Chapter 28
The Kiss
Larry, John, Richard, Laurie and Ray, were all sitting around the campfire laughing and preparing to leave sometime the next day. They had reached the cutoff and were saying good-bye to people who would remain long time friends. Larry and Richard were both a little drunk and were standing on the other side of the fire facing them. Each was telling whoppers to see who could get the biggest laugh. Their sides were busting as they rolled around the ground. They were laughing so hard they hadn’t noticed Quincy walking up behind them. He stood for a while listening and chuckling at what he heard. But when Larry saw his face he could tell Quincy had something important to discuss.
“Quincy, is there something on your mind?” asked Larry.
Quincy looked around the group for a moment, taking in all the faces. You could tell he had something to say that was caught in his throat.
“Boys, Miss, can I have a minute?”
“Sure Quincy, what did you want to say?” asked Ray as he rose to his feet.
“Well, damn it, I sure hate to ask this, knowing how bad you want to get clear of these wagons, and how much you want to catch up to your ma. But for the sake of the train and myself, I just got to ask it.”
“Come on Quincy, what is it?” asked John.
“Okay boys. Here it is in a nutshell. A few years back, comin’ up through the Big Basin country, I took an arrow in the chest. The head was sittin’ right in the middle of a bunch of important stuff, so none of my riding partners wanted the privilege of digging it out.”
“So, when did they finally take the arrow head out of your chest?” asked Larry.
“They never did. They just cut it off at the skin, seared it with a hot knife blade, and let it heal over. I had the fever for about two weeks but pulled through. Hell, I forgot all about it until the spot started turnin’ red a few weeks ago. The Ft. Laramie sawbones told me to start puttin’ my affairs together, so I did. Now listen, I don’t much worry about livin’ or dyin’. Hell I figure when it’s your time, it’s your time, and things are changin’ all around us for men like me, and not for the better. Anyways, an old trail boss like me ain’t got nothin’ in his future, cept’n a porch and a porch chair to sit in. Well turns out a porch ain’t the only thing I have; I got me a ranch down near Pueblo de Los Angeles. Now I know you’re itchin’ to get there and this wagon train is goin’ plum slower than a snail’s pace. But if you boys will stick with me over the pass, the ranch is yours. That includes all the horses and cattle that are a grazin’ there. What do you say?”
“Hell, Quincy, if you need us that bad, we’ll stick with you, won’t we boys? Ray said looking around the group. “And you don’t have to give up your ranch to get our help.”
“You don’t understand Ray, the ranch is already yours. I done wired ahead from Ft. Laramie and had the deed changed into your name. I got no one that I’d trust to give that ranch to, cept'n you. Besides, when you catch up to your ma you’ll be able to look after her. Think about it and let me know your decision,” said Quincy as he turned to walk away into the night.
Ray looked quickly around the group, “Listen boys, whatever’s mine is yours, share and share alike.”
After a quick vote Ray called after Quincy, “We’ll be in the saddle in the morning Quincy.”
After a few hours of sitting around the fire and talking, each began to rise and move off to their bedrolls. Ray remained behind at the fire and filled himself another cup of coffee. Half way into his thoughts he was startled by the sound of someone approaching him from behind.
“Ray? May I speak to you, please? Now if you don’t want me to…I will understand…but...” came a soft voice from behind him.
Ray rose to his feet and turned to face her. He had never thought about it before but he now saw that he was a full head taller than her. She was even more beautiful with the light of a fire dancing across her face.
“Of course, Morgan, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“Well… I wanted to apologize… for the way I’ve been treating you. When we first met, I thought you were…well never mind…I’m sure you already know what I thought.”
“I have a pretty good idea.”
“Well, anyway, I want you to know, I was wrong. I’ve broken it off with Jack.”
Looking into her eyes, Ray was melting inside but also felt a strength he had never felt before. He did not want to lose this girl. He desperately needed her at his side. This desperation grew until he could hold it down no longer. Ray placed both of his hands on her shoulders. She did not pull away. Her acceptance of his touch gave Ray confidence, and he pulled her closer to him.
“Morgan, I’ve loved you since the first day I saw you. I can’t think of going through another day without you knowing how I feel.” She looked up into his eyes, tilting her head slightly to the left. He placed his lips softly onto hers and kissed her gently. He wasn’t sure, but Ray thought she kissed him back.
“Ray, I thought I knew what love was. I thought I was in love with Jack, but when I met you I discovered I was wrong. I was just in love with the idea of being in love. My heart aches when you’re not near me. When I thought I’d hurt you, had lost you, I couldn’t stop crying. Ray Cooper, I love you so much.”
Looking into each other’s eyes for an electrifying moment, Ray pulled her to him and they kissed. Wrapping his arms around her soft, small frame he held her tight. Kissing her neck and ear, the smell of her hair was like a sweet tonic, possessing his very sole. Her warm breath on his neck sent chills up his spine. Morgan leaned away in order to look into Ray's face. Her big brown eyes were filled with such passion that Ray's blood began to boil. "Morgan, you will never loose me, I'm all in."
Chapter 29
Straight Ahead
Climbing the Sierras was an obvious strain on the horses. At one point the conductor stopped the stage, dismounted, and entered the coach. There he began to lighten the load by tossing bags of mail out of the door onto the side of the trail.
“Are your superiors aware of your indiscretions?” asked Samantha as she leaned over onto Phillip to remain out of the way of the flying bags.
“Don’t worry ma’am. The next stage through will pick them up or we’ll gather them when we come back through again,” answered the conductor as he left the coach and climbed back on top.
Phillip stuck his head out of the open doorway and yelled, “Now see here my good man, that is U.S. mail, you can’t leave it along the trail like that.”
“It’s like this partner. Either the mail gets out or you do. It’s all about the weight. We ain’t going to make it, less we lighten the load,” explained the driver.
“Oh, well I see, then, yes of course, by all means, let’s drive on,” muttered Phillip as he shut the door and latched it closed.
-CKS-
John Lane had risen early, having counted the days until he was able to finish his assignment and move on. Sitting at a great vantage point to observe the separation of the wagons from his quarry, he couldn’t help but get a little excited at the thought of taking that shot with no one around. He would be free to continue the hunt on the other companions, and make plans for that girl that had become so friendly with that great big foreigner who was hanging around Ray Cooper and his friends. She could be a nice diversion out in the desert. Probably keep a man nice and warm on those cold desert nights.
Lane rose from his sitting position as he observed from a distance. Ray mounted up, rode over to one of the wagons and looked like he was embracing a young woman. Perhaps a good-bye gesture since Ray would be heading south now and would never see that gal again. John and Larry trotted out from between a couple wagons near the front. Ray pulled his mounts head around and rode to join John and Larry.
“Finally, here they go, and the hunt begins,” said Lane to himself. “Odd that they have no pack animals. It looks as if they’re carrying only a day’s worth of provisions on their horses. What the hell is
goin’ on here?” Lane whispered to himself.
Ray, John, and Larry took point and started to head northwest as they had done for so many mornings.
“Damn it!” shouted Lane to no one that could hear him, “Where the hell do you think you’re going? You need to turn south, I have you, I’ve waited, I…damn it.”
Lane sat back down on the ground and watched in dismay as the three led each wagon out onto the California Trail.
“Okay. This changes things, but I’ll still get my shot,” promised Lane as he rose, mounted up and rode out to head off the three riders.
-CKS-
At long last the stage reached its destination: Pueblo de Los Angeles.
“Phillip if you ever talk me into riding in that type of conveyance again I will shoot you!” said Samantha with a frown.
“But Miss Foster, I didn’t…yes Miss Foster, never again,” answered Phillip, who by this time was completely beaten down. All he could think about was getting away from Samantha as quickly as possible.
“Conductor, I want you to have our bags taken to the best hotel this very second. I wish to freshen up without delay,” instructed Samantha as she stepped down from the coach and walked up onto the boardwalk.
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll jump down right now and fetch them. You just follow me. The hotel right behind you is the best establishment in town,” said the conductor, with a warm smile, more from knowing that he was finally shedding this woman from his sight than for the sake of politeness.
Entering the hotel with a whirlwind of instructions, Samantha was quickly shown to the finest room on the top floor. A bath in the room was filled with hot water, and soaps and perfumes of Samantha’s choice were set out. While she lounged in the bath, Phillip went about unpacking all of her bags. Anticipating her need for a long nap he pulled back her sheets, and walked over to the closed bath door.
“Miss Foster, I have your things put away and your bed turned down in case you wish to retire. If it is alright with you, I would like to leave you for a few moments to unpack my things and clean up,” asked Phillip, a questioning plea in his voice.
“Not yet Phillip!” came the voice that he had grown so tired of. “First I need you to inquire as to the whereabouts of Mrs. Cooper. That shouldn’t take you very long at all.”
If Samantha could see Phillip’s face at that very moment she would have screamed murder. “Yes Miss Foster, I will see what I can find out,” said Phillip through clinched teeth.
“Don’t come back unless you have something Phillip. If you need to hire help, then do so.”
Phillip turned and marched across the large room, out the door and into the hallway. Outside, he began planning his escape from this horrible woman.