Love Rules (24 page)

Jesse firmed his lips and frowned. “To hurt
her.”

“Mrs. Coleman?”

“Yes, and call her Maggie, Ben, we
are
all family.” Jesse smiled at him.

“I like her very much. If you had not married her, I probably would have,” he stated matter-of-factly.

“Yeah, she is a looker, isn’t she?” Jesse agreed.

“For one so young, she has seen much misery,” Ben added as he took a stick and stirred the fire. “It’s like it’s written on her face. When Ma gave her the dress, she cried from her happiness. Ma said she wanted to just hug her and hold her for she saw much sadness in her.”

“She don’t have anyone but us, now, Ben. She lost all her folks,” Jesse explained. “That’s partly why she became a spy. Survival.”

“Ya-vold.”

“A little too much losin’, I think,” Jesse said. “Ben, when we catch up to them, I want you to get hold of the baby if you can. Do you think you could?”

“Yah…but maybe I should hold them off and you get to the baby.” Ben smiled.

“Okay, one of us will. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

“Do you drink, Ben?” Jesse asked out of the blue.

“Yah, Pa and I made our own beer. I must share with you sometime.”

Jesse leaned back on a burned out tree stump. “Homemade beer, I bet that’s something. You sure have some handy talents.”

Finally, they drifted off to sleep. The next day they were caught in the crossfire as they came upon a small army of men shooting at the high rocks. They were above a draw and could plainly see the scattering of men below.

Jesse rode up to the soldiers. There must have been thirty or forty of them, all in blue uniforms. This time Jesse was glad to see the Yankees. “What’s goin’ on?”

he questioned a young officer innocently.

A short man with a brown beard came up to him when he heard the

commotion. He had bushy brown eyebrows, and thin lips. He didn’t smile, as he plainly didn’t recognize Jesse. “We’re the cavalry operating from Greenville. We chased some renegade rebels but it seems they met with re-enforcements of some kind, and we fight with outlaws too. And who might you be, sir?”

“Name’s Jesse Coleman, this is Ben Jenkins. We’re from Bright Star. We’re looking’ for some outlaws that have my daughter. I aim to get her back.” Jesse

eyed the man from head to foot. The man was clean cut, and probably did everything by the book from the looks of it. Jesse had no time to worry with procedure. He wanted his daughter. The army wouldn’t slow him.

“Are these outlaws rebels?” the captain asked.

“Ex-Confederates, yes…why?”

The captain studied him. “Because that’s who we are after at this moment.”

“They have my daughter, and they killed this man’s family. “

Jesse looked at the rocks below where the gunfire was coming from.

Unfortunately it was a waste of ammunition as the rocks made most of the bullets ricochet. “We’ve had them cornered here for a while, but since they have increased in number, I look for them to make a break soon.”

“My daughter’s down there, Captain. I aim to get her out, not sit and wait,”

Jesse informed him.

“Are you certain of this?” the captain asked.

“We tracked them here from our home,” Ben added. “They murdered my folks and took his baby. We aim to find them.”

“We’ve been here since sunrise, and that other bunch just joined them. If they have your daughter, I doubt you’ll get her back alive,” the captain muttered. “Why would they take her in the first place?”

“Because my wife was the Black Widow. A spy for the Union army sir. I’m sure you’ve heard of her. She informed on them and they mean to see her dead, and any kin to her, too.”

The captain’s head jerked up. “Black Widow? Good Lord, man. They’ve

probably already killed the child, then. They are a bloodthirsty bunch,” the captain shouted. “The Black Widow is truly one of the most hunted females from the war. And you say she’s your wife?”

“That’s right,” Jesse answered.

The captain’s lip curled and he looked away for a moment, as though it displeased him that a white man might marry a black. A common reaction, but Jesse hadn’t expected it from a Union officer.

“The wee one, she's just a babe, she's not part of the war. She doesn't deserve this.” Ben’s face screwed up into a frown.

“We’re at a stalemate, right, but we’ll hold this position until they make a move. They have no water down there. We do. We can outwait them,” the captain muttered. “We all thought the Black Widow had been caught.”

“She was caught. I’m the one that turned her in. Look, I aim to get my baby, no matter what. And I’m not gonna stand up here and wait for them.” Jesse swore under his breath. “How many are there?”

“There was only a handful when we first trapped them, but since the others joined them, I can’t be sure.” The captain moved under a tree and drank, then offered them both the canteen. “Coleman, these men have been operating for some time since the war was over around here. A certain senator, highly respected by the Confederates, has stirred them to keep fighting the war and the Negroes. Your wife is a Negro, right?”

“Part, yes,” Jesse admitted.

“And the baby too?”

“Of course.” Jesse nodded. “But she’s also part white, too.”

“Then, sir, I must warn you that the child is probably already dead as these men have a hatred that is worse than the ones we fought in battle. They’ve been stirred up to think unkindly of people like your wife. Of people like yourself, sir.

I’m surprised she’s lasted this long.”

“Captain, I’m very aware of that. I’ve already killed a few that tried to hurt her.

But you don’t understand. They took our baby. Those men won’t live to see the next sunrise. They killed Ben’s folks. We aim to see them dead. We don’t aim to give them a chance in hell. For we’ve learned they don’t give us any.”

“But if you’ll simply wait, I’m sure we can do this more peaceably, the captain insisted.

Jesse eyed the man for a long moment. The captain had probably been a desk sergeant at one time. He didn’t look like the rugged foot soldier. “I’m not worried about being peaceable. I aim to get my daughter back before they kill her or she dies of thirst.”

“But you don’t understand, there may be a senator with them. We can’t just rush them. He might be killed.”

“You care about a southern politician?” Jesse smirked.

“Only what my commanding officer might say if that senator is harmed in any way. After all, it’s you rebels down here that holler if a Yankee soldier hurts any of its great citizens.”

Jesse shook his head. “Never liked politicians anyway.”

Ben and Jesse went away from the captain and discussed how they would rescue Abby. The Yankee soldiers stood about waiting for their next order.

Jesse and Ben talked it over and decided if they came at the camp from two different directions they could take the rebels by surprise and have an edge to find the baby.

“I’ll give you a hand signal as soon as I’m in position, Ben.”

The captain followed them. “Wait…if you insist on going, we’ll go with you, but I must tell you beforehand, the chance of finding your baby is very slim.”

“I’ll take that chance, captain,” Jesse said, his eyes narrowing on the man.

“We’ll come at them from both sides to divide their attention.”

“All right.” The captain ordered half his men to follow Jesse and the other half to follow Ben. “But I must warn you, any repercussions because of this will be on your head, sir.”

It took them half an hour to prepare so they could see the enemy. There were at least fifty of them, and they stood about listening to an older gentleman by the fire. The sun had gone down and Jesse figured they had an edge.

He looked about the camp, trying to find his daughter. There was no sign of her. Fear gutted him. Had they killed her as the captain kept saying? Sweat trickled down into his eyes.

He silently motioned for Ben to head out when he did.

In seconds they ran into the rebel camp and took the first advantage with shots that met their marks. Many men fell. Others rushed to their weapons. In less than half an hour, the camp had been drenched with blood. Swords clanged, guns boomed, but as Jesse would have lowered his gun, a man ran out of a makeshift tent, his arms full of Abby, and he grabbed a horse. He mounted with her and they took flight. With a deadly smirk, the man whipped the horse into a hard run.

Jesse firmed his lips. As they rode off Jesse knew he had a shot, but what would happen to Abby if he killed the man holding her? He could kill him, but his daughter might fall off and be killed, too. He lowered his gun in frustration.

“I need a horse, captain!” Jesse bellowed, unmindful of the bitterness in his voice.

The acrid smell of gunpowder and blood mixed and nauseated.

The captain motioned for one of his men to get a mount from the outlaws’

string. When Jesse mounted, he didn’t look back. He rode like a lightning bolt.

The man was not in sight. He kept going. Finally he realized the man had to have doubled back, so he backtracked, and then he heard the scream.

The man was behind him. He quickly dismounted with Abby in his arms. “You want this little brat, you better put the gun down now.”

Jesse dropped his gun instantly.

Abby wailed sadly at the sight of him, and then cried out boldly, “Dada, up!”

Jesse’s heart broke. If the rebel hurt her, he’d kill him with his bare hands.

“Look, this is between you and me. It don’t have anything to do with the baby.”

Jesse tried a strategy.

The man studied Jesse for a minute. “Who are you?”

“Her father,” Jesse said plainly.

The other man seemed to weigh his options. “I slit her throat, the Black Widow will grieve the rest of her life, just like we will for our kin. That would be justice.

An equal justice in my books. Looks like I finally have the advantage here. Ain’t into killin’ babes, but this kid is nothin’ but a breed, anyway.”

“There’s not much heroics in killing a baby. But if you want to do battle with me, that might make a man out of you,” Jesse offered.

“If I kill her, you’ll both grieve for her. That would be a good punishment.”

Jesse stared at his opponent. About thirty, blond hair, brown eyes. The triumphant smile on the man’s face said he had all he needed.

Jesse’s mind reeled with options. His baby’s sweet face was all he could think of. Too young to be afraid, she merely struggled against the man.

“Yes, sir…you’ll both grieve.”

“Not much to brag about though, killing a baby. No one would call you a hero then.” Jesse realized he’d have to rush the man to get any advantage.

Just then Ben rode up at full gallop. It was enough distraction. As the man whirled about, Jesse ran forward and reached for Abby before Ben tore into the man with his bare hands. Jesse had managed to grab Abby just as the man let go of her. Jesse rolled and held Abby protectively in his arms as he watched his young friend seek revenge.

“You were gonna kill the babe? I think not,” Ben yelled as he pulled out a knife bigger than sin itself and slit the man’s throat without another word. Jesse grimaced but nodded. The man deserved what he got, and Ben got a little justice himself.

Abby squirmed, bringing Jesse’s attention to the bluest eyes, and he smiled.

“Hi, sweetheart.” Jesse hugged his daughter to him, and couldn’t dare let go for a while. Then as he looked into her face again, a tear slipped down his cheek.

“Dada.” She smiled back.

He got up and looked at Ben, who was cleaning his knife and staring down into the man’s face. “I can’t believe anyone would kill a babe,” Ben said shaking his head, then grinning at Abby.

“I’m so glad you came along, my friend.” Jesse came up to the bigger man and slapped him on the back as Abby reached for Ben, too, and hugged him.

Yes, they had become family, Jesse reaffirmed. Ben beamed and took the child on his shoulders. As Abby laughed with glee, Jesse had a moment to gather his own wits about him.

They rode back to where the soldiers were. The captain stood over a body. He glanced up at Jesse and the babe and shook his head. “This is the senator himself.”

“Then maybe your troubles will be over soon, Captain.” Jesse nodded to him.

The captain shrugged. “I’ll sure need a good explanation for this killing.”

Ben smiled. “Won’t take much. Just tell them he was right in the middle of his gang when he died. And if you need testimony to the fact, look us up. We live around Bright Star. Coleman and Jenkins.”

The captain nodded, and Jesse sat Abby on the saddle in front of him. The captain smiled at her. “My God, she’s beautiful.”

“Have you ever seen the Black Widow?” Jesse tipped his hat.

“No, not personally.”

“If you had, you’d understand why her daughter’s such a beauty. Good day, Captain.” Jesse smiled.

Ben tipped his hat and they rode for home.

At almost midnight, Jesse and Ben rode into Jenkins’s yard. All the lights were out and there was a peaceful sound about. Crickets chirped, frogs croaked, and Abby was asleep in Jesse’s lap.

Ben took her and Jesse dismounted.

Putting Abby on his shoulder again, Jesse carried her inside. Ben pointed to the guest bedroom and told him goodnight.

Jesse turned the knob to the door slowly and Maggie rose up, startled. Seeing Abby in Jesse’s arms, she almost screamed her happiness. She stood on the bed and jumped up once, then bounced on the floor and almost into his arms.

“Oh, my God, you got her back…oh, my God…I can’t believe it. Oh, let me have her,” Maggie cried. Taking her baby against her, she cuddled Abby. She kissed her head and swayed with her. Finally, she looked up at Jesse and smiled.

Abby didn’t wake up but sighed in her sleep. Maggie kissed her again. “Oh, my poor baby. She’s so tired, she can’t wake up for me.” She laid her on the bed and covered her. Then she swirled around to face Jesse. “How did—what happened?”

Jesse smiled. “We found them. We tracked them. They sure left an open trail.