Maude March on the Run! by Audrey Couloumbis

Author:Audrey Couloumbis [Couloumbis, Audrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-48805-3
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2007-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-THREE

WE STUCK CLOSE TO THE ALDORADONDOS THE REST of that day. I looked over my shoulder once or twice, worried about the light John Kirby had in his eyes.

“Sallie.” Maude called me away from Digger McGee, Gold Miner, Forty-niner. I snatched up my basket and stopped at the doorway as I threw the strap over. I caught a glimpse of John Kirby, standing on the boardwalk. He was watching Maude.

“Come on, Sallie,” she called, and I climbed down.

I had lost interest in the selling of tobacco. I may have given a packet or two away without collecting the funds. Each time I looked again, I couldn't see him, but I didn't doubt he was there in the shadows.

I hoped Marion was somewhere about as well.

My fingers trembled over taking money, and I chided myself for the nerves. I rode on the wagon seat as we left town and glared into every dark corner. I kept my shotgun beside me as I slept, but it was no help with the bad dreams.

I rolled the gun up in my bedroll the next morning, ready to hand, as I stared out the back door of the wagon. I didn't see a telltale billow of dust following us, and I was glad of it. I didn't mention the matter to Maude.

I had this to say for the doctor, he made good time. This was as much due to the horses' strength and willingness to move that wagon as it was to grease on the wheels, but I credited the man.

Still, I had a place I needed to be. To Maude, I said, “Have you seen Marion and forgot to mention it?”

“No.”

“When do you expect him to show himself ?” I said.

Maude said, “It won't be much longer.”

“Does that mean tomorrow? The next day?” I said this because I had grown fond of Rebecca. “Maybe we should tell them they have to look for another helper.”

“Don't pester me,” Maude said.

From this I knew she was troubled about it.

We made a stop at midday. Wandering Creek looked much the same as any other town, except smaller than most we had stopped in so far. “It looks too small a place to bother with,” I said.

“No stop is too short to make a dollar,” Dr. Aldoradondo said.

I shrugged, putting my basket together. I tended to pick from the bottles I liked best. I went outside to stand near Maude, who was in her dress with the spangles. Her hair was mostly hidden by the daytime bonnet Rebecca gave to her.

Dr. Aldoradondo threw open the side of the wagon and started talking. “Ladies, I bring you sure relief from all your ills and a rapid recovery!”

For a town so minor, we drew quite a crowd over the course of the afternoon. Once finished, we turned right around and began the evening business.

For such a small place, Wandering Creek was lively after dark. It had only the one saloon proper. On the other hand, any number of establishments stayed open after regular business hours, pouring from gallon jugs.

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