Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2813652" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 92, “Leaving? What a good idea!“ Saturday, March 18th , 1882, 3:45 P.M. Shaw tells Jake, "We could leave these bodies behind that hill over there, but we don't have anything sufficient to move the bodies of the dead horses and cow so anyone coming along will know something happened here. Burning would signal any other Cowboys in the area and we didn't bring anything to bury with. I say behind that hill is best. Looking up at the sky Shaw says, "Time's a issue too. That storm will be along soon. Probably safer to leave the road if the Cowboys are riding it, we got lucky this time. If we leave before the storm hits the rain should wash away any tracks loose tracks we leave on the dry road and countryside. But if it starts raining first the cattle and horse's hooves will sink into the mud and leave a trail that anybody could follow." Humphrey Shaw and his ranch hands are busy checking the cattle. They ride back to where Emery is talking to Jake and Humphrey says, "Five of these cattle have Bar-W brands on them." Emery tells Jake, "That's the King Ranch, around eight miles south of here. That's half the distance to my ranch, I suggest we drive these animals there instead. Humphrey and Tim could ride on ahead and get Ashley King and his boys to ride back and help us, maybe meet us half way." Jake replies, "Fine, you know the area Mr. Shaw. What do we do next to get back to Promise City? Or isn't that viable. Some folks here need more medical attention and we are worried about some people in town who don't know what is happening with the Cowboy gang. I'm all for moving quickly." Emery says, "Let's stay together until we meet up with the Kings, you could then ride east. That would have you a few miles parallel the road until you're most of the way back." Emery Shaw then orders his son and men to each take a body and rides them over and dumps them behind the hill. Nanuet says, "Thanks for giving us some direction Mr. Shaw. I think we are all a little tired at this point." Nanuet helps the men finish any work that has to get done so that the group can move on. Shaw's ranch hands appreciate Nanuet's help moving the bodies. Once they are on the far side of the hill Humphrey Shaw calls Nanuet aside. He says, "Nanuet, I apologize for my father's comment earlier. You need to understand something about him. Back in the late fifties and early sixties Cochise went on the warpath and tried to kill every settler in these parts. Hundreds were killed, in fact we were one of the few families to survive. Ellen and I were just children then, Tricia hadn't even been born, but I remember my parents' fear. Things like that don't end. I appreciate what you've did in January, and my father does too, but he's too proud to tell you." Nanuet replies, "Well, I can certainly understand that, but I can say the same thing for white men, especially soldiers. All I ask for is to be judged on my actions, not my race. Thanks though, big of you to take a moment to explain that to me. Now, let's get these cattle moving." Jake throws an empty set of saddle bags over his shoulder and set's about looking over the bodies for valuables or information. Jake makes sure he gathers up all the guns and loose bullets he can find, just to be sure. The group leaves the roadway and head south. Humphrey Shaw and Tim Kiplin ride on ahead at a full gallop. The storm clouds roll in with the initial band of the storm consisting of violent thunder clasps and a short but vigorous downpour. The group is thankful to have experienced wranglers among them to keep the cattle calm. The storm then shifts to being only a light drizzle. As the riders from Shaw’s ranch ride ahead to stop Trish from riding off Ruby started to wake. She felt the wound in her shoulder start to throb. She felt the warm body beneath her, and Jake’s arms around her and she smiled. She turned her head towards his neck and snuggled her face up against him. She ran her hand up his thigh, then moved to kiss him. Just before their lips touched she opened her eyes and saw it wasn’t Jake, but Tricia Shaw. “You!” she said loudly, her eyes opening wide, “What do you think you’re doing?” Ruby jerked away from Tricia. The horse was now stopped so Ruby slid herself off, momentarily forgetting about her shoulder. As she slid off the horse the pain overwhelmed her, and her feet gave way. Ruby ended up on her knees, throwing up right at the feet of the woman who had tried to steal her man. After she finished vomiting she leaned back on her feet and wiped her mouth. She glanced at her shoulder, getting a good look at the wound, which was curious to Ruby, how it got so clean. Then she noticed her white shirt, except for the bloodstain, was completely soaked through and… transparent. 'Ok, rain solves that mystery' she thinks, shaking her wet hair around her. This was turning into one great day. Trisha dismounts to kneel by Ruby and touch her good shoulder gently. "It's all right," she says softly. "I'm trying to help you, Miss West. I was headed for town. To a doctor." She smiles, waveringly. "You're gonna be okay." "Trying to help me! You're trying to steal my boyfriend!" Ruby shakes off Tricia's hand from her shoulder, before putting her hand up to her mouth, trying not to throw up again. "What?" Trisha stands up, staring furiously down at Ruby. "If I was trying to make it with Jake, what in the hell would I be doing here with you?" Ruby slowly stands, her face growing paler, her eyes getting stormy. "You'd be standing here with me because Jake would NEVER go for someone like YOU, that's why. He's already got everything he'll ever need, and I'm sure he'd tell you that himself." Ruby's eyes narrow as she stands up tall, towering over Tricia. Trisha stares at Ruby for a second, going from angry to icy calm in a matter of seconds. "I ain't interested in Jake, Ruby," she says. "I know you don't believe me. I know what I said... but I ain't. I just needed my Pa to believe that." Ruby spits back, "Why should I believe you? You promised him anything he wanted, right in front of me." Then she wavers on her feet, her stomach churning on her. She steadies her self before continuing, slightly less angry, "Why would you need your father to believe that if it wasn't true?" "It's complicated," says Trisha. "It's just... it's complicated. But if he thinks I'm runnin' after your man, or half the guys round the ranch, just like Ellen does, well, he'll always be looking in the wrong place." She looks away from Ruby, towards her father, then back again. "And that suits us... I mean, it suits me just fine." "Us?" Ruby body relaxes at Tricia's explanation, well, everything except her stomach. She puts her hand flat on it, like it will help calm the nauseous ness inside. "So," Ruby says, quickly putting things together, "You got a boyfriend and don't want your father to know." Ruby gives Tricia a small smile, the only one she can muster. "Well, you said complicated. A man is the only thing in this world that truly is complicated." Ruby sighs, "I need to sit." She plops herself down on the ground again. She glances around for Jake, who is talking to Emery Shaw. Then she looks back up at Tricia. She continues with a serious tone, "Jake is the only thing I don't have a sense of humor about. You'd better not be lying to me. If you aren't lying, you and me could be great friends. If you are lying..." Ruby's voice trails off and she doesn't finish her thought. Trisha sits down beside Ruby. "I'm not lying. I swear, I ain't." There's a short, but fairly companionable silence. Then Trisha holds out one hand. "So," she says, "friends?" Ruby looks up at her, growing paler by the minute. She seems to telling the truth... She extends her hand, "Friends." Then she proceeds to throw up at her feet. Wiping her mouth again, "Sorry," she says sheepishly. "I need some bourbon, at least some whiskey, something to help with this," she nods towards her shoulder. Trisha nods and gets up to feel inside one of Reenie's saddlebags. After a minute or so, she fishes out a little hip flask. She unscrews the cap and holds it out to Ruby. "It ain't bourbon," she says, smiling, "but it's pretty good." Ruby takes the bottle from Tricia and takes a huge swig. "No, not bourbon, but then again, not much is." She takes another drink, "Aaahhhhh. Could you get..." Ruby's voice stops short. "Forget it. Help me get up please, I'm going to find Jake so we can get out of here." Trisha squats down and gently helps Ruby to her feet. "We're gonna be back in Promise City real soon, okay? Come on." Jake finishes speaking with Emery Shaw and comes to check on Ruby. He finds Tricia Shaw helping her up. Ruby's normally wild hair is stringy and stuck to her face, her shirt soaked, blood stained and adhering to her body, her face is pale, and all around her is evidence of someone had been sick. As she stands she is wobbly, holding onto Tricia with one hand and a small flask in the other. Her usually full lips are thin and light blue. "It's not every woman who can look this good without makeup." Jake says dryly. "Are you cold? Let me find you a blanket." She turns to Tricia and takes another swig before handing her back the bottle. "Thanks, that's some really good scotch. I guess you take after your father in that regard. You're coming back to Promise City?" Then she faces Jake, "You're such a good liar, Mr. Cook," Ruby gives him a small smile. "Yes, I'm cold and now that it got wet I doubt my jacket would fit. A blanket would be nice, or a warm body. Can we please get going? I don't want Nanuet to use his necklace on me but if we take too long he might have to." "Yeah," says Trisha, "I'm coming back." Once again, almost nervous, she looks across at her father, but he's not looking her way. She slips the flask back into Reenie's saddlebag, and makes a show of digging around inside them for something else, very careful not to look at Jake. "I think I have a shawl in here somewhere, if that'll do. That way we can get going..." another nervous look over her shoulder "...right now." Jake grabs the driest blanket he can find and gets Chester to move Jake's saddle and gear to a fresher horse. "Nanuet, can you gather everyone up and get us going?" Jake wraps Ruby up in the blanket and holds her to keep her warm, he hides the fact that he is nearly nodding off himself. When they are ready to leave, he mounts first and gets help bringing Ruby up. Before they ride he stows his sawed-off shotgun in the saddle bag and trades his long barrel pistol for one of the ones Katherine identified for him earlier, hoping he has no more use for guns today. Holding Ruby gently he says to Nanuet, "Indian, get us someplace safe and soon." Nanuet looks over at Ruby checking on her condition. He sees her talking with Tricia Shaw, the spitfire who seemed to have taken a liking to the group. He saw them exchange a flask and then saw Ruby drinking from it so he made his way over to the women. "Ruby you know better than to be drinking after you have lost so much blood! And if you didn't you know now. I am sure you think it will make you feel better but it ain't a good idea. Please refrain from drinking for now." Ruby looked at Nanuet with raised eyebrows, "Are you being serious. I GOT SHOT... What better time is there for a drink?" She continues softly, "I know you're trying to look out for me and I appreciate it." Ruby gives Nanuet a good looking at. "You know, you look pretty pale. Did you heal yourself?" Before she knew it Chester was lifting her onto Jake's horse. She calls out to Nanuet, "You better look at your own wound Mister!" Nanuet turns to the others. "I think we need to get moving. Ruby needs a doctor and getting cold and wet is not the best thing for her." Nanuet walks over and begins helping everyone get his or her gear together, mount back up and get going. Trisha hops onto Reenie again, looking about her. "Who's missing?" she asks. "We gotta round up Minerva, Chester and Kate, right?" Minerva walks her horse over to where Jake, Ruby and Tricia are standing. She says to Ruby, "Looks like you are ready to go home NOW." "Yes, I AM ready," Ruby replies to Minerva before she walks away. Ruby starts snuggling up to Jake, being very careful to leave her wounded arm hanging loose. "I'm warmer now, baby, thank you. I want to kiss you but, er, I'm not going to." She helps Jake wrap his arms around her and leans back into him. "I'll try not to sleep again, Nanuet says I should stay awake. I hope we can get home soon. I think it's a Kentucky Bourbon kind of day." Minerva states, “We should not linger any longer. It looks like we are all ready. Senor Jake be sure and hold her firmly, It will be an uncomfortable ride for her. Senorita Tricia, will you be accompanying us to Promise City? Perhaps you would like me to say something to your papa in your behalf? We would hate to see you miss my sermon tomorrow" she says with a wicked smile. Trisha smiles at Minerva, equally wickedly. "That'd be real kind, ma'am," she says. "I'd love to hear your sermon, if that's all right." "I shall see what I can do. I am sure that your papa will appreciate my interest in your spiritual well being. " she winks as she walks away toward Mr. Shaw. Kate had never gotten down off her horse, so she was ready to go. Ruby's bandage should really be changed after the soaking they got from the rain, Kate had even been in the process of finding out if she had enough left to do it when the others were mounting up again and twitching to go. She shrugged and rode up to the others so they would know she was ready. Nanuet smiled and was glad to hear that Ruby was at least acting like her usual self. He looked at the wound on his arm. It didn't look that bad. I have one healing spell left without utilizing the necklace. I had better hold onto it in case Ruby needs it or we run into something unexpected on the trip home." he thought. He says, "Speaking of Kentucky Bourbon I never did make it to Tombstone with that $50. I was planning on bringing a bottle back for you to celebrate your return from the Dead. Not sure I will be heading that way again any time soon though!" he added with a chuckle. The comfy smile quickly dropped off Ruby's face as she looked over to the Indian. "Nanuet, I'm really sorry, I mean, it's my fault you two were out here..." Kate noticed the wound untended on Nanuet's arm, surprised no one had even bandaged it. She rode up quietly next to him and started wrapping without interrupting his conversation with Ruby. He replies, "Awww, don't worry about that. It was my idea to come out here. As it turns out we had to face some of our demons anyway. If you think about it if I didn't get captured you guys would have not had to be out here getting shot at, rained on, forced to drive smelly cattle and various other unpleasantries. Besides, if I could do it over again I would have done the same." Ruby smiles at him again. "Thank you," she says simply. She nods to Kate, who is now bandaging Nanuet. "Let Kate take care of you, she's good at that." Nanuet ignores the both of them and then yells, "Hey Minerva, I thought you had a sermon to write? Let's get outta here!" Minerva says " You get started and I'll catch up. This will only take a second and Jake won't be able to move very fast anyway." Nanuet says, "True enough, I'll wait for you though if you don't mind." Minerva straightens her shoulders giving herself an air of solemn dignity and walks over to introduce herself to Mr. Shaw. She extends her hand in a formal greeting "Buenas Dias Senor, I am the Priestess Minerva Garcia Florencia, and I would like to thank you so very much for your assistance this day. You, Senor are certainly blessed by the gods to have such fine brave daughters. It would please me to take Tricia to Promise City and allow her to attend services tomorrow. It is difficult growing up in this wilderness and I am sure that it would benefit her spiritually to do so. I do realize that she is a headstrong girl and church will do her good. I can assure you that we will take very good care of her. Do I have your permission Senor? He says, "I'll have to think about that." “Now Jake please ride over to Shaw before we leave.” Jake guides the horse over and stops next to Emery Shaw. “Mr. Shaw,” she says extending her hand from up on Jake’s horse with only a slight grimace, “I must once again thank you for the kindness and help you’ve given me and my friends. As you could see,” Ruby says nodding to her shoulder, “We really needed it. And I still hope that you’ll find some time to come and hear me sing at the Lucky Lady. You won’t be disappointed,” As she talks Ruby flashes him a brief smile, all she can muster at the moment. “So promise me you’ll come soon.” She looks at him expectantly. “Farewell, for now.” With Minerva, Ruby and Jake all away near her father, Trisha turns to Kate with a shy smile. "Everybody patched up good?" Emery Shaw yells “Okay everybody, let’s ride.”</blockquote>

Verification