Dorothy Garlock - [Wabash River] (36 page)

Hammond rode away from the homestead with his mind full of plans.

*  *  *

Farr’s rebuff cut Liberty to the core. She stood back against the cabin wall and watched the troops prepare to ride out. Elija didn’t say a word to her or Amy or even look their way. He accepted the reins to Stith’s horse, after a couple of the troopers heaved Stith, groggy but able to stand, into the saddle. The captain, with Hammond beside him, lifted his hand in a salute to the women and led the procession down the lane to the road. Elija followed and didn’t look back.

Farr stood with legs spread, head up and blood running down the side of his face, until the men left his homestead. Then, without a glance at Liberty, he went toward the spring. Colby and Rain followed him.

Mercy’s sniffles were the only sound that was heard after distance swallowed the hoofbeats of the departing patrol. Willa held her and tried to soothe her fears. The child had been frightened by the violence. All she understood was that someone was hurting Farr. During the fight Daniel had wrapped his arms about Juicy’s leg and had watched with his usual quiet. Now he ran after Farr and slipped his hand into Colby’s.

Juicy had seen the look of devastation that came over Liberty’s face when Farr pushed her hands away and turned his back on her. Juicy watched her eyes follow Farr as he walked unsteadily away.

“He don’t stay mad fer long, Libby. He’s hurtin’ now, but he’ll see ya meant no harm.”

Liberty turned tear-filled eyes to the old man. “I thought Stith was going to kill him. I had to try to help him.”

“A man ain’t wantin’ nobody abuttin’ in on his fight, ’specially a woman. It shames him somethin’ fierce.”

“I never meant to shame him. But I’d rather shame him than stand by and see him killed!” Her blue eyes shone defiantly through the tears. “A woman should be able to fight for her loved ones. Oh, men and their damn pride make me sick!”

“It’s the way a thin’s here, Libby. Out here there’s times all a man’s got is pride. It keeps him goin’. Don’t worry none ’bout it. Farr’ll say his piece ’n set ya straight, but he ain’t one to carry on.”

“What’ll I do?I love him!” Liberty blurted.

“I knowed it, little purty, ’n I be plumb tickled. Farr be needin’ a sweet little thin’ like ya be fer a long time.”

“He told me about Fawnella. I’ll never take her . . . place with . . .” Her voice lowered to a whisper and trailed away.

“Ya’ll make yet own place. Fawnella be more child than woman. Ya be a woman fittin’ ta stand by a man. Farr’ll see it, if’n he ain’t a’ready.”

“I hope so. Oh, Juicy, I should be happy because he beat Stith, and we don’t have to worry about Papa taking Amy, but . . . I’m so miserable!”

“Farr’ll have ta fight him again. He won’t feel he beat him fair ’n square cause of yore buttin’ in. Lenning won’t forget it none, either.”

“Oh, no! What’ll I do, Juicy? I can’t bear to have him angry at me.”

“Leave him be.” Juicy’s voice was stern, and then he added gently, “He’ll come to ya when he cleans hisself up.”

Liberty slumped against the wall. “I’ve ruined things, haven’t I?”

“No, ya ain’t ruint nothin’. Perk up ’n hold that purty head a yores high. It’s yore perky ’n pride he likes. I know my boy. He be havin’ ta get it outta his craw. He’ll chaw on ya, but that’s all.”

“I’ve got a lot to learn about him.”

Juicy dug his pipe from the depths of one of the cavernous pockets of his tunic and busied himself packing it with tobacco.

“What’re ya fixin’ up ta eat?” He sniffed the air. “I can smell it. This gettin’ wedded up, meetin’ my new pa ’n all this fightin’ ’n carryin’ on makes me powerful hungry.”

Liberty couldn’t suppress a small smile. “If you don’t be careful, Juicy, I’m going to love you a powerful lot.” She reached over and placed a kiss on his cheek.

*  *  *

Liberty was grateful when the men walked up from the sawyer camp for the noon meal. The work kept her busy. She and Willa carried the heavy pots to the tables in the yard and dished out the meat and dumplings. Colby and Rain came from the barn and ate with the men. Liberty was in the cabin cutting fresh loaves of bread when Farr came in and stood just inside the door. Willa, sensing the strain between them, quickly placed the bread on a cloth, wrapped it, and took it out to the tables.

Farr’s head was wet. He had combed his hair and tied it back. One of his eyes was almost swollen shut. Salve was spread over the gash on his cheekbone. His nose was puffy, as was his upper lip. Silence bore down on Liberty as they looked across the room at each other.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered from where she stood beside the table. “I never meant to shame you. Juicy said I did.”

“Don’t do it again. If I need your help I’ll ask.”

“I was afraid for you.”

“It was an open fight. He fought fair.”

“I’m . . . so sorry. I just don’t know what I’d do without you.” A sob caught in her throat.

“You’ll never be without me,” he said quietly. He looked at her for a long moment, saw tears in her eyes, misery on her beautiful face. He opened his arms. “Come here,” he whispered.

Liberty hurried to him, put her arms loosely about him and placed her head on his shoulder.

“I was never so scared in my life. Farr, if I’d had my gun I’d have shot Stith. It scares me to think that I could kill someone.”

“Don’t be scared. Someday you may have to. Juicy came out and chewed on me for making you cry. He likes you, likes you a lot.”

“And you?” Liberty raised her head so she could see his face. He was smiling down at her. His hand came up to cradle her head, and he gently touched his swollen lips to hers.

“What do you think? I didn’t whip your butt.”

Liberty kissed his lips, his chin, the place on his throat that pulsed. He put his face in her hair and they stood quietly. She could feel him all through her and wanted to hold him forever. The world fell away, and for a moment there was just the two of them. But it had to end. She tilted her head to see his face. It was battered, rugged, almost primitive. She touched it with her fingertips.

“Oh, Farr, I—” She stopped herself before she told him of her love. “Your poor mouth. Can you eat? Does your jaw hurt?”

He looked down in her beautiful face, full of concern for him. His eyes held hers while his fingers worried the curls over her ears and then gently stroked her cheek. When he spoke, it was to say something totally disconnected from his thoughts.

“What hurts the most is my hands. I need some warm salt water to soak them in. I’m afraid I’ll not be able to handle the saw for a day or two.”

*  *  *

Four evenings later, at the supper table, Farr announced that Rain was leaving the following morning. Rain didn’t raise his head when all eyes turned in his direction.

“Is Tecumapese’s foot healed? I was hoping to see her before she goes. I’m anxious to meet Sugar Tree too.” Liberty looked down the table at Farr and moved Mercy over onto her lap. The child was so sleepy she had no interest in eating.

“According to Sugar Tree it’s well enough for her to walk on it.”

“She’s not going to walk and carry the baby, is she?” Amy asked. She’d had time to get used to the idea that Rain was going to leave. He looked up now, straight into her eyes.

“She’ll ride my horse.”

“What’ll you ride?”

“I’ll walk.”

“Libby!” Amy turned stricken eyes to her sister. “Can’t he use our horse?”

“He certainly can. I was going to suggest it. Is that all right with you, Farr?”

Farr gazed fondly at his wife. “It’s your horse.”

“I don’t want to use your horse. I’m not coming back,” Rain looked from Liberty to Farr to Amy.

“I know that,” Farr said. “If Liberty wants you to take the horse, take it.”

“No.”

“What’s the matter with you, Rain Tallman?” Amy sputtered. “You’re the most mule-headed boy I’ve ever met. You’d walk all that way before you’d take a favor.”

“Taking a horse isn’t a favor. Men kill for a horse.” Rain’s dark eyes glinted angrily.

“I’ll pay Libby for the horse. You and Colby have money coming from the salt in the storeroom. I’ll use your pay and part of Colby’s pay—”

“Now wait just a doggone minute! I’ll not give up any of my pay to keep this skinny kid from walking to Prophets town.” Colby’s bright gaze flashed around the table. “Let him walk. It’ll do him good.”

“Colby’s pay?” Rain’s dark eyes took on a shine. He tilted his head and looked at Farr.

“Colby’s pay. It was his fault you lost half that load crossing the creek. You have your share coming, but not Colby.” Farr’s face was serious. “I’d planned to take it out of his pay.”

“You’re not going to let me forget that, are you?” Colby looked at Willa and winked.

“That’s right.” Rain gave Colby a half grin. “You were being smarty and the back wheels of the wagon sank in the bog.” He looked back at Farr. “I’ll take Colby’s pay. Will that cover the cost of the horse?”

“He’s not paying me for that horse, Farr,” Liberty protested.

Farr nodded his answer to Rain, then said, “Hush, Libby. It’s settled.”

“Damn you, Farr. I’m going to need all of my pay.” Colby dug his elbow in Rain’s ribs. “I’m not forgetting this,
kid!”

Liberty saw one of the rare smiles on Rain’s face. He had beautiful white teeth, and when he smiled his lips spread and turned up in the corners. A deep, long crease appeared in each cheek. She glanced at Amy and saw her staring at the young boy with misty eyes. Farr was gazing at him fondly, and her love for this man who had worked out a way to give the boy a horse without wounding his pride grew another measure.

That night, as they lay side by side, Farr told her that her father was no longer at Stith Lenning’s. According to the Luscomb boy, he had ridden north and hadn’t returned.

“Do you think he went to Vincennes?”

“If he did he got a cold reception from Perry. Perry is a user himself. I’ve not heard of him doing much for anyone if it didn’t benefit him in some way.”

“I should feel sorry for Papa, but I don’t. He leaned on my mother until she died. Then I had to take over. Amy’s mother was a young girl of fifteen, fourteen when Papa married her. He thought her folks would keep us, but after their daughter died they’d not have anything to do with us.”

“Don’t talk about him. This is my time with you. Take off that nightdress. I want to feel your breasts against my chest, your heart beating against mine.” He moved away from her for an instant. Then they were back together, naked and straining to feel every inch of each other.

His lips, sweet and firm and knowing, moved over hers. She felt the rough drag of his cheeks, the caressing touch of his wild hair against her forehead. His hand roamed over her back to her buttocks, caressing. She gave herself up to his kiss with an abandon that made hunger leap deep inside of him. His hands and mouth moved down over her body with a velvet touch. His lips captured her nipple, and the rough drag of his tongue was so painfully exquisite that she drew a gasping breath.

“Sweet woman, I need you like I need air, food, sleep.” His words came in an agonized whisper against her breast.

She wrapped her arms around him, spread her legs so his thighs could sink between hers, and pulled his weight down on her. Cradled together, they rocked from side to side, but it wasn’t enough. Only by blending together could they even begin to appease the hunger they had for each other. He lifted his hips as her hand urgently moved between them to guide him into her.

“Farr . . .” She arched against him in sensual pleasure.

“Am I too heavy on you, sweet?”

“No! No, darling!” His concern brought a mistiness to her eyes that turned to tears and rolled down her cheeks. She wanted to tell him that he was the moon and the stars, everything wonderful that life offered, but she held back the words. He turned his head and caught the tears with the tip of his tongue, then found her mouth and kissed her with lips wet with her tears.

“Why do you cry when we’re like this?”

“Because I’m happiest when I’m with you like this.” She tightened her arms around him, holding him inside her warmth, and hungrily turned her mouth to his.

The spasms of pleasure that followed were like a dance throughout her body. At times it was like an enormous wave crashing over her. At other times it was like a gentle wind caressing her wet, naked body. Her whole world was the man joined to her. His mouth and hers were one. He was at home in her, moving gently, caressing, loving. She arched her hips hungrily and he wildly took what she offered.

*  *  *

The next morning Farr, Colby, Juicy and Rain spent an hour together before Rain went to Mr. Washington’s to get Tecumapese. When Rain returned with the Indian woman, Liberty wiped her hands on her apron and went out into the yard to greet them. Liberty walked up to the horse and held out her hand. The woman put hers into it and looked solemnly into Liberty’s eyes.

She was the prettiest Indian woman Liberty had ever seen. Her hair was as black and shiny as a crow’s wing, her skin smooth and golden brown. Large, soft, dark eyes dominated her small featured face. She was slim and carried herself proudly. Her baby rode in a cradle board on one side of the horse and a basket of provisions provided by Sugar Tree was on the other.

“I thank you for my life and for that of my son.”

Liberty turned to Rain and he translated.

“I’m glad I was there to help you.”

“I shall tell my brothers, Tecumseh and Prophet, that the White Dove on the Wabash is the bravest of all women.”

Rain translated, then added, “She’s named you White Dove because of your hair, and to honor you for what you did.”

“Tell her I am honored, and that she and her people are welcome at Quill’s Station. Tell her that if she’s ever in need to come to me.”

Rain spoke quietly and solemnly to Tecumapese. When he finished, she turned her dark eyes to Liberty and spoke in English.

“Good woman you.”

Liberty smiled into her eyes and repeated, “Good woman you. Rain, ask her if I can hold the baby.”