Frontier Courtship Part 2

The door to Maguire's Saloon swung back with a bang as he straight-armed it and headed for the bar. The place wasn't fancy red velvet and sparkling chandeliers like the plush parlors of San Francisco. Nor was it any cleaner than the rest of the fort. At each end of the bar stood gaboons, wooden boxes filled with sawdust, that served as poor men's spittoons. By the look of the floor, no one there took very good aim.

Connell scanned the crowd. Nearly a dozen men were dressed in the blue of the cavalry but only a few were as filthy and bruised as the guilty parties he was looking for had to be. Bellying up to the bar, the largest of the four was lifting a gla.s.s and laughing as another member of the disgusting quartet gave his impression of Faith's shocked facial expression after her fall.

Silent, Connell approached, his jaw set, his fists clenched. The loudmouth had reddish hair and a swollen eye as purple as a ripe plum. When Connell tapped him on the shoulder, he turned, still chuckling, with a sarcastic what-do-you-want? look on his face.

Connell reached up and whipped off the man's hat, turning it over to serve as a collection basket.

"Hey! What the...?"

"For the lady you boys hurt," Connell said. The low, menacing timbre of his voice was as threatening as his words. "Ante up."

The man cursed. "Now wait a..."

Connell had grasped the redhead by the shirtfront and hoisted him high in the air before anyone could interfere. As formidable as the soldier was, he was no match for such ferocious rage and brute strength. The others began to edge away.

"All of you," Connell shouted. "Freeze where you are and fill the kitty." His head c.o.c.ked toward the hat, which had landed on the bar when he'd grabbed the loudmouth. "Now."

He waited till three soldiers had complied before releasing the fourth. "Your turn."

"I ain't got no money to waste on no stupid settler."

Connell's fist connected hard with the man's jaw, sending his body sliding along the front of the bar where it finally came to rest in a heap near the gaboon. He gestured to the man's friends. "Pick him up."

The smallest of the three shook his head violently and backed away, his hands in the air. Thin and much shorter than the others, he'd obviously gotten the worst of the brawl. "No way. He wakes up, he'll kill me."

"Judging from what's left of your sorry face, it looks like he nearly did, already." Connell glanced at the remaining two. "You think your friend would be interested in making his fair share of the contribution?" He held out the hat. The few coins it contained c.h.i.n.ked together.

"Sure, sure. Ol' Bob, he's a regular fella. He just gets nasty when he's keepin' company with John Barleycorn, is all." The closest one reached into his companion's pockets and came up with a fistful of coins. "This do ya?"

When the soldier dropped the money into the hat, Connell gathered it in his hand, briefly calculated how much there was, then threw the empty hat across the face of its unconscious owner. "He wakes up, you tell him for me that the lady is much obliged."

"Yes, sir. Sure will."

Turning away, Connell stalked out. He was certain neither Miss Faith Beal nor Mrs. Morse would approve of his methods, yet they'd have had to admit they were effective. There was no need to go into detail when he delivered the "donations" to the women. It was enough to know that he'd righted a wrong. An innocent young woman wouldn't have to suffer more hardship because of the yahoos who'd harmed her.

Thinking about Faith's vulnerability, he took a deep breath and exhaled noisily as he reentered the trading post. Near the door, the pale girl with corn-silk hair still sat atop the filled sacks. White flour dusted the back and shoulders of her blue dress, a clear reminder of her fainting spell. An older man and several women were fussing over her. Unsure of whether or not to approach, Connell paused to listen to what they were saying.

"No! I can't stay here. I just can't," the girl whimpered. "Please, take me back to camp with you."

"Now, Miss Charity," the man was cajoling, "you'll be perfectly safe with Mrs. Morse. Your sister might need you."

"No! No, no, no." She stamped her small foot. "It wasn't my idea to come here in the first place and I'll not stay. I demand you deliver me back to Captain Tucker."

One of the matrons patted Charity's hand. "There, there, dear. Of course we'll see that you get to the captain. I'm sure your sister is in good hands."

Shaking his head in disgust, Connell watched them leave before he started for the staircase.

Anna Morse met him halfway up and solidly blocked his path. "Well?"

"The sister left," he said, scowling.

"Figures. What about the fellas what done the hurting? Did you clean their plows for 'em?"

"Enough to get their attention. I never did intend to start another set-to." He transferred the money he'd collected to the proprietress. "If you want more..."

"No need. This'll be plenty. I bandaged her myself. You was right. She's got a few sore ribs."

"You bound her tight?"

"'Course. I did fine and so did she. She's a s.p.u.n.ky one, that Faith."

Connell nodded. "That she is."

"Too bad about her ma."

They made their way to the base of the stairs, Connell in the lead. "Her ma?"

"Got kilt by the same twister that wiped out their house and most of their belongings," Anna told him. "That's why she and that worthless sister of hers are on their way to Californy to look for their pa."

"Alone?" Connell couldn't believe how many women tried to cross the plains without proper help or preparation. He didn't fault them for their courage, only for their lack of common sense.

"That's right. Ramsey Tucker's supposed to be lookin' after them. To my thinkin', they'd be better off all by themselves than trustin' him." Heading toward the busy young man who was trying to wait on three families at once, she slipped the coins Connell had collected into her ap.r.o.n pocket. "I'm comin', Will."

Connell followed and asked, "When does the Tucker train pull out?"

"Tomorrow." Anna smiled with understanding. "Don't fret. Our girl'll be able to travel just fine. Now, scoot. I got work to do."

It wasn't till Connell was outside that he remembered what Faith had said about having to drive her own team. Well and whole, she might be able to do it. Hurt the way she was, the pain would be dreadful. Besides, she might make her condition worse. Maybe even puncture a lung.

Muttering and gritting his teeth, Connell argued that Faith wasn't his concern. Irene was. He found his horse where the boy had left it, rechecked the cinch on his saddle, then mounted. It was time to head for Maguire's or some such place. The drink and eats he'd promised himself a whole lot earlier were way overdue.

Standing in the upstairs room in her chemise and drawers, Faith listened at the slightly open door, then quietly eased it closed. Thanks to the tight bindings around her midriff, she'd managed to get out of bed without too much discomfort. She hated corsets. Always had. But she had to admit wearing one might have spared her poor bones.

Placing her forehead and palms against the wood of the door, she closed her eyes for a moment, hoping that somehow, when she opened them again, her current predicament would prove to be no more than a bad dream.

Such was not the case. Breathing shallowly when she really wanted to sigh deeply, she straightened and took a long look at the room. The bed sagged in the middle where the ropes had stretched, but at least it was clean. Mrs. Morse had hung her soiled dress on a peg next to the pine washstand. On the floor in front of it was a small rag rug, just like the ones Grandma Reeder used to make, and laid across the foot of the bed was a plain lawn wrapper.

Barefoot, Faith crossed to the bed and slowly threaded her arms into the wrapper, folding it closed. The process was painful, though not nearly as bad as she suspected trying to put on her dress would be. Pensive, she tied the sash and padded across the cool wooden floor, in search of a breeze from the open window.

The wide, busy street lay below, it's clattering traffic an ongoing performance. Wagons of all shapes and uses were pa.s.sing, as well as riders and enough foot traffic to more than fill the fondly remembered old streets of Burg Hill. In the midst of all the hubbub sat a man in buckskin astride a giant horse the color of a rusty rose.

With a trembling hand, Faith drew aside the lacy curtains and studied the traveler who had so recently borne her to safety in his arms. It was a kindness she hadn't expected here in this wild country. She fingered her pendant and thought of home. Of family. Oh, how she wished her mother were there to be a companion in her travails, to understand her the way Charity never could.

Well, at least her Good Samaritan had the hope of someday finding his missing betrothed, Faith mused, looking down at him and stifling a tiny twinge of jealousy. She would never again see her dearest ones or the home place she'd loved, no matter how hard she wished or prayed or toiled.

Suddenly realizing she had taken her deliverance for granted, Faith was penitent. Not only had she been spared the fate her poor mother had suffered, she'd been rescued a second time since then. Given the unsympathetic reactions of the other travelers she'd encountered at the fort, it was a wonderment she was not still lying in a heap in the street.

In retrospect, Faith realized she'd drifted in and out of consciousness while being carried to the trading post. She'd felt the rumble of the man's voice beneath his buckskin shirt as he'd told the boy she'd fainted. There was also a vague recollection of a gentle hand on her face as someone touched her to brush back a lock of hair. Could that have been him?

Stepping in front of half of the curtain, she toyed with the loose curls that hung down over her shoulders. Decent, grown women didn't let anyone but their husbands see them with their hair thus, Faith reminded herself. And they certainly didn't stand in a window clad in nothing more than their chemise and a wrapper. Yet she didn't move away, even when the man's head tipped back and he gazed boldly in her direction.

Did he know who he was watching? He must. If not, why stare like that? There was plenty to see in the street below without bothering to peer into a tiny window fifteen feet above the entrance to the trading post.

Faith knew she should step back into the shadows. Displaying herself was indecent. Wanton. Still, there was the remembered touch of a hand on her cheek, the pounding of a strong heart beneath her ear as he bore her away in his arms, and the concern she'd glimpsed in his eyes as mental darkness had overcome her.

One more look, one more thought of intense grat.i.tude wouldn't hurt. She knew she'd never see the man again. He had a quest of his own-the search for his bride-while she must complete her own journey. That their divergent paths had crossed at all was amazing. She only wished she'd had an opportunity to thank him in person.

Wanting to memorize the image of her rescuer so she could later pay proper homage to his compa.s.sion, Faith swayed closer to the thick, white-painted cas.e.m.e.nt. Beneath his beard and mustache, she thought she saw a smile, though it was impossible to be certain at such a great distance. Hopeful, she raised her hand as if bestowing a blessing.

In reply, the man tipped his hat, then squared it on his head, reined his horse hard and rode off.

Faith's heart pounded as she watched him go. Clearly, he'd entered her life to profoundly influence it. No matter how far she traveled or how many more years she lived, she'd never forget him.

Sudden awareness made her breath catch. Of course! The man on the red horse had been the answer to her fervent prayers for deliverance. Accepting that notion tempered her perspective of the ordeal in which she was currently embroiled. Without his amazing intervention she might actually have died, alone and ignored.

And gone to be with Jesus, she countered, certain her lonely soul would approve of the idea, just as it had ever since her mother's fatal accident. This time, however, Faith found she was no longer looking forward to joining Mama in heaven. Yes, she wanted to see all her loved ones again someday, but her earthly tasks weren't complete. Not yet.

By proving she wasn't truly alone in her current trials, a heaven-sent stranger had inadvertently opened her eyes-and her heart-to the possibility of a bright, worthwhile future.

And she didn't even know his name.

Chapter Three.

Near evening, the sun turned the adobe walls of Fort Laramie a pale crimson. Myriad cooking fires were burning in the distant wagon camps. Anna brought Faith a bowl of warm gruel with pork tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs and a cup of broth made with boiled, dried vegetables.

"I'd a fetched you more if I'd figured you could hold it," she said, setting the small pewter tray down on the top of the washstand.

"Whatever you've made is fine." Faith managed a smile and arose with care, her bare feet silent on the wooden floor. Thoughtful, she paused. "I don't know when I'll be able to repay you for all your kindness. If I were going to be here longer I'd offer to work off my bill."

"Ain't necessary. It's been paid."

"But...how? Surely my sister didn't..."

"Not her. Forgive me for sayin' so, but she's about as worthless as a pocket on a pouch."

Blushing, Faith stifled a chuckle. The a.n.a.logy was funny and most apropos. "Then, how was it paid?" Tempted by the aroma of the hot broth, she raised the cup to sip while Anna spoke.

"Them fellas what busted you up took up a fine collection-with a little prodding."

Faith paused as the liquid trickled down her throat, warming her against the cool of the evening. "Prodding? I don't understand." But in her heart, she did. Unless she missed her guess, her buckskin-clad benefactor had once again come to her rescue. A faint smile began to lift the corners of her mouth.

Anna snickered. "From the look in your eye, I'd say you've got the right idea. Didn't see it happen, myself, but talk is, your Mr. McClain dusted the floor of Maguire's with them boys in blue."

"Oh, dear." Faith pressed her free hand to the base of her throat, over the mourning pendant. It was strange to hear the big man referred to as her Mr. McClain. So, that that was his name. was his name.

"Quite a sight, they say, and I can sure see why. That boy's a big one, all right. Strong as Finnegan's ox."

"He's hardly a boy," Faith observed, sipping more broth to cover her urge to smile at the ridiculous comparison. "Did he say what his given name was?"

Anna raised an eyebrow. "Can't say as he did. Why?"

"I just wondered."

"It's good you've got a friend like him, considering the mess you're in."

Lowering the cup of broth, Faith set it aside before taking advantage of the comment to ask, "When you say mess, are you referring to my injury, or to our business dealings with Ramsey Tucker?"

"Both. Mostly Tucker, I reckon."

Faith reached for the older woman's callused hands, clasping them tightly. "Please. I must know everything you've heard."

"You won't like it."

"Ramsey Tucker has made more than one inappropriate suggestion regarding my lack of a husband or father to care for me and my sister during the crossing. I'd hardly be shocked at anything you'd tell me about his character. He's detestable."

Nodding, Anna led Faith over to the edge of the rope bed and they perched together on the wooden frame. "You're right about him. He's pa.s.sed through here seven or eight times. I liked him less every time I laid eyes on him."

"But why? I've seen that he's cruel. He's even whipped my poor, innocent mules for no reason except pure meanness. But there must be more. I feel it."

"Maybe so. Not that I have any sworn word on it, mind you, but I hear your captain's been made a new widower on just about every trip." She paused, patting Faith's hands for comfort. "They say he picks out a woman of property, sidles up to her, and before she knows it they're married. Trouble is, his brides don't reach Californy."

Faith's eyes widened. "And he inherits?"

"Every penny. And all his dead wife's possessions, to boot. Makes himself a pretty piece of change, what with sellin' off their rigs and all."

"Oh, dear Lord!" Faith's hands fluttered to her throat again. "He started making up to my sister after I rebuffed him."

"That ain't good. Not good at all."

"I know. But what can I do? We have to get to my father somehow."

"Stay here then. Wait for the next train to come through and join up with them."

"We can't." Ringing her hands, Faith began to pace, oblivious to the pain in her side. "Tucker has most of the money I was able to raise by selling what was left of the farm. We can't afford to pay again. And we might not be able to talk another party into accepting us, even if we could. Not two women alone."

Shrugging, Anna got to her feet. "You're probably right about that." She reached into her ap.r.o.n pocket, came up with a fistful of coins, and placed them in Faith's hands. "Here. Take this. It's not much but it'll help."

"Oh, I couldn't."