Juan

by Kathleen Ball

  “You slept a long time.”

  “Long,” he repeated.

  “Would you like to play in the garden with me?”

  He shrugged his shoulders.

  “How about play in the dirt?” she asked.

  “Me play!”

  She’d checked the garden earlier and except for a major weed problem there were still a lot of vegetables left. Anything that had grown above ground had been eaten by animals, probably rats, but there were turnips, potatoes and onions to dig up. There were also carrots, parsnips, rutabagas, yams, and beets.

  They’d be just fine. She’d been gone long enough for the vegetables to grow. Some people had never heard of beets and rutabagas but Sonia had come across the seeds while working in her parents’ store and had put some away for herself. Luckily, she remembered to take them when they disowned her.

  Roger hadn’t been impressed. Too bad for him. She pulled up an onion as well as a few carrots and potatoes. It was enough for one day. She might not have money, but she was wealthy in vegetables. Maybe she could sell some if needed.

  She watched Brent dig the soil with an old spoon she’d given him. He was a happy child.

  “Come on, we need to get inside.”

  He shook his head. “No!”

  She laughed. “What do you mean no. Be a good boy for Mama.”

  He stared at her and put dirt in his mouth. He tried to spit it out but ended up crying instead. “Papa. Me want Papa.”

  She picked him up and brought him inside. After cleaning out his mouth, her tears wanted to fall. Sonia dashed away the first few and got a hold of herself. How could she explain why Brent had a papa one day and didn’t have one the next?

  She gave him a bowl and a wooden spoon to play with, and he forgot his question. Hopefully, she’d never cross paths with Juan again, and Brent could forget him.

  Chapter Five

  “Open the gate!” Juan called to Greg. The sound of the horses’ hooves was loud, and the dust they kicked up was enough to choke a man. But Juan and Carlos had driven the horses home. They’d made it.

  Greg opened the gate to the corral wide and stood aside as the horses ran into the fenced-in area. He quickly closed the gate when the last horse entered.

  Juan jumped down off Journey and strode to the fence where Greg stood. “We got some good mares. In a few years we’ll be rich!”

  “Those are some of the finest I’ve seen.” Greg took off his hat and wiped his brow. “How did Carlos do?”

  Juan smiled, feeling like a proud father. “It’s in his blood. He was a natural. How’d Ma and Pa take it that he left?”

  “They were concerned. If he’d left with you it wouldn’t have been a problem. Ma was sure he’d get lost and never find you. Pa was much calmer but they’ll be relieved to see him home again.”

  Juan and Greg stared at the magnificent creatures milling about the corral.

  “Greg, it was the best!” Carlos enthused as he joined them. “Juan is magic with those wild horses. He taught me a lot. I’m going to see if I can live here with him!”

  Greg’s brow rose in surprise as Juan shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe one day, Carlos, but I doubt Ma will want to let you go,” Juan said. He nodded his head toward the two riders headed his way. It would have been a dream come true if Sonia was one of them.

  As they got closer he saw it was his parents. “Hope you’re not in too much trouble, Carlos,” he teased.

  Carlos’ eyes widened as he grimaced. “I knew I’d be in big trouble, but I had to go. I just had to.”

  They watched as their pa swung down off his horse and then helped their ma down. Carlos took a step behind Juan.

  “Nice horses. You do have an eye for them, Juan,” Pa said.

  Ma walked up and glared at both him and Carlos. She shook her head and then she ran toward Carlos and hugged him.

  Juan smiled while Carlos was getting the stuffing hugged out of him.

  “I was so worried, Carlos.” Ma said as she released him.

  Pa stepped forward and put his arm around his wife’s waist. “Son, sneaking out and leaving a note is not the right way to do things.”

  Carlos hung his head. “I really wanted to go.”

  “The thing is, you caused needless worry. We always talk things out. I would have allowed you to go if Juan approved,” Pa explained. He let go of his wife and hugged Carlos to him. “I’m just glad you’re all right.” He scanned the young boy up and down before he nodded.

  “If that’s the way then I want to live with Juan.” He jutted his chin out.

  Before his parents could say anything, Juan started to talk. “I told Carlos maybe someday. I know he has school to finish.”

  Carlos narrowed his eyes at Juan and finally shook his head.

  “How’re Sonia and Brent?” Juan asked, unable to contain his worry.

  Ma bit her lip before she spoke. “She left us a note too. We don’t know where she went. Your pa has searched, but there’s no sign of them. We really don’t know why she left. I thought I’d reassured her that she was more than welcome to stay. I’ve been worried about them too. Juan, I thought the two of you were getting close.”

  Guilt choked Juan. He stared at the ground, unable to meet his ma’s gaze. “I told her there was no future for us, and I didn’t say it as nicely as I should.”

  “You didn’t like her?” his pa asked. “You could have fooled me. I saw the way you two looked at each other.”

  Juan brought his head up. “I’m not looking for a wife.”

  His parents exchanged glances then walked to their horses. His pa helped Ma into the saddle. “Carlos, we expect you home tonight,” he said firmly and then swung himself onto his horse.

  “Yes, sir,” Carlos responded glumly.

  They watched them ride away in silence.

  “Well, are we going to work the horses?” Carlos asked with hope in his eyes.

  “No, not today,” Greg said, shaking his head. “We let them rest for a few days.”

  “I might as well get going then.” Carlos kicked the dirt and mounted his horse without glancing at either of them.

  “He’ll get over it,” Greg said.

  “I know. I’m going to clean up.”

  “Go ahead. I’ll take care of Journey and the pack horses.”

  Juan nodded. “Thanks.”

  He walked to his house. Maybe Sonia was hiding there again. When he opened the door he was greeted by silence. He quickly looked around and there was no sign of them. Worried, he sank onto a chair, put his elbows on his knees, and cradled his head in his hands. He hadn’t thought she’d leave. She had nowhere to go. What was she thinking taking Brent to heaven knew where?

  His heart squeezed. It was all his fault. He shouldn’t have been so mean to her. Where could she be? All he wanted to do was to protect her. People already snubbed her and it would have been worse if she was with him. How would Brent feel when he grew up and no one would play with him?

  The house was silent, almost too silent. He’d craved the quiet and being alone. But now all he felt was lonely. Shaking his head, he stood up and grabbed his hat. He squashed it down on his head and went out the door. She had to be somewhere, and he was going to find her. What was she thinking going off to who knew where with Brent? She could be hurt or scared or maybe she was hungry. He needed to find her.

  Sonia stiffened as the door swung open. Fear clutched at her when she saw Wendell entering the shack. She’d had hoped that he was gone for good. From the anger in his eyes, she knew she was in trouble. She glanced over at Brent and was relieved to see that he was still sleeping.

  “What do you think you’re doing in my house?” demanded Wendell. His boots kicked up dirt as he walked toward her.

  He smelled of days of unwashed sweat. He hadn’t shaved, and his eyes were bloodshot. He must’ve been on some type of bender. She almost gagged as his putrid scent overwhelmed her. She needed to stand her ground and act unafraid, though that was ea
sier said than done.

  He tried to grab her but she took a step back, and the fury on his face gave her pause. Antagonizing Wendell would do no good. He glared at her. She’d be lucky to get out of the cabin in one piece.

  Her stomach dropped. She had just started to let her guard down, and now he was here. She glanced at the distance from where she stood to Brent to the door. The odds weren’t in her favor.

  “I figured you had abandoned the cabin. After all you haven’t been here in over a week. I thought Brent and I could make a life for ourselves here. But we can just go. I don’t want to get in your way.” Sonia slowly walked over to the bed. Before she could reach Brent, Wendell grabbed her shoulder and squeezed it. Pain instantly shot through her as he pulled her back against him.

  “You’re not going anywhere. I knew all along you’d be back, and I’ve been waiting. There ain’t nobody out there for you. You’re considered trash now, and there’s no redeeming yourself.” His humorless laugh sent chills along her back. “So it looks like you’re mine, and I can do whatever I want. Nobody cares and nobody is gonna save you. So you can just get your ideas of leaving out of your head.” He spun her around until they were face-to-face and he stared at her with his beady eyes. A nasty leer twisted his features.

  Sonia didn’t know what to do. She needed to protect Brent at all costs. And the cost was going to be high, too high but she’d do what she had to. “I’m sure we can all live here peacefully. I can cook and clean and earn my keep. I don’t see any reason for violence.” She tried to take a step back, but he grabbed her arm and searing pain shot into her shoulder.

  She cried out.

  “Violence? We can avoid violence if you do everything I say. We’ll just act as if we were married. You do know what it means to be married, don’t you? You must obey your husband in all things. And if you don’t, your boy’ll pay the price. He’ll learn what discipline is, if I don’t decide to up and kill him,” Wendell chuckled.

  Sonia’s body stiffened. The viselike grip he had on her arm would leave bruises, and it was just the beginning. Last time she had been lucky. He passed out after beating her. She’d taken Brent and snuck away, but he likely wouldn’t pass out a second time. She didn’t know what to do. Biding her time might be the best course of action. She couldn’t risk her son getting hurt or killed. Why, oh, why had she left the Settler’s house? Her broken heart would have mended eventually. But Wendell was capable of leaving lasting scars.

  “I made some rabbit stew if you’d like some,” she offered trying to smile.

  Wendell studied her, probably trying to figure out if she was going to obey him or not.

  “Why don’t I pour some hot water in a basin so you can clean up? You left some clothes here that I washed.” She couldn’t stand the smell of him anymore. “If you let go of my arm I can grab the soap and a towel for you.” She stood as still as she could. He held on for a minute more before he let her go. She longed to rub her arm but she forced herself to resist. She didn’t want to give Wendell any more satisfaction that he’d hurt her.

  Wendell smiled, showing off his brown teeth. “Maybe you’d like to help me get cleaned up and changed.” He winked at her and gave her chills.

  She took a deep breath. It was all for Brent. As long as he didn’t get hurt she could stand anything. She went to the fireplace and poured water that had been heating, into a basin. Next, she put the basin on the table and grabbed a towel and some soap. Thankfully, there were two bars and she wouldn’t have to use the same one Wendell used. She put these on the table as well.

  “Why don’t you get started while I get your clothes for you?”

  “You do that, honey, and then you can help me. I’ve been a itchin’ and a scratchin’ for days now. As soon as I’m clean, we can have a bit of fun together.” He smiled obviously enjoying tormenting her.

  He took off his shirt and started to wash himself. Sonia had never seen so much hair on a man in her whole life. He looked more like a grizzly than a man. No wonder he was desperate to have her, no other woman would want him.

  After putting his clothes on the table she took a step back. Her body shook at the thought of helping him. Brent turned over in his sleep and her resolve to do whatever was necessary hardened. Wendell was a nasty piece of business but she planned on walking out of the cabin one day.

  “I can’t say that I really miss Roger all that much. How about you?” Wendell asked.

  “Of course I miss him he was my husband.” She hoped that God would forgive her lies.

  “Oh, really? He beat on you plenty. Maybe even more than me. I used to have to teach his mama many a lesson. Nothing I ever did was right, so I got her to shut up. It wasn’t any of her business where I went at night. The people in the saloon were always glad to see me but she thought I should stay home. I cured her of that notion pretty fast. In fact, I cured her of most notions that she had. She walked around with black eyes most of the time but it was her own fault. A man must take charge.” He lathered up his hairy chest and arms before he rinsed the soap off. He threw the cloth at her. “You can do my back.”

  Sonia swallowed hard. Everything within her said no, but she had to ignore the warnings. She rinsed out the cloth and lathered soap onto it. Then she washed his back. She was glad that she was behind him so he couldn’t see her cringing. Somehow or other she’d escape but she needed a plan.

  “That feels good, girl. Perhaps it’s time for you to wash the rest of me.”

  “I’ve been thinking about you, and I think we got off to the wrong start. We should probably get to know each other first before I see any more of you. You know, how real couples do it. I think we could have a good life together.”

  Wendell stared at her and then he shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll think about it. Now you go sit on the bed with your son. You can watch or not, I really don’t care.”

  Sonia practically ran to the bed and sat with her back facing toward Wendell. She tried to take slow even breaths but she couldn’t relax with Wendell in the house. She gazed at her son and smiled. He was her treasure and she’d figure something out. It was going to have to be soon, though.

  Juan didn’t know where Sonia was. It was like she’d disappeared. She was nowhere he’d looked, and no one had admitted to seeing her or hearing about her. Remembering her mentioning it once, he had gone to the saloon and was relieved to discover that she didn’t work there. He’d even gone so far as to check with her parents. When he’d gone into the store they had sniffed the air as if he smelled bad. But he was used to that behavior from them. They really didn’t give him an answer; they just glared at him. But he suspected from their surprised expressions they had no idea either.

  Where could she have gone?

  He led Journey down the town’s main street. And then, outside the barbershop, he heard it: Wendell Plank’s name. It sounded as though he owed people money and he’d made a lot of people mad. When they started talking about lynching Wendell, Juan hightailed it out of there before there was any thought of lynching him. But now he knew where he needed to go. He only hoped he wasn’t too late.

  He mounted Journey and took off at a gallop toward the shack that Sonia used to live in. If that coward laid one finger on her, he was gonna kill him. How stupid! He should have checked there first. He just hadn’t thought she would ever go back there.

  She’d been gone for about a week, so he wasn’t sure what type of condition she’d be in. And what about Brent? Fear for them both tightened all of his muscles, and Juan spurred his horse on.

  It seemed to take forever to get to the shack. It was starting to get dark, and he could see the fire in the fireplace between the slats of the house. How did they live there during the winter? She must’ve froze. He jumped down from his horse and tied him a little ways from the house. Then, as silently as he could, he rounded to the side of the shack. He looked between the slats and saw Wendell, Sonia, and Brent sitting at the table eating. Sonia’s face didn’t seem to have any
bruises on it. Relief spread through Juan’s body. At least she wasn’t hurt.

  He didn’t know much about Wendell. He probably had a gun in there, and he’d be the type to shoot first and ask questions later. He figured him for a coward since he hit women. Maybe he should just knock on the door, but would that get him shot? Or cause trouble for her? Hearing an owl hoot nearby, he shook his head. That was his girl in there with her son, and he aimed to get her out of there.

  His breathing hitched. His girl? If he had claimed her in the first place she wouldn’t be in there with Wendell. This was his fault. He shouldn’t have turned her away from him. He peered through the crack again. She seemed subdued. And Brent was sitting close to her as if he was afraid to get to close to Wendell.

  No, Juan had to be careful here. He decided to keep watch on them. If Wendell got out of hand he’d rush the door.

  He waited, watching through the slats for a few minutes. She definitely wasn’t the same girl who had started coming out of her shell when she and Brent were with his ma and pa. He was a fool for waiting. What if he waited and she got hurt? He wasn’t going to knock on the door. Instead, he would go through with his gun drawn. If he was making a mistake, Sonia could tell him. But he doubted he was making a mistake.

  As quietly as he could, Juan walked to the front of the cabin and drew his gun. He slowly opened the door and then rushed inside. And he caught Wendell with his pants down. He almost laughed.

  “I’ve come to take the girl and her son off your hands.” He kept his face impassive while he stared at Wendell.

  Wendell quickly pulled on his pants and then his shirt. He sputtered and shook his head. “No one is taking my family from me ’specially not some Mexican.”

  Juan clenched his teeth and tightened his hold on his gun. It wouldn’t do if Wendell thought he’d found a weakness. He pretended he didn’t hear Wendell’s slurs. Quickly, he gazed at Sonia. He wanted to be able to give her some signal that everything would be fine, but he didn’t dare. Wendell was a bully, and if he thought Juan really wanted Sonia and Brent he’d keep them out of spite.