Lovell's Prize Page 8

  "Was your family with them?"

  "My father was. He was their leader. When he saw Rosie, he went crazy. I believe he would have killed me if the others hadn't been there." She wrapped each of the fingers with the cloth, bracing each with a stick. She then lashed the fingers together.

  "What about Levi? Where is his father?"

  "I'm not real sure who his father was. He looks a little bit like one man who visited me for a while but I ain't really certain."

  "He has trouble hearing."

  "He had a fever when he was a babe. I was living in a dugout down on the river and fishing for our food. I didn't have no money. Green puss ran out of both his ears. He was a very sick little boy. I thought I was going to lose him."

  "He seems like a fine boy."

  "He is. He's my little gentleman."

  "Sounds like you've had a rough time of it."

  "I make out. I do the best I can."

  "And Banford? What about him?"

  "I was whoring in Fort Smith when he found me. He made me an offer and I took him up on it. He just can't deal with my past. He's afraid I'll whore myself again."

  "If he was going to have a problem with it, he shouldn't have taken you in, in the first place."

  "Maybe so. He's good to us most of the time. We have a roof over our heads and plenty of food. That's more than we've had for quite some time."

  She rubbed his hand with lineament and wrapped it. She also rubbed his ribs with the same lineament. As she worked he thought of her situation. He felt sorry for her and wished he could do more to help her.

  "You know if you ever need some help, you can come to me. You don't have to take abuse," he said quietly.

  "I admire you. You're a good man. But I'll make out alright. I'll be fine."

  She rolled him over and helped him get in a comfortable position. "I'll fix you some broth. Your jaw doesn't look like you can eat much solid food."

  "How badly is my nose broken?"

  "It's pretty swollen. I don't know. I'm more worried about your ribs. I hope you're not bleeding inside. We should know by morning."

  He slept while she prepared him a meal. An hour later, she brought him some beef broth. He slowly ate it and went back to sleep.

  * * * *

  It was dark, well into the night, when he heard movements at the end of the wagon. He could see her form silhouetted against the moonlight as she climbed on the tailgate. She came to him and lay at his side. She caressed him softly, gently kissed him and stroked his penis. When he became hard she opened his pants front and exposed him. She raised her skirt and gently lowered herself onto him. She moaned softly as she very slowly undulated, taking as much of him as possible into her. Eventually he exploded into organism and he could feel her shudder in response. After a few more moments she leaned over and softly planted another kiss on his lips. He started to speak but she placed her hand gently over his mouth.

  "Don't say anything," she whispered. "I needed this." She then cleaned him with a warm rag and closed his pants. She rose from him and left the wagon.

  He relaxed in the darkness, and wondered why.

  * * * *

  When he awoke, he could hear camp activity outside the wagon and decided that he needed to be on his way. He worked his way to the tailgate and sat on the end.

  She saw him and poured a cup of coffee. "Are you sure you're ready to be up and about?"

  He nodded. "Yeah, it's time I be on my way. I need to get back to Fort Smith."

  She brought him a cup, sitting it on the tailgate beside his left hand. "You're welcome to wait another day. Rance shouldn't be back today—probably not tomorrow. You're pushing yourself too hard by leaving so soon."

  "I don't want to make trouble for you."

  "I can't be sure when he'll return. If you can stand it, it might be best."

  He looked at her face. "About last night, I—"

  "What about last night?" She gave him a determined look.

  He read her meaning. "I'll look in on you when I'm able."

  She smiled sweetly. "I'll look forward to it. I enjoy your company." She turned toward Rosie who was sitting by the campfire. "Fix Mr. Lovell some eats. Give him some of our jerky and some of that corn bread. Fetch the canteen and fill it for him."

  "Yes, Mom," Rosie said as she jumped to her feet. "Where do I put the food?"

  "Get one of those small salt sacks from the front of the wagon."

  "Where's Levi?" Lovell asked.

  "He's off exploring. He loves to play by the river."

  "I owe you my life. I don't know if I could have made it without your help."

  "You'd have probably made out alright. But I'm glad we could be of help. Would you like some mush?"

  "Yes, please."

  She spooned a plate of mush, laced it with sorghum syrup and brought it to him. "Are you going to arrest Rance?"

  "No, we aren't after him. We're just checking out some men that frequent his place. You needn't worry." He ate the mush. It was good.

  "I told him that he was running with some no-goods. He won't listen."

  "Like I said before, if you ever need any help, come to me. I'll protect you."

  She smiled and looked to the ground. "You don't want anything to do with me. You're too good for me. All I would do is cause you pain and regret."

  "I'll be the judge of that. I owe you and those kids. I won't forget it."

  "You just get yourself back to Fort Smith safe and sound. You've got a long walk in front of you."

  After he ate, he stepped to the ground and found that he was feeling much better. She gave him the canteen and food.

  "I wish I had a gun for you."

  "I'll be careful. There's freight wagons using the road to Fort Smith. I can probably catch a ride. I'll get myself a new outfit in Fort Smith. I'd just as soon you didn't say anything about me to anyone. It is best if nobody knows what I'm doing or where I'm going."

  "We won't say anything," she looked to Rosie. "Will we?"

  Rosie nodded and smiled.

  "Tell Levi thank you for me. I'll bring him something. Is there anything he'd like?"

  "You don't need to—" she started to say.

  "He wants a pocket knife. One like he saw in Fort Smith with a bone handle," Rosie said.

  "Rosie," she mildly scolded.

  "No, that's what I wanted to know. I know just the knife he's thinking of. Don't tell him and it will be our surprise," he said to Rosie.

  Rosie smiled broadly.

  He turned to Leah. He looked deeply into her eyes and thought how pretty she was. "Thank you. I won't forget what you've done for me."

  She smiled and answered softly. "Be careful."

  He found after he had gone that his muscles loosened and he wasn't feeling so bad. He figured that once he made the turnpike seven miles down the trail he could probably catch a ride into Fort Smith. As he walked he thought of her. She was an odd woman, quiet and shy. She probably gave herself to him because that was the only way she had been taught to please a man. She lived with Banford and took his abuse because she didn't believe she was good enough for anything else. But, deep down inside, she must be a good woman, and she deserved better. He would go back to Little Dog Creek and see about her. He'd try to convince her to come with him back to Fort Smith. She deserved better and he could give it to her. He had made up his mind. He was going to get her out of that situation. He was going to make life better for her and those kids.

  Suddenly he remembered Betsy. Those were the same feelings he had held for her and everything had blown up in his face. She had taken all he had had to give then had thrown him out without a second thought. This thing with Leah Walsh was exactly the same situation. He was being a fool, just like before. This woman was a prostitute and like all whores would probably turn on him when she was able or the first time she had a better offer. She'd take her kids and leave him alone, just like before. He was a fool to trust any woman like that again.

  He smi
led at his own foolishness. "There you go. Getting on your white horse again and coming to some whore's rescue. When are you going to learn, you damned fool?" he said to himself. He thought for a while longer. "Oh well, what the hell? Maybe this time it will be different."

  He walked on and told himself he would be smarter this time. He would just help her out without the commitment. He didn't have to go all the way with this one. He would get her free of Banford and help her get on her feet. After that he would see what developed. He would play it smarter. He knew the signs to watch for. He had learned from before. This time would be different.

  Chapter 11

  Lovell caught a ride once he was on the turnpike and made it into Fort Smith with no further problems. Evett Nix accepted his report and issued a mild ass chewing for being alone on the trail during a dangerous assignment. Nix also gave him a hundred dollar advance to buy a new outfit and offered to relieve him of duty for a week or so. Lovell said he'd rather head back to the others. There was no recent news from Pete Syle or Bass Reeves and he was worried about them. Nix reluctantly agreed.

  Lovell was to see a doctor about his hand and then, if he could, get himself outfitted and make the rendezvous with the other marshals. Judge Parker would issue a warrant for Chauncy Lightfoot for assault and attempted murder of a federal officer, on Lovell's word.

  The doctor said that it would be several weeks before he would have full mobility in his hand and he might never regain the stability or strength he had before. He looked at the stitches and complemented whoever had done it. Lovell didn't offer an explanation. The doctor tried to set Lovell's nose but said it would be several weeks before he would know how serious the injury was. It was going to be crooked but as long as Lovell didn't have unusual sinus or breathing problems there was little else he could do.

  Lovell had found himself a nice Roman nose black gelding that mouthed at around five years of age at the Big Bear stable. The gelding was solid with a good set of legs, black hooves and a deep chest. A passing wrangler had died of pneumonia without leaving any way of making connections to his family or friends. Lovell bought the horse and the cowboy's Collins Brothers saddle, and all from Joe Coble for forty dollars to settle stable fees. Ten went into Joe's pocket and the rest would be kept for a year to see if there were any claims against the horse and saddle. After that Joe could pocket the money.

  Lovell tried not to act self-conscious when he entered John Black's dry goods store. He knew he looked pretty rough and his pride was injured but he needed supplies. Lovell needed a good gun that he could manage in spite of his injuries and John Black carried a large stock. Besides, Lovell wanted to know if Bonny and John had been able to reconcile their differences. He wouldn't ask directly. Rather he hoped some clues might be dropped during an exchange.

  A clerk started toward Lovell to serve him but Black recognized him and told the clerk that he would handle this customer himself. He shook his head as he approached Lovell. "It looks like you haven't faired very well since our last visit."

  Lovell nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I ran into some trouble. I lost several items. I wonder if you can help me replace them."

  "What do you need?" Black asked in a friendly manner.

  "I need a hat, vest, watch and good coat. I prefer a Stetson if you've got one."

  "Like you wore?"

  "Yes."

  Black produced a gray "Boss of the Plains." "I don't have the same color but the style is identical."

  Lovell drew on the hat and examined himself in a looking glass by the counter. He winced when he saw the condition of his nose and eye.

  "It looks painful," Black observed. "You took quite a going over."

  "Yeah," Lovell said. "How much?"

  "Let's settle up on a package deal. I owe you that much."

  "Alright" Lovell said after hesitating. "I need a vest and coat."

  Black found him a nice gray vest with knotched lapels and a black frock coat. "These should fit."

  Lovell tried them on and nodded.

  "As for a watch, I've got some nice watch and chain combinations on sale."

  "As long as it's sturdy and keeps good time, I'm not particular," Lovell said.

  Black picked out a nice, heavy model with open face. "It isn't as fancy as most but it'll keep good time and it's rugged. It's seventeen jewel, with a separate second hand, and the chain and T-bar are included."

  Lovell nodded. "It'll do. I'm on a tight budget."

  "Now, what about a gun? I've got some nice Colts and a few surplus Army Schofields."

  Lovell shook his head. "I want a Winchester carbine. What have you got?"

  Black smiled. "I don't know that I've ever seen a marshal who didn't pack a revolver."

  Lovell held out his hand for Black's examination. "For the time being, a revolver won't do me much good. I need an equalizer. If I have to have one or the other, I'd rather carry a Winchester."

  Black turned for the rifle rack. "I have two new Winchester '73s in .44 Centerfire. They have nineteen-inch barrels, saddle-ring, elevated sights and a cartridge slot in the butt. They are plain guns but popular with the cowboys." He handed one to Lovell.

  Lovell handled the gun and drew down on the sights. He liked the steel chamber and heavier caliber much better than his old brass framed Model '66 Yellow Boy. "How much?"

  "I list them at thirteen dollars. I'll sell it to you for eleven."

  "I need a cartridge belt, two fifty-round boxes of cartridges, a common Bowie knife and two of them bone handled folding pocket knives."

  Black nodded and piled the goods on the counter. "Is that all?"

  "It's enough."

  "Thirteen for the hat, ten for the coat, five for the vest, eleven for the rifle, two dollars a box for the cartridges, two dollars for the Bowie, a dollar for the pocket knives, three dollars for the watch, thirty cents for the belt. That comes to forty-nine dollars and thirty cents. I'll let you have the whole rig for forty-five dollars even money."

  "Sounds good," Lovell said as he drew his cash.

  "I can loan you a revolver until you can afford one."

  "Appreciate it but I'll make out." He counted out his money.

  Black nodded and wrote out a receipt. "You got time for a cup of coffee?"

  Lovell was hoping for a chance to talk. "Yes, sir, I would."

  "Gather your goods and let's go back to the office." He drew a black scarf from a selection and handed it to Lovell. "Here. It's on the house. You'll need a good scarf on the trail."

  Lovell tied the scarf around his neck, slipped on the vest and coat and carried the rest to the office. As Black gathered the coffee cups and filled them, Lovell opened a cartridge box and began placing the .44s into the belt cartridge loops.

  "You don't come in here very often, Marshal. I suppose you're curious about Bonny."

  Lovell watched him, unsure of how he was going to behave. "I needed the goods but, yes, I was curious how you two are fairing."

  Black set the cup next to Lovell. "I appreciate what you did for her. I don't know what I'd have done if something had happened to her or the girls."

  "It's my job. Think nothing of it." He hesitated. "How did it go?"

  "She came home. I don't know. We're trying to talk it out. I took your advice about giving her some space."

  "I shouldn't have said anything. She's your woman."

  "No, I believe you were right. What did she tell you?"

  Lovell considered his request. He wasn't sure he should say too much. "We really didn't talk about it too much. She's unhappy. Beyond that I don't know much else. It really isn't any of my business."

  Black nodded and sipped his coffee. "She seemed quite taken with you. I got the impression that you talked quite a bit."

  "We were together for a couple of days. We passed the time. Why?"

  "Nothing. She seemed distant. I tried to apologize but she seemed preoccupied with you."

  Lovell grew tired of beating around the bush. "Come to the point
, Mr. Black."

  Black hesitated. It was obvious that he was having difficulty. "She's my wife, Marshal. I want the chance to work something out…without interference, if you know what I mean."

  Lovell thought quickly. He wondered what she had said or done for Black to be so suspicious. He took a sip of his coffee and considered a diplomatic response. "I don't know what you know about me or what you think went on between us. I have been married a couple of times myself and was on the receiving end of what you are suspecting more than once. I have an attitude about that sort of thing. I don't trifle with married women. I won't be a party to breaking up a marriage."

  Black seemed to relax. "I didn't know how else to say this."

  "No, think nothing of it. I like it straight from the shoulder. Your wife is an attractive woman with some fine qualities." He let his eyes burn into Black's. "But she's an attractive married woman. As long as she's married I have no interest in her... unless she's abused. I don't know how else to say it."

  "That's all I ask. All I wanted to know."

  Lovell smiled. He liked Black for his candor. It was good to be in the presence of a man with the guts to come out with it. "Then there's no problem. I hope it works out for you. She's worth fighting for. Strikes me that you're a man who can make things work."

  Black smiled. "I asked Evett Nix about you. He pretty much predicted what would happen if I confronted you. He told me that if I had any questions about Don Lovell that I should go to Don Lovell. I could be certain that you'd tell me exactly what you thought."

  "I'm afraid I don't know how else to be at this stage of my life. It just seems to work out better when a man says what he thinks and does what he says."

  Black motioned toward the pot. "More coffee?"

  "No, thank you. I need to be getting my gear together. Just as soon as I pick up the warrant I have an appointment with a gent about a recent visit he and I had. I want to settle up with him as soon as possible."

  Black smiled. "I bet you do. That loan of a revolver offer still goes."

  Lovell shoved a cartridge into the last loop and slipped the Bowie knife sheath on the belt. He stood and fastened it under his vest. He picked up the new watch. "What time have you got?"