“Here you go, Sheriff.” Sadie place two heaping plates of food on the table and smiled. “I’ll be in the kitchen. If you need anything, just give a holler.” She ran her gaze over the table and then went back to the kitchen.
Abe picked up his fork. “Okay, so what happened when you caught up with this family?”
Ike cleared his throat and concentrated on his plate. “I followed Samuel to the creek intending to make contact and talk to him away from the youngins, but before I made myself known, he stripped down to take a bath.”
Abe shrugged. “Okay, so what?”
Ike chuckled. “Let’s just say Samuel has the nicest chest I’ve seen in a long time, brother.”
Abe’s mouth dropped open. “What’re you saying?”
“Samuel’s a girl, pretending to be a man. And not only that, the other young man traveling with her is really named Rachel. That family is two women and three small boys.”
Abe gazed at Ike for a moment. “That don’t necessarily mean they’re trouble. She could be traveling as a man because it’s safer. Can’t be easy for a woman traveling alone with a bunch of kids.”
Ike shook his head. “I get the feeling they’re running from something. They seem jumpy, kind of like they think someone’s going to catch them.”
“Did they say why they’re coming to Big Springs?
“Said she’s looking to buy a small farm, just something big enough for a small garden and maybe a milk cow and chickens.” He took a moment to sop up gravy with his biscuit. “I told her it might be a problem because most of the spreads out this way are pretty big. She said they’d manage. I got the impression they’ve not done any farming outside of a vegetable garden anywhere. They got off the train and immediately bought a passel of new clothes, supplies for the trail, and a couple of guns.”
“How the hell do you know all that?’
“I pretty much followed around behind them, and the people that waited on them were very helpful.” He chuckled. “The hotel clerk was plum befuddled trying to figure out how Samuel checked in with three little girls and left with three little boys.”
Abe threw back his head and laughed heartily. “Are you telling me she dressed up those boys as girls?”
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you. They had dresses down to their ankles and bonnets tied under their chins.” He laughed remembering the sight of them in St. Louis, and then sobered. “It really wasn’t all that funny. Abe, those kids looked half starved. They’re so skinny you can see their bones.”
Abe’s lips curled into a grin. “What’d she look like? Was she pretty?”
Ike leaned back, put his hands behind his head, and grinned. “Brother, I’ve never seen such a vision of loveliness. Even though she could use a few good meals, she was curved everywhere a woman should be.”
“Come on, I need more details than that.”
“She has long shapely legs with dainty ankles and feet. Her breasts are round and plump with little ripe, red nipples just begging for a man’s attention.” He groaned. “She stood there in that cold water and it was all I could do not to join her.”
“How old do you think she is?”
“I’ve never been good at guessing ages, especially girls. I’m pretty sure she’s old enough to be a woman and not a girl. The other one, Rachel, she’s pretty young, but I didn’t see much of her. I did hear her call Samuel by the name Sarah.” He finished drinking the coffee in his cup. “Do you know of any small farms that are for sale around here?”
Abe stayed quiet for a moment, and studied Ike carefully. “You’re really interested in this woman, aren’t you?”
“Hell yes! Haven’t you been listening? I think once you see her you’re going to be mighty interested, too.”
Abe’s brows drew up, and his eyes grew bigger. “Are you saying you’d be willing to share her if she’s willing?”
“Isn’t that what we always wanted, to share a woman between us on a farm someday?”
“Yeah, I know we talked about it a long time ago. When you went home and didn’t come straight back, I figured it was some kind of fantasy. To tell you the truth, I never figured you come back here. Thought you’d get a taste for the thrill of hunting down them bounties.”
Ike frowned. “Well you figured wrong. I’m here to stay. This is my home now, as much as yours, and I want all our dreams to come true.”
Abe blinked a few times and then smiled. “It’s good to know we’re still on the same page, brother. And, I just may have the answer to all our problems.”
“Do tell, well what would that be?”
“I didn’t get a chance to write to you, since I had no idea where you were, but I got the chance to buy the old Mallory place.”
“That place right outside of town?”
Abe nodded. “Yeah, the old man wanted to go back East and retire to spend some time with those grandkids his daughter keeps spewing out. He made me a good deal and now it’s all ours, all six hundred acres of it.”
Ike whistled long and low. “Wow, I always thought we’d have to start with something a lot smaller.”
“Well, it’s the biggest spread around, and it’s all ours now.”
Ike scratched his head and frowned. “How does that help us get closer to Sarah and her family?”
“Just a little over a week ago, Oliver Weston got word his pa had up and died. His ma is in bad straits, and he decided it would be better to take his family back to Kentucky so he could take over his pa’s place. He wanted to sell out, so he sold to me.”
Ike shifted nervously on the hard chair. “I still don’t see how that solves any of our problems.”
“Weston had trouble finding anybody to buy his place because it’s so small, only about twenty acres total. It’s not good for much more than a vegetable garden.”
“You’re saying you’ll sell this place to Sarah and her kids?”
“Hell, I’ll give it to them if she’s as pretty as you say.” He chuckled. “It’ll be real convenient, too, since it’s tucked up in a little valley with our farm surrounding it on three sides.”
“How on earth did that happen?”
“It was explained to me that the original acreage was owned by some family named Foster. They owned the whole valley. Seems they set up the small farm as a place for their oldest son and his wife. The son and his wife were killed which left the land, which had been put in their name, to their son. Everybody, on both places, lost their life in an Indian raid some years back. The boy’s wife was away, and she ended up inheriting the little spread. She sold it and never came back, so it’s been out of the hands of the original owners for a lot of years.”
“Is there a house she can live in on it?” Ike asked.
“There’s a sod house and a barn. The barn has four stalls, and there’s an old chicken coop. It just needs some chickens in it.” Abe leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. “Do you think this little missy has the money to buy a place out here?”
“I’m not sure what shape she’s in financially. She paid cash for the goods she bought in Jefferson City, but they said she pulled out just enough for what she bought and didn’t flash any extra around.” He grimaced. “When I caught up to them camping, I asked her if she could afford to buy a farm.”
“What did she say?”
“She told me I was done eating and it was time for me to move on.” He winced when Abe laughed loudly.
“Sounds like she’s drawing from a deep well. How do you suppose she came by that kind of money?”
“I’ve no idea, but I think we should do everything we can to find out everything about her. If you sell her that spread, then at least we’ll know where she’s at and can keep an eye on her.”
“Why don’t we just give it to her?” asked Abe.
“No, that would tip our hand, and she’d realize something was up. As a matter of fact, it’d be better if she doesn’t know that it’s you selling it. Can you get somebody at the bank to act as an agent for yo
u?’
“She’s going to find out that we’re her closest neighbors, and I do mean close. It’s only a few miles away to our main house.”
“It doesn’t matter as long as she doesn’t find out we’re the ones selling to her.”
“How much do you want me to make her pay?”
“As little as you can get away with since we’re not sure how much money she has. I don’t want to leave her wanting for anything. What condition is the place in?”
Abe shook his head. “I drove out there the day the Westons left. The house is intact, good roof, no leakage. He’d spent some money and brought in some lumber to put in a wood floor, so it’ll be pretty warm come winter. It’s got a nice rock fireplace. They left the stove, a table, and a couple of chairs, but that’s it. They took the beds with them, and there’s no cook pans or dishes.”
“What about the barn?”
“It’s in even better condition than the house. He kept his animals up pretty well. Roof’s in good shape. All it needs is a few animals and a supply of hay for feeding.” He tossed some coins on the table to pay for breakfast. “Actually, I was getting ready to ride over and do some digging in their garden. Weston’s wife had already started a garden before they left, and there’s a passel of stuff ready to harvest.
Ike pushed his chair back and stood. “Sounds like it’ll be a perfect shelter for them, and sounds like they’ll have enough food so they won’t starve.” He walked out the door with Abe and stood on the boardwalk. “You know, we could say that the previous owners left in a hurry and couldn’t take their cow or their chickens.” He gave Abe a wicked grin.
Abe harrumphed, and narrowed his eyes. “Is there anything else you’d like me to provide?”
“Well, now that you mention it. Maybe we could set up some beds in that second room. There is five of them so a couple of double beds should do fine.”
“Would you like me to stock it with food while I’m at it?” Abe asked dryly.
“No, that would seem too suspicious, but a few dishes and a skillet or two would be nice.”
Abe groaned loudly. “I have a strong feeling you’re going to get us in trouble.” He glanced down the sidewalk and whistled loudly. “Jake, come here, boy.” The sound of pounding feet came from around the corner and then a small, skinny-framed boy with reddish-blond hair appeared.
“Did you want me, Sheriff?”
“Jake, this is my brother, Ike. Ike, this is Jake. He does odd jobs for me.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jake.”
“Likewise, sir. What do you need, Sheriff?”
I want you to go down to the livery and tell Mason to let you take that gelding he’s been wanting to sell me. Tell him I’ll be by to pay him later. He’s plenty gentle and you won’t have any problems. Head out to my place and find Angus. Tell him I said to take a milk cow and a half dozen.” He glanced at Ike. “You said there are five of them?”
“Yep, two girls and three boys.”
Abe turned back to Jake. Make that a dozen chickens and one rooster over to the old Weston place. Leave them there and I’ll explain later. Can you remember that, son?”
The boy’s red curls bobbed up and down as he nodded vigorously. “Yes, sir. I’ll get right on it.”
“You do that, and tell Mason I need this done right away. Make it a priority.” Abe dug into his pocket and pulled out a shiny dollar piece. He flipped it to Jake. “This is for you, boy.”
Jake’s eyes grew round as saucers, and he swallowed hard. “It’s for me, the whole dollar?”
Abe ruffled his hair. “You’ll earn it, now git.”
Ike chuckled when the small boy raced off toward the livery. “He’s awfully young. Can you trust he’ll remember what you told him?”
“Absolutely, I’ve never known a boy as smart as Jake.”
“Where are his parents?” asked Ike.
“As far as I know, he doesn’t have any.”
“Where does he live?”
Abe started walking toward the jail. “Here and there. Mostly, Mason lets him bed down in the fresh straw at the livery. I’ve been trying to get him to hire on out at the farm and let me put him up in the bunkhouse but he’s not been willing to say yes, yet. I expect when winter gets closer he’ll be more amenable to my invite.” He stopped when they reached the jail. “When do you think your little lady and her kids will be here?
“I’m not sure. I rode on through the night, and she probably stopped to make some breakfast, plus she’s traveling with mules, and we both know how unpredictable they can be.”
“What makes you think she’ll try cooking on the trail?”
“Last night she shared the best camp dinner I’ve ever had with fish one of them boys caught with a spear no less. She took clay from the river and made little containers to let the fish bake in. I’ve never seen nothing like it.”
“She shared her meal with you?”
“Yeah, she was a little skittish but she didn’t turn a hungry man away.”
“That speaks good of her character.” He stepped down to the street. “I’ll head on over to the Mercantile and get somebody to take out a couple of bedsteads and mattresses and leave them in the house.”
“Sounds good to me. Where can a body get a good nap around here?”
“Well, little brother, I reckon you ought to head on out to our farm. I’ve got one of the bedrooms all fixed up for you. Just introduce yourself to Angus. I done told him all about you.”
Ike mounted his horse and glared down at his brother. “I’m not your little brother. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m two years older than you.”
Abe laughed. “Yeah, but you’re a good two inches shorter.”
Grumbling, Ike turned his horse and urged him into a gallop.
* * * *
Sarah walked a few yards away from the buckboard and stopped. She drew in a deep breath and looked up at the sky. What am I gonna do now? She looked back and watched Rachel stroke one of the stubborn mules gently, whispering in his ear like he was a naughty child. The mules had just stopped, refusing to take another step. They’d been trying to coax the loathsome beasts into moving for better than an hour.
“Okay, I’ve had enough of this.” She walked back over and grabbed the edge of the wagon and pulled herself up. “Rachel, step back.” When the girl had moved off a good distance, Sarah picked up the reins. Determinedly, she jerked them. “Hie up there, you lop-eared jackass.” Stubbornly, she slapped the leather to the mule’s rumps and then smiled when they obeyed and began to move forward.
“Hey, we’re moving!” Jonathan jumped up and down.
Sarah looked over to Rachel. “Can you jump in the back?”
“No problem.” The girl ran up behind the wagon.
Sarah turned and watched Daniel haul Rachel up and steady her as she climbed over the seat. “Good job, Daniel.” She turned and jerked the reins again. “Okay, guys, next stop will be Big Springs.”
“Then what, Sarah, I mean, Samuel?” Daniel gave her a sheepish grin.
“We’re going to see if there’re any farms for sale close by.”
“How you gonna do that?” asked Zeke.
“I reckon the best place to do that would be the bank. That’s where folks would go if they needed money, and the bank is what would foreclose on farms if the people couldn’t pay.”
Daniel moved forward and leaned over the seat. “You mean you’d buy somebody’s place that was hurting for money?”
Sarah felt a brief pang of guilt and quickly pushed it aside. “No, it wouldn’t be my first choice, but if they’re going to lose their land anyway, then it seems only right that someone takes it that really needs it.”
“Do we have enough money to buy a farm?” asked Rachel.
“I’m sure we do. I haven’t spent hardly any of my inheritance.” Sarah turned and looked at the three boys. “You guys remember not to tell anyone that we’re traveling with money. I’m keeping it well hidden so nobody will su
spect that we have it.”
Rachel’s hand pressed against her chest. “Aren’t you planning on putting it in the bank?”
“Absolutely not. That’s the last place I want to put it. They’re too easy to rob, and I’ve never met a banker that could keep a secret.” She reached over and gripped Rachel’s hand. “Don’t worry, we’ll find a safe place to hide it.” Sarah took a deep breath. “You all have to remember not to tell anyone where we’re from, either.”
“What if they ask us?” Zeke asked.
“Just tell them you’re from back East, all over, and leave it at that.” She turned when Rachel leaned forward and seemed to be squinting, trying to see something. “What’s wrong?”
“I think we’re here. That looks like a town down that way.”
Sarah turned and looked where Rachel was pointing. She could make out some buildings off in the distance. “I think you’re right, we made it!” She smiled when the boys began to cheer, all of them leaning forward trying to get a glimpse of their new home.
Jonathan pushed his way forward. “Do you think we’ll see that West feller?”
Sarah felt a funny twinge in her stomach at his innocent question. Ike West had left their campsite two days ago. She’d half expected to see him back for breakfast the next morning but they hadn’t even found evidence of him having his own campsite. “It doesn’t look like a very big town, so if he’s still here, I’m sure we’ll see him sooner or later.”
Sarah drove the mules slowly down the main street of Big Springs. It wasn’t a big town, but it looked friendly enough. From where she sat she could see what looked like a general store with a sign out front that said “Mercantile.” Beside it was a small place called “Sadie’s.” From the smell drifting out into the street, it had to be a restaurant. It was still pretty early, so they must be getting food ready to serve for lunch.
“Look down there, Samuel.” Daniel pointed further down the street. “They got a blacksmith and livery in town.” He gave her a wide grin. “Maybe we could trade these stubborn mules for a good pair of horses.”
Martine, Missy - Star Wishes (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 7