Faith in Rayne

by Dannie Marsden

  “If it's so good, why ain't she here with her? I'll make Rayne forget all about that family life she left behind. And don't you go thinkin’ ya can just open your mouth. Ya hear? No one is to know I got this here letter,” Maddie took a threatening step towards the other woman.

  “Maddie, come on, how you can do—”

  “Jane, I swear, if ya say one word about this, I'll kill ya. I aim to have my happy endin’ with the deputy, and ain't no one gonna stand in my way. Especially you.” Maddie had fire in her eyes. “As far as you know, Rayne got this here letter and told me to burn it. You were there and heard her. Said she wanted nothing to remind her of her past, that her future was here with me. You got that, missy?”

  Jane knew better than to cross Maddie, for she had witnessed what happened to one girl that stupidly went after a man Maddie wanted. The pain the girl had suffered and the awful scar that would forever remind her were something Jane didn't want to experience.

  “I ain't gonna say anythin’, but you're wrong in what you're wantin’ to do. But yeah, I heard ya,” Jane made a quick retreat to the door. She made her way back to the saloon but could still hear the sound of Maddie's laughter echoing behind her.

  Rayne opened her eyes, looked around the room, and found herself alone. She debated on staying put and waiting for someone to come back or just getting up and getting her own drink of water. It didn't take her long to decide. She was thirsty, and she didn't want to wait. She slowly sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She had managed a few steps when the dizziness became too much for her to handle. She was swaying and on the verge of collapsing when the door opened.

  Maddie rushed in and soon had her arms around Rayne as she helped her back to bed. “Just what in tarnation did you think you were doin’?”

  Rayne's head throbbed as did her shoulder, but she was tired of being in bed, of having to have someone take care of her. She wanted movement; she needed to feel self-reliant again. “I needed a drink and no one was around, so I figured I'd fetch it myself.”

  Maddie helped Rayne back into bed. “I see, and how well did that work out for ya?”

  Rayne took deep gulps of air in an effort to quell the waves of nausea she was feeling. Her fingers clenched around the sheets, as she licked her dry lips. “I just needed a drink of water.”

  “Well, since you're as pale as a ghost, I'm gonna say you just ain't healed enough. Come on, lay back and I'll get you that glass of water.”

  Rayne laid her head against the pillow and with a weak low voice said, “Thank you, darlin’, I'd be much obliged if ya got the doc as well.”

  Maddie paused for a second, not at all sure she heard correctly. With a smile, she simply replied, “Of course I will, honey. You promise you'll stay put while I'm out?”

  Rayne took a sip from the glass that Maddie held up to her lips before weakly laying her head against the pillow again. Her eyes closed tightly against the pounding in her head. “I ain't goin’ nowhere.”

  It wasn't long before Maddie returned with the doc, who looked Rayne over.

  “Well, the good news is the gunshot wound didn't break open again. In fact, it's lookin’ pretty damned good. Rayne, tell me, has the pain in your head eased up at all?”

  “No. In fact, I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd put me outta my misery, and I don't rightly care how ya do it.”

  “Now, Rayne, you don't mean that,” Maddie injected.

  Rayne didn't open her eyes but did manage to growl her response.

  Doc Granger reached into his black medical bag and pulled out a brown bottle. “Rayne, I want ya to take a drink of this here medicine. It'll help with the pain. Take it when ya need it ya understand?”

  Rayne once again growled but took the medicine.

  Satisfied that he'd done all he could do for his patient, Doc stood up and motioned for Maddie to follow him. Once out in the hall, he spoke, “Now the gunshot is healing nicely, but I'm concerned about the head wound. Have her take a swig from that there bottle a couple a times a day. The laudanum should help with the pain.”

  “I surely will, Doc, and thank you,” Maddie smiled. “Oh, has the sheriff said anything? Do they know what happened?”

  “He sent a posse out to ol' Horace's place. They found him dead, a bunch of tracks in the dirt but not much they could use to track the other fella. They didn't even bother to just rob him they flat out just killed him. Hawks says it ain't likely they'll catch ‘em, but he's wirin’ the other towns around here lettin’ ‘em know about the killin’. I tell ya, I'm plum proud that Mathews there got off a shot and at least got one of them robbers. Old Horace, he ain't done nothin’ bad to no one. Hell, his only crime was blabbin’ to the wrong people.”

  Maddie nodded in agreement. She shook her head as if to rid herself of her thoughts before she made a fool of herself and cried. She cleared her throat. “Well, I should go check on Rayne. I'll make sure she takes the medicine too. Thank you again, Doc.”

  “Not a problem. Now, you come get me if ya need, alright?”

  Maddie nodded and walked back to her room, where she found Rayne sound asleep. Quietly, she walked up to the side of the bed and gently pulled a blanket up over the sleeping woman. She then walked to the chair next to the table and picked up the garment she had been mending.

  Chapter Eight

  Harry was in the parlor browsing the town's paper, when he heard the sound of the slamming door and rushed to the foyer. When he saw Etta, he asked, “What in the name of God is goin’ on that ya gotta be slammin’ the damn door?”

  “That woman…” Etta flustered, “that woman is nothing but a conniving whore.”

  Harry tossed the paper on the small table that stood against the wall and calmly walked towards Etta. “Now, darlin’, is that anyway for you to speak?” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug. He didn't let go until he felt her begin to relax. “Now come on into the parlor. We'll have us a drink, and you can tell me what it is that's got you all riled up.”

  Etta took a deep breath and let it go slowly. She brought her hand up and smoothed her hair, which sat on the top of her head in a neat bun, then smiled. “I'm sorry for slamming the door like that. Can you forgive me?”

  Harry smiled. “Darlin’, there ain't nothin’ I wouldn't forgive.” He tenderly brushed her cheek with his thumb. “Besides, I happen to believe you are quite fetchin’ when you're angered.”

  Etta visibly bristled at the comment and again started yelling. “Fetchin’? You think I'm fetchin’, do you? Well, let me tell you something, since I'm so fetchin’, you should go see Hawks and discuss how fetchin’ I am, right along with how I'm bein’ over protective of Rayne and how poor, sweet Maddie is only doin’ her Christian duty by nursin’ Rayne back to health.” Etta grabbed a vase from the table and threw it against the wall where it shattered and fell to the floor in pieces.

  Harry, who had been backing up, stopped moving and stood as if stuck to the floor. Etta shouted, “Go! I mean it.” She stormed upstairs to her room, where she once again slammed the door.

  Harry finally moved and reached for his hat, figuring it was safer if he just went to the saloon. He honestly hadn't meant to upset Etta; he did think she was beautiful when she was angry. Well, not when she was angry at him but others, yes. “Hmm maybe I should talk to Hawks and the doc, see what they really think of Maddie's sudden carin’ streak.” With his mind made up, he walked to Sheriff Hawks's office. Maybe I should try to see things from Etta's point of view. Does she see something that I don’t?

  †

  Hawks looked up as Harry walked into the office. He sat back in his chair and propped his feet up on the desk with his fingers laced behind his head. “Well howdy, Harry, are ya lost? You're kinda in the wrong building, don'tcha think?” he joked.

  “Ah hell, Hawks, this here visit falls under the crap we do to keep the womenfolk happy.” Harry walked around the office glancing at the wanted posters, stopping now and then to take a goo
d look. He stopped to examine one, took his hat off, and scratched his head. He turned towards Hawks. “Almost looks like him. His eyes are wrong. Butch's are a tad farther apart and a little harsher, ya know? Meaner, I guess you'd say. And that one,” he said, pointing to another poster. “That supposed to be me?”

  “Well yeah, I suppose so, but unless you're tellin’ me that you're the Sundance Kid, I reckon it's just some guy that resembles you. That ain't why you're here is it, to tell me that you're this outlaw? That ain't the reason for this visit, is it?” Hawks laughed.

  “I don't believe that's why I'm here. Though I do have to say, that there Sundance Kid, he's one damned good lookin’ fella.” Harry let out a hearty laugh and Hawks joined him.

  “Pull up a chair tell me what brought ya here. It'd be my guess though that Etta told ya about our little visit.”

  “Yup. Whatever ya told her really put a bee in her bonnet. She came home slammin’ doors, and hell, she even threw a vase at me. What in tarnation did you say to her?” Harry sat in a chair in front of the sheriff's desk.

  “Ah hell, Harry, I just told her she was lookin’ for trouble where there was none. Hell, she came in here a squackin’ about how Maddie wasn't lettin’ her see Rayne. She said somethin’ about havin’ a letter for Mathews and Maddie flat out tellin’ her to leave.” Hawks sat forward and reached for his coffee.

  “Yeah, she came in a jawin’ about Maddie bein’ a connivin’ whore. I got the feelin’ that she don't believe Maddie is the carin’ type. Hawks, you don't suppose she sees somethin’ you and I don't?”

  “Hell, Harry, I don't know. If ya ask me, she's just jealous that someone else is takin’ her place in Rayne's life. It's just Etta bein’ jealous is all.”

  Harry let his head fall. “Lord, please tell me ya didn't tell Etta you thought she was just jealous of Maddie.”

  “Is my head still attached to my body? Hell no, I didn't mention that to her. But you got a better answer?”

  †

  Rayne opened her eyes to the soft glow coming from the lantern that sat on the table. She was actually happy to say that her headache was more like a few hundred sledge hammers pounding on her skull rather than the million from earlier. Still, she took her time and slowly moved up to a sitting position.

  It was the squeaking of the bedsprings that brought Maddie's eyes up from her sewing. “How are you feeling?”

  Rayne, who was focused on moving, stopped and gave it some thought before answering, “Well honestly, I don't feel a million hammers a goin’ at my skull. So I suppose that's good. Something smells real good.” She sniffed at the air again. “Is that chicken soup I'm smellin’?” She stretched, forgetting about the wound in her shoulder until her muscle screamed.

  “Ooh honey, are you alright?” Maddie quickly stood and rushed to the side of the bed.

  “Son of a bitch, I forgot about that,” Rayne replied through clenched teeth. After a couple of deep breaths she continued, “So is that soup and fresh bread I smell?”

  “Yes, I sent Emily to the dining room over at the hotel for something. I figured you might be hungry—if only for a couple of bites. Do you think maybe you would like to try?”

  Rayne licked her lips; she couldn't remember when she’d eaten last. “Hell yeah, I think I could eat a horse.”

  Maddie smiled, and she reached out and ran her hand over Rayne's arm, pausing over the flexed muscle of Rayne’s bicep. “Good, I'll bring you a bowl.”

  “Don't forget the bread,” Rayne chimed in quickly.

  Rayne was certain that she had not had anything as good as the soup and bread since, well she really could not remember when. With the pain in her head, she had had a hard time keeping anything other than liquids down.

  Something was nagging at her, a feeling that she was missing something important, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember what it was. She had questions she wanted answers to but didn't know who she could trust. The thoughts in her head must have been visible on her face, because Maddie asked, “Honey, what's the matter?”

  “Hm, what?”

  “You have a frown on your face so somethin’ is botherin’ ya. Wanna tell me what it is?”

  “Nothin’ really, I was just tryin’ to remember when it was that I enjoyed a meal so much.” Her head was starting to pound harder; she was thinking too much. Maybe she should close her eyes. “Supper was delicious, thank you, but if ya don't mind, I'm gonna close my eyes again. Them hammers poundin’ in my head are back.”

  “Oh yes, of course, I should have thought about that. I'm sure you're tired. You’re still healin’. Let me take this.” Maddie took the bed tray and set it on the table. She turned back towards Rayne, with her hands on her hips. “Do you need some more medicine? I have the bottle right here.”

  “No, I think if I close my eyes I'll be fine, but thank you.” Rayne scooted down on the bed and closed her eyes.

  †

  Harry and the sheriff were at the bar drinking and laughing at the stories they were telling each other, when Maddie appeared downstairs with the tray in hand. Hawks nudged Harry when he saw the redhead. Harry rushed to grab the tray from her. “Here, let me take that, Maddie. There ain't no need for you to have to carry that.”

  “Well thank you, Harry. How have ya been? I'm surprised to see ya here. I mean, you've been gone for a while, and I know Etta has missed ya. I figured she'd keep you busy, now that Rayne ain’t always under foot. I mean, I just cain’t imagine how ya’ll got any time alone with her livin’ with ya,” she said snidely.

  “Well now, Maddie, Etta does keep me busy enough. But if I wanna have a drink with my friends, she ain't gonna say nothing. Speakin’ about Rayne, how is she doin’? I understand that Etta stopped by earlier to see her friend.”

  “She did stop by. Unfortunately, Rayne was nappin’. Not that it would have mattered, since Rayne asked me to keep Etta away.” Maddie shrugged as she looked at a fingernail on her right hand. “Did little miss holier than thou tell ya that it was me?”

  “Miz Maddie, there ain't no need for talkin’ about Miz Etta like that,” Hawks said, as his eyes shifted to the man beside him. For all the carousing that Harry did, he adored Etta. No one spoke ill of her. Hawks wasn't entirely sure what Harry would do to Maddie should he decide she’d spoken out of line.

  Harry's eyes narrowed and grew cold, as he heard Maddie's comment about Etta. Maybe Etta was right about the redhead. “Miz Etta would never say such a thing. She just mentioned that she wasn't able to see her is all. How about I buy ya a drink? I'm sure with takin’ care of the wounded deputy and all ya ain't had much time for your usual activities.”

  Maddie smiled and immediately took Harry's arm. “Why Harry, that be so true, and a drink would certainly be a welcome distraction, especially with such an attractive man as yourself. Thank you.” Maddie turned to look at Hawks. “See there, Sheriff, that's how ya treat a lady. You should take a lesson from Harry here.” She turned back to Harry with a giggle. “It's too bad I got an injured deputy in my room. Otherwise, I'd show you a real good time.”

  Harry smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. “It's just not meant to be, I suppose. One drink and then ya got a patient that needs lookin’ after. Jonas, how's about ya pour us a couple of drinks?” Harry noticed the man behind the bar was staring at the redhead angrily.

  †

  Even through the pain of her headache, Rayne was able to sleep. Her dreams centered on a ranch she didn't recognize, but instinctively, she knew it offered comfort and was important to her. She dreamt of a sweet, raven-haired boy with blue eyes that reminded her of herself, and a feisty green-eyed blonde whose smile warmed her heart and lit up her world. At least in her dream world. Rayne still felt she was missing something but couldn't for the life of her recall who these people were.

  In her sleeping state, she tried searching her memory but just wasn't able to grasp their names or why they mattered to her. The only real thing she knew was that she felt an uncond
itional love from these people and the harder she tried to remember them, the more her head hurt.

  At some point in the middle of the night, she awoke. Her head and pillowcase were wet with sweat, and the blinding headache was back in force. It was Maddie’s soft whispers and coaxing that had her sitting up long enough to take the offered medicine.

  “Shh, it's alright, honey. I know you're in pain. Here, drink this. It'll help soon enough. Lord, your pillow is drenched.” She pushed back at the dark hair.

  “I'm sorry, I didn't mean…”

  “Oh, darlin’, don't you worry about that.” Maddie reached for a dry cloth and tenderly began drying Rayne's forehead and hair. “I'll fetch another pillowcase. It'll be alright.”

  A few hours later, Rayne rolled over to the soft, warm body of a woman. In her drug-induced haze, she snuggled into the body. The next time Rayne opened her eyes, the beginning of the morning light was barely making its way over the horizon. She sighed and realized that aside from a dry mouth and slight twinge in her shoulder, she felt good. Her head wasn’t pounding, and she had a moment of thankfulness at the lack of pain. As her eyes adjusted, she took a moment to appreciate the warmth of the body next to her and the scent and feel of the red hair that tickled her nose.

  Maddie rolled over in Rayne's arm and placed her hand on Rayne’s well-toned stomach. Slowly, Maddie moved her hand and trailed her fingers up towards Rayne’s ribs, stopping at her breastbone.

  Rayne brought her hand up and placed it over the creamy wandering hand. Without provocation, her heart beat a little harder.

  Maddie's eyes looked up towards Rayne's when her hand was covered by the other. She felt the strong, steady heartbeat beneath her hand. Rayne’s eyes held a mixture of fear and excitement. As Maddie looked directly into Rayne's darkening blue eyes, she set aside her own fear and followed her desire. She placed a series of kisses along the solid shoulder up to the collar bone, then up the neck, teasing the dark-haired woman. Stopping at the neck, her tongue flicked at the pulse point, and she smiled as she heard the tiny catch in Rayne's breathing. Her kisses continued along the column of the neck, stopping now and then to taste and nip at the skin beneath her lips.