by Bonnie Leon
She warmed under his loving gaze.
“We decided she ought to come home.”
“Good,” the reverend said.
“My aunt’s husband, Thomas, loaned us the money to pay Mr. Marshal,” Rebecca said.
“Excellent.”
“Yes, except that when we tried to pay him, he refused to take the money, saying it was too late and that Douloo belonged to him and we had to leave.”
“What?” The reverend’s eyebrows peaked.
“We went to the constabulary in Brisbane, but the police won’t help. I’d say they’ve been paid off,” Daniel explained. “We’re on our own.”
“You’re never on your own,” the reverend said. “But you are in a predicament.”
“We are that.” Daniel took a deep breath. “Some of the blokes ’round the district want to have it out with Marshal, kill him if need be. Said they’d stand with me to defend Douloo. What do you think about that?”
The reverend was quiet for a long moment. Rebecca wondered if he might be praying.
Finally he looked at Daniel. “Seems to me if you did all you could to pay the man and actually had the money and he refused to take it, then you’re right to defend Douloo. But I don’t advocate killing.”
“We won’t go after him, but if he tries to take Douloo, well, then I figure we’ll do what we have to. We might not have a choice about killing him or not.”
“Perhaps the Lord will provide one.” Rev. Cobb stood and walked to the window. He folded his arms over his chest and gazed out. “We’ll call people in to pray. Let the Lord decide this one, eh?” He turned and looked at Daniel and Rebecca. “He’s our strength.”
Sunday morning Rev. Cobb announced that there would be a prayer vigil during the week and explained that he’d be at the church every day to meet and pray with anyone who wanted to come in to pray for the Thorntons. Immediately several women offered to provide food and drink for those who would be coming and going.
Rebecca felt enfolded in the love of her neighbors and whispered a prayer of thanks. Her faith in the premise that good wins out over evil was strengthened. The Lord would care for her, Daniel, the children, and Douloo. She even prayed for Marshal. She decided that he must be a very unhappy man to be so cruel. Perhaps God would see to him as well.
The next day when Rebecca headed for the church to pray, Callie asked if she could join her. “I thought you didn’t believe in God.”
“Roight, but I believe in ya, mum.” Her eyes went to Willa. “And in ya too.”
Rebecca took Callie’s hand. “Well, you come along with us, then. We would be grateful for your prayers.”
Willa hefted a basket. “I helped Lily make some biscuits, and we added some fine apple butter too.” She climbed into the surrey and sat beside Callie. Rebecca clambered onto the driver’s seat. “Are you going to drive, dear?”
“Yes. Woodman’s with Daniel and Jim. They’re making preparations for Marshal and his men in case they show up.” She felt a stir of anxiety. “I pray he and his men stay in Brisbane. I don’t want Daniel or any of the other men hurt, and I’d hate to run into them while traveling to town.”
“I’ve been praying, and I’m sure there are already people at the church praying. I dare say, we’ll be safe.”
The muscles in Rebecca’s body were tight. She knew what Marshal was capable of. She glanced at the house, suddenly afraid for the children. Lily will look after them, she told herself. She’d give her own life if she had to.
“Everything will be quite all right,” Willa continued. “We needn’t waste our energy on worry.”
“Mum,” Callie said hesitantly. “Sometimes I read the Bible, and there are places where God’s people are hurt. Don’t see that we’re safe.”
Rebecca turned so she was facing Callie. “It’s true, even God’s people suffer. And I’m frightened. But we can’t let someone like Mr. Marshal have power over us. We’re obliged to stand up to him, and we must trust God to look out for us.”
“I’ll do me best, mum.”
“We can trust that God is in control of all that happens and that he’ll see us through any hardship. We don’t have to be afraid.”
“I hope yer roight, mum,” Callie said.
Rebecca closed the church doors and turned to look down the street. She was tired but spiritually refreshed.
Callie sat on the bottom step of the porch. She seemed anxious to be on her way. Rebecca smiled, guessing Callie’s need to hurry had something to do with Koora.
Cambria moved down the stairway. “I’ll continue ta pray. Jim and I both will.”
“Thank you.” Rebecca blew out a quick breath and again scanned the street. “I know they’re here. I can feel it. I just wish they’d do whatever it is they plan to do.”
“Just remember, you have friends.”
Rebecca walked down the steps. “Yes. I know.” She hugged Cambria. “Thank you.”
“We’ll not let anything happen ta ya. Jim and I will stand with ya, and so will a lot of folks from ’round the district.”
Rebecca smiled, taking comfort in her friend’s loyalty. “I’m praying it won’t come to that.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” Cambria said. She glanced around. “Are Jim and Daniel at the house?”
“Yes. Daniel wants to stay close to home, just in case.”
“Right.” Again Cambria glanced down the street. “Is Willa all right?”
“She’s fine. Elvina Walker and her husband offered to take her home. She had some things there to take care of.” Rebecca straightened her hat. “Elvina was probably hoping to find out if there’s anything she doesn’t already know about our dilemma.” Rebecca grinned.
Cambria looked at Callie and then at Rebecca. “I don’t like the two of ya traveling from ’ere ta home by yerselves.”
“We’ll be fine. And we’re supposed to pick up Koora. He’s working at the livery today.”
“All right, then. I’ve got to stop by me aunt’s shop, then I’ll be on me way.”
“See you tomorrow, then.” Rebecca watched Cambria stroll across the road toward Elle’s shop. “Time we were headed home too,” she told Callie.
“I was goin’ ta meet Koora. If ya need us, we’ll ride, but we were wonderin’ if ya’d mind us walkin’.”
“It’s a long way.”
Humor touched Callie’s eyes. “I’ve walked a lot farther. But if ya want, we’ll ride with ya.”
Rebecca gazed down the street toward the mercantile and the pub. “I haven’t seen any strangers in town. You go ahead.” A pang of apprehension moved through Rebecca. “Be careful.”
“Roight. I will.” Callie walked down the street toward the livery.
Rebecca climbed into the surrey. Picking up the reins, she scanned the partly cloudy sky. Suddenly feeling alone and frightened, she wished she hadn’t agreed to let Callie and Koora walk. She glanced at Callie. It would take only a word. But she knew the two had planned this, and she hated to spoil their time together.
Well, Lord, it’s just you and me, she thought and slapped the reins. The horses plodded forward and away from the church.
Callie stepped into the livery. It seemed dark after being outside. She breathed in the aroma of hay and horses. She liked the smell. The beat of her heart picked up at the sight of Koora. He leaned against a horse, its leg braced between his thighs as he examined the animal’s hoof.
“Ya still workin’, eh?” Callie said.
He glanced up. “Roight. This horse come in a bit ago. Owner said it’s actin’ lame. Looks like he picked up a stone.” He pried out the offending pebble, flicked it away, and then set the animal’s foot down.
Callie leaned against a stall door. “Why ya workin’ ’ere, anyway? Ya ’ave plenty ta do at the station.”
“I got ta learn all I can if I’m gonna ’ave me own place one day. And I need the money. I’m puttin’ some aside every week.” He smiled. “Don’t mind the work.”
“Will
ya be comin’ with me?”
“Can’t. Not yet.”
Callie watched the young man. She liked the way he moved, smooth and easy. He never seemed to be in a hurry. “I’ll go along, then,” she said with regret. “Lily will be needin’ help with dinner.” She hesitated, hoping Koora would decide to put off his tasks. “I guess we can walk another time, eh?”
“Roight.” Koora studied her and acted as if he might say more, but then he led the horse back inside a stall and grabbed a pitchfork and moved on to the next stall.
Callie watched a moment longer, then turned and walked outside. Maybe she could catch up to Rebecca. Gazing down the road toward the edge of town, she didn’t see the surrey. She started walking.
Elle swept dirt out of her store. She stopped and waved. “Hey, there.”
“G’day,” Callie said.
“Ya have a fine prayer meeting?”
“Roight fine I guess. Never gone ta a prayer meetin’ before.”
Elle rested an arm on the top of the broom. “Yeah. I don’t go ta such things much meself.” She smiled. “Figure I can talk ta God right where I am, and he’ll listen.”
Callie nodded, but she didn’t really understand what people meant by talking to God. Sometimes, though, like today when she was praying with the ladies, something stirred inside her. It was like a longing, but she didn’t know just what it was that she yearned for.
“Ya be careful, now, eh?” Elle said. “Thought I saw a couple of strangers ride in earlier. Got distracted, though, and don’t know what happened ta them. Could be nothing, but ya have reason ta be watchful.”
“Roight. I’ll be watchin’.” Callie moved on, scanning the street.
Everything appeared to be in order. However, she knew how quickly circumstances could change. She’d not forgotten the threats made by Marshal’s men, nor the fire or Dusty’s hanging. She supposed she had cause to be afraid, but she didn’t feel any fear. Walking always soothed her. She enjoyed the touch of the earth beneath her feet and the sounds of the open land. It would feel good to be alone on the flats.
Two women strolled along the wooden sidewalk. Callie didn’t know their names, but she recognized their faces. They continued chatting and acted as if they hadn’t noticed her, which was just as well. Callie wasn’t much interested in them.
A sharp breeze caught at her cotton dress and swirled up dust from the street. Thornton Creek seemed quiet. But then she liked things quiet. Once away from town, Callie breathed more deeply. The freedom she felt stirred up a renewing energy.
As if cleaning house, wind gusted, sweeping pieces of brush and dirt ahead of its hearty tide. A hawk screeched from overhead, swooping and then circling as it searched for a meal. Callie watched until it glided away.
She picked up her pace slightly, swinging her arms at her sides. The air was warm, and she could taste the sharp flavor of eucalyptus and the moisture of the greenery growing alongside the stream at the edge of the road. She glanced back at Thornton Creek. The town seemed to huddle beneath the sun as if afraid to stretch out its arms and embrace the sprawling world.
People are like that, Callie thought. Afraid and closed up. She had to admit that sometimes she was afraid too and that there was a lot inside she kept hidden. Many things in life taunted, and there was so much she didn’t understand. She’d been puzzling over the ideas in the Bible Rebecca had given her. She wanted to understand. In fact, she longed to understand.
The town faded into the afternoon haze, and Callie felt the quiet of being alone with the land. A desert quail scampered from a bush and quickly hid beneath another.
Smiling, Callie told the bird, “Ya got no reason ta be afraid of me.” She glanced at the empty sky. “Course, that hawk might still be ’round, eh?”
Strips of white clouds rested like torn bandages across the sky as if it needed mending. She wondered about the God Rebecca believed in.
“Are ya real, eh?” she asked. “I read ’bout ya in that book, the Bible. But I don’t know ya. Would like ta talk with ya though.”
She listened, wondering if she might hear him speak. Was he looking down on her?
The idea of a God and his Son, Jesus, loving and caring for people was foreign to Callie. She’d read many of the holy words, but they felt like a mystery to her, although some of the stories were soothing. She considered the assurance of a God so great that he could set mountains in place, bring rain to thirsty places, and take care of people’s needs all over the world, even remote places like Douloo.
Even though the idea gave her peace, she also felt guilty. It wasn’t right for her to think on such things. To do so was to deny the insights and knowledge of the wise ones who had taught her. Aborigines knew about everything that mattered. She could trust the teachers and the storytellers.
Whites don’t know what they believe. Every one of them thinks something different. And they’re always tearing at each other. They don’t honor the earth. Instead, they try ta conquer it.
There were some people she respected though. Rev. Cobb was a good man, and he seemed wise. And there was Willa. She was kind and fair to everyone. And Willa loved her garden, tending it with care. Rebecca and Daniel were courageous, and they trusted and believed in God.
Were all these fine people deceived? Or should she consider more carefully what they believed? What if the Holy Book was true? Callie felt as if her breath had been snatched away as truth swept through her. Hope, like cool water, washed over her. Stretching out her arms, she tipped her head back and looked at the sky. I want ta believe.
It was then she heard riders. Her heart quickened, and instinctively she searched for a place to conceal herself. There were bushes along the creek, but she had no time to scramble down the bank and hide. She gazed down the road behind her. Two riders were galloping toward her. They were two of the men who’d been at Douloo, the ones from Brisbane. Turning her eyes ahead, she kept moving.
The men slowed and walked their horses alongside Callie. “What ya doing way out ’ere on yer own?” one asked.
“Just walkin’,” Callie said without looking up.
“Ya must be walking somewhere. Where ya going?”
“To me house. Just a ways up.”
“Don’t remember no houses out ’ere,” the man said.
Callie didn’t reply but glanced up at the man she knew to be Jack.
“Figure ya could get there a lot faster if ya had a horse, eh? Instead of yer dirty, black feet.” Both men chuckled.
“They carry me just fine,” Callie said, doing her best to keep the quaking in her body from affecting her voice.
Jack rode his horse around in front of her. “When I talk ta someone, I expect them to stop and listen.”
“I got ta get home. Got work ta do.” Wishing she’d gone with Rebecca, Callie stepped around his horse.
She heard the sound of the rope before she felt it. It circled over her head and dropped around her shoulders. Then quickly it was pulled tight, and she was yanked off her feet. Her back hit the ground hard, and the air was pushed out of her lungs. Rolling onto her side, she fought for breath. She could feel coarse dirt against her cheek.
“So how’s those feet working now?” Jack taunted.
Callie managed to sit up. Her arms were pressed tightly against her body, held by the rope. She pushed to her feet and stared at Jack. He had the coldest blue eyes she’d ever seen. Had he been the one who hanged Dusty? Would he hang her too?
“Got some questions for ya,” the quieter one, Wade, said.
“Don’t know nothin’.” Callie kept her eyes on the ground.
“I think I saw ya at Douloo before. That’s where yer heading, right?”
“No. That’s not roight. Ya must ’ave me mixed up with someone else.” She glanced at Wade. “Ya’ goin’ ta the Thorntons?”
“Right. We ’ave business there.” Wade leaned on his saddle horn and pushed his feet into the stirrups, pushing himself up out of the saddle. He studied Callie. �
�I seen ya. It was ya.”
“Ya can keep denying ya work there, and we’ll haul ya ’round this place, or ya can take a message ta yer boss.”
Callie met Jack’s ruthless gaze. “Tell Thornton he’s out of time and we’re comin’.” A vicious grin tightened his lips.
A zinging sound flashed, and all of a sudden Jack reeled sideways. He clapped a hand against the side of his head and fell from his horse, landing hard on the ground. Stunned, Callie stared at him. He didn’t move, and blood leaked from a place near his temple. The earth beneath him turned red.
“Go on! Be on yer way!” Koora shouted, swinging a leather sling over his head. “It’ll go hard on ya if ya don’t!” Like a wild man, he strode toward Wade.
Wade grabbed his rifle out of the saddle holster but fumbled, dropping the weapon to the ground. His eyes went from the gun to his injured cohort and then back to Koora. Yanking on the reins, he turned his horse toward town. Without looking back he galloped away.
Koora ran to Callie and loosened the rope from around her arms. “Ya all roight?”
“Yais. But . . .” Callie bent over Jack and felt for a pulse. “There’s no life in ’im.” Alarm surged through her. “Ya killed ’im. What we gonna do?”
Koora stood over Jack. “He deserved it. For what he done ta Dusty.”
“Roight, but no one’s gonna care ’bout Dusty.”
He grabbed Jack under the arms and started to drag him off the road. “Come on, give me a hand.”
With a glance toward town, Callie grabbed the man’s feet and lifted. “They’ll come for ya. Why’d ya do it?”
“Ya think I was gonna let ’im hurt ya?” He gazed at Callie, then added, “I’d rather be dead.”
Callie wanted to cry, but she couldn’t allow it.
“All roight, now. Let’s get ’im hid,” Koora said.
Together they carried Jack to a large bush along the creek bank and pushed him underneath it. “No one’ll see ’im ’ere,” Koora said.
“That man, Wade, knows ya killed ’is friend. Him and his friends will come for ya.”
“I figure. But we gotta tell Mr. Thornton ’bout them.” He scrambled up the bank. “Come on,” he called, climbing onto the back of Jack’s horse.