by Reece Butler
He mounted up and turned toward home. Ross wanted to go to Virginia City for more than Daniel’s lip and Gillis’s need for Amelia’s comfort. There’d be two MacDougal devils on this manhunt. No, they weren’t men. They were corpses burning in hell. They just didn’t know it yet.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Not bad for an old man,” said Simon to Gillis after the axe slammed down on another piece of wood. The noise hadn’t stopped since he arrived with Beth for a short visit.
“Are ye here to flap yer jaws, or te work?”
“Seems you got the work covered.” Simon looked at the chunks of wood strewn around the chopping block. “Where’s your helper?”
“Ross is tellin’ the laddie aboot yer trip. Ye man enough te replace him?”
Accepting the challenge, Simon strolled over to the woodshed and looked in. Neat rows lined the back end from floor to ceiling. The last row was only waist high. He walked up the plank, grabbed the waiting wheelbarrow, and wheeled it out of the shed.
As usual, Simon whistled as he worked. Gillis muttered while Simon picked up the split logs and set them in the wooden barrow. He took his time in the woodshed, placing each log just so, knowing Gillis had to get up a head of steam before he’d blow.
“Fine! Ye came here for a reason. Tell it and go.” Gillis’s bare chest heaved as he hauled air into his lungs. He stood straight and brushed chips of wood off his chest hair.
“I have a message for you. From Prue.”
Gillis set his jaw and clenched his hand around the axe handle. His eyes narrowed.
“Dinna play with me, lad. I thrashed ye afore, and I’ll gladly do it again.”
Simon opened up his vest and pulled a small book out of an inner pocket. He held it in the air like a preacher would a Bible.
“Prue wrote something in this for you. She told Beth to show it to you when it was time.” He held it out. “Beth says it’s time.”
Gillis stood like an ancient Celtic statue, axe in hand. Simon knew Gil could easily kill him if he went berserk. With or without the weapon.
“Time for what?”
“Time to join the living again. This is Beth’s diary. She marked the pages for you. The first is from before Christmas and the second just before Hope was born.”
Gillis shook his head slowly. “I’ll nae read a woman’s private journal.”
“That’s what Beth said.” He opened the book and cleared his throat. “Lovely visit with Prue today. She’s blossoming well. We pray every night for the babe’s safe arrival.” Simon nodded. “We did. Got down on our knees, the four of us, and prayed that Hope would be born safe. We didn’t know it was going to be Hope, of course, but—”
“Say what ye must and leave.”
“Once again, Prue spoke of her concern for Gillis once she’s gone. She wants him to be strong for her and to love Amelia. She wants me to tell them that she approves of Amelia sharing her bed as I do.”
Simon licked his finger and flipped forward many pages before looking up. “There’s a blank page on one side before this, and someone else’s writing. Do you want me to read what your wife wrote to you?”
“Can I stop ye?”
“No.”
“Get it over with.” He clenched and unclenched his fists.
Simon turned to the previous page. “It’s personal, Gil. Are you sure?”
Gil cursed. He yanked the axe out of the block and almost fell on the seat. He held the axe in both hands like a warrior eager to attack. He glared at Simon then dropped his head.
“Prudence writes so tiny I canna read her letters. Read it to me, cousin. I’ll try not to take your head off.”
The last sentence was said with a touch of humor. Simon cleared his throat. Now that he felt his life wasn’t in immediate danger, he walked closer so he could lower his voice.
“Dearest Honey-bunny. How I love you, you great big furry oaf.”
“If any of this is repeated, that babe you want to plant in Beth’s belly will nae have a fither,” growled Gillis.
Simon rubbed his forehead. “I promised Beth I’d do this, and she promised Prue. You know I don’t carry tales.” When Gillis grunted, Simon took it as agreement. He pointed his finger to the spot where he left off.
“I’ll love you forever and ever until the stars fall from the sky. As I know you will love me. But we both know I won’t be here next winter.” Simon choked. He coughed to clear his throat and continued, his voice raw. “Hope is a beautiful baby, and her da will care for her well. Amelia and Nevin will love her, too. But who will love you, Honey-bunny? I know you love to snuggle up at night and tell me your plans for the future.”
Simon took a long-suffering breath before he continued. “How you try so hard to be the best Chief for your Clan. We MacDougals need sons, and Amelia will bring them, God willing. But for those sons to be strong they need a strong Chief. So I ask you to do something that only a great Chief would do. Put aside your grief when it is time to love again. If Amelia wishes, please love her as best as you can. She won’t be me, but she’ll hold you and comfort you. Love you forever, Honey-bunny.”
Simon kept his face averted as he sniffed and wiped his eyes. He carefully pulled the page from Beth’s diary. One side blank, the other filled with love for all time. He finally looked over at Gillis. He sat with his elbows on his thighs, holding his bent head.
“I’ll give this to you if you promise to keep it. If you destroy it, you’ll regret it later.” Simon wiped his face. “I remember when Ma and Pa died. It hurt like hell. Still does. But I’m alive. I have Beth and my brothers and baby James. Next year, God willing, I might have a blonde baby girl as beautiful as her mother. Like you have Hope.” He released a shuddering breath. “Life goes on, Gil. It stabs like a knife at first, but the ache does fade to a dull throb.”
Gillis didn’t move. The only sound was their rasping breaths.
“She’s right, Gil. The MacDougal Clan needs a strong Chief. Time to get off your sorry ass and be a man.”
Gillis roared and leaped to his feet. Holding the axe handle in both hands, he swung it at Simon. Sy didn’t move. At the last moment, Gil changed angle and let go. They heard a deep thunk as it embedded itself in a tree.
“Your temper tantrum over now, Chief MacDougal?” Simon’s croaking voice proved he wasn’t totally unaffected by Gillis’s actions.
At six foot five plus hob-nailed boots, Gillis had at least three inches over Simon. He straightened up and used the bulk of his huge chest and massive shoulders. Though smaller in size, Simon had always had a big attitude. He was quiet, but when he spoke, they listened.
Gillis strode over to Simon until their chests almost touched. “Aye,” he said quietly. He snatched the page out of Simon’s fingers. “I’ll thank ye to clear off my land for a wee while.”
“As soon as I can get Beth back on Peaches, we’ll be gone.”
Gillis turned his back and walked toward the woodshed. “That’s a daft name for a horse,” he said, looking over his shoulder.
“What’s a man to do? It makes her happy.” Simon nodded his head enough to convey respect as well as friendship. He took a few steps before turning back. He gestured at the wood still littering the areas. “A smart man would have waited until I was finished picking up all the wood you split.”
“Mayhaps,” said Gillis with a sarcastic growl. “A smarter man would get his arse off MacDougal land afore he loses more than an afternoon stacking someone else’s woodpile.”
Simon laughed and sauntered back to the house, whistling as if he had no cares in the world. He didn’t see Gillis kiss the paper and hold it to his heart or the tears that leaked into his red beard.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ross walked over to Daniel, stacking firewood in the shed. He hadn’t told the boy about Amelia’s plans with the surgeon in case it didn’t work out. He’d learned not to have dreams or hopes. That way, you couldn’t lose them.
“We’ve got some travelling
coming up.”
Daniel set the log in his hand on the pile. He didn’t turn around. “Yer leavin’?”
Though Ross felt an urge to rest his hand on the boy’s shoulder, he held back. Daniel had relaxed a lot since arriving, but touching from behind reminded him of previous blows.
“I said ‘we.’ That means you, me, and Nevin.”
Daniel turned so fast he had to brace his hand against the stacked piles. “You’re taking me back to my pa?” He stared, his face white and eyes wide.
“No! We’d never do that.” Ross crouched down, leaning his elbow on one knee. “We’re going to Virginia City. Each of us has some business there.”
“I ain’t got no business there.” Daniel hunched over as if expecting a blow.
The boy’s command of grammar had improved drastically as he tried to sound like the people around him. Fear took its toll on everything. Ross held out his hand and gestured him to come near. Daniel did, one slow step at a time.
“Remember when I asked you if Billy could keep an eye out in town?”
Daniel nodded.
“Well, I need to check things out a mite further.”
“You after some bad men?”
Ross nodded solemnly. That was all the boy needed to know.
“And you want me to go with you, to help?”
He looked at Ross with bright eyes, eager rather than worried now. The boy was so desperate to prove his worth. All of them wanted Daniel to stay, but the law might force him back to his father. Ross wouldn’t make a promise he couldn’t keep, so he said nothing.
“That’s one reason. The other’s to do with your hare lip. Mrs. MacDougal found a surgeon who’s worked with other boys like you. He knows how to fix it.”
Daniel took a step back, fear replacing the joy. “I figured you liked me a bit.”
“We do. That’s why we’re trying to help you.” Ross kept his voice calm, as if he was talking to an injured horse ready to bolt.
“If it don’t work, you won’t want me no more. You’ll leave me there.”
Ross shook his head. The boy needed something to believe in, even a crumb. He’d have to word it carefully. Daniel watched, chin quivering.
“Mrs. MacDougal told me she promised you’ll always have a home on the MD. Me, Nev, and Gil want Mrs. MacDougal to be happy. So we’re doing everything we can to make this your home.”
Daniel stood as if expecting a beating. Hunched, shivering, he looked at Ross. “Why?”
Ross dropped his head. He scratched his ear. Finally, he sighed and sat in the dirt cross-legged. He patted the ground beside him. He waited as Daniel approached with short, hesitant steps. When the boy stood beside him, he looked up.
“My ma and pa sent me away when I was five years old. I never had a real home until I moved here with Nevin and Gil.”
“Yer ma didn’t want ya?”
“I thought so.” He picked up a twig and began shredding the bark from it with his thumbnail, watching the process intently. “But now, I figure she did it to save me.”
“From yer pa?”
“My pa didn’t care if my big brothers killed me. The only thing Ma could do was send me to her family.”
“You lived with Indians?”
Ross smiled wryly at the awe in his voice. “My grandfather and uncles taught me how to be a warrior. Then something bad happened, and they sent me back.”
“Was you bad?”
Ross shook his head. He met Daniel’s eyes, only a few inches above his. “Those men I’m looking for? They did something bad, and I’m going to kill them for it.”
His eyes opened wide, this time in eagerness. But then he frowned.
“Does Mrs. MacDougal know? She said she don’t like killers. She might not like you doin’ that.”
“Women don’t know the way things are in a man’s world. I wasn’t planning on telling her about it. She thinks I’m going along to take care of you. I’d like her to keep thinking that for a bit.”
Daniel dropped down beside Ross. Their shoulders touched. “I won’t tell her.” He reached for a twig and started doing the same as Ross. “Is that why Mr. Nevin is coming along? To help you look?”
Ross grunted his agreement. It was partly how he explained to Gil why all of them had to go. “It’ll take a couple days each way on horseback. Don’t know how long it’ll take for the doc to fix you up.”
Daniel slumped at the reminder of the main purpose of the trip. “Kin I use your belt to bite on when the doc sews me up? I don’t got one.”
Ross let his arm naturally curve around the boy’s back. The boy didn’t ask if it would hurt. Pain was a part of his life. He respected Daniel for that. He’d rather have a bullet in the leg any day than someone taking a needle to his lips. He leaned into Ross, who held him tight for a moment before releasing him.
“Guess we’ll have to get you a belt as well as a pony in Bannack City.”
“Pony?” Daniel’s fear and worry almost disappeared in eagerness.
“I’m not having you grabbing my shirt all the way there and back! It’s time you got your own ride. What color do you want—brown, white, or one of those splashy paints like Trace Elliott?”
“It don’t matter, Mr. Ross. ‘Long as it’s got heart, the outside don’t matter.’” Ross recognized the phrase as coming from one of the Elliott boys. Daniel stood up and brushed off the seat of his pants. “It’s time for chores.”
Ross watched him run toward the barn, leaping and punching his fist in the sky.
“You’re right, son.” He looked at his brown hands. “The outside don’t matter one damn bit.” Bleating told him Daniel was getting ready to milk the goats. “Too bad most people aren’t as smart as a ten-year-old child.” He rose easily to his feet and brushed his pants off the same way as Daniel.
Next on the list was telling Gillis he’d be alone with Amelia for a week or more. Whatever Simon had said to him during Beth’s visit, it had put a bee up his butt. This might make him act like a whole swarm was up there.
Gillis was to the west searching for lost cattle. Horseback was the best way to deal with the man. If Gil came at him with fists flying, Ross could always ride away. Fast.
* * * *
“Two bluidy weeks?” Cattle scattered at Gillis’s roar. He lowered his voice but not the intensity. “Can ye not wait for yer Auntie? She’ll be back in a bit.”
Ross tried to look contrite. “The camas digging takes at least a week once they get there. For all I know, Auntie will want to visit her home and show off Hope for another couple of weeks. We can’t wait. Amelia arranged a meeting with some fancy surgeon in Virginia City. For all I know, he’s visiting there and will be gone in another few weeks.”
Gillis narrowed his eyes. “The lad doesnae need twa men to watch him. Leave Nev here.”
“You know I want to check out a few low places along the way. Someone has to stay with the boy, especially after the doc operates.”
Gillis harrumphed. He snorted and spat downwind. “Does yer wife know how tae cook? Tillie and Auntie been doin’ it all.”
“She says yes, but she’s afraid of the fire,” said Ross quietly. “They use coal in the city, so she hasn’t seen an open fire, or heard one crackling, since she got burned. She said this is her chance to prove to herself she can do it.”
Gillis scratched his beard. Ross knew he was aware from Prue how badly Amelia had been burned though her scars healed well.
“And will my breakfast, dinner, and supper be either raw or burned?”
“She’s made the biscuits the last few days. I didn’t see you complaining when she added extra sugar and a handful of currants to try scones.”
“Hah!” Gillis shook a finger at Ross. “I was right. I knew those other two wouldnae think of that.” He sat up straighter in the saddle.
“There’s a problem. Amelia gets nightmares of the fire. The only way to stop her screaming is to hold her.”
Gillis muttered for a bit. He scrat
ched his beard and kicked a rock. “I’ll only do it if the lass screams.” Ross gave a slight nod. “I’ll bed down by the kitchen. Nae in that room.” Another nod.
They rode on for a few minutes while Gillis grumbled again. He shot his finger at Ross. “I’ll not bed the woman!” He kicked his heels, and the horse took off.
“That went well,” Ross said to his horse. “I wonder how long he’ll last, holding Amelia while she wriggles her ass against his belly.”
He looked up at the sky. Though it was near supper, the sun was nowhere near setting. He settled in the saddle and adjusted his hat.
“I’ll give you extra when we get home,” he promised, patting the horse’s neck. “It’s best we stay away for a bit.”
He nudged the animal west.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Amelia waved as Nevin and Ross, with Daniel hiding in front, trotted away. Gillis turned the wagon back toward town. She yawned and looked forward. Ross and Nevin had given her an exquisite goodbye celebration. A bit sore, she shifted on the hard seat. Since Gillis wouldn’t come near her, it would be at least a week, perhaps two, before she’d have a man in her bed again.
She’d learned a lot since Auntie and Tillie joined the Tribe for their annual celebration, centered around the women digging the sweet underground bulbs which kept the Tribe alive during the cold winter.
Daniel taught her to milk the goats, and she’d proudly tended the stove by herself for two days. The house was quiet without the women and babies, but Daniel kept her company during the day while the men worked.
Gillis had been short with all of them since Hope left. Amelia dreaded the time alone with him. She knew still grieved for Prudence, but his gruffness was a trial. Beth told her that there was little time for grief in the West. Most widows remarried within a couple of months, unable to cope on their own in a harsh land.
She had her suspicions that Ross and Nevin had set up their trip so that Gil would be alone with her. Would Gillis use the opportunity to get closer with her? He could be frightening, but Prudence said he was like a big, friendly bear. He certainly acted that way with Hope.