogs and chickens, and I’m ‘bout fed up with it.”

  “Sounds like the same animal. He’s a big one.”

  “Yep. I ain’t seen his like before. My name’s Jim Arden.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Jim. I’m Dan Graham of Paradise Ranch, and this here is Claudine and Gracie Hopkins from Wyoming Territory.”

  “You folks traveling together?” asked Jim, scratching his head.

  “Yes, Claudine’s … well, she ain’t my wife yet, but just as soon as we find a preacher …”

  “Well, I’ll be danged! Son, this is your lucky day!”

  “How so?” asked Dan warily.

  “I’m a preacher myself – Methodist. I’m part of a new settlement ‘bout a mile from here called Whitfield. If you want to come with me, we can get you two hitched before you head on north, give you a good feed and a bed to boot. Hate to see newlyweds not have a nice comfortable place to spend their weddin’ night.”

  Claudine shook her head in wonder, nodding and smiling at Dan. Rev. Arden seemed an odd sort, but they weren’t in a place to be picky. He was willing to marry them, offering a hot meal, a warm bed and a place to tend to Gracie injuries. There was no way they’d turn it down.

  Dan reached out his hand and Jim shook it. “Thank you kindly, Jim – that sounds like just what we need right now. Little Gracie here got scratched up by that same cougar we were speakin’ of, and we’d sure be grateful if you could give us a place to wash and doctor her wounds. Not to mention being willing to marry us.”

  Jim ran a hand over his beard and eyed Gracie thoughtfully. “Must be Providence I came across you folks. Let’s not waste time – c’mon now, follow me.”

  Dan held out his hands and Claudine placed her smaller ones in them. He clasped them firmly and grinned at her.

  “Do you, Daniel Graham, take this woman …?” Rev. Arden bellowed the words from memory as he held a thick black Bible, its pages worn and yellowed and dog-eared in places, in one hand and gestured with the other. The rest of the settlers stood around them. The women clasped their hands in front of their faded skirts, their
faces shining and smiling. The men mostly watched expressionless, arms folded over thick chests.

  “I do.” Dan trembled all over, even seeming to transfer it through his hands and into Claudine’s. She smiled up at him, her black hair pulled back into a tight bun and shining in the pale sunlight. Her brown eyes glistened with tears and her cheeks, glowing with health, anchored a wide smile.

  “And do you, Claudine Hopkins …?”

  Beside Claudine, Gracie sat in a chair, her face drawn with pain and discomfort. She’d insisted they get married, even though she wasn’t quite well yet. She’d fainted on the way to Whitfield the day they’d first met Jim Arden, and burned with a fever when they arrived. But now the fever was down, thanks to a woman at the settlement, Joan Hansen – a medicine woman whose red braid and bright green eyes brought comfort wherever she went. Even though it was only a few days since they’d shown up, the trio already felt at home there.

  Dan studied Claudine’s face as she repeated her vows. She seemed so happy, so full of life. He couldn’t believe that after everything that had happened, they were here, vowing to spend their lives together as a family. All these years, he hadn’t thought much about settling down – it was something other men did, not him. He was a cowboy, traveling where the trail led him and the longhorns wandered. He thrived on that life. And if that meant giving up having a family of his own, he’d been ready to do it.

  But things had changed. He’d chosen to stay on at Paradise Ranch rather than taking to the trail again, and didn’t regret it, but living on a ranch with happy families loving each other and raising children made a man aware of what he might just be missing out on. In recent years, he’d pondered finding someone special. He thought he’d found that with Dolly. And when he lost her, he’d never imagined he’d get a second chance.

  When Rev. Arden gave Dan permission to kiss his new bride, his heart swelled. He cupped her cheeks in his calloused hands, gazing into her eyes for a long moment. She returned his gaze, the corners of her eyes crinkling with a happy smile. Then he kissed her and the passion of their love burned inside him.

  Claudine hummed as she carried a basket of soiled laundry across the yard. She set it on the ground outside the cottage door and stepped inside with a grin. “Good morning, honey. How are you this fine day?” She pushed open the heavy curtains from the small square window. It was the day after the wedding, and the remains of snow outside had thawed overnight, leaving behind a muddy yard.

  “I’m fine, Mama.” Gracie yawned and stretched her unhurt arm over her head. Claudine had noticed she was still reticent to move her injured arm much, though according to Joan she should be able to flex it just fine. She didn’t believe the tendons had been damaged, and the gouges, though deep, hadn’t done any permanent damage. Still, Gracie was cautious when she walked or moved. Claudine didn’t blame her – likely it still hurt, as did her soul at the memory of losing Bolt. She’d found Gracie crying more than once since they arrived at the settlement.

  “Is your arm feeling any better?”

  “A little, I guess. Still pretty sore.”

  Claudine nodded. “It’ll take some time, no doubt.”

  Just then, Joan bustled in. Her serene good humor set Claudine at ease and she smiled. “Good morning, Joan.”

  Joan took Claudine’s hand. “And how was your evening?” she asked with a giggle.

  Claudine’s cheeks flushed with warmth. “It was wonderful.”

  Joan patted her hand. “I’m so glad. And now you’re a married woman.”

  Claudine frowned. “Yes, I am”

  “Why the sad face?” laughed Joan. “It’s a good thing.”

  “Of course it is. I guess I just never thought I’d marry.”

  “You didn’t?” Joan turned her attention to Gracie and knelt beside the bed.

  “No. Eight years ago, all I could think of was surviving and keeping my baby safe.” She stroked Gracie’s head and the girl looked up at her with a grin. “When she was taken from me, I spent my life doing everything I could think of to get her back. I didn’t consider what we’d do after we escaped to Canada together. It’s as far as I got in my planning. Now we’re together, and …”

  “No Canada, then?” asked Joan, pressing her hand to Gracie’s forehead.

  “No need to now. We’re safe without having to cross the border.”

  “Well, life is full of surprises, isn’t it? Gracie – you’re doing better. Your fever seems to be all gone – the willow-bark tea did the trick. Are you feeling well?”

  Gracie nodded. “Yes, thank you, Miss Hansen.”

  “Good to hear.” Joan stood and smoothed her skirts. “She’s recovering nicely.”

  “Thank you, Joan. I really appreciate all your help.”

  “You’re most welcome.”

  “How long until she can travel by horseback again?” Claudine squeezed Gracie’s hand.

  “I’d say a few more weeks should do it.”

  Claudine considered her words. Joan left, and she held Gracie’s hand a little longer while the girl told her all about a dream she’d had. They’d be free to head to Paradise Valley in a few weeks, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to face all of Dan’s friends yet. They were newly married and hadn’t had much time to get to know each other as husband and wife.

  She let her mind wander as Gracie’s story reached its conclusion. Whitfield was nestled in the head of a hollow on the edge of the Rockies. The view when she woke each morning and stumbled outside was breathtaking. Perhaps they could stay there a while longer. It would give them a chance to build their relationship without anyone else’s involvement. She could get to know her husband better and Gracie could continue to heal.

  But the day was calling. “All right, honey, time to get dressed. I’m going to wash this dirty laundry, then I’ll meet you next door for breakfast. Tara’s making eggs again – she said the hens have started laying already, since they knew the snow would be melting. I don’t know about that, but it’s been so long since I ate an egg I can hardly remember the flavor. Still, if there isn’t enough you can have mine. You need all the strength you can get.”

  She left Gracie to dress herself. She’d offered to help, but Gracie wouldn’t hear of it. She was an independent young girl and didn’t like her injury making her dependent on other people.

  As Claudine walked toward the icy creek where she’d wash their clothes, she saw Dan making his way toward her from the communal barn. A dozen split-log cottages circled the small clearing. Smoke curled from stout chimneys, children ran and played in the mud, and cattle and chickens wandered around the place, likely glad to be free of the barn after the long winter.

  “There ya are,” Dan said with a smile. He hooked his arms around her waist and tugged her close for a kiss.

  She kissed him back as memories of their first night as husband and wife flashed across her mind. She grinned and he chuckled. “What’s that smile for?”

  “Just thinking about how much I love you.”

  “Not as much as I love you.” He kissed the tip of her nose.

  “I was thinking …”

  “Yeah?”

  She chewed her bottom lip. “Maybe we should stay here awhile. I mean, Gracie could take time to heal, and we could get to know each other better …” She sighed and nervously ran her fingers through his hair. “And we could help out around here, work for our keep. If we go back now, you’ll head off to work and Gracie and I will spend our days alone. I don’t know … I just think it might be good for us to stay here in Whitfield for now.”

  He rubbed a hand over his beard and squinted into the morning sunlight, then took a long slow breath. “You know … I think that sounds like a fine idea. You’re right – if we go back now, we won’t get time to just enjoy each other.” His hold on her tightened and his eyes twinkled. “And I’m all for doin’ more of that. Plus I’d hate to stick Gracie on a horse again ‘fore she’s ready. It’ll be a hard ride north as is with only two horses
between the three of us. We should wait. And I’ll write Tom O’Reilly and tell him we’re gonna take our time gettin’ back.”

  Claudine grinned. “I like the sound of that,” she said, leaning in for another kiss.

  17

  July 1871

  Dan tightened the girth around Goldy’s sides. The horse had gained back all the condition he’d lost on the journey to Cheyenne and back. Staying longer in Whitfield had been good for Goldy as it had for the rest of them. But it was time to head home. Summer was in full swing and he missed all his friends. “Ready to go?”

  “We’re ready.” Claudine nodded, tucking a pouch of dried apple slices into her saddlebag. The folks at the settlement had made sure they were stocked up with supplies for their journey north. “Aren’t we Gracie?”

  Gracie stood beside Claudine, her cheeks plump and eyes twinkling. In the months since they’d come to Whitfield, she’d grown taller, had filled out with all the good food, rested and played with the other children and had time to enjoy her childhood in a way she’d never experienced before. Since Dan met her, she’d always been quiet, reserved, but now she’d opened up. It seemed to him she never stopped talking. “How long will it take us to get there? Do you think they’ll be happy to see us? Tell me all about the folks there, Dan. Tell me again.”

  He smiled. “Let’s say our goodbyes and get moving. There’s time enough on the trail to tell you everything you want to know a hundred times over.”

  Before long they were alone, heading north on the Montana Trail again. As Dan described Paradise Ranch again to satisfy Gracie’s curiosity, Claudine rode silently, her arms wrapped her daughter’s waist. Jim Arden and his wife had made them promise to visit sometime, and Dan had been happy to do so. Joan’s eyes had filled with tears as she embraced Gracie one last time and handed her a handkerchief with some pressed flowers inside to keep and remember her by. And everyone had stayed behind from their chores to wave the trio goodbye.