Vow Unbroken

by Caryl McAdoo

  He’d hardly been able to get Sue’s embrace off his mind. Sipping coffee, eating breakfast, harnessing the mules, and getting back on the trace, he couldn’t shake it. Not that he wanted to. It was and would always be the best hug he’d ever gotten in his life. No matter what happened in the future, he would never forget it. He loved the way she held him close, the way she surrendered the entirety of herself into him, almost melting through his skin and becoming one with him.

  It was for certain. He would ask her to marry him when the time was right. He knew she was the one. The one he’d waited so long for. Years ago, when he’d noticed her at the trading post, he’d first thought of making her his own. She’d taken off her hat and shaken her long hair loose, running her fingers through it, letting the brisk wind blow it away from her face. He’d asked around about her several times since, finding out what he could without being too obvious.

  It hadn’t been too long ago that he thought he’d missed any chance he might have had. Heard tell that a widower with two children over near Jonesboro had proposed. He didn’t ever hear exactly what happened, but a marriage never took place. Figured her vow had something to do with it. But no matter, he would not miss this chance. Before he got off this trace, he would ask her to be his forever.

  He only hoped her religion wouldn’t interfere.

  * * *

  SUE HARDLY REMEMBERED cooking or eating breakfast. She’d spent the time chiding herself for falling into Henry’s arms like a foolish, scared schoolgirl. That angry self battled inside her head now with other intense emotions that tried to make her believe she was sixteen again and in love for the very first time.

  Except she couldn’t be.

  She was a middle-aged widow for Heaven’s sake!

  She loved Henry insisting on an early start that morning; certainly he’d done it to please her, and he had. Most everything about the man pleased her. Or made her so angry that she couldn’t see straight. How did he do that? Play so with her heart. One thing she knew, she absolutely could not let herself be carried away by emotions.

  She might as well get him out of her mind because she could never disobey God by yoking herself unequally with a heathen—no matter how good and kind and handsome he was. Sue Baylor! She had to quit thinking such thoughts. That devil! The father of lies and master of deceit. He was the one who had played his hand too boldly. She saw her infatuation for exactly what it was—an evil device to bring her and her little family to ruin.

  But what of her daughter? She already saw Henry Buckmeyer as her hero who could do anything. Perhaps Sue shouldn’t let her ride with him, should keep her close and protect her daughter’s heart. It couldn’t be a good thing to let her get any closer to the man or think any more highly of him than she ought.

  Sue recalled the feel of her cheek on his chest, his hands on her back. Butterflies in her belly had her feeling like she might take flight herself. No! She must not think on that. She would concentrate on whatsoever was lovely and pure and worthy of a good report. How shameful would it be for anyone back home to find she was out here on the trail hugging a single man, then daydreaming about the embrace?

  Though when he had held her last night, right after he saved her from that wolf, she didn’t want anything more than to be in his arms. The safety of his embrace overwhelmed her. But he wasn’t even a Christian. She just couldn’t let herself get all weak in the knees. Besides, it was ludicrous to expect that he might even consider spending the rest of his life taking care of and supporting a used-up widow and her two children.

  Henry lived a life full of adventure. He had no one to answer to, and she knew full well he liked it that way. After all, there had to be a reason he was thirty-four years old and never married. He obviously loved living his life loose and free, going where he wanted when he wanted. He didn’t even want to obey God, knowing full well the great love story if he’d read the Bible through like he said.

  No, being tied down to the responsibility of a ready-made family would be the last thing in the world he’d ever consider, much less choose.

  Besides, she didn’t want to be, wouldn’t be, the one who brought him down. He was fine just the way he was—all free and strong and adventurous and kind and handsome and gentle and sweet. She shook her head. There she went again. He wasn’t fine at all. He was lost, and she needed to help him find the Lord.

  She looked to the heavens. “Father, help me and give me strength to stand in obedience to You. Help me keep my distance until the journey is done.”

  The day went by uneventfully. Henry insisted that only he and Levi take turns walking as the scraping and hoof cleaning turned out to be a dreadfully strenuous chore. Very slow and mostly steady, the teams moved the four tons of cotton over the muddy terrain. The two men worked so hard on so little sleep they both looked tuckered by early afternoon.

  Sue didn’t object at all when Henry suggested they set camp well before sunset. As a matter of fact, she couldn’t wait to get supper behind her and go lay down. Battling with herself all day, talking herself out of love, had worn her out. Why object? She was too tired to have any fight left. Her internal warring quenched any unction to quarrel with the man.

  The sun dipped with unprecedented glory into the western horizon. The brilliant purple and pink and golden hues painted by God’s own hand took Sue’s breath away. Night fell on the trace with a starless sky. The clouds almost obliterated the moon as well, but it did shine through now and then, though it was darker than usual.

  After supper, she and Becky got the dishes washed and put away, then curled up together by the fire both for its light and its warmth. Sue pulled her shawl tighter around herself and her little girl and yawned.

  Henry and Levi busied themselves with their normal chores, seeing to the mules, greasing the wagon wheels, and all the other things they took care of without her ever having to ask. She appreciated that. Her nephew came over and sat Indian style next to Becky.

  Her little tomboy balled a fist and hit his arm. “Hey, Levi, where’s Mister Henry?”

  He held up a fist himself. “We trading punches, little girl?”

  She squealed, then laughed. “No, no, no! I won’t do it again, don’t hit me!”

  “All right then, keep your word, or you’ll be in big trouble, you hear me?”

  She nodded, but still made a face at him. “So where is he?”

  “You keep making those ugly faces, and one of these days, one of ’em’ll freeze up just like that. Then you’ll be sorry the rest of your life.” He looked over and grinned. “Mister Henry went to get some more firewood, said he’ll be back directly.”

  Sue pulled Becky into a head lock and squeezed gently. “You best listen to your cousin.” She laughed, then stood. “I think we should turn in. I’m so tired.”

  Levi locked his fingers behind his head and stretched. “Me, too. So, tomorrow we’ll be in Pleasant Mound, right? Sure is taking a long time, and we sure have had more than our share of trouble.”

  “Yes, indeed.” She pulled Becky up. “Come on, little girl. To bed with you.”

  “But I want to stay up and wait for Mister Henry.”

  Exactly what Sue wanted to avoid; she wanted no discussions regarding that hug. Better to go to bed and try to catch up on missed sleep. “Rebecca Ruth.”

  Becky pouted. “Oh, all right. But I’m not tired, I had a nap today.” She heaved a heavy sigh and stared at Blue. “Come on, boy.” She bent over, kissed the hound, then turned to Sue. “He’s feeling much better, but I don’t want him away from me, especially while he’s still recovering.”

  The dog raised his head and stared into the darkness. Silence filled the campsite. Blue Dog stood and took one step toward the woods. A low rumble started deep in his throat.

  Sue’s heart beat faster. “Levi, go grab your long gun and fetch my flintlock, and my pistol, too. Becky, you stay right by me no matter what. You hear?”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  The rumbling in the dog�
��s throat increased in volume, and he showed his fangs. It wasn’t long before Sue heard the foot falls that Blue had noticed before. She took a deep breath that lifted her shoulders. What now? Where was Henry?

  Her nephew returned and handed her the flintlock, then the pistol. He slipped off into the darkness, leaving only her and Becky by the dwindling fire. She wondered where he went, why he would leave, but she didn’t think long on it because a man called from the darkness.

  “Hello to the camp.”

  Blue Dog growled louder but stepped closer to the visitor. For some reason, the man sounded familiar, but that didn’t squelch her uneasiness. “Show yourself, sir. I’m not accustomed to speaking with a man I can’t see.”

  “Wanted to say something since I saw your boy got your gun and all.”

  “Fine, so you’ve announced yourself. Now come into the light.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I am. Don’t shoot, Mis’ess Baylor. And I’d appreciate it if you’d call off your dog, too.”

  Becky leaned forward and clapped her hands softly. “Blue! Come here, boy.” The hound obediently returned to her side but never took his gaze off the dark woods. She put her hands around his neck and kissed his face. Blue returned the affection with a quick lick to her cheek.

  Who could it be that knew Sue’s name? Her mind raced, trying to place the voice. She tucked her pistol into her skirt’s waistband and stood with the flintlock pointed in the direction of the voice. “Come in.” She waited with bated breath.

  “Mister Littlejohn! What in the world! Why are you here?” Indignation trumped astonishment. Her hackles rose. Her daddy always told her that if a man would lie to you, he would steal from you. “State your business, sir.”

  He smiled his big old phony smile, the one he’d used when he told her he’d pay three to four cents a pound for her cotton depending on its quality. “Well, now. You’ve almost made it to Pleasant Mound, haven’t you? All alone and almost halfway to Jefferson. I must say, I’m impressed. You are some kind of woman, Susannah Baylor.”

  “You have not answered my question. What is your business here?”

  “Well, you see, I’ve had time to reconsider, and, frankly, I’ve come to the conclusion that I really do want your cotton, ma’am, so I’ve come to get it.”

  “I told you before my cotton is not for sale to the likes of you!”

  “No, no. Don’t you worry, I’ve come to pay your price. I believe you last offered it at three and a half cents, did you not?”

  “You may have changed your mind, but I most certainly have not changed mine! I thought I’d made myself clear. I’d burn it before I’d sell it to you. You wasted your time coming here. Now be on your way.”

  “Why, ma’am, you do surprise me. How could you be so inhospitable? And quite un-Christ-like as well, I’d think. But then, I also thought you might say that.”

  She stepped in front of Becky. “I owe you no hospitality. You are unwelcome here, and I’ve told you to go. If you do not, I will blow your kneecap off. If you still don’t leave, I give you my word, sir, that I’ll put a bullet right between your eyes.”

  At that instant, a second man leapt from the rear of the wagon and grabbed her from behind. He knocked the flintlock from her hand and pulled her pistol out, waving it at Littlejohn. “Got it, boss.”

  Becky screamed, and Blue jumped on the man’s backside, tearing into him.

  “Run, Becky! Run into the woods!”

  The girl got up and took off. Littlejohn caught her by the arm.

  “Get your filthy hands off her!” Sue glared at him.

  Becky struggled and slipped out of his grasp.

  “Run, Becky! And don’t stop!” Sue fought against the man who held her hands behind her back. To her relief, Blue took off after her daughter.

  A third henchman strolled in smiling. He had Levi by the collar. “Just like you said, boss. A piece of cake.”

  Littlejohn lost his fake smile. “Good job, Skunk.”

  The name certainly fit. The man reeked of body odor and only God knew what else. His grin showed rotten and missing teeth.

  Littlejohn walked over to her. “Sorry it had to be this way, Mis’ess Baylor.”

  She spit on him. “You’re despicable!”

  Then, like a flash of lightning, Blue Dog reappeared and leapt onto Skunk’s back, lashing at his neck. The man let go of Levi and ran screaming louder than Becky had into the darkness with Blue leaping and tearing at him every step of the way.

  In the melee, Sue writhed and wiggled to free herself, but Littlejohn grabbed her from the front and whirled her around. He pulled her tight against him. A shot rang out. The man who had been holding her went down. A red stain grew on his shoulder. Littlejohn pulled a knife and put it against her throat.

  “Drop your long gun, son, or I’ll be forced to slit your aunt’s throat from ear to ear.”

  Becky came running back into the firelight. “Mama! Mama!” She ran over and kicked Littlejohn. “You let her go! Let her go now!”

  Kicking out to the side, he sent her little girl flying through the air. Sue would kill him with her bare hands if he didn’t kill her first.

  Levi raised his long gun with a bead on Littlejohn’s head. “I am not your son. Now let her go.”

  “Why, you’re just a kid. You’ve never killed a man, have you? You know you’ll go to Hell for sure if you shoot me, boy. Best drop that gun. I’ll not tell you again.”

  Henry walked into the light and right toward the thief with his pistol held out. “You are a dead man if you so much as spill one drop of this woman’s blood. I promise you. This is over.” He took another step toward him. “I’ve killed seven men. Shot six and beat one to death with my bare hands. You’ll be number eight if you hurt her.” With the blade of the knife pressing against her throat, Sue’s heart beat against her chest with such force she thought she’d surely faint. Her eyes begged Henry. She wasn’t ready to die!

  “Collect your friend there and hightail it out of these parts as fast as you can travel.” Henry’s eyes were like steel. “Do it now.”

  What Sue could see of the man’s arm and pudgy hand glistened with sweat in the firelight. He fidgeted, holding the knife a little way out from her skin. “But, but, the minute I let her go, you’ll shoot me dead.”

  “No, not in front of this little girl and her mother. But be it known, you best travel far and fast. I ever see your face again, wherever it might be, you’re a dead man after what you tried here tonight.”

  The one Levi had shot writhed on the ground. “Do it! Let her go and get me to a doctor, you fool. Only a woman and a boy you said! Chowderhead!”

  Levi kicked him. “Shut your mouth, you no-good worm. I hope you die, and that I’m the one who gets to send you straight to Hell. Say another word! Go ahead.” He poked him with the barrel of his long rifle.

  Henry held his cocked pistol pointed at her captor’s head. “I won’t tell you again. Let her go. Now.”

  The man dropped the knife and released her. She ran to Henry and held him with all her might. He kept aim on the thief. Littlejohn helped his friend up and half dragged, half supported him, getting into the darkness and disappearing as fast as he could move.

  Becky ran to her and hugged Sue’s leg with one arm.

  She looked down at her daughter, her vision blurred by the tears in her eyes. Her little one’s other arm wrapped Henry’s leg. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”

  Becky nodded, her face glistening with tears as well. “Yes, Mama. It hurt my leg the worst when he kicked me, but I’ll be fine.”

  Sue realized Henry’s arms were around her, again. Oh, his embrace felt so wonderful and safe. She could stay there forever, but she pushed away and looked into his eyes. “Thank you.” She gasped for more breath and to stop from releasing the sobs rising from deep inside. “So much.” She lifted a hand to his cheek. “One more time, you’ve saved my life.”

  CHAPTER

  EIGHTEEN

  T
HAT NIGHT AS HENRY WAITED for sleep, he stared at the sky, watching shades of gray move past, and replayed the evening’s events. Oh, how he wanted to kill that no-count Littlejohn, wanted it bad, but more than anything, he wanted to keep Sue and Rebecca safe. Plus, he’d never want to disappoint either of them by killing a man in cold blood. How things had changed.

  It did concern him that she had pushed away so soon. He would have preferred to hold her longer. He did save her life after all. She might have at least given him a longer hug, and maybe even a kiss—on his cheek would have been nice. Some might have expected it. Why had she pushed away? Was it her God keeping her from giving her love, or even showing her gratitude?

  Sleep found him before any conclusions regarding Sue’s change in attitude. For a while, he dreamed of Littlejohn, but instead of his henchmen, the no-count was teamed with the wolves, and, instead of only three, he traveled with a full pack. Henry shot, and Sue reloaded, but he couldn’t kill them fast enough. The beasts kept leaping at him, on him. Finally, when one had Blue by the throat, the wolves and Littlejohn vanished.

  Then Henry found himself back in that Kentucky tavern.

  He relaxed, exactly like he had that November night so long ago. Sipping on a beer, he sat against the wall minding his own business. The barmaid didn’t flinch when he added the beer to his stew order. She did want to see his coin though. Halfway through his second drink, the front door flew open. At first, he didn’t pay any attention to the two lumberjacks who filled the tavern with their boisterous voices.

  It was his birthday, and all he wanted was the present he’d promised himself.

  The taller of the two men looked around, spotted Henry, and slapped his fellow’s arm. “Ain’t that the schoolmarm’s boy sitting there against the wall sipping beer?”

  The other one looked. “You’ve got an eye, mate. It is him.” He wiped his mouth. “Hey, boy, tell your mama I need some schooling.”

  Henry shrugged and took the bait. “Sure, what’s your name?”