Hell Follows After (Monster of the Apocalypse Saga) (11 page)

One of the advantages to guiding was the opportunity to see the landscape before others scared the wildlife away. Guides and outriders became the hunters for any group.

Working as a team, Cy and Cable provided fresh venison to the train when they pulled into the circle half way to the summit. They hung the gutted deer in the shadow of trees next to the creek where it was cool and waited for the rest to arrive.

Becoming good friends in their time together, the two were learning to depend on each other. Cable had been miffed as Occam insisted that Edge stay busy in his training. He had expected that he and Edge would have opportunities for adventure during the trip, but his friend was occupied with work. The young guide, Cy, was a ready alternative, and Cable welcomed him.

Shepherding the mission while forced to deal with the death of his father, Cypress had grown up significantly. In taking control of the welfare of the caravan, he had matured and come into his own. His personality made him a natural leader, and being tested early he was proving worthy to the men of the train. An unimposing man of average height with milk-chocolate skin, dark, tightly-curled hair, and startling gold-flecked, green eyes, he was admired by many of the women on the train as well. He was beautiful with fine features, a strong jaw, and a corrugated stomach.

Between the two riders, Cy and the tousled, blond Cable, a good portion of the women in the wagon train had interesting dreams.

Watching from the tailgate of the wagon as he worked, Edge wished he could be included. His natural curiosity of all things helped him realize that the friendship between the two outriders was growing, and he missed Cable. He was envious. He would have liked time to ride ahead with both men and to get to know Jody’s brother. He felt like a hermit with the wagon as his cave.

While her brother and his new friend were often missing from camp, Jody was occasionally able to speak with them. Cy always checked in whenever he returned to the train. He took his duties to his sister seriously. She was his responsibility, just as the rest of the people were but even more so.

Being aware of his sister and her personality, Cy was determined to find out what was bothering her. She denied anything being amiss, but the young man could tell there was something.

Cy was at first concerned about the young Smith, Edge, because Jody would so often look his way. But the apprentice was occupied every time Cy saw him, and the look in Jody’s eyes was soft and warm, not angry or threatened. Then, in a sudden inspiration, he noticed the little man that took care of the Company’s oxen. These people from Sullivan Territory had some strange ways, and one was polygamy. Even though the man was traveling with a wife, he paid too much attention to Cy’s sister. There was little he could do for the moment because he was away so much. But he grilled Cable about the ways of their community and asked many questions about those on the train that Cable knew. Cy learned and got to know Edge through Cable. He also came to know Arc, the Ox Master. What he learned gave him pause.

Evening meetings to discuss the next day were common. This gathering, half way to the top of Parley’s Summit, was well attended. Even those busy with emergency repairs or priority duties broke away for the short time it would take to listen and learn. Jody felt guilty for disappearing from her duties, but she was determined to investigate how the animals would be used in the coming day’s test. The enormous effort would include everyone in the train, as well as a significant amount of danger to man and beast.

Listening attentively, Jody, Cy, Cable, and Edge sat on the ground before the elders seated on their three-legged camp stools.

The Wagon Master, Till, opened the meeting with a brief description of the path they had just seen to completion, and he gave compliments to those in his charge. The pull tomorrow would see them over the largest obstacle in their path. But there were several others, and he mentioned each of them. Following this summit, there would be trade in Coalville for a couple of days with good grass and plenty of water. Then there would be a long and steady pull uphill into the high desert of Wyoming. By the old map, western Wyoming would be dry but easy on the livestock with no large changes in elevation. They would be back in Indian country, and they would stay in danger as they approached the old state capitol of Cheyenne.

The plan, however, was to head south around Laramie on an old highway and into the town of Boulder, east of the Rockies. Arriving in late September, they would set up for any trade they could contribute and see what they could bring home after wintering over. The Renoites had been in contact with the Denverites for several years, and after all the discussion over what they would find in products and materials, everyone expected to accrue value in their effort. Two big hills, some dry miles, and a tribe of threatening locals would see them to their destination. Master Till was confident, and he conveyed that confidence to his people.

Finishing his short speech, Till invited the man in charge of the pull to speak. Master Arc swaggered to the front and waited for silence. He was anxious to make as many miles as he could and was determined to get the entire train across the summit in one day. He described the coming day and that they would connect three wagons with as many as thirty spans in one hitch. Because of the shortage of animals, he determined that many teams would make two trips. After the first wagons were at the top, they would move on with three span each to set up camp. The extra oxen would go back down and be asked to make the same trip twice with a heavy load.

The independents were not mentioned. They were on their own. The Renoites were prepared and were in good shape with their animals and generally lighter loads.

The heavy wagons of the Smith and the Vintner were partnered and should be fine as well. The three wagons would be pulled by twenty-eight span. As they would only make one trip, they would follow the Company rigs and rest as often as they wished. All of the independents would make only one pull.

Jody shook her head at the idea of Company teams making two pulls in one day with heavily laden wagons. She expected there would be trouble, and looking across at Edge she saw he was shaking his head, too. Running the numbers in each of their heads, they had come to independent but similar conclusions. By taking fewer wagons and teams to the top in the beginning, there would have been fresh oxen waiting to be supplemented by the returning teams instead of every span being tired on the second trip. Both Edge and Jody could not shake a sense of foreboding.

B
reaking out of the bushes after a trip to take care of nature’s need, Jody almost ran into Edge. He was gathering firewood, selecting from deadfall and piling it so high in his arms that he could not see the young woman in front of him. She ducked as he bore down on her, spun under Edge’s cargo, and came up with her hand on his shoulder.

Startled, the apprentice Smith almost dropped his load.

“Whoa there, Edge… would it be helpful if I took some of that?” Jody offered.

Recognizing Jody’s voice, Edge peeked around the stacked wood as he steadied himself on the uneven ground. He grinned sheepishly.

“Surely, or better still direct my steps. No need to burden you unnecessarily if you can but assist in keeping me upright.”

They both laughed, and Jody reached out and placed her hands on the back of Edge’s shoulders, steering him toward the camp and his wagon.

Conversation and laughter came easily, and without another stumble Edge dropped the gathered wood next to the cooking fire to be used in the morning. He was grateful for Jody’s guidance and felt the loss of her warmth as she withdrew her hands.

“Care to indulge in a cup, Jody?” Edge was hoping Jody had some time to talk. He had been looking for an opportunity, but a crowd always seemed to magically appear whenever they were in close proximity.

“Sure,” Jody smiled, delighted. “Is there still hot water?”

The fire-blackened pot was sitting on the grate just off the dying fire, and a slim waft of steam floated from the spout. Edge lifted it and tested the weight.

“Aye, indeed there be. Now, what would you? I have a vast selection…” and he showed her a single choice in the wooden box that held coffee. Jody giggled and made a show of choosing where there was no choice.

Occam and Muffy were nowhere to be seen, an unusual circumstance, and the young people made the most of their absence. They laughed and talked of inconsequential things, getting to know each other and appreciating what they learned.

For his part, Edge was testing Jody’s possibility as a lifemate. His interest in her right from their first meeting had been growing. He was attracted to her in a way no woman in Roseburg had earned his attention. Surely, she was physically attractive with her slight form, rounded in all the right spots. She was a fully formed woman. But there was more. Once Edge got past the sparkling eyes and the flashing teeth… and the feel of Jody’s hands on his skin… he appreciated her quick wit and the way she was unafraid to speak her mind. On the downside, if he took her back to Roseburg, he was sure there would be trouble due to her outspoken personality. Still, he was confident that Jody could take care of herself, so he listened as she talked and became lost in her eyes.

Being of an age, that age being the one all young women interested in men pass through as they mature into womanhood, Jody had similar thoughts as Edge. She was more cautious, though. She was not even close to the point of considering Edge as a lifetime enterprise, but she certainly felt an attraction, and she could see it was mutual. Her first priority when considering a relationship was that he be kind and gentle. But it did not hurt that he towered over her, and those calloused hands of his gave Jody an electric thrill whenever they brushed against her. And those shoulders! Jody controlled herself and made penetrating inquiries of Edge, worming information out of him without his even being aware. He was a nice guy, which Jody had intellectually tried to be attracted to in the past but had failed by looking at bad boys with ill-advised favor.

An hour passed, and the young people became absorbed in each other. Conversation, even mundane subjects like calving or how to best prepare a pot of stew, gained flavor as they laughed and traded good-natured jibes. Jody gave as good as she got, and Edge even felt intimidated at times by her intellect.

Cursing suddenly, Jody rose to her feet.

“Dammit, it’s dark! I’ve lost track of the time!”

Reclining and comfortable, Edge was not ready to let Jody go. He reached out, expecting her to take his hand so he could recapture her and draw her back to earth. But though she was tempted, starting to reach out herself, Jody drew back suddenly.

“No, no I can’t… I’ve overstayed already. Cherry will already be asleep, and I was supposed to do the dishes.” The young woman looked about like she was confused, perhaps shaking the cobwebs of her attraction to Edge from her head. “I have to go.”

She reached out this time with a quick grip, a firm, warm pressure to the hand still proffered, and then as Edge tried to hold her, she disengaged and ran from him.

The fire providing little warmth, Edge suddenly noticed the chill of the summer air in this high mountain meadow. The thought crossed his mind that Jody had provided all the warmth he required. Glad they had the opportunity to finally speak for some time, he lay back with his hands behind his head and gazed up at the stars. The moonless night and the dark surrounding mountains focused the night sky over him. At this elevation there was little between Edge and the stars, and they seemed unusually bright. Edge mulled over what had passed between himself and this intriguing woman from a foreign city and decided he would pursue their friendship. From his perspective he was bound to be successful if he chose to. The interest of both was apparent. All he had to do was cultivate the relationship properly. Crawling under the wagon, he drew his soogans up around his chin and tried to sleep.

On her return Jody found her camp bedded down and asleep. She poured water in the large bowl filled with dirty dishes and began to scrub them, making as little noise as possible. The night had been enjoyable, and if she caught hell in the morning, it would be worth it. She had learned much and had plenty to consider. Edge was the right kind of guy, there was no doubt, but she left room for indecision. The apprentice was hard working, that she could see as they traveled. He would supply security to a woman once he became a Master of his Trade. From the information she had gleaned, he came from a respected family in his community and wanted nothing more than to start his own. Jody wondered if she were ready to make that kind of commitment, cogitating on it and weighing the options. One of the things that had shocked her was when she found out that Edge and Arc were kin. The little man that had been hovering about her was Edge’s uncle, his father’s brother. Well… half brother. That thought gave Jody some pause. The two men had the same father but different mothers. There was that pesky polygamy thing. Something Edge saw as normal and natural.
He would expect a wife to welcome other women into the family, wouldn’t he?
she thought to herself.

The dishes done, Jody spread them out to air dry in the night air. She climbed beneath the wagon and tried to sleep as she listened to Cherry’s light snores.

A warm morning dawned with the sounds of creaking wagons and jangling chain, loud pops from bullwhips and the shouts of men. An early start was going to help spread the load over the entire day.

The two Smithies helped each other yoke the oxen and position the teams. Muffy made sure her cart was loaded appropriately with the heavier objects toward the front.

The ox intended to draw the cart appeared but not led by either of her two male companions. The young woman, Jody, brought it up. She smiled big at Muffy as she approached, lead in one hand and a small basket in the other.

“I’ve already done my chores, so I asked if I could walk with you to the top,” she explained. “I’d just be in the way otherwise with the big wagon.”

Muffy noticed Jody’s eyes glancing quickly in the direction of her husband’s apprentice. She understood immediately and played along.

“And glad for the company, I am, Miss Jody. The day will be made more sweet in the company of another woman.” She hugged the girl while the doe-eyed ox looked on.

As the two women hitched the beast to the cart, they made small talk about the day to come and the people they traveled with. Jody offered a welcome diversion from man talk to Muffy, and the young lady was glad to be away from the fluff that she usually had to listen to from Cherry. Grown up conversation would be welcome.

Manners demanded to Jody that she contribute to the day in another way as well.

“I have a jar of pickles for lunch and some dry berries. And I made some oatmeal cookies.”

The girl was looking for acceptance, and Muffy suspected that she was not getting much from the family she was traveling with.

Muffy smiled and chuckled in her generous way. “Aye, that’ll be welcome, Miss, and I’ve some meat and bread to go along. We’ll have a proper picnic.”

Thinking of her own baking, Muffy determined to hide it so the girl could share her own cookies. Muffy could always use the elderberry muffins the next day.

The Company teams were well started, and the independents were beginning to move out. Jody glanced from lowered lids at Edge as he waited his turn.

“Here, girl, take a drink to the men,” Muffy handed a bottle of sweet water to Jody. “They’ll have necessity of drink on the march. Perhaps you can make sure they are well supplied?”

Taking the bottle, Jody grinned. “Oh, thank you, Ma’am, I’ll make sure. I was hoping to be useful.”

The girl took the bottle to Occam first which was demanded by courtesy, but Muffy knew the girl would have anyway. She would want to spend time with the apprentice and not be rushed to get a drink to her husband. Watching, Muffy wondered why the two young people had stayed so separate. They seemed to enjoy each other’s company.

As Edge stood waiting he inspected the woods beyond the two women. There was nothing of interest other than the girl he enjoyed looking at in his peripheral vision. When the young lady was offered the bottle and accepted it from Muffy’s hand, he glanced at them and made eye contact with Occam’s wife. She smiled encouragingly as though she knew something. He was puzzled by the look. It made him slightly uncomfortable, but the feeling passed as he anticipated the drink he would soon have from Jody’s hand. She seemed to glow in the morning light with the early sun backlighting the fine curls around her head.

The wagons would pull out soon, and the two young people talked quietly as they waited for the Conestogas ahead of them to move past. Jody stayed with Edge until it was time to move out and then moved back to walk beside Muffy. The road ahead was broad, and they would stay alongside the front teams of the hitch. They could have followed behind, but on a steep hill there was always a chance of a wagon breaking loose. Besides, Muffy wanted to be available to the men she cared for on this climb. They would need water and maybe some other form of help. And now there was another reason. The young girl would want to stay close to the apprentice Smith. Feeling it entirely appropriate, Muffy made sure they would stay abreast of the young man at the head of the hitch.