Ribbons of Steel (18 page)

“Listen,” Pansy said. “That there hammering is music to my ears.”

Several small shack-like buildings appeared on the horizon. Lined up on either side of a wide road big enough for two wagons to pass each other, hitching posts and water troughs stood ready at various intervals along the way. Entering the town limits, a lone rider and his horse trotted down the center of the town, kicking up a dust trail. Grains of sand flew at the small contingent, and everyone quickly covered their faces ’til the dust swirls settled.

Emily looked around and sighed. Silver Springs didn’t look like much. No flower boxes rested under the windows like back home in Candor. No bushes or trees planted next to the buildings or lining the streets. If there was an establishment where one could have a meal, get a good night’s sleep for the entire contingent, Emily doubted one could be found in this lone town.

“Now, my dear, don’t you become discouraged. This town only looks deserted,” Pansy said, stoically. “Why, even if it’s naught but a ghost town, we’ll have it all to ourselves. They’ll be plenty of beds to go ’round, I’m sure.”

It resembled an old mining town gone bust Marybelle had written home about. A little one-horse town they were called, places where it proved impossible to grow anything in the hard compact soil, or had lacked the water needed to survive. Once the spring rains ceased, the hot summer drought settled in.

Tufts of dry weeds leaned up against several hitching posts. Two horses were tied in place outside a storefront. The window advertised they bought and sold gold. The streets were empty.

As they entered the town proper, Emily spotted what resembled a stable of sorts, and a barn. Both looked as if they had been put up in a hurry and would only need a slight gust of wind to blow them over. Neither would keep out the rain.

At the further end of the street stood a two-story building boasting the Bottoms Up Saloon. A balcony, painted moon-yellow, circled the upper floor. It was by far one of the best kept buildings in town. Emily considered any fool without an education could tell what the place was about.

The tall, thin-hipped man wearing a Stetson rode up to greet them. The badge on his vest indicated he was the local sheriff. A double holster hung low at his hips, and a Winchester in his left hand was slung over the horse in front of him. At first sight, he looked threatening, but at second glance Emily found him to be handsome. His blue eyes, although cautious, held a spark of warmth.

“Howdy, y’all. Who’s in charge?” He sat very still on his horse. His steady, guarded eyes scanned the crowd in front of him, his back ramrod straight. He took in each and every one of them, sizing them up. He spoke like a gentleman and tipped the brim of his hat back in acknowledgment at the bedraggled bunch.

Emily heard a soft sigh and turned to find Elizabeth Young, baby in arms, captivated by the local sheriff. A slight rosy flush crept up the young woman’s dirt-stained face. Emily smiled as Elizabeth’s mouth formed a stunned ‘O’. She wondered just how long ago Elizabeth Young’s husband had died.

One of the men from the train stepped forward and addressed the sheriff. The two proceeded to shake hands, and then separated everyone into small groups.

Emily, Elizabeth, her baby, Marian and her son, Jonathan, were ushered to one side, along with the two sisters and the woman who had complained about her sore feet.

“Doctor Shay’s place is over yonder,” the sheriff said. “As soon as I get the rest of you sorted out, I’ll escort you ladies there myself.”

Elizabeth’s expression hadn’t changed, except for a darker shade of rose staining her cheeks, her eyes never leaving the tall, handsome sheriff.

Mr. O’Leary and several of the other single gentlemen were herded off toward the yellow building.

“There’s plenty of rooms over yonder,” the sheriff said, pointing the way.

The trainmen and other employees of the railroad were sent to the livery and the blacksmith’s shops where they were assured they would be comfortable for their short stay.

“You’re all welcome at the Bottoms Up Saloon for a meal. The cooks will have everything ready in about an hour’s time.”

The sheriff gathered the small group of women together and motioned them forward. Elizabeth hadn’t taken her eyes off the sheriff, and the sheriff’s eyes kept coming back to rest on her, as well.

“Howdy, ladies. Son.” He tipped his hat. “The name’s Coulter. Levi Coulter. If you’ll follow me, I’ll see you get to the doc’s house. His wife is real friendly and will make you feel right at home. I see we have some who need tending. Ol’ Doc’ll fix you up real fine when he returns.”

No one spoke as they followed Sheriff Levi Coulter like metal to a magnet, afraid to be left behind. As if sensing their trepidation, he turned and confronted them.

“Now, don’t worry none ’bout those Injuns. They might steal a bit of paraphernalia now and again, but they don’t hurt no one in these parts. Ol’ Red Eye and I are acquainted and have great respect for one another. You’re all safe here in Silver Springs. Matter a’fact, Red Eye’s sure to be in town tomorrow to sell some of his buffalo hides to send back east to New York. Fox and wolf pelts, too. They’re worth a tidy sum. Don’t you fret none, though, ol’ Red Eye does his trading behind the livery pretty early in the morning so he don’t scare no one. You won’t even know he’s been ’round.”

Emily shivered to think they had traveled by foot all this way to escape the Indians, and here they were trading in the same town they had just retreated to for safety. Was this trip never going to stop surprising her? Had they gone through all this trouble walking through the desert for nothing?

“Here we are now,” the sheriff said as they drew up to a large sturdy-looking home. A small porch with railings painted white to match the house circled the front and one side. “The doc and his wife will take care of you while you’re in town. It’ll be a couple of days before the train comes this way and can take you on to San Francisco.”

The handsome Sheriff Coulter helped everyone up onto the front porch. He held Elizabeth’s hand just a trifle longer than necessary. His arm circled her waist. She pulled her baby close, while her appreciative smile could have burned down the town. The sheriff didn’t seem to notice the dirt-streaked face of the young, slim woman as he looked down into her eyes. Elizabeth didn’t seem to remember or care that her face was a sight.

Emily smiled and waited outside while she gave a listen to their conversation.

“I hope your husband won’t be too worried when you don’t show up in San Francisco as planned,” Sheriff Coulter said. “Out here all alone with a baby to look after won’t be easy for a young lady like yourself. You can telegraph him after you clean up and rest a bit. Old man Lester, who runs the telegraph office, will be there later today. If you like, Ma’am, I can drop by later and escort you to the telegraph office so’s you can get one sent off to him.”

“Thank you.” Elizabeth waved his offer aside. “But no one will be meeting me in San Francisco. I’m a widow. I’m traveling on my own. But I do appreciate your concern.”

“How brave of you to travel all this distance by yourself,” Sheriff Coulter said, hat in hand.

From the corner of her eye, Emily could see his keen interest in the news. She had come to care for the young mother and her baby and was concerned with the immediate attraction between the two. How would she feel if this was her Catherine? She would do much more than eavesdrop. More than likely, she would intervene immediately.

Thinking of Catherine made her think once again of her family. For a short moment, her own trials and tribulations were forgotten. Lord, she was worn-out. She wanted a drink of water and a place to lie down and sleep. A bath would be nice, too. Even a bucket of rainwater would be welcome. Anything to rinse the desert dust away.

This wasn’t at all what she had expected when she left Candor. How could she write home with this kind of news? It would upset Charles. He had enough on his mind with the strike. She would have to be careful what she telegraphed back when she did arrive at Marybelle’s.

The doctor’s wife opened the door to greet them. She was a short portly woman, her gray hair knotted at the nape and held back with long black straight hairpins. She was dressed with a simple crisp white, full apron covering her brown gingham dress and her ample chest.

“Come, come. Sit,” Mrs. Shay coaxed. “I’ve rooms at the ready. Never know when my husband will need to keep people over while he’s tending them.” The woman scurried around the sitting room, helping everyone find a seat.

“I’m sorry Horace isn’t here right now. He’s tending a family up in the hills yonder. The Missus Foster is having a baby. Might be a couple days ’til he comes back down. Babies come when they have a mind, don’t you know. I’ll make you all real comfy until he returns. How’s about I make us all a nice cup of tea?”

“I’ll be going now,” Sheriff Coulter said after he helped settle Mrs. Aderley and her son in one of the larger rooms closest to the parlor. “I need to make sure everyone else has found accommodations.” He slapped his hat on his head and let himself out. His dusty boots hit the wooden steps, then silence.

Emily joined the others in the front room where Mrs. Shay set a tray of tea and sandwiches on a small table covered with a dainty stark-white starched scarf. An easy silence filled the room while everyone ate as if they hadn’t seen a meal in months.

They were just finishing up their tea when the sheriff knocked on the door and entered. Elizabeth jumped to her feet, then sat back down, hiding her crimson face in her empty tea cup. He cleared his throat and looked down at his hat, once again dangling in his hands.

“Thought I’d stop by to make sure you ladies are all settled.” He turned to Elizabeth. “I’ll stop back a bit later to escort you over to the Bottoms Up for an evening meal. My deputy will be taking care of the others.”

He hung back, then with an easy smile nodded, turned, and fled.

“What a handsome young man,” Pansy said when the door shut behind the sheriff. “Why, he must be all of six feet tall without his hat. Now, if I was a might bit younger...”

“Oh, give it up, Pansy,” Violet interjected. “The sheriff would never look your way what with Miss Elizabeth sitting right here.”

“There you are, my dear.” Mrs. Shay entered the room, interrupting the conversation.” I have just the room for you and your babe. Come along, Mrs. Young, and we’ll get you and that sweet thing settled. Mrs. Carmichael, I can show you to your room now, as well.”

Elizabeth and her baby were put in a room farther down the hall where the baby’s crying wouldn’t disturb the Aderleys. Emily’s room, although sparse, was adequate and very welcome compared to her sleeping arrangements on the train. Mrs. Shay led the sisters to their room next door. Each of them was provided wash cloths, towels, soap, and a pitcher of water. They were also provided with a clean, starched robe and instructions to hand over their dirty clothes for cleaning.

Once washed and robed, Emily lay down on the bed. She wasn’t worried about food right now. The tea and sandwiches had gone a long way to keep her from starving. She was bone weary, however, and the cool, clean sheets and soft mattress were a welcomed pleasure. She sighed once, and then fell fast asleep.

Emily woke to the smell of fresh coffee and the sound of a giggling baby, making her think she was home. She swung her legs to the side of the bed, disappointed to find she was still stranded in the small town of Silver Springs. Lordy, had she slept the afternoon and night away?

To her amazement, her clean clothes were draped over the only small chair in the room. There was fresh water and towels in the wash basin. Mrs. Shay was a true wonder to her husband for sure.

Emily washed and dressed, then followed the aroma of coffee, and now bacon, to a mid-sized kitchen. Like all the rooms in Mrs. Shay’s house, this room was spotless and welcoming.

“Good morning, my dear. Now sit right down. Everyone’s been taken care of except you. You’ve all had a hard time of it, but that’s all over now. The sheriff has sent wagons back to the river to bring your belongings. I only wish I could help the Aderleys with their pain. I’m afraid Horace has taken all his medicines with him. He won’t have more until the train arrives from San Francisco. I’ve made them as comfortable as I can and gave them some Sassafras tea.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Shay. I’m sure they’re grateful for the bed and clean clothes. Coffee does smell delicious, though.”

“Help yourself to all you want. I normally keep the pot going all day for Horace. Never know when he’s going to be wanting some.”

“How’s Elizabeth Young this morning?”

“Oh, she’s doing just fine. I made her a pram of sorts to take the baby for a stroll in the fresh air last night. Sheriff Coulter stopped by and said he’d walk them around for a while before they settled in for the night; keep them safe from the riff-raff here abouts. A young lady is sure to get attention she might otherwise not be wanting around these parts. Most of the young girls in town work over at the Bottoms Up, if you know what I mean. Others are smart enough to just plain pass on through.”

The next day, Elizabeth Young and Levi Coulter spent a lot of time together. Marian remained quiet, and Jonathan kept to himself as well. Emily, well rested and in much better spirits, visited their room several times and helped Mrs. Shay with their care. By the second day, Emily was beside herself with worry. The Aderleys had been given nothing for their pain, and Doctor Horace Shay had not returned yet. Two days was a long time for them to be without medical care.

Emily left their sick bed and joined Elizabeth in the parlor.

“You’re looking radiant today, my dear. The weather here seems to agree with you. And your darling baby is looking healthy, too. She hasn’t giggled so much during the entire journey.”

“I feel so much better since we arrived. And Sheriff Coulter has been very helpful.”

The young mother wrung her hands, then bent over to lift her baby out of the make-shift pram. From the anxious look on the poor girl’s face, something was certainly amiss.