by Nancy Howard
Logan looks at her, raising her brow and grins, sheepishly, “Oh, yeah, that.
“Why haven't you told me about it?”
“I don't know,” she shrugs. “Maybe, I didn't think it was all that important.”
“Not important. Silly, you saved the town. Damn girl!”
“Yeah, well like I said, I was a bounty hunter. And with the sheriff dead, and Gavin and John all shot up, I was the only one that was available, I guess. Anyway, I didn't do it all by myself.”
“Really?”
“Really. I might not be sitting here talking to you like this, if the town hadn't stepped up and did their part. At John's request. I'd told them to stay out of the fracas until I was done, or dead. But he told them to ignore what I said and go and help me anyway.”
“So they listened to John, and not you.”
“That's right, and I'm glad they did. He was protecting me. He told me later that he and Catherine were not going to lose another girl. So he told them to ignore what I said, and his words were far more powerful than mine.”
“He did everything he could to protect you, like any father would. He knew you were in danger.”
“Yeah, exactly. He did everything he possibly could, that day, to keep me from getting killed. He certainly did that, and to put it bluntly I was in extreme danger”
“You said your glad he protected you like he did, and so am I, cause now we're together.”
Logan smiled, and said, “yes, yes, we are.”
The trip was long, and tiring and in between naps the girls would talk, or if one was asleep the other would read. It was a book they were both reading at the same time, called, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by an author named, Mark Twain. When the train would stop they'd hop off and get some water to drink. Logan brought her canteen and some beef jerky, for them to eat on the trip. During times they changed trains they had time to find a place to eat in Santa Fe, and Pueblo.
Logan was glad to get some real food because she hates beef jerky. She told her sister she ate a ton of it when she was riding the trail and then there was time she, Gavin, and John were camped out by the mesa years ago. Waiting on Tass Jones and his men to show up, to rustle their cattle.
She told Falon the story that that's all they ate, was jerky. Jerky and beans, and some bread, or so it seemed. She said that she told them that she’d puke if she had to eat another piece of jerky. To which they laughed at her. Falon laughed, too. They teased me about being soft. They told me that they thought I was not like other girls. I told them that they had spoiled me, and of course they poo-pooed that idea. She smiles to herself as she remembers those days, and she remembers how John treated her like a daughter back then. He always did, he had a big soft spot in his heart for her, just as he did for Jennifer and Catherine.
The train has ambled along for nearly four hundred miles. It is the last leg of the twins journey. Logan is tired and so is Falon. They're tired of riding the train, but if they were to tell anyone about the trip, they'd say it's been fun for them. As they talked and giggled, being silly at times, like a couple of school girls. Something they weren't able to do growing up. Something they're doing now, as part of their catching up process, of being sisters.
As the train gets near Denver, Falon asks, “so you graduated from school. Right?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“In spite of all he was doing to you.”
“There were times Falon I didn't know if I could do it, but I did. I got my diploma. It's all I had to keep me going, I guess. So how about you?”
“I made it to tenth grade.”
“That's good, most people quit before they finish grammar school, or they don't go to school at all. John said he only made it to sixth grade, and I've never asked Catherine how far she got. She such a great mom, I just don't care about those things when it comes to her.”
Then Logan asks her, “do you know how to shoot, Falon?”
“No, but I'd sure like to learn.”
“When we get back, I'll teach you.”
Logan pauses and asks, “have you ever been married?”
Falon shakes her head no before speaking, “I guess, I never found the right one, or I never looked in the right places. I remember you mentioned that Gavin left you once.”
“Yeah, but as you can see he came back, he always did,” she says, with a smile.
“What happened? If you don't mind telling me.”
“No, not at all. He was the ranch foreman back then, and we were working very closely together, day in and day out. Too close as a matter of fact. We wouldn't listen to each other and before we knew it we were adversaries, rather than lovers. He left and was gone for about three months, and when he came back he was a Territorial Marshal. As you can see we patched things up, and here we are.”
“He is so cool, so masculine, and gorgeously handsome to boot.”
“Yeah, he's the best of the best,” Logan says. “And, speaking of, dear sister. I've seen you, and Chase spending more and more time together. So how's that going?”
“It's goin' real good sis. Real good,” she says, smiling at Logan, then giggling.
Logan smiles and raises her eyebrows at Falon and says, “That is so fantastic to hear, I hope it keeps going well for you and it works out. I really do, Falon, after all you've been though.”
“Me? What about you? We both deserve a good life, after what's happened to both of us.”
Logan looks at her sister and shakes her head in agreement.
THE LONG TRAIN RIDE to Denver has finally come to an end, as the train pulls into the station. The twins are tired, tired of riding. Logan decides that they should get a hotel room tonight, and rest up before going to find Mary the next day. Something they are both looking forward too, they both hope that Mary Hubbard is still alive. Hoping, that she's still living down by where Logan and her dad lived many years ago by the South Platte River. They are also anxious to find out, if she can shed some light on how they got separated when they were babies.
Logan slowly drives a rented buggy down the road toward the South Platte River, where she grew up. She slowly turns it onto the dirt street that is dotted with old dilapidated houses, that resemble nothing more than shacks. She's immediately flooded with memories, as she turns down the street. Memories of her rough and terrible childhood here. She looks around, she can see that nothing much has changed. The area is still in bad shape, and is crumbling even more now than when she was living around here. And now, Logan can hardly believe, as she remembers that she ever lived here.
“We lived in that house over there.” Logan said. Pointing out to Falon the crumbling old house, where she lived with their dad from age nine until she was eighteen.
“I remember the year after mom died when I was eight, we moved seven times in one year, before we came back to live in this house. We'd lived here before, when I was real little.”
“Why so many moves?”
“Because, he was a drunk and a gambler, and because of his gambling and drinking we never had money for rent, or food.”
Falon shakes her head hearing her sister talk about this. Realizing how lucky she was to be raised by the Longs. She knows Logan hates Cal Kincaid. She can see it, even now, when she hears Logan talk about him.
Logan stops the buggy in front of the house where Mary lived. It is right across the street from her old house. She and Falon get out, and they walk up and onto the front porch. The little house is like Logan's old house. It is in bad need of repairs and it looks like no one lives there.
“You sure she's still here, and is alive Logan?”
“Don't know that, for sure, but I hope so.” She says, knocking on the door.
After waiting a few seconds for someone to answer the door it opens slowly and the twins see a small and frail elderly lady. Logan knows right away that it's Mary. She recognizes her even though Mary is much older now.
The old woman in spite of her failing eyesight, sees two tall young women standi
ng at her door.
“Yes,” she says.
“Hi Mary, it's me, Logan Kincaid. Remember me?”
“Logan? Oh my, it is you, isn't it. I didn't recognize you dear, your all grown up. My eyes don't see so good anymore. Come in, come in,” she says. “It's been such a long time. What on earth brings you here to Denver?”
Mary has noticed the girl with Logan that is just as tall, and even though her eyes are bad, she can also see that it's Logan's twin.
“Please, set down, ladies, make yourselves at home,” the woman says. She seems so glad to see them and to have visitors.
“Yes, it has been a longtime—like seventeen years. Mary this is my twin sister Falon.” Logan introduces Falon to her, as the girls seat themselves.
“Oh my, you found each other, that's so special. How old are you ladies now?'”
“Thirty-five,” Logan responds.
The old woman smiles at them, it warms her heart to see Logan and Falon, together.
“Yes, yes, it is. It is special, that we're finally together,” Logan says. “That is the reason we are in Denver, Mary. We just found each other a short time ago. We didn't even know about the other one until then. And we were wondering if you could shed some light on things for us. Like how did we get separated? Do you have any idea what happened, and do you even know?”
The old woman sat for a few seconds, pondering Logan's questions, trying to think back to those days, then said, “What I do remember is that you Falon, were sick a lot the first six or so months after you were born. Your mom, as you know, Logan wasn't at all that strong herself. But she was concerned for your safety, Falon. So she gave you to her sister, to be raised,” she pauses, to think.” I can't remember her name.”
“It was Joan,” Falon says. “I had no idea, she was really my aunt. I thought she was my mom all those years.
“Yes, I'm sure you did. She lived in Greeley, didn't she?”
“Yes mam, she did. That's where I was raised.”
“They never told you anything about, Logan, or your real parents.”
“No mam, they didn't.”
The old woman looks at Falon, thinking about what she said. She wonders why her aunt and uncle didn't tell her she had a twin sister. She figures it was to protect her from Cal.
“Anyway, that's how the two of you grew up not knowing about the other one. Of course Cal had a hissy-fit when she did it, but he was afraid of your uncle so he let it be.”
“Burt. I called him dad, but now, I know, he was really my uncle.”
“What happened to them,” Mary asks”
“They both passed away some years ago.”
“I'm sorry,” Mary responds, pausing and looking at the girls.
“So what happened to Cal,” Logan asks? Unable to restrain some of the left over anger in her voice, as she questions Mary about their father.
“You know dear, I don't really know. He lived over there for about two years after you left, that night. Then he just up and moved on—just left.”
“Did he look for me? Or do you know?”
“No, I don't really know that, Logan. He stayed to himself after all that happened, and he even quit drinking. That's all I know, ladies. I hope I helped clear some things up a bit for the two of you.”
“You did,” Falon says. “One more thing.”
“What's that dear?”
“We been wonderin' which one of us is the oldest.”
“Logan is. She was born very late at night and you were born just after midnight.”
Logan smiles at Falon, and teases, “see I told you.” They look at each other and laugh.
“We been having this little friendly disagreement, about who might be the oldest. Now we know,” Falon says. Crinkling her nose at Logan. Who sets and grins.
“So tell me about yourselves. Where do you live, and are you married,” Mary asks them?
“I am,” Logan begins. “My married name is Sloan, and before that it was changed from Kincaid to Sanderson. I was adopted by John and Catherine Sanderson. They owned the Sanderson's Hill Ranch near Folsom in New Mexico Territory, where we live. They also made me the heir to the property. I run the ranch and my husband Gavin is the US Territorial Marshall there—-we have two kids. Molly who is four and Chad who is now eleven months.”
“What about you Falon.”
“Oh, me I stay with her and her family.”
“That is so wonderful. And what is even more so is that your sitting here in my house together,” she smiled.
Neither Logan or Falon eluded to Mary the circumstances as to how she and Falon came to be together. The old woman seemed fine with that and didn't ask. She seemed satisfied that Logan and Falon's lives are good, and that they are now together after all of those years.
After half an afternoon of chatting and catching up, Mary asks how long they're going to be in town. Logan tells her they will be leaving the next day. But before she and Falon leave, she gives the old woman her address and tells her that if she needs anything, to contact her. She sees that Mary is still dirt poor, just like she was when Logan was a kid. She remembers when she used to feed her, and now doubts that Mary had enough to feed herself back then. Logan also remembers that she had a daughter, and asks Mary about her. She told Logan that she visits her once in a while.
When they get to the door to leave, and when the old woman wasn't looking. Logan reaches into her purse and pulls out two one hundred dollar bills, and lays them on a table where she knows Mary will find them. It is the least she can do for this poor old soul, who Logan is thankful was around and helped her survive long ago.
When they leave, both women are unusually quiet on the way back to the livery to return the rented buggy. They both realized that they would never see Mary Hubbard again, but are now both indebted to her for having told them how they got separated at birth. As well, she shed some light on what happened to their real father.
The train ride back home seemed to take forever. The twins were quieter, and just wanting it to be over. Both of them taking the time on the way, to process what Mary told them. Logan was looking forward to getting back to her two kids, and her husband. While Falon sat and thought about what the future held for her. She's getting better after all the abuse from Belcher, while he held her captive. She is just trying to forget it all. She still has nightmares from all the horror she went through, just not as many. And then there's her newly found friendship with Chase, leaving her to wonder where that might lead her.
They are on the last leg of their journey home, and she looks at her sleeping twin sister setting next to her. She'd been reading, and the book is still laying in her lap with her hands on top of it. Logan snores, which makes Falon laugh. She wonders if anyone has ever told her she does.
She admires Logan, and thinks about how different they are. Of course they had different upbringing due to being separated at birth. She, like so many is also awed at Logan's pure strength and determination. Something she's come to find comforting about her as she looks out the window. She has these thoughts and many more about her sister, and about her own life.
Soon they are both awake, but quiet, as the train slows to a stop at the Folsom station. They are home. Out the window Logan looks to see if Gavin is there waiting for them to get off, and pick them up. He is.
THAT EVENING AT SUPPER the twins filled Gavin, and Catherine in on their trip. They told them about Mary and how she remembered them, and what happened to them at birth. They're also joined at dinner by the foreman Chase Wells this evening, at Falon's request. Solidifying that maybe there is something brewing between the two of them. Something that Logan and Falon talked about on their trip, and something that Catherine sees as well. She is so happy this is happening for Falon just as Logan is.
As the evening wore on and Gavin listened to the conversation. He continues to notice the stark differences between the twins. Something he has observed for several weeks now. He noticed right away the softer and more submissive
attitude of Falon. It became more apparent to him as she healed up from her ordeal with Belcher. She is quieter, softer spoken, and more reserved than her sister. No doubt as a result of her upbringing by her aunt.
It was a totally different experience for her growing up, than it was for Logan, who was raised by their drunken abusive father. Falon is a doer and gatherer, and Logan is a warrior who protects everyone she loves, and stubbornly so. He's known his wife for over fourteen years now, and is aware that she would lay her life on the line for this entire family, including him. Her last name has changed three times in just the past few years, but she has never wavered from knowing who she is. Comfortable in her own skin. He smiles, still listening to their conversation. They are both such beautiful, stunning women. Both great ladies in their own right. But he is still struck as to how remarkable it is, that these two women look so much alike, yet at the same time he is awed by how different they are.
43
That next morning after breakfast Logan comes back into the house, and goes up the stairs. She walks directly into her and Gavin's room, where she opens a drawer and begins to rummage around until she finds her other pair of bitches. Then she gets into the closet and where she locates her other gun and a holster. Then thinks, she's gonna need a hat so she grabs her old one—for her sister to wear.
After she gathers all of this stuff, she goes out the door and across the hall to Falon's room.
Falon is reading and looks up to see Logan standing in the doorway with an arm full of clothes,” hey what's up? She sees a hat, gun, and boots in Logan's arms.
“Remember, on the train you told me you didn't know how to shoot a gun, but would like to learn.”
“Yeah,” Falon exclaims!
“I said I'd teach you. Remember?”
“You did.”
“Well, as it turns out, I ain't got a whole lot of stuff pressing today, and I thought that you might like to ride out and I'll show you how to shoot. So put this stuff on, and then we'll go.”