Gunsmoke and Gingham

by Kirsten Osbourne

  “Do I need to break up the fight, or should we wait it out?”

  The question from somewhere nearby barely registered. The Indian grabbed Caleb’s wrist to dislodge the club he still clutched in his hand. Caleb swung his leg up to knee him in the side, but a distinctly feminine giggle broke his concentration. His opponent instantly seized his chance and bucked Caleb off, tossing him several feet against some jagged rocks on the ground.

  “Might be fun to see who comes out the victor,” a girl said.

  Andy? What was she doing here?

  Caleb frowned. He sprang to his feet, breathing hard and crouching low to fend off the next attack. He barely had time to glimpse the man sitting atop a horse several paces away, while a slight figure dressed in fringed skins, her long yellow hair waving in the breeze, stood next to the rider, holding Caleb’s horse.

  The Indian circled him like a lithe cat ready to pounce. He held no weapon in his hands. He shook some hair from his face, revealing his features. Caleb stared, then relaxed his stance. A quiet curse escaped his lips. Less than a second ago, he was ready to fight for his life. Now, he stepped up to his foe and held out his hand. The Indian straightened, as well.

  “They’re both conceding?” The girl sounded rather outraged.

  Caleb scoffed. He’d deal with his little cousin later. The Indian clasped his wrist, a faint smile passing over his lips.

  “I had you beat, Caleb Walker,” he said, raising his chin.

  “Not a chance, Josh.” Caleb grinned. “I beat you at wrestling matches before, I can do it again. It’s been several years since we’ve seen each other, or I would have recognized you right away.” He tilted his head. “You look more like an Indian than a white man since the last time we met. Have you decided to forsake your white heritage in favor of the Shoshone?”

  “I live in both worlds,” the young man replied. “I’ve spent a few seasons with my Shoshone relatives, but currently I live at the homestead along the Madison with my cousin.” He nudged his chin in the direction of the man on the horse, who dismounted and headed toward them.

  “It’s been a long time, Kyle.” Caleb held out his hand for his boyhood friend to shake. Except for the straw-colored hair, which hung to his shoulders, Kyle Russell shared similar features with his cousin, Josh Osborne.

  “It’s been too long,” Kyle agreed. “We don’t come south often enough anymore, and your family doesn’t travel north as much as in years past.”

  Caleb glanced from Josh to Kyle. They’d all grown into men. While Kyle and he had seen twenty-four years, Josh was several years their junior, but he matched them in stature. The last time they’d all roamed the hills of the Yellowstone country together, they’d been exuberant youths.

  “When my grandparents died, a lot of things changed, I suppose,” Kyle said, running his hands through his hair. “The valley hasn’t been the same since my folks moved to the city a few years ago. It’s only Josh and me at the old homestead now.”

  Caleb nodded. His eyes turned to his eldest cousin, Andrea – or Andy as she preferred to be called because she felt her given name was too unusual – who stood with her arms crossed over her chest and a smug look on her face.

  According to Grandma Evie, Andy was too much like her father, Lucas had been at that age, always looking for the next adventure. Even though she and Caleb’s sister, Brooke were both thirteen, Andy showed no signs of acting like a girl, and preferred running through the hills in britches. It would take a special kind of man to someday put up with her antics.

  “Where are my clothes?” Caleb’s gaze narrowed on his little cousin. It should have been obvious she was involved in the disappearance of his clothes and horse. For once, he’d thought he’d have complete privacy, but Lucas’ cabin was just a mile or so at the other end of the lake, where it fed into a string of smaller lakes. It had to be his dumb luck that Andy was out and about in this area of the lake today.

  “Heard you yelling like someone was skinning you alive,” she said with a wide grin. “Thought I’d teach you a lesson like Papa’s taught me about never leaving your weapons out of sight, especially when bathing.”

  “Your papa oughta know about that,” Caleb grumbled under his breath. In a louder voice, he added, “Hand them over, Andy, and get yourself home before I tell your mother you’re roaming through the woods alone again.”

  The young girl laughed loudly, sending a pair of jays into the sky from a nearby tree in loud protest.

  “Then I’ll let everyone know you nearly got scalped because you were careless. Or how easy it was to let someone steal your horse and weapons in the first place.”

  Behind him, Kyle smirked. “Want me to lay her over my knee for you, Caleb?”

  “Nothing would please me more,” Caleb grumbled while glaring at his little cousin. Andy’s words stung, because they were true, and he’d never live it down with Lucas or his family that he’d been caught defenseless.

  Kyle took a step toward the girl, and so did Caleb. “We’ll grab her and Josh can cut off her hair,” his friend suggested.

  Andy’s eyes widened. She shot Caleb a haughty glare before dropping the bundle of clothes she carried under her arm, his belt, and the reins to his horse. Faster than a weasel, she spun on her heels and disappeared into the thicket.

  Kyle grinned. “Will she be all right?”

  Caleb bent to pick up his shirt. He slipped it over his head, the warmth a welcome reprieve to his chilled skin. His leggings followed, then he laced up his moccasins and strapped his belt around his waist.

  “She’ll be better than all right. Within an hour, her brothers and sister, and my aunt and uncle will know all about my incompetence.” He shook his head. “Females,” he grumbled.

  Kyle laughed. “Don’t I know it. Growing up with four sisters, I was glad to have Josh for company. Girls can drive a man insane.”

  Caleb scoffed. “I care about my family, but sometimes I wish I could get away from them for a while, especially the kids.”

  Kyle shot a quick look in his cousin’s direction. Josh stood stoically, the expression on his face unreadable.

  “Sounds like what you need is some time away from your family. Why don’t you come with Josh and me?” Kyle suggested after the faintest hint of a nod from Josh.

  Caleb glanced from one to the other. “Go with you where?”

  “We came this way to scout out some good passages, then we’re heading to Helena. I’m meeting a group of government officials and bringing them back for an expedition through the Yellowstone region. Washington might finally do something to protect the area from greedy land-grabbers. We can always use another good scout, and you can tell them they should consider this region, too.” His eyes lifted to the jagged mountains rising up from the valley floor.

  Caleb stared from one man to the next before his gaze fell on the serene waters of the lake. The snow-capped mountains reflected off the glassy water. Get away from the mountains he loved? Away from his siblings and cousins for a while, who always seemed to be underfoot?

  He nodded. This might be what he needed to quell the restlessness inside him. He held out his hand to Kyle.

  “I’d be glad to go with you to Helena.”

  Chapter 3

  Livy veered off the main road on the outskirts of Helena and headed down the dirt drive that led to Mr. Laslow’s grand home. While his business was in the sprawling city in this wild and open territory, he preferred to have his residence outside the hustle and bustle of the city. Jenny had mentioned on several occasions that the banker was a great lover of the outdoors, while also enjoying the luxuries his wealth afforded.

  It didn’t matter one way or the other. The man was a predator, and someone to be avoided. At least he’d been gone for several weeks, on business in Salt Lake City, from what the house staff had said. Word was he’d be home today.

  While the move from St. Louis had kept him fairly busy at his new bank in the city, the man had approached her on three dif
ferent occasions since her arrival nearly six weeks ago. Each time, his comments and insinuations had become bolder and more lewd. She’d been enjoying a few weeks without having to constantly glance over her shoulder, but her time of letting her guard down was over. She’d have to be careful again from now on, and remain in the kitchen and out of sight.

  Livy gritted her teeth as a shudder passed down her spine. She could have remained in St. Louis, but no other employment opportunities that didn’t involve compromising her morals had come up. Her prospects here in this new city and wild land didn’t seem much better.

  Working with Jenny Washington in the kitchen had been the most enjoyable job she’d ever held. She had food in her belly and shelter from the elements. She also had a decent mattress to sleep on at night; not one that was rat or mouse-infested. Over the years it had been difficult to come by all these things at once.

  Eventually, she needed to find another place to work because of Mr. Laslow and his continued rude suggestions and advances on her. The man was disgusting, and even though Jenny finally seemed to believe her after Livy’s continued insistence, there was little that could be done about it.

  “Just stay out of his way and don’t cross his path alone,” Jenny had told her. Livy had already followed that advice, but somehow the obnoxious man seemed to find ways of appearing when she least expected it.

  “Most women would jump at the chance I’m offering you, Olivia,” Laslow had said the last time she’d seen him, which had been shortly before he’d left on his business trip. He’d grabbed her by the wrist as she’d tried to pass, his eyes undressing her with a hungry gleam.

  Luckily, one of the housemaids had come along at that moment, and he’d let her go. Livy had scurried off to the kitchen, shaken to the core and with a renewed resolve to find work elsewhere. When someone had mentioned he’d be gone for several weeks, it had given her time to relax a bit, but her efforts to find a comparable job had come up empty so far.

  “I’ll take just about any other work at this point,” she’d mumbled, curling her hand into a tight fist while her body had shaken with loathing. She’d seethed with anger for being powerless to do anything about the man and his advances, and had clutched the handle of the knife she kept concealed under her skirt.

  She was no stranger to men accosting her and making rude remarks, but she’d learned to defend herself over the years. Her time at the orphanage, having to fight for every morsel of food, and fending off children much bigger than her, had taught her to watch out and take care of herself.

  While most common men were polite and only looked from a distance, there had been a few who’d thought she’d be easy prey due to her lot in life. They had learned quickly she meant business when she said no. The banker was a different matter. His status and wealth gave him power she couldn’t fight. The best recourse was to leave and find somewhere else to work, as far away from Mr. Laslow as possible.

  She walked briskly toward the house, the slight breeze cooling her flushed cheeks from the midday sun. The basket of vegetables she carried had become heavier during her walk back from the market. The kerchief tied around her head to keep her hair out of her face did little to shield her face from the sun beating down on this warm May afternoon.

  The back of her neck was damp with perspiration. She should have braided her hair this morning rather than letting it flow freely down her back, but then her neck might have gotten sunburned during her walk from town. The market had been busy today, and it had taken longer than usual to gather all the items on Jenny’s list. No doubt the cook would wonder what had kept her so long.

  Livy cut around the house to the back entrance. Trees shaded the vast property, and horses whinnied from their corrals by the barn. She paused when men’s laughter and loud voices reached her ear.

  Was Mr. Laslow back, and entertaining guests by the stables? Livy glanced over her shoulder. She could go the other way and use the main entrance to get into the house.

  Don’t be a scared ninny. He wouldn’t dare approach with guests nearby.

  She continued on her course, her heart beating faster as she came closer to the loud voices. Horses and even some mules stood tethered to one of the paddock fences, and nearly a dozen men stood or sat around a woodpile. There were even a couple tents erected near the barn. Several trees prevented a full view of what was going on, but her brows furrowed at the odd mix of men who were gathered there.

  Four men wore suits and top hats, and looked properly official. She tensed when Mr. Laslow’s familiar face was among them. Several other men looked like the kind she’d seen in town – common working men or miners in worn clothes and with equally worn features. Livy stopped when her eyes fell on three others who stood out among them. Their clothing had caught her eye, dressed similarly to the man who’d been in the company of the lady doctor who’d been so kind to her all those years ago.

  These three men wore leather pants and fringed buckskin shirts. They were well-armed with rifles, knives and axes that hung from belts strapped around their waists. Rather than boots, they appeared to be wearing moccasins that were laced up to their knees. One man had his foot propped on a tree stump, his arm casually draped over his knee. He laughed at something the one who looked like an Indian was saying.

  “If ya don’t want ta starve us on this trip, ya’d best find a better cook than old Eli here,” came the throaty voice of someone standing near a supply wagon. “He ‘bout near poisoned me with that thing he called beans ‘n’ bacon last night. And I near broke a tooth chewin’ one a his biscuits.”

  Loud laughter erupted from the rest of the bunch except the three woodsmen. They acted as if they hadn’t even heard the outburst.

  “There ain’t nothin’ wrong with my cookin’, an’ if I had tried ta poison ya, ya’d be dead now, not spewin’ off at the mouth. An’ yore teeth are so rotten, I probably done ya a favor with my biscuits.”

  More laughter followed. While these rough men fired off their word spats, the exchange was nevertheless jovial, and followed by good-natured pats on the backs. Clearly, they were merely joking.

  Livy hurried on her way. She had to get the fruits and vegetables back to Jenny or else the evening meal would be late. Curiosity about the gathering followed her into the kitchen, as did thoughts about the three woodsmen, who’d conjured up memories from all those years ago.

  “You sure took your time,” Jenny greeted when Livy walked into the kitchen. The cook reached for the basket and inspected the purchases.

  “It was a busy day at the market,” Livy answered, peering out the window to catch a glimpse of the gathering of men by the barns. Her head was filled with things that could have been, had she not been such a timid mouse at the orphanage.

  “Laslow’s back,” Jenny said, bringing Livy’s head around and her thoughts back to the present. The cook looked at her with worried eyes.

  “I know. I saw him.”

  Livy tied an apron around her waist, then picked through the basket, removing the fresh apples she’d bought. Her mouth watered. How wonderful it would be to bite into one, but they didn’t belong to her. Perhaps there would be a slice left over after Jenny had baked her pies. She reached for her paring knife, and went to work peeling the fruit.

  “Who are all those men out there?” Livy couldn’t keep the question to herself any longer after the skin had been removed from the second apple. “They don’t look to be the type of men Mr. Laslow normally entertains, and they appear to be camped in the yard by the barns.”

  Jenny chuckled, and wiped her hands on her apron. She reached for one of the apples, cut it in half, and handed one piece to Livy. After taking a hearty bite out of the half she kept, the cook moved to stand in front of the window and looked out.

  “From what James tells me, they are heading on an expedition into the mountains south of here. There’s supposed to be some magical place in those wild lands where water boils, and shoots in the air, and other nonsense. They’re going to find ou
t if it’s really true.” She chuckled and shook her head. “I hope they don’t end up boiling to death themselves.”

  “Is Mr. Laslow going with them?” If the banker was leaving again, it would buy her some time to look for a new position.

  Jenny laughed. “Of course not. Can you imagine Laslow heading into the wilderness? He might enjoy a good day hunting in the nearby woods, but he likes his comforts too much to stray very far from his amenities.”

  An expedition into unknown country sounded far more intriguing now than it had when she was ten. Livy savored her apple in an effort to hide her disappointment that she wouldn’t be rid of the horrible man, after all.

  “Laslow is merely entertaining the men while they are stopped over in Helena.” Jenny chewed some more of her apple, and chuckled. “Makes him feel important. They’ll be on their way first thing in the morning.”

  Livy took another bite of the juicy fruit, then went back to work.

  “Maybe I should ask to join them,” she blurted out loud, instantly regretting her words. Next to her, Jenny scoffed.

  “Have you lost leave of your senses, girl?” Her voice reverberated off the many pots and pans hanging over the workbench. “Why on earth would you want to do a foolish thing like that?”

  Livy glanced at the irate cook. “Because Mr. Laslow is home.”

  There was no reason to elaborate further. Jenny’s mouth contorted in a displeased way, then she pointed toward the window with an outstretched arm while holding her other hand to her hip.

  “Those men out there are going places you’d never think about in your wildest dreams. You’re a young woman. You’d not last a day in their company.”

  Livy nodded. Jenny was right. It was a foolish notion, but the fleeting thought had crossed her mind when she’d overheard two of those men mincing words earlier. She’d missed her opportunity to go into the unknown once already. Something nagged at her now that she shouldn’t miss out a second time.