He’d accidently managed to bring in his first contract as a bounty hunter. He’d come across a man on the road after his horse had thrown him and run off. Turned out, the man had a hundred dollar bounty on his head. When he’d tried to steal Ike’s horse, he’d knocked him out and taken him to the sheriff. When he’d realized how much money he could bring in from bounty hunting, he’d kept after it. For the past two years he’d been on one job after another. Now, he had a nice nest egg, and he was ready to go home to Big Springs.
Ike boarded the train and took a seat a few rows back from the traveling family. He leaned back and pushed his hat over his eyes. He had to figure out a way to find out what was going on with Samuel Kees because he was sure hiding something. He sighed and settled further onto the hard bench. There was time to get some rest before he had to confront the boy. They wouldn’t make any stops for a couple of hours. It was going to be a long trip.
Chapter 2
Sarah breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped from the train onto the wooden platform outside the station in Jefferson City. The constant jolting, and pervading smoke from the locomotive, had left her with a raging headache. The boys had become bored after the first hour, and she’d constantly had to stop them from roughhousing.
“Everything okay, Samuel?”
Sarah looked up into the twinkling brown eyes of Ike West, the same eyes that had been staring at her every time she turned around on the train. “Everything’s fine, Mr. West. Why would you ask?”
Ike’s grin widened, showing off his even, white teeth. “You’re holding up folks, Samuel.”
Sarah suddenly realized that she’d stopped, blocking other travelers from getting off the train. She could feel a flush starting in her cheeks. She grabbed Jonathan’s hand and moved forward. “Forgive me. I don’t know what I was thinking.” She glanced over at Rachel. “Make sure everybody stays together and move over to the station.” She tensed when she felt a body brush against her back. She knew it was Ike without looking. She could feel that it was him.
“Can I be of assistance, Samuel?” Ike moved around to stand in front of Sarah. “I know this area pretty well. Is your uncle meeting you here? Do you need a ride somewhere?”
“No, we’re fine, Mr. West. I’ve got everything under control.”
“Now how can I continue to call you Samuel, if you don’t call me Ike?”
“Oh, well, thanks Ike, but I can manage just fine.”
“Very well, then. I wish you much success in your travels.” Ike nodded, and then strolled down the boardwalk.
Sarah turned and looked out over the town, wrinkling her nose. The road was busy with carriages and men on horseback. Dust so thick she couldn’t see through the windows of the train station covered everything in sight. All of the buildings she could see would benefit greatly from a new coat of paint. The air was ripe with the scent of horses.
“Are we gonna stay here, Sarah?” Daniel whispered.
“Just for tonight. We need supplies, and a room for the night.”
“There’s a hotel down there.”
Sarah looked down the road, where Daniel was pointing, and saw the sign for the Prairie Hotel. “That’s perfect, Daniel. Let’s get checked in and I’ll find a store where I can get you guys some clothes.”
Zeke moved over and grabbed Sarah’s arm. “Can we get out of these dresses now? You promised we could when we got here.”
“Relax, I’ll keep my promise. But you have to be patient. It’ll look strange if I take three little girls to shop and buy all boys clothes. As soon as I get you into a hotel room, I’ll go and get everything we need.”
Sarah gathered the children close and started down the boardwalk toward the hotel. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m hungry enough to eat a bear.” She listened to the boys talk about how hungry they were, each trying to outdo the other.
As they passed the saloon, Rachel moved closer to Sarah, taking her arm in a tight grip. She could feel the girl’s hands tremble. Sarah leaned down to whisper in her ear. “What’s wrong, Rachel?” The girl shrugged, keeping her gaze directed at her feet. The tinny music coming from inside wasn’t loud enough to drown out the angry shouts of the men drinking. Sarah quickened her steps, urging the children to move faster. She could feel Rachel relax as they neared the entrance to the hotel.
When they went inside, Sarah stopped. She’d never seen such finery. There were fine, rose-colored armchairs grouped together in several spots around the large room. Small, polished tables with bowls of fruit set between them. There was a long counter on one side of the room, and a staircase with a fancy wood handrail leading upstairs on the other. Toward the back she could see several tables set up with dishes like they were about to have supper.
“Can I help you?”
Sarah looked at the thin, balding man and swallowed hard. “We’d like a room please.”
He glanced at the children. “Just one room? They only have one large bed in each one.”
“That’s fine. Could we get some extra blankets to make some pallets on the floor?”
“Yes, sir, not a problem.” He pushed a large book and an inkwell with a pen toward her. “If you’ll just sign the register. It’ll be three dollars a night, in advance. How many nights will you be with us?”
“Just one.” Sarah signed the book and pulled some coins from her pocket. “Where’s the closest mercantile?”
He took the money and nodded toward the door. “Out the door and turn left. It’s eight doors down on this side.” He held out a key. “Your room’s at the top of the stairs, number two, first room on the left.”
Sarah took the key from his hand. “How much extra for a bath?”
“Each tub of water is fifty cents and the towels and soap are included. Would you like a tub brought up to your room?”
“Yes, but wait about an hour before you send it up.” She tossed some more coins on the counter. “What time do you serve dinner?”
“She’ll have things ready around four o’clock. You can eat in the dining room, or I can have it brought to your room.”
“I’d like it sent to the room around six, if that’s okay.”
“Absolutely, six o’clock it is.”
Sarah handed the room key to Rachel. “You take them on up and wait for me. I won’t be long.”
“Okay.” Rachel turned to the boys. “Let’s go, you heard Samuel.”
Sarah waited until they disappeared up the stairs, and then she went in search of the mercantile.
* * * *
“Son, I don’t think it’s the right pick for you. It might be a little more gun than you can handle.”
Sarah frowned at the store clerk. The man didn’t even try to hide his smirk. She’d picked out pants, shirts, socks, drawers, and hats for everybody. It was enough to get them to their new home. When she’d brought her choices to the counter, she’d seen the guns he had for sale. If they were going to be traveling alone, they needed something for protection and to hunt for food. She’d picked out a Sharps rifle for hunting, and then spotted the Horse pistol. “I’m sure I can handle it.”
He shrugged and laid the pistol on the counter. “Okay, if you’re sure. This here’s a Harpers Ferry Horse Pistol. That there barrel is a good twelve inches long which’ll give you more accuracy.” He pointed to a small L-shaped piece of metal at the back of the pistol. “This is a rear sighting. You can rotate this piece until the long side faces up. It’ll give you better long-range aim.”
“What about the rifle?”
He picked up the sturdy-built gun. “This is a Sharps, and you won’t find any better rifle, least ways not out here. It uses percussion caps. This particular rifle has a pellet primer feed. It holds a stack of pelleted primers and flips a primer into position over the nipple for firing each time the trigger is pulled and the hammer falls.” He gave her a saucy wink. “Makes it real easy to fire on horseback.” He gave her a quick demonstration on loading the rifle.
Sarah pi
cked up the pistol and glanced around to see if anybody was listening, and then lowered her voice. “Could you show me how to load this?”
He cleared his throat and grinned. “Sure thing, son.” He held out his hand for Sarah to give him the weapon. “Loading is pretty easy. It’s got this attached swivel loading rod. It’s mounted here, inside a hinged swivel that’s attached to the front of the barrel. You can slide that rod partially out of its holder, rotate the swivel around, and then plunge the rod down the barrel to seal the ball.” He showed Sarah as he explained. “You just gotta put the powder down the bore, then the ball and use this rod to push everything down tight. Then, you’re ready to shoot.” He grinned. “I warn you though, it’s got a kick, so make sure you’re not standing next to a cliff when you shoot it.” He then proceeded to laugh heartily at his own joke.
A half hour later he’d gone over the loading of the Sharps Rifle again, and Sarah was more than ready to get back to the hotel. “I’m gonna need some supplies, but I don’t have a way to carry them right now. If I pay you, can you hold them for me until the morning?”
“Sure, no problem. What all you need?”
Sarah thought for a moment. “Let me have some flour, lard, sugar, coffee, and some canned beans.”
“You got pans to cook on?”
“No, get what you think we need, but just the basics.”
“Okay, how about a few tin plates, some spoons, and one pan for your beans.”
“Sounds about right. Be sure and stick a coffee pot in there, and give me a good, sharp knife.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes, give me blankets enough to make five bedrolls. Now, what do I owe you?” Sarah watched as he did his ciphering.
“It comes to forty dollars including the ammunition.” He took off his glasses and narrowed his eyes. “We don’t give credit to anybody we don’t know.”
“A sound practice.” Sarah dug into her pocket. She’d kept a small amount of her money out, and the rest was safely hidden away. She glanced around to see if anybody was watching and then counted out the correct amount. “I’ll be by to pick up my supplies in the morning first thing if that’s acceptable.”
He happily eyed the bills as he scooped them up. “Sure, no problem. I open the doors at six every morning except the Lord’s day. I’ll have everything boxed up and ready to go.”
“I’m taking the pistol with me now, along with the clothes, but you can put the rifle in with my other things.”
“Sure, sure. I’ll just put all your clothes in a gunny sack for you. Make it easier to carry.” He pulled out a sack and proceeded to stuff all the children’s clothes inside. “Here you go.”
Sarah took the large bag and nodded. “Much obliged.” Now, she had to buy herself a wagon.
* * * *
“We’ve got this used buckboard that’s in really good shape. Owner traded it in for a covered wagon he could take west.”
Sarah moved closer to get a better look at the small wagon. It looked to be in sturdy condition, although it showed plenty of wear. The wood was faded, and worn in places. The seat would easily hold her and Rachel, and the boys could pile up in the back along with the supplies. She moved closer to examine the wheels and axles. “Everything looks solid. How much do you want for it? I’m gonna be needing a couple of horses as well.”
The blacksmith was a large, burly man. His face was covered by a thick, bushy black beard. “Will you be wanting this for travel around town, or are you planning on heading west?”
“Neither, I’m thinking we’ll head south of here. Looking for a small town we can call home, maybe pick us up a little farm.”
He thought for a minute and then smiled, his yellow teeth glaring obscenely through the wiry beard. “You should take the south trail to Big Springs. It’s a small town, nice folks, and plenty of farm land.”
“How far is it?”
“If you rush, you can make it in two days traveling by wagon. You can do it a day on horseback, if you’re a hard rider.”
“I’m in no hurry. How much for a good pair of horses, the wagon and any tack we need?”
“I’ll give you a fair deal, but you should think about getting mules instead of horses. They’ll handle the trip better. They’re more able to take on the rough terrain between here and Big Springs.”
“I’ve never been around mules. Are they difficult to manage?”
He laughed cheerfully. “Stubborn might be a better word. They’re pretty tame creatures, but sometimes they have a mind of their own. You just have to show ’em who’s boss.”
Sarah thought for a moment and then sighed. What on earth was she getting herself into. “Okay, show me what you have.” Thirty minutes later she was handing the large man sixty dollars and feeling like she made a good bargain.
“I’ll have the team hitched and in front of the hotel first thing in the morning. I’m going to throw in a couple of feed buckets, and enough grain to last till you get to Big Springs.”
“Thanks so much, I really appreciate it.” She reached out to shake the man’s hand. “I’m wanting to get a really early start.”
“No problem, it’ll be waiting for you at first light.”
“Thanks, again.” Sarah turned and wearily headed toward the hotel.
* * * *
“We don’t need a bath, Sarah. We took one day before yesterday.”
Sarah rolled her eyes and groaned. “Trust me, Jonathan, you need another bath. We’re all covered in dust and I don’t want you putting on all your new clothes unless you wash up.”
“You mean we don’t get the clothes if we don’t take a bath?” Jonathan’s lip began to tremble.
Daniel smacked the back of his head. “Don’t be stupid, she’d never keep the clothes from us. She just wants us to look nice, ain’t that right, Rachel?”
“Exactly, Daniel. We’re going to be riding into a new town in a couple of days and I want us to make a really good impression. We want folks to like us, don’t we?”
Jonathan sighed, and stomped his foot on the hardwood floor. “I guess.” He looked up. “But I ain’t going first.”
Sarah chuckled. “That’s fine, Jonathan, because I want to go first.” She moved over to the steaming tub of water that had just been delivered. “Rachel, help me pull this privacy screen around and you and I can get cleaned up first.” Together they moved the tall, white muslin screen in front of the tub. “Boys, you settle down now. I don’t want to hear you fighting while we’re taking our bath. Do you understand?”
“Yes’m, Miss Sarah. We’ll be good.” Zeke nodded and promptly sat down in the only chair in the room.
“Why does he get a chair?” Jonathan whined.
“Boys, enough.” Sarah had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the pout on Jonathan’s face. She hurried behind the screen and began to peel away the dusty clothes she’d been in for over twenty-four hours.
Rachel sat on the side of the bed. “You go ahead, Sarah. If you wash your hair, I can help you rinse it and then you can help me with mine.”
Sarah nodded, and sank into the warm water. She couldn’t help the groan that escaped through her lips. The bath felt wonderful.
“Here’s the soap.” Rachel handed her a small white bar. “It’s nothing fancy, just regular lye soap. I was hoping they’d have something scented.”
“They probably didn’t send anything like that because they think we’re mostly men.” Sarah took the bar and quickly soaped her body before tackling her long hair.
“Here, lean back and I’ll make sure all the soap is out of your hair.”
Sarah leaned back and relaxed, enjoying the massage against her scalp. She’d finally managed to get rid of the headache she’d acquired on the train. It was just a few minutes before she pulled herself out and took the towel Rachel held out for her. “Okay, Rachel, it’s your turn. Enjoy it while you can. There’s no telling how long it will be before we can get another hot water bath.” She dried thoroughl
y and began to comb the tangles from her hair as Rachel sank into the warm water. “Better start getting ready, boys. As soon as Rachel’s done I want all three of you back here in this tub. You’ll need to bathe fast so you’re done when they bring dinner.”
“How long before we eat, Sarah?” asked Daniel.
“We’ve got about an hour, so plenty of time to get you boys clean.” She came out from behind the screen dressed in her new pants and shirt. She pulled the gunnysack closer and started handing out the boys’ clothes. “I got everything a little bit big so you can grow into them. There’s not much here, but we’ll get more when we get to Big Springs.”
“What’s Big Springs?” asked Zeke.
“That’s where we’re heading tomorrow. The blacksmith said it’s a small, friendly town that has a lot of farmland surrounding it. We can make it in just a couple of days in the wagon I bought.”
“We really did it, didn’t we, Sarah.” Daniel gave her a big smile. “We actually got away, and they ain’t ever gonna be able to find us.”
“No, I don’t see them ever finding us in Big Springs.”
“I’m getting out now, Sarah. Get the boys ready.”
“You heard her, guys, get moving. Soon it’ll be dinner time and we can get some sleep before heading out tomorrow.
* * * *
“The wagon’s right outside boys. Go ahead and load up while I take care of some business.” She smiled at the three young boys. They were dressed in clean, crisp pants with the bottoms turned up because they were too long. Their shirts were light blue, with shiny white buttons up the front. Their new cowboy hats sat atop each little head, pulled down low enough to hide their twinkling eyes. She’d never seen them so happy.
Martine, Missy - Star Wishes (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 4