by Cia Leah
THE OUTLAW’S THANKSGIVING
BY CIA LEAH
COPYRIGHT 2012 – CIA LEAH
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.
No portion of this book may be copied without the written permission of the author.
Katie Morgan vigorously rolled out the piecrust for the pumpkin and apple pies for Thanksgiving dinner. She only had two days and so much to do yet. She swiped her hair back from her face and was thankful her Grandma was asleep. They’d had a long day as it was and she needed to relax. Plying the rolling pin to the dough helped ease her anger too.
When she thought back to a week ago, she could just kick herself in the behind for not noticing that grandma had left the mercantile to go down the steps to get to the buggy. She’d been talking to Loretta about things she would need for Thanksgiving dinner. Her grandma fell and broke her leg, which meant her Uncle Matt couldn’t take care of her along with his job as Marshall. So, the only obvious solution was that Grandma would stay with her until she her leg healed.
Katie sighed. She didn’t mind taking care of her grandma, but it was time consuming. Her grandma liked to talk and being out here instead of in town, closed her off from her friends, especially since winter had set in. The woman was bored plain and simple.
She just slipped the first of the pies into the oven, when she heard Buster barking. She prayed he didn’t corner that coon again in the barn. She wiped her hands on her apron, grabbed her coat, and her shotgun and stepped out onto the porch. “My goodness,” she said, seeing a man lying in the snow beside a horse. She ran down the steps and knelt down beside him. “Mister? Can you hear me?” She rolled him over onto his back.
She quickly checked him over for signs of injury, but didn’t find anything wrong. At a loss as to what to do, she removed his hat, and saw a deep gash on the side of his right temple. Dusk was settling in and snow was coming down faster. She needed to get him inside and she sure couldn’t carry him. He was about six foot two, about two hundred pounds and solid muscle. He was cute too with his black wavy hair and black beard. “Come on, Mister, wake up.” She grabbed some snow and bathed his face with it.
“Damn it. That’s cold!”
Katie smiled. “Do you think you can stand up so I can help you into the cabin?”
“Dizzy.”
“I bet you are with that gash in your head. What happened to you?” In the last few shreds of daylight, he opened his eyes, and Katie gasped. They were gray, the color of the snow clouds in the sky, fringed with thick black lashes. They were beautiful.
“I was riding through the woods and someone shot. I almost fell from the saddle as my horse took off under me. I held on and then remember falling.”
“Probably some hunters out looking for deer meat. Do you think you can stand? I’ll help you.”
“I can try,” he said, sitting up and grabbing his head. “Man, that hurts!”
“Take it slow. Try and get to your feet now. Lean on me.” She slipped her arm under his and around his waist as he struggled to his feet. He swayed, but she kept him upright. “It’s only a few steps into the cabin. “Come on. I’ll take care of your horse after I tend to you.”
“Mighty obliged.”
When they made it into the cabin, Katie helped him to the cot built into the wall on the other side of the room. Her grandma was in the bedroom that belonged to her parents and besides this cot, there was no other place to put him. “Go ahead and lie down. I’ll get a basin of water and clean that up for you.”
“Thanks,” he said, his eyes closed against the pain.
Katie checked the pies, then got the basin of water, some cloths, and a bottle of whiskey and returned to the man. She set the things on the small bedside stand and pulled up a stool. “Do you want a drink of whiskey before I start cleaning your wound?”
“Yes.” He leaned up on one elbow and took the bottle she offered and took a couple healthy swigs, then lay back down. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help.”
“Think nothing of it. What’s your name?” She wet a cloth in the water and began cleaning the wound, pausing when he flinched.
“Markus Cole. Yours?”
“Katie Morgan.” She finished cleaning the blood away from his injury and sat back a minute. That’s going to need a few stitches.”
He groaned. Not because of the stitches, but he knew her. Had gone to school with her and her Uncle Matt was the Marshall in town. How the heck was he going to keep his identity a secret? Of course, with the beard, he didn’t think she would recognize him. She hadn’t so far anyways and it had been years since he left town. “Can you stitch me up?”
“Yes, just let me get the pies out of the oven and put the others in.”
He watched her walk across the room to the stove and wondered what happened to her parents. She seemed alone, unless she had a husband out doing farm work. “Those pies sure do smell good,” he said, watching as she set them on the table to cool.
“I’m glad I made extra. With that head wound of yours, you aren’t going anywhere too soon and Thanksgiving is day after tomorrow.”
“I don’t want to impose and I’m sure I’ll feel better tomorrow after something to eat and some sleep. I’ll be on my way by late afternoon.”
Katie put the other pies in the oven. She walked to her sewing kit and got a needle and thread. She walked over and poured some whiskey on the needle and threaded it. When she sat down to begin sewing up his wound, she glanced at him. “You’re welcome to stay. There’s just grandma and I here, and my Uncle Matt will come for dinner. You won’t be imposing and I’m not quite sure you will be able to ride by tomorrow. I hope you don’t get infection, but leaving here wouldn’t be a good idea until we see how you are doing.”
“I think I will be all right. You ready to ply that needle to my head?”
Katie grinned. “You can’t be that anxious to get this done, but I’ll be as gentle as possible. You might want a couple more drinks out of that bottle to dull the pain.”
“I think I’ve had enough, so go ahead and get started.”
Katie moved her stool closer and prayed she didn’t hurt him too much. One time she’d about sliced her finger off cutting potatoes and Doc Landry had to stitch her up. She thought the pain unbearable at the time. As she worked, she couldn’t help but admire his strength. Other than a couple flinches, he done good. “There you go. Six stitches.”
“Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome. Would you like some coffee and something to eat?”
“Coffee would be nice and a piece of one of those pies if you have enough to spare.”
“I sure do. Let me get it and then I’ll go take care of your horse.”
Katie served him his food, then grabbed her coat and went outside. The wind was picking up and the snow still coming down. She led the horse to the barn, unsaddled it, rubbed it down, and fed it. She took his saddlebags and threw them over her shoulder, figuring he might want his things in the morning.
She laughed when Buster came in the barn and barked at her. “You can stay in the house tonight out of the weather. Come on.”
When she went back inside the cabin, Buster walked over and lay down on the floor by Markus’s cot. “Guess you’ll keep an eye on our guest,” she grinned, finishing taking the pies out of the oven and sitting them on the table. Once she had that task done, she went and checked on her grandma, who was sleeping soundly.
Thank goodness, she thought, going to her room to get ready for bed. It’d been a long day, and she was tired. Her days started before sunrise. She quickly undressed and pulled her nightgown on. When she settled into bed and turned the lamp down low, she thought of
the man in the next room. Who was he and had he really told her the truth about what happened to him, or was he an outlaw on the run from bounty hunters and the law? She hoped not because she liked him right off for some reason she couldn’t quite figure out. It was almost like she knew him, but that was impossible. “Sleep,” she whispered to herself. “Daylight’s only a few hours away.”
***
Markus found it hard to sleep with his head hurting and the pain from the stitches. He hoped he felt well enough to get on his horse and leave in the morning, or at least by noon tomorrow. He couldn’t stay here, even though he sure would like to stop and rest a spell.
The only reason he returned home was he heard from his brother that their Pa was ailing and wanted him to come home and see him before he died. Jake’s letter reached him more than a month ago and he prayed he wasn’t too late.
Markus felt bitter over the turn of events that led him to be a wanted man. If it weren’t for his cousin, Butch, he’d be a free man. He’d never guessed that Butch was wanted for robbing the bank. It was ironic that he and Butch looked so much alike, that the Marshall in town and the posse thought it was Markus. When they showed up at the house, his Pa had Jack take him out the back door to the barn where Jack had given him some money, ammunition and food and told him to ride hell bent for leather and they would let him know when it was safe to come home. It never worked out that way. The posse didn’t believe his Pa and soon there were wanted posters with his name on it all over the place with a five hundred dollar reward.
Markus sighed heavily. “For years he was on the run. He tried finding Butch, but every time he got close, he lost him. In some towns, Butch had robbed stores and ranches he’d worked for. Several times, Markus had to hightail it out of there.
Another thing, he was tired. So weary of the running, so weary of not being home, so weary of not being able to build a life of his own. He’d always wanted to settle down, get married, and have a passel of kids. That thought made him smile and he thought of Katie. She’d make someone a fine wife. Even when she was young and they were in school, he had always liked her. She never got into any scrapes with other girls, never had a bad word to say about anyone, and always helped the teacher with kids who didn’t do well in their studies.
She’d grown into a fine looking woman too with her long auburn hair and green eyes. She wasn’t skinny or fat, but built like a woman should be in his estimation, and she was tall. And she could cook too. The apple pie she’d served him was delicious. The crust just melted in his mouth and the apples tender with just the right amount of cinnamon. The house smelled so good and he could just imagine what Thanksgiving dinner would taste like.
The thought of being here near his own home, made him want to get up and ride for his Pa’s place, but he knew he wasn’t able yet. Praying that tomorrow he’d feel up to it helped his mind to ease somewhat and he settled back and fell asleep.
***
Katie woke when the rooster crowed. She jumped out of bed, washed off in the basin of clean water she put there yesterday, and dressed. When she went out to the kitchen, she saw that Markus was still asleep. Being as quiet as possible, she stoked the dying embers in the stove, added wood, and put coffee on to cook while she went out and milked the cow, fed the horses and chickens.
Not wasting any time, she quickly attended to her chores and came back into the house to find Markus sitting up on the edge of the bed. “Good morning,” she said. “How are you feeling?”
“If it weren’t for the headache, I’d say pretty well. I do feel a little warm.”
Katie walked over to him and felt his forehead. “You are a little warm, but I don’t think it’s a bad fever and your wound looks good. There’s no pus or anything.”
“That’s a good thing.” He stood up and swayed at the dizziness that assaulted him.
Katie grabbed hold of him and steadied him. “Where are you going?”
“I need to relieve myself.”
“Oh,” she said, blushing. I’ll walk with you to the door. Do you think you can manage?”
“Yeah, I’ll hold onto the house. I’ll be fine,” he said, as Buster got up to go with him. “Looks like he needs out too.”
She laughed. “You can leave him out there if he wants to stay. He should be fine. The snow has stopped and the sun’s coming out. Looks like it will be a beautiful day.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “Thank you,” she said, unsure of what else to say.
“It’s the truth.”
She helped him into his coat, opened the door, and watched him walk slowly down the steps. She shut the door, when she heard her grandma yelling for her. “The day has begun,” she said, running into her grandma’s room. “Good morning, Grandma. Are you feeling any better?”
“My leg hurts something awful. I need some of that laudanum that doc left for me before I sit up.”
Katie measured out the dose and gave it to her, then helped her wash up, and get dressed. “I wish you would use those crutches to come out into the kitchen or sit on the sofa. You wouldn’t get so lonesome that way. I’ve got a lot of cooking to do today and we have a guest.”
“Oh, did one of my friends come to visit me from town?”
“No, a man was hurt and I brought him in and patched him up.”
“A stranger?”
“He’s a nice man, Grandma, and he isn’t going to hurt us. I asked him to stay until he’s better and to have Thanksgiving dinner with us tomorrow.”
“What happened to him?”
“A bullet grazed his temple. I cleaned it and stitched it up. He gets real dizzy though at times.”
“Is he an outlaw?”
“I don’t think so, but he needs help, and we are going to help him.”
“Is he handsome?”
“Why don’t you use those crutches and come out and find out?”
“My arms aren’t strong enough, dear.”
Katie shook her head. “Grandma, you are a strong woman. I’ll think of something to get you out of this room. I know tomorrow, I’ll have Uncle Matt carry you out to sit at the table.” With those words, she turned and went into the kitchen to get her first cup of coffee and make breakfast. Markus was sitting at the table, his head in his hands. “You all right?”
“Yeah. I suppose it will take a few days for this headache to ease up.”
She poured two cups of coffee and set one in front of him. “Do you want some whiskey in it to help with the pain?”
“No. I’m really not a drinking man.”
“I’m going to start breakfast. Grandma won’t use her crutches to get out of bed. I wish she would, because she has me running back and forth all the time. I’ve got a lot to do today.”
“Is she a big woman?”
“No, she’s small, but she won’t budge an inch on those crutches doc gave her to use.”
“You want me to carry her in here to the table?”
Katie looked at him. “Do you think you can manage that being dizzy and all?”
“I think I make it with her, if she doesn’t mind it.”
“Come on,” she said, when he got up and swayed a little. “You sure about this? I don’t want you dropping my grandma.”
He grinned. If I do, I promise to let her fall on me so she doesn’t get hurt.”
“It’s worth a try,” she said, leading the way into her room. “Grandma, Markus is going to carry you out to the table so you can have breakfast with us.”
“Oh dear, he’s a handsome fellow.”
Katie laughed. “Don’t pay any attention to grandma. She likes all the handsome men around here.”
“Hello, Grandma,” he said, moving to the side of the bed. He bent down and slipped his arms under her and lifted her into his arms. “Hold on. I get a might dizzy at times.”
“Oh my,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You’re a big man and so strong.” She winked at Katie as they move
d by her and into the kitchen.
“There you go, Ma’am.” He set her in a chair at the head of the table.
“Thank you so much, young man. It’s nice to be out of that bedroom.”
“You’re welcome,” Markus said, and walked over to sit down at his place. Katie was refilling his coffee cup.
“I’ll get breakfast right away. I have biscuits made and there’s pie, but I’ll make some scrambled eggs and bacon.”
“Sounds good. I haven’t had a home cooked meal in a long time.”
“Where have you been, young man,” Grandma asked, sipping at her coffee.
“Just roaming around.” He didn’t want to have to answer a lot of questions, but he was always taught to be polite to women and anyone older than himself.
“You look familiar. I can’t quite place you, but those eyes. They’re beautiful, don’t you think, Katie?”
“Yes they are.”
“You know, there’s only two men I know of that has that color of eyes. The Drake’s at the farm next to us. You know them?”
Markus almost choked on the sip of coffee he’d just taken. “I don’t think so Ma’am.”
“Call me Grandma. Everyone does.”
“Thank you, Grandma.”
“You’re polite too,” she said, as Katie placed a plate before her and handed one to Markus.
“Eat while it’s hot.”
Markus didn’t need to be told twice. He dug into the food and groaned. “This is delicious. You’re a good cook, Katie.”
“Thank you,” she said, sitting down to eat. “I think I am going to bake the ham today. That way we can have it for supper too and I got some cream to make potato salad. I’ll make the yams tomorrow and some vegetables I canned. Sound good, Grandma?”
“Yes it does. You know, Markus, the more I look at you, I’d swear you were a Drake. You know what happened to the youngest son, don’t you? It seems he was wrongly accused of robbing the bank in town. Matt told me about it before I fell and broke my ankle. It seems his cousin Butch is the one who robbed the bank. Guess Butch got shot over in the next town trying to rob the bank there a couple weeks ago. The doctor tried to save his life, but it wasn’t to be. Before he died, he told the doctor and lawman there that he let his cousin, Markus, take the blame all these years and he didn’t want to die with that on his conscience. You wouldn’t happen to be Markus Cole Drake, would you?”