Dark Journey Home

by Cherie Shaw

  “Of course, I hadn’t meant to talk away the rest of the afternoon.” He agreed.

  When the horses had been saddled, Olivia didn’t resist as Logan walked over, obviously to help her mount, however, instead of helping her onto the pinto, he took her into his arms. “Cold?” He asked.

  “Oh…..a….little.” She replied quietly, startled by his abrupt actions. He bent his dark head to her, as his lips brushed lightly against hers, then running his hands up and down her back, making her skin tingle, he asked, “Better?”

  “Y…..yes, much better.” She breathed.

  “Thanks for today, Olivia.” He said, his voice husky. “I will always remember this day.”

  “Oh, Logan.” She breathed, as she gazed up at him, and softly said, “Thank you for today too. But won’t there be many other days like this?”

  “I………would like to hope so.” He hesitantly answered, “Though I have learned to live one day at a time. Plans have a way of not working out.”

  “Oh.” She pulled away from his arms and quickly mounted the pinto. Logan was a hard man to understand.

  The long ride back to the ranch yard was a quiet one, each one deep in thought. Olivia wondering why Logan had kissed her, then acted like it was a one-time occurrence, and Logan quietly chastising himself for giving into temptation, and, along with her many other qualities, Olivia certainly was a temptation to him. He knew it could never work. They were still worlds apart.

  As they slowly rode into the ranch yard, Logan offered, “I’m sorry, Olivia, and I hope you will forgive me.”

  “What? Whatever for?” Puzzled, she glanced over at him.

  “Well…..back up there……at the lake.” He grumbled, took off his hat, smoothed back his hair, then slamming the hat back on his head, he added, “I should have known better.”

  When Olivia realized that Logan was apologizing for kissing her, she covered her surprise by agreeing with him. “Oh….that. Of course, it meant nothing at all. Apology accepted.” Chin up, posture straight, Olivia quickly rode ahead of Logan, to the stable where Luke, the stablehand, met her, and took the reins as she dismounted.

  Logan sat his horse for a moment, gazing thoughtfully after her, as she stalked off towards the hacienda, her back as straight as a corral post, then into the courtyard, while she tried her best not to burst into tears. Olivia stayed in her room through supper, claiming a headache. Maria brought her a tray later, which she barely touched, then, after attempting to pry information from her, Maria quietly left the room. Amelia, then her Uncle Claude, had no more response than Maria did, only the excuse of a headache, however each one of them quietly figured the ‘headache’ was actually one tall, black-haired, green-eyed hombre, who had had supper with the cowhands, then quietly gone to his room. Olivia fell into a troubled sleep hours later; cheeks streaked with dried tears, and dried rose petals clutched in her hand.

  Morning came, and Olivia appeared late for breakfast. Logan was again notably absent from the table. Olivia glanced at the vacant chair, which he usually occupied, then quickly looked away, and began dishing up a small portion of food onto her plate. As she stirred sugar into her cup of tea, Maria watched, and then exclaimed, “Do you miss Consuelo’s cooking already, Señorita Olivia?”

  “Oh, no.” Olivia answered. “I……..I’m just not that hungry.”

  “He’s gone, Olivia.” Amelia said, with a note of regret in her voice. “He left before dawn, without a word to anyone.”

  “What? Who? What are you saying, Amelia?” Though Olivia already knew the answer.

  Claude broke in, “No, Amelia, my love, the lad, Logan, spoke to me early this morning. Sheriff Denton had stayed over again and he and Logan rode into town together this morning. Logan told me he would return in a few days to see if we are going to Wyoming with him. Then he will head on up the trail right after that, with us or without.

  “Sheriff Denton spent most of yesterday riding around, with some of the boys, hunting strays and a mountain lion, cougar that is, which had been spotted the day before. They wanted to see if it was still in the area. Must have left though, because they saw no further sign of it. Only a few tracks heading west. Those critters travel fast, and can make over sixty miles in one day, so hopefully it’s far from here by now.”

  Olivia had listened intently, though with no comment, then only picked at the food on her plate. After breakfast, she walked out into the courtyard and, picking up the shears next to a rosebush, she began trimming some of the dried petals, thinking of the ones she’d left under her pillow earlier. After a while, she moved over to the potted geranium plants and began trimming. Maria then joined her. “Do you wish to talk, Olivia?” She spoke gently, as she took a seat on the stone bench near her friend.

  “What is there to say, Maria?” Olivia answered with a question, as she snipped a dried leaf from the plant, then moved over to another potted plant.

  “First of all, Señorita,” Maria began, “you picked at the breakfast I cooked and ate no supper last night. You either don’t like my cooking or you are ill. Which is it?”

  Olivia heaved a deep sigh, set the trimming shears on the edge of a planter, and walked over to sit next to Maria. Taking her friend’s hand, she began, “My friend, Maria, what would I do without you? Of course I love your cooking. I’m so sorry I haven’t felt like eating, but I would have had to choke it down. I promise to do better at lunch. Heavens, who could I talk to, if not you? Amelia would not understand.”

  “Señorita Amelia understands much more than you know, though she is going in the wrong direction and not helping matters any, with her contrary remarks.” Maria stated firmly, then, “Alright Olivia. Let’s see if we can figure out just what is wrong. I know your situation has to do with Señor Logan. Is the Señor playing games with your affections? If so, I will have my Ricardo knock some sense into the hombre!”

  Olivia suddenly giggled, and realized she had needed Maria’s humor. “Heavens, Maria, have I been that obvious?” She asked, “I hadn’t realized my feelings were affecting everyone so, and will try to do better. Oh……and, please, ‘No’, do not have Ricardo do anything. Absolutely not! It’s just that……..men are so hard to figure out.” She sobered, as she thought a moment, then asked, “Seriously, Maria, why would Logan Wakefield…….well…….kiss me, then immediately act like it was only a one-time thing and would not happen again, and he felt it had been a mistake?”

  “Not good for the ego, is it, Olivia?” Maria offered.

  “Certainly not, and I believe I will not let it happen again.”

  “The kiss or his regret?” Maria asked.

  “Definitely the kiss, though I actually did like it, maybe too much, but if I resist next time, he will have nothing to regret.” Olivia sighed. “I guess he is only grateful for the care I gave him when he was recovering from his illness aboard the Silver Princess. I merely mistook his gratitude for…….something more. I’ve been acting like a teenage girl, over nothing. I should know better. You know, come to think of it, that’s exactly what Logan said, that he should have known better. I guess he meant the kiss.” Olivia shook her head, “Oh, Maria, why do I let that man bother me so much?”

  “Have you given your own feelings for this hombre much thought, Señorita?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Is it possible that you are in love?”

  “Oh…….I never…..oh….I enjoy being with him, more than any of the men who courted me in England, but after a while I always tired of those overly amorous chaps. They could have bored me to tears, but with Logan, well it’s different with him. I’ve never tired of being around him. Oh, he makes me so mad at times, and at other times….well.” Olivia stood, and walked over to a rose bush.

  “Let that be, Señorita Olivia. Come into the kitchen and talk out your feelings while I wash up the breakfast dishes.” Maria stood, and walked towards the hacienda.

  “I am so sorry, Maria, my dear friend. Here I am wrapped up in my ow
n feelings, and you are doing all the work. We’ll talk while we do dishes, and then let’s go walking. I promise no more self pity.” Olivia managed a laugh, and it felt good.

  <><><>

  As Logan Wakefield and Sheriff Paul Denton rode the trail towards Coyote Springs, Logan spoke, “Paul, just about where did you say this Henry Adams was camped the last time he was spotted?”

  “Well now, I’d say about halfway between Coyote Springs and where the Triple-B range begins, off the trail a might though, somewhere up in them hills.”

  “Why hasn’t he left the territory? Whatever could he hope to gain by hanging around here?” Logan wondered.

  “Not sure, but the folks who spotted ‘im, said he was actin’ nutty as a wet grizzly, an’ told them folks right off to beat it. Got him a right nice rifle now too. Them folks high-tailed it outta there right quick. They’d recognized him, though, from back in town.”

  “Figure the man’s a slow learner. Suppose we teach him a bit more?” Logan questioned.

  The Sheriff answered, “Reckon so. I figured he’d had enough learnin’ for one year, in Coyote Springs, what with his time in the town jail, then Miss Amelia’s umbrella givin’ ‘im a right friendly send-off. Like you say, Logan, guess the fella’s a slow learner. We don’t need his kind around any part of Texas territory.”

  Logan promised, “If he bothers Olivia Worthington, even once……..well….that fella hasn’t tangled with a Wakefield yet.”

  “Now you let the law handle this, Logan. Don’t you go getting’ yourself in trouble.” Sheriff Denton instructed.

  “We’ll see.” Logan answered.

  When they reached town, they quickly figured where Henry Adams had gotten his new rifle. Marshal Rhodes met them on the boardwalk, in front of the town jail, as the two men rode up. They dismounted, then tied their horses with slip knots to the hitching rail.

  “Glad you boys rode in. I just received a wire from a Deputy Marshal out Beaver Creek way. It seems the local Hardware store had been burglarized during the night and the only things missing were a new Winchester repeating rifle, a couple boxes of shells, and one canteen.” Rhodes explained.

  “Sounds like someone wants to start a small war.” Denton replied.

  “Maybe, though a man fitting the description of that Henry Adams fella was seen high-tailin’ it outta town about that time on a rented horse. Folks knew the horse from the livery stable there.”

  “Did they get up a posse?” Logan asked.

  “Sure thing, but lost the trail about five miles out of town up in them hills; didn’t think ole Henry was that smart. That Deputy Marshal figured him to be headed this way, though, an’ wanted us to watch out for him.” Rhodes finished.

  “We’ll do more than watch for him.” Logan promised. “We’ll go after him and smoke him out, if necessary.

  The Sheriff agreed, “You better believe it, boy. Now that fella’s broken the law, an’ we have us a reason to haul him in. Let’s us have a bite to eat, then load up on supplies for the trail.” He turned to the Marshal. “Much obliged for the information, Rhodes.”

  Logan loosened the slip-knot on his horse’s reins, then Denton followed, as they led the horses to the stable to be watered, fed and groomed.

  After fresh horses were saddled, the two men mounted, and rode to the edge of town, where Sheriff Denton’s office was located. Once inside the building, the sheriff pinned a badge on Logan’s shirt pocket, and swore him in as a deputy. “Now if you shoot someone, at least it’ll be legal.” He told Logan.

  “Hope it doesn’t come to that, Paul.” Logan answered. They then headed up the road to the hotel restaurant for a quick meal. It was still early in the day, so they figured on heading right out, with lots of daylight left, to help in locating a possible trail. Logan was hoping that Henry Adams’ tracks wouldn’t lead to the Triple-B ranch, but he had a gut feeling that they would.

  Later in the afternoon, after several hours in the saddle, they still hadn’t picked up any tracks, only a few from unshod ponies. “Renegade Comanches, warriors, no family with though.” Denton spoke quietly. “Tracks are several hours old, heading north, so should be no problem. I’d ride careful, you can never tell.”

  “I heard they usually avoid towns in this area, too many armed men. A Comanche would stand out like a sore thumb; anyway, maybe they’re just out huntin’.” Logan offered.

  “Yeah, could be they’re huntin’ alright……maybe scalps.” Denton replied. “Don’t trust a Comanche renegade, Logan. Some of their kin are friendly, like them injuns up in Wyoming, like you said, or northeastern Nebraska. Most renegades around here, well; just don’t you turn your back on ‘em.”

  “Don’t ever intend to.” Logan agreed.

  <><><>

  When Ricardo saw that Maria and Olivia had gone walking out of the ranch yard, and into the forest of Aspens, he decided to follow. Not wanting to interfere in their conversation, he only wanted to make sure the women were protected, so he stayed a ways behind. And so it went for several days. The two women walking, sometimes with Amelia. Olivia loved learning about different plants and wildlife. She enjoyed the scenery and loved learning about the country. As always, Ricardo stayed not far behind, watching from cover, as an Indian stalks, only making sure the ladies were safe from harm.

  A week passed, and Logan had not returned to the ranch. Olivia convinced herself that he had left for good, however, her Uncle Claude had assured her that Logan would indeed keep his word, and return.

  Claude Beckford awoke every morning invigorated, wondering why he hadn’t known how exciting life as a rancher could be. Also the approaching wedding date for his marriage to Amelia, the love of his life, was nearing. The preacher had sent word, in answer to Claude’s message that he would arrive at the ranch in two days to perform a simple ceremony, and Claude was hoping that Logan would return in time. He and Amelia had decided they would travel to Wyoming territory with Logan, and was sure that Olivia would agree to go. He hadn’t told her about Henry Adams still being in the area, as the Sheriff had informed him of the situation, but Ricardo had assured Lord Beckford that he was keeping an eye on the ladies.

  Claude didn’t want to worry his niece unnecessarily, so he had decided to keep quiet about it, however, he had informed the hands to be on the lookout for any suspicious character hanging around. He didn’t believe Henry capable of doing actual harm to anyone, though the chap’s mental capacity was a bit disarranged, and he had shot off that small handgun in the direction of Cougar Olson, thinking he was Logan Wakefield. Yes, they did need to take care.

  The one morning that Ricardo hadn’t followed Olivia and Maria on their daily walk, as he’d been in the corral helping with an ornery bronc, and hadn’t seen them leave earlier than usual, it happened.

  A heavily bearded and disheveled Henry Jefferson Adams rode up from a thick grove of trees, then sat his horse staring with bloodshot eyes at Olivia. She jumped, and at first did not recognize the stranger. “Henry,” she breathed, as realization hit her, and she backed slowly away from the rider in front of her. However, Adams had not heard the hoof beats behind him, so entranced was he at the sight of his beloved Olivia.

  The very capable two-man mounted posse, consisting of Logan Wakefield, and Sheriff Paul Denton, rode into the clearing right behind Henry, and the two, very tall in the saddle, strong dependable men made a very impressive and intimidating appearance as they rode around Henry’s horse, then pulled up in front of him, cutting off his view of Olivia, then confronting him. Exasperated, Henry muttered an oath and attempted to pull his horse around the two riders, but Logan sidestepped his horse, then grabbed Henry’s reins, and before Henry realized what was happening, he was pulled forcefully to the ground, and Logan quickly dismounted at the same time.

  Olivia whispered to Maria, “I suppose I don’t need to call on Amelia to bring out her umbrella, after all.” As she drank in the scene unfolding before her, her eyes settled on the strong handsome featur
es of Logan’s serious tanned face, and her heart gave a leap. Then, at that very moment, she realized that there could never, in all the years to come, ever be another man for her. The thought saddened her heart, for she knew that without a doubt, Logan couldn’t return that love. She did love him, and forever would.

  Maria nudged her arm, “Señorita Olivia, Logan and Sheriff Denton have the situation in hand, so I believe we should return to the ranch, before you fall into Señor Wakefield’s arms, and declare your undying love for him.”

  “Oh, Maria, really.” Olivia blushed, then collected herself at once. She turned to retrace her steps in the direction of the ranch yard.

  Maria laughed, as they walked away, “It is written all over your face, Señorita.” She said with a grin.

  Logan tipped his hat, then turned and walked quickly away, the sheriff, busy putting cuffs on Henry, only nodded. Between the two, they managed to put a complaining Henry onto his horse, Logan retained the reins while the Sheriff walked over and retrieved the new Winchester rifle from Henry’s scabbard. They would see that the horse was returned to the stables at Beaver Creek, along with a prisoner for the town Marshal, in the form of a one two-legged varmint, to be tried for burglary and theft. Maybe someone could do the country a favor, and send the scoundrel back to British soil.