A Love for the Taking by Trixie Archer

Author:Trixie Archer [Archer, Trixie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Trixie Archer
Published: 2016-07-12T23:00:00+00:00

“The Injuns…we can’t allow you to start an outright war! We ain’t equipped to defend ourselves and there’s a lot of people to consider…more than just you and your missus.” Henderson spat chew onto the ground near my feet.

“…and Rachel, you reckon I’m supposed to just forget about her?”

“You’ll need to. Don’t ya see, there’s no other way.”

“Dave surely you understand. You wouldn’t just turn your back on Lumps. I can’t let Rachel go like that…she needs my help!”

Simple Dave shrugged then averted his gaze in response.

“At first I didn’t think of you as much of a threat…someone your size and with such a frail disposition and all…but the others bragged on your skills with the gun and well, we talked it over, we think you fetchin’ her back could end up being the death of us all.”

“I promise, I won’t do anything to bring danger to you or anyone else. You’ve got to believe me. All I want is a chance to find Rachel. She’d look for me without hesitation… you need to let me try.”

“Are you sure? I heard talk about how she was batting her eyes and swaying this way and that…in that yeller dress back at Independence.”

I adjusted the brim of my hat and my composure. “What if I leave my gun with you? Surely, I’d be less of a problem unarmed…you said it yourself, it’s my shootin’ skills that concerns you.”

Henderson placed his hand on his chin as if pondering my suggestion. Simple Dave shifted his weight with an apparent bother.

“Without any way to protect yourself, they’ll skin you alive. Naw, you need to just come back with us. You’re talking foolish now,” Simple Dave decided.

“No,” Henderson interjected as he eyed my sidearm with lust. “I’ll take your pistol, fancy holster and all... I’ll hold onto it for safe keeping ‘til you return. If you don’t catch up with us, Dave will take your livestock and I’ll have the gun.”

“Okay,” I said nodding in agreement.

“Are you sure?” Dave asked with grave concern.

“I am.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this before….your devotion to her…it’s admirable…stupid but admirable,” Simple Dave said.

I handed my gun over to Henderson. He grinned sheepishly as he tossed the belt over his shoulder.

“I’d say good luck to you but we all know you’ll be slaughtered, plain and simple.”

Dave leaned forward and patted me on the shoulder. He whispered ever so slightly, “I know you ain’t Gabe…I figured the truth when ya forgot yourself and showed your frillies and whatnots. You’re an admirable gal, one that I can’t figure for the life of me.”

“Good luck,” Simple Dave added so that Henderson could hear him.

I pulled the knife from my pack and attached it to my trousers. It wasn’t much but would have to do. I watched as Henderson and Simple Dave retraced their steps along the same path that they came. As I stomped onward, I began to hum “Oh Promise Me Tomorrow.” The tune was the only thing I knew that would carry me forward and keep the great panic I felt at bay.

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