By Keri
Chapter VI
His face was worn with worry and his hand trembled as he ran it through his dark dishevelled hair.
"Do you know what it feels like to love someone with everything you have and then suddenly, one day, they're just gone?"
The men around the table remained silent.
"Of course you don't." The speaker stopped just long enough to take a long hard drink from the bottle in front of him.
"All you know is whisky and horses and all this!" His arm swept around the room in an encompassing motion. "This is how you want to spend the rest of your lives?"
"Look" a low voice broke through the ranting, "We don't know where she is, we don't even know if she's alive. How long are we gonna do this? How long are we gonna keep chasin' after some ghost?"
"Callie Roberts is no ghost. Now you listen to me. We are gonna find her, do ya hear? I don't care how long it takes!"
"What if..."
"No! We will find her."
Even to his own ears his confidence seemed to be wavering. Slowly, although he would never admit it out loud, he was losing hope.
"We'll head for Sweetwater tomorrow morning. You all be ready to ride at sun rise."
Her body seemed to melt into his as they headed east. He held her against him with one hand and the reigns with the other, but she wasn't even aware that they were moving. All she could feel was his arm around her, and all she could hear was his heart beating steadily under her ear. It had been quite some time since she had woken from her nap, but Cody didn't know that yet, and Callie was quite content to keep it that way.
It had been an exhausting three days of riding, if you could even call it riding. It seemed as if they could make it no longer than a few miles without Callie getting sick.
"Didn't you tell me this was called 'mornin sickness'?" Cody had questioned last night.
"Hmmmm" was all she could muster in response before the nausea overtook her once again.
"Sure don't know why they call it that. You've been feelin' bad all day now."
He was right. She could keep nothing down and was starting to worry that something might be wrong, but for now those thoughts were the furthest thing from her mind. For now her mind focused on her future. Something that was very uncertain at this point.
The wagon jerked as the wheel hit a rock, and Cody's grip reflexively tightened.
"I love the feel of your arms around me, Billy."
She had said it in her head, but somehow he seemed to have heard her.
"Callie, you awake?"
She smiled at the sound of his voice, almost as if she had forgotten it somehow. Tilting her chin up, she met his eyes and frowned.
"What is it?"
The concern was apparent in his voice and his forehead wrinkled with worry.
"You need me to stop, are ya okay?"
"No." her voice was barely a whisper, "No, I'm fine. I was just thinking about starting over again."
Straightening up she took in the horizon. "There is so much possibility, don't you think? So much that the future holds. It almost seems wrong for me to not have a clue about all that potential. Don't you think?"
Her rhetoric paused only long enough for Cody to open his mouth to respond.
"I mean really, don't you think that if we had a clue, just a hint about what was in store for us - we might be able to use that information to do something great with ourselves?"
Callie glanced at Cody for his approval, but just as quickly turned away.
"Billy, do you think I'm being absurd, talking about all of this? It's just that, well...I'm so unsure of what is going to happen. I just want... I just..."
Cody finally contributed to the conversation by kissing her. His lips found hers as if it was their sole purpose for being. Callie pulled back and looked as if she was surprised to find him there. A blush slowly crept up the sides of her face as she realized that the wagon was no longer moving.
"Callie, listen to me. Whatever you do, you will do it well. I haven't known you long, but you're a survivor."
Those turquoise eyes of his, she couldn't look away from them.
"But Billy, I'll be alone."
"You will not. You will have your friend, and soon you will have the little one to keep you company."
He reached to retrieve the abandoned reigns and when he turned back he was struck by her tears.
"But I won't have you."
"Yes, you will Callie. We will always have each other. Always in our hearts."
His heart wrenched as he took her in his arms and held her shaking body. He knew that the decision he had come to last night was the right one. Now he just had to figure out how to tell Teaspoon.
"So I guess the fair's a hit, huh?"
"Yeah, Townsfolk seem to be havin fun."
"Yeah."
The boys sat on the outskirts of town taking in the scene before them. Children ran through the streets laughing, the picnic tables were overflowing with food, and the citizens of Sweetwater seemed to have forgotten every care in the world.
"So why are we sitting here?"
Kid's question was one they all knew the answer to. As ridiculous at it sounded, none of them could relax until Cody was safe at home. It wasn't like this was the first time he had gone off alone but over the past days Lou's concerns had begun to ebb their way into all the rider's minds. Whether she had any type of facts to back up her concerns was of no interest to any of them. Lou had a way of somehow knowing when things were gonna go bad.
"Boys."
Sam looked about as good as they felt. Callie had promised to send word through the express as soon as she got to New York, but for Sam that was too long. He had started to get used to having his niece around and her leaving was harder than he imagined.
"Any word on those men, Sam?"
"No. Nothin'. This damn fair, I can't keep tract of everyone comin and goin'. I just have this feelin' in my gut. I shouldn't have let her go."
"Sam!"
Barnett's voice rang out across the town. The boys sprang to their feet, the urgency in the deputies voice unmistakable.
"What is it?"
"Sam, I was over by the livery talking to Mrs. Stevens. We were talking about the pie that Thompiks brought to the fair. You know that strawberry one with the..."
"Barnett! What's the point!"
"Oh, oh oh yeah. Well, as we were talkin, a group of five or six men walked past us. They was heading toward the saloon."
The impatience on Sam's face forced Barnett to cut to the point.
"I heard one of 'em mention Callie's name."
"What? You're sure?" Jimmy's hand instinctively reached for his gun even as he asked the question.
"What did he say, Barnett?"
"I didn't catch all of it, Buck. That Mrs. Stevens sure can talk, but I thought I heard someone say how hard it would be to find Callie with all these people around."
"What they look like?"
As Barnett gave his best recollection of men that had passed him no longer than five minutes ago, the boys headed toward the saloon.
"Wait a minute." The marshal's voice stopped the riders cold. "You all just calm down. We are gonna go talk to these men. That's it, ya here?"
As much as Sam would have loved to drop the men that had killed one of his best friends and drove off his niece he was reminded that these men were warranted in their search for Callie. She had, after all, robbed them.
"Jimmy, Buck. That means both of you."
Sam was aware of Jimmy's natural tendency to go for the gun, and Buck was almost as protective of Callie as Cody had been.
The nod of submission by both of the riders was Sam's cue to lead. As he entered the darkened saloon, his mind still raced as to how he would approach these men. No matter what, his priority was to keep his niece safe. No matter what.
"You have to eat somethin'. Callie, please."
The moonless night had left the plains pitch black with the only light for miles originating from the fire Cody had started. Callie held her stomach and looked a faint shade of green.
"Billy, I can't."
"Just some bread. You have to eat. We are never gonna make it out of here if you can't keep up your strength."
Callie took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. It wasn't like she didn't want to eat. Her stomach growled with hunger, but it seemed to be a trick. As soon as she brought anything to her lips, the nausea overtook her and she was forced to run for the bushes. Lately she hadn't even the energy to make it all the way there. What amazed her most was how a person could continuously vomit when there was nothing left in her to bring up.
It was purely the concern on Cody's face that compelled her to take the bread he was holding out to her. He continued to stare at her until she broke off a crumb and put it in her mouth. Not completely satisfied but temporarily content, Cody leaned back and concentrated on his own food. Callie managed to get down four more nibbles of bread before her body would tolerate no more.
"Tomorrow." she told Cody, "I'll finish it tomorrow."
Cody studied her as she wrapped her blanket snugly around her shoulders. She was sick. He knew it like he knew his name, but what could he do about it? It was a risk bringing her into a town, even this far east. He frowned as she shivered. That might be a risk they would have to take. Three days east. Hopefully that would be far enough for now.
Sam surveyed the table from across the room. Barnett had said, five or six but only four men were present. Still, Sam reminded himself that he was lucky Barnett could speak let alone count to five. With a breath that seemed to muster his resolve, he approached.
"'Scuse me gentlemen."
Four heads raised in anticipation.
"Heard you're in town on business. Anything I can help you with?"
The question was presented with every hint of cynicism and little helpfulness.
"Marshal. I don't think any of our problems are any of your concern. We just stopped in for a drink in a town that looked nice and friendly."
The blackened smile that the speaker presented did little to ease Sam's mind. These men didn't look like businessmen, not even close.
They must have hired bounty hunters to find her.
The thought brought a sneer to his lips.
"Why don't you let me be the judge of what is my concern in my town."
"Since when does a law-abiding citizen have to answer for havin a drink?"
"Since you're in my town. If you don't like it you can just head on back the way you came."
Although completely subtle, Sam was hoping they would do just that; head on back the way they came - back to the west and away from Callie.
"What's the problem boys?"
A new voice boomed across the saloon and all heads turned.
Well, I guess Barnett can count after all, Sam mused as he turned to confront the newcomer.
The speaker stood with his back to the marshal, his hand on a bottle of whisky. As he turned to challenge Sam, the bottle fell to the ground.
"Sam Cain?"
"Yeah. And like I was tellin' your friends here..." His sentence trailed off as recognition finally hit him.
"Well I'll be damned. Tommy Roberts."
Chapter VII
"I am not goin into that town, I swear to God, Billy. If you slow down this buckboard or even think about headin in that direction, I will....well, I'll just get off and walk, that's what I'll do."
"Now you listen to me!"
Cody's voice was thick with anger and his teeth clenched as he pulled up the horses.
"You are sick, damn it! What the hell is the point of this whole trip if you die out here in the middle of no where?"
The only thing keeping Callie from hauling off and punching Cody was the concern she heard under the anger in his voice.
Yes she was sick, probably more sick than she'd ever been, but she couldn't stop now. Three days was hardly a heard start, especially when they weren't even close to being three full days, there was too much land left to cover.
"Listen, I'll tell you what." Callie's hand stroked Cody's cheek. "I'm feelin so much better today. Let's just get through today. If I'm still sick tonight, we can stop in the next town we come across tomorrow mornin."
"Callie."
The look he gave her spoke volumes on exactly what he thought of this plan.
"Look at you."
His fury was replaced by fear.
"Callie. You can hardly walk, you're as pale as a ghost and the baby, what about him?"
Her chin quivered at his description of her. Still this was no time for a wounded pride to get in the way of the greater goal.
"Billy, do you love me?"
"Of course I do."
"Then trust me. We can't stop yet, it feels wrong. Just one more day, Billy. That's all I'm asking for."
He chewed on the corner of his lip as he considered her plea. One more day would add some much needed distance between them and Sweetwater...still. She looked so bad. Her hair was a nest of tangles, dark shadows had stolen the beauty of her vibrant eyes, and her clothes - they simply hung off her.
"Callie..."
"Good, then we keep going."
Callie knew that he had started to consider her proposition, just that consideration was enough for her. She reached down and grabbed the reigns, urging the horses forward. I smile touched her lips briefly. She had won the battle this time, but with the way she was feeling, she might have just lost herself the war.
"Now hold on a damn minute!" Sam's fist slammed down on the card table in front of him.
"I can't hear a damn thing with all you boys yammerin' in my ear!"
The chaos that had ensued after Sam's realization was finally starting to subside. Sam, Buck, Jimmy, Lou, and Kid sat down with Tommy to try and sort everything out. So far, Sam was havin a hard time keepin' the boys quiet. Jimmy had gone straight for his gun and started towards Tommy. Kid and Buck grabbed him while Sam prevented his old friend from drawing is gun in turn.
"Sit down, and shut up."
Sam meant business and the boys knew it. So they sat, but the Marshal's threat did little to keep the riders quiet.
"Tommy what the hell is going on here?"
"Sam. I can't believe it's you."
Tommy looked as if he had aged lifetimes in the years since Sam had seen him last. This face was drawn and dirty, his clothes looked like they had been ridden through hell, and from the smell of him Sam was pretty sure the drink he was holding was not his first of the day.
"Tommy. I thought you were dead."
His eyes grew wide, "Dead? Who told you that?"
"Callie said..."
"Callie!"
Tommy jumped up with a start.
"What! Where is she!"
"Tommy, sit down. Let's get everything straightened out."
"Sam, so help me, if you don't tell me where she is right now..."
In a flash Sam had a gun pressed into his throat. Jimmy and Kid drew and took aim, but Sam merely waved their guns down.
"Tommy, put your gun down. We have to talk, and I ain't got nothing to say when you have a gun pointed at me."
Tommy slammed the gun down on the table. "I ain't sittin and I ain't waiting - tell me where my wife is."
"She's safe."
Those two words drained the fear and anger from Tommy. He slunk down in his chair and dropped his head into his hands. "Oh thank God, thank you God."
Jimmy threw a look at Lou and Buck from across the table. They looked just as skeptical has he felt.
"And where the hell were you while your wife has been wandering all across the plains? And in her condition."
Jimmy's question voiced Sam's exactly but nonetheless he threw him a look of reproach.
"I've been looking everywhere for her. We...we uh ran into some trouble... and well, it's hard to explain."
Sam knew why it was hard to explain. How do you tell a bunch of strangers that you and your pregnant wife are thieves?
"Tommy, maybe we ought to talk about this in my office." Sam started to rise but the boys objected immediately.
"We have a right to know what's going on Sam." Lou interjected. "This concerns Cody as well as Callie."
"Cody? Who's Cody?" Sam looked across to his old friend, ignoring the others at the table.
"Tommy, these boys are express riders. Cody is one of them. He took Callie to a friend's in New York."
"Well, then lets go. We have to go get her."
For what seemed like the millionth time in the past ten minutes Tommy stood to leave.
"Not before we get some answers."
Buck's voice was low and menacing.
"Callie said you were dead. Said some men gunned you down. If your not dead, where the hell have you been and why was Callie lying to us."
"Callie didn't know that Tommy was alive, Buck."
Sam looked over at Tommy whose head seemed to be literally spinning.
"Why don't you tell us what's going on Sam. Do we need to go after Cody?"
"Lou, Cody's fine. He can take care of himself."
"Sam." Kid's voice was quiet and controlled. "What is going on?"
"Well Kid, that's what I'm trying to figure out."
"She thought I was dead and she left. It's what I always told her to do." Tommy's voice was faint and he spoke to no one in particular. "I told her to wait for me, she heard the shots, and thought I was dead."
"But why didn't she wait and see, why would she run?"
Tommy turned to the smallest rider at the table. He drew in a deep breath and looked down at her feet. "We robbed them. She had to run."
"I knew it." Lou's statement hung in the air. No one else seemed to know how to respond.
"Sam."
"She told me, Tommy."
Four sets of startled eyes were thrown upon the Marshal. He had known but didn't tell them.
"I need her, Sam."
"Well. Let's go then."
"Sam, you can't leave. Barnett can't handle things with the fair in town." Kid's statement brought Sam back to reality.
"Don't worry Sam." Jimmy stood and patted Sam on the shoulder. "We'll bring them back."
"And I'm coming with you." Tommy's face was stone. It was not a request, and the boys didn't argue.
The world swam in front of her eyes. The trees, horses and plains seemed to melt into one and Callie squeezed he eyes shut as they filled with tears.
Deep breaths, Deep breaths.
They had helped before but now they did little to ease the pain that had invaded her body. She had willed herself healthy, and for most of the day her resolve had conquered, but as dusk approached, Callie could manage no longer.
Cody sat stoically at her side. He had kept close watch over her for most of the morning, but she seemed to be doing better as she promised. His mind was overcome with thoughts of their future together and now he barely noticed her next to him.
In his mind's eye he saw them clearly. They walked down the streets of New York City staring into each other's eyes, oblivious to everything except each other. The smile on her face was one of such rapture that it seemed to hold him captive.
"Billy."
Her voice broke his reverie and he turned to Callie with his smile still in place.
"Oh my God." Her face was tear stained and he had never seen anyone such a frightening shade of white.
She held up her hand before he could continue.
"I'm alright. I just need to stop for a minute."
Cody jumped off the side of the buckboard and ran around to her. His hands grasped her firmly by the waist and lowered her to the ground. It took a few seconds for Callie to get her balance and gather her strength.
"We are going to stop in the first town we come to tomorrow morning, no arguments."
Having no strength to answer, she simply made her way past him towards the brush.
Each step she took seemed to pull her closer to the earth.
Breath. C'mon Callie, breath.
Drawing in a deep breath, the pain seemed to seep into every cell of her being. It was almost as if she was inhaling a poison instead of the clear crisp air that surrounded her. Fear took hold of her, almost as tangibly as arms grasping at her body.
"Billy?"
Her mouth had moved but no sound had emerged. Callie's eyes grew wide as her abdomen was set on fire. She raised her shaking hand to her mouth and bit down hard.
"Callie! Callie!"
The urgency in Cody's voice compelled Callie to turn. Her eyes glazed over as the torture ensued, but as they cleared she was confused to see him sitting on the buckboard with his head in his hands. He couldn't see her, she was still hidden by the trees.
Help me! Billy, please. Billy!
She wanted to run to him, to have his strong arms around her. That would make everything okay, she knew it. But Callie's body refused to respond to her brain and her feet remained anchored to the ground.
"Billy!"
In her mind his name echoed across the plains. It startled the birds into flight and brought Cody running. In reality, the outcry was merely a whisper and the effort of it brought her to the ground.
Cody glanced up at the sound of crackling branches.
"Callie, C'mon!"
Silence.
"Callie! I'm coming in after you!"
Cody started towards the brush as the silence stretched out in front of him. His boots kicked up clouds of dust and his body tensed with each step. Something wasn't right. That's when he saw it, an outstretched hand lying on the ground.
Smoke rose from the campsite and the dark sky covered the riders like a blanket. Kid and Buck slept, but Lou, Jimmy and Tommy all remained alert.
"What do you think Cody's gonna do when he finds out Callie's husbands still alive."
Lou and Jimmy queried the fate of their love-struck friend as they peered at Tommy across the fire.
"I don't know, Lou. He was gonna come back anyway. I don't know how much of a difference it will make now."
Lou's face voiced her disbelief of Jimmy's wishful thinking.
"Buck says we should catch up to them by tomorrow, Wednesday at the latest."
"Yeah. Don't you think that's weird? I mean, they seem to be making really bad time for people who are in a hurry."
Jimmy shrugged. "In any case, they sure are gonna be surprised."
The two stopped to peek at Tommy. He sat staring at the fire, wringing his hands.
"This sure is gonna be interesting."
Jimmy nodded in agreement.
To be continued...Chapter 7
Copyright 1998-This work is not to be reproduced without the permission of the author
The Way Station
Campfire Tales
