Always

by Jessie Rose Case

  Elizabeth made a point of avoiding as much contact with Red Wolf and his wife as possible. But before they were due to leave, Dull Knife and his sons came to her. She’d expected they would.

  “Daughter, this is a sad time for all of us, I am unhappy to see you in this way. You will need help and your brothers are here for you.” Dull Knife looked around him and continued. “There is much here, and some, may try to take it from you.”

  Dull Knife looked hard at her and moved to hold her shoulders, tears came to Elizabeth’s eyes. “And you need a husband child.” He told her plainly.

  Elizabeth felt like screaming, the last thing she could cope with was Red Wolf at the ranch day after day. Having just lost Ben, she was too vulnerable and she didn’t need a husband. What she needed was unavailable.

  Carl who had been observing from a short distance. Approached her and put a hand on her arm, she turned towards him. The tears in her eyes broke free and she fell into his arms. “I see my daughter has made a choice, she is in good hands.” Dull Knife told him kindly and griped his arm man to man.

  He turned and walked away followed by Running Elk and his wife.

  Red Wolf stared at them, torn, Elizabeth was crying uncontrollably now. He gritted his teeth. She should have been in his arms.

  Unable to avoid it, Carl looked at Red Wolf, there was nothing for either of them to say.

  Red Wolf’s wife Sky, walked forward from behind him, embracing him. Silently she turned to face to her husband and waited for him to recognise her presence. It took several minutes for Red Wolf to draw his eyes away from Elizabeth.

  He broke free of her embrace and followed his father. Sky walked away slowly after him.

  White Dove left that day with the tribe and Elizabeth saw them off. There was no will to read, no goods to distribute. Ben had never been materialistic, and it wasn’t the Indian way. To ensure White Dove would be seen in the status she deserved. Elizabeth had put together horses, cattle and packed all her personal items.

  Elizabeth knew she was doing something unusual for White Dove and not sure how it would be taken by the other widows of the tribe. Since tradition expected a widow with no sons to be adrift of the tribe. Unless someone took them in. In White Doves case, Elizabeth had talked with Running Elk and they had agreed that the cattle and horses would go into the tribal stock, but they would be hers and make her a wealthy widow. And White Dove would have her tepee.

  Money would never be a problem for her. Elizabeth had told her that and hoped, she could return soon.

  And then they were all gone and she found herself alone in the house. Not since her parents had died had she felt so alone. She dismissed the staff and made herself a drink and sat in Ben’s favourite chair by the fireplace. She rubbed her hands up and down the leather arms. It was getting cooler in the evenings now and a fire had been lit. She drank the brandy. Welcoming the warmth both inside her and out. Desperate to hold back yet more tears.

  Carl walked the grounds with Jake. He discussed his fears about the towns folk and their knowledge of Elizabeth’s worth.

  “You’re the head man here Jake, I don’t what to step on your toes, but I think we need to start upping security around the spread. I know there was an incident some time back. I don’t want anyone pulling anything and she goes nowhere alone from now on.”

  Jake nodded in agreement. “Your right, I’ll say my goodnights and get the hands sorted we’ll start tonight. You talk to the Indians.”

  They both came into the house. “Everything’s alright girl.” Jake called out walking towards her.

  “If you need me, you know where to find me.” He bent to kiss her on the cheek and gave her a hug.

  “Thank you but I’m fine. Get some rest. Night Jake.”

  He headed back to the door. She watched him leave.

  Carl remained where he was, not sure to go in or stay out. He waited on her.

  “Come sit by me and have a drink?” she asked him.

  “Tough day.” He told her pushing off the door jam coming into the sitting room and pouring himself one. He refilled hers and sat opposite her.

  Elizabeth smiled sadly and sipped her brandy. They were both lost in thought for a long time gazing into the fire. Eventually she sighed deeply.

  “This house, it’s too big, just for me, maybe I should go back East for a while.” She pondered gazing around the room.

  Too many memories, she thought.

  It was devastating to hear and hoped it was her grief talking. Quietly, in a voice he hardly recognised as his own he told her what he believed to be real.

  “In time, you will have family of your own and then this house will not feel small at all.”

  She nodded sadly. “But, they will not be Red Wolfs, of that, I am now certain,” she told him.

  Red Wolf stood in the doorway. Neither had heard him walk in. The pain Elizabeth had suffered that day was seared into his heart. At the displeasure of his wife, he left the tribe and rode back to her. Part of him had hoped he’d given Elizabeth a child on their one night together. Something they could both cherish.

  Now it seemed, she was confirming that had not happened and again, he felt like something had been taken from him. Seeing she did not need him, as silently as he came. He left.

  “Nothing is ever certain Elizabeth,” he told her.

  “Everything in life has a cycle. Even you. Only if that cycle remains unbroken, can you be sure and even then. This life throws things at us that we are not prepared for. Are you sure, Elizabeth?” He asked her.

  She looked at him resignedly and rubbed her eyes.

  “No, I’m not.”

  Carl nodded. “You will be soon enough. Nature finds a way.” He told her.

  “And if it is broken?” she asked him.

  “Then this house will welcome new life.” He told her simply.

  Elizabeth was overcome with emotion. “Thank you.” They remained in silence until Elizabeth fell asleep. Carl picked her up and carried her to her room. As he laid her on her bed Elizabeth stirred.

  “I could not do this without you.” She told him.

  Carl tucked her in and walked to the door. As he put his hand on the latch he turned to look at her. He would be her friend, he’d decided. She was beyond him, but he could be the friend she needed. He turned and closed the door quietly behind him.

  Over the next few weeks, life came back to the ranch. Jake came to Elizabeth accompanied by Carl every evening after dinner and they decided the best action for the coming day. Plans were put in motion to keep the new stock moved to pastures that could feed them. The usual round of fences were mended and the watering holes kept clean and clear. Carl took control of the hiring of new hands with Jake and only took those who were known or had references that could be checked and trusted. More braves came from the village and Black Dog followed Carls instructions to the letter. Elizabeth went nowhere alone.

  Carl would sometimes be asked to stay to dinner other times, Elizabeth preferred to be alone. The option was left open to both of them. If needed, Carl sort her out and had drinks with her late into the night. Often, not talking about much or making decisions, just company for the both of them.

  Just over a three weeks from Bens funeral, they were sitting in front of the fire, the nights had been drawing in, Elizabeth broke the silence between them.

  “It would seem, my cycle isn’t broken after all.” She told him. Carl looked up.

  “Are you sorry?” He asked her.

  Elizabeth sighed. “Yes and no.” She answered honesty.

  “I would have liked to have had a child. Especially now Ben’s gone, but Red Wolf’s child now, would have been a joy as well as a burden. He would never have left us, and the tribe would not forgive the betrayal of his wife. He would have lost his position and maybe caste aside. So, I expect it was for the best.”

  Carl finished his drink and bent down in front of her. He touched her hand lightly and they locked eyes, in that moment, an uns
poken truth passed between them. There would be other children.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Autumn 1879

  Elizabeth had been home for ten months, sometimes it felt like ten years. She’d thrown herself into the running of the ranch. Red Wolf and Running Elk took turns to come and stay and help run the place. Time made it easier seeing Red Wolf. Neither came into the house. Each had taken it in turns in running the horses. This now became their new line. They worked it out between them and Blue.

  Sometimes they joined Carl, Elizabeth and Jake for dinner other times they choose not to. It wasn’t the same and Elizabeth was grateful for that. The freedom of choice made things easier for them all.

  Tradition still held sway, and all those in the yard were welcomed for dinner no matter who they were. Business was conducted after it, when coffee and drinks were served. Life took on a sense of its own and found its own rhythm.

  Caroline and her sister Kate came out to see Elizabeth often. Since Bens burial, the girls had come on a Sunday nearly each week. It was a long and tiring journey to be made in one day, but they didn’t seem to mind. Elizabeth was glad to see them.

  Caroline’s initial infatuation of Carl had lost some of its appeal having seen him with Elizabeth. She knew from the first Sunday she saw them together, that there was an unspoken bond between them. She would not and could not compete with it. She settled for being a dear friend to them both and grieved for another lost chance.

  Kate used her time to make herself useful round the house and yard. And spent as much time as she could in search of Blue. It had not gone unnoticed. Blue chose to ignore her as much as possible. Going out of his way to work in the pasture.

  It was after such a visit that Elizabeth found Blue standing quietly in her hall. It was passed dinner and her guests had long gone. Elizabeth was sitting by the fire alone, reading. Something stirred her from her peace, she looked up and he was quietly standing there. Elizabeth put her book down.

  “Blue, how nice, please come and join me, can I get you something.” She asked smiling and beckoning him forward, indicating a chair opposite her and walking to the drinks table she poured two.

  Blue took the chair she’d indicated and waited for her to return. Elizabeth handed him his glass and sat back down. Elizabeth looked up at him and raised her glass.

  “May mother earth be kind.” She told him lifting her glass to her lips. She took a swallow.

  The liquid was cool, in the mouth, and hot in her body. The explosion in her chest reminded her of the good times with Ben. Blue nodded at her toast and joined her.

  Elizabeth let him get to it and said nothing. Letting the drink warm and relax them both. It was clear there was something on his mind as he stared into the fire.

  Elizabeth kept her peace and waited for him to gather the courage to speak. It was awhile in coming. Their drinks were nearly done, when at last he spoke.

  “Esa, I have a problem with Miss Kate. I have no wish to offend you or her family. She does not know what she is asking.”

  Blue looked at her with a desperation in his eyes. Elizabeth rolled the drink around in her glass.

  “Is she asking for something you cannot give?”

  Blue drank the last of his drink. “She follows me when she visits here. Is around while I do my work. Gets food for me. Asks if she can get me anything. Is always ……there. Talking and pointing things out. It is becoming harder to be here on a Sunday and harder still to work, the rest of the week till Sunday comes around again. She does not know what she is saying or asking. She says she loves me and wants to be with me. But she cannot live at the village. She is not like you and would not be able to live there and I could not live in town.”

  Elizabeth smiled kindly at him. “I see. Do you love her Blue?” she asked him.

  It was Blues turn to smile. “Since the first day I held her.” He spoke sadly.

  Elizabeth nodded and sighed. “You are an only child with no parents Blue. You are a man who can make his own choices, if your problem is solely that you have nowhere to live, then I gladly, give that to you both on your marriage.”

  Blue dropped his head and like a huge weight had been lifted from him. When he looked up, tears were in his eyes.

  “What about her family?”

  “I don’t know Blue, it is something you must ask them.” She told him. “If you wish, I could invite the family for a gathering next Sunday. It would give you the chance to talk to her parents.” Blue rose from his chair and Elizabeth joined him, Blue came forward and outstretched both hands. Elizabeth took them.

  “Thank you.” He told her and left.

  Elizabeth re-filled her glass, sat down and smiled. Kate got her man after all.

  She was roused from her sleep as she was lifted and carried from the chair. She felt the familiar body and instinctively nestled into it. Her body climbed the stairs and was carried into her room and she welcomed the bed beneath her as she was laid upon it.

  Elizabeth felt the comfort of a blanket as it was tucked in. She drifted once again and felt a kiss on her cheek and a voice whisper in her ear.

  “I wish you could have solved our problems as easily as you did Blues.”

  Elizabeth smiled, and in her dreamy state she answered him.

  “It was never mine to solve.” And she went back to sleep.

  ***

  Elizabeth woke next morning knowing Red Wolf had spent most of the night with her. It both excited and worried her. She had thought that they were passed such things, clearly Red Wolf thought differently. It would have to stop.

  Elizabeth dressed quickly, raced down the stairs completing her toilette and entered the dining room to find both Red Wolf and Carl at the table deep in conversation.

  As she crossed the floor, the conversation died. A frown crossed her face as she joined them at the table.

  “What is it?” she asked reaching for the coffee.

  “Some men that work for Brennen, were overheard talking in the Saloon about their boss’s benefactor and how the town survived the Bank heist after a visit to you.” Carl told her.

  “And?” she asked.

  Red Wolf swallowed and looked at her. “They were saying how they could do with some of that, especially as it came in such a nice package,” he told her reluctantly, their meaning was very clear.

  Elizabeth took a deep breath, sighed and sat down.

  “I can’t control what other people think and nor can either of you.” She told them bluntly. “But I can go and see Brenner, I’m his partner after all and have a little chat about that.”

  “If you go into town, you’ll be walking right into them.” Carl told her.

  “Maybe.” She answered him “But it might just bring them out or Brenner will.” And with that she smiled.

  Red Wolf nodded. Carl didn’t like it and thought they were both crazy. “I don’t like the idea of them coming for you in their time, Elizabeth.” Red Wolf eventually told her.

  “Nor do I and I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder, so let’s deal with it now.” She told them.

  Red Wolf nodded. “Then we go in force and make sure the entire town knows just how protected you and the Double T are.” He told her.

  “Agreed.” Elizabeth told them. Carl looked from one to the other and thought they were both mad, but the decision had been made.

  They pulled warriors from the village and the hills and made ready for the following day. Riders were sent out to bring in the far herds and horses. Men came into the ranch all day long answering her call. Jake had never seen so many hands at once at the big house. The bunk houses were full and never had there been so many braves at once at the Double T.

  Cattle were slaughtered and BBQ’d. There was a huge effort in feeding and housing everyone. Those braves not normally working for them at that time, took up residence in the barns. Elizabeth went out to greet them all. Some of the old timers that had retired and been offered housing on their land greeted her warmly. Although n
ot really working for them any longer, they were paid a retainer. Many she remembered fondly. They had all come at her call and she was both honoured and grateful.

  They breakfasted early the next day. In all, it was a small army. Elizabeth came down and skipped breakfast. She settled for coffee and took it out on the porch and watched the party get ready to depart. Both Carl and Red Wolf came to her.

  “We’re ready.” Carl told her as he stared at her. Every hand and brave carried a rifle. Elizabeth turned to them both.

  “Then we shouldn’t keep them waiting.” She put her cup down and walking to the edge of the porch. Putting on her riding gloves and strode to her pony.

  Carl watched her walk proudly to him. Carl turned to Red Wolf.

  “I’ll kill any man that hurts her.” He told him.

  “In that, we are agreed.” Red Wolf responded. And there. In love. Both men were bonded.

  The braves took up their place at the front of the line. Several of the younger braves took up point. Six rode before her one of them Blue. Elizabeth was flanked by Carl on one side and Red Wolf on the other. Behind them came the rest of the braves headed by Black Dog and his men, followed by the hands and finally the wagons, the trip had other uses besides reinforcing Elizabeth’s status. Each man rode with one thought, her.