by Kit Morgan
“I wouldn’t mind spending some time with them.”
“Why’s that?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You don’t meet people like that every day. I find them fascinating.”
“They’re fascinatin’, all right,” Ryder agreed, then changed the subject. “Why don’t we hunt some deer tomorrow? It’d have to be early in the mornin’, though.”
Newton smiled. “Splendid – I look forward to it. But for now, I think I’d best get back to town.”
“I reckon yer kinda lonesome now that yer sister’s married.”
“Yes and no. I don’t have to look after her anymore, so I have time for myself to do things like learn how to hunt and track. But you’re right, I do miss her company.”
Ryder headed for their horses, and Newton followed. “It’s nice to hunt and track, but those things don’t keep ya company, if’n you know what I mean.”
Newton gave him a bemused smile. “You’re talking about women.”
Ryder shrugged. “Well, how can ya not think about ‘em? Yer a healthy man and full-grown. Don’t ya wanna get hitched?”
“One day, but I’m in this country now and I’d like to explore it first.”
“How’s yer sister feel ‘bout that?”
Newton mounted his horse. “What can she say about it? She has a husband. He needs to be her main concern, not me.”
“She’d miss ya if ya left,” Ryder said, mounting up as well.
“Probably, but it’s not like I’m never coming back to Clear Creek.” He gazed at the prairie around them. “This country is beautiful and wide-open. I feel free here.”
“You and a lotta other folks. It’s part of the attraction. When Seth and I first came here, we knew we’d finally found a home. And ya gotta admit, folks in Clear Creek are right friendly.”
“If a little, shall I say, eccentric?”
Ryder laughed and kicked his horse Banjo into a trot. “If that’s a fancy way of sayin’ they’re a little loco, then yeah. But I love ‘em all the same. Even Mrs. Dunnigan.”
“Ah yes, Irene Dunnigan – a fine example. If Napoleon had had her on his side, he’d have won the war!”
They laughed, nudged their horses into a gallop, and soon ended up racing across the prairie. Both were excellent riders, so it came down to who had the better horse. In this case it was Ryder. If he’d had Othello with him, it wouldn’t have been close.
Ryder laughed as they neared their meeting place by a small stream. “Ya gave me a good run!”
“I try, but you’ve the better mount. Banjo is a fine animal. When I get some money I’d like to buy a horse from you one day.”
“One of Othello’s? Sure. But you might wanna talk to the Cookes about that, too – Harrison’s got some beautiful mares, and Othello sure takes to ‘em. A colt or filly from that combo would suit ya mighty fine.”
“I agree, and will keep that in mind when the time comes. First, however, I need to make my way.”
“So ya can do all that exploring ya fancy?”
“So I can afford to, yes.”
“Ya know yer welcome to come help me anytime ya want. I can’t pay ya much, but somethin’s better than nothin’.”
“Thank you, but I was toying with the idea of venturing to Oregon City. I could work there for a time, then start my explorations.”
Ryder watched the horses nibble the grass at the edge of the stream. “I think there’s plenty to explore right here.”
“You’ve already shown me quite a bit of the surrounding countryside. What else is there?”
“Oh, there’s a few spots Seth and I ain’t shown ya yet. For instance, there’s some Injuns nearby.”
“Indians?” Newton said, intrigued. “Really? Are they friendly?”
“They are toward Seth and me. I could introduce ya. So long as yer with us ya’d be safe.”
Newton urged his horse into the stream to let him drink. “I’d like that. When could I meet them?”
“Let me visit ‘em first – as long as they say it’s all right, then we’ll go together.”
“Wonderful. How close are they?”
Ryder rode Banjo into the stream next to Newton’s horse. “Half day’s ride from here, maybe a little longer. Far enough that we’d need to spend the night.”
Newton smiled. “Sounds like the sort of adventure I could use. Until tomorrow, then.”
“Until tomorrow,” Ryder said.
They parted ways, Ryder heading back to his place and Newton back to Clear Creek. They’d been meeting at the stream regularly over the last few weeks, and Newton had learned a lot. When Seth was able, he joined them in their little hunting expeditions, catching mostly birds, rabbits and squirrels. Hunting a deer would be exciting indeed for Newton. The thought made him smile all the way back to town.
* * *
Cutty set down his teacup. “Look, Imogene – there he is.” They’d been sipping tea in the hotel’s dining parlor for the last two hours. Some man was standing in the lobby speaking with Seth. Cutty and Imogene couldn’t see who from their vantage point, but who else could it be?
Sure enough, it was Newton – he looked right at them, nodded to Seth and headed their way. “Don’t be nervous,” Imogene said as he approached. “There’s nothing to worry about.”
“If’n I’m nervous it’s ‘cause yer makin’ me!”
“I’m doing no such thing. Now quiet – here he comes.” They straightened at the same time.
Newton stopped short. “Is something the matter?”
“No, nothin’,” Cutty said with a quick shake of his head. “Have a seat.”
Newton sat and noticed the tea set. “Looks like I’ve missed out.”
“Nonsense,” said Imogene. “Mrs. Upton will make another pot for us.”
“I’ll call her then, shall I?” Newton asked.
“I’ll do it,” Cutty said. “Ya wait right here.” He got up and headed to the kitchen.
Imogene watched him go, then turned to Newton. “I daresay, but you’ve been making yourself scarce lately.”
“I’ve been spending time with Seth and his brother out on the prairie and the surrounding woods. The land here is fascinating. They’ve been kind enough to teach me how to survive in it.”
“You’re bloody joking,” she said flatly. “Why would you want to learn such a thing?”
“So I can explore it on my own.”
“Explore it? My dear boy, whatever for?”
“Because I enjoy it,” he said amused. “What more reason do I need?”
She sighed. “None. You’re perfectly suited to adventure, just as I am. In fact. I’m half-tempted to go with you one day.”
“Come with me tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? What are you doing?”
“Ryder and I are going to hunt deer.”
“A hunt? How lovely.”
Cutty returned to the table with Mrs. Upton in tow. “Why, hello, Mr. Whitman. I’ll make a fresh pot of tea and I just took some cookies out of the oven. Molasses, your favorite.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Upton,” he said with a smile. “I can’t wait.”
Cutty took his seat. “None for me, thanks. I had too many from the last batch.”
“Fine – I’ll just bring enough for the boy here.” Mrs. Upton picked up the tea tray and returned to the kitchen.
“Newton was just telling me that he’s been out on the prairie with Ryder,” Imogene said, turning back to Cutty.
“Is that so? Speaking of Ryder …” Cutty glanced at Imogene, who gave him a barely perceptible nod. “He’s plannin’ on buildin’ himself a new house.”
“He is?” Newton said in surprise. “Why, this is the first I’ve heard of it.”
“It is?” Cutty said, just as shocked. “’Course, I just found out about it myself.”
“He never mentioned it,” said Newton. “He’s been teaching me how to track and hunt some of the local wildlife. Maybe he didn’t think it was important.”
Newton sat and thought a moment. “Build a house? I suppose I can say that I have some experience after helping build Amon’s …”
“He could use all the help he can get,” Cutty said. “It’s the least ya could do since him and his brother are teaching ya how to track and hunt. Consider it a trade.”
“Yes. And I do need to start earning my keep around here. It will give me something to do while I decide where to go.”
“G-go?” Cutty sputtered. “Go where?”
Newton smiled at them. “Exploring.”
“Explorin’? What do ya wanna do that for?” Cutty asked.
“Because I can. All I need is a little money, and I don’t mind working to acquire some.”
“Ya cain’t go explorin’ now!” Cutty said in protest.
“Why not?” Newton asked, confused.
“Well … ‘cause of Ryder’s house, that’s why!”
“I’ll help him build his house, then I’ll go.” Newton watched Mrs. Upton come out of the kitchen with the cookies and a fresh pot of tea and set them on their table. “Thank you,” he said with a smile.
“Anything for you, honey! Now I better go see about lunch for Mr. Van Cleet. He’s in town today.” Before anyone could comment, she turned and left.
Newton watched her disappear, then reached for a cookie. “I was thinking of going to Oregon City,” he announced.
“Why?” Cutty almost spilled the tea he’d started to pour.
“Good heavens, man!” Imogene cried. “Be careful with that, it’s hot.”
Cutty ignored her and set the pot down. “Ya cain’t go to Oregon City!”
“Why are you suddenly concerned about where I go?” Newton asked.
Inspiration struck. “Nettie needs you here.”
“Nettie doesn’t need me – she has Amon.”
Cutty opened his mouth to speak. I need you … was on the tip of his tongue, but he held it.
“What Cutty means is,” said Imogene, “that after you help Ryder with his house, the weather will start to turn. Nettie has never spent a winter here – she’d need all the aid she can get. Besides, it would be bad weather for traveling – to Oregon City or anywhere. It’s mid-September already. Waiting until spring would be far safer.”
“Yeah!” Cutty put in. “That’s what I meant!”
“I see. You do have a point. I suppose I could wait until spring, but … I just hate being idle. I need to be doing something.”
“Ain’t buildin’ a house enough to do?” Cutty asked.
“Yes, until it’s done,” Newton pointed out.
“Well, what if Ryder needs help with them horses of his?” Cutty asked.
“All two of them?” Newton asked with a smile and took a sip of tea.
Cutty rolled his eyes. “He’s always got those mares comin’ by to be with Othello. And you know all ‘bout horses, just like he does.”
“He did offer me some work along those lines, with pay, though it wouldn’t be much.”
“There, ya see?” Cutty said. “Ya got yourself a job. Work for Ryder, then come spring ya’ll have six month’s worth of money to go explorin’ with.”
“I could at that,” Newton mused. “Nettie might not mind as much then.”
“Mind what?” Cutty asked.
“My leaving – what else?”
* * *
“He can’t leave,” Cutty insisted as he walked.
“Calm yourself, will you?” Imogene said as she strode next to him. They’d left the hotel after tea with Newton and were heading for the mercantile. “Besides, I think we convinced him not to leave until spring anyway.”
“I know. But I still don’t like it!”
“I don’t see why you’re so upset,” she told him. “He’s going to help with Ryder’s house, which means that the two of you will have plenty of time to get to know each other. That was your plan, wasn’t it? So what is the problem?”
“I … well, I …”
“For heaven’s sake, this is what you wanted!”
“Yeah, but now that I got it, I’m gonna have to do somethin’ with it. I just ain’t sure what.”
Imogene sighed as she shook her head. “You’re going to worry yourself to death.”
“If’n I tell Newton who I am and he gets mad, death’s likely what I’ll get.”
“He’ll do nothing so drastic,” she assured him. “He’s hardly the type.”
“How do ya know? Ya don’t know no more about him than I do.”
She stopped them both. “I don’t, do I? Even if I know very little, I still know more than you.”
“But very little is very little. Who knows how that confounded Baron treated him and Nettie while they were young. All I know from Nettie is that neither of ‘em had it good. If’n he’s already got a lot of anger in him, what’s he gonna do after I tell ‘em who I am?”
“Cutty,” she said as her face softened. “You don’t know what he or Nettie are going to do, and you’re not going to find out until you tell them. Have you thought about telling them separately?”
“No … I always figured I’d tell ‘em together.”
“Think about it. I think Nettie is the more receptive one.”
“I was kinda countin’ on that. She can keep her brother from punching me in the face.”
“Give the lad some credit – he is a gentleman, after all.”
“So was I,” he replied sullenly. “Look at the things I did as a gentleman.”
“Well, yes, you’re quite right. Perhaps someone else should be there with you?”
“The only other person who knows is you - and I won’t put ya in harm’s way. Newton might go round the bend for all we know and shoot us both.”
“He’ll do nothing of the kind. I imagine he might be a little upset …”
“A little? I’m gonna borrow Othello from Ryder in case I need to make a fast getaway.”
“You can’t run from him after you tell him. It wouldn’t be right,” she advised.
“Yeah, I suppose.” Cutty sighed. “Come on, let’s go get some lemon drops.”
“Maybe Mrs. Dunnigan got her order in,” Imogene said with a happy smile.
“Order? Did you have her send for somethin’?”
“Yes, a new book.”
“A new book?” he said excitedly. “Yee-haw! What’re we waitin’ for – let’s go!”
She laughed as he took her by the hand and hurried toward the mercantile. If there was one thing that could take Cutty’s mind off of revealing to his children the dire news of his identity, it was a new penny dreadful.
Five
“Well, look who decided to show up,” Belle said teasingly.
Imogene blushed. Cutty scowled. The women of the ladies’ sewing circle were sitting in the mercantile, looking at them with bemusement. “What’re ya all starin’ at?”
Half the women lowered their heads and got back to their sewing. The other half giggled, Sadie and Belle among them. “You’re late, Imogene,” Sadie remarked.
“I’m not late, dear – I’m forgetful. We were having tea with Newton, and the time got away from me.”
“Well, since Mrs. Upton isn’t here either, we can’t blame you,” Belle told her. “Otherwise she’d have reminded you on her way out the door.”
“It’s our fault she’s not here,” Imogene explained. “She was serving us tea all this time.”
“I suppose this means I’ll have to get another chair,” Mrs. Dunnigan grumbled, setting down her sewing.
“No bother,” Imogene told her. “I’ll not be joining you today. But I would like to know if the item I ordered came in.”
“Yeah, I got something for you back there,” Mrs. Dunnigan said. “Wait here and I’ll go get it.”
“What did you order?” Belle asked. “Or do I even need to ask?”
; Imogene smiled at her. “Oh, only a book or two.”
“Two?” Cutty said in surprise. “Ya didn’t say ya got two.”
“Again, I’m forgetful,” Imogene said with a shrug. “But all the better for our reading pleasure.”
Constance tried to suppress a very unladylike snort, but it still drew everyone’s attention.
“I hate it when she does that,” her sister Eloise said. “It always means she knows something I don’t.”
“It’s … nothing,” Constance said and waved a hand in front of her face.
“Then why are you fanning yourself?” her other sister Penelope asked. “What is it you know?”
“Nothing!” Constance insisted. “At least, nothing that I can say here.”
“Aha! I knew it!” Eloise said triumphantly.
“Is it for family ears only?” asked their cousin Fina.
“Not necessarily,” Constance said.
“Is it about the new house ya plan to build?” Grandma Waller asked.
“Grandma!” Constance groaned. “It was supposed to be a surprise!”
“Well then, why didn’t ya say so?” Grandma chastised. “And it ain’t a surprise unless no one knows about it. Land sakes, child, the whole town’s heard by now.”
“From who?” Constance asked.
“All eyes gravitated to Fanny Fig. She noticed the accusatory looks and shrank a little in her chair. “I might’ve heard it from Henry, who might’ve heard it from Sheriff Hughes, who just might’ve …”
“Enough already!” Mrs. Dunnigan barked as she came into the storefront with Imogene’s package. “You were telling folks down at the bank, then you told all of us before Constance got here. Of course we all know!” She looked at Constance. “But we were keeping quiet about it so you could tell us.”
Constance looked around the circle of women and shrugged. “At least I got to bring it up.”
Fanny slumped in relief. “I only said what I heard from other folks.”
“The folks you already told but forgot ya did,” Cutty quipped.
“You stay out of this!” Fanny said tersely. “You’re not part of the sewing circle.”
“Thank heavens for that,” he muttered to himself. “C’mon, Imogene, let’s go open your package in peace.” He started for the door.