Surrender

[gagonthis]

Julia followed him into the tent and as her head hit the bed roll she went off to a dreamless restful sleep. Morning found her a bit tired but ready to go. As they ate she thought of his refusal to take her gold and she smiled. He was as independent as she was. When it was time to leave she climbed onto the wagon with him and gave him a smile.

They were on the road to a town that she had never been to. The thought of laying in a comfortable bed had to be like luxury she thought. The wagon was a bit narrow and the whole side of their bodies pressed into each other but for some reason his closeness did not bother her. It felt natural. She kept her eyes moving over the terrain as he conscentrated on his driving.

O'Shien smiled slightly as they climbed into the wagon. He'd be a liar if he said she didn't feel good pressed close to him, but he dropped those thoughts. She wasn't a lady to be treated like a lover. Now she was his partner. He had to be able to trust her to see the things he might miss, shoot whatever threatened him, and he kenw she'd expect the same of him. He handed her his secondary rifle as they left. "I suppose it be time I be givin you the use of my firearms. Everything but me Spencer is yours to use. The Spencer is adjusted exactly the way I need it for sharpshooting as I did earlier, so that one I'll retain exclusive use of." He explained as he loaded the rifle and handed it to her and gave her one of his pistols. "Perhaps we can find some weapons more suited to yersellf at the trading post." He got the wagon moving and the next couple of hours were spent in relative quiet, just enjoying the sounds around him and the feel of Julia close to him.

 

[macmillian]

was that the baby crying? oh someone was puting water on her face."mmmoh" jennifer opened her eyes a slit and looked about her everything was so blury. slowly her suroundings came into focus "james?" jennifer touched the hand of the man next to her. not james the hands a not the same. james had soft hands. even though he worked constantly he always had soft warm hands. then who? james.. then it all came back to her in a rush of memory the riders chasing the. the gun shots,
the terrible screams of the horses,the wagon tiping over. it all came back in such a rush."nooooooo james!!!!" the scream coming from jennifer was almost unearthly so filled with sarrow and pain that she hardly reconised it as her own. after a few moments she calmed enough to realize that her new baby was not with her. feeling around she looked up the man with a look of intense pain " my son?" she found herself holding her breath waiting for the answer. not sure she could go on living if she had lost both the loves of her life in one horrible night.

"Your baby is alright! He is right here. He is being held." I wiped off more of her blood on her face and it cleared one of her eyes. I helped her to a sitting position as I continued to clean her up a little more and to see if she had any other injuries than the bump on her head.

 

[rvplymates]

When O'Shien handed her the rifle Julia smiled at him and placed the butt of the weapon to the floor of the wagon. She head it pointed upward and on the ready so she could lift it to her shoulder at a seconds notice. Of course in this positon her legs were held apart causing the side of her body to press into his even more. But she thought nothing of this as he was her partner now and would not hurt her or think of her in that way.

As he drove she scanned the terrain with her eyes watching for trouble. Her body relaxed against his side. Both of then moved naturally with the rythum of the wagon.

"Its a beautiful day O'Shien, do you have any idea where we will be heading"

It was not important to her but she thought she should ask. She never looked at him but kept herself occupied watching closely as they moved forward. Sometimes she would turn his way as she looked behind them making sure no one was behind them. The front of her body would touch his arm but again this did not worry her.

 

[gagonthis]

He was very concious of her body against him. It made him feel uneasy, his body trying to rebel against what his mind was telling it to do. He shallowed slightly but then forced himself to ignore the feeling.

"We're headed north, we should be hitting a small town I passed through yesterday morning. We'll unload this gear, stock up on food and ammunition, hopefully stay at that inn I mentioned earlier. Then the next day we can decide where to move from there."

 

[landiek]

"Yes, I do hear it Cassi!" I responded "but go slow and stay behind me."

Cassi ambled slowly but her heart wanted to go to that bawling cry. She reckoned it was a hungry wet cry and her motherly urges were still strong in her old heart.

"Cassi, tie off the horses and come here."

It only took Cassi a few minutes to tie four horses to an assortment of nearby trees, Cassi grabbed a small piece of linen and was coating it in water as she came closer. It wasn't much but it would help the small thing.

She took the child and cradled the tiny wailing child. Cassi made soft cooing noises as she touched the clothe to the tiny lips. "husha husha.. its goin ta bes betters.. dere dere.. ole Cassi gots yore at her heart."

Cassi checked the child over and managed a make shift diaper. Cassi used the sugar teet to calm the child's hunger but it was not as filling as milk which Cassi didn't have any on hand. She slowly rocked as she sat on the ground humming to the little fellow

"Tank ye Lawd fer watchin o'er des two... please see kindly on dem" Cassi prayed as she touched her dark finger in the pink ones.

 

[rvplymates]

He was very concious of her body against him. It made him feel uneasy, his body trying to rebel against what his mind was telling it to do. He shallowed slightly but then forced himself to ignore the feeling.

"We're headed north, we should be hitting a small town I passed through yesterday morning. We'll unload this gear, stock up on food and ammunition, hopefully stay at that inn I mentioned earlier. Then the next day we can decide where to move from there."

Julia looked into his eyes briefly as she turned around to face the front of the wagon once more. It was going to be a long ride but no one was going to sneak up on them while she was on the job. She would allow no incident to happen as it had to her due to inattentiveness. She was bound to protect his back and that was exactly what she was going to do.

"Seems like a good plan, O'Shien"

Julia continued her vigil as they came closer to the town.

 

[gagonthis]

As the day went on O'Shien noticed the roads became a bit more busy. They must be nearing the small town if they were encountering other travellers. A couple of times it seemed as if there might be trouble from some of the more seedier looking people they encountered, but Julia's steady hand on the rifle and O'Shien's arsenal lying close at hand gave them pause.

It was nearing dusk again as they pulled around a bend, the town coming into site. It was a small affair as far as a town went, but it was still fairly busy. People travelled up and down the main street, some headed out of town, others, like them just arriving. He turned the wagon towards the general store. "Let's sell these goods first then we can see about getting a place to sleep tonight and maybe even a drink or two."

 

[rvplymates]

As they got closer to the town, more travelers in different conveyances passed them either coming or going. When Julia saw a group that was trouble in her eyes she would fix them with a cold stare and heft the rifle onto her lap. Just daring them to try something. They of course backed off as there was too many witnesses about. Julia became even more alert as they entered the town but soon found out everyone was going about their own business.

O'Shien told her his plan and it was a sound one, she smiled and nodded her head. She jumped down from the wagon and landed like a cat on the ground. She walked to the back of the wagon and held out her arms for O'Shien to pile onto them anything he wanted to. She walked a little awkwardly to the door of the store and waited for him. He came up to her laden with the rest of the stuff. She followed him to the store keeper and admired how he bartared for the best price on their goods.

 

[gagonthis]

O'Shien entered the general store seeking out the owner. Finding him in conversation with what appeared to be a prospector he waited till the man had finished his sales pitch before getting his attention. "I have a large amount of camping goods and other luxury goods I have recently acquired that I'd like to unload." The man looked at him warily. "These goods wouldn't happen to have come from an illegal means would they?" He asked O'Shien, staring at the two pistols in his holsters. "Sir, I took the goods off a group of bandits that now all lie dead about half a days ride south. So it is likely the goods have a sordid history, but I'm offering you a good deal from an honest source." The man nodded and they began haggling. By the time they were done haggling O'Shien walked out no longer the owner of the wagon or the goods, but with a very healthy amount of gold to his name. "Right then." He said to Julia. "Shall we go see about getting rooms for the night?"

 

[icu1978]

jenifer let the man help her sit up and although she was very dizzy she did not complain. he slowly worked her over checking for anything that might be worse than the bump on the head she had received. besides some bumps and bruises she was relatively unhurt. her vision now cleared she could see the kind woman holding her baby. and was instantly greatfull that these two happend along. lord only knows what would have happened to her and her son with out their aid.she smiled at the woman and then to the man whispered. " thank you very much for your help sir"

 

[rvplymates]

Julia was proud of him and she smiled warmly at him.

"Yes, lets see what we can find"

As they walked to the Inn Julia had a thought.

"O'Shien, you didn't sell the horse too, did you"

She had a worried look on her face as they entered the Inn and he did not answer her as he was talking to the inn keeper.

The frown disappeared as she looked around and saw a sign that excited her. She waited until he made the arrangements and then pointed at the sign.

"Look, hot baths, can we afford it, I so want a hot bath, O'Shien"

 

[gagonthis]

"Nae lass, just the wagon. Got no need to haul around a large amount of stuff, but the horses'll make travelling a lot easier. The owner said he'd put them up in his stable and make sure they're travel ready when we leave as part of our deal." He explained as they made their way to the inn. He stepped aside and talking with the Innkeeper for a moment, nodding at him and holding his hand for him to wait a moment. "Aye we can do bathes, there be a slight problem though. This inn only has one room available so you can sleep in the room tonight and I'll camp out back in the barn I suppose."

 

[rvplymates]

Julia waved him over.

"You will do nothing of the sort. I trust you for God Sake, we have been through so much and now your afraid to sleep with me, don't be silly. You on one side of the bed and me on the other just like in the tent. I am sure I am quite resistable after all this time together"

She tapped her toe and crossed her arms under her chest. She was annoyed at this new turn of event. She would have said more but notice some people in the store had heard what she had said and was grinning at her.

 

[gagonthis]

He raised his hands in defense, chuckling slighty. "Aye aye alright lass, just did nae want to assume you'd become comfortable with it yet. Damned if I do damned if I dont ya know." He smiled at her. "In any case I'm going to go have me a drink while our rooms and the bathe is ready." He strode past her heading for the cantina.

 

[macmillian]

jenifer let the man help her sit up and although she was very dizzy she did not complain. he slowly worked her over checking for anything that might be worse than the bump on the head she had received. besides some bumps and bruises she was relatively unhurt. her vision now cleared she could see the kind woman holding her baby. and was instantly greatfull that these two happend along. lord only knows what would have happened to her and her son with out their aid.she smiled at the woman and then to the man whispered. " thank you very much for your help sir"

"You're welcome", I replyed....(Silence as I complete my examination)

"Nothing seems to be broken and the worst is that knob on you're head" and I took the rag and added more water and washed her face, removing most of the blood and dirt. I let her take a drink of water and told her to rest a little and then we would talk. "You have lost a little blood from your wound, so don't move around till we put a bandage on it. OK!"

Cassi was humming and talking quietly to the baby. The baby must have felt safer because he had stopped crying and was sucking on the moistened cloth that Cassi was holding.

Picking up My Sharps "Cassi, Stay here! I will be righr back. Going out to check the area" and I walked over to the horses first.

 

[landiek]

"Cassi, Stay here! I will be right back. Going out to check the area"

Cassi looked up and waved at Alex letting him know that she heard him. Slowly she rose and moved over to the young girl and gave a warm motherly smile.

"Yore shore have a fine baby Ma'am." Cassi offered the child back to his mother. "Is reckon he be wantin more den sweet water."

Cassi moved about the wagon checking the insides to see what might be salvageable. After all this young mother would be needing more then Cassi and Alex might provide her.

Cassi starting to sing again, it was a cotton picking song. One that she was very familiar with as her dark hands picked up boxes very carefully, never sure what to expect.

 

[icu1978]

Jennifer smiled to the lady " thank you. i am so greatful that he was not hurt in all that happend." taking the tiny baby in her arms she snuggled him to her chest and kissed the top of his little head. taking her breast she guided the nipple to his little mouth and laughed as he made sucking noises as he was being fed. jennifer noticed that the kindly woman was looking through the boxes and bags from the tiped wagon. " there should be plenty of foods and such in there. not sure how they all fared though. your and your friend are welcome to anything you can use. i would be very happy to share all that i have with you." laying back she ran a finger tip over the baby's tiny face. " you've a lovely voice ." closing her eyes she let the womans soothing voice comfort her until soon she was sleeping. the baby still suckling at her breast. even in her sleep she touched the baby running her hand over his head and face.

 

[macmillian]

After checking the area and finding nothing, I returned to the wagon. Cassi was humming a song as I cleared the corner of the wagon and she flashed me a smile. I glaced at the woman and was surprisec to see her baby sucking at her breast.

"Everything looks OK and it's quiet. Nobody on the road in either direction." I picked up the canteen and took a swallow and put the top back on.

I walked around the wagon and shook it here and there, it was a strong wagon and was still in good shape. All I would have to do is get it back upright and fix the tongue. I brought all the horses over where I could watch them.

"Cassi, help me unload the rest of this stuff," I said as I off loaded the boxes and barrels and stacked then off to the side. We both worked quickly and soon the wagon bed was empty.

"Cassi, please wake the woman and bring them up to the meadow" I turned and took the blankets and tarps of the horses and walked to the meadow just up the road away. I spread the tarp and blankets in the shade of the large oak tree. Cassi arrived with the woman and baby and settled them under the tree.

"I am going to right the wagon, Cassi," I said, "you stay here and watch over them." I gave Cassi my biggest and brightest smile and walked back to the wagon.

With ropes and the four horses I had the wagon upright and staning on the four wheels. I chacked the wheels and then moved the horses of the road and tied them off. I checked the wagon again and was satisfied that it was OK and usable. I shook of my vest and shirt, took anoth drink from the canteen and went to work reloading the wagon. I was almost noon when Cassi appeared as I placed the las box on the wagon. I puth the tailgate into place and tied it off.

"Hi Cassi!" I called out, "sorry to take so long. All done here. I'll hitch up the horses and pull the wagon up to the meadow." I walked over to her and smiles down at her. "I can not be with you all the time, you know" I said smiling, " but at least most of the time"

 

[rvplymates]

He raised his hands in defense, chuckling slighty. "Aye aye alright lass, just did nae want to assume you'd become comfortable with it yet. Damned if I do damned if I dont ya know." He smiled at her. "In any case I'm going to go have me a drink while our rooms and the bathe is ready." He strode past her heading for the cantina.

Julia watched him take off and ran after him.

"Where do you think your going without me, we are partners remember"

She kept up with him, her long legs stretching to do it but she did. The walked into the canteen and she looked around.

"O'Shien, there are mostly men her except for those women in fancy dressed. I am aloud in here right"

 

[landiek]

"Everything looks OK and it's quiet. Nobody on the road in either direction." I picked up the canteen and took a swallow and put the top back on.

"That sounds good ta hear." Cassi replied as she moved the torn fabric from the corner. "Da young'en says we can sees what can be used."

Cassi didn't notice that Alex left as she went and picked up some things that were lightweight. Cassi was surprised that a wagon could hold so much inside.

"Cassi, help me unload the rest of this stuff,"

"Yes Sirrah Masser Alex." Cassi replied putting her back into doing the task at hand. She just began singing again and making the work go that much faster.

"Cassi, please wake the woman and bring them up to the meadow"

Cassi wandered back and got the girl awake and up into the shade. Cassi figured that maybe it would be best to fix some form of a lunch for the lot of them. So she reached over for one of the canteens and walked the saddlebags that carried their rations

"I am going to right the wagon, Cassi," I said, "you stay here and watch over them."

"I's will." Cassi vowed despite her intention of cooking. Cassi watched over the pair like an ole mother hen over her fresh hatched chicks. Cassi went ahead and pulled out tack bread and fish, making sandwiches and brewing some more coffee for Alex to enjoy from working so hard.

Cassi walked around the upright wagon with a smile and nodded at the work done.

"Hi Cassi!" I called out, "sorry to take so long. All done here. I'll hitch up the horses and pull the wagon up to the meadow."

"Looks likes yore about done.. You should have called me.. I's would have helped." She offered.

I walked over to her and smiles down at her. "I can not be with you all the time, you know" I said smiling, " but at least most of the time"

"I's came ta sees iffin yore hungry.. gots some tact bread and fish ta feed yore emtee belly, Masser Alex." Cassi grinned as she tickled his chin delicately.

 

[gagonthis]

Julia watched him take off and ran after him.

"Where do you think your going without me, we are partners remember"

She kept up with him, her long legs stretching to do it but she did. The walked into the canteen and she looked around.

"O'Shien, there are mostly men her except for those women in fancy dressed. I am aloud in here right"

"I told ye, I was goin' fer a drink. Have a lot of road dust I need to get outs my throat. We're partners not joined at the hip!" He chuckled at her playfully as he crossed the road and entered the bar. He smiled slightly at her concern that she was out of place in the tavern. "Ye've got yerself money ta pay fer drink and a six-shooter to keep trouble away aintcha? I'd say yer welcome as a glass of water to a man in a desert." He laughed again as he turned to the bartender. "Oi! Barkeep! Two beers down here!"

 

[macmillian]

"I"s came ta sees iffin yore hungrey..gots some tact bread and fish ta feed yore emtee belly, Masser Alex", Cassi grinned as she tickled his chin delicatley.

"You are a fetching sight in you're dress," I said smiling, "but too much to do, and besides you said you had some food. I've worked up one big Hungar"

"Come on then, let's get these horses hitched up and move this wagon to the meadow. Then we can eat and relax a little." I walked over to the team of horsoes and led them towards the wagon. Again working together, we were able to get the hores set and attached to the wagon. I then brought over our two and with ropes also attached them to the wagon in front of the others.

"Cassi, You lead ours and keep the ropes tight and I'll work the wagon team."

"OK......HA.....HA...." The rope and harness strained and the wagon slowly move and rolled easy and in minutes we had the horses and wagon in the meadow. I chocked the rear wheels and then let the horses relax. We unhitched them from the wagon and one by one, I removed the saddles and or harnesses, placed rope halters and led them out a little into meadow. I hobbled them so the would not stray too far and then returned to the wagon.

I saw Cassi at the fire and walked over there. She looked up as I approached and smiled. My heart jumped as she looked ar me. What in the devil was wrong with me. Emotions I had never felt before, even before the war and now at 29, no wife, no land, no money and not much of a life. Yet this older black woman seemed to make that all seem distand and unimportant.

 

[icu1978]

jennifer sat up and looked around her the baby still slept beside her and she could see that the woman cassi had made something to eat. looking towards the wagon she could see cassi and gabe talking. reaching up she unwound her long braid and brushed her fingers through it, then replaited it. making a tight braid in the back. she could see that the two had started back towards the medow. smiling she gave a little wave.
" miss cassi i dont know what you've made to eat but the smell is heavenly." just then the baby started to wiggle his little arms. looking down she seen that the little guy was awake. smiling she reached down and lifted his tiny form into her arms cradling him in her arms. " well good morning my little man." kissing the top of his head she once again she returned her attention to the pair standing next to the small fire.

 

[rvplymates]

"I told ye, I was goin' fer a drink. Have a lot of road dust I need to get outs my throat. We're partners not joined at the hip!" He chuckled at her playfully as he crossed the road and entered the bar. He smiled slightly at her concern that she was out of place in the tavern. "Ye've got yerself money ta pay fer drink and a six-shooter to keep trouble away aintcha? I'd say yer welcome as a glass of water to a man in a desert." He laughed again as he turned to the bartender. "Oi! Barkeep! Two beers down here!"

Julia was a bit taken back by his manner but then he laughed and she figured all was well. She turned to the bar tender and smiled. The burly man gave her the eye and she blushed a bit. Clearing her throat she turned to look around and saw quite a few male eyes look her way which she thought odd with such lovely dressed women around. She looked at O'Shien who had a strange kind of twinkle in his eyes. If she didn't know better she would have sworn he was enjoying her discomfort.

When the bar tender placed the beer on the bar, O'Shien handed her the heavy glass stein. She took a sip and made a face, it tasted funny and was a little warm but one look at the men looking at her and she took a healthy drink of the beer and made a worse face. She looked at O'Shien again.

 

[gagonthis]

He laughed slightly at her discomfort. "This be the best mug yer gonna find in quite a while. Enjoy it while you can." He could tell her discomfort was at more than just the taste of the beer. She was an oddity in this town, dressed in men's clothing, but looking clean and attractive nonetheless. He drained his beer quickly and ordered another two, leaving another for her when she finished her first. He looked around the room and smiled slightly. It was a little funny to see her so discomforted, but a lot of these men didn't take well to girls who tried to play what they believed was man business... he probably should say something before this got out of hand.
He gazed at the closet man to him, giving him a predatory smile. "Whatcha be starin' at lad? Thinkin it odd to see a lady playin' at frontiersman? Well let me tell ya, yer welcome to have a go at her if ye think yer man enough. She'll shoot you dead before you even clear." He shrugged. "As for the rest of ya, maybe there's one in here can outdraw this lady, though she's quite fast, but how many men in here want to take a run at the partner of the Irish ghost?" He asked, smiling viciously as the men's faces paled in recognition of the name. "Aye, now just turn yerselves back and enjoy yer drink, kiss yer whores and thank whichever God ye believe in ye'll live to see another morn." He turned and grabbed his beer, taking a long pull while watching the men, waiting to see if anyone would be stupid enough to try anything.