by Cherie Shaw
Logan and Olivia had danced several dances, lost in each other’s arms, and only stopped when they realized that the music wasn’t playing any more. The fiddler and guitarists had taken leave of the patio, in order to fill their plates while there was still any food left.
“I thank you, ma’am, for the pleasure of your company.” Logan quipped, as he gave a slight bow, and then escorted her from the dance floor.
Olivia laughed, and said, “I really enjoyed the dancing, Logan, so you are very welcome. It has been a while since I have enjoyed myself so much, and I haven’t danced recently either so I believe we did well, considering we at least didn’t bump into anyone.”
“No, I don’t believe we left any casualties or fatalities on the floor.” Logan grinned.
Soon it was time to cut the wedding cake, after which there was much congratulating, and some visiting, though many families with small children were already packing their wagons, planning to be home before dark.
Olivia and Maria were cleaning up the last minute dishes from the tables in the courtyard, when Maria said, “Did you see how Señor Olson kept that Trudy Perkins at his side all afternoon?”
“I did notice, Maria.” Olivia answered, “It seemed like he was making sure she kept out of trouble, and I believe some of the wives were glad that she was with Cougar Olson.”
Maria laughed, and looked at Olivia, “Only the wives?” She asked, then, “Well, maybe the little she-devil will grow up after all, though I do believe Señor Olson has his work cut out for him. If I know that Perkins girl, she was only on good behavior today and will lead him a merry chase.”
“Is she really that bad, Maria? Well, anyway, I don’t see them now, maybe they left.”
“Si, most everyone has.” Maria stated, as they walked into the kitchen with their arms full of dishes.
Well, the ceremony and reception were a huge success. I loved meeting all of our neighbors. Speaking of ceremony, just where are the bride and groom?” Olivia asked.
“Oh, the Señor and Señora went into the hacienda a while ago. They just slipped away, right after shoving cake into each other’s mouths.” Maria snickered.
“Oh? …………Oh!” Olivia answered.
Logan had stood at the edge of the courtyard watching Olivia and Maria enter the house, then he slowly turned, deep in thought, and walked towards the bunkhouse. He had a lot of thinking to do. He’d never been in love before, but was sure that this was something that he couldn’t just ignore as he had previously thought. Maybe sometime during the trip north to Wyoming, he could approach the subject with Olivia’s Uncle Claude, and if the old fella didn’t shoot him first, maybe they could at least discuss the situation. Then he’d at least find out just where he stood in that respect, and Olivia did appear to like him, somewhat anyway. Maybe……….just maybe.
CHAPTER 21
Three days after the wedding the town of Coyote Springs was once again being drenched with a steady drizzling rain, creating mud puddles in all the wrong places, though the rose bushes and other plants were thriving. Rose petals laden with sparkling droplets of rainwater, filled the air with heavenly aromas. Amelia breathed in the essence as she lowered her wet umbrella and climbed aboard the northbound stage. Olivia followed behind, having made a mad dash from under the overhanging roof over the boardwalk, to the protection of the stage interior. Amelia had no intention of using her umbrella, upon entering the stage, as a weapon this time. Her only intention was keeping dry.
Also her new husband, Lord Claude Beckford, with a twinkle in his eye, had informed her that as she was now a married lady, she must also behave as one, though she knew that deep down that Claude loved her strong-willed nature and would have her no other way. She heaved a deep sigh and smiled, as Olivia, with a heavy woolen shawl covering her head, climbed aboard and took the seat across from her.
The team had been unhitched and fresh horses were straining at the bit, anxious to move out. Logan and Claude had tied their horses onto the back of the stage, and now they climbed aboard, hat brims dripping rainwater. Claude sat with Amelia, and Logan took a seat next to Olivia.
“Too wet out there to ride today.” Claude said, and Logan agreed.
“Although,” Logan added, “I remember many a day that I have ridden horseback for long distances in worse weather than this, though the stage interior sure beats getting soaked for no reason. Besides, it’s much more comfortable in here.” He grinned down at Olivia and she gave him her most brilliant smile right back. Amelia thought it certainly was a change from the way Olivia had been playing hard to get for a while. Amelia knew that Olivia would miss Maria, as they had become very good friends. The long farewells, back at the ranch, had been sad, however, Ricardo and Chester Burns were very capable of handling things while they were gone, and they all knew that Logan was certainly looking forward to seeing his folks again. It had been a long time and, a few weeks from now, they would be in Wyoming at the Wakefield horse ranch. Claude and Amelia secretly hoped that Logan and Olivia would, by that time, have decided on a future together, possibly at the Triple-B. H’mmm…..why not?
Soon the stage was rolling down the muddy road out of town, then across the wooden bridge, and out into the wilds of the desert trail. There were only two other passengers, and they sat in the rear seat. Both were older tough looking men appearing to be asleep, however, as Logan had glanced their way, he strongly doubted that fact.
“Are you comfortable, Olivia?” Logan asked as he looked at her.
“Oh, yes, thank you. I have plenty of room, not the least bit crowded.” She answered. “I am looking forward to seeing more of this western part of the country, but I do hope the weather clears up soon.” She added.
Logan gave a chuckle, “Well, ma’am, hopefully we’ll ride out of the rain, unless it follows us. Anyway, it’s nice weather for ducks, though I don’t see any of them around.”
Olivia snickered, “Of course not, no ducks around here. I think even your western coyotes are in hiding.” She offered.
“Well, seems there’s plenty of other critters out there to take their place.” Logan offered. “Cougars, bears, mostly crawlin’ varmints though, but they’re likely hidin’ under rocks an’ such.”
Olivia shivered, and gave him a strange look to see if he was kidding, but Logan just looked away innocently. Then Amelia raised an eyebrow, as she joined in, “Well, at least this rain will possibly keep those Indians away, if it keeps up as hard as it’s pouring now.” She stated firmly, giving Logan a hard stare.
Logan smiled but said nothing. Claude chuckled and put his arm around Amelia’s shoulders, who only looked out the window at the rain. However, both of the tough looking passengers in the rear seat, with eyes still closed, laughed out loud.
As the stage wheels creaked and grinded, sloshing through the muddy trail, the passengers relaxed, each deep in his and her own thoughts.
Logan leaned his head back, closed his eyes, and pulled the wide-brimmed black Stetson down to cover his eyes, his thoughts drifting back to his friend, Ricardo. When he had bid him goodbye, back at the ranch, they had shook hands. Then, as Ricardo gripped Logan’s shoulder, the vaquero had looked him in the eye for a moment before speaking, then he’d softly said, “Adios, Amigo. Via Con Dios.” Then he had turned abruptly and walked quickly back to the courtyard. They had not known each other very long but a friendship had been solidly established, a comradeship which would be hard to sever.
Logan began thinking of his pa and ma, whom he would soon join on his pa’s horse ranch. He’d been a long time returning home. Also he would soon see his three former shipmates, Jim Reynolds, Mack Parsons, and Gabe Johnson, who were now ranch hands at pa’s spread. He was eager to hear of how the three had managed their escape to America. They had all gone through hell and back together and had survived - which was a miracle in itself. Their story should prove worth the telling.
Olivia gazed dreamily out the rain-streaked stage window at the glistening dese
rt, her thoughts wandering back to the Triple-B Ranch. She hoped this journey would be at least half as fascinating as her stay at the ranch had been. She missed Maria and the ranch already, but tried to arrange her thoughts in a more cheerful manner. She was seated next to Logan Wakefield. Heaving a deep sigh, she adjusted her seating as far away from him as was reasonably possible. She didn’t know if Logan was asleep or not, however, as she moved away, he slid over just a bit closer to her.
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The rain had slowed to a light drizzle early afternoon, leaving a distinct chill in the air, just as the Beaver Creek Trading Post came into view. Olivia and Amelia pulled their heavy shawls tighter around themselves, and the men buttoned up their coats, just before exiting the stage to make a mad dash for the old weathered building. They hoped for a hot meal, and hot water to freshen up. They found the meals to be hot, however leaving much to be desired in quality and taste. As for hot water, it would take too long to heat, so they settled for a pitcher of cool water and a basin, in a long hallway just off the main room. Half an hour later, they were back in the stage, with a fresh team of horses sloshing through the muddy trail, and a driver, whom they had recognized as Joe Carlson, from their previous journey, along with “Wolf” riding shotgun, both men wearing slickers over heavy coats.
Two miles down the trail, Logan looked over at Claude Beckford, “Guess we’re leaving the rain behind.” He said, then continued, “If I’d known that, I would have ridden horseback for a while.”
“Yes, same here.” Claude answered. “It would be good to ride, but there will be plenty of time for that later on.”
“Seems like we’ll have a cavalry escort for awhile now. Up ahead of us.” Logan stated, matter-of-factly, as he peered through the rain-streaked window.
Claude leaned forward to look, “By Jove, Logan my boy, you don’t miss a thing. So that’s a cavalry outfit?” He asked.
“Yes sir. They’re still a ways ahead of us, but we’re gaining. They’re riding slow. Must have seen the stage comin’, and will have a word with Carlson. Seems like a troop of about fifteen men, or so.”
Both hardened riders on the rear seat of the stage, had leaned forward to take a look, then smiled, leaned back and closed their eyes. Nothing unfamiliar to them out there.
Olivia shivered, clutching her shawl tighter, then spoke, “It looks like they’re pulling off the trail, Uncle Claude. Do you suppose Mr. Carlson will stop the stage to talk to the soldiers?” She queried.
“I’m sure of it, Ollie.” He answered.
Logan looked down at Olivia, and grinned, “Old Carlson knows what he’s about, ma’am. Don’t you worry your pretty little head none.”
Startled at his remark, Olivia gave Logan a hard look, which said more than words, could impress upon him, in regard to his statement. She hadn’t asked his opinion, and couldn’t care less what he thought anyway. She was not, and had never been, just a dumb female, to be pacified with soothing talk from ‘big strong men’, and it was about time that Logan understood the fact. She still did not understand this big green-eyed cowboy, nor, at this point, wanted to.
Her Uncle Claude hid a wide grin behind his hand, and Amelia wrinkled her brows with an attempt to keep from laughing out loud. Logan was, once again, getting a first hand introduction into the real temperament of Miss Worthington. Hers was a strong-willed nature, not to be undermined by anyone’s male ego. To those who knew her well, her strength of character showed more often than not, and at times, her sarcasm sprinkled generously with tears of frustration.
It seemed Logan Wakefield still had a ways to go with learning the ways of strong-minded women, especially those of high intelligence; a description which certainly fit Miss Olivia. Many others before him had learned painfully of Olivia’s belief in equality, and she would accept nothing less than just that from anyone. Though, deep down, she now knew she had met her match, though why did she have to be so attracted to the rogue? Well, the cold shoulder would be her best defense, for a while anyway. She shifted even further along the seat and leaned against the window looking out once again at the wet countryside, tilting her pert little chin higher in the process. Logan wondered to himself, ‘Now what did I say wrong?’
The Lord of Beckford Manor had always been proud of his niece’s independence; that is after he had learned the hard way to live with it. Now it would be a sight to behold when this young man had finally learned to accept her strong independence as fact, and, by all means, not to insult her intelligence during the process.
As the horse soldiers began dismounting, then removing glistening-wet slickers and rolling them up to tie behind saddles, Joe Carlson pulled on the reins and brought the team to a halt at the side of the trail, set the brake, then climbed down from his seat on the stage. Wolf chose to remain at his post with his rifle across his knee, a sour look on his face, and a curse word, or two on his lips.
Carlson, his boots sloshing through mud, approached the soldiers as Colonel Jeffrey Winters dismounted his horse and reached out a welcoming hand to the weathered driver of the stage. “How are you, Carlson?” He asked. “Nice to see you again.”
“Been awhile, Colonel. What brings you to this part of the territory?” Carlson asked, as they shook hands.
“We’re heading up to Ft. Laramie. I have a fresh young officer who needs some desert training, and Wyoming’s as good a training ground as any. In the spring, we’ll be stationed at Ft. Dodge for a while.”
“I hear Dodge City is a fast growing town too. Eastern cattle buyers have found it a good place to buy herds, then ship them back east. They don’t have the cattle ranches back there and the need for cattle is growing.” Carlson offered.
The Colonel added, “I was stationed at Dodge a few years ago, and kind of look forward to seeing the place again. It’s a tough part of the country, but, as you say, it’s growing faster now since the railroad began shipping cattle from there. I hear they have some good law enforcement in Dodge now though. A young straight-shooter.”
“Well,” Carlson began, “Good luck to you, Colonel, “Sure nice to see you again. Been years.”
Colonel Winters answered, “Maybe we’ll meet again soon, on the road. You never know just where we’ll be. Sometimes we’re stationed in a place and then get orders to head for some unheard of camp.”
Carlson gave a loud guffaw, then took off his old battered Stetson, gave it a couple of shakes to get some of the rain drops off the crown, then shoved it back on his head, thought a moment, “Well, we need to pull out, make our schedule.” He added.
“Never knew you to be concerned about schedules in the old days, Carlson.”
The driver chuckled, “Now, you just may be right about that.” He said, then added, “No matter, we usually seem to be on time, within an hour or so, anyway.”
Logan and Claude had walked over from the stage, and introductions were made. After a brief conversation with the Colonel, they walked back to the vehicle with Carlson.
Claude ventured, “It’s nice to know that group of soldiers will be in the vicinity while we ride to the next town.”
The driver laughed, “Don’t let my partner, Wolf, hear you say that.”
“Why not?” Logan asked.
“Not sure why, but he feels the Cavalry has only one purpose and that’s just to get in his way. As long as I’ve known Wolf, he’s strongly disliked anything about the Military. He believes he can handle anything without their interference. He first hired on with the stage company ‘bout six years ago, an’ been like that since I’ve known ‘im. We mostly work to an’ from the town of Nowhere.”
“Yes, that’s where we will be staying tonight. Next town, isn’t it?” Beckford asked.
Carlson nodded, then added, “Never have known why Wolf feels the way he does, an’ prob’ly never will, an’ I don’t intend to ask.”
Logan pondered, “It’s hard to understand why. He’s a quiet man, never says a thing.”
“You bet he is, but he’s a
mighty good man to have on your side, though for some reason folks seem to steer clear of ‘im. We get along though.”
“The Colonel said they would rest up here about twenty minutes, then head for Nowhere.” Logan said, then added, “He said we could meet in town and talk awhile. It will be good to talk with some of the enlisted men too. I noticed, by the stripes on his sleeve, a Lieutenant in the group.” Then as Logan looked around, he noted that the young Lieutenant had walked over to the stage and, while touching the brim of his hat, was looking into the stage window; a wide grin on his young face. Logan scowled.
Lord Beckford had noticed the Lieutenant at the same time, and the scowl on Logan’s face. He thought, “This situation is getting more interesting as time goes by.”