After a Time

by Laurie Salzler

  “I prefer painted lady.” Betty flicked imaginary dust off her lap. Her long nails caused lines in the dress fabric.

  “Why does Miles call you Kitty?”

  Betty frowned. “Women like me are not always looked upon with approval. Especially when some of the men that frequent a brothel are married. So it’s not uncommon for a painted lady to change her name when she relocates.”

  “I see.”

  “You don’t think less of me, do you, Mayme?” Betty’s lower lip protruded in a small pout.

  “Of course not. I don’t quite understand why you would allow someone to grope you the way I saw that man did earlier. But to each their own, I guess.”

  “You have to understand that jobs are far and few out here. Some women lose their husbands and have no family or money, or sometimes their families would ask them to leave home, and if they have no place to go, or no skills, they have only one answer.”

  “Which one were you?”

  Betty threw her head back and laughed. “I, my dear, chose this profession for a life of adventure.” She leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “And to escape the rules of women behaviour. I simply hate being told what to do, what to wear, how to behave.” She took Mayme’s empty plate and set it on the dresser, then traded it for Mayme’s glass of water and her scotch. “Your turn. What have you done and who’s after you?”

  Her question made Mayme laugh. “Nobody is after me and aside from a few white lies, I haven’t done anything wrong.” When she finished relating her story to Betty, who she now had to refer to as Kitty at Betty’s request, she took a deep breath and waited.

  Kitty stared at her for a moment and then shook her head.

  “So what you’re telling me is that the money I gave you is stalled in the livery.”

  “Yes. I’ll pay you back as—”

  “No. You absolutely will not.” A devilish grin narrowed her painted lips. “I love that you’re fooling all those egotistical idiots out there who think everything but cooking, cleaning, and child birthing is man’s work. Will this be your regular route?”

  “According to Lawrence, my boss in Eagle Rock, it should be.”

  Kitty patted her lap with glee. “Excellent. I insist you stay here every time.”

  “Um. In your room? What if you’re—?”

  “Don’t be silly. I’ll have Miles set one up for you before you come back.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  MAYME DRAPED THE mochila over her shoulder, threw her right leg over Duster’s neck, and slid to the ground. She felt quite pleased with herself and Duster. Although this had only been her fourth trip through the mountains, she’d been able to reduce her travel time between Eagle Rock and Oro Fino Creek by an entire day.

  She trotted up the few steps to the post office and waited patiently as the postmaster she now knew as Gerald, finished waiting on an elderly man.

  “Well, well, well. Look who’s back in town.” Gerald ran his finger over the numbers on the calendar that hung on the wall behind him. He turned to her with surprise on his face. “You weren’t due here until late tomorrow, early the next day.”

  “I know.” Mayme couldn’t temper the grin of satisfaction. “I’m getting used to the route. Plus, I was kind of hoping I could get a new set of shoes on Duster while I’m here. It’s best if she has them on for a day or two before I head off again.”

  “Very well. I’ll not schedule you for a couple days then. Good job, Nathan.”

  FLUFFY WHITE SUDS and delicious warm water covered Mayme up to her neck. Much to her delight, Kitty arranged a bath for her every time she rode into town and she loved soaking in it. The pain of sore muscles from long hard hours in the saddle dissipated, as did the grime off her body.

  A short rap on the door preceded Kitty’s entrance into the room with towels and a tin of salve.

  “Are you finished turning yourself into a prune?” Kitty laid a towel on the floor next to the tub.

  “Yeah. The water is getting cold anyway.” Mayme pushed the remaining suds to the side and stood up. She still felt a little shy about being naked in front of Kitty, but slowly that was being dispelled by a familiarity they shared with each other.

  “That’s what happens when winter is nearing. Your baths will get shorter and shorter from here on out. Sometimes you’ll feel like you should just jump in and out and dry off.” Kitty politely averted her eyes and handed Mayme a large rough towel. “Okay, now turn around and let me see how bad your chaffing is this time.”

  Mayme turned her back to Kitty and continued to dry herself.

  “It’s looking better but I’m going to put some more of this bloodroot on. It seems the worst of it was under your arms, but even that doesn’t look as angry anymore.” With soft gentle strokes, she applied the red ointment.

  “I think I’ll be okay once my skin gets used to wearing that wrap.” Mayme reached for the loose cotton shirt she wore only when there wasn’t any chance of being seen. Although the shirt was baggy, she wasn’t about to take any chances of having her true sex discovered.

  “How long are you here for this time?” Kitty twisted the lid down on the container and set it on the small table next to the tub.

  “Two days. Duster needs new shoes and could use the rest. I’ve been pushing her pretty hard.” She slipped the shirt over her head and reached for her trousers.

  “I think that goes for you too. It’s going to get harder to navigate those mountains once the snow flies.”

  Mayme sighed and nodded. “I’ve been watching where the elk move. I think I’ll be able to use their trails when the snow gets deep.”

  “I still think it’s going to be a challenge for you. It would be for anyone really. Ready for something to eat? I’ll bring it up so you don’t have to worry about being seen.”

  “Thanks. I’m starved.”

  MAYME WOKE JUST after dawn, dressed quickly, and headed outside. Cold air streamed down from the mountaintops. There was a metallic smell about the air, indicative of an early snowfall.

  She pushed her hat firmly on her head and wrapped her coat closer to her sides. The town was quiet except for the nickering of hungry horses in the livery. She was sure Duster was amongst the most demanding.

  The smell of what seemed like a burnt honey and sulphur mixture got stronger as she neared the building. The blacksmith was already preparing his hot forge for a day of shoeing horses. The clanking of a hammer, the first one sharp, and then several descending, signalled he was shaping a shoe on the anvil.

  The blacksmith had no one else scheduled until late morning, so Mayme interrupted Duster’s breakfast and tied her to the hitching post.

  “You’re that post rider, ain’t you?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The blacksmith removed Duster’s thin, worn out shoes and trimmed each hoof. “Your horse has a few stone bruises, young fella. Do you have a backup horse?”

  “No, sir.” Mayme peered at Duster’s right front hoof. Two reddish blotches, one on the toe and the other near the tip of Duster’s frog, stood out against the newly parred white sole. “They don’t look too bad. Can you put a poultice underneath a leather pad?”

  The blacksmith raised his eyebrows. “You’re from out east, ain’t you? I’ve only ever heard of them rich people doing that to their horses.”

  Mayme squirmed under his scrutiny. Should she add another white lie to the growing list?

  He let go of Duster’s foot and scrubbed his chin. “Aw, it don’t matter anyway. Thing is, we need to keep your mare comfortable. You’re just lucky I know how to do it proper like. Leave her with me a bit and I’ll take care of them hooves. I’ll put her back in the stall when I’m done.”

  ON HER WAY back to the saloon, she heard her name called. She looked behind her and saw Gerald jogging toward her.

  “Nathan,” he said before doubling over, out of breath. He pointed a finger upward to indicate she should wait. He finally straightened up and swiped his brow. “I’m glad
I caught you. A wire came in for you.” He handed her a sweaty and crumpled piece of paper. “Sounds like you might have to ride out of here sooner.”

  Mayme smoothed the square message flat on her hand. It was titled post office telegram with a priority stamp on the top. She smiled knowing Gerald was being ever official. But the smile evaporated as she read.

  Nathan Adams. Abandon mail carry duties at once. Post rider missing since last week. Search area between Greer and Kamiah. Notify asap as to whereabouts of William Prescott.

  “Billy? Billy is missing?” She bounced a curled knuckle against her mouth.

  “You know him?”

  She’d forgotten Gerald was there. “Oh. Um, yeah. I know him. Not well. But enough to know it’d take a lot for him to go missing.”

  “You better load up on ammo. You’ll be going right into the heart of Injun country. Those mountains aren’t the kindest either.”

  “How far from Oro Fino is Greer?”

  “You’re looking at a two days ride at least. The country is rough. Then it’s another three, if you’re lucky, to Kamiah. A lot of slow, hard riding.”

  Mayme sighed, ticking off in her head the supplies she’d need. She looked back toward the livery and made a silent plea that Duster would be able to handle navigating the rough country on her sore feet. She certainly had enough money saved for another horse. But she trusted Duster with her life and she knew she could count on her to keep her safe. If worse came to worst, she’d lead Duster to make the travel easier on her.

  “Okay. Return a telegraph stating I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning at daybreak.” At least, she thought, Duster’s feet would have another twenty-four hours to heal.

  KITTY WAS FAR from happy when Mayme told her.

  “But why do you have to go?” Kitty paced back and forth. The swishing of her dress matched the tempo of her heels tapping the floor.

  “I imagine because I’m closer than any other rider.” Mayme shoved sacks of biscuits, jerky, and a few cans of tomatoes and peaches into one side of the saddlebag. She’d already filled the other side with three pounds of oats and her clothing on top.

  “I don’t care. It’ll be too dangerous for you.”

  “Why? Because I’m a girl?”

  “No! All right, yes. I suppose that’s the main part of it.” Kitty grasped Mayme’s arms and squeezed. “That country is no place for a girl to be. It’s rough and it seems the Indians have been murdering every white man they come across.”

  “Then I guess it’s a good thing I am a girl.”

  “You’re not funny.” Kitty released her and started pacing again.

  Mayme secured the straps on the saddlebags and set them to the side. She put her hands on her hips. “Look, if I don’t do this, all my riding credibility will be gone. They’ll get suspicious. If I’m able to ride my route through some pretty rough country why would I baulk at their request?” She paused for a moment. “Plus, I know the boy who’s missing.”

  Kitty’s eyebrows disappeared into her hair. “Oh. Might we have a crush on said boy?”

  Mayme snorted. “Hardly. He’s a pompous ass.”

  “Then why?”

  “Because, even though I can’t reveal my identity to him when I find him, I’ll get a lot of self-satisfaction that I’ve bettered him. He belittled me a few times at the mercantile.”

  “A vendetta? You’re willing to risk your life to prove a point.” Kitty flung her hands into the air. “Mayme, I don’t understand you. But you’ve obviously made up your mind to do something crazy. Again. I guess I can’t stop you. Just promise me you’ll return safely.”

  Mayme wrapped her arms around Kitty. “I promise I’ll come back safe and sound.”

  THE ONLY LIGHT in the sky came from the moon as Mayme walked to the livery the next morning. She’d planned on getting up early, but according to the pocket watch, which she dutifully wound, it’d only been four am. Nerves, excitement, determination, and fear began battling one another as soon as she’d opened her eyes. She gave up, knowing there was no use in trying to get back to sleep for only an hour.

  Duster nickered a greeting as she opened the barn door. The only other occupants were an old mule and a pair of oxen. None of them paid her any attention until she tossed some hay into Duster’s stall for the mare to eat while she saddled her. After slinging a few forkfuls of hay into the other stalls, she finished tacking Duster up. Since it was still early, she refrained from putting the bridle on until Duster pulled the last small portion into her mouth.

  Mayme checked for heat in all four hooves. Finding them cool set her more at ease.

  “All right, big girl. We have an important mission this time. More crucial than delivering the mail. Billy’s life may be at stake.”

  Duster nudged her shoulder.

  “Yes, I know he’s an idiot. But even so, we have to find him.”

  Rays of the upcoming sun splayed over the mountaintops as she led Duster out of the barn. She made the horse circle her in both directions to check for any hint of lameness. Seeing none, she crossed the reins over Duster’s neck, put her foot into the stirrup, stepped up, and swung her right leg over.

  The first few miles were familiar, but thereafter she had to navigate directly south. Some of her route took her along the pebble-lined banks of Oro Fino Creek. But the walls on either side eventually grew too sheer to climb. She backtracked until she found a place that wasn’t too dangerous. To make it as easy as possible on Duster, she navigated hairpin turns all the way up until the terrain evened out as much as it could on the side of the mountain. The higher she rode, the colder it got. She waited until Duster needed a breather before she pulled the horse up and donned her coat. By then she was chilled to the bone. A cold breeze descended from the mountain and dried the sweat she’d worked up while riding.

  Mayme’s teeth started chattering, and she decided it was time to find a spot to camp and warm up by a fire. She’d be no use to Billy if she caught pneumonia. She remembered Maddie had often referred to it as “the old man’s friend” because it would carry away the old folks who couldn’t look out for themselves anymore.

  An outcropping of huge boulders burst its way into the forest. Old growth hemlock stood vigil over them. She nearly missed seeing a small cave partially hidden in the deep shadows.

  Mr. Smart had warned her that mountain lions preferred this sort of habitat. Mayme slid the rifle out of the scabbard and cautiously rode closer. There were no visible impressions in the pine litter or disturbed ground where a lion might bring a kill to feed her cubs. Still, she remained cautious until she realized Duster showed no sign of a predator being near.

  Mayme dismounted with the rifle in one hand and the reins in the other. Despite Duster being reliable, she’d heard too many stories of horses getting spooked, running off, and stranding their riders. She wasn’t about to take that chance.

  But she soon realized she didn’t have to worry about the four-legged residents of these mountains. A fire-ring made of variously sized rocks was tucked between two boulders just outside and to the right of the cave opening. As expected, the half-burned wood and resulting ash was cold. It didn’t appear as if it had been used in a long time, or more than once. There was no pile of wood anywhere, which might have indicated an intended return by the previous inhabitant.

  Satisfied it was a safe enough area and that she was completely alone, Mayme finally relaxed and made camp. It was easy enough to find sufficient firewood from the dead lower branches of the pines. They crackled into a hot blaze. She gave Duster a few healthy handfuls of oats to eat. She’d tied her with enough rope length to nibble on the sparse grass growing wherever a bit of light could make its way through the canopy. After eating some jerky strips and a can of peaches, she banked the fire and turned in for the night.

  A few owls called to one another from different directions. The echoes of their calls gave the mountains an eerie feeling.

  Mayme’s thoughts wandered to Billy for the first
time since early morning. She’d been so busy focusing on Duster and finding a navigable way southward, her purpose had faded. Until now.

  Why would Billy have disappeared? She couldn’t believe he would just abandon his post without cause. He had been so excited that day in the mercantile. Maybe something happened to his horse. If so, more than likely he was on foot. Whatever the reason, it was her job to find him.

  Chapter Seventeen

  THE FIRE HAD gone out and a cold, saturating mist hovered above. Mayme knew the only way to get warm would be to get up and move. Still undecided, she lay there and looked at the sky through the narrow canopy of pine. Although it was getting light, Venus stubbornly remained in the sky.

  Mayme glanced at Duster, who seemed perfectly comfortable despite the weather. She was busy nibbling the last of the grass. The mare had done well yesterday and hadn’t missed a step. Hopefully the leather pads would continue to keep her sound.

  rrrRRR-eee-EEE-UH-UH-UH-UH-uh

  Mayme flung the blanket back and jumped to her feet. The loud, variably pitched scream had come from somewhere behind her.

  rrrRRR-eee-EEE-UH-UH-UH-UH-uh

  Oddly Duster didn’t seem disturbed by the ear-piercing scream. Mayme held her rifle close and plastered herself against the rocks. The boulders became too small to give her sufficient cover, and she darted from tree to tree, the trunks of which were twice as wide as her body.

  rrrRRR-eee-EEE-UH-UH-UH-UH-uh

  Mayme was surprised to find that the forest emptied out into a huge meadow. She now recognized the dark brown animal. The bull elk had a buff-colored rump and long thin legs. His head, neck, belly, and legs were darker than his back and sides, and he sported a chestnut-brown neck and mane. A top his head was a set of massively sharp antlers.

  rrrRRR-eee-EEE-UH-UH-UH-UH-uh

  A second bull, equally as large, bugled a challenge and came forward. He raked his six-foot long antlers aggressively against a small pine tree and strutted toward his opponent.