by Nan O'Berry
A knock at the door turned their heads.
Stone moved toward it and called out, “Who’s there?”
“Linens,” a male voice called back.
Stone opened the door and a young scrawny lad of about fifteen sauntered in. “Afternoon. Mr. Crabtree asked me to bring you some fresh linen.”
Stone nodded toward the beds. “Help yourself.”
The lad moved to where Brett was standing. “Sir?”
Brett moved out of the way.
The lad began to strip the bed. “Where are you from?”
“Three Rivers,” Brett answered digging into his saddlebags.
“Three Rivers, that’s where the pony express is, I sure do hope to sign up with them one day.”
Brett glanced at Stone, who shook his head.
“I hear they got to ride fast and shoot straight.” He glanced at the two riders, who gave him blank looks. “I’ve been reading about them.” He pulled out a dime novel and tossed it to Brett.
“Pony Express saves the day,” Brett read the title and showed the book to Stone.
“Lot more than just riding and shooting,” Stone muttered putting his things aside.
“You know about the express?”The boy’s question came with a snap of the sheet as he laid it over the mattress.
“A bit,” Stone answered.
“I bet you seen them, living down there.”
“Come across them once or twice.” Stone nodded.
Brett rolled his eyes at his words.
The kid tucked the sheets in and spread a blanket over it. “After the holidays, I’m going to ride right over and sign up.”
“You do that.” Stone nodded.
The clerk moved to Stone’s bed. “You want to heat up that stove?”
Stone glanced over at the small pot bellied stove in the corner of the room. “How much?”
“I can stoke it for you for a quarter. This room heats up nice.”
Brett pulled a coin from his pocket and tossed it to him.
The boy caught it and grinned. “You planning on getting supper downstairs?”
“We thought about it.”
“Might want to go early. We got a lot of guests this week.”
“Noticed,” Stone remarked.
The boy nodded. “Yes, sir. The new commanding officer over at the fort has everyone shook up. He’s held three meetings with the cattlemen and the Indians from the reservation. There have been some beef stolen and a driver killed. I can tell you tempers are riding mighty high. ”
“I thought I saw Running Bear at the fort.”
He nodded. “You did. He and two other chiefs came in to try and talk about the trouble on the reservation. They claim they ain’t getting their food rations or other stuff promised by the army. Which sort of explains why the cattle went missing, but it don’t excuse a red man killing anyone.”
Stone’s ears picked up.
“I hear they are planning to cause trouble. The cattle ranchers are just as angry. The army sure doesn’t need a full blown Injun war coming near the holidays.”
“Nor does anyone else,” Brett mumbled back.
“That’s what the town folks are saying. Lots of folks remember when the last big raids came through town. Lots of people lost loved ones.” He dusted off his hands. “Well, there you go nice clean linens.”
“Appreciate your trouble,” Stone replied.
The clerk nodded his head in agreement. “Okay, I will get that wood and get that stove humming.”
“Wait.” Stone picked up his shirt. “We’re going to the bathhouse in the rear. Can you come back in an hour?”
“Yes, sir, I sure will.”
They watched the young clerk walk to the door and stand there as if waiting for something.
Stone reached into his pocket and slid two bits into his hand.
The boy’s face brightened as he counted the money. “Thank you, sir.”He quickly headed out the door.
Brett gathered his items and turned toward Stone. “You sure are awful free with our funds.”
“The kid gave us some very useful information. We cut across the reservation lands with each run. If there’s going to be trouble, we now know about it.”
Brett turned the information over in his mind. “Reckon you’re right.”
Stone opened the door. “Let’s get cleaned up and get something hot to eat.”
An hour later, washed, shaved and somewhat more civilized, Stone walked into the dining hall and found Brett seated at a table near the window. “Nice view,”Stone remarked as he pulled out a chair and took his seat.
Moments later, a waiter arrived to take their order.
Their coffee refreshed, Brett glanced over the table, and his expression became serious. “Seems this town has some impressive sights.”
Stone grew still. His brow began a slow wrinkle as the tone of his words sank into his brain. “How’s that?”
Brett lifted his cup of coffee and made a slight nod out the window toward the businesses that lined the other side of the street. “Take a look at the second building down on the left.”
Shifting his gaze, Stone let his eyes wander toward the location mentioned by his friend. The gray wooden structure was dwarfed by the brick structure on the right and the massive two story saloon on the left. “I don’t get….” The words died on his lips as he caught the sign. “Pierson’s Freight and Stage Company,” he muttered.
“Yep.” Brett folded his arms and leaned on the table. “About five minutes ago, two familiar faces left the building.”
Stone’s blinked. “Who?”
“Zeke Hopkins and Ephraim Davis.”
Stone sat back and let his backbone rest against the chair. Now, that was interesting. Zeke and Ephraim were Pierson’s two hired guns. “Well, he does have a freight line.”
“Yes, he does,” Brett agreed. “I just find it funny they show up when we show up and in the mist of the trouble with the Arapaho.”
“Indeed.”
The conversation died away as the waiter returned with their steaks.
Stone brooded on Brett’s words and waited until the waiter moved away to speak, “When we get back, we’ll talk to Levi. I sent the telegram letting him know the mission was accomplished.
“Good,” Brett remarked, as he cut into the thick steak. “I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”
The food was good and consumed with gusto. With so many young men at the station, a steak was a luxury not often given unless the Merrick Ranch had more than they needed.
Stone savored the pan fried delight with each and every bite. Finally full, he pushed his plate away and reached for the warm cup of coffee on his right. “Now this is a nice end to an eventful day.” He sat back and sipped his coffee. As he watched the people moving along the street, a lone dark figure caught his attention.
Head down against the wind, the man trudged forward. His right hand keeping a tight grip upon his hat brim lest it blow away and his left kept an iron grip on the book tucked securely beneath his arm.
Sitting up, Stone watched the man’s steps slow as he came upon the saloon. “Trouble,” he whispered.
Brett’s fork paused half way between his lips and the plate. “What?”
Stone nodded toward the window.
Brett turned and they both watched the minister pause.
Like a great dark scavenger lifting his wings, the minister stopped and raised his body to its full height. Arms extended, his booming voice carried across the street to where Stone and Brett were baring witness, “Repent those who lie with wickedness. The Lord sees such consorts as sin. Those who partake in strong drink are led astray and lose their wisdom. This is too great a price to pay for the thrill of alcohol.”
As the two watched, the doors of the saloon swung open and several intoxicated cowboys stumbled out.
“Behold the fool in his drunkenness!” The minister moved toward them to drive home his point.
The cowboys swung around. They sta
red, swaying on unsteady feet.
“Drunkenness leads to sensual women, lustful dancing, and all things that God hates.”
“This is not going to end well,” Stone muttered.
Chapter 4
Stone put his cup down, moved his seat back, and stood up.
Brett gave an annoyed sigh as his fork clattered to the plate. “I know what this means.” Pulling his napkin from his shirt neckline, he rose from his chair and followed Stone outside.
The crowd around the entrance to the saloon grew. Cowboys filed out. Some with beers in hand, others with their arms around the shoulders of the girls who called the saloon home.
Stone’s hands rested on his gun belt as he watched from the edge of the hotel porch. He heard Brett’s lighter boot steps move beside him. “Just watch for now,” he advised.
One cowboy lifted the half empty bottle he carried. “You ever tried it old man?” His speech was slurred as he made a wobbly step forward. Lifting the bottle, he took a deep gulp.
“The time is ready for you to awaken! Do not cling to the desires of the flesh!” the minister cried.
“Now, you just take a little drink of this and join us. I bet you can have a whole lot more fun than carrying around that book and shouting.” The cowboy stepped forward and slung a heavy arm around the preacher’s neck.
Stone took a deep breath as he watched him attempt to pour a mouthful of whiskey into his throat.
“Let the good Lord turn that into wine, right boys!” A cowboy from the crowd cajoled the rest into laughter.
Sputtering, the minister pushed the man away. “Heathen, thou are more foul than devil!”
Another round of laughter ensued.
“Might be time to step over,” Stone murmured and took a step into the street.
“I don’t think he wants to drink with us?” The cowboy looked to his friends. “That ain’t too Christian is it?”
“No,” several called out.
Stone moved across the street and pushed through the growing crowd. “What’s going on?”
The cowboy stumbled back as a cynical grin lifted his lips. “Our friend here, don’t want to drink with us.”
Stone lifted his brow. “I reckon a man can choose not to drink.”
The cowboy’s grin faded as he stepped forward. “Ain’t very friendly.”
Stone shrugged. “Some folks don’t care for drink.”
The man wobbled forward and peered at Stone. “You like to drink?”
“Some, I don’t like to be drunk.”
“You saying I’m drunk?” The cowboy jerked back as if struck.
Stone tilted his head. “You tell me?”
The cowboy’s smile faded.
Stone gave him a stern stare. “Look, why don’t you and your friends go back inside and enjoy your evening. My friend and I will make sure this man gets back to his home and he won’t bother you anymore.”
“He ought to apologize.”
Stone dampened his lips with the edge of his tongue. The negotiations were now getting tricky. Thinking quickly, he smiled. “I’m sure he does. He just thinks everyone should know how he feels.”
“I don’t like how he feels.” The cowboy looked to his left. “Neither do my friends.”
Stone glanced at the crowd where several discontented faces stared back. “I apologize for him.” He motioned for Brett to step around. Out of the side of his mouth he whispered, “Get the reverend out of their sight.”
Brett moved toward the minister. In a low tone, he urged the man to follow him, “Sir, if you’ll come with me.”
The minister took a step back.
“There now, everything’s just fine.” Stone voice took on a monotone in an attempt to soothe the feelings of the group. He held up one hand. “I got some change. Here, let me buy a round for the house.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out the last of the money Levi had given him. Holding it out, he waited until one of the cowboys stepped forward and dragged the money toward him.
“Thank the black bird for us,” the head cowboy jeered and one by one they stepped back into the saloon.
Crisis averted, Stone walked toward the alley where he’d seen Brett disappear. He turned the corner.
The minister stepped toward Brett. “You think you have helped them. You fool, you have only enabled the Devil to devour their soul and turn them from the ways of God!”
Stone quickened his steps to the man’s side and grabbed his arm. “Quiet down or you’ll get us killed.”
The minister stepped back. The anger in his eyes faded.
Stone grabbed his arm and spun him around on his heel. “Let’s go.”
The minister led the way twisting and turning through the back alleys to a place behind the livery. The red barn provided protection from the sharp cold wind that funneled along the main dirt street.
Stone and Brett paused as they watched the woman sitting in front of the fire rise.
“Archibald.”Her soft voice drifted toward them.
Stone came to a stop.
The woman pulled her shawl tight across her growing belly, and then she stepped forward and embraced the reverend. “I was worried.”
The man turned toward Stone and Brett. “I ran into some difficulty, but all is well.”
She looked past him, her gaze falling upon both men. “Would you care for some supper? It is the least I can do since you brought my husband home safe.”
Stone raised his hand. “No ma’am, we had our supper. If everything is all right, we’re going leave you.”
The reverend stepped back toward them and offered an open hand.
Thinking he wished to thank them, Stone extended his.
The man grasped his hand.
Stone’s eye widened at the tenacity of his grip.
He pulled him forward and laid his other hand upon Stone’s shoulder. “Dear Lord, look with favor upon this messenger. Give him a safe journey home. Amen.”
Drawing back, Stone looked into the dark eyes of the man before him. There was something there. Something he’d seen before but could not put a name to. Something that almost made his skin crawl.
From behind him, Brett urged, “Come on, Stone, we have to go.”
He pulled his hand from the minister’s grasp and hurried away.
Morning came with the sun trying to worm its way beneath Stone’s lashes. Tossing back the covers, he felt relieved that no frost was present to weigh down his covering. Padding over to the other bed, he shook Brett’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s go home.”
Brett groaned and rolled over before kicking off the sheets.
Once dressed, the two men made their way downstairs and Stone paid the bill.
Brett looked out over the quiet street and waited for his friend to join him. “Ready?”
The two moved out on to the boardwalk and made their way to livery.
“You think the preacher man is up yet?” Brett inquired as he smoothed the saddle blanket over his mount’s back.
“Don’t know.”Stone concentrated on making sure his saddle was on straight. With their cinches tight, both led their mounts into the street.
Brett swung on board and waited for Stone to do the same.
Once settled in the saddle, Stone squinted his eyes at the sun and looked down the street toward Three Rivers. “What I can’t fathom, is why a man brings a woman in her condition out to the wilderness away from home and family. This ain’t no place to birth a baby.”
Brett shrugged his shoulders. “Let’s not worry about that right now. I’m ready to be home.”
Touching their heels to the sides of their ponies, the men rode away from Fort Valor.
A day and a half later, cold and miserable, they rode into the stockyard to be greeted by Anna’s excited shouts, “Momma! Momma! They’re home!”
Stone caught the movement from the corner of his eye as Levi’s daughter rushed down from the porch and hurried in their direction.
“Anna, you wait a minute,” Ol
ivia called but to no avail.
Pulling their horses to a stop, both Stone and Brett dismounted.
“Oh, I’m so glad you are home.” Anna slid to a stop.
Stone glanced to see her bright eyes shining. Her gloved hands pressed together, she seemed about to burst with excitement. Turning back to his horse, Stone flipped the stirrup up over the pommel and began to loosen the girth.
“Did you boys have fun?” she asked.
Brett pulled his saddle from his pony and turned to Stone. “You hear something?” he asked and made a point to look while around ignoring the Hawkins daughter.
Stone played along with the good natured teasing and stuck his finger in his ear. “Must be a fly buzzing.”
“You’d think with all this cold weather, they would have died out,” Brett replied as he shrugged.
Anna hurried over and grasped the bridle for Brett. “I’ll hold on to Fury for you.”
Brett blinked. “Well, when did you show up, little one?”
Anna tilted her head and gave him a glare. “Ha, Ha. You knew I was here.”
Both men chuckled.
“Oh go on with you.” Anna sighed and stroked Fury’s nose. “He so silly isn’t he?” she questioned the horse.
Stone pulled the saddle from his mount.The animal did a side step as if happy to have the leather removed.
“Steady, Sunset.” Anna leaned over and snatched up Sunset’s reins. “Did you have any trouble?” she asked. Again, there was the bristle of excitement in her face.
“No, why?” Stone paused to ask.
Brett stepped over and took his pony’s reins.
Anna’s enthusiasm boiled over. Nearly bouncing on her feet, she replied. “Papa and Captain Merrick had a rough go of it.”
“What happened?” Brett asked. “Did someone have a fight at Benders?”
“Nope.”
“Well, it couldn’t be too exciting then.” Stone winked at Brett. “Maybe, Clay and Ransom brought their wives in for a visit.”
“No, that didn’t happen. I wish it did.” Anna sighed.
“Okay, Anna.” Brett shook his head. “You might as well spill the beans.”