Story Demon Hunters -New Beginnings (Book 3)

[gonewacky]

Kathy replied, “Then you know what I know.”

Bill and the couple continued down the board walk as Patrick whispered, “Was that the couple with the Marshal?”

Kathy replied, “Yep.”

Then Kathy jumped up excited, “Here he comes!”

The Stage came down the street and stopped right in front of them. Seig set the break and climbed down and helped out the passengers. Seig turned around and Kathy leaped at him. She through her arms around him and locked onto his lips. It was a kiss that would make most people blush. Then she waved her hand for Patrick to get in. The coach rocked a little as Patrick got in, and Kathy slipped from Seig.

Seig smiled, “You missed me did yah?”

Kathy replied, “Like a wagon without a wheel. It’s like a part of me was missing, but I found it.”

Seig insisted, “I missed you too.”

Seeing the Station Master Seig asked, “Any north bound passengers Tom?”

Tom replied, “Nope, but if you get the strong box I have some stuff to go in it. Greg is adding some packages going north. Then you’re out of here.”

Seig and Kathy sat on the bench, and Seig put his arm around Kathy. She leaned her head on him and whispered, “Maybe on Thursday I could ride the stage all the way to Fort Boise and back?”

Seig mumbled, “You know that’s my two days off when I get to Fort Boise.”

Kathy whispered, “I know. I thought we could spend them together.”

Seig replied, “Maybe the week after. I have to talk to the Station Master at Fort Boise first. If it’s ok then we can do it, but don’t get your hopes up.”

Tom announced, “You’re all set Seig. See yah Thursday, and have a nice trip Kathy.”

Seig climbed up on the Coach and put out his hand for Kathy. Pulling her up Seig joked, “Either I’m getting wimpy, or you’re gaining weight.”​

Then Seig jerked Kathy on up as she teased, “I think you’re getting wimpy, but it could be Suzan’s pancakes.”

Seig chuckled and he whipped the rains yelling, “Giddy up!”

Kathy hung on Seig enjoying the love that was flowing from him. Kathy wanted this to last forever, but knew it would soon be over. Then she’d have to wait until Thursday for it to happen again.”

After they were down the road about five miles Kathy insisted, “You have to stop the Coach.”

Seig questioned, “All the bouncing around making you have to go?”

Seig pulled back on the rains and brought the coach to a stop. Kathy jumped down and opened the door to the coach. Then she shot the Doctor with a little spark, and asked are you all right?”

Patrick replied, “Just fine.”

Seig demanded, “Who are you talking to? We don’t have any passengers.”

Kathy replied, “The doctor’s back here. I saw him get on in Lambert.”

Seig barked, “What in tarnation is going on?”

Seig set the break and climbed down. Looking in the coach Seig asked, “You got a ticket?”

Patrick replied, “I didn’t have time to get one. The sheriff was looking for me, and I had to get out of town.”

Seig smiled, “You’ll have to come up with a better one that that Doc. What did he want you for Doc, putting a bandage on backwards.”

Patrick insisted, “I think it’s for “Kid,” napping.”

Seig shook his head, “Its 10¢ a mile or two dollars to Dention.”

Kathy dug in her bag and pulled out two Silver dollars, and handed them to Seig.

Seig went on, “Well looks like my two timing gal paid your fare. Are you riding back here or up top with us?”

Climbing out Patrick insisted, “It’s lonely in there. I’ll ride up top with you all.”

Pulling into Dention Seig parked in front of the Horseshoe. Patrick climbed down saying, “I’m going to the jail to turn myself in.”

Seig replied, “Kathy and I are having lunch.”

Kathy just stared through the window at Rebecca holding the baby. No way was she telling her about this. She wanted someone else to do it.

Patrick went in the jail. Albert was sitting behind the desk, and Jim was sitting on the cot. Patrick wasted no time to tell why he was in town. “It looks like a couple came into Lambert claiming the baby is theirs. They went to the Marshal and now he’s looking for me. He’s going to want me to tell him where the baby is. It’s just a matter of time until someone tells them Suzan took the baby. Then they will be here looking for it.”

Albert slammed his fist down on the desk and yelled, “Damn it!”

Jim blinked out and Patrick went on, “Unless someone can prove their not the parents. We’ll have to turn the child over to them.”

Jim blinked back with Suzy and requested, “Can you bring Suzan up to speed with what is going on.”

After Patrick explained everything Jim insisted, “How about we go to the future and get a home DNA test then mail it in. Then we can see if their the real parents.”

Patrick insisted, “But I don’t even know what that is, or how whatever that is would help us in this time?”

Suzy explained, “We might not have to make it that complicated. My Grandma got me a bunch of books that tell what your baby will be like by the man you Marry. Like what color your baby’s hair will be, or what color your baby’s eyes will be. We all know if you have red hair you got Irish in yah. Well it’s the same with your eye color. I need you to take me to my house James.”

Jim grabbed Suzy’s hand and in a flash they were standing in the kitchen. Suzy insisted, “I think they’re in a box in the dining room. Walking down the path between the boxes Suzy pointed to the window. “Over there somewhere.”

Jim started moving and stacking boxes. Then Suzy exclaimed, “Right there, the one that has baby stuff on it.”

They opened the box and Suzy looked through the books and pulled one out. This is it! Thumbing through the pages Suzy stopped, “Right here it tells what color your child’s eyes will be. Let’s go.”

Jim took Suzy’s hand and they blinked back. It was as if they were never gone, but Suzy had a book in her hand. She opened it up and handed it to the Doctor.

Patrick looked the page over then turned the page and turned it back. Then he replied, “With what I see here the odds are in our favor. I’m sure I remember the baby having Green eyes.”

Suzy smiled, “Yep, just like me.”

Patrick continued, “Green eyes are rare with only about 2 percent of people having them. The best we could hope for is the people having blue and brown. That would make it impossible for the baby to be theirs. If this doesn’t work then I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

Albert insisted, “We have to find out so we know how to proceed.”

Suzy insisted, “Let’s go get some lunch at the Horseshoe. Then when Seig leaves we can have Kathy make Jim invisible and he can go find out.”

Then they all went to the Restaurant, and the place was packed for lunch, so Kathy and Seig moved over with Rebecca. Then they took their table. Oral came out with Kathy’s and Seig’s food, and Suzy pointed to Rebecca’s table.

After lunch Seig left and Albert asked Kathy to meet him at the Jail. With them all gathered at the Jail Albert explained what they wanted her to do. Kathy insisted, “I’ll do it but I get to go with him.”

In Lambert the Marshal had taken the couple to lunch. At the table Bill explained, “The Doctors bag was gone, so I’m sure he’s out helping someone. He’ll be back. Then as you heard some people saw Suzy with the baby. She’s the deputy’s wife, and lives in Dention. You could go there, but it might be all for nothing. I say its best we just wait until the Doctor comes back.”

Just then Jim appeared outside the Marshal’s Office. He checked and he wasn’t there. Coming out Jim whispered, “Let’s check the Restaurant.”

Going in the Restaurant Jim saw the Marshal with two people. Kathy whispered, “That’s them with the Marshal.”

Walking over they both looked them over. Then looking at each other Jim blinked them out. At the Jail Kathy shot Jim with a little spark and faded back. Suzy questioned, “Well?”

They were all staring at Jim and Kathy. Jim insisted, “Go ahead Kathy you do the gal, and I’ll do the guy.”

Kathy revealed, “The woman had blond hair and blue eyes.”

The doctor looked in the book and thought, if he has blue eyes there might be a little chance, but if their green it’s all over.

Suzy was thinking, Oh come on let it be brown. Pleas pleas let it be brown.

Jim revealed, “The man has black hair and brown eyes.”

The Doctor announced, “It’s scientifically impossible for that to be their baby.”

Closing the book and holding it tight Patrick insisted, “Take me home James. I can take care of this myself. Albert enjoy your baby girl.”

Albert replied, “Its Bella doc.”

Bella echoed in the Doctor’s head as he appeared in the alley in Lambert. Like always there was Anvil passed out in the alley. The doctor went to his Office and sent Jim to get the Marshal.

Patrick slipped Suzy’s book in with his medical books on the shelf. Then he waited for the Marshal. Soon in came Bill with the couple behind him. Jim stood at the doorway and listened and Bill exclaimed, “This couple are the parents of the baby, and they have come to get the little girl.”

Patrick walked over and looked the two over. Then he exclaimed, “Marshal let me show you something.”

Then he got the book from the shelf and opened it on his treatment table saying, “Look here Marshal.”

Brown Eyes. An estimated of 90% of the world's population has brown eyes.

Blue Eyes. Roughly 8% of the world has blue eyes.

Only about 2 percent of people in the world have naturally green eyes.

Gray Eyes. Only about .3% of the world's population is thought to have gray eyes.

 

[gonewacky]

The chance of having Red, Violet, and Grey eyes is .01%. That’s about 1 in every 10,000 people.

Then Patrick pointed out, “One parent with brown eyes and one parent with blue eyes: have a 50% chance of baby with brown eyes, 50% chance of baby with blue eyes, and 0% chance of baby with green eyes. The baby has green eyes.”

Jim announced, “I’ll bring the baby in if need.”

The Marshal turned around and looked at the couple, as Patrick added, “It’s scientifically impossible for a blond hair blue eyed woman and brown eyed black haired man to have a green eyed baby.”

Bill barked, “What’s going on here?”

The woman whimpered, “We just wanted the baby.”

Bill insisted, “There’s an orphanage full of children just outside of Fort Boise. I bet you could find what you want there. Now get out of town before I arrest you for being stupid. You heard me get!”

Jim slipped out the door and went back to the alley, and blinked back to the Jail. Appearing in the Jail Jim announced, “All over with. The Marshal kicked then out of town.”

Albert insisted, “Don’t anyone say anything to Rebecca. I think its best she don’t even know about this.”

Kathy smiled, “No kidding.”

Suzy added, “You got it. Now go see your girl’s Albert.”

Albert smiled, “I think I’ll do just that.”

Two days went by and the Doctor was back in town. He parked his buggy in front of the Restaurant, and went in and sat across from Rebecca. Then he explained, “I’ve come to check on your little girl. Bella isn’t it?”

Rebecca replied, “That’s what Albert picked.”

Patrick insisted, “We need to take her down to the Store so Hank can weigh her. I got to make sure you’re not starving the little thing. I got my buggy out front we can ride down there. Then we can go to the boarding house and visit a little.”

Rebecca agreed and went to the buggy with doc. At the store Hank insisted, “She’s a little big for the small scale. We’ll have to weigh her on the big scale in the back room. Rebecca set the baby on the scale and Hank messed with the weights. Then he announced, “She’s over ten pounds and under eleven. This scale only weighs to the pound.”

Patrick revealed, “About the same as last week. I believe this was a small baby when she was born. She was probably between six and seven pounds.

Hank teased, “Being rich and all Doc. That will be 2¢ for using the scale.”

Patrick offered, “How about a trade. I have a patient about eight months along over at Pine Meadow. Not too far from there is the best fishing hole in a hundred miles. If you meet me at trapper’s cutoff I’ll show it to you next Thursday.”

Hank looked at Emily and asked, “You think you could run things for a day Emily.”

Emily replied, “I think I know the perfect buyer for the store. I could have the cash and be gone before you get back. Sure I can do it.”

Rebecca laughed, “I could get a head line for a story like that.”

Patrick added, “I’ll bring fried chicken for lunch. What do yah say Hank?”

Hank replied, “It’s a date.”

The week went by fast and Doc and Hank were checking on Miss Becker. Then they headed to the fishing hole. Hank was riding in the buggy with Patrick, and had his horse tethered to the back. Hank informed, “Over there Patrick we can get some water.”

Patrick replied, “We’re fine I got a full bag of water right here.”

Hank explained, “My goodness no wonder you wanted me to come along with you. You’d never survive this trip alone. The waters not for us it’s for the horses, and that beast of mine’s tide on the back. He’s been eating dust all morning. Now let’s head for that water hole.”

Patrick agreed, “Oh all right Hank you fuss like an old woman.

Hank teased, “You know it, and don’t think I ain’t looking forward to it.

Then they heard a rifle shot. Patrick asked, “What was that?

Hank replied, “Just a rifle shot Doc. Somebody’s out hunting. That’s all Doc.”

Patrick replied, “Well I don’t see anyone.”

Hank joked, “Well Doc you expect him to be out running around with a flag tied on him.”

Patrick replied, “Sounds like it came from those trees over there.”

Hank replied, “You gonna worry about every gunshot you here. It’s just some Elk hunter.”

Patrick replied, “There’s the water hole over there.”

Hank insisted, “This water hole isn’t much.”

Patrick pointed out, “Look just over there somebody’s mule.”

Hank replied, “I think that looks like a trapper’s mule. He’s probably trapping Wolves.”

Patrick asked, “Where is he?”

Hank replied, “Oh for heaven’s sake doc. I don’t know.”

Looking around Patrick called out, “There’s a man on the ground over here.”

Hank insisted, “He’s probably drunk passed out on booze.

Looking at the man Patrick acknowledged, “You’ve been shot. What happened to you? Are you out here all alone?”

The man mumbled, “Huh uh-uh I got partners but they ain’t here. What happened was I dropped my rifle and it went off and shot me”

Hank questioned, “Can you do anything for him doc?”

Patrick advised, “I can try. This is a terrible place to operate, but I’ll try. I’ll get my bag out of the buggy.”

Hank insisted, “I’ll start a fire.”

Getting the fire going Hank heard Patrick say, “I got a blanket to work on Hank.”

Hank announced, “Waite a minute somebody’s riding in.”

A trapper rode up on a horse, “Hello, what’s the matter with him?”

Hank replied, “He had an accident.”

The trapper replied, “So you had an accident. I thought I heard a shot.”

Patrick asked, “You his partner?”

The trapper replied, “One of them.”

Patrick insisted, “Well he’s hurt bad and I’m a doctor. I’ll do what I can for him.”

The trapper informed, “I’m Jesse Dollenberg and that there it’s John Valentine. I’m with him and his brother.”

Patrick asked, “Where’s he at?”

The trapper replied, “I don’t know. I’ll tell you something doc. You better leave John alone.”

Patrick barked, “What?”

The trapper insisted, “Look he got himself into this. Just leave him be and let him go. John won’t be of any use anyway.”

Then he turned and rode off as Hank yelled, “Hay wait a minute! Sure would hate to have him for a partner. He ought to be shot.”

John asked, “What you going to do Doc?”

Patrick replied, “We’ve got work to do. I’m going to get that bullet out as soon as the water is hot, and Hank gets back here to give me a hand.

John asked, “Where’s he at?”

Patrick informed, “He took the horses over to the other side of the water hole.”

The sound of horses made Patrick look, “Who could that be?”

John replied, “That’s my partners.”

Getting down from his horse the man asked, “Is that the Doctor feller yah told me about?”

Jesse replied, “Yep it sure is Frank.”

Patrick inquired, “You have any objections about me.”

Frank insisted, “You told him all about me Jesse?”

Jesse replied, “Yep sure did.”

Frank insisted, “That’s my brother doc I’m Frank Valentine.”

Patrick Replied, “Oh that’s fine. Now just let me get to work and maybe I can save his life.”

Frank insisted, “You don’t need to help Doc.”

Patrick barked, “This man’s dying damn it.”

Frank insisted, “He’s my brother. Any fool knows he got himself into this. I say let him get himself out. You’re innocent.”

Patrick asked, “Do you have to kill him?”

Frank pulled his knife and stepped forward as he bellowed, “I guess you’re right Jesse let’s take care of this ourselves.”

Pulling his gun Hank yelled, “Put that knife down!”

Jesse informed, “Oh I plumb forgot about him.”

Frank complained, “You always was a biggest fool I ever seen Jesse.”

Hank ordered, “Get out of here before I shoot your ass.”

Frank climbed back up on his horse and rode with Jesse yelling, “It ain’t over yet!”

Patrick insisted, “All right come on Hank I’m gonna need your help.”

Patrick was cutting John open when the shots echoed through the air. Hank laid on the ground when he heard a bullet whistle past his head. Then Hank announced, “I might have known they’d try something like that. Well it looks like they’re gone for now Doc.”

Patrick informed, “I’m hit.”

Hank asked, “How bad Doc?”

Patrick complained, “Its bad Hank.”

 

[gonewacky]

Hank insisted, “I’ll hitch up the buggy and take you to Lambert.

Patrick advised, “No it’s just… I couldn’t sit in that buggy that long much less all the way to Lambert. I’d bleed out first. I want you to go to Dention and get the Sheriff. The Sheriff and his Deputy can save me.”

Hank insisted, “I’m not going back. I can’t leave you here alone Doc. There aint no way of telling when they will come back

Patrick insisted, “You don’t know their coming back here for sure.”

Hank insisted, “Maybe but I ain’t leaving you. You tell me what to do and I’ll do it.

John moaned, “Doc, Doc you got to help me.”

Hank insisted, “Neither one of us can do a fool thing right now. That fool brother of yours seen to that.”

John moaned, “Doc.” Then he went silent. Patrick whined, “Damn it I think he’s gone.”

Hank checked and informed, “We can’t do anything for him now the poor fella.”

Hank went back to Doc, “Doc tell me what I’m supposed to do to get that bullet out of you first.”

Patrick insisted, “You better get some whiskey out of the buggy. Then you better have some too. I think you’ll need it before you’re through.”

Hank insisted, “I think I better not.”

Patrick thought, If I could just get him to go get the Sheriff and his Deputy. Then Jim could take me to a real doctor. I’m not sure I can talk Hank through this.

The next thing Patrick knew it was morning, and he hurt like hell. Trying to move Patrick yelled, “What the hell did you do. You dig that thing out with a shovel?”

Hank replied, “I did just like you told me. You passed out half way through it. Then I was on my own. I heated up that poking iron in your bag, and shoved it in the hole. I did it just like you told me Doc. I know it must have hurt you something awful. You pass clean out, but you’ll get your strength back”

Patrick insisted, “Now that you fixed me up you need to go get the Sheriff and his Deputy. Have them bring some food. I’m going to need nourishment to recover.”

Hank insisted, “There’s no telling when that crazy cuss is gonna try something. Him and his fat partner could do something at any moment.”

Patrick insisted, “We ate all the chicken for lunch yesterday. I need food Hank.”

Hank revealed, “I got it covered Doc. I shot a deer that came for water last night. I drugged him off in the brush and covered him up. I found some wild onions and balsamroot, and I got a soup cooking right now. I’ll get you some.”

Hank got Patrick some of the soup and explained, “You were kind of restless last night Doc.”

Patrick insisted, “After that hatchet job you did on me. It’s a wander I slept at all.”

Hank advised, “It could have been that half a bottle of whiskey that did it too.”

Patrick insisted, “You need to get out of here I may not live anyway. I don’t want you to get shot by those two. Do you understand?”

Hank insisted, “I understand but you’re wasting your breath Doc.”

Patrick mumbled, “What do I got to do to you to get you to go get some help Hank.”

Hank replied, “Doc. You got help I’m right here. I got some of the back strap roasting on the fire if you want some.”

Patrick complained, “Well bring it here. What in the hell are you waiting for?”

Hank gave Patrick a peace, and he took a bite and exclaimed, “That damn thing must have been living on pinecones. That is the wildest meat I’ve ever ate.”

Hank replied, “It is a little strong, but I have more of them roasting on the fire.”

Patrick questioned, “You sure that’s not bear meat Hank?”

Hank laughed, “There ain’t no Bears out here Doc. You think you might be able to do a little traveling?”

Patrick admitted, “I might be able to try a little and see how it goes.”

Hank went on. “I was thinking if I got the horses and packed up camp. Then we could leave John’s mule and skins here in camp. They might leave us alone if we do that. I think that’s all they want anyway.”

Patrick insisted, “Well what are you standing there for? Get a packing.”

Back at the boardinghouse Suzy was finishing up the breakfast dishes when Albert came in and exclaimed, “We need your help Suzan. Emily had to open the store this morning. Hank never made it back. Jim blinked to Lambert and Doc didn’t come back either. Jim is down hitching up the wagon. We want you to help look for them.”

Suzy replied, “Let’s go.”

They all got in the wagon and headed out. Just out of town Suzy made a ball of bright flashing colored light and threw it in the air, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as Jim blinked then to trapper’s cutoff. Jim insisted, “Just fly between the river and the road, and look for Doc’s buggy.”

Suzy replied, “I got it.”

Then she shot up in the air and flew off. It wasn’t long before Suzy spotted Hank hitching up hanks horse to the buggy. She flew back and landed on the wagon. Sitting next to Jim Suzy explained, “I saw Hank with Doc’s Buggy, but I didn’t see Doc. He’s about a mile up the road.”

Jim gave the rains a whip and called out, “Pick it up Patty, come on Charlie let’s get going. With that the horses were moving right along. Jim saw the Buggy and pulled back on the rains yelling, “Whoa.”

Hank saw Jim and Albert and ran to them. At the wagon Hank announced, “Boy am I glad to see you. Some strange stuff is going on around here. We ran across this guy John that said he dropped his gun and shot himself. Doc was trying to cut the bullet out of him when he was shot by his partners. I had to take the bullet out of Doc.”

Then Suzy heard Patrick yell, “Who you talking to out there Hank.”

Suzy insisted, “Carry on I got this.”

Then she went to Doc. With a smile Suzy asked, “Where’d you get shot? Damn Patrick they got you in the ass.”

Patrick complained, “I’m lucky to be alive after that hatchet job Hank did on me.”

Suzy made a ball of bright flashing colored light and pushed it into Patrick. Then she put her hands on his butt cheek and it started to glow. Then she whispered in his ear, “That’s a gift from me, but you have to limp like you’re hurt.”

Patrick rubbed his hand on his butt and asked, “How’d you do that?”

Suzy put her finger to her lips and went, “Shhh.”

Then Suzy yelled, “Hay can I get someone to help me get the Doc up.”

They put Doc in the back of the wagon. Albert drove Doc’s buggy, and Jim and Suzy Drove their wagon with Doc in the back. They started down the road and Albert called out, “Truck on.”

Time stopped and Suzy made a ball of bright flashing colored light. Then threw it in the air, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as Jim blinked then to Just outside of Lambert. Albert called out, “Truck off.”

Time started, and Albert exclaimed, “You have a nice nap Hank?”

Hank looked around and asked, “How the hell did we get here?”

Albert replied, “The buggy Hank. How do you think we got here? Did you know you snore when you sleep?”

Hank just shook his head. Going by the Hotel there was Kathy waiting for her ride back home. Jim stopped and Kathy jumped up with him and Suzy as Jim announced, “Sorry we’re late we had to make a detour.”

They dropped off Doc’s Buggy. Then they left Doc at the Doctor’s office and headed home.

 

[gonewacky]

Chapter Twelve – Kathy takes on a Demon

It was a Tuesday and Kathy had just finished having lunch with Seig. She was heading back to the boardinghouse when Emily yelled from the store, “Kathy I got mail for you.”

Kathy thought, Who could be writing me? Everyone I know lives here.

She took the letter from Emily and headed to the boarding house. In her room she opened the latter, “Kathy I hope you remember me. I’m Kearin the woman with the boy that stayed at The Dalles Wells Fargo office with you. The doctor only gave me a few days to live. I’m sending my thirteen year old Joey to you on the stage. I want you to find a good home for him. His dad has gone bad, and become an outlaw. I don’t want him to know where Joey is. He needs a good home with a man that will teach him right.”

I talked to Charles Walker who took over Sieg Rickhardt’s Fort Boise run. He told me Sieg was working the north rout out of Fort Boise, and he sees him all the time. He also told me Sieg sees you every week, and knows where you live. That is how I found you in Dention. Sorry for the short notice about Joey, but I’m running out of time. Joey should be there next Tuesday on the stage from Boise. It would be nice if you could pick him up in Lambert. Then it would make it harder for his father to track him.

May God be with you I’m sure you’ll need it. Kearin”

Kathy knew what she had to do, and she knew the perfect couple to take him.

Time went by and Kathy road with Sieg on Thursday to Lambert. It was like any other Thursday, but this week she told Sieg about Joey. I’ve talked to Liam and Oral about it, and they would love to have the boy.

Then Monday came and Jim asked, “Kathy, what time do you want me to take you to Lambert to ride back with Sieg?”

Kathy replied, “I’m not doing that this week.”

The next morning they found Kathy was gone, and rumors started going around about what she had been doing.

In Lambert Kathy waited for the stage. Then it pulled in and Seig asked, “Any north bound passengers Tom?”

Tom replied, “Might be I got another passenger for you. She ain’t said.”

Seig asked Kathy, “Are you riding with us ma’am?”

Kathy replied, “I’m meeting someone. You got a youngster with you?”

Seig climbed down saying, “We sure do. Hey son wake up. Somebody’s waiting for you.

Joey replied, “Oh, I must have just fallen asleep. I’ve been wide awake all night long thinking about seeing you.”

Kathy insisted, “You look fine, just fine.”



Joey replied, “I sure wondered if I’d ever see you again.”

Kathy smiled, “Well I wondered about that myself sometimes, but we don’t have to worry about that anymore do we?”

Kathy had two horses waiting for them as Seig insisted, “Let me give you a hand up there lady.”

Kathy barked, “Knock it off Seig. Help the boy.”

Sig helped the boy, “Up you go sonny. Now you hang on tight.”

Kathy asked, “You got his bag tied on good Seig?”

Seig replied, “Sure do Kathy see you Thursday?”

Kathy replied, “I’ll be waiting.”

With Patty tethered to her horse they were off.

Liam yelled, “Orla! Orla they’ve come!”

Kathy announced, “Hello Liam.”

Liam replied, “Kathy.”

Kathy bellowed, “Morning Orla.”

Orla replied, “I have a hot breakfast ready Kathy.”

Kathy replied, “Oh, that’s wonderful. Well, this is Joey. Joey this is Mr. and Mrs. O’connors.”

Joey looked at Liam and announced, “How do you do sir?”

Liam replied, “Well now boy it’s a pleasure to meet you. He got any rougher clothes than that? Out here Sunday best is for Sundays.”



Kathy replied, “Well I don’t know what he’s got packed in there, but whatever he needs. I can sure bring it out.”



Orla insisted, “Land’s sakes I can make him his needs. We got enough old clothes around.”



Kathy insisted, “Orla did I hear you say something about breakfast?”



Joey blurted, “Hey that’s a real cow ain’t it?”



Liam agreed, “Yeah... plain everyday cow. Haven’t you ever seen one before?”



Joey replied, “Well yeah but not this close.”

Liam insisted, “Now that’s a fright... a boy his age not knowing all about cows.”



Kathy insisted, “There’s worse things Liam.”

Liam questioned, “There is?”

Kathy went on, “He’s a city boy. You just need to give him some time. Oh, before I forget. I want to give you this.”

Liam explained, “Give it to Orla. I’m no hand with money.”

Kathy informed, “Here you are, Orla.”

Orla commented, “Seems a lot to pay Kathy. From the look of him he won’t eat much.”

Kathy reminded, “You’re giving him a place to stay. That means an awful lot to me.”

Orla handed Kathy a folded paper explaining, “I got a list marked down for you inside Kathy. You sure best eat something before you ride back to Dention.”

Liam inquired, “Our keeping him here Kathy, there won’t be no trouble about it?”

Kathy assured, “No there won’t be any trouble.”

Orla insisted, “Fetch the boy in Liam.”

Looking over a horse at the Livery Henry explained, “I don’t believe that tendon’s pulled. It’s not swollen any. Must be a bruise right here someplace, Lyle.

Henry insisted, “Take a look here?”

Lyle mumbled, “Yeah.”

Henry went on, “Seems to me like it... What do you mean? You’re not even paying any attention to me. What’s the matter?”

Lyle replied, “Its Kathy’s stall, it’s empty.”

Henry looked, “Yeah sure it is.”

Lyle insisted, “Well her mares gone, and her bridle and saddle too.”

Henry declared, “Well I never knew her to go riding without any of ‘em.”

Lyle insisted, “Did you ever know her to go riding at 3:00 in the morning?”

Henry insisted, “No and neither did you.”

Lyle revealed, “It’s the truth Henry. I slept here last night on account of a sick horse. About 3:00... I knew it was 3:00 because I looked at the clock... I heard a noise. I looked over and Kathy’s stall was empty, and her bridle and saddle were gone too. Then I heard somebody riding off. I think she took Patty with her too.”

Henry exclaimed, “Heard somebody? But you don’t know it was Kathy.”

Lyle agreed, “I’m not sure, but whoever it was took her mare, her bridle, and saddle too.

Henry ordered, “Well good heavens what do you want to do. Stand here and try to figure it out. Why don’t you just go on down to the Boardinghouse, she’ll be there. I’m sure she will, and then you can tell her about the horse. Go on.

Lyle agreed, “All right.”

Henry went on, “And I’d be much obliged to you if you could find a little time to look at my horse’s hoof!”

At the General store Hank guessed, “I wouldn’t swear to it Albert, but it looks like you owe me eight dollars and 72 cents.”

Albert asked, “$8.72, that’s the whole month?”

Hank replied, “Yes. Do you want anything else Albert?”

Albert insisted, “No I guess that’ll be all Hank.”

Hank counted the money, “All right eight 72. Thank you. Oh, say Albert, as far as you know. Kathy’s in town ain’t she?”

Albert replied, “As far as I know. I suppose she is.”

Hank went on, “It’s funny though. Last night I was coming back from a trip. Then this morning when the stage stopped in Lambert, I got the notion Kathy was out there. I thought she was going to ride back with Seig like evert week.”

Albert questioned, “Lambert? You must have been there before dawn, weren’t you?”

Hank replied, “It was just before dawn. I can’t deny I was dead asleep, but I woke up hearing this voice. I’d swear it was Kathy’s.”

Albert marveled, “You mean you just heard a voice. You didn’t see her?”

Hank explained, “Well her and this boy was riding off. I’ll admit I didn’t see her real good.”

Albert inquired, “Riding off with a boy?”

Hank insisted, “This youngster. He was on the stage when I got on at River City, and then at Lambert like I said. Kathy or somebody that sure talks like her met him and they rode off together.’

Albert asked, “This boy, did you know him at all?”

Hank insisted, “I never laid eyes on him.”

Albert advised, “Well you must have dreamed it Hank. I mean Kathy and some little feller? Why it’s out of the question.”

Hank insisted, “Well I’d sure like to satisfy myself about it one way or the other.”

Albert replied, “Well I wouldn’t worry about it too much Hank.”

Hank offered, “Thanks a lot. Well you know Lyle’s story taken by itself, or Henry’s either for that matter. Don’t mean too much, but then when you put them together. Well I don’t know.”

Albert insisted, “I have to get out of here Hank, before you have me believing this gossip going around.”

Down at the Jail Jim, Albert, and Henry were talking about Kathy.

Jim insisted, “Alright Henry, but Lyle won’t admit that it was Kathy he saw anyway.”

Henry insisted, “Lyle didn’t actually say he saw anybody. He just heard somebody ride away on a horse.”

Jim teased, “Then it’s a mystery that’s what it is. You know it just makes you feel kind of tingly. You know thinking that maybe it could have happened.”

Henry demanded, “Kind of what?”

Jim insisted, “You know tingly.”

Henry teased, “Oh tingly who? Dose Suzan know you feel this way?”

Jim added, “Oh now Henry, don’t try and make it out that I’m the only one around here that ever felt tingly.”

Then Jim insisted, “I’ll tell you if this story about Kathy ever gets out, half this town’s gonna feel that way.”

Looking out the window Henry announced, “Oh. Albert it’s her! It’s Kathy!”

Jim looked and affirmed, “She’s coming over here.”

Albert insisted, “Ok now maybe we’re just gonna find out all about this right now.”

Jim insisted, “Maybe, but let’s not push her. If she wants to tell us about it she will.

 

[gonewacky]

Henry added, “That’s right. Let’s not go borrowing trouble Jim.”

Albert assured, “Well borrowing or not. If she rode out at 3:00 in the morning she ought not to have done that.”

Jim insisted, “Then you ought to talk to her about it, because it just ain’t safe at all.

Henry replied, “She’d have to have a pretty good reason. I’ll say that.”

Albert added, “Well, seems to me...”

Jim blurted, “She’s coming.”

Albert went on, “Like you’d have to be in trouble or something. Well now let’s not let on to her that we’re thinking anything about her at all.”

Kathy came in the door and Albert announced, “Hello Kathy.”

Kathy replied, “Hello. This looks like a mass meeting.”

Henry insisted, “Yeah you look just fine.”

Jim agreed, “Oh shure you just look nice and rested.”

Kathy replied, “Why thank you. I don’t mean to interrupt, but Jim I wonder if you’d do me a favor?”

Jim insisted, “Oh anything.”

Kathy went on, “Would you take my mare and Patty back to Henry’s for me?”

Jim babbled, “Oh take the mare and Patty uh oh yeah...”

Albert insisted, “He’d be glad to Kathy.”

Jim mumbled, “Oh, I’d be glad to.”

Kathy insisted, “That’s all.”

Jim stuttered, “Right. Over to Henry’s.”

Kathy asserted, “If you think you’re… Oh, uh by the way if you three think you’re acting like yourselves you’re not.”

Kathy went out the door and Jim asked, “What did she mean by that? I mean I thought we took it off real good.”

Oswald had been chasing the stage since he was told about his son. A friend told him his mother put him on a stage in Biggs Oregon. Oswald stopped at every station following his son. He rode into Lambert and went straight to the Wells Fargo station and asked, “Is the Station Master available?”

Tom replied, “That would be me. Can I help you?”

Oswald explained, “My son was on that stage that came through here. He was a teenage boy with brown hair. Did he get off, or go straight through?”

Tom revealed, “He got off. Kathy picked him up.”

Oswald looked surprised, “Dose Kathy live around here?”

Tom replied, “Oh no, she lives over in Dention.”

Oswald echoed, “Thanks,” as he walked off.

The next day Albert was having coffee at the Horseshoe with Kathy. Taking a sip she explained, “You know Albert, this being a mystery woman is a new kind of role for me.”

Albert replied, “Well Kathy, Henry and Hank can’t quite make you out.”

Kathy went on, “Mm-hmm, Suzy and Jim? They’re pretty much the same, I guess. What about you?”

Albert insisted, “Kathy I always figured that what you did is your business.

Kathy agreed, “I know that you always have. You know women have the reputation for it, but I swear men are every bit as nosey and every bit as gossipy.”

Albert declared, “Don’t be too hard on us Kathy. We were just a little bit worried about you that’s all.”

Kathy acknowledged, “Yeah I know.”

Albert added, “You know this business of leaving town at 3:00 in the morning... That’s pretty dangerous for a woman alone.”

Kathy insisted, “Nobody knows I did that.”

Albert affirmed, “Nobody but you.”

Then he inquired, “Kathy you’re not in some kind of trouble are you? If you are? Then you don’t have to be in it alone.”

Kathy insisted, “Albert nobody ever knew me like you do. I never let anybody that close. Not even Seig. Now I’ve told you everything and anything. Now if there’s something I just don’t feel like I’m ready to talk about, well...”

Albert insisted, “I wouldn’t ask you to.”

Kathy replied, “Thanks. You know I think you better pass the word along to the grapevine that I’m going to be leaving town for a little while.”

Albert insisted, “Well look just do me one favor will you?”

Kathy agreed, “Yeah if I can.”

Albert muttered, “Don’t leave town at 3:00 in the morning.”

Kathy smiled, “Well I can promise you that.”

Albert replied, “Well if I don’t see you again before you go. Good luck.”

Kathy noted, “Thanks Albert and thanks for not asking any questions.”

Albert touched her arm and said, “Take care of yourself.”

Then Kathy went to the Livery and rented a team and wagon, and headed to see Hank.

At the store Hank was loading the wagon and suggested, “You sure must be taking some trip Kathy.”

Kathy replied, “Well its trip enough for me Hank.”

Hank asked, “Are you going far?”

Kathy informed, “Well far enough.”

Hank was loading a box on the wagon and Kathy insisted, “I wish you’d let me help you with that.”

Hank insisted, “Oh no Kathy. Now you save your strength. You going all that way, you’ll need it.”

Kathy revealed, “It’s been a long time since I’ve driven a wagon.”

Hank inquired, “You ain’t gonna drive all that way alone are you?”

Kathy smiled, “All what way?”

Hank insisted, “Well you know all that way to... wherever it is you’re going.”

Kathy insisted, “I’ll manage.”

Hank went on, “Well if it’s something you have to do.”

Kathy assured, “Well it’s something I want to do Hank.

Hank mumbled, “I figured that, but... Oh, now let’s see. Here’s the, um... sugar candy?”

Kathy replied, “That’s right sugar candy.”

Hank added, “Yeah I see it is. I never knew you to be a hand to eat much candy Kathy.”

Kathy replied, “Never have been.”

Albert walked up and announced, “Well good morning.”

Kathy replied, “Oh morning Albert.”

Albert went on, “About ready to go are you?”

Kathy muttered, “Just about.”

Hank insisted, “I’d say there’s enough there to last a family a nice long while. Wouldn’t you say so Albert?”

Albert replied, “It’s a pretty good load.”

Hank insisted, “Yeah and a good-sized family at that.”

Kathy asked, “Help me up will you Albert?”

Albert replied, “Sure.”

Jim came out of the store, “Uh Kathy? Where are you off to?”

Albert asked, “James is that my mail?”

Jim replied, “Oh yeah.”

Jim handed Albert the letters and he said, “Thank you very much.”

Jim insisted, “Where are you going Kathy?”

Kathy explained, “If I tell you James... Then you all might find me before I want to be found.”

Hank said, “Bye.”

Then Albert said aloud, “Bye.”

Jim asked, “Where’s she going Albert?”

Albert remarked, “I don’t know James.”

Jim insisted, “You mean she’s going out of town all alone, and you don’t even know where she’s going?”

Albert replied, “That’s about it.”

Hank asked, “What do you suppose Kathy wants with a boy’s rifle?”

Albert and Jim looked at him and Hank continued, “Boy’s rifle and sugar candy. You know things that might be for a youngster.”

Oswald stopped a woman on a wagon on the road. He rode up alongside her and asked, “This is new territory for me ma’am. Can you point the way to Dention?”

Kathy replied, “Well its back up this road. Most of the day by wagon, but you can make a lot better time.”

Oswald insisted, “Well maybe I ain’t in no hurry.”

Kathy barked, “I am.”

Oswald insisted, “Ah now you don’t want to rush off little lady. Well I don’t mean you no harm. I just ain’t seen a nice lady in a long time. I sure wouldn’t hurt her.”

He grabbed the rains to Kathy’s wagon and she ordered, “Look I told you what you wanted to know, and I told you I’m in a hurry. Now let go of those lines.”

Kathy pulled her gun and pushed it in his face and he replied, “Well you got an awful lot of spunk I’ll tell you that.”

Kathy yelled, “Now ride on out of here mister.”

Oswald insisted, “I got a feeling you’d use that.”

Kathy insisted, “I guarantee you I would.”

Oswald acknowledged, “I believe you lady. I believe you.”

Back at the Jail Albert complained, “You’re going to wear the floor out James.”

Jim replied, “Well I’m just upset about Kathy I guess.”

Albert asked, “Why don’t you try taking it out on something else. You’re giving me the willies!”

Jim mumbled, “Oh Albert. I just can’t feel that you’re content with what Kathy’s been up to lately.”

Albert explained, “James whatever Kathy is up to. I’m content with the fact that it’s a lot more her business than it is ours!”

Jim agreed, “Well I know that Albert. The only thing I was thinking is that just...”

Albert opened another envelope and exclaimed, “Look I just don’t want to hear any more about it. So look at this.”

Jim replied, “Huh?”

Albert insisted, “You remember this fellow? Oswald Schiefer?

Jim questioned, “Oswald Schiefer? No, I don’t. Oh wait a minute. Yeah I remember him. You know Albert. He’s a big tall fellow. He used to hang around the Dusty Star Saloon in Lambert a lot. You know he thought he was a real ladies man.”

Albert went on, “Yeah that’s right.”

Jim asked, “This was some time ago wasn’t it?”

 

[gonewacky]

Albert replied, “Yeah it ain’t been too recent. Well he’s wanted for robbery and murder. There’s a $500 reward on him.”

Out at the O’connors farm Kathy asked, “Liam Do you train your hens to hide the eggs, or is it their own idea?”

Liam replied, “They got a mind of their own all right. Come here Kathy I want to show you something. Now what do you make of that?”

Looking out the window Kathy admitted, “Well he’s helping Orla. What is there to make of it?”

Liam insisted, “Hanging out clothes. A boy hanging out clothes?”

Kathy muttered, “Well he’s just trying to be useful.”

Liam divulged, “I was his age, I was off with a fishing pole, or I was working a plow or planting. I’d have taken a good tanning before I’d have done woman’s work.”

Kathy insisted, “Liam if you need him to help you around here.”

Liam went on, “Oh that’s not it Kathy. I like Joey. He’s a nice youngster, but he’s just too blamed citified. Didn’t he ever have any menfolk around?”

Kathy replied, “Not very often.”

Liam uttered, “I’m thinking of the boy’s own good.”

Kathy hinted, “Liam I’d count it a real big favor if you’d teach him the things that he ought to know.

Liam questioned, “You want him to be a regular boy don’t you?”

Kathy insisted, “More than anything, till he grows up to be a man.”

Liam replied, “You leave his doings to me.

Later that day Liam was teaching Joey to ride the horse. Liam insisted, “Just sit him good and get a firm hold on your reins. That’s the way boy. That’s the way. Your doing good.

Then Liam had Joey put some tin cans on the fence, and had him trying to shoot them. Liam insisted, “That’s fair shooting for cans. Of course you can’t figure rabbits or prairie chickens to line up in a row for you.”

Joey said, “But hitting them, that’s better than missing ain’t it?”

Liam agreed, “Yeah, hitting is better than missing. Fetch the cans Joey you’re doing fine.”

Later that night Kathy was talking with Liam and Orla at the kitchen table. Orla asked, “How is he? Asleep?”

Kathy replied, “Oh dead to the world, although how he can sleep with a bed full of tin cans is more than I can figure out.”

Orla insisted, “Well that’s a boy for you Kathy.

Kathy replied, “Well I’m learning. Joey is too, and I’m mighty grateful to you.”

Orla explained, “Kathy Liam is worried you didn’t want the boy to learn to shoot.”

Kathy disclosed, “Oh now Orla. No, now it’s best said out in the open.”

Orla continued, “Oh, for...”

Kathy cut in, “Well now Liam Orla’s right. I guess it’s time a lot of things were just said right out. I think it’s time that you know more about Joey.

Orla said, “Nothing you don’t want to say Kathy. Face value’s good enough for us.”

Kathy insisted, “You got a right to know. I’ve known Joey since I came out here. I met his mother in The Dalles, Oregon. She was on the run with Joey back then. She had married a man by the name of Oswald Schiefer. Does that name mean anything to you, Liam?”

Liam admitted, “Don’t mean a thing to me.”

Kathy went on, “Hmm. Well Oswald Schiefer is a very very handsome man. Very good with the ladies when he wants to be, and he’s an outlaw. Joey’s mother Lena was her name. She didn’t know about Oswald until after Joey was on the way. She left him and had the boy, but Oswald found her again. He always did. She spent her life hiding Joey from his father. He’d beat her, but she’d never tell him where she’d sent the boy. I promised Lena back then if anything ever happened to her. I’d see to it that Oswald never got his hands on Joey.”

Orla asked, “Well what happened to her Kathy?”

Kathy dropped her head and mumbled, “Well the last beating killed her. Lena’s friends found the letter she wrote to me, and sent Joey on to me.”

Orla insisted, “Well he’s a... he’s a fine boy.

Kathy finished, “My bringing him here. That was an awful lot for me to ask of you.”

Orla assured, “We’re not concerned for ourselves. It ain’t that at all.

Liam requested, “Come on Orla. I’d best be getting ready for bed.”

Orla maintained, “I’ll be along soon Liam.”

Liam announced, “Good night Kathy.”

Kathy replied, “Good night Liam.”

Orla asked, “You’ve said it all now Kathy?”

Kathy replied, “Every bit Orla.”

Orla insisted, “I’m bound to ask you right out. Is Joey your son?”

Kathy proclaimed, “Why Orla, I told you.”

Orla confided, “I know what you told me.”

Kathy smiled, “No. I can’t say that I’d mind if he was, but no Joey’s not my son.”

The next morning Kathy took Joey fishing. Joey asked, “Aunt Kathy? Why do they call it fishing?”

Kathy pondered, “Because that’s what it is.”

Joey asked, “What do they call it when you catch fish?”

Kathy replied, “It should be called catching, but they call it good fishing.”

Joey insisted, “So far we’re not doing very good are we? It’s nice though.”

Kathy muttered, “Nice and quiet.”

Joey asked, “Smell that Aunt Kathy?”

Kathy took a smell of the air, “It’s kind of sweet-like? Mm-hmm.”

Joey explained, “That’s sweet clover. Cattle like it. Horses like it too sometimes. Uncle Liam told me that.”

Kathy smiled, “Well he’s just about as right as he can be. About most things he is anyway.”

Joey insisted, “I’d sure like to catch him a fish.”

Kathy said, “Well maybe our luck would change if we’d spit in the river.”

Joey asked, “You think it would?”

Kathy replied, “That’s what they say. Supposed to if you believe in luck that is.”

Joey doubted, “Well I don’t know Aunt Kathy.”

Kathy said, “Oh go on try it.”

Joey agreed, “Well all right.”

Joey spit in the river and asked, “You think that’s good enough.”

Kathy smiled, “Oh I’d say that ought to get the job done.”

Joey moved next to Kathy saying, “Ladies sure are different. I mean, from menfolk.”

Kathy put her arm around Joey and whispered, “Yes they are.”

Joey asked, “Aunt Kathy?”

Kathy replied, “Mm-hmm?”

Joey went on, “About my pa.”

Kathy asked, “What about him Joey?”

Joey asked, “Do I really have a pa?”

Kathy insisted, “Why of course you do.”

Joey insisted, “I can’t remember him, and my ma would sometimes say I don’t have one. What do you think Aunt Kathy?”

Kathy whispered, “I don’t know Joey. Maybe you got no pa. You know your mother was not very well sometimes.”

Joey asked, “Do you know him?”

Kathy whispered, “No I never knew him Joey.”

Joey jumped up yelling, “Hey look Aunt Kathy! I got some luck! I got a fish!”

Back in town Jim was talking to Albert. “Of course I guess you miss her too in your own way. I just wonder if we appreciated her enough when she was amongst us.”

Albert replied, “Well James you know she’s only been gone a few days.”

Jim acknowledged, “Did you know Orla took the week off from the Horseshoe, and we haven’t seen Liam all week.”

Albert replied, “Well James if Orla’s not working. There’s no reason for Liam to come to town.”

 

[gonewacky]

Jim replied, “Well I’m surprised at you Albert.”

Albert insisted, “It don’t make any difference how long she’s been gone. Time doesn’t mean anything to a Time Lord.”

Jim replied, “Just because I can jump through time. Don’t mean I can’t miss someone. I can miss somebody in an hour if I want to.”

Albert headed out of the Jail saying, “Yeah well I’ll tell you what you do James. You stay right here and you miss her. I’m going out and look around.”

Jim replied, “Well you know I can go with you if you want me to.”

Albert stopped, “No, no. You just stay here and pull yourself together. Use that book to take you to her.”

Jim replied, “Well that... maybe that might be best. Wait I can’t do that. It’s not right to put my nose in her business like that.”

Down at the Saloon Oswald went to the bar. Jack asked, “What’ll it be mister?”

Oswald replied, “Whiskey. A bottle of whiskey, and make it two glasses. I may find myself a friend.”

Oswald moved down the bar to a man drinking a beer and asked, “You live around here mister?”

The man replied, “No, not right here in the Saloon I don’t.”

Oswald insisted, “I don’t see any trail dust on you.”

The man replied, “Well I don’t suppose you’d know. I live here in Dention if that there’s what you mean.”

Oswald went on, “Yeah well I’m looking for somebody. Here let me pour you a shot of this Whiskey.”

The man insisted, “Oh no. No thanks. I got my own poison right here.”

Oswald asked, “You know a lady named Kathy something?”

The man replied, “Well I reckon I do. That is I know a Kathy.”

Oswald queried, “There’s more than one in Dention?”

The man replied, “Well there ain’t even one now.”

Oswald asked, “Now how is that?”

The man replied, “Well she’s gone. She left town. That’s how that is.”

Oswald continued, “Say are you a friend of hers?”

The man replied, “No I just heard a lot about her.”

Oswald asked, “I wondered if she is as pretty as everybody said.”

The man replied, “Oh. Well she sure is pretty all right. She’s got the prettiest gun, and she’s just so friendly and obliging and all. She might just shoot you. Kathy and her sister Suzan would take on any man. Then stomp on you on the way out.”

Oswald went on, “How long has she been gone? Actually it’s just been a few days now. Sure is hot and dry to be riding around on a stage.”

The man replied, “Well she didn’t go on a stage. Her guy is the stage driver. He’d be on the return trip if she was going with him. I heard she drove a team of horses out.”

Oswald questioned, “She went out on a wagon?”

The man insisted, “You know there ain’t many women now that can handle a team of horses, but I’ll tell you Kathy can.”

Oswald asked, “What’s your name mister?”

Edwin replied, “Its Edwin.”

Oswald said, “Well Edwin I’m going to buy you a beer. Hay bar keep give this man a beer on me.”

Edwin replied, “Well thank you kindly.”

Oswald knew now who the woman on the wagon was that wanted to shoot him. It was Kathy, so he headed out. He went to where he passed her on the road. Then he started checking farms.

Kathy looked out the window and saw him coming then she asked, “Orla, where’s Joey?”

Orla replied, “With Liam down by the pond shooting rabbits.”

Kathy insisted, “Well get on down there with them and stay there.”

Orla questioned, “Kathy?”

Kathy said, “I mean it Orla. Oswald Schiefer’s coming up the lane.”

Orla questioned, “But how’d he know to come here?”

Kathy replied, “I don’t know. Just go please, and hurry.”

Orla insisted, “You shouldn’t have to face him alone.”

Kathy barked, “Orla please!”

Then she went out and stood on the porch.

Oswald smiled, “Now I ain’t usually this lucky Kathy.”

Kathy insisted, “What do you want Oswald?”

Oswald affirmed, “You remember me do you Kathy?

Kathy blurted, “Remember what? That little spat on the road. I knew you were Evil then.”

Oswald assured, “That’ll take some telling. Are you going to make me do all the talking?”

Kathy insisted, “Just say what you came to say and get out.”

Oswald acknowledged, “You were the one for speaking up Kathy. Now my Lena she’d cry and whimper. You don’t act like that now do you? I come for the boy Kathy.

Kathy insisted, “I don’t have him.”

Taking a step closer Oswald revealed, “He was coming to you. Lena told me. She didn’t mean to tell me nothing, but she came around to telling me that.”

Kathy advised, “She lied to you. Joey didn’t come to me.”

Oswald took another step insisting, “Lena was in no shape for lying.”

Kathy roared, “You killed her.”

Oswald laughed, “Lena wasn’t up to living. She didn’t have your fire. Maybe you and me and the boy, we...”

Kathy assured, “You’re dirt I wouldn’t walk on your rotten ass.”

Taking another step Oswald demanded, “Now let’s talk about the boy. I want him.”

Kathy protested, “You’ve got no right to him.”

Getting a little closer Oswald insisted, “I’m his pa, and I haven’t the right? That’s Lena talking not you Kathy.”

Kathy informed, “I don’t know where he is. You’re just wasting your time.”

Taking another step Oswald demanded, “If you don’t tell me, I’m going to have to beat you Kathy. And then I’ll have a look around. We’re just bound to settle this you and me.”

Kathy insisted, “You’ll have to kill me too Oswald.”

Oswald barked, “I will if I have to Kathy, but you’re going to tell me now.”

Kathy snarled, “Now you get out of here Oswald.”

Oswald took another step as Kathy backed through the door Oswald growled, “No!”

Kathy stood her ground and pulled her gun, “You got no more time. Get out of that door, or I’ll kill you right here.”

Oswald laughed, “There ain’t a woman alive with a stomach for killing. I mean it.”

Kathy pulled the hammer back on her gun, “You’re not even a man. You’re pure Evil. I can see there ain’t even a soul in that body.”

Oswald took another step and BOOM! He flew back. Then there was another BOOM! Standing over him Kathy let her arm drop down and BOOM! She shot him in the head and called out, “By the power of Njal I command time to stop.” Then she called out “By the power of Njal I command Jim to appear.”

Jim appeared and Kathy insisted, “Put the team together we have a Demon to dispose of. Jim blinked out then Albert, Suzy, and Jim returned with the Truck. Taking the cable Albert dragged it through the door, and noosed the demon. Then he pulled it to the front of the truck. Jim asked, “You coming Kathy?”

Kathy replied, “No, I have a boy to talk to. I’ll see yah tomorrow.”

With that Suzy threw a ball of bright flashing colored light in the air, and shot it with a lightning bolt. Thousands of little flashing stars rained down on them as Jim blinked them out.

Soon time started and Kathy heard Joey yelling, “Aunt Kathy!”

Kathy replied, “Oh, Joey. I’ve got so many things to tell you.”

The next day Kathy came riding in to town with Joey. She parked the wagon in front of the livery and called for Lyle. Then she helped Joey down and sent him to the Horseshoe. She instructed, “You tell Aunt Orla you want two hot chocolates, and I’ll be over shortly.”

Then she went to the Jail to see Jim and Albert. Coming in the door she saw Liam was there. Cathy announced, “Liam Joey is at the Horseshoe waiting for you. He’s all yours now.”

Liam went out the door, and Jim scolded, “Why didn’t you come to us for help with that Demon?”

Kathy replied, “That Demon was after me and the boy. It was mine to take out. I had the bullets you gave me for that, so I did it. I’m sorry I wouldn’t tell you anything, but I had to prove it to myself I was a Demon Hunter. I was never in any danger I could stop time, and call all of you at any time.”

Jim vowed, “I’ll never question your motive for doing something again. I worried the entire time you were gone.”

Kathy divulged, “That’s why I didn’t tell you James. I knew you would be blinking all over the place checking on me. You’re like the mother hen type thinking you need to protect us all. We have powers too you know.”

Albert added, “You know Kathy. Jim still sees the little girl in rags at the Mill. Your life time was just a blink for him. One day you were a little girl and the next you were a Demon Hunter. You will always be a little girl to him. I saw that when you were gone.”

Kathy questioned, “I’d like to talk about the stacks of lumber that are piling up out there. Maybe you could get Henry over here and I could give you a pitch.”

 

[gonewacky]

Chapter Thirteen – The Kidnapping

It was Thursday morning and another hot summer day. It was already in the seventies at seven in the morning, and Kathy was in the bathhouse soaking in the tub. In this time when it was hot people would go to the creek or swimming hole. Then they would rinse the stench from their body, but by late afternoon they would be sweating and stinking again. They’d just got use to smelling everyone three feet away.

With Kathy and Rebecca hogging up the bathhouse Jim went to the creek for a morning dip. This was a special Thursday because Vivian was coming back from visiting her mom in Spokane. Mr. Hanson had been missing Vivian and was at the Horseshoe having breakfast. He planned on staying there tell the stage came with Vivian. By midmorning everyone in town knew Mr. Hanson was hanging out at the Horseshoe and not the Saloon.

In the Jail something else was going on. It was the nightmare of every boy. Ooh! Ow!

Jim insisted, “You hush your howling now!”

Mrs. Johnson questioned, “Is it all right Jim? Oh, my poor boy.”

Jim mumbled, “Aw heck it ain’t nothing, but a little old rock salt. It’ll dissolve all by itself directly. Now, why don’t you take him home, Mrs. Johnson, and set him in a tub of hot water? That’s what Doc would tell you if he was here.

Miss Johnson ordered, “Get your pants on Robert! Sheriff I want that John Gobson arrested. I’ll swear out a complaint. Attempted murder!

Albert replied, Well Mrs. Johnson, Robert was trespassing on private property, and he was stealing apples you know.”

Miss Johnson insisted, “His pa will tan his hide right enough. But that’s no call for that old man to shoot him.”

Robert whined, “He’d have killed me if I hadn’t hightailed it. Ooh, it burns!

Miss Johnson complained, “Oh, you’re just like your pa! Getting into trouble every which a-way. Sheriff?”

Albert assured, “Now Mrs. Johnson don’t worry. I’ll go out and have a talk with Gobson. And we’ll send Doc out to look at Robert. I’ll send word for him to come. Now Robert in the meantime, you stay away from stealing any more apples.”

Miss Johnson insisted, “You hear what the Sheriff said? If I catch you even so much as thinking about...”

Robert yelled, “Ow!”

Albert insisted, “Well I guess I’ll have to go out and talk to Gobson. He’s liable to hurt somebody if he keeps this up.

Jim disclosed, “Aw heck Albert. He ain’t using enough powder in that gun to do more than sting them a little bit. The kids will eat them apples up in a hurry you know.

Albert replied, “Yeah, but I can’t have him running around salting down the backside of every kid in the county, now can I.”

Jim revealed, “Well all right if you want to go and spoil the fun for the kids. Why if I had a dollar for every piece of rock salt that old Doc’s took out of a kid’s backside. Why I’d be rich.”

Albert mumbled, “Well then you could be doing just what you’re doing now, or did you forget you’re already rich. Right now I got to meet the stage.”

Jim insisted, “Albert that stage ain’t due in for another hour, and you know that. Anyway, Vivian’s only been away a week.”

Albert complained, “Nine days Jim, and you grandpa made every one of them a nightmare. He can’t seem to go a day without her. He should just Marry her and get it over with.”

Jim explained, “He’s still Married to Edna you know. She’s just missing and no one knows she’s dead and gone. Well she’s just apt not to come back at all you know. There’s a lot of nice fellers in Spokane you know.

Albert replied, “Jim I think you’re worse than old Gobson. You like going around rubbing salt in an open wound.”

The Stage was running late and Seig was trying to make up for lost time. This was bouncing the passengers around making for a rough ride. Seg had a full load with three passengers on each seat, and one riding up with him. In the front of the coach was a mother her son and a gambler. On the backseat was a Rich Rail Road owner, Vivian and a young man about 18 or 19.

Going over some rough road the gambler yelled, “What’s going on up there?”

The young man next to Vivian joked, “He’s going to kill us all.”

They all laugh then the gambler said, “Now William. I need you to tap the back of my hand. Then hold your hand under it. All right now tap the back again.”

The gambler opened his hand and a coin fell into William’s hand and the gambler exclaimed, “Whoops.”

William bubbled, “Hey! Hey! A silver dollar!

The gambler insisted, “Now William, you’re gonna have to get yourself a haircut in Dention, because you’ve got all kinds of things sticking in there. Would you look at that? A watch!”

William questioned, “How’d you do that? Mom how did he do that?

The Rail Road owner barked, “That’s my watch! How dare you sir?”

The gambler teased, “How dare you William?”

They laughed as the gambler gave the Rail Road owner his watch.

The gambler held out a ten dollar gold peace and insisted, “You know, you’re gonna have to get a bath in Dention.”

William’s mother insisted, “No please Mr. Humes. I couldn’t.”

The gambler insisted, “Oh, it was in his hair Mrs. Schaefer.

Mrs. Schaefer demanded, “Oh, I couldn’t let him keep it...

The gambler insisted, “You know you can’t just do that to every ones hair. You see William here’s been quite a gentleman and a delightful traveling companion. Please Mrs. Schaefer. You know a long stage ride can be almost unendurable, and if it weren’t for William here ma’am. Why you wouldn’t be along.

Mrs. Schaefer agreed, “Well all right. What do you say William?”

William marveled, “Oh, thanks Mr. Humes!”

Mr. Humes Replied’ “It’s my pleasure son. Well I hope you can convince your mother to stay over a few days in Dention, because you’re still a long way from Boise. And a few days’ rest would make the remainder of the trip much more enjoyable.”

William whined, “Well why not Mom? Then we could see Vivian’s restaurant and meet her friend Mr. Hanson the Sheriff Blocker and everything! Would he let me see his jail Vivian? Do you think he’s got any outlaws in there now?”

Vivian replied, “Well you never know William.”

William went on, “Oh boy! Please Mom just for a little while?”

Mrs. Schaefer disclosed, “Well William you know your Uncle Burt’s expecting us on the 14th.”

Mr. Humes informed, “You could write a letter in Dention, and send it on ahead on the stage. It would be there tomorrow. I’m sure that they wouldn’t object too highly if you wanted to be a few days late.

The Rail Road owner disclosed, “Well there is a telegram office in Boise now. We’ve started building the Rail Road from Boise to Portland. They have almost finished the rail line from San Francisco to Seattle. I was in Spokane setting up the Boise to Spokane line. We’re going to start building it next year. We plan to do one from Spokane to Seattle too. I’ll have the telegraph to Denton by next spring. You can’t build a Rail Road without a telegraph you know.”

Then Seig saw them. It was five riders on the road, and two more coming from the side. One of the men coming in from the side jumped to the back of the stage, as some of the men shot their Rifles. The man riding with Seig stood and went for his gun, and was shot by one of the men with a Rifle. The bullet went right through the man and in Seig’s arm.

Seig knew he was out numbered, and there was nothing he could do. Six shots in his gun and seven men, there was no way in hell he was taking a chance like that. He might have six shots, but he only had one life. Sig knew they would shoot the lead horse if he didn’t stop. Then all the horses would go down. At the speed he was going the coach would flip over on top of him just like what happened to Clyde.

The Rail Road owner yelled, “Driver! I’m not going to stand for any more of this.”

The man that climbed on the back of the Stage climbed over the top, and threw the dead man off. Then he slipped in beside Seig.

Seig pulled back on the rains and stopped the coach, and all the men started yelling.

The passengers could hear horses galloping around the stage. Then the door opened and a man announced, “Afternoon folks. Everybody get out. Come on let’s go.

Seig blurted, “You treed the wrong critters friend. We ain’t carrying no gold.”

The man giving all the orders insisted, “We’re not after gold mister. We got what we’re after.”

All the men on horses surrounded them. Then the man that pointed the gun in the coach door started searching the passengers. Taking the ring of the Rail road man he muttered, “The ring is of relative little value sir.”

William held his mother’s arm as the man looked to Vivian and ordered, “Take them ear bobs off.”

Then the gun men found a hidden gun on the gambler and asked, “Why didn’t you use that mister?”

The gambler just cleared his throat, as the gun man pointed to the dead man and said, “Now, take a look. That’s what happens to anybody that gives us any trouble.”

Pointing to the stage door he barked, “Close that door.”

Then one of the gunmen shut the door and nailed a note to it. Then the gunmen that seemed to be in charge hit one of the coach horses on the ass and yelled, “Hyah!”

The men on the horses started shouting and whistling as the lead man barked, “Now, we’re all going for a nice long walk.

Mrs. Schaefer demanded, “I just don’t understand.”

The man barked, “Nobody asked you to understand. All you got to do is what you’re told. Now move, all of you! Come on, come on! Get moving! Get over there! All right move it out! Move it out there!”

Then they were herded off into the woods like cattle by the gunmen on horses.

Back in Dention Jim and Albert were waiting in front of the Horseshoe with Kathy when Albert asked, “What time is it Jim?”

Jim replied, “Ten minutes later than it was the last time you asked me. Albert that 11:00 stage ain’t never been known to get in here before noon. Now, you know that.”

Albert replied, “I know what time the stage gets here.”

Jim insisted, “Well I’d sure never known it by the way you’re moving around.

Albert requested, “Jim why don’t you go down to Frank’s and spend 5 cents to get yourself a shave?

Jim replied, “I just took a bath down at the creek a little over an hour ago in honor of Vivian’s homecoming. Figured getting a shave would be gilding the lily too much.”

Albert went on, “Oh, well you wouldn’t want to overdo it.”

Jim insisted, “Albert, Why don’t we go down to the Saloon and get us a beer? Earl’s inside waiting on the stage.”

Albert insisted, “The stage will be along directly. Maybe later we can.

Kathy mumbled, “I wish Seig would get here. I got things to do when we get to Lambert.”

Jim insisted, “You know Kathy, Albert’s sure has got himself worked up about that stage.”

Kathy replied, “Yeah.”

Jim went on, “I’ve been trying to cheer him a little bit, but I’ll tell you something Henry. I’m starting to fret myself. That stage ain’t been this late in months.”

Albert agreed, “No, it ain’t.”

Back in the woods the outlaws were driving them back into the woods.

Their leader barked, “All right, up through here. Come on, all of you move!”

Vivian hissed, “This is an outrage. I’ll see that you men pay for this.”

The leader growled, “Is that right? Shut up and keep moving. Come on, hyah!”

Vivian demanded, “Here. You seem to be giving the orders here. We got to stop. That man’s bleeding to death.

The leader declared, “Oh, we stop when I say so. Dollar a day gun guard ain’t no concern to me Vivian.”

Vivian demanded, “How’d you know my name?”

The leader declared, “I know all about you, and you’re gonna know a lot more about me too before we’re through.”

The leader declared, “To start with, my name is Brady. Felix Brady.

Vivian explained, “I want to put a bandage on him.”

Felix insisted, “Say please. Ain’t no man ever taught you to pay mind when you’re told?”

Vivian hissed, “Some have tried. A lot better men than you.”

Felix insisted, “Ooh. Say please. Suit yourself.”

Vivian muttered, “Wait a minute! Please.”

Felix disclosed, “That’s better. All right! We’re gonna rest here.”

Vivian lifted her dress and tore off a piece of her Petticoat then wrapped it around Seig’s arm.

The Rail Road owner barked, “Listen! I don’t know what you intend to do with us, but I’m prepared to pay handsomely for our release. I’ll pay you a thousand dollars.”

Felix laughed, “A thousand dollars?”

The Rail Road owner replied, “Yes.”

Felix called out, “Did you hear that fellas? Mr. Fisher here he’s just offered us a thousand dollars to let him go.”

All the men started laughing and he offered, “All right I’ll pay you $2,000.”

The men laughed harder as he continued, “$2,000 and no trouble for anybody if you release us right here.”

Felix revealed, “$2,000? Why, Mr. Fisher, I heard tell you were a right smart man. You sure are a big disappointment. Why Vivian here is worth at least $5,000 from a cattle man. Well it seems to me that Brian C. Fisher, the man who practically owns the railroad ought to be worth at least $10,000.

 

[gonewacky]

Mr. Fisher cried, “Ten...?”

One of the gunmen grabbed Vivian and the young man pushed him away from her yelling “Let go of her!”

The young man fell down trying to duck a swing and Vivian called out, “Hold it!”

On the ground the young man insisted, “He tried to hit me.”

Vivian insisted, “I saw what he did and why.”

Felix inquired, “Who are you boy?”

The young man replied, “My name’s Rich Hall. I was trying to get to Dention to get a job.”

The gunmen informed, “He ain’t nothing but a troublemaker, and anyway he ain’t worth more than a nickel.”

Felix replied, “You’re probably right, kill him.”

Vivian yelled, “No! What kind of men are you anyway?”

Felix replied, “We are poor men Vivian, and we’re looking to remedy the situation. I don’t need to let nobody stand in our way. Now just stand aside.”

Vivian insisted, “He’ll be working for me in Dention. I’ll pay for him.”

Felix acknowledged, “Well now. Let’s see. We figured to get $5,000 for you Vivian, and another five for Ace High Humes here. He’s got poker winnings stashed all over the territories, and maybe $2,000 for Mrs. Schaefer and the boy from his good uncle in Boise. Then we’ll get another $10,000 for Fisher. Now, what do you think the boy’s worth?”

Vivian insisted, “If I can raise $5,000 for myself, I can raise $500 for him.”

Felix agreed, “Well, I guess your friends will do what you tell them. We’ll throw the boy in for another $500. He ain’t started to fill out yet.

The gunmen laughed as the young man exclaimed, “They would’ve killed me if it hadn’t been for you.

Vivian insisted, “Well, you tried to help me, Rich. We’re gonna have to stick together if we’re all gonna get through this.”

The young man replied, “Did you mean that? About my working for you in Dention Vivian?”

Vivian said, “We’ll talk about it later. We’re only about 20 miles from Dention. It’s likely to be the hardest 20 miles any of us have ever traveled.”

Felix barked, “All right on your feet and move out! Come on get on your feet and let’s move here.”

The terrain started to get steeper and they were going uphill. It was hot and they were all exhausted and thirsty.

Mr. Fisher complained, “Wait a minute!”

Felix barked, “Come on move. Get up there. Watch it Dobbs!”

Mr. Fisher started coughing, “I have to have water.”

Felix ordered, “Hold it up here!”

Then he took the canteen from his saddle horn and handed it to Mr. Fisher. He started drinking and Felix ordered, “All right, here. Pass it on there that’s enough. Come on pass it on.

Vivian handed the canteen to William, “Here, William”

Mrs. Schaefer declared, “The sun. I never knew it to be so hot.

Vivian hoped, “Well, maybe it won’t be much farther.”

Mrs. Schaefer questioned, “Yes, but to what? And where?”

Vivian insisted, “Don’t worry, all they want is money. Drink some water.”

William insisted, “I bet if your friend the Sheriff was here, he’d take care of them.”

Vivian added, “Don’t worry. We’re gonna be fine.”

Mrs. Schaefer uttered, “Thank you.”

Vivian moved to Seig and removed the blood-soaked bandage. Then she lifted her dress and tore off another piece of her Petticoat then wrapped it around Seig’s arm.

Mr. Humes insisted, “You know, I’d almost risk getting shot myself to watch you make bandages Vivian.”

Vivian questioned, “You had a gun why didn’t you use it?”

Mr. Humes replied, “Oh, I said “almost.” See, almost being a fool is different than being one and money’s not so hard to come by. But you can only lose your life once.”

Vivian asked, “What about pride? How many times can a man lose that?”

Felix ordered, “All right, let’s move out! Come on! Get on your feet there!”

Back in Dention Albert insisted, “Ok Jim it’s time to start looking for them. Let’s go to the Jail. Come on Kathy you too.”

In the Jail Albert insisted, “It’s time to find them. Jim have Kathy make you invisible and use your book to find them.”

Jim replied, “What if they just broke a wheel or something?”

Albert replied, “Then come back and tell us so we can send help.”

Jim looked at Kathy and insisted, “Let it fly.”

Kathy shot Jim with a little spark and he disappeared. Then took Kathy’s hand and announced, “Fade out your coming with me.”

Then he put his hand on the book and said, “Take me to Seig.”

After they left Albert went and got Suzy from Mable’s Dress Shop.

They appeared in a corral in the woods. Kathy grabbed Jim’s arm tight when she saw all the passengers and Seig. Two gunmen watched over them, and two more were standing next to the two room house. Jim blinked them over to the window. They could see three more in the house. Then Jim blinked them to the Wells Fargo station in Lewiston and informed. “There was no way I could tell where we were at in the woods. We have to narrow it down, they could be anywhere between Dention and Spokane. This is the next Wells Fargo station north of Dention. I need you to make yourself visible and go talk to the Station Master. Find out if the Stage came through here.”

Kathy made herself visible and went inside announcing, “Is the Station Master here?”

A voice rang out, “John Parry can I help you?”

Kathy replied, “Did the stage come through here?”

John replied, “Right on time. It kind of shocked me. Don’t happen all that often. I think Seig was in a hurry to see his gal.”

Kathy replied, “I’m the gal. Seig never made it to Dention. I got to go.”

Then she went out the door dragging Jim and faded out. Jim insisted, there between here and Dention.”

Then he blinked them back to the Jail. Kathy faded back and shot Jim with a little spark. Suzy blurted, “What did you find?”

Jim replied, “They’ve been kidnaped.”

Kathy added, “There are six passengers and Seig in a corral.”

Jim went on, “There is no way for me to tell where it’s at. I just know it’s in the woods up in the foot hills.”

Albert noted, “Maybe we could have Suzy fly along the road and see if she can see anything. If so, should we stop time or make her invisible?”

Kathy started crying and Suzy pushed love in her asking, “What’s the matter sweetie?”

Kathy took a deep breath, “I’m all right. I just saw Seig when James and I were at their hideout. Seig’s hurt and bleeding. You know Love hurts sometimes.”

Suzy barked, “Albert stop time! Then James blinked them all there.”

Time stopped and they all appeared in the corral with the hostages. Kathy pointed to Sieg and announced, “See there he is.”

Suzy saw Seig with the Petticoat Bandage on his arm and requested, “Kathy you talk to him and I’ll heal his wound. You tell him you came to him in his dream, and I’ll pump him so full of Love he’ll believe it.”

As Suzy healed Seig Albert told Jim, “Look that is a Spruce Tree. They only grow over three or four thousand feet in elevation around here. We got to be fifteen or twenty miles west of the road. We’ve got to be way up in the mountains James. Look that house is built with lumber. It’s not a cabin. There must have been a wagon trail in here at one point.”

Kathy talked to Seig and he insisted, “We’re a long way from the road. They made us walk all day to get here.”

Kathy kissed Seig on the head and let go of him. Seig froze and Suzy wiped a tear from Kathy’s cheek.

Albert questioned, “Are you two done?”

Kathy whispered, “I think so.”

Suzy nodded and they gathered around Jim, and he blinked them back to the Jail. At the Jail Albert started time, and they started to work out a plan. Then the door flew open and Liam bolted in, “The Stage is here, but there is no driver or people.”

Albert ran out the door with everyone right behind him. The Stage was parked in front of the Horseshoe and people were gathered around Mr. Parker. Albert asked, “How did it get here?

Mr. Parker replied, “I found it about five miles north on the side of the road, so I tied my horse to the back and Brought it in.”

Jim announced, “Albert there’s a note on the door over here.”

Albert read the note, “We have Vivian Simes, Ace High Humes, Mrs. Schaefer, William, and Rail Road Owner Mr. Fisher. We want $25,000 in gold. Put it on the Stage to Spokane with the Driver. No guns, no passengers, no tricks or everyone dies.”

Jim looked at Kathy and she nodded so Jim informed, “Kathy and I have that much in the bank in Lambert. You want me to go get it?”

Albert insisted, “We need to talk out a plan whatever it is. If we pay the Ransom they still might kill them.”

Albert ordered, “Hank have Lyle take the stage to the Lambert office. Mr. Hanson I want you to get some men together for a posse.”

Earl replied, “I’ll gather up as many of my men as I can spare. Then we’ll check the other ranches and farms.”

Albert insisted, “We’ll meet here at the Restaurant and ride out at first light.”

Lyle left with the Stage, and the crowd started fading away then Albert and the rest slipped back to the Jail. At the jail Albert revealed all the stuff that was going through his head, “I was thinking we could go back there and take all the bullets out of their guns. Then we could hide some guns around the corral for them to find. We could all be there invisible to make sure things don’t get out of control.”

Kathy blurted, “Won’t work there all Demon possessed. Every one of them was watching us. I could see the Demon in them, and watched their eyes move. The one by the house had red eyes, and we all know what that means. We can’t get the truck in there wherever that place is. That means we’d have to call in help, and that would be either Bike Man or Bird Man to take that one out. That is unless I’m wrong about having to hang them.”

Suzy insisted, “You’re right Kathy we have to hang pure evil.”

Albert shook his head saying, “This is so complicated. Vivian lives here and Ace High Humes works the Saloon here when he’s in town. If we just go in there and take them out it’s going to get ugly. It’s getting late. I say tomorrow James takes Suzan to the place and sees if she can fly her way out. Then we’d know where it is. I’ll take the Posse and work the road. Then James and Kathy can go get the Gold. If it comes to it we can become invisible and all follow the gold back to them.”

Back in the woods the sun was going down and the temperature was dropping. Mrs. Schaefer complained, “I never knew it could get so cold in August.”

Vivian assured, “Well you’ll be all right if you just don’t sit still too long.”

Mrs. Schaefer questioned, “What about William?”

Vivian replied, “We’ll take turns holding him.

Mrs. Schaefer went on. “I just can’t believe it. How could this happen? Kidnapped, about to be murdered.”

Vivian assured, “I know it seems pretty awful right now, but in two or three days it’ll all be just like a bad dream.

Two men came from the house.

What they’ve done to us is bad enough, but how could they treat a child that way?

Seig walked over and insisted, “William, here put on my Gloves.”

Mrs. Schaefer whispered, “Thank you. They’re savages, and they’d just as soon kill a man as look at him.”

Hugging William Mrs. Schaefer whispered, “It’s all right William. It’s all right.”

William replied, “I’m cold.”

His mother replied, “Yes, darling. It’s going to be all right, you go back to sleep.

Vivian hollered, “I want to see your boss, the one they call Felix!”

Dobbs insisted, “Well now wait a minute Vivian. I was just telling the boys...”

Vivian demanded, “Get him out here! Get him out here before I start yelling my brains out!”

The gunmen started grumbling and Vivian made it clear, “Tell him if he wants a cent out of this, he’d better get out here right now!”

One of the Gunmen barked, “Why don’t you shut your mouth before we shut it for you?”

Dobbs ordered, “Take it easy boys she’s a little upset.”

Then Dobbs went and got Felix. Walking to the corral Felix announced, “Vivian, Dobbs says you want something.”

Vivian insisted, “Nobody’s gonna pay for dead hostages. How long do you think we can stay in this cold?”

Felix ordered, “Dobbs, get some firewood in there. Start these people a fire. We’ll keep you warm Vivian.”

The next morning they all got up at four in the morning when Suzy and Victoria would make the bread. First light in late August was about six and the sun would break the plane of the horizon about seven. By five Jim, Albert, Henry, and Kathy were already eating.

In the kitchen Victoria pleaded, “I don’t think a posse is the place for a woman sweetie. Even if you can shoot and ride better than most men.”

Suzy insisted, “They took a little boy hostage Victoria. I have to go. It’s what I’m made for. Call it the mother in me or whatever you want I have to do it.”

Victoria insisted, “Then you give them hell girl. Shoot them if you half to. Albert would never let them charge a woman for that.”

Suzy winked and whispered, “I know Victoria, but don’t let anyone hear that.”

By five-thirty they were all heading to the Jail. Albert stopped at the Horseshoe with Earl Hanson as men started staggering in for the posse.

In the Jail Jim was getting ready to take Suzy to the corral when Kathy revealed, “James I wish I could pass out Love like Suzan. If I could I would give you some right now. You don’t feel the same to me, and I want you to do something for the little girl in me.”

Jim smiled, “Name it Kathy.”

Kathy revealed, “Take me to see Seig so I can whisper in his ear.”

Jim pointed at Kathy like his hand was a gun and dropped his thumb like he pulled the trigger. Then Kathy smiled and shot Jim and Suzy with a little spark. Jim grabbed her hand and blinked out.

Appearing in the corral Suzy shot up into the air, and flew east to the rising sun. Kathy whispered in Seig’s ear, “I’m here with you, and there’s nothing to fear. I know that my heart will go on and we’ll stay forever this way. You’re safe in my heart, and my heart will go on tell the end of time with you.”

Then Seig’s Love flowed through Kathy and she stood and through her arms in the air. Then an eerie red glow at sunrise made everything look different shades of red. Jim looked around in amazement at what he was witnessing. Kathy slipped her arm under Jim’s and said, “Let’s go.”

Jim looked around and mumbled, “You leaving it like this?”

Kathy Smiled, “Yep.”

Jim blinked them out, and they appeared in front of the bank. It was still early in the morning and the town was almost deserted. Kathy shot Jim with a little spark and faded back. Jim insisted, “We should go down to the Wells Fargo Office, and Talk to the station master. Make sure he knows what we need.”

Then they were off to talk to Tom. Walking in the door Jim spotted Tom sitting at his desk doing some paper work. Turning around and seeing Jim Tom announced, “Deputy, good to see you. Do you have any word on the passengers?”

Jim replied, “The Sheriff was leaving at first light with a posse to see what they could find.”

Tom explained, “I sent a rider out last night to Fort Boise. He’s sending a telegraph to the head office and to the Rail Road. I’m sure the Rail Road will send the Pinkertons to help. One of the passengers is a Rail Road owner. The rider is sending their ransom demands to the head office and the Rail Road, but I don’t think we can get that much by tomorrow.”

Jim replied, “Kathy and I have enough gold in the bank for the ransom. That’s what we came here for. We need the stage to be on time tomorrow with no passengers.”

Tom revealed, “I was sending the stage back this afternoon. I was hoping to get word back from Fort Boise by then. Then I could pass that on. I talked to the Marshal just before you came in. He’s down having breakfast. He was thinking of riding up to Dention, but was also thinking about waiting until he got word back from Fort Boise. He told me he might just send his Deputy, but he insisted that Albert could handle it.”

Kathy insisted, “That sounds good. Let’s go eat James.”

James replied, “Looks like I’m getting orders from the boss. We’ll be in town for a while if you need anything.”

Tom replied, “Stay safe James. You know we all see you as a Wells Fargo man.”

At the Restaurant they found Bill and Patrick sitting at a table. Jim and Kathy joined them. Jim announced, “Doc, Marshal.”

Patrick replied, “James, Kathy nice to see you.”

Bill insisted, “I thought you’d be out chasing the outlaws with Albert James.”

Jim replied, “He’s out with a posse right now. Earl Hanson rounded up every man that had a horse and gun within ten miles of town. My fear is if they find them it might be a shootout. Then well… if it’s up to Mr. Hanson none of them are going to make it to trial. They took Vivian and since his wife disappeared she’s been his replacement.”

 

[gonewacky]

Bill replied, “Isn’t she just a Saloon girl?”

Jim replied, “Yap, but she’s Earl’s private Saloon girl and everyone knows it. They also know he’s the richest one around and keeps the town alive. When he went to get the men for the posse I heard he told them, “Get your horse and gun and meet us at the Horseshoe at daybreak or get out.” Last time I saw that many men in town at one time was on founder’s day.”

Bill replied, “A lot of that Hanson Beef money helps keep this town going. It’s not just up there you know. Most of the Beef at this Restaurant is Hanson Beef.”

Kathy spoke up, “You know I’m stinking rich and Jim is filthy. When the Bank opens we’re getting the ransom gold.”

Patrick looked at Bill and exclaimed, “James might be filthy, but if she stinks it’s like a rose.”

Bill looked at Kathy and insisted, “Kathy Just because you dress and act like a man. Don’t change your heart. You still have the tender heart of a real woman.”

Kathy looked at Jim as he explained, “What he’s saying is you can hang with the best of men, yet any man would be honored to have you.”

Kathy smiled as Jim went on, “Like Kathy said we’re putting up the ransom. We have that much in the bank between us, and there is no way the Rail Road or Wells Fargo can get it here by tomorrow.”

Bill insisted, “Then let’s go get Mr. Gobson down to the Bank.”

Back on the road to Lewiston, the posse was looking for a place that horses left the road going west up into the mountains. At the same time Suzy was flying west looking for the road. Seeing the road Suzy landed thinking how she was going to mark the spot. Then it came to her and she pointed at a big tree next to the road and shot out a lightning bolt. The tree started pulsating and the base blew into a million little slivers. Then the tree fell across the road. Suzy smiled knowing the tree marked the spot.

Then she flew back down the road looking for Albert. Then she saw the posse and called out, “By the power of Njal I command time to stop.”

Time stopped and everyone froze except Albert. He pulled back on the rains yelling, “Whoa”

Then Suzy landed next to him explaining, “I fell a tree across the road at the spot. There a long ways due east of the tree. It’s probably a day’s walk for most people. I’m going to the Jail you can start time when you get in place.”

Albert reminded, “I told you talking to me when you’re invisible is unsettling. I got it now go.”

Back in lambert Mr. Gobson was opening the Bank when time stop. Jim and Kathy just stood and waited then it finely started again. In the bank Mr. Gobson informed, “Twenty-five thousand is almost eighty pounds of gold. You want me to put that in four twenty pound bags? You know a lot of your gold is in bars of different weights. We’ll have to weigh the bags.”

It took some doing but they got the Seventy-eight pounds of gold. Jim tied the cords of two bags together and Kathy did the same then they hung the bags over their shoulder.

Back on the road to Lewiston the posse came to the tree Suzy dropped over the road. Earl informed, “Looks like they blew it down with dynamite. This must be the spot they want the Stage to stop.”

Albert replied, “That’s what it looks like to me.”

Earl yelled, “Shain get up here.”

Shain rode up next to Earl and questioned, “What do you need Earl?”

Earl replied, “I need you to put them tracking skills to work and see if you can find us a trail.”

Shain replied, “I’m on it sir.”

Then he rode off into the woods as Albert insisted, “If we turn back now we can make it back before dark.”

Earl yelled, “Everyone prepared to spend the night out here group up by me. The rest of you group up around the Sheriff and head back to town. Then come back out tomorrow.”

Albert informed, “Keep your men out of sight Earl. We don’t want this to go sideways on us.”

Earl replied, “I know how to run an ambush Albert. We’ll be hiding in the woods. We can track them without being seen if needed.”

About ten of the men stayed with Earl, and the rest went back to town with Albert.

In the alley in Lambert Jim tossed a silver dollar to Anvil and said, “Get a bottle Anvil.”

Anvil replied, “I’ll just close my eyes until you’re gone.”

Then Jim blinked him and Kathy to the Jail. Kathy asked, “Dose Anvil know about you?”

Jim chuckled, “Anvil’s the town drunk. No one would believe him even if he told. I don’t know what I’m going to do when he kills himself from drinking, but it works for now.”

Jim and Kathy put the bags of Gold in the Jail cell and locked the door. Then they waited for Albert to return.

In the woods Earl and the men started a fire and set up a camp. It was after dark and the first watch had started. Some of the men had already started sleeping. That’s when Shain rode into camp. Climbing down from his horse Earl asked, “Did you find anything?”

Shain replied, “You bet yah. I track them all the way to their hideout. I spotted six of them, but there could be seven or eight. There is only one way in without being seen, but they have two lookouts watching that. If a guy was a good enough shot he could sneak up the ridge and pick them off that way. I saw all the Passengers being held in a corral next to a house.”

Earl praised, “Good job Shain. You can guide us in at first light. Try to get some shout eye. I’ll take Davie’s watch and let him sleep. He has his Sharps Rifle with him. We’ll send him up on the ridge.”

The next morning the Stage was parked in front of the Horseshoe and the members of the posse started showing up. In the jail they went over their plan. Albert explained, “What I think I’m going to do is ride up top with the Wells Fargo man. I’ll have all of you in the Stage invisible. When we get there Suzy can follow them from the air. James you and Kathy can go to the hideout and keep the prisoners safe. Stop time if they try to kill them or something. Once they have the gold there’s no telling what they will do. We’ll need to wait until about noon to leave. That will be just like the stage is on time for its normal route. I’m going to send the rest of the posse home. I think the men Earl has with him will be enough. I don’t want too many in case we have to stop time and get involved. That is going to get messy fast if we do that.”

Jim added, “I put a saw and axe in the stage to get the tree off the road.”

Albert agreed, “Good thinking James.”

Back in the woods Earl had broken camp and Shain was guiding them to the hideout. As they came up over a hill Shain pointed to the ridge and Davie and Ray split from the Posse.

Back in Dention Albert got the bags of gold from the Jail cell and slung two bags over each shoulder. At the stage he opened the door and tossed them in, and held the door open for Kathy, Suzy, and Jim. Then he climbed up with the Wells Fargo man and they were off. It seemed to take forever to get to the downed tree. Finely they were there and climbed down and opened the stage door. The driver questioned, “What are you doing Sheriff?”

Albert replied, “The note insisted no passengers. I want them to see only the gold is back there.”

Suzy got out and shot up in the air, and Jim and Kathy blinked to the corral. Something caught Kathy’s eye and she looked at the ridge. Then whispered in Jim’s ear, “Up on the ridge James.”

Jim looked and blinked to the ridge and saw Davie and Ray. Then blinked back and whispered in Kathy’s ear, “It’s part of the Posse do you think you can give them a diversion.”

Kathy smiled and whispered in Seig’s ear, “Like a cool breath of air on a hot summer day, or a warm blanket on a cold night. You comfort me with your love. For this I give you my love.”

Then Kathy started pointing to different places in the sky and shooting out little sparks of different colors. Each spark shot up in the air and made a ball of swirling light. First there was a green one then a blue one and a yellow one. She kept going making them a red one and purple one then an orange ball followed.

Then there was a crack as a bullet broke the sound barrier and the thud as a man went down. Then another crack as another man went down. One by one they dropped looking at the colored balls. The rest of the men came out of the house to see what was happening. By then Earl and the Posse had rode into their hideout, and were shooting them as they came out the door. The last man wouldn’t go down, and after six shots Edwin tossed a noose over his head. Wrapping the rope around the saddle horn he drug the man around by the neck still kicking.

Frank rode up and got the end of the rope and tossed it over a branch. Then Edwin unwound the rope from his saddle, and they pulled him up. He was still kicking for a few minutes. Finely he went limp.

Earl road over to the corral and put out his hand as he asked, “Is there anymore Vivian?”

Pulling her up behind him she replied, “Two rode out early this morning.”

Earl ordered, “Get the outlaws horses saddled up and make sure everyone has a ride out of here.”

Ace High Humes walked over and kicked one of the dead men in the head, and bent down and got his derringer back. Then he saddled up a horse and called the boy, “William get over here you’re riding with me.”

As they worked their way down off the mountain the two outlaws came out at the stage. Albert called out, “Truck on.”

Time stopped and he got down from the stage. Then he walked over and slipped their guns from their holsters. Then he got back up on the stage and called out, “Truck off.”

Then he whispered to the Wells Fargo man, “Look their holsters are empty.”

The outlaws stopped next to the Stage and got off his horse to get the gold. That’s the moment Albert stood and jumped at the man on the horse. He went for his gun as Albert grabbed his arm pulling him to the ground. Then the fight was on. Albert put his muscular arm around his neck, and squeezed as he kicked and jerked around. The Wells Fargo man pulled the shotgun from by his feet and pointed it at the man retrieving the gold. Then shouted, “Drop it or I’m giving you both barrels.”

The outlaw went for his gun only to find an empty holster and dropped the gold on the ground. The man Albert was choking went limp, and he let him slip from his grip. Albert instructed, “Keep him covered well I get the rope. If he moves just drop him.”

Soon they had both of them tied up, and were waiting for Earl and the Posse. Then Albert heard Suzy whispering in his ear. “They killed them all and are bringing back the hostages.”

Albert went and got the Axe and saw from the Stage and started working on the log. It took about an hour for Albert and the Wells Fargo man to clear the road. They were done just in time for the Spokane stage to make it through.

Back at the hideout they all had left, but Jim and Kathy’s work had just begun. Kathy informed, “The one hanging in the tree is the only one that is pure Evil.”

Jim insisted, “Then let’s get with it Kathy.”

Jim loosened the rope and let the Demon fall to the ground. Then Kathy shot Jim with a little spark and faded back as she took his hand and informed, “I’ve wanted to talk to you about something Seig and I have been talking about. Seig wants to stop driving for Wells Fargo and build the Hotel. Then I could see him every day.”

Jim smiled as he blinked the Demon and Kathy to the Farm in 1982. After disposing of the Demon Jim blinked them back to the Jail. There sat Suzy waiting for them. Kathy smiled as she shot Suzy with a little spark. Becoming visible Suzy explained, “All the passengers are back on the stage. Your gold is at the driver’s feet, and Albert, Earl, and the Posse are bringing in the two prisoners.”

Just about Dinner time Ace came into the Jail with William announcing, I have someone to see you.”

William blurted, “I knew you could do it Sheriff. Vivian told me you were the best lawman and always got your man. Wow the Jail looks like a big bird cage.”

Albert laughed, “Yes it does, but no one has ever got out of it yet.”

Ace insisted, “Your mom is waiting for us at the Restaurant William. We should get going.”

William insisted, “I’ll be back tomorrow Sheriff. We have to stay here until next week’s stage.