Western Christmas - Part 3 . . . & 4

Good Morning Western Wednesday Christmas Readers!


It is hard to believe it is the 21st of December all ready! Last night we had hot gingerbread for supper! (What is the difference between coffee cake and gingerbread when you are having a breakfast meal for supper? Not much.) I love gingerbread! Especially hot! :)


I was told no one would mind if I posted the last two parts of the Western Christmas today. If you do mind, I guess you can just wait until another day to read Part 4. I was going to only write three parts to this story, but they made me write another part. :) I didn't think you'd mind. :) I'd love to know your thoughts when you finish reading it.


Enjoy your day and come back for your Friday Fiction to finish the story of The Worst and Best Christmas. 

This story has been removed for publishing purposes.

Western Christmas - Part 2

Well, it wouldn't be very nice if I forgot to post the Western Wednesday's story, would it? I was trying to decide what I'd post this morning and then I realized it was Wednesday! I didn't have to decide after all. :)

This story has been removed for publishing purposes.

Thanks.

Western Christmas - Part 1

Yesterday we woke up to a dusting of snow! It was so pretty and made it really feel like winter. :)
Today is going to be super busy but fun. I'll share more another time. Today is also Pearl Harbor and Dad's birthday!
Hope you all have a Wonderful Western Wednesday! Enjoy!

This story has been removed for publishing purposes.

Thanks.

The Unexpected Request - Part 61

Good Morning Western Wednesday Readers,


There's a chance of rain today, I have to mail two of my books out this morning and ask a few questions before I mail out two more (this time to the Library of Congress!) and I teach two writing classes this afternoon and I'll be selling at least two more copies of my book. Should be plenty busy. :)


If you are reading this post because you are a fan of The Unexpected Request, you should know that this is the last week I'll be posting this story! If you want to read the rest you can purchase the book. (You would get to read the rest of the story much quicker because if I continued to post it would be the 2nd week in March before it would be finished!) Also, if you read this part you will be on page 225 in the book.:) 


I will be going back to my regular posting schedule of only posting on Fridays. At least until either December (I might post randomly as I did last year) or until I have a lot of Triple Creek Ranch written and not posted.


I see that my Short Stories page is growing in popularity. :) I hope my readers are enjoying the stories. As you read you might want to keep in mind what stories you like and think should be in my first book of short stories. I'll be posting more about that another day.


Here is the very last western to be posted. Enjoy!

Part 61

    All night Ty remained on the cliff. As the first grey of dawn appeared, Ty looked up and whispered, “Pa, I ain’t givin’ up. I’ll find her.” He stood with bared head, and a look of firm conviction on his face. “God helpin’ me, I’ll do it!”

    When Sally awoke, she found Ty sitting beside the fire while their breakfast was cooking. For a moment she just lay there and watched him. There was a new look on his face. In some respects he seemed older, more sure, while in others . . . Sally couldn’t quite figure out the difference.
    Just then Ty noticed she was awake. “I was beginin’ ta wonder if’n ya were goin’ ta sleep all mornin’.”
    Sally sat up. “Ty, what . . .” she paused unsure of what to say.
    With a smile, Ty reached out and gently squeezed her arm. “Everything’s all right now. I reckon we’ll jest keep on goin’ from town ta town ‘till the Good Lord tells us different. An’ Sally,” he added softly, “yer right, it does help ta pray.”
    “Oh, Ty!” Nothing else needed to be said.
    That morning, for the first time since they had left their own cabin months before, Sally unwrapped the family Bible from it’s place on one of the pack horses and read aloud a few verses marked by their mother’s hand so many years before.
    In silence, Carson listened, recalling those days of long ago when Jake’s Ellen would read from the Bible.

    After that, everyone was more cheerful, more hopeful. They continued asking at each town, each village and each lonely farmhouse or shack, but it was always with the same unsatisfying answer: “Never heard a them.” The days followed days turning into weeks which in turn turned into months. They had left the mountains and were now in the lower desert lands heading more west than south. The year was rapidly drawing towards a close. Up in the mountains the snows of winter already held the small towns prisoner; however, down in the desert, the weather, though cooler during the night, was pleasant and the traveling was comfortable for the most part. They would have made better time if they hadn’t stopped so often, but no one seemed to mind the stops.
    “Ya know,” Carson remarked one day after three days of only coming to one small shack at which no one was home, “I reckon we ought ta’ve reached the Nevada border by now.”
    “’Crossed it some days back,” retorted Ty.
    Carson snorted. “How’d ya know?”
    “Jest did,” Ty answered. Then, seeing his older friend’s look of disbelief, he added, “Asked the last man we saw how far it were. I reckon you were already on yer horse.”
    “Well, I don’t care if we are in Nevada or not,” Sally sighed. “I just wish we’d find a town. I’m growing tired of riding day after day and not getting anywhere.”
    “Sure seems that way!” Ty agreed with his sister. There was not a lot of variety in the semi arid lands they were now riding through. Plains and hills dotted with scrub trees and bushes. It was nothing like the rugged, towering mountains they had just come through nor yet like the vast expanse of prairie they had glimpsed on their ride to Fort Laramie on the eastern side of the mountain ranges.
    Mile after mile the trio rode onward. Suddenly Sally screamed.
    “What is it?” Ty exclaimed, half drawing his gun while Carson began scanning the nearby landscape to see what had caused Sally’s fright. “Sally! What’s wrong?”
    Sally’s lower lip was trembling and she clutched her locket. Looking up into her brother’s concerned face she wailed, “Ty, tomorrow is Christmas! I don’t want to spend Christmas out here in the middle of no where!”
    Releasing his breath in a long sigh, Ty pushed his gun back in its holster. “Ya sure had me thinkin’ somethin’ was wrong, Sis.”
    “There is,” persisted Sally. “Don’t you think we can reach some town tonight?”
    Ty looked over at Carson.
    “I ain’t sure jest how far we are from Sagebrush, but I reckon it won’t hurt ta try. If’n we can get these here horses ta move faster’n a turtle.” So saying, Carson nudged Flint, and the horse, not objecting to a faster gait, obliged willingly.

    “There’s Sagebrush,” Carson called back to his companions as he reached the top of a hill and saw the few building lying before him.
    “It’s ‘bout time,” Ty called back. “I were startin’ ta think the sun were goin’ ta set ‘fore we got there.”
    Already the sun was fast slipping down towards the western horizon. They were all tired, having ridden for ten days, and the last hours they had pushed their mounts on faster than usual, for the thought of spending Christmas Eve alone under the stars was not appealing.
    Riding into the town, Carson and Ty kept a lookout for a hotel, but to their amazement, there wasn’t one. “What’s this?” Ty grumbled. “Ain’t they even got a hotel or some such place for travelers?”
    Carson shrugged. “I reckon maybe they don’t get travelers enough ta build one. Shall we spend the night at the liv’ry?”
    “Ty,” Sally rode up beside her brother and touched his arm. “There’s a church over there. Listen! Ty, it’s a Christmas Eve service. Oh, do let’s go!” Sally had pointed to a small, wooden structure which was obviously a church and before which several horses stood tied to the hitching posts and multiple wagons waited in the growing dusk.
    Ty looked at Carson who nodded. “All right. Perhaps we can find a place ta stay too, else we’re goin’ ta be sleepin’ outside ‘gain even if’n it is Christmas Eve.”
    The service had already started when the trio of friends slipped in the door. The room was quite full with men standing in the back, and seemingly every seat full. But, somehow one was found for Sally.

Does it make you want to read the book to find out what happens?

The Unexpected Request - Part 60

Good Morning Western Wednesday Readers,
I should give you a heads up. Western Wednesday won't be here much longer. No, the book is not about to end, I just won't be posting the last of it here. So, (I know, I know, you all think I'm terribly mean) if you want to read the end of the book, now is you chance to buy it for the lowest price you will probably ever get! Yep, if you are a blog reader fan of The Unexpected Request you can now reserve you own copy of it for only $8.50! (The cover price is $14.95.) To pre-order your copy, you can do one of two things: you can leave a comment requesting a copy (if I don't have your e-mail address, please leave that as well. I will be sure to delete it.) or you can send me an e-mail requesting your copy. You will have to pay shipping if I have to mail it to you. If you want it signed, let me know that as well. I don't have any copies right now to ship out, so I will continue posting Western Wednesday until I do.


I've been rather busy since I posted on Friday. Saturday we babysat 9 kids ages 6 and under for about four hours.:) Now that was fun. We had a 6-y-o, a just-turned-5, a 4 1/2, two 3 1/2-y-olds, three nearly 2-y-olds, and a seven month old. Talk about busy.
Yesterday we babysat my niece and two of my nephews for about 5 1/2 hours.
Last night we had some visitors. Three small, furry, black and white creatures with floofy (fluffy + poofy) tails.:) The same kind of animal that Orlena saw in the Triple Creek Ranch on Friday. Only, we didn't throw rocks at these cute, little things. :) We just watched them. I think they are all three young ones because they were rather small and all the same size. One was almost all white, another was mostly black and the third was a more balanced mixture of the two colors.


Okay, okay, I must stop this rambling. You'll forget all about requesting your copy of The Unexpected Request if I fill your mind with other things. Maybe I'll ramble on Friday. (If I have anything to ramble about.)

Part 60

    Standing a few feet from the edge of the bluff with folded arms, Ty remained still as Sally approached.
    “Ty,” she ventured softly seeing that he didn’t turn to look at her, “you can’t give up now. We will find her.”
    Ty didn’t move or even seem to be listening.
    Uncertain of what to do or say next, Sally, too, remained silent and looked out across the river. Only the rushing of the waters below, the restful chirps of a lone bird and the rustle of wind through the colored leaves disturbed the stillness of the evening. As Sally glanced down into the waters far below, the sudden remembrance of that dreaded cliff over which they had passed on their way to Fort Laramie swept over her and she caught her breath, grasping Ty’s arm fiercely and backing away from the edge.
    Startled by her actions, Ty looked down at her. “Sally!” he exclaimed, “what’s happened?”
    She shuddered, still hanging on to his arm. “That cliff. It reminded me of--” A shiver ran over her before she could finish.
    Ty finished the sentence for her. “Of the cliff where that there mountain lion were?”
    She nodded.
    “Well, we ain’t going ta have ta walk ‘long this side a the cliff. Ya jest can’t be thinkin’ ‘bout that other place,” Ty added pulling his sister back towards the cliffs where he had been standing, but she hung back. “Come on,” he coaxed, “ya didn’t use ta be scared a cliffs.”
    “Can I sit down?” she ventured, timidly moving forward once again.
    For answer, Ty led her to a large rock which made a pleasant seat. There the two remained in silence, watching the river for several minutes.
    At last, Sally, glancing at her brother and noticing the grim look begin to steal across his face, asked softly, “You aren’t giving up, Ty, are you?”
    “Givin’ up?” Ty repeated almost fiercely. “No! It’s jest that I ain’t sure what ta do now. I can’t stop till I got the trail ‘gain. An’ that,” he sighed, “seems utterly hopeless.”
    “We can pray about it,”
    Ty grunted. “It ain’t helped.”
    “But it can,” Sally persisted. “Ty,” she began again after a moment, “when you were so sick at the Fields, I didn’t know what to do. I tried to pray, but it didn’t seem to work because I wanted God to make you better right away and He didn’t. Then one night, it was the night you began to grow better, I had gone outside and Joe came and talked to me. He explained everything to me and then I knew.”
    “Knew what?” Ty asked gently, for Sally’s face wore a look of such love and peace that Ty was awed.
    “Knew that sometimes God says yes right away and sometimes He says no because he has a better plan, and other times he says just to wait and trust Him.” Sally had been watching the reflection of the setting sun on the river and now turned her eyes to her brother’s face. “Ty, I don’t think God has said no to finding our sister, I think he has just said wait.”
    “Hump,” Ty frowned, “then why did we come this way anyway?”
    “Why Ty!” exclaimed Sally. “If we hadn’t come then ‘they’ would still be free to try to kill you instead of behind bars where they can do no harm. And if Starlight hadn’t thrown that shoe, we wouldn’t have stayed in Dead Horse anyway and--.”
    “Okay,” Ty cut her short. “So this here trip weren’t a complete waste a time. I jest don’t see what we’re ta do next!”
    “You could try praying. Pa always did, and it helps me. It helps Carson too. He said so.” Ty didn’t reply and so, after a few more minutes of quiet, Sally rose softly and slowly made her way back to the fire where Carson was waiting.
    Alone on the cliff, Ty sat in thought. Was Sally right? Did praying help? From a child his father had taught him from the Bible. He knew in his mind what was promised in it, but never had he tested and proved it. Why not? Honestly he didn’t know. He just never had gotten around to it he supposed. Didn’t he have time? Plenty of time, but never before did he feel the need of some help outside of his own strength and ability. “I can’t find her on my own, Pa,” he muttered to himself. “I need help.” But still Ty waited, his thoughts in turmoil. Was he wanting to come to God just because he had a problem he couldn’t solve? If that were so, would he, once help had been received, not turn his back on the One who had helped him? Such a sudden great longing for a talk with his father came over Ty that he sank down on the rock where Sally had sat and buried his face in his hands while great, silent sobs shook his strong frame. In all his life, never had he remembered feeling so alone and helpless. His father was gone! Never could he go to him in trouble, never would he tramp the woods with him, never hear his voice!
    “Oh, God of my father! God of my mother, do not forsake me!” In the darkness of the night no one saw Ty slip to his knees beside that rock, no one but the loving Father who had been tenderly seeking His lost sheep over mountains and plains, leading, drawing and now bringing him home safely on His shoulders. The wrestling was over and Ty knelt, feeling a closeness to God that he had never experienced before. The moon rose, but still Ty remained on his knees unmindful of the fog that rose up around him. At last a great longing which he had once thought was the desire to find his sister, was gone. He felt satisfied. He knew he would someday fulfill his vow to his father, but he was no longer discouraged.

Leave your comments if you have any.

The Unexpected Request - Part 59

It is a good thing it is Western Wednesday and not Fiction Friday!
I nearly panicked because I had no idea what to post at first. :) But I'm guessing you would like another Western. Make the most of it. :)


I have writing class again today. This time I have two classes. I'm doing the girls as well as starting class with a younger brother of one of the girls. He has wanted to take writing from me so we'll see how it goes. I think he'll be fun. :)


Have to get on with other things. Enjoy this.

Part 59

     Also, the fact that no positive clue of any kind had been discoved about his sister since they left Fort Laramie was causing serious doubts of ever finding her to torment him. The clue they had gotten at South Pass might or might not have been true. Perhaps they should have continued on to California or Oregon. Would they have to backtrack as a tracker does when he has lost the trail? Unknowingly, Ty’s brows had drawn together, and he neither replied to Carson’s question nor noticed his horse was lagging behind.
    “Cheer up, Ty,” Carson called, having reined in his horse to wait until Ty rode up and then slapping him on the back.
    Ty looked up startled, his hand instinctively reaching for his holstered gun.
    Carson laughed and knocked Ty’s hand away. “I jest said, cheer up. Ain’t nothin’ ta shoot. Why Son, yer as grim as an old billy goat who’s beard jest got pulled. Ya said ya wanted ta make tracks, well by thunder, let’s make ‘em! These here horses are jest longin’ fer a good gallop since the road is right dandy. Why, even them pack horses seem ta think their pullin’ a stagecoach an’ are in an awful hurry. Now, are ya goin’ ta join us or are Sally an I goin’ ta leave ya in the dust?”
    Ty looked a little sheepish. “I reckon I’ll join ya. Let’s go!” And with a loud whoop and a wave of his hat, Ty let Par have his head which he had been trying to get for the past mile and away they all went.
    Racing down the road in that fashion with manes and tails streaming behind and the wind in his face, brought back memories to Carson of the days when he and Jake Elliot were boys together and used to race their horses on the level stretches of road between their two homes. The race didn’t last long and when Ty, who was in the lead, pulled his horse to a walk, there was no trace of the grim expression he had previously worn.
    Sally came up with streaming hair, rosy cheeks and laughing eyes. “That was fun,” she gasped shaking back her hair from her face. “Starlight didn’t want to stop, did you Girl?” and Sally patted her horse’s neck. As though in answer, Starlight tossed her head with a whicker causing all three riders to laugh.
    “That made me feel like a lad again when yer pa an’ I use ta race.”
    “Who won, Uncle Bob?”
    “It were different each time. Ain’t sure who won most, it were mostly jest fer fun.”
    “Well, I reckon we ain’t likely ta do much a that kind a ridin’,” Ty remarked. “But that were jest dandy. Didn’t know Par had it in ‘im.” Ty gave his mount a gentle slap on the neck.

    The trip to Thorn Hollow was made in four days since the trio were used to long days of riding and had good mounts. It was the afternoon of the fourth day when the town came into sight. This town was more up and coming than Dead Horse had been and they found the hotel to be quite satisfactory. On the day after their arrival, Ty, Sally and Carson began their usual questioning of the townsfolk. “Has anyone heard of a family named Westlin? They had many daughters and might have come through about eleven years ago.” Always it was the same, “Never heard of them. Sorry.” After three days of fruitless searching, the companions set off for the next town.
    There the same story was repeated. No one had heard of the family searched for, but perhaps in the next town they would have news. At each town Sally wrote to the Fields always telling them where they were heading next, always hopeful that the next letter might have better news.

    And so the days passed. Towns were one by one reached, the townsfolk questioned and the trio moved on. Hope and faith grew dim and almost dwindled into nothing as town after town only brought fresh disappointments. Could they go on like this much longer? No longer did they race their horses between towns, but plodded along seemingly unmindful of the coolness in the air or the brisk north winds which blew, bringing autumn and winter snows.
    Ty especially seemed disheartend and scarcely spoke. Lost in thoughts of the past and full of bleak thoughts for the future, he rode day after day and sat by their evening fires scarcely eating.
    Sally began to grow concerned and looked anxiously at Carson when, one evening, Ty wondered away from camp to stand on a bluff overlooking a river. “I just can’t stand to see him like this, Uncle Bob,” she confessed watching her brother. “Why don’t we find out anything?”
    “Could be we ain’t on the right trail any more. I’m thinking maybe it’d be best if’n we stayed the winter at the next town an’ then start up the search ‘gain in spring,” Carson replied slowly.
    “Do you think Ty will agree to settle down?” Sally asked.
    Shrugging his shoulders, Carson also watched his young friend. He strongly doubted that Ty would consent to halt the search, at least not until the snows of winter forced him to. What were they to do?
    For several minutes Sally watched Ty. She had been praying every day that some clue would turn up. Even if it meant they had to go hundreds of miles, anything would seem good news at this point. At last she stood and, after shaking the leaves off her skirt, slowly made her way over to Ty’s side.
    Carson watched until she reached him, then, turning away, he wandered away into the woods where in a quiet, sheltered spot, he knelt in prayer for the two young lives so dear to his heart. He prayed also for his missing Sunshine wherever she was at that moment.

Questions? Comments?

The Unexpected Request - Part 58

What a Wonderful Western Wednesday Readers!
I hope it is as wonderful where you are as it is here. Right now it is in the 50s and supposed to get to 73 degrees while being mostly sunny.:) Ah, delightful.


I get to start teaching writing class today!!!! Yay! I've missed teaching. This fall I will only have three students, but that is better than none.:) We are going to have so much fun! It would probably make you jealous if you knew all the fun we were going to have. 


Yes, I have been writing. I'm getting back into it. Sometimes I just have to make myself write a little. Other times I write best when I'm really tired. Go figure that one out if you can.:}


Hope you enjoy this weeks western.

Part 58

    “Shall we go ta the liv’ry an’ check on Starlight?” Ty asked as the three were eating their breakfast the next morning.
    No objections were raised and before long Ty, Carson and Sally were in the street heading for the livery. As they reached the jail, Sheriff Owen hailed them.
    “What’s up?” Carson asked. “Don’t tell me ya let them birds fly the coop.”
    “Hah,” the sheriff scoffed. “They’re not getting out of this jail in a hurry. At least not on their own. I just have some news.” He beckoned them all in.
    “What kind a news?” Ty asked questioningly, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms.
    “Well,” began the sheriff, offering a chair to Sally and then perching himself on the corner of his desk, “I got a wire from the U.S. Marshall. It turns out he’s only on the other side of Rockslide Pass and should get here by the middle of the week. He doesn’t think it’ll be hard to get the evidence we need the hang them all, but he was wanting you,” and he looked at Ty, “to tell me exactly where the cave is you mentioned. That is, if you can remember.”
    “I reckon I can recall it, but what good’s it goin’ ta do with the Marshall here an’ that stuff back there?”
    “I don’t know for sure, but I think he’ll either go there himself or contact the closest law to those parts and look for it. Now, can you tell me where it is?”
    “Yep, long’s I ain’t got ta write it.”
    The sheriff smiled. “I’ll write and you talk.”
    Ty nodded and for several minutes thought while the sheriff gathered paper and pen and seated himself at the desk.
    At last Ty began, “Jest ask any a the town folk a Mel’s Ridge how ta get ta Pine Draw. I reckon it’s ‘bout four miles inta it ‘fore ya reach a rock ‘bout the size a that saloon ‘cross the street.”
    Rapidly the sheriff’s pen scratched across the page. Having had a good education, he was well used to writing and as the pause from Ty grew in length, he looked up. “Then where do you go?”
    “Ya got that writ already?” Ty looked astonished.
    “Yep.”
    “Well, I’ll be! I ain’t never seen no one who could write that fast. Now, lemma think, ya got ta turn north jest after that rock an’ folla the trail. It ain’t a large one, but the local trappers can find it for ya. Once ta the top a the draw, ya’ll come ta woods. Jest take a straight north course an’ when ya reach the other side ya’ll find the side a the mountain. It’s mostly jest rock, but ‘bout the middle of the cliff there is, or least there use ta be, a snarly old pine an’ jest behind it and up, oh I reckon, ‘bout three feet’ll be the cave. Course if’n they ain’t uncovered it, it’ll still be piled with rocks.”
    “It sure sounds like you know what you’re talking about, Ty,” remarked Sheriff Owen after he had read the directions aloud and Ty had confirmed them. “Were you ever lost in those mountains?”
    “Only once when I weren’t more’n eight years old.”
    Standing up, the sheriff held out his hand to Ty. “Thank you for helping clear our town of four undesirable residents. You sure you don’t want to stay for a few weeks and help clean up the rest of the town?”
    “Sure,” Ty replied, shaking the sheriff’s hand. “We’re goin’ ta check on the horse now an’ I’m wantin’ ta be gettin’ on today.”
    “Where are you heading?” questioned the sheriff, as he followed the three companions out of the door.
    Carson answered, “Thorn Holler.”
    “Well, if I don’t see you again before you leave, good luck and God speed.”
    “Thanks.”

    “Ah, mine Herrs and Fraulein, you have come to see about your horse, nein?” Herr Rohbar came out of his shop wiping his hands on his large apron. “Vell, I have good news. Ze horse, she ish ready to have ze new shoe put on. Zees days of rest ver vat she needed. Now she get ze new shoe.”
    “What about the other shoes?” Carson asked.
    “On zis horse?”
    Carson nodded.
    “I shecked them. I vill put in a new nail in vone of them, but ze others, zey are fine.”
    Ty turned to Carson, “I reckon it wouldn’t hurt none ta have ‘im check the other horses. I ain’t want’n ta lose another shoe.”
    “Sounds like a mighty fine plan ta me. Gonna take Sally with us?”
    Ty glanced around, but Sally was not to be seen.
    A chuckle came from the blacksmith. “You are looking for ze fraulein, nein? Mine kindders, zay come to ze door to see who their papa talk to. Ven zay see their freund, yer schwester, zay fraulein, zey shmile an’ she go to zem. Ah, ze kindders, zay vill be sad to see ze fraulein go, an’ my Frau Senora Juanita vill too. It ish not many freunds she have here.” The good blacksmith ended his talk with a sigh.
    Carson and Ty exchanged glances. Then Ty spoke. “Mr. Rohbar, if’n we brought our other horses, would ya mind checkin’ their shoes?”
    “Nein! Nein! Bring yer horses an’ I vill check zem.”

    It was shortly after noonday that the travelers, Sally, Ty and Carson rode at last out of Dead Horse, heading for Thorn Hollow. All the horses were in fine spirits after their unexpected rest and pranced and tossed their heads in the warm sunshine. Ty had mixed feelings. Though most of the weight had been lifted from his shoulders when he turned Mason, Poker, Shorty and Duffer over to the sheriff, he still wondered about Bartram. Would he, too, show up at an unexpected time? Must he always wonder and watch? Would he never be able to truly put that experience behind him?

Questions before next week?

The Unexpected Request - Part 57

Good Morning Western Wednesday Readers,
It is cooler now. The last few days have been summer again with the temperatures reaching 102. Now it is cloudy with an almost chilly breeze. I love fall!


I've gotten a little writing done, but this week is busy. I don't start writing class after all. That will be next week. I certainly wish I was traveling with Priscilla De Silvosa. :) But, I'm much to busy to join her and Amy.


I hope you enjoy this next part of The Unexpected Request. Thanks for the book reviews those that sent them. You all did a great job especially considering that not one of you has read the end yet.:)
What do you think of this part?

Part 57

    But Carson protested, “Rohbar, that mud’s so deep ya’d sink up ta the hubs a the wheels ‘fore ya’d a gotten ta the main street. I reckon Sally can walk on the boardwalks ‘long the street an’ it ain’t goin’ ta hurt her any. If’n she’s afraid a the mud, she ain’t the daughter a my best friend.”
    After a speech like that, Sally couldn’t have been paid to ride in a wagon. “It was very kind of you to offer, Mr. Rohbar, but I don’t mind walking. And,” she added with a smile for the missus, “a little mud never hurt any of my clothes. Good-bye!”

    The trip back to the house took longer than any of them expected, for the mud was so thick and heavy that it pulled on their boots making walking in the street almost impossible. At last, however, the trip was ended, as all trips eventually do, and the trio were sheltered once again in the dry, cozy house near the edge of town.
    Ty brought in wood and Carson started a blazing fire while Sally prepared to wash and mend the best of their clothes in preparation for the morrow. Without any trouble she had secured Carson’s approval to attend church in the morning with the Rohbars.
    The afternoon and evening passed quickly by. As she was mending, Sally questioned her brother and Carson about what had happened during their visit to the sheriff. Though she was relieved that Mason, Poker, Shorty and Duffer were now in jail, she was horrified to find out why Ty had had to leave home so quickly. “Ty, when we get back home, we need to get a sheriff.”
    “Reckon yer right.”
    Sally sewed a few minutes in silence. “Ty,” she began again, “I can’t think of anyone who would make a good sheriff. They’re either too old or too busy or something. You could be the sheriff.”
    Ty snorted and looked disgusted while Carson grinned.
    “What?” Sally asked, puzzled.
    Seeing that Ty didn’t intend to answer her, Carson did. “It’s jest that Ty’s been asked by the sheriff here ta stay an’ be his deputy.”
    “You would make a real good one, Ty,” Sally said slowly.
    “I ain’t gonna be no deputy,” he retorted. “I’ve got other things ta do an’ I ain’t stayin’ ‘round this here town.”
    “Of course we aren’t staying,” soothed Sally. “We aren’t going to really stay anywhere until we find . . . her.” It always felt a bit awkward talking about the missing Eleanor Elliot.
    Hardly any more talk was had that evening, and in silence, the trio prepared for the next day.

    The sun was shining and the mud on the streets was not as impassible as it had been, when Carson, Ty and Sally set off for the little church. Several birds were singing brightly up in the clear sky on that quiet morning. Sighing a contented sigh, Sally tucked her hand through her brother’s arm, and, when he glanced down at her, she smiled up at him, though there were tears in her eyes as she whispered, “It’s been so long.”

    It was a very quiet afternoon which the trio spent back at their temporary home following the church service. Sally wrote a letter to the Fields. It was only the third letter she had written in her life and it took her most of the afternoon as well as part of the evening.
    After supper, Carson and Ty sat before the fire, Carson checking over the bridles for their horses and Ty busy with knife and wood, whittling while Sally labored over her letter at the table.
    “Ty,” Carson began, “if’n we leave tomorrow, where ya thinkin’ a headin’?”
    “Ain’t sure. Jest on.”
    “Ya know winter’s comin’. It ain’t here now, but I reckon that cold rain yesterday wouldn’t a been so nice out in the open. What ya think a goin’ from town ta town, least ways till we get us a clue a some kind. Lest a course ya was wantin’ ta change yer mind ‘bout that deputy notion the sheriff’s got.” He grinned as Ty glowered and snorted.
    Silence descended for a time with only the soft crackling of the fire, the scratching of Sally’s pencil across the paper, a soft brushing sound from Ty’s knife and a gentle jingle now and then from the bridles. Outside the shouts and music from the saloons disturbed the Sunday evening hush which was seeking to settle over the town, lulling the townsfolk into slumber, preparing them for the week of work ahead.
    Sally laid down her pen at last. “I wrote a letter; I don’t know if it is the proper way to write one or not. But Ty, I did want to tell them where we are heading next,” she added the last wistfully.
    “What about headin’ fer Thorn Holler? Rohbar said it’s ‘bout a five day trek if’n we’re goin’ slow.”
    Ty paused in his whittling. “What direction’s it in?”
    “Southwest.”
    “Well, I reckon jest ‘bout any place’d do, seein’ we ain’t got anythin’ ta go on. I sometimes think we were closer ta findin’ her back at Fort Laramie.”
    “We will find her, Ty,” Sally protested. “It hasn’t even been a year. We can’t give up now.”
    “I ain’t givin’ up, Sally. I’ll find her even if I have ta go over this here United States on foot!”
    Leaning back in his chair, Carson crossed his feet and drawled, “Well, I’m a hopin’ we ain’t goin’ ta have ta do much walkin’ I ain’t use ta it.”
    Sally couldn’t keep from smiling at Carson’s attempt to cheer Ty, and then with great care wrote:
    “Ty and Carson said we are going to Thorn Hollow next. It is a five day trip if we go slow. I will try to write from there. Sally.”

    After fastening the locks Carson had discovered on the doors, the trio turned in for the night.

Comments? I love comments.:)

The Unexpected Request - Part 56

Good Morning Western Wednesday Readers!
The cool, early autumn like weather has been here since Sunday! We've been able to get out and walk each day. It is so nice to be able to go outside and not get a sinus headache because of the heat and humidity! If you haven't noticed my publishing progress on this story, go here to see it.:)
I hope you enjoy this next part.

Part 56

It was still raining when the two companions reached the livery. Tramping through the mud had been no easy matter and they were both wet and their boots were filthy. There was no Sally to be seen in the stall with Starlight and, after checking on the horse, Ty and Carson started for the blacksmith’s shop. Here they were greeted from the doorway by Herr Rohbar.
“Velcome, mine herrs! Ze fraulein she ish keeping mine Frau Senora company an playing vith the kindders, nein? But mine Herrs! Your clothes zay are vet! Come in by mine fire, zay shall soon be dry. I call mine Nita. She bring you hot drink, nein?” Before either man could protest, if he had wanted to, Herr Rohbar had pulled open the door leading from the smithy to the little house where his family lived and called, “Nita, bring hot drinks for our fraulein’s bruder an’ friend!”
“Si, my esposo. I bring drinks and food,” was the soft reply heard from the other side of the door.
“She come,” Herr Rohbar informed his visitors as though they couldn’t hear his wife’s answer.
Carson and Ty simply nodded. Both were standing near the blazing fire warming up. The rain had been cold, giving them a taste of the coming fall as it penetrated their clothing.
“Glad we ain’t out on the trail, Ty,” remarked Carson, rubbing his hands together.
“Mr. Rohbar,” Ty turned to the blacksmith.
“Ja?”
“Our horse, how soon ya think she can get her shoe on?”
Herr Rohbar thought. “Ze horse, she ish not much hurt. Rest today an’ tomorrow. I maybe think I can give her new shoe Monday. You vant much to be gone from Dead Horse?”
“Jest wantin’ ta get back on the road ‘fore long.”
Before more talking could be done, the door opened and Frau Senora Juanita entered with a tray of steaming mugs and a plate of cakes. Behind her came Sally carrying the baby and wearing a look of relief as she caught sight of her brother and Carson.
Ty took the offered mug with a smile and a murmured thanks. He was watching his sister.
“Oh, Ty!” she sighed softly, “you are back. I was worried. It was taking so long. They won’t get out will they?”
“Not them,” snorted Ty in low tones, glancing about the shop. Carson and Herr Rohbar had already begun a conversation, and Mrs. Rohbar was ushering the older two children back into the house. No one was paying any attention to the brother and sister.
Sally shifted the child from one arm to the other. “Isn’t he sweet, Ty?” she asked as the young one nestled his head against her neck and offered a timid smile to Ty.
Returning the smile, Ty agreed.
“What is the sheriff going to do with ‘them’?”
Trying to smother a yawn, Ty replied, “He’s wirin’ the U.S. Marshall ‘bout ‘em cause Bartram is their leader an’ he’s a wanted man.”
Sally looked concerned. “Does that mean we have to stay here until he comes?”
Ty shook his head. “Nope. I want ta leave soon’s we can. The blacksmith said he thinks he can get a shoe on Starlight day after tomorra.”
“Ty, that reminds me. Tomorrow is Sunday and the Rohbar’s invited us to go to church with them. I accepted for all of us. I didn’t think you would mind.” She looked anxiously up at him. Would he mind going to church? He had gone when he was at home, but that had been years ago. “Please.”
“Ya really want ta go?”
She nodded.
“We ain’t got any goin’ ta meetin’ clothes, Sis.”
“That’s all right. I can wash and mend a few things this afternoon and if you and Uncle Bob, no,” she paused as she glanced across the room. “Uncle Bob doesn’t shave, but you can. You’ll look real handsome after you shave and have some nicer clothes on.”
“As handsome as Joe Fields?” Ty couldn’t resist asking.
“More handsome,” Sally stoutly insisted, though her cheeks flushed.
“All right. I’ll go. Ya got ta convince Carson ta go though, if’n ya want him.”
“I will,” Sally smiled. Her heart was light with the prospect before her, and she began to plan what they would wear.

Soon the call for dinner was heard and Herr Rohbar urged his guests inside to partake. No one hesitated, for the tantalizing smells had been teasing their stomachs for some time and a hot meal on such a rainy day was not to be turned away. Very pleasant it was to sit in a warm, dry house listening to the rain outside and partaking of the marvelous Mexican food, with a few German dishes added, which Frau Senora Juanita Rohbar had carefully prepared.
There was not much talking during the meal and when it was over, Ty rose, thanking the Rohbar’s for their hospitality and preparing to depart. Carson and Sally also arose with expressions of thanks. Sally was anxious to hear all about the interview with the sheriff and she knew Ty well enough to know that he wouldn’t talk about it before others.
The rain had mostly stopped except for an occasional drizzle, but the streets were a mass of solid mud.
“Ah, mine Herrs,” Herr Rohbar protested, rising and stopping before the door in dismay. “You vould not think of taking ze young fraulein out in zat mud! Ja, ze rain, she ish shtopped, but ze road it ish notting but mud. Nein! Her shoes, zay vill be ruined! An’ her clothes! Nein, you vait for a leetle vile.”
“I’m wearing boots,” Sally said, smiling and lifting up the edge of her skirts.
“But your skirt!” The blacksmith was quite upset. “Nein! Nein! Dass ist nicht gut!” In his distress he lapsed into his native tongue. “Vait!” he exclaimed suddenly. “I vill hitch up ze vagon an zen you can ride home vith comfort.”
“Si!” His pretty wife agreed.

Comments?

The Unexpected Request - Part 55

Good Morning Western Wednesday Readers!
I'm sure you are all wanting the next part. Well, here it is. And don't forget to check for publishing updates on Rebekah's Reading Books.

Part 55

“So that’s why ya rode in an’ said ya had ta leave,” Carson interjected. “Ya sure was closed mouthed ‘bout it all.”
“Jest didn’t want Pa or Sally ta know nothin’. They’d a worried. Least ways Sally would a.” Ty paused a moment before going on. “Pa was dyin’ an’ Sally had wrote ta me tellin’ ‘bout his bein’ sick. We weren’t there more’n a couple days but someone got wind a me bein’ back or comin’ back an’ we had ta light out again.”
“Don’t you have a sheriff out your way?”
“Nope.” Ty shook his head.
“Well!” Sheriff Owen looked astonished. “How long was Bartram around your parts?”
“’Bout two, three years ‘fore I left, I reckon,” replied Ty after thinking a moment.
“Two or three years,” the sheriff mused. “But you left about three years ago . . . Yes, . . . that might fit . . . I wonder if it’s still there?”
“What they hid?” Carson asked.
“Yeah. What do you think, Ty?”
Ty shrugged. “Could be. If’n they’re still wantin’ ta silence me, I wouldn’t be surprised if’n it were there. But then ‘gain . . .”
“It might not be,” finished the sheriff. “I know.
“Do ya know what they might a been hidin’ Sheriff?” asked Carson, quite curious.
The sheriff stroked his chin, stared at the opposite wall and frowned before saying slowly, “It could be money from a stage coach robbery that happened three and a half years ago. They never did find the gold. At least not that I know of.
The three men sat in silence as the rain poured down outside, turning the dust of the streets into mud. The lightning flashed in dazzling display of electric beauty while the thunder rumbled echoing and re-echoing from mountain to mountain, rolling across the sky like a cannon barrage.
Inside, all was quiet and dry. No one seemed inclined to talk, each was mulling over in his mind what he had heard. At last the sheriff stood up. “Anyone want some coffee?” he asked going over to pour himself another cup.
Both Carson and Ty declined.
“I’m going to wire the U.S. Marshall about those theiving foxes, and I’ll let him know about Bartram too. I have a feeling he’ll be quite interested in it all. You all are sticking around for a while, aren’t you? Thinking of moving here, maybe?” Sheriff Owen tipped his chair back on two legs and leaned against the wall and looked hopeful.
Carson answered after glancing at Ty. “Don’t reckon we’ll be here long lest we have ta. One a our horses threw a shoe an’ we got ta wait fer her ta get well ‘fore we get another one on.”
“Hmm.” The sheriff sighed. “Ty?”
Ty turned from the window. “Yep?”
“You wouldn’t want to consider sticking around here for a while would you?”
Ty eyed the sheriff. What did he have in mind? He had brought in some varmints, why did he want him around longer?
Almost as though he could read his thoughts, Sheriff Owen continued. “You see, this town is pretty rough. I’m the only law around and I’m looking for a deputy. I think you’d make a real good one, and I sure could use you.”
“Me, deputy?” Ty looked incredulous.
“I don’t see why not. You managed to bring those four yahoos in with only one shot fired didn’t you?”
“Carson did most of it.”
“Yep, Sheriff,” Carson grinned, “I stood with a drawn gun while he jest rounded up Shorty an’ Duffer. Disarmin’ Duffer an’ scarin’ Shorty so’s his teeth were knockin’ together. I sure did most.”
Carson and Sheriff Owen laughed while Ty turned back to the window. After their laugh had subsided, the sheriff stood up and strode to Ty’s side. Placing a hand on his shoulder he said, “I mean every word I said, Ty. I really could use you. This whole town could use you. What do you say?”
Ty turned around. His face wore a look of firm determination. “I can’t stick ‘round longer’n I have ta, Sheriff. It’s right nice ta know I’m wanted, but I promised my Pa on his death bed that I’d find my missin’ youngest sister.” He paused, drew a deep breath and then continued. “I ain’t had much ta go off a, but it ain’t been a year an’ I aim ta keep goin’ till I find her. I will keep my word, even if it takes me all my life.” He added the last sentence in tones low and full of feeling.
The rain continued to fall outside and the only sounds heard as Ty finished talking were their drops on the roof and windows. “May it never be said that I kept a man from fulfilling his word.” Sheriff Owen held out his hand and Ty shook it heartily. “So, how long is your horse going to be laid up?” He asked returning to his desk.
“I’d say maybe a couple a days, maybe a week,” Carson answered.
“An’ I reckon we ought ta be goin’ ta check on her an’ find out where Sally is,” Ty put in.
Carson rose. “Reckon we ought.”
“Well,” said the sheriff as his two morning visitors stepped out onto the porch. “If you find out you’ll be here for a week, come and see me. If I had you for a deputy for even a week I’m thinking we could clean up half the town.”
Ty grinned. “Ya’d have ta build yerself a bigger jail first,” he shot back. He couldn’t think of himself as a deputy sheriff. “Let us know if’n ya hear from the U.S. Marshall,” he added, stepping out into the muddy street while Sheriff Owen chuckled.
“I’ll do that,” the sheriff called after them. “Keep your guns dry.”
Neither Ty nor Carson talked as they set off down the street towards the livery and blacksmith’s.

Any thoughts?

The Unexpected Request - Part 54

And a Wonderful Western Wednesday to you!
I'm on vacation so this is being posted a little later than normal. Oh well. I didn't really think anyone would mind. :)


I have been busy even if I am on vacation. Yesterday I played two rounds of ping-pong (three games each) with Grandpa, drove for three hours, made corrections and worked on The Unexpected Request and did some other things that need done before I can publish this book. Today I'll go to a used book store with Mom! I love used book stores.:) Who knows, maybe I'll find some really fun, exciting books. I don't mean the stories are exciting but the fact that we found them. But anyway, that is today!

Quick question: Do you think The Unexpected Request should have chapter titles? Please let me know what you think! Thanks!


I hope you all have a delightful Wednesday and stay cool! (If you can!)

Part 54

Ty and Carson waited until Sally had disappeared around the corner before turning and entering the jail.
Sheriff Owen was seated behind his desk with a steaming cup of coffee in his hands. “Morning,” he greeted them.
Ty only nodded while Carson returned the greeting and asked about the prisoners.
“Oh, they’re still there. A pretty silent lot, though I think there’s one of them that might crack if we pressured him some.”
“That’d be Shorty,” Ty put in, glancing about the office casually.
“Well, you two gentlemen go ahead and take seats. You might as well get comfortable. You see, I’m eager to hear why those four yahoos attempted to murder you, how you got them and who that pretty gal was with you last night. Who’s talking?” And the sheriff looked at his visitors.
“I reckon,” Carson began seating himself on a chair and crossing his arms, “that Ty ought ta tell, seein’ as they’ve been after him fer years now. An’ that gal, that were Ty’s sister.” He looked at his companion who had remained standing and now had his back to them. “Ty,” he called, “get yerself a seat an’ let’s get ta the story.”
There was no answer from Ty.
“What’s he lookin’ at?”
The sheriff leaned over. “Just the wanted list. Maybe he knows one of them. I checked it last night but none of those rowdies were listed.”
“That’s cause he ain’t with ‘em.” Ty’s voice was low but distinct.
“What’s that?” the sheriff started up and with a stride was beside his young visitor. “You know one of them? Who?”
Ty pointed. “Bartram. They,” and he jerked his head in the direction of the cells in the back room, “work for him.”
“You don’t say,” whistled Sheriff Owen in surprise. “Bartram has a three hundred dollar price on his head. You think he’s around here?”
Ty shrugged and turned away. “Hard ta tell. I reckon not. They want me, an’ want me bad, so I kind’a figure if’n Bartram were here, he’d a been there last night too.”
The sheriff nodded. “What did they want you for?”
For several minutes Ty sat in silence. At last he spoke. “I reckon I still ain’t sure on some things. But now I know Bartram’s an outlaw, things seem ta be fittin’ better. Ya know if’n Bartram’s wanted in any place else?”
“Sure. It seems like he’s wanted every place west of the Mississippi and south of the Missouri. The U.S. Marshall mentioned him last time he was through here.”
“The U.S. Marshall!” exclaimed Ty, and he looked a little startled.
“Yep.”
Sitting down, one hand on his holstered gun, eyes gazing vacantly at the floor, Ty thought. Slowly the pieces of the puzzle which had caused him many sleepless nights were beginning to fit together. He still didn’t have all the pieces, but perhaps the sheriff could help. And there was always Shorty. He’d talk if they got him away from Mason and Poker.
The sheriff waited patiently. He could tell Ty was trying to make sense of something. All was quiet in the room as the two men waited for Ty to speak. At last, with a shake of his head, he looked up.
“I still ain’t sure how it all fits together, but I’ll tell ya all I know. It were ‘bout three years ago an’ I were out trappin’ back in the mountains where we live. Bein’ used ta the woods an’ the ways and sounds a the animals there, when I heard a sort a other sound, I reckoned I ought ta go see what it were. Well, I come to a rocky side a the mountain an’ see them snakes and Bartram pilin’ rocks up ‘fore what used ta be a cave as though they was hidin’ somethin’. Well, I jest stood an’ watched ‘em an’ then I heard Bartram say, ‘When things die down we’ll come an get--.’ An’ then he stopped. I knew they weren’t up ta no good. Never did trust Bartram. Wasn’t sure if’n he saw me or jest stopped. The others promised ta guard whatever it were an’ then I must a shifted my foot or somethin’. Anyhow a rock moved an’ every one jumped ‘bout a mile an’ all looked right scared fer jest a second. Then they saw it were me. I reckon they’d a shot me then an’ there, only I had my hand already on my six-shooter an’ I’ve beat ‘em all at the draw ‘fore . . .”
“Well,” Sheriff Owen pressed as Ty left his sentence to die in the air. “I know you got away, but how?”
Even the rumble of thunder and the first spattering of rain on the roof wasn’t noticed by Ty who sat as one lost, remembering a time past, unaware of his surroundings. It wasn’t until Carson shook his arm that Ty was brought back to the present. “Finish the story, Ty,” Carson ordered him.
“Ain’t much left. I drew my gun, an’ backed inta the woods. I knew I couldn’t take on five a them at once ‘less I had ta. Once under cover I jest disappeared. They all tried ta shoot me, but since they didn’t know where I were, they jest wasted ammunition. An’ some a them sure were jack asses. I could’a shot Shorty, Duffer an’ Poker when they were chasin’ me.” Ty looked disgusted. “ Bartram an’ Mason though, they ain’t so reckless. But I heard Bartram tell Mason that they had ta silence me. Weren’t sure how much I saw. An’, I reckon they didn’t want no trouble. I went back ta the cabin an’ found Carson there. Jest told Pa an’ Sally I had ta leave for a while since some were set out ta shoot me or string me up. Carson an’ I set out that night for the Colorado Territory. Weren’t till earlier this year that we got back.”

Thoughts?

The Unexpected Request - Part 53

 Good Morning Western Wednesday Readers!

The sun is shining and I think it is going to be another warm day. But only in the 90s and not the 100s! Sat., Sun., and Mon. we had the windows open all morning! It was so wonderful.:)
I've finished the editing of the western, but it still has to be proofed, the layout done, the cover art made and then sent to the publisher. Oh, I still have to get the copyright taken care of. It is copyrighted right now, but I want it registered.


This week has been really busy so far. We'll see what the next part holds. I did hear that Priscilla and her companion, Amy were going to get together and start planning the trip! I don't know how long it will take them, but I expect you will be hearing from Priscilla later this week.:)
 Oh, and if you haven't picked 5 states to go to, Priscilla said to tell you there are still states open.

Part 53

“Lock ‘em up for the night an’ we’ll be back ta see ya in the mornin’.”
Sheriff Owen had taken up a bunch of keys and now unlocked the door behind his office leading to the jail. “And just what am I holding them for?” he asked as he unlocked the first cell.
“Attempted murder ta start with an’ I’ll fill the rest in later if’n that’s all right with you. My supper’s callin’ me, an’ I ain’t hankerin’ ta miss it.” Ty, while he was talking, had untied Mason’s hands and pushed him in to the cell followed by Poker.
The sheriff locked it and before long, Duffer and Shorty were locked in the adjoining cell. “I’ll hold them for you until morning, but then you’ll have to come in and give me the lowdown on them,” the sheriff told Ty as they left the jail and returned to the office.
“I’ll be here.” Ty assured him, turning to go.
“Ty,” Sally stopped him, “I don’t think I really need two extra guns. One is enough for me.”
“That’s right; here ya are, Sheriff, the guns them snakes was usin’ or tryin’ ta use. They never did get ‘round ta pulling the trigger, but--” and Ty left the sentence unfinished as he placed the six-shooter he was holding on the sheriff’s desk beside the ones Sally and Carson had laid down.
“Fine guns. I’ll keep them.”

Returning to the house, Ty, Carson and Sally ate their supper and then turned in for the night. Sally didn’t know it, but Carson and Ty took turns standing on watch throughout the night just in the event that Bartram or some other unwanted visitor should decide to pay them a visit.
Even when he wasn’t on watch, Ty couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he could see the faces of Mason and Poker behind the muzzles of their six-shooters. Why were they here? How did they know he was here? Was Bartram around? If he wasn’t here now, would he be likely to show up soon? Was Dead Horse a rendezvous for “them”? Ty didn’t know the answer to any of these questions, and he tossed and turned through the long night hours. He had thought he was safe this far from home. Must he always be on the watch?
The first faint streaks of day found Ty still awake and he arose with a new thought. He had to tell the whole story to the sheriff this morning. Everything. After three years of keeping it locked up inside of him, what would it be like to share it now? Drawing a deep breath, he let it out in a long sigh and turned from the window where he had been watching the sun paint the clouds a rosy pink and edge them with gold.
Carson too had spent a restless night. He chided himself for not being more attentive and letting them enter the house, and not only that, but to actually pull guns on him and Ty! “I reckon I’m jest gettin’ too soft livin’ in houses like this. There were a day ain’t too long ‘go neither, when they couldn’t a come within three paces a the house without me knowin’ it.” And so he fretted for some time, until, as he was pacing the rooms downstairs, he began to realize what would have happened if he and Ty had heard “them.” “We’d a had guns drawn an’ it probably would a come ta a shoot-out, an’ I reckon more’n one would a been shot. Perhaps it was providential that they come on us so sudden an’ Sally caught ‘em off guard. Maybe the good Lord didn’t want no killin’.” These thoughts made him a little easier in his mind, though he continued to strain his eyes and ears for the rest of his watch.

“Ty,” Sally began as the three of them were enjoying a hearty breakfast, “I want to go see Starlight this morning. How long are you going to be seeing the sheriff?”
Ty looked up. “I ain’t sure jest how long it’ll take, but I reckon I can see ya ta the liv’ry else Carson can.” He glanced at his friend. “There really ain’t no need for more’n me ta go see Sheriff Owen.”
Shaking his head Carson replied, “Ya ain’t goin’ ta the sheriff alone, Ty. I reckon we can see Sally ta the liv’ry an’ the blacksmith, him with the funny name, ‘ll see she ain’t bothered.”
“I ain’t goin’ ta need ya, Carson,” Ty began, “so if’n ya want ta--”
But Carson cut in. “Maybe ya ain’t needin’ me, but I reckon I’m goin’ ‘long jest the same. An’ it ain’t no use fer ya ta think different.”
“But--”
Sally interrupted. “I’d really feel better if you were with him, Uncle Bob,” she said sweetly. “I don’t like ‘them’ even if they are behind bars. I can take care of myself as far from the jail as the livery. And,” she added as she saw Ty frown, “Herr Rohbar and his pretty Juanita will take care of me.” She smiled.
Seeing it was useless to argue, Ty agreed reluctantly but added, “Yer wearin’ yer gun, Sally.”

It was still fairly early when the trio left the house and started down the street. The sun was up and trying its best to shine through the cloudy sky. A cool breeze blew causing Sally to pull her shawl about her shoulders.
“It feels like rain,” Carson remarked.
“Looks like it too,” Ty agreed. “Sally, maybe we should a left ya at the house.”
Shaking her head, Sally kept on walking. “I don’t want to stay there alone.”
“Come on, Ty, she’ll be dry at the liv’ry or at-- at--.” and Carson floundered for the name of the blacksmith.
“Herr Rohbar,” put in Sally.
They had reached the jail where the two men paused while Sally continued on. Suddenly she stopped, turned and, throwing her arms around her brother, whispered, “Be careful, Ty!”

So what do you think of it this week?

I'm still looking for reviews to put on the back of the book.

The Unexpected Request - Part 52

Good Morning Wednesday Western Readers,
Did I confuse you with the different title? I had put "Meleah's Western as usual and I remembered that it had a name now.:)
I officially started work on the sequel to "Homes Fires of the Great War." This one has a title and has had one before I ever wrote one word of it: "Ria and the Gang." Sound interesting? I just hope it doesn't take me 6 years to write this one! Especially since I have one more in the series to write. Yep, there are supposed to be three in the series.


Had a fun day yesterday making salsa at my sister-in-law's. Came home with 14 quarts. That stuff is hard to stop eating when it is warm.:) The kids liked it too. Pickle Puss only wanted "juice" on her chips, while Goof Ball wanted tomatoes and Funny Boy just opened his mouth for whatever you stuck in.:) Of course Doodle Bug being not quite 2 months didn't get any.:)


Enjoy today's western!

Part 52

After shutting the door quietly behind him, Ty glanced about the room to find Sally standing with white face by the table, clutching the back of a chair with one hand and clasping her locket with the other. Her gun was in its holster upon the table.
“Sally, it’s over. We got ‘em.” He sprang forward, for Sally swayed on her feet.
“Oh, Ty!” was all she could gasp out as she felt her brother’s arms go around her. The room whirled and she hung on to his shirt.
“We’ll take them ta the sheriff an’ let him lock them up till mornin’.”
Sally looked up. “You got them all, alive?”
“All that were here. Don’t know where Bartram is, but he ain’t here.”
“But, I thought I heard a shot.”
“Duffer tried ta pull his gun on me. I shot his wrist. He ain’t gonna die. Carson wrapped it up an’ now he’s tied up like the rest a them.”
Reaction suddenly set in now that the danger was over and Sally started shaking. Her breath came quickly and her chin trembled.
Ty stared down at her in surprise. He had expected her to be glad and relieved. Hooking his foot on the rung of a chair, he pulled it out and set his sister in it for she seemed hardly able to stand. Swiftly, Ty brought her a glass of water from that wonderful pump and tried to get her to drink it, but she just stared into space, trembling, her hands twisting themselves in her skirt.
“Sally,” Ty coaxed, “jest take a drink. Ya’ll feel better I reckon.”
“Ty, they had guns.”
Sighing, Ty placed the glass on the table. “She’ll feel better if’n she talks it out,” he mumbled to himself pulling out a chair, straddling it and folding his arms over the back as he replied. “Yep, they had guns.”
“They were pointing at you an’ Uncle Bob!”
“Yep.”
“I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t even move.”
“But ya did. Ya drew Pa’s gun an’ distracted ‘em. That’s what we needed an’ ya did jest fine.”
“I pointed a gun at a person!” Her eyes were wide with horror.
“So did I an’ I had ta shoot,” he countered softly.
“They were going to kill you.”
“But they didn’t.”
“And then you wouldn’t let me come. I was left here not knowing if I would see you alive again!” And Sally burst into tears burying her face in her arms and sobbing.
Standing up, Ty stepped beside her and gently stroked her hair. He knew the tears would help. “I didn’t want ya gettin’ hurt. An’ ya know somethin’, Pa would be right proud a ya for what ya done.”
The tears were checked and muffled voice came from the bent head. “He would?”
“Sure ‘nough. Ya done saved my life an’ Carson’s too. An’ ya did it all without shootin’ a shot. Though I’d kind ‘ave enjoyed seein’ Mason’s face an’ Poker’s too if’n ya had shot a gun out a their hand.
“Ty Elliot!” Sally sat upright and looked reproachfully at him. “I might have shot you or Uncle Bob instead.”
Ty only laughed. “Ya don’t miss what yer aim’n for, Sis.”
“Well, I wasn’t aiming! It was all I could do to keep it from shaking. And I was praying I wouldn’t have to shoot because I’d have missed by a mile.”
Grinning, Ty pulled her to her feet and hugged her. “Well, are ya goin’ ta come with us ta the sheriff or stay an’ wait for us.”
“I’m not letting you two go without me!”
“Then here,” Ty picked up the holster.
Sally shuddered at the sight of it.
“If anyone deserves ta wear this, it’s you, Sally.” And Ty buckled it around her waist. “Come on, I reckon Carson’s getting plenty restless an’ I reckon they are too.”

“’Bout time ya showed up, these here birds are tryin’ my patience.” Carson holstered one of the pistols and shoved the other in his belt. Grabbing his rifle from where it was leaning in the corner, he looked at Ty and Sally.
Sally had wiped away the tears and, though her face was still pale, she looked resolute. Ty handed her the gun belt he had taken from Shorty and, picking up the two other six-shooters from Mason and Poker where they had been kicked in the scuffle, held one in either hand.
“All right on yer feet an’ let’s get goin’,” Ty ordered.
“Where ya takin’ us?” asked Shorty.
“That don’t matter, does it?” Ty replied as he helped him with no gentle hand to his feet and prodded him into line with a gun.
Mason was the only one who showed signs of resisting and Ty, relinquishing another gun to Sally, grasped him by the collar. “Don’t try any tricks, Mason, ‘cause my trigger finger jest might be a trifle twitchy an’ I wouldn’t want ta shoot ya ‘fore the others. It might scare ‘em.” Ty’s tone dripped with scorn, and Mason knew he’d show no mercy if he tried to escape.
Out in the street, with Carson on one side, Sally on the other and Ty right behind the four prisoners, they marched down to the jail past one saloon, then a second. Passed the rundown house to the jail. Here they halted.
“Sheriff!” Ty called out.
A light flickered on inside the building and in another moment Sheriff Owen appeared in the doorway. “What in blue blazes!” he exclaimed when he saw the group before him. “Get inside all of you. I don’t want to start a ruckus in the streets.”
The seven moved inside while the sheriff turned up the gas. On turning around he noticed for the first time who had brought the prisoners in. “Well I’ll be. I thought you didn’t need me.”
“I weren’t countin’ on these here low-down, scum-suckin’ yellow-livered rat-snakes bein’ in town,” Ty replied.
“What do you want done with them?”

Comments or questions anyone?

Meleah's Western - Part 50 AND 51

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
That's right Western Wednesday Readers,
You get double today! Since I'm celebrating the completion of writing the manuscript for Meleah's Western, you get two parts. Now I have to edit it all (or the rest of it since I have started) and then send it to my proofer, layout designer and finally the publisher. Of course I have to wait until the cover picture gets done, but there are things to do while I wait.

Speaking of things to do while I wait, choosing a title is top on the list.  Today until 6:00 you may enter more title suggestions. After 6:00, any new suggestions will not be added to the list. I have quite a few and I think it's going to be difficult to choose.
There is one other thing you can do. If you have been reading this Western and would like to write something short about what you think of it that could go on the back of the book, either leave a comment with your sentence or two review or e-mail it to me. I'd love to have your thoughts on the story. (I know, you haven't read it all yet, but don't let that stop you.)

Part 50

After dismounting and taking their horses to the stables, Carson and Ty unsaddled and brushed their mounts and then removed the loads the other horses were carrying and took care of them. After feeding the animals, the two men made their way into the house where Sally was waiting for them.
“Ty!” she exclaimed the moment her brother was fairly inside. “Look! A pump in the kitchen. Have you ever seen anything like it? And see how the table looks! And so many windows! Why you can see in every direction if you go in the different rooms. There are five rooms in this house, Ty, five! Three downstairs and two more upstairs. You should go see them.”
Ty chuckled. “If’n ya ain’t goin’ ta feed us any dinner till we take a look see, I reckon we ought ta move mighty quick ‘cause I’m hungry.”

Back at the saloon, the group of men waited in silence until their companion came back inside.
“Well, was it Elliot? An’ who were with ‘im? Where’d they go?” This was demanded by the roughest looking of the men, one who was evidently their unspoken leader.
Nodding his head, the young man who had just returned, sat down and reached for a glass of liquor on the table. “Yep, that were Elliot an’ the old man ‘pears ta be the one who took ‘im away.”
“That was nearly three years ago. An’ ta think we’d find him here,” chuckled Shorty.
The fourth man leaned across the table towards the youngest one and half snarled, “Ya never told us where they went, Duffer.”
Duffer looked indignant. “I can’t tell everything at once, Poker. Don’t worry, they ain’t gettin’ away. They stopped at that new house at the edge a town.”
“Anyone else there, Duff?”
“Naw, it’s an empty house, an’ it were jest the two a them.”
Poker and Mason, the leader, looked at each other and then began conversing in low tones. If it was just those two, it shouldn’t be too hard to put an end to that meddlesome Ty Elliot once and for all, and they might as well get rid of the old man at the same time for who knows what he might know. Should they get more guns? Poker didn’t think so, not after all his bragging about being the fastest draw west of the Mississippi. What most people didn’t know was that his fast draws were at the game table not with his gun. Mason sat thinking for several minutes before agreeing that they needn’t call for more guns.
“What about Bartram?” asked Shorty referring to their leader.
“He’s way off in Californy an’ if’n we let Elliot go now, there’s no tellin’ where he’ll show up an’ what he might do. No, I think it’s best ta jest take ‘im now.”
“Right now,” gulped Duffer setting his mug down with a thud. “While it’s still light?”
“Why not? Scared?” Poker taunted.
“I jest don’t like that sheriff.”
Shorty nodded his head in agreement.
“Well, Mason, what do we do?”
“Shut up a minute an’ lemme think.” Mason poured himself another glass and drained it before replying. “I reckon we’d best jest get ‘im ‘fore any others join ‘um. They ain’t suspectin’ us so we’ve got the upper hand. We’ll jest walk in an’ take ‘em.”
“What’ll we do after we get ‘em?” Shorty wanted to know.
“Take ‘em out a town, string ‘em up an’ then come get us another drink.”
“Yeah!” This met the approval of everyone, and Mason, Poker, Shorty and Duffer raised their glasses for one last drink before rising and striding out of the saloon.
“We should each go a different way to the house then no one’ll suspect us,” Mason ordered in low tones. “Meet behind the stables.”

The late summer day was quickly drawing to a close. The sun was nearly hidden behind the mountains and the sky was purple with cherry pink clouds which were swiftly turning grey in the fading light. Already the moon was to be seen and the first brave star poked her face out to look about. In the town honest folks were inside eating their suppers and preparing for rest. But out in the streets the saloons were just getting ready for their night of drinking, gambling and carousing. Sheriff Owen sighed to himself as he sat down in his office in front of the jail. “I need a deputy. If those strangers are staying, I think the younger man would make a good one. As it is . . .” He left his sentence unfinished as he dozed off.

At the house, Ty and Carson, having inspected the upstairs to Sally’s satisfaction, descended the stairs and moved to the front room. “Well, I hope Sally hurries up with that supper,” Ty remarked. “I’m getting mighty hungry!”
Carson nodded.
Neither of them, usually so quick to hear signs of danger, heard the stealthy footsteps approaching the house nor did they hear the whispered words.
“Shorty, ya go watch the front door. We don’t want ‘em gettin’ out that way. An’ Duffer, ya stand guard at this door. We’ll call ya if’n we need ya, but I reckon Poker an’ I can handle ‘em.”
Low murmurs of assent followed these orders and then, with guns drawn, Mason and Poker softly opened the door.
No one was in the dark room, but a light shone from the room beyond. Creeping softly to the door, Mason cautiously peered out. There, near the window stood the man he and the others had been so anxious to shoot or hang: Ty Elliot. Beside him stood that old man.
Mason nudged Poker and suddenly they both sprang into the room while Mason ordered, “Put up yer hands both a you! Don’t even think a reaching fer yer gun, Ty Elliot. I ain’t the only one here.”
“That’s right, Elliot. An’ don’t forget I’m the fastest draw this side the Mississippi,” Poker added with a growl.

Part 51

Taken wholly by surprise, Ty and Carson had no choice but to raise their hands before their captors. Slowly Mason and Poker, keeping their prisoners covered by their guns, moved into the middle of the room.
“Ya thought you could hide from us, didn’t ya?” Mason taunted, leering at Ty.
Ty forced back the urge to take a swing at Mason though his hand above his head clenched.
“Yeah,” Poker put in, “he thought he had gotten away. No one gets away from us for ever.”
“Won’t Bartram be pleased when he hears what we caught,” Mason asked his companion adding to Ty, “An’ don’t think a tryin’ ta get away, the others are jest waitin’ for ya.”
“You’ll swing yet, Mason,” Ty declared between clenched teeth.

Sally had heard strange voices and, moving to the door of the kitchen, beheld the sight that had been her worst nightmare. Ty and Carson were standing with their hands raised while “they” stood with drawn guns before them! For a moment she stood frozen with horror. Where had they come from? How had they gotten in without anyone knowing it? Could she go for help? All these thoughts flashed through her mind in less time than it takes to write it. Neither Ty nor Carson had seen her for both were watching for the slightest relaxing of the guns pointed at them.
Mason laughed. “It’ll be you that’s doin’ the swingin’. You an’ yer friend there. Too bad ya won’t be here ta--” He got no farther.
“Drop your guns and reach for the ceiling!” The crisp order startled the two men. “I’m a dead shot if you care to find out. Drop them I say!”
Poker, so astonished and even somewhat frightened by this totally unexpected turn of events, dropped his gun. Mason half turned to see the speaker, letting his gun move away from Ty. That was all Ty needed, for his clenched fist connected with Mason’s jaw while his other hand grasped the gun and with a mighty twist, wrenched it from his grasp.
Meanwhile Carson hadn’t been idle. When Poker dropped his gun, Carson sprang forward like a panther and the next minute, Poker lay on the floor senseless.
It was all over in a matter of seconds and both the would be killers were disarmed and unconscious on the floor at their feet.
“That’s jest two a them,” Ty muttered, swiftly binding Mason’s hands behind him. “From the way they talked, I reckon Bartram ain’t here, but that still leaves two others at least. I wonder where they are?”
“At the doors?” Carson guessed.
“Why’t they come in at the noise?”
Carson shrugged. “Orders, maybe.”
“Let’s find out,” answered Ty, grimly drawing his gun and softly moving to the door. “Put out the light, Carson. Sally, shut the door an’ stay in the kitchen.”
“But--” Sally began tremulously.
“In the kitchen. An’ stay there ‘less I call ya.” Ty’s voice was more stern than he meant it to be and Sally obeyed, shaking and still clenching her father’s six-shooter.
With the kitchen door shut and the light put out, the room was left in semi darkness while outside, things still had a late evening glow about them. Pulling open the door with one quick motion, Ty discovered Shorty standing before him. A look of complete bewilderment swept over his face as he stared at Ty. He had expected to find Mason or Poker, but instead here was the very man they had set out to hang! When Ty ordered him to unbuckle and drop his gun, Shorty just stood there stupefied.
“I said, drop yer gun, Shorty!” Ty barked.
With shaking hands, Shorty finally managed to do as he was told. Ordering him inside, Ty kept him covered while Carson tied his hands and retrieved his gun from the doorway.
“Who else is with ya?” Ty snapped the order out so suddenly that Shorty jumped as though he had been shot.
“D-- Duffer,” he gasped.
“Where is he?”
“B--by the b--back door.”
“Is he armed?”
Shorty could only nod. This turn of events had completely unnerved him and now he sat shaking like a leaf.
Leaving Carson to stand guard over the prisoners, Ty slipped out of the front door and made his way around the house where he found Duffer pressing his ear against the door with his back to him.
“Unbuckle yer holster an’ drop it on the ground.”
Slowly Duffer stood up and half turned around.
“Drop it now or I will shoot!”
This order was no joke Duffer realized. Perhaps it was the sheriff thinkin’ he was up to no good. If it was, he was sure he could talk his way out of it. Without turning, he said, “Sheriff, I weren’t doin’ no harm. I thought I heard a fight in there an’ jest wanted ta make sure it weren’t bad, ya know--”
Ty broke in, “I ain’t the sheriff, Duffer, I’m Ty Elliot. Now drop yer gun!”
Evidently Duffer didn’t believe him, for instead of unbuckling and dropping his gun, he suddenly whirled around and tried to draw. Instantly Ty fired and Duffer staggered back moaning and grabbing his right wrist.
Ty, keeping his own gun ever ready, strode over and jerked the young man’s gun out of its holster and opening the door ordered him inside. Prodding him with his pistol, Ty followed him inside and into the room where the three other prisoners were.
Mason and Poker were returning to consciousness and now glared wrathfully at their captors.
“Elliot,” Mason growled, “You’ll pay fer this. We ain’t done with ya yet.”
“Maybe ya ain’t, but I’m ‘bout done with the lot a you. Here, Carson,” Ty said, “Bind up Duffer’s wrist an’ then tie his hands behind him, will ya? I’ll keep ‘em all covered while ya do.”
After doing as he was asked, Carson, with a pistol in each hand, stood watching the four disgruntled and wrathful men while Ty went into the kitchen.

I hope you have comments since I gave you double today.:)

Meleah's Western - Part 49

Welcome to Western Wednesday!
I
hope you enjoy today's Western. I must say the more title suggestions I
receive the better they seem to get.:) Keep them coming because I
haven't decided on one yet.

Not much to say this morning so I'll let you get to reading.

Part 49

Then the blacksmith poured fourth such a torrent of mixed German,
Spanish and English that the three travelers could only stand in utter
bewilderment. Not one of them understood. But the lovely Spanish wife
evidently did, for she replied with approval, “Si, si, I will take the
senorita in the wagon. The ninos will also go. The senors will follow,
si?”
“Ja, ze vill follow as soon ve take care of dis poor horse.” Then,
turning to his guests he explained, “Ve have house on ze other side of
town. It is large house, but ve have nicht moved in yet, nein? Ve must
first move zees shtuff,” and he waved his hands towards his furnace,
bellows, anvil and tools. “Ze house, she shtand empty. Now you shtay
dere vile your horse she goes well an I make new shoe, nein? Dis very
goot. My Frau vill drive ze vagon vith your schwester.” At Ty’s blank
look, Herr Rohbar smiled. “Ze fraulein, how you say, sister. Ze go
start fire, get supper ready, nein?”
“Ya willin’ ta go with her, Sally?” Ty questioned his sister softly
while Juanita was hitching up the light wagon.
Nodding, Sally half touched her six-shooter at her side. “I think they
are trustworthy, Ty. And I like them. Just take good care of
Starlight.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be ‘long an’ join ya jest as soon’s we can.”
The Frau Senora Juanita gave a command in Spanish and the three
children tumbled into the back of the wagon. Ty helped Sally up beside
the blacksmith’s wife and watched them drive down the street. He felt
rather bewildered at how quickly things were moving along since their
arrival in Dead Horse. For several minutes he stood watching the wagon
until it turned down the main street and disappeared. He had no fear
for Sally for she could take care of herself with that six-shooter of
Pa’s, besides the fact that Herr Rohbar had an honest look about him.
While Ty stood in thought, Carson and the friendly blacksmith were
unsaddling Starlight and leading her over to the nearby livery. The
other four horses would be taken to the house and stabled there. The
blacksmith loved to talk and Carson wasn’t adverse to it himself since
both Ty and Sally could be as quiet and closed mouthed as their father
used to be. Thus it was that the wagon with the ladies and children had
been gone for over an hour before Ty decided it was time they left.
“Carson,” he called to his friend, “I reckon Sally’s been gone long
enough ta cook an’ eat the supper. We got a couple a days ta jaw if’n
ya feel the need. I aim ta head on ta the house. Ya comin’ or not?”
Herr Rohbar broke forth, “Ja, ja, you should go vith your young friend.
No doubt ze Fraulien is vonderin’ vere you are. Mine Frau vill be back
soon with the kindders. Ve can talk another time, nein?”
“Yep, that sounds mighty fine ta me. Till then.” Carson swung up on
Flint and nudged him on after Ty and Par.
At the house, Sally was examining everything with delight. There was
even a pump in the kitchen so she wouldn’t have to go out of the house
to get water. “Oh, this is lovely,” she exclaimed to her hostess. “It
was so kind of you to let us stay here for a few days. It will only be
until Starlight can have a new shoe put on.”
“Si, this place, she need someone to live in her. Senor Rohbar will
bring much tools, heavy things over soon. Then we come. Now you stay,
make building feel home, si?”
Sally smiled and nodded. “Home,” she echoed. “Oh, if only we could go
home sometime. But ‘they’ are there waiting for Ty,” she mused. “They
would kill him if they could.”
“Banditos?”
“Bad men.”
Senora Rohbar shook her head in sympathy.
“But,” Sally said brightening, “they are far away. I don’t have to
worry about them here.”
“Si. Now I leave. The senorita will not mind staying alone?”
“No, I won’t mind. I’m sure Ty and Carson will be along soon.” And
Sally looked again in amazement at the pump in the kitchen finally
tearing herself away long enough to wave farewell to the three children
in the back of the wagon. “Now to make supper.” Humming to herself,
Sally set about her task with pleasure.
Ty and Carson rode slowly towards the main street of town, their horses,
seemingly unwilling to go far from Starlight and the food they smelled
in the nearby livery. Turning west down the main street, Ty noticed the
sign for the hotel. It was hanging crooked and the whole building
presented a sorry looking sight as a place of shelter and rest.
“I reckon that Rohbar were right ‘bout that there hotel. I wouldn’t
want ta keep my horses in that!”
“Yep. It’s a purty sad lookin’ thing fer a hotel,” Carson agreed in
disgust. “An’ the rest a the town ain’t that nice neither.”
They rode in silence past the hotel and then, as a clean cut, well
dressed man stepped up to them with the badge of a sheriff on his vest
and a direct honest look to his face, they halted. “Howdy,” the sheriff
greeted them. “New here?”
“Yep.”
“If’n you have any trouble, just let me know. I’m Sheriff Owen. This
town hasn’t had a sheriff for over a year an’ we’re still trying to get
it cleaned up. An’ welcome to Dead Horse.”
“Thank ya, Sheriff. I don’t reckon we’ll be needin’ yer help, but it’s
right nice ta know theLaw’s ‘round.” Ty shook the sheriff’s hand before
they moved on.
As the rode past the third saloon, neither one of the travelers noticed
the men gathered by a window, nor saw that one of them moved out to the
porch and watched until they turned into the yard of the new house.

Any Questions?:)

Meleah's Western - Part 48

Welcome to Western Wednesday!
This
Western is really going to town. Last night I got two westerns written
each in about an hour. And the night before I finished a western and
wrote another western. That means four westerns were written in two
days! And, I don't have to babysit this week, so though my days may be
full, my evenings look free. Mom says I'm like a horse that has sighted
the barn!:)

Okay,
one exciting thing happened yesterday. I got together with a friend who
is an artist and she is going to start working on some ideas for the
cover picture! Thanks Brittany!!!! I can't wait to see what it looks
like!

I have a very busy day today and so have to go.
Enjoy
Part 48! Oh, by the way, this part introduces some friends of mine.:) I
don't know if they will recognize themselves in it, but it was fun to
put them in.:)

Part 48

Agreeing to take turns walking, Ty, Sally and Carson continued on their
way. It was slow traveling now for Starlight wasn’t used to walking
without shoes and now that she only had three, she walked with a limp,
favoring her shoeless foot especially over rocky ground. For three days
they traveled thus and on the fourth day, as Sally was walking beside
her horse, she noticed Starlight was limping more than usual.
“Ty, if we don’t find a town soon and get another shoe for Starlight,
she’ll be a dead horse before long. Or at least an injured one. The
poor thing can hardly walk as it is!”
Ty dismounted. “Yer right ‘bout that, Sally. An’ if’n we do find us a
town today, I reckon she’ll have ta rest for several days ‘fore she can
be shod. Carson,” he asked, turning to the older man, “What ya think
if’n one a us rides lookin’ for a town?”
“I think it’d be right smart. We ain’t got the money for a new horse
‘sides the fact that Sally’s used ta Starlight. I’ll jest ride . . .
Why wouldn’t ya know!” Carson exclaimed looking off at a distant hill.
“There’s someone comin’ our way.”
Ty and Sally looked also. A lone rider was coming rapidly down the hill
and across the valley towards them. It only took him a few minutes to
reach them and at Carson’s wave, he drew rein and halted.
“Howdy,” the stranger greeted them, touching his hat to Sally.
“Howdy,” Carson returned his greeting.
“In trouble?”
“We’re jest need’n a town with a blacksmith,” Ty explained. “Horse’s
thrown a shoe.”
The stranger grunted and jerked a thumb back over his shoulder. “’Bout
five miles. Dead Horse. Ask fer Herr Rohbar or whatever his name is.
Furriner, but the best blacksmith I ever seen.”
“Thanks.”
“Yep. So long!” And the stranger rode off in a cloud of dust.
“’Bout five miles. That ain’t too far. Let’s make tracks,” and Ty
gently urged Starlight forward.
“Dead Horse, ugh,” Sally made a face. “It doesn’t sound like a very
nice town even if they do have the best blacksmith. I just hope poor
Starlight doesn’t give them a reason to change the name of their town
to Dead Horses.”
The five miles were at last ended and a small town was to be seen. It
wasn’t exactly small but neither was it what one might call large. The
main street was lined with the usual buildings: hotels, saloons, a post
office, general store and jail. Boardwalks lined either side of the
dusty street.
Ty asked the first person they saw where the blacksmith was.
“Jest down there ‘bout four houses.”
After thanking the man, Ty led the others down the street indicated and
soon stopped before the blacksmith’s shop.
A short, broad shouldered man stepped out wiping his hands on his
leather apron. His dark hair and beard gave him a sturdy look while his
dark eyes twinkled in friendliness. “Can I help you?” he asked, his
thick accent showing plainly that he was indeed a foreigner.
“Are you the blacksmith?” Carson asked.
“Ja, I am Herr Rohbar. You in need of vork done, nein?”
Ty nodded. “This horse threw her shoe couple a days back. I reckon
she’ll have ta rest a bit ‘fore she gets a new one.”
The blacksmith with gentle but sure hands lifted Starlight’s leg. “Ah,
ze poor horse. You are right. Zis horse should rest for a few days. You
have place to stay?”
Carson shook his head. “I reckon we’ll jest find us a hotel.”
“Nein! Zat vill not do. And the Frau, your vife?”
“Sister,” corrected Ty.
“Ah, the fraulein, she iz tired. My good Frau Senora Juanita vill get
all you a cool drink, nein?”
Before Carson, Ty or Sally could say anything, the good blacksmith
called out, “Juanita, ve have company.”
The door of the little hut behind the blacksmith flew open and a lovely
Mexican woman came out with a small child in one arm and two more about
her skirts.
“You called, my husband?”
“Ja, my Nita, ve have guests. Zis Fraulein is veary of her journey an
for zees mine herrs, a glass of vater you bring, bitte.”
The dark eyed Juanita beckoned for Sally to follow and led the way into
the small hut, the little children following.
In a voice soft and sweet, Herr Rohbar’s Frau Senora Juanita spoke, “If
the senorita will sit, soon I
shall have cool water for her to drink, si?,”
Sally sat as she was bidden and watched the small woman move swiftly
about the tiny hut. She was clothed in a brightly colored skirt and
blouse and her dark hair was in a knot at the back of her neck. With a
mixture of Spanish and English she directed the children. The oldest a
boy and girl of about six and four looked more like their mother with
her darker skin, black hair and dark eyes while the smallest child
looked so like his father that Sally half expected him to say something
in a deep German voice.
Soon a mug of cold water was handed to Sally and the Senora took some
out for Carson and Ty, leaving the three children to stand staring wide
eyed at Sally. She offered a smile and said, “Hello.”
“Hello,” the boy replied giving a small smile in return.
The younger two remained soberly silent standing beside their big
brother until Frau Rohbar returned.
Out in the yard, Herr Rohbar was assuring his visitors that they did
not want to stay in the hotels in this town. “Nein!” he exclaimed
emphatically, “Zees hotels, zay are full of bugs an ze streets are no
place to be aftar dark. Nein, zay are not ze place for ze fraulein. I
vould offer mine house, but it iz shmall. Ah, vait! I know ze very
place. Nita!”
His wife appeared instantly, followed by Sally.

Questions?

Meleah's Western - Part 47

Welcome to a Wonderful, Wet Western Wednesday!
It
has been HOT and DRY here for weeks! Usually when it is hot it is also
very humid, however, this time it was dry! The grass was starting to
turn brown and you felt as though you had just stepped into the oven
when you stepped outside. But it began to rain last night! And it is
raining this morning! Maybe it will rain all day!:)

Just
to let you know, until I do decide on a title for Meleah's Western,
please keep the title suggestions coming! You never know if one of them
will just be the perfect one.:) Speaking of Western, that is all I've
written for the past month! But, the end is in sight! I think. :) I'm
writing as fast as I can but I can only write in the evenings.:} It's
not that I don't have time during the day, it is just that my brain
refuses to think "writing stories" until after supper. Oh, well.

Here is Part 47. Enjoy!

Part 47

“Uncle Bob,” whispered Sally, pausing as she was about to lie down, “Do
you think Ty really is strong enough for traveling? Joe told me that
Jack didn’t give Ty his full approval before leaving.”
Yawning, Carson gazed into the fire before answering. “I reckon it
wouldn’t a hurt Ty none ta’ve jest stayed a few more days or weeks ta
kind a build his strength back. He ain’t been in the saddle none since
he was shot. That’s a mighty long time. But, I reckon if’n we take it
easy, Ty’ll get his strength an’ ain’t goin’ ta be none the worse. Sure
Jack didn’t want him leavin’ but he could tell Ty’d jest be frettin’
‘bout goin’ an’ that weren’t goin’ ta do him no good.” A soft sigh in
the darkness told Carson that his words had relieved Sally’s fears. Now
he added a few last ones. “Jest be sure ya tell ‘em how Ty’s doin’ when
ya write them there letters yer supposed ta. I reckon that’ll set all
their minds ta rest. The other thing we can do, Sally,” Carson spoke
slowly, as one not sure how to say it.
“What, Uncle Bob?”
“We can pray fer him.”
“I do.”
“Then I reckon the good Lord’ll take care of him.”
A deep, peaceful silence fell over the little group of travelers
resting beside the glowing embers of their campfire under the thousands
of bright, twinkling stars in the heavens above while a soft breeze
caressed their cheeks and gently stirred their hair. All was hushed.
Sleep, with gentle persistence, claimed Carson and Sally before further
words were exchanged.
For several days following that first one back on the trail, Carson and
Sally set an easy pace. Ty noticed it but didn’t say anything, for,
until he regained much of his earlier strength and stamina, he knew he
wouldn’t make it to the next town if they pushed on as they had done
before he was wounded.
Often as they traveled they were silent, but now and then one of the
trio would make a remark and a lively, serious or reminiscing
conversation would ensue. It was Sally who began it this time.
“Ty, when you were sick you didn’t seem to like Joe. You would order
him away from your horse or tell him to leave your things alone.”
“Hmm, could be I thought he were the kind ta take what ain’t his.”
“Joe would never do that,” protested Sally warmly.
“Huh, well I ain’t too sure ‘bout that. I reckon it were a right smart
thing we left ‘fore he had more chance.” And he turned to look at
Carson. “Ain’t that right, Carson?”
“I reckon so.”
Sally was indignant. “Ty Elliot, Joe would never take what weren’t--
wasn’t his, especially not from someone else.”
Ty grinned slyly at Carson before replying, “Ya think so, huh? Well, I
ain’t none too sure. I reckon the only reason somethin’ weren’t taken
was ‘cause he decided ta wait till I had another one.”
“Another what, Ty?” Sally questioned innocently.
Ty only looked at her with such a teasing grin on his face that Sally
felt the blood rush to her cheeks and she looked away, slowing her
horse until she was the last of the line. Not another word did she say
for several miles.
As the days passed and still the companions rode south, Ty’s strength
was rapidly returning. The sun and wind were darkening his face and
arms once more and when Ty was able to beat Sally on a draw, he knew
they could travel at a faster pace. He was eager to reach someplace
where news might be obtained.
It was while they were picking their way down a rocky hill that
Starlight stumbled. Sally was jolted in the saddle but managed to stay
on. Patting her horses neck, she murmured, “Easy, Starlight. Did you
step on a loose rock? Take it easy now, we’re almost to the bottom.”
With those gentle words to reassure her, Starlight recovered herself
and continued down the hillside. At the bottom Sally slid off and ran
her hands down her horse’s legs. None of them appeared hurt, so,
remounting, Sally nudged Starlight forward to catch up with the others.
Carson and Ty, noticing Sally wasn’t with them anymore, pulled their
horses to a halt and looked back. She was just remounting and as she
came up it became obvious that Starlight was limping.
“Sally,” Ty called out, “Yer horse is limpin’.”
“I know.” Sally rode up and dismounted once again. “She stumbled coming
down that hill. I checked her legs, but they all seemed fine.”
Ty and Carson had both dismounted and now Carson said, “Could be a
shoe’s loose. Let’s take a look see.”
It only took a few minutes to discover that the shoe on her right fore
foot was missing and the foot was cut in a few places.
“No wonder you were limping,” Sally crooned, stroking the chestnut’s
neck and rubbing her face. “You don’t like walking on rocks without
your shoes on. And I made you hurry. I’m sorry, Girl.”
“Well, what do we do now?” Ty looked at Carson. “She can’t be ridden,
least ways not till we’ve got another shoe on her.”
“I’ll walk,” answered Sally simply.
“Ya can’t walk for days,” Ty protested. “Ya can ride Par an’ I’ll
walk.”
“I reckon Sally’d rather ride Flint ‘n Par,” Carson put in. “’Sides, ya
ain’t strong enough ta walk that far.”
“If’n I ain’t, then she ain’t either,” retorted Ty.
Shaking her head, Sally started forward leading Starlight. “If you two
want to stand there and argue, go ahead. You can catch up with us when
you have finished. For now I’m going to walk. It feels good to stretch
my legs.”
For a few brief seconds, the two men could only stare after her. Then,
with slightly sheepish grins, they both mounted and soon caught up with
the pair before them.

Until next week. . .