Chapter III
By Sherry Whitten
Caitlin stomped a foot in frustration at his abrupt, rude dismissal of her, hands clenched at her side. "A pox on ye, William Cody!" she shrieked hotly at the disappearing rider.
It didn't matter that the words landed on ears too far away to hear. A satisfaction sprang up in her that the curse was recorded in memory.
She stewed silently, then turned to face five curious pairs of eyes. They stood, studying her as if she were some infamous artifact on exhibit.
Caitlin chewed worriedly at her bottom lip, regret heavy in her that these people should be standing observers of her nasty temper. Then she recognized a mischievous gleam in a set of cool, friendly eyes, a grin mocking in amusement.
"I take it you two know each other," Kid quipped, tongue-in-cheek.
"Aye," she nodded, stepping forward in apology. "Sure and it's sorry I am ye had to be witness to such a sightless spectacle! Willie and I always did get on like a gale wind in a forest fire." She shrugged a helpless shoulder, her eyes glancing toward the way Willie had exited. "I fear hell was blazin' between us when he left."
"Looks like it still is." Jimmy studied the woman. Her beauty caused his heart to trip again, and his chest felt heavy and constricted as he suddenly found it hard to breathe. When her eyes met his Jimmy felt the full impact of blue fire - if indeed there was such a thing. His hands started trembling, and his head felt dizzy. He shook his head to clear it. Geez! He hoped he wasn't about to be sickening with something or coming down with a fever!
She nodded in weary response to his observation. "Aye...I reckon it still is."
As she stood before him, he couldn't help but soak in her appearance with greedy eyes. Her clothes were soiled with dried mud, her hair mussed and wild. Her face was streaked, which Jimmy suspicioned were earlier paths of tears. If he were betting, he'd wager Billy was right and the girl was in trouble.
Though she stood erect, eyes on him dead-on, Jimmy noted her hands clenched in unease. He moved forward with an easy smile. "Shoot, Billy rubs everybody raw now and again."
"Ye'd be Willie's friends?"
Jimmy cocked his head with a saucy grin, "I guess that depends on if you'll hold it against us if we admit to it. I'm Jimmy. This is Buck, Ike, Kid, and Lou."
The riders all murmured greetings, still a little awe-struck by the stranger.
"I'd be Caitlin O'Riley. Sure and it pleasures me to meet you."
He caught her outstretched hand, his eyes level on her. Jimmy felt drawn by her power. He took a cautious, mental step backward. He didn't know the relationship between Billy and this woman, but he knew it was volatile. The woman had arrived out of thin air - a woman who had 'danger' written all over her, and Jimmy knew instinctively she would drain every scrap of a man's emotion.
A man was a fool who stepped off a cliff on purpose.
Caitlin was busy with her own observations. They were a hodge podge group, but she easily recognized the bond between them - not blood - but perhaps just as strong. She could read the fire in the eyes of Jimmy - and there was also a light of restlessness. It was easy to read because she saw it every morning when she looked in the mirror.
Her eyes traveled to the pair standing side by side. They made a strong couple, but Caitlin wondered why such a fine looking girl dressed in masculine clothes. If one didn't know the difference, one might think the poor little thing was a boy!
Her eyes passed to Ike. She was curious about him as he had yet to speak. She smiled and nodded a greeting. He blushed.
Then her eyes slipped to Buck. He was Indian, and not pure at that.
His hair was black and straight. The angles of his bronze face were sharp and chiseled. His clothes were that of a white man, his feet shod with knee- length boots. A knife was strapped to the side of his outer leg for easy reach.
His eyes were guarded, but steady. She studied him blatantly, but Buck read simple curiosity there instead of the usual ugly vocal intolerance of his presence. He lifted a dark eyebrow in awareness of her gaze.
Caitlin felt an instant bond. They were alike in that they were both outsiders. While everyone else seemed to slip nicely into their place, they were like - like a round hole fitted for a square peg.
Buck recognized the expression of solitary existence in her eyes. He knew she was aware of what it was like to be different, never quite fitting in. It was a life to be lived every day. One reason he was still at the station was that it was the only place he felt he belonged. The riders were his equal. He was theirs.
Their hands clasp in firm, instant friendship.
"'Tis fate that has a strange sense of humor at times, eh?"
He shrugged with an easy smile, reading the message in her eyes. She understood that some were set apart for reasons unknown to them at the time - whether they wanted it or not. "Looks that way."
"Perhaps 'tis because fate knows those strong enough to survive - and do what's needin' done."
His lips twitched in amusement. "Are you a philosopher, Miss O'Riley?"
"Nay, no philosopher," she denied, a smile beaming forth as she admitted dryly, "'Tis a fact Poppa always said if I'd put me thoughts in motion before my tongue, the world, and his piece of mind, would be a happier place."
"You father sounds a wise man."
"Aye, he was." Her smile died as a shaft of grief overwhelmed her in her weakened state. Flashing lights exploded behind her eyes again, and a hand moved to her aching head. "Forgive me, but might there be some place I can sit for just a while?" Weakness took a grip on her legs, and Caitlin feared she might collapse a second time.
Buck caught an arm in support before she fell.
Jimmy moved forward, gripping the other. He took note of her pale face and knew she was standing by sheer willpower alone. "Come on...sit up in the wagon. Our station is only a couple miles from here."
She hesitated. "I'll not want to be imposin'." It ate at her to have to take handouts, and it stuck in her craw to be at the mercy of fate. "I've no money with me. I fear I left in rather a hurry."
He tossed away her misgivings. "Don't worry about it. Emma thrives on company...and imposition."
At the wagon, Jimmy grasp her around the waist, lifting her up onto the wagon seat. She was soft and warm...all woman. His heart stirred and inwardly his gut continued to ache. Emma's sandwiches must not have agreed with his belly for some reason.
Her brows drew together in a frown, vexed within herself that she should cause such a stir. "Ye're sure I'd be no bother?"
"Don't worry..." he gave her a smile of encouragement. "If Emma can put up with Billy she can put up with anybody."
"He'd be stayin' there too?"
Jimmy found himself irritated that her sudden smile came with thoughts of Billy. "Yep."
So...he'd finally ended up with such a fine group of people. Caitlin found an ease in her heart that he'd found a home after being alone the past three years. "Sure and it pleasures me that he found such a fine family to care for him."
He read the relief in her eyes and felt a shaft of annoyance. With set teeth he took note of her weary companion and knew they'd been riding long and hard. "I'll just hitch your friend to the back, and we'll be on our way."
"Aye, poor Kip." Her vision followed his and narrowed on the black horse standing nearby. Usually vitally charged with surplus energy, he now stood as limp as Caitlin felt. "I dare say he'll not be forgivin' me soon. He'll more than likely sulk for days to come."
Jimmy sent her an easy smile of encouragement. "Don't worry...we're used to the sulks. Billy sulks all the time."
It had the desired effect. Caitlin laughed in sheer amusement. "Aye, I remember."
As Jimmy moved away to collect Kip, Lou took the opportunity to leap up onto the seat beside her, gathering the reins between expert fingers. She was bursting with questions, and she had to admit, like Jimmy, she liked the musical sound of her speech. It was apparent the woman had been to places she could only dream about. "I'm Lou."
"Well...'tis nice to meet you, Lou."
"Are you and Billy in love?"
Her laughter rang out sharp and bright, blue eyes twinkling merrily. "Aye, I reckon that we are. I fear 'tis a curse that neither of us can change."
Jimmy heard the exchange, tying the reins of the bridle with more force than necessary. It was an odd emotion to be envious of a friend simply because Billy held the love of this woman he'd known for only a few short minutes. Jimmy found it was an emotion he found didn't care for.
No, he didn't care for it the least little bit.
The others had already climbed aback their mounts, preparing to leave. He moved to his tan mare, hitching a foot in the stirrup and throwing a leg over to settle onto the saddle. He reigned his mount toward the station but halted beside the wagon. His eyes clashed with cobalt blue and held.
Jimmy was the first to look away, inwardly cursing this gnawing in his gut. With a gentle kick of his heels at the mount's side, he joined his friends without another glance her way.
Caitlin hadn't realized she was holding her breath until the tightness and constriction in her lungs demanded relief. Her stomach hitched, her toes curling in riding boots. Caitlin wasn't sure if the cause was due to the fact that she had arrived at her destination in one piece or if it was because she had been reunited with Willie after a separation of three years.
It certainly couldn't be from the fleeting glance of a dark-haired man with compelling, watchful eyes.
Beside her, Lou fired questions one after the other, and Caitlin was able to lay aside thought of the disturbing man and dutifully explain to her about gale winds in a forest fire.
Billy raced into the yard, dust scattered and clouding behind him as a rider delivering a pouch. Teaspoon followed his approach with narrowed eyes, muttering about the recklessness of youth. Seemed they were always in a hurry to get somewhere to do nothing! Especially that one - when he could get away with it.
He moved across the yard to Billy, who was now at the corral, dismounted and snappily removing the saddle. "All right, Cody, what's got a bee in your bonnet?"
"Nothing!" he snapped in a short, clipped way without taking his eyes from his task.
"There trouble in town?" Teaspoon frowned down the empty road. Dust was slowly settling, but there was no other movement. He hoped the boys hadn't got into another fight. The last one cost Emma twenty dollars.
"Nope."
"Well...you leave everybody else behind?!" he demanded with irritation.
"They're bringing up the rear," Billy answered the question, dragging the saddle off and heading toward the barn. He stopped abruptly, turning back.
"You'd best let Emma know there might be a guest for supper."
"Oh?" His curiosity peaked, a brow lifted. "Somebody I'd know?"
"No...somebody I used to know...somebody who made it clear she'd sooner go to hell than go anywhere with me." With that said, he stormed off to the barn.
Teaspoon watched him go. The makings of a smile started at the corners of his mouth. He wasn't a man who smiled often, but he had a hunch things were about to liven up about the place.
Maybe tonight's meal would have more spice to it than just in the stew!
Teaspoon lifted curving lips of anticipation, preparing to enjoy himself. He loved a good dash of confusion. He liked it better only when he was making it himself. But any kind of confusion added a bit of vigor to a man's life - especially at his age.
In frustration, Billy tossed the saddle over the rail as if it were weightless. He turned away and viciously kicked a nearby bucket, ignoring the pain except for the muttering curse hissed passed his lips. He'd thought he was over Caitlin long ago, but gauging by his violent reaction to her return apparently he wasn't as yet.
Guilt was a nasty bedfellow.
There'd been times her haunted presence had been so overwhelming Billy felt his gut on fire with longing and remorse at what he'd done - rather, at what she claimed he'd done. To Caitlin, it was the same difference.
It had hurt like hell to leave her. She'd stood staring at him, huge tears in her eyes, helpless and childlike, begging him to stay. Caitlin had never begged for anything in her life.
It had taken everything in him to turn and walk away...and not look back.
Even now he could see her pathetic figure, hunched and broken, tears streaming down her face as she'd held on to him. He'd had to pry her hands away from his jacket. She fell to the ground, and the hateful words she'd spewed at him still echoed in his ears three years later.
Billy stood in the middle of the barn and took a deep, cleansing breath, his face lifting toward the ceiling as if seeking guidance. There'd been nothing else he could have done, but that still didn't keep the guilt from smarting every time her words came to mind.
He'd taken it upon himself to watch over her. Lord knew she needed someone! Her reckless adventures still made him shutter. And although there were no family ties, the bond joining them together was thicker than blood - just like the bond joining him with the riders here at the station.
Caitlin was in trouble again, which was no big earthshaking surprise. Trouble was her kin, lurking around every corner. Caitlin seemed to attract it like a magnet.
For whatever reason fate had sent her to him, but it appeared she was having nothing of it, fate or not. Billy remembered a time he'd been the first one she'd run to, even before her beloved parents, such was their close-knit bond. It was obvious she'd sooner join forces with the devil than trust him again.
The thought brought bitter ire to his tongue.
He heard the horses riding in. Almost in dread he moved to the doorway, his eyes greedily scanning. Unconsciously holding his breath, he expelled a deep sigh at the sight of the redhead sitting beside Lou.
It was a relief not to have to make another trip to town. Billy had no doubt he would have returned for her, hauling her back by the roots of the hair if needs be. Billy was glad no one would be forced to watch the display.
Now whatever happened, happened. This time he wouldn't be going anywhere.
Tossing aside the brush, he strode out toward the wagon.
She watched his progress, his head high, shoulders broad and level with pride. He marched across the yard, his eyes level on her as he approached. His lips were a straight, sullen line of determination. The dusty brown hat covered shoulder-length, dark blond hair, and even across the distance Caitlin saw his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.
Head high, Billy halted beside her. Her eyes were direct on his. Neither wavered. "So...you came."
"Aye, I came."
Without another word he held out a hand.
An olive branch? Caitlin wondered. She would reserve judgment. At the moment she had enough on her platter without making more enemies. She placed a hand in his.
He smiled, closing around the slender fingers. Lifting her down from the wagon her feet staggered, clutching his shoulders. Sharply cursing this weakness within her she eyed his sullen features.
Without hesitation Billy bent over, and in one fluid motion had her hefted over his shoulder, marching toward the house.
Humiliated to the core, Caitlin seared his skin with her storm of fury. "William Cody, put me down! Ye've a fine nerve, carting me about like a sack of potatoes. I've two legs of me own, in case ye'd be forgettin'!"
He grinned, recalling the hot summer days they'd gone skinny-dipping. "I haven't. You've two fine legs as I remember it."
Her fists thrashed against his back, but to no avail. "Ye'd be an arrogant son-of-a-jackal, Willie, now put me down this instant!"
Enjoying himself, Billy marched on. "Why...so you can fall at my feet?"
The guttural sound erupting was one of astounded gall. "By the saints, the day I fall at your feet will be the day hell freezes over! And ye can mark that down and set it in stone!"
Shrieking in burning outrage, Caitlin declared a curse on his head with every breath. "Sure and one more minute in your vile company will set even the heavens atremble!"
He stepped up onto the porch not even singed and dumped her unceremoniously onto a chair. "My advise it to sit still till supper's ready. Shouldn't be too long."
"Ye can take your advise, William Cody, and stuff it where it'd be doin' the most good!"
He looked down on the face ravaged by fury, a grin dangerously near, tutting in mock appall, "Such talk, Caitlin. I figured you to be a proper lady by now."
"Then I reckon ye figured wrong!" she fired back, her eyes heaping blistering coals on his head. Caitlin wagered the success of taking a swift jab at his jaw - and the success of getting away with it. Instead she settled for taking a swipe at his manhood. "Perhaps if there'd be a fair supply of gentlemen around this godforsaken wilderness, bein' a lady wouldn't be such a trial!"
Now he did grin, almost laughing outright. He'd missed the fire in her - missed the fire in himself matching wits with her.
Billy couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so alive - unless it was the time he'd taken the pouch and had been chased across the wild lands by a Ute warparty.
"Rest easy," he said finally, leaping off the side of the porch to wash up.
"Aye, I'll rest easy...when I've your head on a platter!" she bellowed after him, stomping a foot again in frustration.
Drat it all! If she hadn't been so weak she'd tear after him and give him what for! Instead she had to be content to sit and seethe at a slow boil.
The five riders, still mounted, sat silently, still taken aback by the clash of wills before their eyes. Kid shook his head, scratching his cheek in appraisal. "Well, I'll say this...they'll either kill each other...or be madly in love before the day's out!"
"Didn't you know..." Buck added with a grin, "...there's only a fine line between love and hate."
"I can't recall dynamite ever coming in such a package before," Jimmy murmured with a shake of his head.
"Yeah," Buck agreed with a grin of his own, "And what a package!"
Lou took it upon herself to take charge. In a minute the whole lot of them would be drooling. "Well, I hate to bust up this little party, boys, but as Billy said, it's nearly supper time, and we've still got the wagon to unload."
"Yeah, and as usual, he skipped out on all the work," Jimmy noted with an irritated chuckle.
To be continued...Chapter IV
Copyright 1998-This work is not to be reproduced without the permission of the author
The Way Station
Campfire Tales
