Miss Annie And The Chief

by Joany Kane

  Outside of the saloon in the alleyway Clara hurries to the waiting Chato. They embrace.

  At the same time, inside the jail the marshal sleeps at his desk. Annie and Selma hand sew a costume together. One that has a red hood. The two women are deep in conversation.

  “It was quite sweet, really.” Annie smiles having just regaled her aunt with the details of her time with the chief.

  “Which element of your story was quite sweet? Chief Red Hawk awkwardly learning manners or the dashing Captain Caldwell keeping an eye on you.” Selma, smiling, wants to know.

  Annie looks down at her hands, fighting away a blush with a look of guilt. She's been blushing far too much in the past couple of days and it's weighing on her conscience.

  “I see the pink in your cheeks and there is nothing wrong with why the pink is there.” Selma encourages.

  “I just lost Caleb.” Annie replies as her eyes moisten.

  “You lost your husband three years ago, Annie. Don't dishonor his sacrifice by clinging to what was or what could have been. Caleb wouldn't want that for you. There is no finer man in this territory than Captain Caldwell.” Selma affirms.

  The Marshal opens his eyes. “I take exception to that statement.”

  *****

  It’s morning at Fort Mills. Annie and Mark walk together towards the schoolroom, Annie politely holding his arm.

  “How was the lesson?” Mark asks.

  “It went well.” Annie offers.

  “And the pupil?” Mark inquires, searching for more details.

  “He said that you are an honorable warrior. And to tell you that no harm will come to me so you needn't watch over me.”

  Mark stops walking. He faces her, looking deep into her eyes. “If you don't want me to, I won't,” he says. Although his eyes tell a different story; his eyes tell Annie that he wants to be near her as often as he can, no matter the excuse.

  Annie blushes unable to break their gaze or respond, her hand still entwined on his arm. Before she can answer Chato approaches, breaking the charged moment.

  “Are you ready Miss Annie?” Chato asks. Annie nods unable to speak, the flush ignited by Mark’s deep, longing gaze having caught in her throat. She reluctantly releases her hand from Mark’s elbow.

  A short time later Chato drives the buggy into the village. Annie sits next to him. Off in the far distance, Captain Caldwell rides his horse, keeping an eye on the buggy, an eye on Annie.

  Chato stops the buggy. Hopping out of the buggy, Chato moves to help Annie out. Chief Red Hawk marches to the buggy and gives Chato the "move or else" look.

  Chato quickly moves out of the way as Red Hawk helps Annie out of the buggy.

  “Thank you.” Annie says to the chief.

  “You're welcome,” the chief returns quite proud of himself. Then he scowls. “Did you not tell the captain that he does not need to watch you?”

  “Yes. I did tell Captain Caldwell.” Annie shares with the chief.

  “Why is he still watching?” Chief Red Hawk demands.

  Again Annie blushes as she looks at the ground at a loss for words. Red Hawk studies Annie's behavior curiously.

  “I do not understand,” the chief gasps, exasperated.

  Chato smiles. “I do.”

  “Does he no longer trust me?” The chief is concerned.

  “Please do not be cross with Captain Caldwell. The fault may be mine in not discouraging his concern.” Annie apologizes.

  “Do you not trust me?” The chief looks hurt.

  “I trust your intentions and have faith in your assurance that no harm will come to me.” Annie reassures the chief.

  “Then why is he still following you?” The chief demands.

  Chato grins, he's very familiar with the feelings that he sees growing in Annie and the Captain. Chato rattles off something in Arapaho, clearly filling the chief in on the sparks between Annie and the captain. Red Hawk raises his eyes.

  Annie desperately wants to change the topic. “Shall we begin our lessons, Chief Red Hawk?” She asks impatiently.

  *****

  Chief Red Hawk and Annie sit on rocks near a babbling brook at the edge of the village.

  Annie reads the Declaration of Independence to the chief. "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

  “The white eyes fought their great father across the ocean for these "unalienable" rights you speak of?” The chief wants confirmation.

  “Yes.”

  “What would have happened to these men had their great father captured them?”

  “They would have been hung for treason.”

  “What is this word treason?” The chief asks.

  “It means betraying one's country.” Annie tells the chief.

  “If they fought so hard for their unalienable rights, why are they so quick to take these same rights from the Indian?”

  Annie thinks about how to answer such a good question. “I think, Chief Red Hawk, as I am coming to believe, that many of the white eyes have gotten so caught up in wanting more, that they've lost sight of understanding. By not trying to understand your life they end up believing it doesn't have the same value as theirs.”

  “Then why do they say in their declaration that all men are created equal under their Nature's God? The Nature's God created me and my people just like he created the white eyes. My way of life should be valued as much as theirs.”

  “I agree with you, Chief Red Hawk.” Annie offers.

  “It is unfortunate that you are not the one writing this new treaty.” The chief sighs.

  Annie goes to get up from the rock.

  “Do I help here also?” The chief asks.

  “Yes.” Annie smiles at the chief’s wisdom and progress.

  Annie extends her hand to Red Hawk. He effortlessly takes her in his arms, picks her up and plops her on the ground. He nods, waiting for her cordial response. She regains her composure after being so inadvertently manhandled.

  “Thank you.” She barely utters, embarrassed by the manhandling.

  “You're welcome.” The chief states with pride.

  Annie and Red Hawk walk through the village. “When a man walks with a women, he offers her his arm to hold while they walk.” Annie tells the chief.

  “Why?” He asks confounded by these white eyes traditions.

  “To provide steady support in case she stumbles.”

  “I think the white man stumbles more than the white woman so perhaps she should offer her arm to him.” The chief says quite matter of factly.

  *****

  Inside the Beaver Creek General Stove Annie purchases some items. She picks up her basket and heads for the door. Mark is about to enter the store. He holds the door open for Annie.

  “Thank you, Captain.” Annie says politely.

  May I assist you, Mrs. Landon? Mark offers.

  “That would be most kind.” Annie hands her basket to Mark for him to carry. He offers her his arm, she takes it. They walk towards Selma's place.

  “The scouts are pleased with your teaching.” Mark tells Annie.

  “They're quick learners.” Annie marvels.

  “Is Chief Red Hawk?” Mark inquires.

  “He has great wisdom.” Annie believes.

  Mark teases Annie. “Well, he did call me an honorable warrior.”

  Annie beams at Mark’s teasing. “Yes he did.”

  Mark admires Annie’s beautiful smile. “I imagine it has been hard to smile again.”

&nbs
p; “Your kindness has helped.” Annie whispers.

  “That's good to hear.”

  They reach Selma's place. Mark hands the basket to Annie. “I was wondering, Mrs. Landon, if I may escort you to church tomorrow morning.” Mark asks.

  “I will look forward to it.” Annie says politely, trying to mask her delight in his offer.

  “As will I.” Mark tips his hat to Annie.

  *****

  The next morning, in the town church, the congregation stands singing a hymn during the Sunday morning service.

  Annie, dressed in her Sunday best, stands next to Captain Caldwell, who is dressed in his Army best.

  When the hymn is finished the congregation take their seat in the pews.

  Annie and Mark sit next to each other. So close their bodies just barely touch.

  The minister reads from the Bible. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another..."

  Neither Mark nor Annie hear the words. Their physical proximity to each other has more of an effect on them, which they try to deny by pretending to listen intently to the minister.

  The service is now over. Outside of the church the minister greets the parishioners as they leave. Mark and Annie approach the minister.

  “Captain Caldwell, what a nice surprise seeing you in church this morning,” the minister exclaims.

  “I wanted to escort Mrs. Landon to church her first time. She is new to town.” Mark nearly stammers.

  “How thoughtful,” the minister says as he turns his attention to Annie. He shakes her hand. “Welcome to Beaver Creek, Mrs. Landon.”

  “Thank you, Reverend.”

  Mark escorts Annie down the street. She holds his arm. Even this polite gesture and connection is filled with sparks.

  “You don't attend church, Captain?” Annie asks.

  “Not as faithfully as I suppose I should.”

  “I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

  “My motives I must confess…” Before Mark has a chance to explain that he just wanted to spend time with her, Emmet Howes approaches in his wagon. Annie's horse is tied to the back. Annie is pleased to see Emmet, and her horse.

  “How do, Miss Annie.” Emmet calls, pleased to see her.

  “Mr. Howes, it is good to see you again,” she says with genuine affection.

  “I thought I'd check in, see how yer fairin'.”

  “I'm doing well, thank you. How was the trip to Santa Fe?”

  “Once we got there, all them transendlists started quoting them respectively brothers at each other. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.”

  Mark laughs.

  “Is yer aunt still in the slammer?” Emmet asks.

  “She is.” Annie relates.

  “I was wondering if you'd be needing a ride. I'm heading back east. Maybe not so far as Pennsylvania, but somewhere more suitable for a lady such as yerself. I'm bettin' St. Louis is the town fer you.” Emmet offers.

  Annie is touched by Emmet's thoughtfulness, which isn't lost on Mark. She seems to be thinking about the offer. Mark looks deeply at Annie, his remarkable eyes showing care - and more. “Please don't leave,” he entreats quietly.

  Annie turns her attention to Emmet. “Mr. Howes, would you like to stay for Sunday dinner?”

  “I surely do, I've been missin' yer cookin'.”

  Annie looks at Mark. “Captain, would you like to stay for Sunday dinner?”

  “I would indeed, thank you.”

  *****

  Annie, Mark and Emmet are seated at the dining table enjoying a Sunday supper feast. Mark is well mannered while Emmet, wearing his napkin as a bib, heartily shovels the food in his mouth.

  “May I get you anything, Captain.” Annie asks.

  “The salt please.” Mark answers.

  Annie picks up the salt shaker and hands it to Mark. As she hands it to him, their fingers touch. The shaker exchange and touch linger as their eyes lock and sparks fly.

  Emmet stops the food shoveling long enough to witness the connection between Annie and the captain. “I surely could get used to having a dinner like this nightly, how's about you, capt'n?” Emmet injects.

  “Yes. I could.” Mark replies, looking directly at Annie. Annie’s cheeks flush, she looks down at her plate.

  “I reckon you'll be wanting to stay in Beaver Creek for a spell, Miss Annie.” Emmet concludes.

  “For a spell.” Annie smiles. Mark looks relieved, and pleased, to hear this.

  “Then you'll be needin' a horse. You should have yer steed back.” Emmet offers.

  “I gave him to you as part of our agreement.” Annie asserts.

  “I'm thinkin' he wants to be back with you. Won't stop naying.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Howes. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

  “Not as much as I appreciate your cooking, that's fer sure.”

  After Sunday supper, the good-byes having already been said, Mark and Annie watch as Emmet drives his wagon down the main street of Beaver Creek.

  They stand with Annie's horse. Annie pets her horse's nose, happy to be reunited with her pet, her friend.

  “It's nice to have you back, boy.” Annie says to the horse.

  Mark pats the horse's mane. “Fine animal.”

  “Caleb, my husband, gave him to me before he went to war. He said when he returned he'd teach me to ride him.”

  “I could teach you.”

  Annie continues to look at her horse, shy to lock eyes with Mark. “I would like that.”

  “There are several hours of light left to this day and I bet you're a quick learner.” Mark encourages.

  For the next couple of hours Mark shows Annie how to saddle the horse and how to mount the horse. Mark rides his horse alongside Annie's horse, guiding her and instructing her how to handle the horse.

  Annie, now comfortable and pretty confident on the horse, rides with Mark in the beautiful countryside. They gallop along a river with the Rockies looming in the background. Her smile and the joy in her eyes have been growing all afternoon, which is not lost on Mark.

  They return to town and ride to the front of Selma's house. It's now close to dark out. Mark dismounts and then helps Annie dismount from her horse. He has her in his arms. Both of them desperately want to kiss; the longing, the ache, the need, the desire is palpable. But before their lips can touch, Annie pulls back.

  “I'll see to your horse.” Mark says. “Thank you for the delicious dinner.”

  “Thank you for the nice afternoon and the lessons.” Annie replies. “You are a good teacher.”

  Mark looks intently, tenderly, at Annie. “I hope it was me who put the joy back in your eyes.”

  Annie looks away, it would be too much for her to meet his gaze when she replies with a whisper. “It was.”

  She hurries into Selma’s house. In the kitchen Annie cleans up from the Sunday feast while packaging a picnic basket of leftovers. As she completes her tasks a flurry of thoughts rush through her mind and are captured in her expression; thoughts ranging from guilt over feeling as if she's betraying her husband to joy in how Mark makes her feel.

  A short time later Annie leaves Selma’s place, carrying the picnic basket, and walks towards the jail. As she crosses the street, she hears - and sees - three loud and obnoxious cowboys riding into town.

  She quickens her pace. One of the cowboys hollers something at her, but she ignores it and hurries to the jail. The three cowboys hoot and holler as they park their horses by the saloon.

  Annie enters the jail. Selma is seated at the marshal's desk. She's involved in a game
of chess with the marshal. Both are focused on the game.

  “You're out of your cell.” Annie notices.

  “I've been released on good behavior.” Selma shares as she makes a move.

  “I promised to pardon her if she wins,” the marshal relates as he makes a move.

  “Really?” Annie thinks the marshal is serious.

  “We're lettin' her out because the theatre folks arrive tomorrow,” the marshal elaborates.

  Selma makes a move to win the game. “I win!” Selma exclaims.

  “You wanna go back to that cell?” The marshal asks, frustrated that he lost the game.

  “No. Besides, you're going to need the room.” Selma points out.

  “Need the room for what?” Annie inquires.

  “For whom.” Selma corrects.

  “The Rush Brothers. They're coming to town. Carl, Dick and Glen. They're no-good, drunken, lying, cheatin', bully Texans,” the marshal explains.

  “I believe they have arrived.” Annie shares.

  Inside the saloon Roy tickles the ivory. Carl, Dick and Glen have entered and have taken over a poker table. They are loud, cocky and rude. There is nothing remotely redeemable in any one of them. The brothers holler for the saloon girls to bring them whiskey and beer. Glen lustfully eyes Clara. This unsettles her. She hurries to the bar.

  One of the older, seasoned saloon girls takes Clara aside. “You stay clear of that one. He's got the calamity and he plays rough,” the saloon girl warns Clara as she nods towards Glen.

  *****

  Annie walks through a field of flowers with Chief Red Hawk.

  “My aunt was released from jail last night. She was the one who had been teaching the scouts.” Annie tells the chief.

  “Why was she in jail?” The chief is curious.

  “She helped a wanted man escape from the authorities.”

  “Why would she help him?”

  “Because she loves him, and she believes that he is not a bad person.”

  “Why is he thought to be a bad person?”

  “Because he has killed men.”

  “He must have killed white men.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because if he killed Indians, it wouldn't have mattered.”

  “I hate to believe that's true.” Annie sighs.