Serial Western Romance Novel – Rebekah Lyn Books

Go West~Chapter 55

Go West

by DiVoran Lites

Chapter Fifty One

Ellie

Lastus had an arm across Ellie’s throat so she couldn’t move and could hardly breathe. She heard someone speak from above.

“Let go, Lastus Slater,” the voice said, “or we’ll shoot.”

Lastus let go, dropping to the ground and whimpering. Aldon moved swiftly toward where Ellie had collapsed. As she looked up she saw two guns sticking out of an upstairs window. One was real, the other, obviously, a toy.

“Shoot that man, Mommy,” piped a child’s voice.

“Get up, man, don’t cower.” Aldon jerked Lastus to his feet and grabbed the front of his jacket. He marched him into the sheriff’s office, and Ellie followed. Aldon threw Lastus into a cell and closed the door with a clang. He stood watching the young man until a woman carrying a baby in her arms came down the stairs with a tiny-boned girl clutching her apron. Without a word, the woman handed Aldon a big key. He locked the cell door, touched the brim of his hat and handed the key back to the woman.

“Ellie, this is Phil Oate’s wife, Cathy.” Aldon smiled in a way that told Ellie he liked the plain looking young woman standing there.

“How do, ma’am,” the mother wore a flowered wash-dress. “This here is Calvin,” she offered the baby, and Ellie took him, not knowing what else to do. She’d never held a baby before, but in a moment he melted into the crook of her elbow and she relaxed.

“This here’s our Constance,” the mother nudged the child forward. “Say, how do, Ma’am.” The child stuck three fingers in her mouth and lowered her head.

“Hello, Cathy. What beautiful children you have, Cathy!” Thank you for rescuing us.” Ellie said.

“You’re most welcome,” said Cathy. “I’m sure you’d do the same for us.” She turned to Aldon. “Where’s Phillip?”

“He’s looking for this fellow’s brother.” Aldon said. “I heard you call his name, you must have seen him before.”

“Yah! The two of them have spent a night or two on our cots. They like their likker a bit too much. Did you eat?” Cathy asked sweeping her gaze from Aldon to Ellie and running it lightly over her son.

“Yes’m, and so did that bushwhacker there, don’t let him tell you any different,” said Aldon.

“I’ll have to cook his supper later, anyhow, but he’s not too picky, at least at breakfast time.” Cathy tilted her head and looked into the cell at Lastus who sat with his head down and his hands hanging between his knees.

Aldon turned to leave saying, “I’ve got to get gasoline for the automobile.” Aldon said, then he turned back. “Ellie would you like to come or would you rather stay here with Cathy and the kids?”

“You’re welcome to come up to the living quarters over the jail, but you’ll have to excuse the mess. I never get caught up.” Cathy’s voice was wistful.

“You don’t have any help?” Ellie asked.

“I do all right.” Cathy shifted the child to her shoulder and patted his back.

“Is there something I could do while I wait for Aldon?”

“Well, I am running out of diapers and I happen to have the laundry water heating out back. If you could do some washing I could red up the dishes, nurse the baby and get him down for a nap, then I’d come outside and help you. That’s a lot, though, isn’t it?” A blush crept into Cathy’s cheeks, as she looked shyly into Ellie’s eyes.

Vera had taught Ellie how to use the washing machine at home. It would be no trouble at all. Aldon walked her through the jail to the back door and opened it for her.

“Where do you suppose the washing machine is,” she asked him.

“We need to see that the county gets them one,” he said. “We just never thought about it.”

Ellie heard the window upstairs slide open. Cathy barely had to raise her voice to be heard. “Take the stick and fish the diapers out of that big galvanized tub where they’re soaking and throw them in the pot, hanging from the tripod. I already put in the soap flakes. Stir them around then take them back out so you rinse them in that other tub. That’s cold water, so you can wring them out before you hang them on the line.

By the time Ellie finished the difficult chore, she almost wished she hadn’t offered to help. She sat down on a rock and rested against the rough bark of a tree. When she woke she was being gently shaken by Aldon who leaned over her.

As he straightened up, she came out of a dream about him and as he pulled her to himself she slid her arms around his waist holding him tight. He held her too. In that moment, there was no past, no future, no diapers and no criminals. The ranch and their jobs no longer existed –only Aldon and Ellie. He lowered his head so that his lips could touch her waiting mouth and when he kissed her, one of them began to tremble, she couldn’t tell which one. Moving her head so that she could look into his eyes, she received his love as freely as he gave it.

Neither moved until the back door to the jail house opened and the sheriff came out.

“Hey, what’s going on!” he said in a mock gruff voice. You can get arrested for that.” His laugh boomed over the yard.

“Can’t you see we’re doing the washing?” Aldon said. He threw back his head and laughed with joy.

“The wife appreciates it,” said Phillip Oates with a chuckle.

“Thanks so much for washing them diapers,” Cathy said coming out with the little girl. “Calvin’s asleep

Go West~Chapter 54

Go West

by DiVoran Lites

Chapter Fifty Four

Aldon

“Where’s Enrico,” asked Molly as Aldon entered the kitchen? “He’s been going to the saloon every night and missing supper. Sure’n a growing boy needs to eat.”

Aldon began to think about Enrico’s whereabouts and how he might be connected with the kidnapping of Ellie and Lia. If he’d been going to the saloon, then he’d been talking. If the squatter brothers also went to the saloon, then all Enrico had to do was tell them when round-up was scheduled and the boys could make their plans to rustle cattle. He could also have given them ideas of where to look for the women. Enrico probably didn’t know anything about the rustling attempt, nor the kidnapping, but Aldon didn’t think he’d be too worried about either one. Aldon could only see one solution. The sooner Enrico left the ranch, the better off everyone would be. The kindly Mr. Solano would be sad, but Aldon thought it might be better even for him. He seemed to have lately gained a new vitality and love of life. It looked as if he would fully recover, after all. Surely no one wanted him set back in his healing by discovering his grandson’s betrayals.

“I’m going to check on the kid.” Aldon excused himself and climbed the stairs. There, Lastus lay spread-eagled and sound asleep with his wrist cuffed to the iron bedstead. He might have a chance at a decent existence if he could get away from his brother and mother for a while. Maybe the law would go send him somewhere and give him a real job. No use to send him to prison where he could learn how to be a real criminal. All he needed was the Lord and a bit of education and he could probably become a productive member of the community. Maybe he’d talk it over with Ellie. Aldon lay down on the floor next to the bed and went to sleep for what seemed like minutes, but the next thing he knew, the rooster crowed.

Ellie was flipping pancakes when he took Lastus downstairs. “I figured you’d want an early start.” Ellie sounded subdued. “Would I be in the way if I rode along? I’ve got a hankering to get out of here for a while.”

“A hankering? You’re talking like a Westerner.” His eyes filled with the sight of her golden hair and peachy skin.

“Yes, I think of myself as a Westerner. I’ve enjoyed my time here.” Her eyes filled with tears, but she turned her back and brushed them away. Aldon saw that Lastus was watching Ellie closely. He had probably never seen anything like her. The lad kept his mouth shut, though, which was the first smart thing Aldon had seen him do yet.

“Do you still plan to leave here?” He asked Ellie, pushing down the dart of fear that lodged in his throat.

“Granddad wants to move on to California.” She turned toward him as she spoke. “It’s warmer there for Grandmother’s arthritis and you know how he has always talked about going west.” She set the stack of pancakes on the table.

Aldon said. “My brother tells me California can be cold and damp.” He didn’t know why he was arguing with her. She’d made her mind up as far as he could see. It just made him feel so sad to think of her leaving.

“How did your prisoner do during the night?” She changed the subject, a clever ploy to avoid another argument. Aldon played along by motioning toward Lastus. “He’s okay.”
***

When Aldon put Lastus in the backseat of the old flivver he handcuffed him to the steel post that supported the roof. Over the summer the road had developed so many potholes that everything rattled as they motored along. Ellie looked back then mimed to Aldon that the boy slept.

The minute the car stopped in front of the sheriff’s office, Ellie jumped out, but then she stood waiting for him to unlock Lastus’s cuff. Sudden chaos broke out as the young man bolted away from Aldon and around the automobile to grab Ellie. Rage washed over Aldon like a forest fire, but he gritted his teeth and held his ground knowing the big child could snap her neck in a second.

“Throw that there sidearm in the motor car,” Lastus demanded. Aldon obeyed.

Go West~Chapter 53

Go West

by DiVoran Lites

Chapter Fifty Three

Aldon

That evening, at home, Lia insisted everyone eat together at the long table in the kitchen, except Lastus. Aldon took him to a storage room on the second floor and handcuffed him to the iron frame of a bed. After the meal, the sheriff and Aldon went out to the barn to finalize their plans. Oates wanted to go back to the mountain after Furtus, and Aldon was ready to go too, but his friend insisted that he stay and make sure Lastus didn’t pull any funny stuff.

“We’ll meet in Artesia, can you get the train tickets and let the office reimburse you later?” Oates asked.

“Sure, Lastus and I will see you at the jail house in the morning,” Aldon agreed.

“He won’t give you no trouble,” Oates told Aldon. “Without his brother, he’s just an overgrown kid. I expect he’ll get a tongue-lashing from his Ma, though. She won’t care what he done, but she’ll get mad that he got caught.” Oates, now well-fed was able to see the humor in the situation. He left with a laugh and a wave.

Under strict orders not to uncuff Lastus unless it was absolutely necessary, Aldon fed him his supper. Neither of them had a word to say. As Aldon was placing the empty tray outside the door, Lia appeared at the top of the stairs. When Aldon saw her, he looked around for an escape route, but it was too late, he was trapped.

“This Lastus,” Lia pulled a small sheaf of folded papers from the pocket of her dress. “I think he was the one that carried me home the first Sunday Ellie was here. I wait until everybody goes to church then I go to the pond to paint. I hear a noise and jump up. My ankle goes scrunch and I faint from pain. Next thing I am laid out in the coat porch with these papers in my hand. That man must have been the one who wrote them.” She unfolded the papers.”

“Let me hear it,” Aldon motioned impatiently for her to read and get it over so he could leave. He closed the door to the room so Lastus couldn’t eavesdrop.

“Dear Miss Lady, Ma says me and Furstus needs to find some women. Ma says she is getting old and we need somebody to render bear fat, scrape skins, and tend the fire.

Now, Ma don’t care if the women we bring home are ugly or pretty, she wants them to help with the work and give her some granchilren to spoil. But to my way of thinking I’d just as soon have somebody with looks and that is you.

You never seen me before, but I live above Spruce Crick Ranch in the mountains. Today I seen you painting by the waterfall and dipping your pretty little fingers in the water. You are one fine figger of a woman. You would do for me; Furstus has got to find his own. I’m staking my claim on you.

You might wonder how it is I am able to write so good. Well the answer is Ma taught me to read and write. She was smart, but pa wasn’t. Ma says I take after him and I’m proud to know it. We never did go to school much except for that one day when Ma left us standing outside the schoolhouse door and the teacher come out and fetched us in. We was already full-growed. At recess the other kids called us Stinky and Fatty so we wrung the skin on their arms and made it burn. We then got beat with a rubber hose by the principal and chucked out of school and had to walk all the way home, which is a real far piece.

We never got such a beating from Ma because she’s an itty-bitty thing, but she has other ways of torturing us, like no food, so I’d rather take a thrashing from a real man. I don’t know why we didn’t gang up and fight back. Furstus has been after me about that, but I just didn’t feel like hurting the man when it was his school and we didn’t belong there. Them folks was too good for the likes of us. You are too, Miss Lady, but I got such a hankering to hold you in my arms, that I’m overlooking that to get you in my camp as fast as I can.

Go West~Chapter 52

Chapter 52 The Road Home

Go West

by Divoran Lites

Chapter Fifty Two

Aldon

No one in the cave seemed aware that Aldon and Oates were standing in the opening until Oates, holding a rifle on them, ordered, “Put your hands up!” Then in one fluid move, the three of them, Lia, Ellie, and Lastus sprang to their feet reaching for Heaven.

“Oh, we’re so glad to see you.” Ellie looked straight into Aldon’s eyes as if no one else was there. His heart leapt. He stepped up to her, pulled her hands down, wrapped them around his own waist and held her long enough to breathe deeply with relief. She was safe. He’d get her out of here as soon as possible and then he’d leave her alone.

“Ha, ha, I know you must be glad to see us,” said Oates. You girls pack up anything you want to take and we’ll be on our way. Where do you suppose that other lout might be by now? Where’s your brother, Knothead?” Even though Sheriff Oates had taken command, Lastus would not look at him or acknowledge his presence.

“Get going.” Sheriff Oates handcuffed the young man’s wrists in front of him. “You’re afoot, young fella,” he said. “We’ll come back for your brother later.”

Ellie and Lia waited until Aldon brought the horses to the cave so they could leave. The women mounted and a caravan with Aldon in the lead rode to the shelf road. Once there, Aldon took out his harmonica. He was playing, “Whispering Hope,” when he rounded a curve and came face to face with the older Slater brother on a horse, coming up the other way. In a split second, Aldon recognized the horse the brother was on as one that was stolen from Blue Spruce Ranch. Before he could speak or move the man flung himself off and rolled down the mountain side. Aldon could hear the sounds of his fall through the heavy brush and the thumping of his body against the boulders. It all happened so fast that no one had a chance to move.

When Aldon heard the man splash into the creek and curse, he knew he’d live until someone could come back for him. The horse, which Aldon had named Galaxy, stood immobilized with fear, his ears laid back and his eyes showing more white eyeball than pupil.

“That’s my boy, Galaxy!” Aldon spoke to the horse in a gentle tone. “Hold on, you’ll be all right now. We’ll get you down off this road.”

“Will you help me, please?” He turned to speak to Ellie.
“Can you get down? I’ll help you to go around me. I need you to push on Galaxy’s chest. I’ll tend to her tail end.”

Ellie did as he asked, sliding off Summer and onto the path where she crept past Aldon by holding onto any part of him or his horse that she could reach. First, his strong arm steadied her, and then, when he couldn’t hold on any longer, she grabbed parts of Chief’s tack to help her keep her footing. The horse was as patient with her as a wise old father might have been.

“Tell her she ain’t at a tea-party,” yelled Sheriff Oates. Aldon ignored him and dismounted, glad to stretch his muscles.

“Be careful,” Lia called. Aldon winced at the intrusion of the woman’s voice but ignored her.

“Cup your hands around his chest.” Aldon said as he moved to Galaxy’s rear. “Slow and gentle, easy boy,” he said pushing back slightly to help guide the horse. For a second he remembered training this horse to back up correctly and was glad. “We have to back him down. There’s no room to turn. He’s a good horse, and he’ll do as we ask.” Galaxy shifted as if he were getting the message, and Aldon backed up, step by step.

“Just a bit more, don’t stop pushing. He trusts you, and he’s going to keep moving.” He was proud of Ellie and wished he could tell her so.

After a few more steps, Ellie lifted a hand to wave. “We’re here,” she said.

“Thank you, Lord.” Aldon had been watching Ellie so closely he had almost forgotten the goal. “Good work, Ellie.” He was so proud of her and glad to be on speaking terms with her that if he’d had a tail he would have wagged it.

“If you want to bring Chief to me,” Aldon said, “I’ll take care of these two and you can get back on Summer.”