Ginny sat quietly in the back of the cart as they made their way through a small trail between tall trees. In the fading light, Ginny got her first glimpse of the valley where they were headed. Surrounded by mountains to the north and west, the valley seemed to go on forever to the east.
They were coming south, through a mountain pass that could only accommodate one vehicle, but Colby seemed to be very familiar with it. Even in the limited light, he adjusted the cart perfectly, anticipating turns and drops in the road. He had the sure hand of someone who had taken this path many times before.
Once they had made their way into the valley, it was a straight shot to the only lights to be seen for miles. The moon was not full, so Ginny had little light to get a sense of the surroundings, but she could see several buildings, only a few of which were lit.
As if anticipating her, Tim explained, “That's Sherman. Small town, needless to say. We've got a mercantile, a top notch livery and feed store, and even a dress shop. There's the saloon, too. Some of the supplies in the back are for the folks in town. Then there's a bank that also doubles as a post office. Oh, and of course the sheriff's office and jail. We don't have much use for them too often.”
“Are the other buildings homes then?” Ginny asked, liking the break in silence as they made their way across the valley.
“That's right. Well, except for the church. You go to church, Ginny?”
Did she? She didn't know, but figured she'd better. God knew she could use all the help she could get. “I haven't in a while, but I would like to. Is the minister nice?”
Tim chuckled a bit. “Well, he's very... what would you call it, Colby?”
“Pious.” Colby was a man of few words, but at least he answered.
“Yeah, pious. He figures he knows how everyone should live and doesn't hesitate to let you know how that should be.”
Ginny was about to tell a story, but knew that it would only make Colby more suspicious. It had been Ginny's experience that when someone is so sure he's right about something, especially religion, it usually meant he wasn't walking the walk himself. How many ministers in the 21
st
century had to confess to adultery, drugs, or general bad behavior? Ginny had to wonder what the minister of Sherman was up to.
The dirt road entered the town, and Colby turned east toward the livery. As they approached, Colby finally spoke to Ginny. “I want you to stay in the cart. I have to drop off some supplies to Noah and I don't want to do any introductions tonight.”
Ginny closed her eyes and prayed for patience. Why did he have to sound so obnoxious? “Sure,” was her only reply. If Colby could keep to one word answers, so could she.
Stopping the cart, Tim and Colby got out and picked up several crates. Ginny watched from the cart as they stacked the crates outside a set of barn doors, then walked up to the door of a home next door. She couldn't make out the conversation, but heard some laughter. Then Colby and Tim disappeared inside the home, leaving her alone in the dark.
Nice
, she thought as she sat, not necessarily scared, but not precisely comfortable either. Even as she thought to get out and stretch her legs, a man walked out of the darkness and approached the cart.
“Hey, there, mishy. What's a lady doing all by hershelf in the dark?”
Ginny's heart caught in her throat for a moment, having been shocked by his appearance. Then she realized by the little light coming from the livery, that he was a little old man, who was extremely drunk.
Ginny smiled, no longer feeling any threat. “How do you do?” she asked.
“I'm fine. Do you have anyshing we can drink?”
“I only have water in my canteen, but I doubt that's what you meant.”
“Nah. Do you have any money for a poor, lost shoul in need of a drink? That awful Mr. Pratt kicked me out of his est... estab... shaloon.”
Ginny was trying hard not to laugh. This man was a perfect caricature of a town drunk. The slurring of words, the clothing, the smell all seemed too spot on to be realistic. It was characters like this one that let Ginny know she was definitely living in a novel.
“I'm sorry, but I don't have any money. I'm Ginny, by the way. And you are?” Ginny prompted.
“I'm Henry. I've lived here my whole life.” Henry made a sweeping gesture that nearly knocked him on his knees.
“I'm pleased to meet you, Henry. Are you hungry? We have some leftovers from lunch. You look like you could use some food.” Ginny wasn't kidding. Henry's face was cadaverous, and his clothing seemed to hang from his bones. Ginny didn't doubt that he had
cirrhosis
. If the light were better, she'd bet he'd be yellow skinned.
“Nah. Just need a drink, is all.” Henry looked disappointed. He leaned heavily against the cart, as if he no longer had any will to stand on his own.
“I'm sorry, Henry. Maybe by the next time we meet, I'll have some money.”
“Don't give him any money!” Colby nearly shouted. Ginny, for the second time in a few minutes, felt her heart stop.
Whipping around to see that he was next to the cart, she glared at him. “You move like a freakin' cat, Colby. Geez, I didn't even hear you walk over.”
The damn man had the nerve to smile at her. It was gone as quickly as it had come. Colby then turned his attention to Henry, still leaning against the cart. “Get a move on, Henry. You'll get nothing from us.”
Henry lifted his body, with a great deal of effort, snorted something unintelligible and wandered off in the dark. Ginny would have liked to do something for the old man, but what could she do? Liver transplant, no. Get him to stop drinking, unlikely. Even if he did, it was obvious that the damage was done and his days were numbered. Heaving a sigh, she turned back to Colby.
“Are you ready to leave?” Ginny asked, still remembering how they left her alone in the dark.
Picking up on her tone, Colby climbed back in the cart and kept his retort to himself. They were close to his home and he didn't want to start up the fight from the ridge again. He was tired and soul weary. Tomorrow would be soon enough to pick up where they had left off.
Tim rushed out of the house, calling a goodbye as he ran to the side of the wagon. Turning to Ginny, he said, “We're so close, now. Can't wait to see Eloise.”
Ginny smelled liquor on his breath and made an incredulous look back to him. Part of her wanted to say something, but another part just wanted to get out of the cart and lay down in real bed. Not that she was sure she would be getting a real bed tonight or ever.
Seeing her look, Tim scrunched his eyebrows. “You seem kind of surprised that I would want to see my wife, Ginny.” His voice was genuinely perplexed.
Shaking herself out of her mood, she said, “No, I'm sure you miss her.”
Colby started the horses again, heading east toward who knew what. It was so dark, she couldn't see any road, but Colby seemed to know where he was going. Sitting on her crate, Ginny waited to see what would be next.
*******
After a half hour of riding, Tim informed her that they were now on Miller land. Looking around, Ginny was hard pressed to determine how he could know that, with nothing much to see, but she would have to take his word for it. Colby certainly didn't object.
“See those lights there,” Tim asked while pointing to the right. “That's my house. Eloise must have kept a lantern on in case we got home.”
“Damn waste of oil,” Colby muttered.
“Now, Colby, ya know that Eloise doesn't like being alone. If it makes her feel better having the light, I won't begrudge her that.”
Colby smartly kept his next thought to himself. Ginny rolled her eyes behind him. He was so sullen that it hurt to be around him. Hopefully it wouldn't take that much longer to get to his house and away from him, however temporarily.
Stopping in front of the small log cabin, Tim jumped down just as the door opened. Ginny felt herself smiling as she watched the family reunion unfold. A petite woman, barely taller than the cart, walked out on the porch smiling.
“Hey there, missus. What's a beautiful woman like you doing all alone?” Tim asked.
“Well, I'm not alone now, am I?” she replied. It was hard to see her features, but she seemed very pretty.
Ginny heard Colby groan quietly in response to the couple. Although Ginny had to admit that it was a little too lovey-dovey for her taste, she was happy for Tim to be home. Whatever lay ahead for her at the Miller house, she knew that Tim would be a friend to her.
Walking together hand-in-hand, Tim introduced his wife to Ginny.
“Ginny, this here is my Eloise. Eloise, this is Ginny, formerly of St. Louie.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Ginny. I hope you join me sometime this week for luncheon. I would love to get to know you.” Up close, Ginny saw that Eloise had the look of a governess: prim, proper and very ladylike.
Colby couldn't resist when he said, “Well, Eloise, that might be a problem. See, Ginny doesn't remember anything about herself.” His voice was filled with mockery, which wasn't missed by anyone.
Stunned, Eloise looked again at Ginny. “You don't?”
“No, I have lost certain memories. I only remember the man who made me the deal to come out here to be someone's wife. And the trip afterwards, obviously.”
“Whatever happened to you? Oh, I suppose you don't know that.” Eloise looked both shocked and embarrassed.
“No. I suppose I had some accident. I couldn't really say.”
“Well, then we shall make all your future memories pleasant ones. I will stop by your house tomorrow and we can discuss where the children are in their studies.” Eloise seemed to hedge a bit and added, “I hope I can also give you some tips on working with the two youngest boys.”
Ginny had never heard anything more diplomatic in her life. From what Tim had mentioned, the two youngest boys excelled in getting into trouble whenever possible. She found she looked forward to meeting them. She would probably learn to regret it later.
“Well, we better get on our way,” Colby grumbled.
“It was nice to meet you, Eloise. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
With that, Colby started the horses again and was heading off toward some distant lights on the horizon. Ginny leaned back on the crates, thinking about how good it would feel to be off the cart. Her head fell back and she looked at the stars. One of the things she liked about living in the past was being able to see so many stars in the sky. There was virtually no surface light to mar the scenery. What little she knew about astronomy didn't take from the joy she felt at a night sky filled with millions of stars.
So lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear his comment.
“What? Sorry. Did you say something, Colby?”
Sighing like she had suggested he be castrated, he replied, “I asked if you wanted to sit up front with me. I doubt it's very comfortable back there for you.”
Ginny was stunned. Was he being nice? Was he extending an olive branch because they would now be living together? Best she take it, because it didn't look like she would leaving this world for a while.
“That would be great. Can you stop for a moment? In the dark, I'm afraid I'll fall off.” Ginny kept her tone light, hoping that he would realize that she appreciated the offer.
Without a word, Colby stopped the cart and stood up to lend her his hand. Ginny lifted up her skirts, and scampered over the bench to sit next to him. She could smell him and it made her smile. Romance novel heroes always had the best smell. No sweat or body odor. Just a rugged maleness that's hard to describe. In this case, Colby smelled of woodsmoke, musk and some kind of liquor.
The rocking of the cart was making her sleepy. Between the darkness and her weariness, Ginny was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. Maybe she shouldn't have climbed into the front after all. She shook herself slightly to try to wake up. Colby misunderstood her action.
“Are you cold, Ginny?” he asked, in a voice that, for once, didn't sound angry.
“Huh? Oh, no. The movement of the cart is lulling me to sleep. I'm trying to stay awake so I don't fall off.” Her voice was filled with laughter.
“Move toward me,” he said, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her closer. “Put your head on my shoulder. I promise I won't let you fall.”
Ginny did as she was instructed and felt that she had finally met the man she was to fall in love with. Only a few hours earlier it felt like Colby would have pushed her and now, he was being so sweet. It was a strange experience, when you first feel some kind of attraction toward someone. Love? Hell no. Lust? Not yet, but definitely some potential. Friendship? Hopefully.
Ginny felt her eyes closing to the roll of the cart and sound of the horses hooves. She'd never been one to fall asleep anywhere, usually having to rely on medication to help her out. In this case, the combination of a warm, nice smelling body, rocking movement and steady beating sound was just too much to ignore. Ginny fell asleep.
*******
Ginny awoke the second the cart stopped. She thought it might have been because her body had longed to get out of the cart for so long, it wouldn't miss its chance. Still, she had to fight some disorientation before realizing that they had stopped in front of a large, wood sided house.