The Light of His Sword (5 page)

“He did,” Julie smiled down at him, “You
were right; the sporting goods store snatched him right up. He
loves it, and the steady cash is really making a difference.”

“Good to here, tell him I said hello.” Gabe
added glancing at Alyssa.

“So, the usual?” Julie asked poised with her
pen to write his order down on her notepad.

“Yes, Ma’am.” Gabe grinned, still looking at
Alyssa.

Julie turned to Alyssa and asked, “And for
you two ladies?”

Alyssa glanced at the large menu before her.
There were so many pages filled with all sorts of food, many she’d
never heard of before. She had no idea what to choose. Samantha
climbed onto her knees and leaned over the table asking, “How about
hot chocolate and soup?”

Gabe chuckled and added, “Why don’t we give
the lady the pot roast dinner and Samantha a grilled cheese
platter?”

Alyssa nodded anxiously at Gabe and gave the
waitress a shy glance.

“Sounds good,” Julie smiled back at her,
“And a hot chocolate?”

“Oh yes!” Samantha answered with a giggle,
“With marshmallows?”

Alyssa laughed and said, “You don’t even
know what a marshmallow is.”

“I know,” Samantha answered, “But it sounds
delicious.”

The waitress disappeared, and Samantha
colored on the paper placement with crayons the waitress brought.
Alyssa glanced around the restaurant watching the other patrons.
She was fascinated by the families eating together smiling and
talking.

Gabe watched her in silence as she gazed
from table to table. When she turned to look at him, she blushed
realizing he was looking at her. She glanced down then forced
herself to meet his gaze saying, “Everyone is smiling and having a
nice time and the waitress keeps bringing so many different
dishes.”

Gabe leaned back in his seat and said, “I
guess the food at the compound was pretty basic?”

“Yes,” Alyssa answered, “We grew our own
food. We canned or froze the fruit and vegetables for winter. We
even butchered our own cattle. Everything was fresh and unseasoned.
The food out here seems very salty.”

“That’s probably true, we Americans tend to
over salt everything.” Gabe glanced around the room, “We’ll have to
stop for dinner tomorrow at an Italian restaurant. You haven’t
lived until you’ve had and Italian style salad, spaghetti and
cheese garlic bread.”

It wasn’t long before Julie returned with
their food. Alyssa’s mouth watered when the aroma of the pot roast
reached her. She gingerly tasted the tender meat and vegetables;
they melted on her tongue. Samantha dug into her grilled cheese and
applesauce with eager delight. Gabe ordered Samantha a hot fudge
sundae when the meal was over and excused himself while she and
Alyssa sampled the scrumptious dessert.

“I’ll meet you outside, I’m going to grab a
few things for the trip.” Gabe announced and disappeared into the
store attached to the restaurant.

When they were finished Alyssa looked for
the waitress intending to ask her how to pay for the meal. When she
didn’t appear Alyssa took Samantha to the register and said, “I
need to pay our bill.”

The young man at the register glanced up at
her and said, “Oh yeah, you were at Julie’s table. An older woman
paid your bill, so you’re good.”

“What older woman?” Alyssa asked frowning at
him.

The youth pointed behind her, and Alyssa
turned around to find an older woman with dark brown hair standing
near the front doors. Alyssa smiled and waved at the woman. The
woman stared at her then turned and walked out the door. Alyssa she
grabbed Samantha’s hand. Walking to the door, Alyssa gazed outside
searching for the woman. She found her standing by a stack of
propane tanks.

Alyssa came up to her and said, “Thank you
for buying us dinner. Are you a friend of Gabe’s?”

The woman turned to gaze as Alyssa. Her face
was blank; her gaze was hollow. She spoke is a soft monotonous
tone, “Happy to help my dear. I know you think you are safe with
that man. But all men want the same thing. Eventually, you will
have to pay for his kindness. Prepare yourself.”

The woman turned and walked away. Alyssa
stared after her. What just happened? How did that woman know she
and Gabe were strangers? She glanced down at Samantha considering
the woman’s words. Would she have to pay for his kindness?

Gabe appeared beside them and asked, “What
are you looking at?”

“Nothing,” Alyssa answered jumping slightly,
“Are you ready to go?”

Gabe glanced through the glass doors and
said, “Yes, I bought you both a couple of sweatshirts and a blanket
for Samantha.”

He held out a plastic bag and Samantha took
it digging inside. “Oh mommy, look! It’s pink, and it’s so
soft!”

Alyssa couldn’t smile; a cold feeling rushed
through her. “That’s nice.” She answered in a hollow tone and
followed Gabe to the truck.

The climbed into the truck and pulled out of
the truck stop. The sky darkened into shades of blue and purple as
the night sky pushed the light toward the distant horizon behind
them. Samantha cuddled up with her blanket on the bench behind them
and fell asleep. Alyssa glanced out the window as the last trace of
the small town behind them disappeared, replaced by large evergreen
trees as the landscape began to change.

The two-lane highway they travelled wove
through the low hills as the road began to slope upward into the
mountains. Alyssa glanced at Gabe as the last of the daylight sank
behind them, casting large shadows inside the cab. Finally, she
said, “Thank you for the sweatshirts. These cotton dresses don’t do
much to keep you warm.”

“No problem,” Gabe replied.

“Did you know the woman who paid for our
dinner?” She asked.

Gabe shot her a quick look and said,
“Someone paid for our dinner?”

“Yes, the cashier pointed her out to me, but
when I smiled and waved thank you she turned and walked away.”
Alyssa explained.

“Strange,” Gabe shrugged, “But nice; you’ve
experienced a kindness from a stranger.”

“I suppose,” Alyssa stared out the
windshield.

“It’s not an everyday thing.” Gabe
explained, “But it does happen. Don’t get me wrong, there are mean,
nasty people in the world. Walton isn’t the only one to take
advantage of people’s weakness and vulnerability. You have to be
careful, but most people are kind. It’s those rare few…” Gabe
stopped himself. “I’m sorry, it’s not my place to lecture you.”

Alyssa gazed at him, touched by his
protective instinct. “I don’t mind.” She said softly, “It’s been a
long time since any man has bothered to look out for my best
interests.”

“Alyssa,” Gabe flashed brilliant smile, “You
are beautiful and sweet; any man would want to protect you.”

Alyssa didn’t react as he expected. Instead
her face went pale, and she turned nervously to glance at Samantha.
She turned and looked out her window as if she suddenly felt like a
trapped animal.

A sudden movement flashed in front of the
truck. Gabe hit the brakes as they slammed into a large object. A
broad antler flew across the hood of the truck, and it’s tip burst
through the windshield. Alyssa screamed as the truck lurched over
the large animal and came to a sliding stop. Samantha flew off the
bench and rolled onto the floor beside Alyssa.

Gabe quickly lifted Samantha from the floor
and placed her in Alyssa’s arms as she burst into tears. He flipped
a switch and the interior lights came on. He moved closer to them
and asked, “Samantha, are you hurt?”

Samantha sniffled and turned to face him.
She wiped the tears from her face and said, “I bumped my knee and
my elbow.”

Gabe smiled and ran his hand across her
knees then checked her elbow. She had some bumps and scrapes.
“You’ll be just fine.” Gabe sighed and nodded at Alyssa. “You
should stay in the truck with Samantha while I take a look at the
damage. I think we hit a moose. It happens sometimes in this part
of Wyoming.”

He turned the lights off in the cab and
said, “Why don’t you take Samantha in the back and get her settled
in, I have a feeling we’re going to be here for a while.” He
reached under his seat, pulled out a large handgun and glanced up
at Alyssa adding, “Just in case the poor creature is still
alive.”

He closed the door behind him. Alyssa rose
from the seat and carried Samantha into the back. It wasn’t long
before a large thud came from under the truck, and a gunshot could
be heard. More thumps and bumps could be heard then it went
silent.

Gabe pulled open the door and grunted as he
climbed into his seat. He turned to face them saying, “The truck
isn’t badly damaged. The moose is dead but unfortunately the poor
creature is wedged underneath. I’ll radio for a tow truck.”

Gabe switched off the headlights and turned
on the emergency lights. When he reached for the radio Alyssa
gasped seeing the blood running across his hand. “You’re hurt!”

“It’s nothing,” He said quickly, grabbing
the mouthpiece.

Alyssa turned to Samantha as Gabe talked on
the radio. She whispered, “Try to find a medical kit.”

When Gabe finished, he turned to look at
Samantha. She was searching the small set of drawers next to the
bed. When she moved to look under the bed, he said, “The first aid
kit is up here in the glove compartment. But I don’t need it, I’ll
be fine.”

“We are going to sit here anyway waiting for
the tow truck.” Alyssa countered, “You might as well let us work on
your injury. It will help us pass the time. Besides, Samantha is
quite the little nurse.”

Gabe chuckled and pulled off his jacket.
“How can I say no to two such determined ladies?”

Alyssa’s eyes opened wide in shock at the
sight of a chunk of glass about the size of a silver dollar
sticking out of his shoulder. “You need a doctor.”

“No time.” He said casually.

“Then take off your shirt.” Alyssa
instructed, leaning back to give him space.

He grinned at her innocent expression and
unbuttoned his shirt. She helped him slip his arm out of the shirt
and examined the wound. She touched the skin around the glass
surprised at how soft and smooth it was. Alyssa couldn’t help but
notice his large muscular chest and arms. Her heart began to pound
as she forced herself to concentrate on the shard of glass. “I’m
not sure I can get the glass out without making it worse. You must
be in a lot of pain; this is a serious wound.”

“I’ve had worse.” Gabe answered reaching up
he dug his fingers into the wound and pulled the glass free with a
grunt of pain.

Alyssa gasped in surprise. Samantha shoved a
large bandage into her mother’s hand and said, “Push on it
mommy!”

“Pressure on the wound.” Gabe nodded his
approval and smiled through the pain. “You are a good nurse,
Samantha.”

Alyssa held the bandage against the flow of
blood. “You need stitches and there could be more glass in the
wound.”

“The pain is subsiding.” Gabe offered, “If
there was more glass it would hurt worse when you push on it.”

Alyssa looked at Samantha and said, “Grab
the sheet off the bed and hand it to me, baby.”

Samantha rushed to grab the sheet and handed
it quickly to her mother. Alyssa could see the concern in
Samantha’s face. “It’s okay, baby.” Alyssa said in a calm soothing
voice, “I need you to keep the pressure on Gabe’s wound while I
tear the sheet into a bigger bandage.”

Alyssa tore the sheet into strips and
wrapped them around Gabe’s shoulder. She leaned closer and closer
as she wrapped his shoulder. He smelled like sweat, but the scent
of soap still lingered in his hair. She reached around his back
then draped the dressing around his shoulder and across his chest.
Her nose brushed his cheek as she worked. Gabe turned toward her
and gazed into her eyes. Alyssa froze as their eyes met. Their lips
were so close; she couldn’t breathe; she couldn’t move.

She didn’t want to move. She wanted to get
lost in his deep blue eyes. She wanted to forget about the rest of
the world at that moment and lean closer. Gabe held her gaze as he
reached slowly up to take the bandage from her hand. She was so
beautiful with her large blue eyes, perfect skin and golden hair.
Her innocence was astounding given her life experiences. Gabe felt
an overwhelming urge to protect her.

He took a slow, deep breath and whispered,
“That’s good.”

Alyssa’s head snapped back instantly. She
snatched the bandage from his hand and tied it in a knot over the
wound. Then scrambled awkwardly back into her seat. Gabe couldn’t
help but smile as her cheeks filled with color.

Samantha frowned at her mother’s strange
behavior and shook her head in confusion. She turned and sat back
on the bed just as a wolf-like howl came from outside the truck.
Gabe sat up straight. He gazed intently out the windshield.

“That sounds really close.” Alyssa said, as
another deeper howl pierced the night. “That was even closer.”

Something large and dark dashed across the
road in front of them. “Was that a wolf?” Alyssa gasped; a second
figure dashed in front of the truck but stopped and stared at them.
It’s eyes flashed with a blood red gleam. Alyssa heart jumped into
her throat as the red eyes seemed to focus on her. Gabe reached for
the headlights, but it was gone when the lights burst to life.

Alyssa whispered breathlessly, “That wasn’t
a wolf, it stood upright. Was it a bear?”

“Bears don’t howl.” Gabe said, as he turned
to meet her gaze.

Alyssa’s face lost all color. His eyes told
her all she needed to know. Somehow, he knew. He knew what was out
there. He knew it wasn’t a wolf or bear, just as she did. Walton’s
wrath was upon them.

“Mommy, I’m scared.” Samantha whimpered from
the back seat.

Gabe pulled on his shirt and jacket saying,
“Get in the back and stay there. I’m going outside, whatever you
do; do
not
open the door even if you hear my voice. I have a
key; I will open it or you will stay in here until the tow truck
comes.”