Drifter – Part 19

By D

Chapter XXXVII

It was quite the little Posse that formed up around Mordecai Washburn as the sun peeked over the horizon early the next morning. He had several mercenaries at his beck and call to handle any kind of emergency that arose. Now they were packed and ready to move out to finally do something about Reb Stone. She'd been a thorn in his side damn long enough.

"So what's the plan, boss?"

"The plan?" Washburn snorted with contempt. "The plan is to take care of Reb Stone. She's an abomination and a troublemaker. It's time to rid the world of her filth."

The men rolled their eyes as they mounted their horses. They had heard Washburn's rhetoric more than once, and it was frankly a little old and somewhat annoying. He felt that way about everyone who was different from him... including them, but he was powerful and paid well so they let it go. Eventually, someone new would come along who could offer them more and Washburn would be history, but for now, he was their best option.

"Yeah, we got that part, boss," Riggins, the de facto leader spoke. "But do you have a plan on specifically how you'd like her to be taken care of?"

Washburn shook his head and clicked to his horse, knowing the entourage would fall in place as they progressed. "No," he admitted. "Not yet. I think we need to get there and see what we can find out. Then we'll make our plans accordingly. The way things have been going recently, she won't even do me the courtesy of being there when we arrive."

Riggins nodded. "I wonder what caused Reuben to go after her. I thought he was going to wait...." cutting his eyes towards the elder Washburn and wondering if he would get an answer.

Mordecai didn't respond. He wasn't going to admit that he had threatened Reuben to take care of the situation or he would see to it personally. He was seeing to it personally now, and that was enough. He never thought his eldest son would have been stupid enough to call her out like that. He should have ambushed her.

Riggins sat back in his saddle and pulled the brim of his hat down lower over his eyes. They had days of traveling to do – there was plenty of time. He'd work on worming it out of Washburn. It wasn't that it particularly mattered... Riggins simply wanted to know.

The caravan settled into a steady pace as the sun slowly moved up into the sky. It was going to be a long day.

************

Kitty and the girls dragged themselves out of bed early to see Donoma and Koko off. Kitty had tried to convince them to stay longer, but it was to no avail. Koko and Donoma were anxious to leave town and given their experience during their brief stay, no one could rightly blame them. So they were packed and ready to go first thing and the girls came downstairs to say a very short goodbye before returning to their beds for more sleep.

"I'm glad you came into town, Reb. It was lovely to meet the woman who holds your heart," taking Koko's hand and squeezing it gently. "It's nice to see you so happy – gives the rest of us hope." Koko blushed but she met Donoma's gaze with a smile. Kitty grinned at the two of them. "You are so good together." Kitty released Koko's hand and opened her arms to Donoma. "Do you think I could maybe get a hug?"

Donoma's eyes got big at the request but she stepped forward into Kitty's embrace. The hug was over in a bare moment, but Kitty's smile was huge. Koko nodded her head ever so briefly in approval. It was a giant accomplishment for both Donoma and Kitty and Kitty was proud to have earned Donoma's trust.

Big Mama came bustling out of the kitchen holding a wrapped bundle which she extended out to them. "Jus' a li'l sumpin' for de road," she explained. Koko accepted it, then gave Mama a brief hug. She stepped back and waited for Big Mama to speak to Donoma.

Big Mama took Donoma in a hug, not giving her a chance to refuse and almost smothering her in the process. She kissed the top of the blonde head and smiled as she released her hold on Donoma. "You'uns be careful goin' home now, chile. We wan' ya'll to be comin' back real soon."

"Thank you, Big Mama. We will," Donoma replied in slow, stilting English. "It was good to meet all of you as well." She stepped back, running into Koko with a thump. Donoma looked back with a smile and Koko grinned before motioning to the horses with an arched brow. Donoma nodded and they mounted their horses, then halted at a cry from up the street. Kitty remained, as did Big Mama, when Stephen Murphy arrived. He blew out a winded breath.

"You two take care, Stone," he said when he could speak. "I expect Old Man Washburn'll be heading this way and chances are he'll be out for vengeance. We haven't heard anything which is what makes me think that." He paused. "Gotta wonder why him and his boys seem so fixated on you. Even your being a woman and a bounty hunter ain't enough to explain all that."

"Maybe not, but it's just another reason for us to hightail it outta here, Murph. No sense in bringing more trouble to the folks of this town than necessary. Most of them have enough to deal with with their own petty hatred and bigotry. I wouldn't want to add to that any more than I already have," she added with a smirk.

"Seems like you could teach 'em a thing or two if you were of a mind."

"Probably not, Kitty. Some folks are too set in their ways to see beyond their own prejudice. You know that as well or better than any of us."

"You should come to People," Donoma commented unexpectedly.

Kitty blinked, then smiled. "Thank you, Donoma Chepi. That is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me," accepting it for the compliment it was intended to be. "One day I might just take you up on that."

"Keep your eyes open, Reb," Murphy cautioned again. "I really don't like...."

"Koko watch for Washburn – Donoma watch out for Koko."

Donoma's pronouncement made everyone smile. "Thanks, Mrs. Stone," Murphy replied sincerely. "I feel better knowing Reb's got someone watching out for her."

Koko glared at him. "I've been looking out for myself for a while now, ya know."

"No longer, Koko Kanti. Donoma Chepi look out for you now," Donoma stated unequivocally. Her stare was equally intense and she met Koko's blue eyes squarely.

"As long as we are together, ka'eskone," Koko assured, shifting back to her native tongue, "I would expect no less. I may be the protector, but you have always taken care of me as well." She cupped Donoma's face in her hand, but the clearing of a nearby throat brought their attention back to the present and their surroundings. Koko looked at Kitty inquiringly.

"You two are cuter than two bugs in a rug," Kitty said, though her pronouncement made Donoma's nose crinkle up in disgust. "But I'm not altogether sure you wanna be sharing that image with some of the folks in this town."

"I don't rightly care what the folks in this town think, Kitty. I never have. But you're right – they don't deserve to share in what Donoma and I have between us." She turned to the marshal. "You'll let me know what you find out or if you hear anything I need to be aware of?"

"Of course, Reb... you don't even have to ask."

"Thanks, Murph. We'll be in touch."

"Come back soon," Kitty commanded. "Big Mama and I'd love to visit more."

"We'll see what we can do," Koko stated and then she and Donoma headed their horses towards the open plain, heedless of the many eyes that followed them down the street before the disappeared into the horizon. Kitty, Murphy and Big Mama watched them go before they all turned back to the saloon.

"I gots me a bad feelin' 'bout all dis," Mama said solemnly. "Them young'uns gots a hard road ahead of dem iff'n Old Man Washburn comes a lookin' for 'em."

"We'll keep our eyes and ears out, Mama. I have a feelin' this could get ugly for the lot of us before it's all over."

Murphy nodded his head in agreement. "I'm afraid you might be right there, Kitty. Now I've got work to do and you probably need a little more rest. Something about this whole situation's not sitting right with me and I need to find out what it is."

Kitty snorted. "The whole situation's all wrong as far as I'm concerned, but I think I know what you mean. Hopefully you'll figure it out in time." She leaned up and kissed his grizzled cheek. "I'll see you later, Stephen." Then she and Big Mama headed indoors. Murphy walked back down towards his office, letting his mind run over the facts he had, trying to place what was bothering him about the whole scenario. Something just didn't make sense.

************

"So what did you think of your first trip into white man's world, ka'eskone?" Koko asked later that evening when they were curled up together snugly in their cabin home.

"I think it is very loud, and I am glad I do not have to live there all the time. It would make my head hurt incessantly." She hesitated. "Perhaps that is why so many of them are so cranky – they must be in constant pain to be forced to live so."

"I suppose it is a possibility, Donoma, though I believe much of it is learned behavior. We do the same thing... just not to the same degree." Donoma cocked her head in question. "There are tribes we go to war with simply because we have been taught that they are the enemy."

"Are you saying we are like the white man, Koko Kanti?"

"Oh no, ka'eskone. We are very different from the white man in many ways... in most ways, if the truth be known. We live differently, think differently, believe differently. But there are similarities as well. I just do not think that the similarities will ever be enough to overcome the differences until men learn to see them first. And I do not think that will happen in our lifetimes... if at all."

"Is that not a pessimistic view of the world, warrior?"

"I do not believe it is, ka'eskone. It is an honest one. The world would be a much different place if we did not see skin color or gender or belief before we saw human being. But always it has been this way – we see what is different and we exploit what is perceived to be weakness. In the white culture that means conversion to their way of thinking and destruction of anything that does not fit their mold of society."

"So it is all right that I did not particularly care for the white man's world? Now do not misunderstand... I was glad for the chance to meet Miss Kitty and Big Mama and Stephen Murphy. But I did not care for the staring we endured. It was unnerving."

Koko smiled, and gently stroked Donoma's back, feeling her relax into the light touch. "Would you like to know the ironic part of that, ka'eskone? The ones doing the staring were more unnerved than you were – hence the reason for their staring. They were trying to figure you out without looking you in the eye. They are certain you could hex them if they did so."

Donoma tilted her head up to look at Koko incredulously. "If I could do that, Koko, we would rule the world and the white man's influence would not be so widespread."

Koko laughed at the seriousness with which Donoma delivered her decree and Donoma was quick to join in nthe merriment. "So true, ka'eskone... but what would we do with the world?"

"We tried that once, as I recall; did not really care for it then either." Then she blinked and looked at Koko in confusion. "What did I just say?"

"Nothing I can disagree with at the moment." Koko blew out a thoughtful breath. "I thought they were simply strange dreams."

"Perhaps they are, warrior. They just seem so real sometimes." They gazed at one another for several heartbeats before Donoma blinked and put her head back down over Koko's heartbeat. "I suppose this is something we will need to talk about."

"Perhaps," Koko conceded. "But it will come in our way and in a time of our choosing. Until then, I think it is safe to say we have shared many lives together. Consequently, it could be one reason behind my warrior aptitude and your gift of sight."

"It would go a long way to explaining much. Do you believe we are destined then?"

Koko thought about the question, giving it due deliberation. "I believe we are meant for one another, but that we make the choice to allow it to happen. Had I not ended up in the winter encampment, we would still be separated by my misguided choice. I can honestly say I would have stayed alone, though. There would have been no one else in my life."

"Mine either, warrior. I would have lived alone by choice. So maybe it is a little of both – choice and destiny."

Koko tightened her embrace and kissed the top of the blonde head tucked under her chin. "I am glad we made the choice to embrace our destiny then, ka'eskone. I am very happy."

"As am I, warrior mine... as am I."

************

It was slow going across the prairie. The spring rains had made everything muddy and the horses weren't terribly thrilled having to traverse through it constantly. It was wearing on both horse and rider and it caused Riggins to call for an early halt. Washburn immediately looked to him for an explanation.

"There's no point in traveling until we're all ready to drop, boss," Riggins said patiently. "We have all the time we need to get there and take care of Stone. But it'd be in our best interests to make sure we all get there. The horses are tired and we've made good progress. We'll head out again early tomorrow morning."

"Maybe we should wait until a little later in the day when things have had a chance to dry out a bit more," acknowledging the wisdom of Riggins' decision without actually having to say so.

"We'll see how it looks in the morning, boss. You may be right," knowing it would make little difference but not seeing a reason to point that out to Washburn at the moment. It'd been a lot of years since Mordecai Washburn had ridden any sort of trail that didn't end with him in his own comfortable bed at night, and Riggins figured he would learn as they went.

They staked their horses a short distance from themselves, allowing plenty of space between them so there was plenty of grass for each animal. Then they spread out into a circle, clearing a bit in the center to set up a firepit and placing their bedrolls around it. After that, it was a matter of waiting until they could sleep to pass the time until the could hit the trail again.

************

Murphy sat in his office, thinking over what Ginger had shared with him, Reb and the Colonel the day before. Something about what she had said didn't make much sense. She indicated that men in general and soldiers in particular had a tendency to spill secrets when in the presence of Kitty's girls. And while he had no doubt that it was true, what she had shared with them hadn't been much of a secret.

He let his mind review what Ginger had said.

"They were out looking for horses under orders, but Leroy was looking for more. At least that is what the soldiers that were traveling with him believed."

"But what was he looking for?" Ginger crinkled her forehead. Spencer sighed. "What was Leroy looking for aside from the horses? He was only under orders to find horses."

Ginger shrugged. "I dunno. They haven't said. Just that he seemed to have his own agenda. I got the feeling they thought it had something to do with Black."

"But you don't know for certain."

"No. It's not like I can force them to share... especially when they talk in their sleep."

Spencer leaned back in his chair. The information was less revealing than he had hoped for. A look at Murphy and Stone showed nothing at all in their expressions, and Spencer wondered if they were as frustrated as he felt. He blew out a breath and excused himself, citing a need to get back to the fort to let Mordecai Washburn know of the death of his eldest son.

Murphy came back to the present with a sigh. He was convinced Ginger knew more than she was telling. The question was – who was she hiding the information from... him, Reb or Spencer. He looked at the clock on the wall, surprised to see it was nearly lunch time. He decided to take a walk back down to the saloon. Talking to Kitty and Big Mama might help clear his mind; it might at least give him a place to start finding out what Ginger really knew.

He walked slowly down the sidewalk, greeting the shopkeepers and merchants along the way. Several of them asked after Reb and Donoma, but as far as he could tell, it was mostly benign curiosity. None of the old biddies bothered him, making it a point to pass on the opposite side of the street. Murphy just chuckled as did most of the men he spoke to.

Finally, he reached the saloon and walked around to the back, knocking on the door and waiting for Big Mama to invite him in. He doffed his hat and took a seat at her table at her beckoning, folding his hands and waiting for her to put a plate of food in front of him. Then he still waited for her to join him. Instead she motioned to him to eat.

"Ya knows I cain't stop in de middle ob lunch, Marshal. Wha's on ya min'?"

Kitty walked in about then, brushing a kiss to Murphy's temple and accepting a plate of food from Big Mama. She took a seat and picked up a fork, digging in and waiting for Murphy to speak.

"You both know I talked to Ginger yesterday, but I got the feeling she wasn't completely honest with me. But I don't know if she didn't want to talk to me or if was Reb and Spence she was uncomfortable with."

"Maybe you should ask her, Stephen. I don't think you're the one she's uncomfortable with."

He sighed and grabbed his own fork, chewing several mouthfuls thoughtfully before taking a sip of coffee. "Will you ask her, Kitty? I think she will be honest with you, and I really do think she knows more than she was willing to share."

"I'll see what I can find out, Stephen, but I'm not going to force her to share if she doesn't want to. We hear a lot in this line of work – not all of it's pleasant."

"I know, Kitty. But I think this is important."

Kitty nodded. "I'll do my best and let you know when I hear something." She got up and took her empty plate to the sink, washing it clean before returning upstairs. Murphy watched her go, then turned his attention back to Big Mama. He arched an eyebrow at her, but she just shook her head and went back to cooking. He finished his food without another word, then cleaned up, kissed Mama's cheek and headed back to his office. There was still work to do.

Chapter XXXVIII

"You have been very quiet, ka'eskone. Is something troubling you?"

"I am somewhat confused, Koko. I do not understand why Big Mama's language is so different from everyone else's... even mine... nor do I comprehend how her skin became so dark. None of the People I have ever seen have had skin as dark as hers is."

Koko smiled, recalling her own first reaction to Big Mama... and everything that followed that meeting. "Big Mama is a runaway slave, Donoma. Her Nahko'e's Nahko'e was brought to this country on a slave ship from somewhere very far away. Because she was born a slave, she was never allowed to learn how to read and write. It was considered a crime for her to do so."

"That is terrible, warrior mine. Who would make such a rule?"

"The same men who would try to force the People onto reservations. Those who see us as less than them... less than human."

"Why? Who are they to judge? Who are they to make such decisions for anyone?"

Koko shook her head. "I do not know, ka'eskone. I only know that they do."

"So has she learned to read since she ran away from those who would make her a slave?"

"A little," Koko replied with a soft smile. "It is very difficult for her. But her sons Elijah and Thomas both learned. They went back east to go to school."

"Did you teach them, Koko Kanti? Did you teach Big Mama's sons to read and write the white man's tongue – as Rae'l did for me?"

"I did, ka'eskone. I felt they deserved the opportunity to be more than they were being allowed and they did well. She is hoping for their soon return. They will have better opportunities here – despite the bigotry that is prevalent. It is apparently much worse to the east. I tried teaching Big Mama as well, but it was very slow going for her and that made it frustrating. Besides, as she put it, it took too much time away from her work and she needs the money she makes at the saloon to support herself."

"Has she no warrior of her own to protect her? Or no advisor to look after her interests?"

"She had a husband – he was unable to get away when she escaped from slavery. She has no idea if he still lives."

"That is terrible, warrior mine. Such a heavy burden to bear."

"Yes, as we both know from experience. I would not wish that sort of separation on anyone. Perhaps in time her man will return to her. And if not, her sons should return to her soon. That will be a happy day for her."

"As will our return to the People for Litonya and Takoda, no matter how brief the visit."

Donoma wording made Koko's eyes widen and she turned to look at her expression, which remained serene. "You have been thinking?" she finally asked.

Donoma shrugged. "A little. I am not convinced it would be in the best interests of the People for us to return to them on a permanent basis. As you have said, until and unless you retire, there will always be those who will hunt you down to avoid their own capture. And even then, as long as we remain in the area, there is always a chance someone will bring their fight with you to them."

"That is all very true, ka'eskone. What would you propose?"

"I do not know yet, warrior. I do like the home you have created here...." Donoma let her thoughts trail off pensively. Koko picked up her sentence easily.

"But, it is still too close to the white man's civilization to be truly safe for us."

"Yes... exactly. And as much as I would like to remain for now, I do not believe it would ultimately satisfy either of us to stay here for an indefinite length of time."

"So where does that leave us?" Koko had already come to her own conclusions, but she was enjoying listening to Donoma think aloud. The horses ambled on as the sun continued moving overhead, the spring breeze keeping it on the cool side of comfortable.

"I think that depends on us, warrior. Do we want to put down roots here? Move somewhere else? Go back to the People? Or strike out on our own... go somewhere no one would find us – somewhere that even the People do not know of? There are many choices for us to consider."

"What would you like to do, ka'eskone? Not what you think I want or what would make the People or Kitty or anyone else we know happy, but you."

Donoma bit her lip thoughtfully as she deliberated the choices she had already laid out for Koko. "What I would like," she said after a few moments of silent riding, "is the ability to see the outcome of each choice." She smiled ruefully at Koko who gave her a sympathetic expression in return. "I know... that is not the way it works, but it does not keep me from wishing it was so."

"It would be nice. But it does not change the fact that this is something we need to decide for ourselves without guidance."

"How long should we remain here, Koko?"

"We move at our own whim, Donoma. The only thing keeping us here is us. However," she added, "I think it is safe to say that if Mordecai Washburn is coming into town to do more than retrieve Reuben's body – if he is coming to exact revenge for whatever injustice he believes has been perpetrated against his family – he will not let it go without a fight. If we do not face him here, he will follow us."

Donoma sighed. She had expected as much, but hearing it said brought a whole new level of reality. "Then we need to deal with Washburn before we make any sort of decision about the future. I have no desire to have that kind of threat hanging over us for the remainder of our lives."

"Nor do I, ka'eskone. We will hope Washburn is not as stupid as his sons, but I do not hold out much hope for that. Especially if they were doing something illegal."

"You believe that they are, though."

"Yes – it is the only thing that makes sense. Why else would they be so insistent that I was? Usually those who accuse have something to hide themselves."

"I hope that this is over with quickly then. I have no desire to live under this cloud any longer than is absolutely necessary. I am ready to simply live my life with you."

Koko's smile was wide and genuine. "As am I, Donoma." Then silence fell as they continued their journey home.

************

“You are sure of this Takoda?” Odahingum asked much later – after they had spoken at length with Hassun. “You are aware that we are more than half a moon’s travel from the white man’s world where Koko Kanti and Donoma Chepi have been living? That it will have been a full moon from the time Koko Kanti sent him to us that Hassun returns to them? What good can it do to put our clan in danger by accompanying him, Takoda?”

The shaman shook his head. “I cannot say for certain, my friend. I only know what the Great Spirit shows me.”

The chieftain huffed. “It would be nice if for once the Great Spirit would speak plainly instead of with vague signs and warnings. Surely it would be easier for him as well.”

Takoda snorted. “You sound much like my nahtona, Odahingum. She does not care for the vagueness nor the interpretations she is left to make from the visions she is given. She feels straightforwardness would be much more effective.”

“I tend to agree,” Odahingum said solemnly.

“So do I,” Takoda confessed. “But we must work with those things we are given.”

“And you feel we should move the People back towards the white man’s territory instead of continuing on towards the summer camp?”

Takoda shook his head. “I cannot say with certainty, Odahingum. I think it might be best if we split the tribe – with some of the warriors and all the women and children continuing on to the summer camp. The rest could accompany Hassun back to the town to aid Koko and Donoma in whatever challenge the Great Spirit is sending their way.”

“You believe this to be for the best? Even with the amount of time and travel involved for all parties?”

“I believe I was given the vision for a reason, but I am not convinced of anything yet. I only know that we must do something, for if we do nothing, the consequence could be dire for Donoma and Koko.”

“Could be? Then you are unsure?”

“I am unsure,” Takoda confirmed. “Nothing is clear and yet the feeling that the vision gives me is ominous... very disturbing.”

“You do not believe they will survive without our assistance?”

Takoda shrugged, growing more and more frustrated. He had told Odahingum all he saw and yet the chief still questioned him. “I do not know, Odahingum. All that is clear is that they are in imminent danger. The rest...?” He shrugged again.

Odahingum thought about Takoda’s words. “Very well. I will instruct a small party of warriors to accompany Hassun. Traveling by horseback, it should not take them as much time to reach Koko and Donoma as it would on foot. With luck, the warriors will arrive in plenty of time to be of some use to prevent whatever it is that threatens Koko Kanti and Donoma Chepi.”

“Thank you, Odahingum. I believe that is a wise choice.”

Odahingum sighed. “I hope so, Takoda... for all our sakes.”

************

"Mr. Washburn?" Mordecai looked up into the face of the youngest cowboy along on this trip. He reminded the old man a little of his sons but it didn't garner him any sympathy. Washburn nodded and gestured for the young man to continue.

"I was just wondering how long we expect to be on the trail."

Washburn stared at the cowboy a while longer, smirking when he started to fidget under his penetrating gaze. "What's the matter, boy? You got a hot date back at the ranch house I need to know about? Or maybe you're looking forward to screwing some of those whores in town?"

"Yessir... something like that."

"Well, keep it in your pants, boy. It's gonna take us the better part of a week before we get to town. And then we've got business to attend to once we get there. There won’t be screwing of any kind until Reb Stone is dead by my hand. You got it?"

The cowboy swallowed hard. "Yessir," the kid replied before swallowing again and turning to walk away from Washburn as rapidly as he could manage without actually running. Mordecai watched him go with a smirk on his face. Riggins walked over chuckling and squated across the fire from Washburn. Mordecai arched an eyebrow at him.

"Sorry, boss. That was funny. In fairness, Harry's a good cowboy... as hardworking as they come, but he's young. Doesn't always think with his big head."

"He's lucky I remember being that young and stupid once. But remind him what happens to stupid cowboys."

"Will do, boss." Riggins cleared his throat. "Looks like we've got more bad weather coming in. We gonna push through it or try to wait it out?"

"We'll see how it looks in the morning, but I wanna push through as soon as possible. It's already going to be a week getting there without delays and I don't want this to take any longer than necessary. Stone deserves to be punished for what she did to my family and I intend to make her pay."

"And if she's not there?"

"In town? I don't expect her to be. According to what the boys said and my current sources, she no longer lives there. She only visits occasionally to speak to the marshal and visit Kitty," Washburn spat with revulsion. "Otherwise she is out chasing outlaws or living in her little log cabin. All we have to do is wait for her to come to us."

"So we're not gonna chase her down?"

"Hell, no! What would be the advantage to that? We can set up an ambush and wait for her to come to us. Then," he took aim and pulled an imaginary trigger. "She dies.. but *only* at my hand. Make sure the men understand that - they are there to contain her, but the killing shot is mine alone."

"All right, boss. I'll take care of it."

"See that you do, Riggins. I don't want any rash misunderstandings on that point. Because someone will pay for their disobedience if anyone other than me kills Stone. She owes me, and I'm going to collect – preferably slowly and painfully."

"Yessir, boss."

"Good. Now get out of here and leave me to my peace. We start out at daylight tomorrow if the weather is good."

"And if it's not?"

"We'll decide in the morning." Riggins nodded his head but didn't say another word. Instead, he rose and headed back to his own bedroll, hoping the storm that was coming held off until the morning. A good night's sleep would be appreciated. Tomorrow would bring new challenges to face - Riggins just wanted a bit of decent rest before being forced to meet them.

************

It had been slow all evening and Kitty had decided to call it a night. She gestured to Benny who nodded his understanding, then took Ginger by the hand and led her upstairs to her room. The other girls just watched, knowing the two women had a different relationship with one another than they shared with the rest of them. Besides, Kitty had been jumpy all evening – with a little luck, Ginfer would be able to get her to relax.

Ginger followed Kitty into her room and waited for the older woman to shut the door before turning on her. “All right, Kitty... what’s up? You’ve been twitchier than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, and I don’t think it’s got anything to do with what you and I normally do when we come up here together early like this either.”

Kitty grimaced. “You’re right, though there may be some of that later,” she added with a rakish grin. Then her expression fell and she sighed. “What do you really know about the Washburns and what is goin’ on? Stephen is convinced you know more than you were willin’ to share with him and the others.”

“So you’re doin’ the Marshal’s dirty work now?” Ginger sneered, then immediately felt remorse at the hurt look that passed swiftly over Kitty’s face. “I’m sorry, Kit. I’m tired and this whole situation has just creeped me out, ya know?”

“No, I don’t, so why don’t you tell me so I will?”

“The Washburns were horse thieves – head of a gang of ‘em from what I could gather - only they were doin’ it legally... skimmin’ the best of them from the Army before the Army got ahold of ‘em.”

Kitty blinked rapidly as the words spilled forth from Ginger’s lips. “What?? How do you know this, Ging? And why didn’t you tell the Marshal when he asked?”

“My corporal, Max?” waiting for Kitty to nod her head in recognition. “He went out a lot with them huntin’ for new herds. He said not near the horses they found ever made it into the Army corral. Said that somehow they always seemed to lose the best part of the herd a day or two out from the post to fellas who didn’t seem to disturb whoever was on watch, and that generally, Leroy was the one watching when it happened.”

“And he didn’t feel the need to bring it up to someone? You didn’t think you should share this with Stephen... or me?”

“Who was he gonna bring it up to, Kitty? Leroy was his commanding officer and Reuben was the next up in the chain of command. That’s sorta like cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

Kitty nodded in understanding. “Okay, I can accept that, but then why not tell Stephen?” coming back to part of her original question. “And why involve Reb? That last seems kinda like poking a bear with a stick – you know there’s gonna be a bad reaction.”

Ginger shrugged. “That I don’t know, but I’m thinkin’ she messed up their little operation more’n once by pickin’ up certain outlaws. Somebody had to move them horses once they left the Army’s care and odds are it wasn’t law-abidin’ citizens.”

Kitty stared at Ginger in amazement. “How’d you figure all that out?”

“Talkin’ to the Marshal got me to thinkin’. A lot of it is just speculatin’ on my part at the moment, but it seems to sorta make sense.”

“So why haven’t you talked to the Marshal about this, Ginger?” Kitty asked in a fierce whisper, not wanting her voice to carry with her upset. “Why didn’t you tell him this the other day when he and Reb were sitting right there waiting for you to tell them all this??”

Ginger turned burning eyes to Kitty. “Because the Colonel was sitting there with them. And I don’t know him well enough to assume his guilt or innocence one way or the other! I was waiting for the Marshal to come see you so I could talk to him up here without raising suspicions!”

Kitty’s ire calmed considerably with Ginger’s explanation and she moved forward to take the other woman in a hug. “All right, sweetheart... I’m sorry. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you because of this... God knows. I just don’t want to see anything happen to Reb either and I don’t think Washburn’s gonna let this lie this time.”

“Probaly not,” Ginger agreed, holding on to Kitty and tucking her head beneath the other woman’s chin absorbing the comfort she offered. “I got the feeling from Max that the old man was the one running things, so I’ll bet he’ll be here as quick as he can to take care of stuff.” A rumble of thunder shimmied through the air. “With any luck, it’ll take him a few extra days with this weather.”

“And meanwhile we can make some plans of our own. But first,” leading Ginger to her bed, “we need some rest. We’ll worry about the rest tomorrow – there’s nothing we can do til then without raisin’ suspicions anyway.”

“Nothin’?” Ginger asked with a wicked twinkle as she stripped down to her skivvies.

Kitty laughed and did the same, then blew out the lantern before crawling into bed behind her.

Part 20

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