Flora knelt beside Sally, patting her back.
“What about Boy?” Ada asked. Newt could tell she already knew the answer. There were tears in her eyes.
“The children were burying him when we found them.”
Ada stared at the wall. The tears now slid down her face. “He were my little brother. Ma died of the sickness. Boy took it real bad. He got sick and didn’t seem ta want ta go on. I hated ta leave him, but the men wouldn’t let me stay.” Ada wiped the tears from her face with a dirty hand.
It suddenly occurred to Newt that these women would want to see the children. Sanctuary House would be the best place for them to stay, also. He pulled his pocket watch out and checked the time. The café would be closed now. Blanche should be at the House. Chloe might still be cleaning the café, but she could be fetched quickly.
“Ladies, let’s go to where the children are. I’m sure they’ll be delighted to see you. We’ll make arrangements for your housing, too.”
Sally rose and wiped her nose with her sleeve. Ada put her arm around her as they left the jail.
~~~~~
Newt led the small procession across and up the street. He made a quick stop at Preston’s Gun Shop, alerting Pastor Noah Preston about the advent of the women, and asking him to get Chloe Ashburn from the café. The women huddled against the side of the building. Newt noticed several townsfolk standing around staring at them.
“Head on about your business, folks. Nothing to concern you,” Newt called. He escorted the women to the next street over to Sanctuary House, knocking on the door. The women tried to tuck themselves behind him.
Blanche Basking opened the door. “Afternoon, Sheriff. What can I do for you?”
Newt tipped his hat. “Ma’am. I’ve got three women here who’re needing what this house gives— sanctuary. They escaped the King Gang yesterday and walked to town. Not sure how far it was, but I’m sure they need food and shelter. Will…”
Blanche cut him off. “Of course, come in.” She brushed Newt aside and gently pulled the women into the house. “Come to the kitchen. We’ll…”
This time it was Blanche who was cut off as they entered the dining room. Mae and Tadpole rushed past her, hugging Flora and Sally. Boone flew past, embracing Ada.
The back door slammed, and Chloe ran into the room. “Flora. Sally. Oh my word, Ada. Praise the Lord.” She hugged one, then another, then the last, repeating the hugs several times. Tears flowed down the cheeks of everyone, including Blanche, Ruth, and Libby. Even Newt had to blink them back.
The group moved to the kitchen where stew from lunch was set on the stove to reheat.
“Where’s…Where’s Nina?” Sally asked. Her voice was weak and filled with fear.
“She’s napping upstairs in her room,” Libby said. “With the twins.”
“Can I see her?”
“Of course, come with me.” Libby took Sally’s shaking hand and led her through the house and up the stairs. “Do you want to wake her?” Libby spoke in a whisper as they approached the room with three sleeping children.
“Could I?”
“It’s up to you. She’ll wake on her own in about half an hour. You could have eaten by then.”
Sally’s stomach growled. “I’ll just look for now.”
“She’s in here.” Libby opened the door and stepped aside.
Sally entered and made a b-line to the bed Nina slept in. Shaky hands fluttered to her mouth. She stood looking for a long moment, then turned away and left the room. Libby closed the door.
“She’s your daughter, isn’t she?” Libby embraced the weeping woman. They went across the hall into Libby’s bedroom.
Sally nodded. “I thought she’d died back at the cave. They made us leave them. Just left them to die. Seems like Boy did. He were real sick when we left.”
“Yes, the children told us they were burying him when they were found.” They were silent for a moment, then Libby said, “Let’s go get you some of that stew. Nina will be wanting your attention when she wakes.”
The other women were in the washroom cleansing their faces and hands. Chloe was fluttering around. She couldn’t stop hugging them.
“Dunc was so glad to meet Boone, Mae, and Tadpole again. Tadpole didn’t remember him, but the others did.” Chloe went on chattering about how delighted she was that the women had escaped and found their way to Stones Creek. “Only God could have brought you here. First the children, then you all got away. I just wish it could have been sooner.”
“Stew’s ready,” Ruth said from the doorway. “Newt left. Said he’d come back later. He has some questions he wants to ask. Maybe you can help him locate the gang’s camp.”
When the three women were eating at a large table in the dining room with the Ladies and children gathered close by, Blanche said, “We’re heating water for baths. We’ll find clean clothes for you to wear and figure out which rooms you want as yours. That will be enough for today. The rest will be settled and explained tomorrow. Just know, you have a place here. This is Sanctuary House. You’re safe and very welcome.”
“But why?” Flora asked. “Why would you want us?”
Chloe explained about Sanctuary Place, the women’s mission in Iowa where she, Duncan, and new born Lil-Pen were taken by Nugget Nate Ryder after he and Penny, his wife, found them in the shack in Minnesota. The Place was for women in need, whether of their own making, or thrust upon them. It was a safe place to live, learn skills for living and about the Lord.
“What about Gema? She live here?” Flora asked.
“She did, but she’s married now to the man who found her when you helped her escape.”
“I’m glad, we’re glad she’s okay. Hated to just make her run without knowin’ how to get help, but even dyin’ in the woods is a might better than what they’d planned for her.” Flora spooned another bite of stew into her mouth.
Feet hitting the floor in the room above sounded. “That’ll be Nina,” Libby smiled. “She’s got a heavy step for such a little thing. You want to come with me or wait until I bring her down?”
The footsteps ran across the floor above toward the stairs.
“No need to go, Sally. She’ll be down in a few seconds,” Ruth laughed.
Sally stood slowly and moved toward the door. Nina came running in and stopped. Her eyes got big. “Mama.” The word was whispered first, then shouted. Then, she was in her mother’s arms. All Nina could say was, “Mama, Mama, Mama.”
“My baby, my Nina,” was repeated as they greeted each other.
Again tears flowed.
When everything settled again, Sally sat back down at the table with Nina on her lap. The little girl had a piece of bread and butter. When she’d finished eating, Nina placed buttery hands on Sally’s cheeks.
“I no want to go back, Mama. Want to stay here. I gots a bed and lots to eat. Pretty dress.”
Sally kissed Nina. “I don’t want to go back either. I want to stay here, too.”
~~~~~
Chloe sat with Flora on the porch swing of Sanctuary House. The women had bathed and were in borrowed clothing. None of it fit well since they were so very thin. The women didn’t care. They were clean and not ragged.
“I still can’t believe how you was found at that cabin we left you at. I was sure you’d die, and then Dunc would. When Buster told that he’d seen you in Stones Creek, I nearly dropped my teeth. Said he was going to get you back. That you belonged to them.” She laughed. “I was glad to hear they got captured instead. It gave me hope I could get out. Me and the others talked about tryin’. It bein’ winter, we couldn’t even try. Had to wait until we could handle bein’ out at least one night. Had to concern ourselves about the children, too.
“We was just about to gather what we needed and steal away when the sickness started. Roda died first. She was real sickly after that last baby were born. My two died, then Prue. Ada took it real hard. Prue’d been trying to protect Ada. Didn’t do no good, but she tried. All the children took s
ick. I didn’t, neither did Sally. We tended them all. Fred died. So did Clem. Men were getting fewer. We thought we’d be able to get away as soon as the weather turned.”
“Then the men kidnapped Gema,” Chloe said.
“Yeah, them idiots.” Flora chuckled. “Picked the one town in the area with a sheriff who has some sense.”
“Gema said you helped her escape.”
“Yep, I told her I was gonna get them drunk, and she needed to run. Hear tell she did.”
Chloe nodded. She knew what else had kept the men occupied so Gema could get away. “Red found her. They were stuck in the line shack on Hawk’s Wing Ranch for several days. They got married about a week after they got back to town.”
“The men were real mad about her gettin’ away. Beat me up pretty bad. I wouldn’t let them hurt Sally. It were my idea. They got real nervous after that. Knew the law would be comin’. Snow kept us at the cave for several days.” Flora wiped her hand down her face. “When the snow melted, Ornan and Phil decided it was time to leave. They wouldn’t take the children. Said they’d slow us down. They wanted Boone to come but not the others. He hid. I don’t know where, don’t care. He’d been wanting to escape, too. I tried to get them to leave Ada behind, but they wouldn’t. Cletus said with two of the women dead, she needed to go along. At least they left Mae.
“I were hopin’ they were mad enough at me to leave me with the children. I was pretty beat up still. I pleaded with ‘em, but they just threw me onto a horse with Ornan, and we rode away.”
“God watched over them, Flora. Boone said they’d been alone at the cave for three days when the posse came. They were burying a little boy.” Chloe put an arm around Flora’s shoulders.
“Don’t know nothin’ about God watchin’, but I’m glad they was found.”
“I’ve no doubt God had His hand in all of this. God has turned what the gang meant for evil into good.”
“How?” Flora asked.
“They kidnapped Gema, which was an evil thing to do. You helped her escape. That led to the children being rescued. Then, He had the gang set up camp where you could hear the trains. That gave you a way to get away and find Stones Creek. The town where the children are. Sally and Nina are back together. So are Ada and Boone. That should help both of them deal with their mother’s death.”
Flora nodded.
“Sheriff Riverby said he’d be telegraphing Nugget Nate. He’s the sponsor of Sanctuary Place and House. I’m sure he’ll help you get started in a new life.”
“You think so?” Flora turned hope-filled eyes toward Chloe.
“He did for me. Nugget Nate and God.”
~~~~~
Noah pulled the buggy to a halt in front of the main house on Hawk’s Wing Ranch. Ozzie jumped from his horse and tied his and the buggy horse to the hitching rail while Noah helped Blanche down. It was two days after the women had shown up in town. Yesterday, a posse had searched for the gang, having gotten general descriptions and landmarks from the women who’d escaped and come to Stones Creek.
The camp was found, but the men and all the supplies were gone. None of the posse had been surprised. With the women having escaped, the outlaws needed to vacate the area, knowing the law would be coming soon.
Hawk came out of the house, followed by Red. Noah noticed Hawk’s gaze take in Blanche for a long moment. “Greetings, what brings you to Hawk’s Wing this morning?” the ranch owner asked.
“We’ve got some news and wanted to let you know about it.” Noah shifted his gaze to Red. “It concerns Gema. It’s why Mrs. Basking is along.”
Red looked at Hawk, then walked to the end of the long porch that stretched the length of the house and went down the steps, heading to his house.
“Let’s mosey inside. I’ll have Juanita get you something cool to drink. Morning, Mrs. Basking, Ozzie. Welcome to Hawk’s Wing, or should I say welcome back?” Hawk ruffled Ozzie’s hair after knocking his hat forward off his head.
Ozzie had been to the ranch several times. The first had been without permission. Ozzie was exercising one of the livery horses and had gone all the way to Hawk’s Wing Ranch. It had been nearly dark when he got there and had begun to rain. Hawk put him up for the night and escorted him back to town early the next morning to his frantically worrying mother. That had been back in March, shortly before Gema was kidnapped.
Hawk and Blanche had talked. Ozzie was allowed to go to the ranch a couple of times a month, but only with his mother’s and the livery owner’s permission. Ozzie was working there after school and on Saturdays when needed.
Juanita had just served tea when Red and Gema entered. Gema went straight to Blanche, giving her a hug. “Very glad to see you, but why come?”
Blanche drew Gema to sit beside her on the settee. Red stood close by. “Gema, sweetie, the women who helped you get away from that outlaw gang. They’ve come to Stones Creek. They escaped.”
Gema’s mouth dropped open. “They okay? Safe?”
“Yes, very glad to be reunited with the children. They are living at the House. We’re not sure how things will proceed. We’ve sent a telegram to Nate.”
“Noah, why’d you feel it necessary to come clear out here to tell us that?” Red asked. “We’ll be in town on Sunday. That’s just a couple days away.”
“We wanted you to know. We tracked back to their camp yesterday. It was on the far end of the Chasing R Ranch. They’d abandoned the camp. We know they’re still in the area. Now, they don’t have any women.”
Gema paled. She jumped to her feet and clung to Red. She was trembling. Red wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to him. He looked at Hawk.
“Red, I want you and Gema to move into the main house for a while. Both women will be safer here, together,” Hawk said. “I’ll set a cowboy to be with them when you, I, or Alberto can’t be here. They’ll not be left alone.” He walked over to Gema and touched her shoulder. “We’ll keep you safe, Gema. You and Juanita.”
~~~~~
Red followed Gema to the house. They were going to get clothing and other things they wanted to have at the main house. Gema stood in the middle of the kitchen, twisting her apron in her fists.
Red came up behind her and gripped her shoulders. “Don’t fret. We’ll keep you safe. I’ll keep you safe.”
“How? You gone much. I stole from street in middle of day.”
“I’ll arrange with Hawk that neither of you women will ever be alone. You’ll not cross the yard alone.”
“Those men mean. Hit woman, Flora. Leave children to die. They evil.”
Red could feel her fear. She was trembling. Turning her, he pulled her into an embrace. “I won’t let them take you again. You’re my wife. I’ll see you safe. Trust me.”
She collapsed against him, weeping out her fear. When she quieted, Gema tilted her head back and studied him. “I trust.”
“Let’s gather what we want to take. Don’t worry about taking everything you might need. We can come back for anything else.” He grinned at her. “It’s not like it’s that far.”
Gema gave a weak smile, stepped away and went into the bedroom. When she had her canvas bag filled, Gema asked, “I take my music? Hawk let me practice in house?”
“More likely you need Juanita’s permission. I think she pretty much rules the roost.”
“Roost?”
“House. She’s more boss of the house than Hawk is. He may think he is. Men may be king of the castle, but women are the queens of the house.”
Gema still looked confused.
“Just ask Juanita if it’s okay with her if you play. I’m sure she’ll approve.” Red waited until she’d gathered her music, then he picked up her bag and his. Gema held the bundle of papers as they walked back to the main house.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Newt and Dak were discussing the next scouting party they were sending out hunting for the King Gang. At least that was what he thought they were still calling themselves. The King brothers
had been captured when they came to town last December, trying to take Chloe back to the gang.
Cowboys on all the ranches were on the lookout as they rode the range. Newt thought they might have left the area, but Flora just kept saying they were idiots and stupid. She figured they weren’t smart enough to head to some other part of the territory. She seemed to know since she’d been with them for many years. Newt would continue the search. Maybe they were stupid enough to stick around.
The westbound train pulled into the station, emitting its loud whistle as it approached and came to a stop with a clattering and a whoosh of steam. Newt stopped speaking until the noise subsided. He poured himself and Dak a fresh cup of coffee. No sense in taking up the conversation again just yet. In a few minutes, it would pull out again with the rattle and whistle, making speech impossible until it was out of town.
When he heard the switch engine bellow, Newt glanced out the window. A green and gold Pullman car with a cattle car behind were being moved onto the side track. There was only one couple who had a Pullman car that Newt knew of, Nugget Nate and Penny Ryder.
What were they doing back in town? A telegram telling of the women escaping the gang and coming to town had only been sent a day or two ago.
Ben Cutler, who owned the general store, hadn’t said anything about his uncle coming to town. It was a year and a half since they had visited. They’d arrived while the town was in crisis with the kidnapping of Doc Eli Steele and Leah Daniels. Nate had shown up, saying he’d had a Callin’ to come to Stones Creek. He’d done in a few hours what the rest of the men hadn’t been able to do in several days of searching, find where Eli and Leah were trapped in a cave.
Had Nate had another of his Callin’s? Was he here to help find the outlaws? Only one way to find out. Newt set his coffee cup on his desk, grabbed his hat, and headed out the door.
Several other townsfolk had seen the Pullman car being side tracked. Ben was jumping down from the boardwalk in front of his store. Eli was in the street, walking toward the train station, as were McIlroy and Noah.
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