The mare raised her head and snorted sweet, hay-scented breath into the night air. She was a gray beauty. "I wonder what they call you," Dannie mused as she stood gently stroking the soft muzzle.
"Name's the Hell Bitch," a voice said.
Dannie froze. She hadn't heard the man come up behind her. Slowly she turned and looked into the bluest pair of eyes she had ever seen. Their owner patted the mare and glanced at Dannie, then reached past her for some tack hanging on the wall.
Dannie tried to step out of the way. She winced and swayed slightly as she put weight on her leg. In an instant the man was beside her, steadying her.
"What's wrong? You hurt?"
"I -- I'm all right. It's just . . ." Dannie bit off her words and winced again as the pain intensified.
"Let me help you." The man helped her ease gently down in the straw. He squatted beside her and waited.
Dannie bent forward and massaged her ankle.
"What happened to you?" he asked softly, watching her face.
"My horse threw me. I'll be all right."
"Where's your horse?"
Dannie gestured to a stall in the far corner. "I put him over there."
The man glanced over his shoulder to where the big gray was stabled and then back at Dannie. "I Best get Doc Cleese -- let him have a look at you."
He rose and started towards the door. Halfway there he turned back. "What's your name?" he asked without meeting her eyes.
"Danielle . . .folks call me Dannie. What do folks call you?"
"Call."
"Thank you, Mr. Call," Dannie called after him. But he was already gone.
Dannie lay back in the straw gazing at the rafters overhead and wondering what the future held for her. She sighed and thought back over the last few weeks. Coming out to Montana Territory alone had taken courage. But Dannie had felt equal to the task. She was 18 now, of marriageable age, and she longed to make a real home for Davy. She had everything planned. It had all seemed so perfect until . . .
Jared Stewart's face rose up before her, his hands reaching for her, grasping at her. "No, let me go!" Dannie cried out as she tore herself loose from his clutching fingers.
She heard footsteps and sat up, looking around her fearfully. She must have been dozing. It was only Mr. Call returning with the doctor.
Once more he knelt beside her in the straw while the doctor opened his bag.
"You all right? Pain gettin' worse?"
Dannie blushed. Mr. Call must have heard her yell. The doctor bent over her, making it unnecessary for her to answer. He straightened out her leg and gently palpated her ankle. Dannie bit her lip to keep from crying out.
"A bad sprain, nothing more. It's quite swollen, but you should feel better in a few days. Mr. Call and I will see you home. Where are you staying Miss . . .?"
"I -- I've only just arrived; I'd appreciate it if you could recommend a place," Dannie interrupted him. She'd rather not give her name just now. What if they were looking for her, Jared and his bullyboys? If they hadn't noticed her missing yet, they soon would.
Call helped her to her feet. "Best get you to the hotel."
She put an arm around each man's neck, and they supported her between him. Dannie glanced nervously around her as they headed out into the night. The town appeared peaceful enough, but she couldn't shake the feeling that someone had seen her leave the ranch, someone who might be out there right now, watching and waiting.
Call and Dr. Cleese helped Dannie up the steps of The Lonesome Dove Hotel. The doctor opened the door, and Call helped her inside.
"Amanda, this here's Dannie. She'll be needin' a room," Call said to a tall, dark-haired woman who met them in the hotel lobby.
"Number five's open," the woman responded. "You can take her on up."
Leaning on Call, Dannie was able to hop on one foot, and they made steady progress up the narrow stairs to the second floor. Once she faltered, but his arm tightened around her waist, steadying her, and they were soon at the top.
Once inside her room, Call helped her to the bed. She flashed him a grateful smile as she removed her arm from around his neck.
"Best keep that foot elevated, Miss," Dr. Cleese said, placing a pillow under her foot. "I'll arrange to have some food brought up to you. Will you be needing anything else?"
Dannie shook her head, no, and thanked him.
"Very well, I'll look in on you tomorrow. You should try to get some rest."
"Thank you, Doctor. Thank you, Mr. Call."
Call nodded and hastily left the room, followed by Dr. Cleese.
Dannie settled back. She suddenly felt very weary.
She pulled the covers up under her chin and found herself thinking about Mr. Call. He seemed so young, but there was a certain sadness in his face. Dannie drifted off, wondering why there had to be so much pain in the world. She didn't hear the hotel proprietress tap at her door a short while later with her supper.
Call was curious about the horse Dannie'd ridden in on, and he headed back to the livery. Her furtive looks about town during their short walk to the hotel hadn't been lost on him. She'd been really afraid . . . of what, or whom? He approached the big gelding carefully, crooning softly to him. Dannie had taken good care of him. He'd been rubbed down and fed. Call ran his hands over the big animal. He glanced at the brand -- the Stewart bar and cross. He wondered how Dannie came to be on a mount from the ranch. She'd have some explaining to do as soon as she was feeling a bit better.
Dannie spent a reasonably comfortable night. It felt safe in the hotel, and she hadn't felt safe in a very long time. The next morning she hobbled out of bed and washed and dressed herself. The woman she had met at the desk the night before appeared with her breakfast.
"I'm sorry, I don't recall your name," Dannie said as she thanked her and sat down to eat. Everything looked delicious.
"Amanda Carpenter, but you can call me Amanda."
"I haven't paid you yet, Amanda, but I have the money," Dannie began, but Amanda interrupted her.
"Call paid for your room last night."
"Oh." Dannie was startled by this news. "I'll have to repay him." Mr. Call didn't look like he had any extra cash. "What does Mr. Call do? Does he work at the livery stable?"
Amanda snorted. "Hell, no. Call's a bounty hunter, Miss . . .?"
"Miller," Dannie supplied. She knew she had to give her last name as a registered guest of the hotel.
"Isn't bounty hunting a terribly dangerous line of work, Miss Carpenter -- er -- Amanda?"
"Yes, I suppose it is. But Call's very good at what he does."
Amanda made for the door. It didn't look like she cared to answer any more questions, and Dannie didn't want to seem too nosy.
"Is there anything else you need, Miss Miller?"
"No, I'm fine at present, thank you." She smiled at Amanda as the door closed behind her.
~~~
Later that morning Dr. Cleese dropped by Dannie's room, pronouncing her much improved, and by lunchtime she felt well enough to hobble carefully down the stairs, leaning heavily on the banister.
Amanda escorted Dannie to a table by the window and asked her what she'd like to eat. She returned a short while later with the food and seated herself opposite Dannie.
"Call's been askin' after you. He wants to see you. I haven't seen him show this much interest in a woman before."
Dannie turned surprised eyes on Amanda. "Oh, really?"
"Call's pretty much a loner. They tell me it's because wife . . ." Amanda, realizing maybe she had said too much, shut her mouth and rose from the table.
"His wife? You mean Mr. Call's married?" Dannie hadn't considered that possibility.
"She died some years ago now. It was before my time here -- an explosion so I've heard. I don't know; he never talks about it."
The poor man! Dannie felt tears welling up in her eyes. She was grateful when Amanda left to wait on some other guests. She was still trying to digest the information Amanda had given her, when she saw Mr. Call come into the dining room, his hat in his hands. He glanced around at the other patrons, then his gaze came to rest on Dannie, and he made his way directly to her table. Dannie dabbed at her mouth with her napkin and smiled up at him. He glanced at the empty chair, and she motioned to it.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Call. Please allow me to buy you some lunch. I understand I owe you for the price of my room."
Call held up his hand in protest, but Dannie had already signaled to Amanda.
Call ordered a cup of coffee. As Amanda walked away, he cleared his throat. "That's a fine animal you rode in on."
Dannie squirmed slightly in her chair.
"Lessen I miss my guess, that brand's from the Stewart Ranch up Miles City way. Mind tellin' me how you came by him?"
Dannie glanced furtively around the room. No one seemed to be within earshot. "How do you know about the Stewarts, Mr. Call?"
"Best get one thing straight right now. Name's Call. Just Call. Don't need no fancy titles."
Dannie nodded. "All right," she said.
Call continued. "The Stewarts raise good stock. Did some business with them a few years back."
Dannie swallowed hard. "I -- I guess I borrowed the horse."
But Call wasn't having any of it. "How much trouble you in?"
Dannie glanced at some rowdy cowhands just coming into the dining room. "I'd rather not talk here if you don't mind."
Amanda was surprised when Call abruptly stood and tossed the money for the coffee on the table, just as she returned with the cup.
Dannie stood as well and followed him to the door as she threw Amanda an apologetic glance.
"Please add my meal charge to my bill, Amanda," she called back over her shoulder.
Amanda watched them leave with some amusement as she speculated on the reason for their sudden departure.
Once outside, Call struck off toward the livery stable, Dannie keeping up with him as best she could.
He disappeared through the doorway, and Dannie followed. As her eyes adjusted to the dim interior, she saw that he had gone directly over to the Hell Bitch's stall.
Dannie wasn't sure what Call expected of her as she stood uncertainly in the doorway. He seemed to be busy checking one of the mare's feet. At last he straightened up and turned toward her.
"Care to tell me what's goin' on with you?"
Dannie tried to speak, but she couldn't get the words past the lump in her throat. Tears welled in her eyes, threatening to spill over, and her ankle was beginning to throb. She sank down on some grain sacks in the corner.
"I -- I was at the Stewart Ranch," she admitted.
Call came and stood in front of her. "Why'd you run?"
Dannie took a few moments to compose herself before replying. It was difficult to admit just how badly things had turned out.
"I was to be married. I answered an ad for a marriageable young woman. It seemed so romantic to come out west and live on a cattle ranch."
"You're a mail order bride?" Mr. Call looked at her in some amazement. "Seems a fool notion, marryin' a man you ain't ever met."
Dannie didn't disagree with him.
Call shook his head. "Jared Stewart ordered you out of some newspaper?"
"His father wished him to be married. His mother's dead, and I guess they wanted a woman on the place to take care of things. I don't know why he didn't just marry one of the local girls."
"Probably cuz they know him," Call said with a wry smile.
Dannie remembered the sneer on Jared's face when he'd met her at the station. She obviously hadn't been what he had been expecting. "It wasn't exactly love at first sight," she sighed.
Getting slowly to her feet, Dannie limped over to the Hell Bitch. The mare nuzzled her hands, checking for a treat.
"Jared didn't seem such a bad sort at first," Dannie continued. "He's nothing like his father, though. Mr. Stewart is a wonderful man, so kind and considerate. But Jared . . ." Here she faltered. She turned her face to the horse 's flank so Call wouldn't see her tears as she fought to regain control of her emotions. "He frightens me," she managed finally. "I don't know much about men. I only know I can't spend the rest of my life with Jared Stewart. I just had to get away from him."
"How 'bout your family? Anyone back home missin' you?"
"Only my little brother. He's in boarding school in Ohio. My parents are dead. Our farm's been sold. There's nothing there for me now. I can't go back."
Call mulled over the information. "What're your plans? Thinkin' 'bout stayin' here a while?"
"I don't know. I guess I hadn't given it much thought yet." Dannie knew she needed to do just that. Jared would find her if she tarried too long. It was just that life here had felt so safe and normal that she was in no hurry to move on. But she knew she had to go, and it had better be sooner than later.
They heard footsteps outside, and Dannie looked up fearfully. A man's head peeked around the door at them.
Call visibly relaxed. "What is it, Unbob?"
"I heard voices. I thought maybe the horses was talkin' t' each other." Unbob stood staring down at Dannie.
"It's just us, Unbob. This here's Dannie."
"How d'you do?" Unbob offered Dannie his hand, and she shook it gladly, already charmed by the simple man's gentle demeanor.
Somethin' you wanted, Unbob?" Call asked him.
Unbob tore his eyes away from Dannie.
"Well, Miss Mattie, she said I should come fetch you on account o' you know that new gun you ordered? It come in on the stage. She said you'd be wantin' it."
"Guess I best go have a look at it then."
Call addressed Dannie. "Might save you a heap of trouble if I take that horse back to the Stewart place for you."
"Oh, would you? I've been worrying about what to do if someone comes looking for him."
Call nodded to her as he left the stable. "I'll see to it."
"Thank you," Dannie called after him.
"I brung some carrots for the horses. Wanna help me feed 'em?" Unbob looked at Dannie hopefully.
"Of course." Dannie smiled and rose to her feet with some difficulty.
Unbob looked at her wide-eyed. "You're hurt. Better let me help you," he said, gallantly offering her his arm.
He was just about to ask Dannie why she was limping, when he noticed that she had stopped dead in her tracks and was staring out the livery door at some men riding past.
Somethin' wrong, Miss Dannie?"
Dannie dragged her gaze back to Unbob. "Will you help me saddle my horse, UnBob?"
Yer horse? But Mr. Call said he's takin' it away in the mornin'. Besides, yer leg's bad. Ya can't ride."
"Never mind that now. Hurry please. I need your help."
Unbob did as she asked and then helped her up into the saddle. He was about to voice another protest, when she turned her mount and was gone in a cloud of dust. She didn't look back.
But what'll I tell Mr. Call?" he called after her. "I don't think he's gonna like this," he finished to himself. Then he ambled over to the Hell Bitch and offered her a carrot.
~~~
Jared Stewart tossed his horse's reins over the hitching rail. "You two take a look around town. That little bitch has to be around here someplace. I'll check the hotel and then meet you at the saloon."
Cole and Jimmy headed off in separate directions, and Jared walked up the steps and into the Lonesome Dove. Marching over to the desk, he laid hold of the guest register, opened it, and began flipping through the pages.
"Can I help you?" Amanda Carpenter descended on him and snatched the book out of his hands, slamming it shut with a bang.
Jared sized up the woman with the sharp voice. Looking her up and down, his eyes lingered appreciatively on her cleavage.
Amanda felt her flesh crawl.
"Well now, as a matter of fact, I am lookin' for someone," Jared said. "Thought she might be stayin' here."
"I don't usually give out that information," Amanda informed him. "My guests like their privacy." But then her curiosity got the better of her. "Who were you looking for?"
"Dannie Miller's her name -- young woman, blonde hair. You seen 'er?"
"There's no one here by that name," Amanda assured him.
But Jared noticed that she didn't turn loose of the register.
"And you wouldn't tell me if there was, now would you?"
Amanda glared at him without answering.
"Thank you for your time, ma'am." Jared tipped his hat to her and bowed with exaggerated politeness.
After he had gone, Amanda tossed the book down in disgust. "What a terrible man," she said to Ike, who had just come in. She shook her head. "I wonder what he wants with Dannie."
A short while later, Call entered the hotel and headed up to his room. Amanda's voice stopped him part way up the stairs.
"Where's your little friend, Call?"
Puzzled, Call just looked at her.
Amanda came to the bottom of the stairs. "Dannie. Where's Dannie? Someone was in here looking for her a while ago."
"Someone? Who?" Call turned around and started back down the stairs.
He didn't leave his name. He was a pretty unsavory-looking character, though."
"What'd you tell him?"
Hands on hips, Amanda regarded him. "I just told you I didn't like the look of him. I told him she's not staying here, of course. Is Dannie in some kind of trouble? Where is she, Call?"
Call made for the door.
"I hope she's not leaving town; there's the matter of her bill," Amanda called after him.
"You'll get your money, Amanda," Call said as he strode out of the Dove.
~~~
Austin Peale threw down his cards and pushed back from the table.
"Better luck next time, Sheriff."
"You can count on it, Butler. Gentlemen." Austin nodded to the other gamblers as he put on his hat and strolled out of the back room of the Ambrosia Club.
Jared swirled the amber liquid in his glass. "Get us a pack of cards, Jimmy. Might as well put the time to good use." Jimmy stood up from the table and spun around, nearly colliding with Austin. The drink in his hand sloshed down the front of Austin's coat.
Austin looked down at the spreading stain and then back at Jimmy. "Best watch what you're doin'."
Jimmy eyed Austin's badge nervously. "Sorry, sheriff."
Austin's eyes roved over the motley crew seated in front of him. "Haven't seen you boys in here before. New in town?"
"Just passin' through, Sheriff," Jared assured him.
Austin nodded. "Best keep your noses clean while you're here. I don't want no trouble in my streets."
"No sir, Sheriff, we'll be good as gold." Jared raised his glass in salute.
Austin nodded and went out.
Cole watched him leave over the top of his glass. "High and mighty sonofabitch."
"I don't want no trouble with the law, you got that? We're here to take what's mine and go." Jared leaned forward in his chair and poured himself another shot of whiskey. "That woman at the hotel's lyin'. Guess Dannie's got some folks lookin' out for her. That's gonna complicate things a bit, but I like a challenge." Jared grinned and tossed back the shot.
~~~
Dannie had ridden hard for several hours. The horse was breathing hard, his sides heaving. Reining him in, she scanned the horizon. A line of Cottonwoods in the distance held the promise of water. Dear God, there had better be water. She urged the exhausted animal onward.
Dismounting on the stream bank, Dannie dropped down to drink her fill. Nothing had ever tasted so good. Even as she wiped her mouth on her sleeve and pushed up from the bank, she heard the rider coming. She froze. There was nowhere to hide, no time. Dannie held her arm up to shield her eyes from the rays of the late afternoon sun as the man dismounted and came towards her.
"Cat got your tongue?"
Dannie stood rooted to the ground. She opened her mouth, but no words came.
"Dannie, it's me."
Dannie started to run to him, but her ankle buckled beneath her. Call strode forward and caught her as she fell.
"Oh, Call, I was so scared. I thought Jared -- I thought he was after me." Call could feel her body trembling as he held her.
"You're all right now." He stroked her hair and waited for her sobs to quiet. Then he held her out at arm's length and looked into her eyes. "What'd he do to you? You can tell me." Leading her to a fallen log near the stream, he helped her sit down. "Just take your time."
Dannie wiped her eyes and took a deep breath as she collected her thoughts. "I had been at the ranch for about a week. One day I was in the barn saddling up for a ride. All of a sudden they were beside me."
"Who?"
"Jared and the others."
"What others?"
"His side-kicks, Jimmy and Cole. They were always around. Jimmy grabbed me and threw me down in the straw. Cole ripped open my blouse. They were laughing at me, holding me down. I called out to Jared, but he wouldn't help me. He just stood there watching them. But then they were interrupted by Mr. Forster -- he's the ranch foreman."
"I know the man."
"I -- I don't like to think about what almost happened."
"Then don't."
Call could see that Dannie was done-in. "I think we best camp here for the night," he told her. "No sense traipsin' around in the dark. We can head back to town in the mornin'."
Dannie's face fell. "Call, I can't go back. What if he's there waiting for me?"
Well, what if he is? Can't keep runnin' the rest of your life."
"I can't face him alone. What am I going to do?"
"Why don't you let me worry about that?"
Dannie smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you for coming after me, Call. I didn't stop to think what it would be like out here alone."
Call nodded. He untied his bedroll and brought it over to Dannie, draping a blanket over her shoulders. "It's gettin' chilly. You rest a spell while I get some firewood and see what I can scare up for supper." He picked up his gun and disappeared through the trees.
Dinner turned out to be roasted rabbit and some hardtack from Call's saddlebags. After eating, they sat listening to the quiet noises of their horses grazing nearby. Dannie drew her knees up, locking her arms about them, and stared at the flames that rose and fell briskly on the bright coals. She searched for something to say. "You said you had done some business with the Stewarts?"
Call glanced at her. "I did, once. I was lookin' for somethin' special for -- for someone." Call bit off his words as an old familiar pain settled across his features.
Dannie glanced at him, realizing what he hadn't said. She didn't know whether to continue or not. She finally decided to try and draw him out. "I've always liked horses," she said. "It's always been my dream to live on a ranch and raise horses and children."
Call shrugged. "Mebbe it'll still happen. Never can tell."
"What about you? You're so good with horses. Ever think about starting your own place, having a ranch of your own?"
Call stared off into the distance. "Had me a ranch once."
Dannie waited for him to continue. "Had? What happened to it?" she asked when he remained silent.
Call got to his feet abruptly. "I don't want to talk about it, understand? That part of my life's over." With that, he turned and stalked off into the night.
Feeling chilled, but not from the cold, Dannie pulled the blanket closer about her. Just when she thought she was beginning to get to know Call, he shut her out. She wished he would come back to camp.
Alone with her thoughts, she settled down by the fire. A log shifted, its underside eaten away by the flames. It fell, sending a shower of sparks up toward the stars. Dannie sighed and shifted into a more comfortable position. Exhausted, she slept.
~~~
At first she didn't know what had awakened her. It was late dawn, and the fire had died down to embers. She heard a clink and sat up. A short distance away, Call was busy saddling their horses. "Time we headed out," he told her when he saw that she was awake.
Dannie's ankle felt stiff and sore as she hobbled down to the creek to wash her face. Call joined her on the bank, squatting to refill his canteen. Then he brought her horse and helped her up into her saddle.
The early morning mists burned off to a day that was hot and sunny, the sky as blue as the cornflowers Dannie remembered back home. They rode in single file, the gelding following the mare uncomplainingly through the tall prairie grass. Dannie let him have his head as her thoughts wandered. Call had scarcely spoken to her since they left camp, and she couldn't help wondering what he was thinking. Her own thoughts were in a quandary. She wasn't sure what to make of this man who'd been so gentle with her, making her feel safe yet somehow troubled at the same time. It was true, his gaze was a bit unsettling. When he turned those eyes on her, she felt as if he knew more about her than she knew herself. She wanted to know more about him, but his reluctance to talk about himself made that very difficult.
The scream of a hawk broke into her reverie, and for a time Dannie watched it soaring effortlessly overhead, its cries fading in the distance.
Dannie hardly noticed when the wind picked up, whispering ripples in the dry grass that whirled and spread into widening circles as a few clouds scuttled across the sun. She was surprised when Call reined in in front of her, and she pulled the gelding up short. Following Call's gaze, she was amazed to see a huge dark wall of clouds almost upon them.
"Storm's movin' in fast," he said. "Best find us some shelter. I know a place; come on."
They spurred their horses into a gallop as the first raindrops fell. The wind grew in intensity, whipping Dannie's hair into her eyes, stinging them till she could scarcely see. Then the rain began in earnest, and in the space of a few moments she was soaked. Cresting the next rise, the small structure Call was making for came into view. They pulled up in front of it, dismounted, and hurried inside, and Call slammed the door behind them. Rain dripped off the rim of his hat; his coat was dark with it.
Dannie looked about the dingy interior. There was a cot and a table with a couple of chairs, no other furnishings to speak of, save an iron cook stove. Some firewood was stacked in one corner, and assorted canned goods occupied a makeshift shelf on the wall.
"What is this place, Call? Does somebody live here?"
"We're on the Hillman ranch. This here's one of their line shacks."
"What's a line shack?"
"Place where the cow hands can rest up, get a little grub when they're followin' the outlyin' herds."
He busied himself starting a fire in the stove. She stood watching him for few moments as the kindling caught and he fanned the flames. He replaced the stove lid.
"Best get out of them wet things 'fore you catch your death," he said as he made for the door.
"You're not going out in this?"
"I think it's lettin' up a little. I need to check on the horses." Call opened the door and went out.
It didn't seem to be letting up at all, Dannie thought to herself. Maybe he was just giving her some privacy. Going over to the bed, she removed her wet outer layer and wrapped herself in a blanket. Then she pulled one of the chairs over to the stove where she could lay her out things to dry.
Dannie was starving. She found a rusty can opener and attacked a can of beans. By the time Call returned, she had them simmering on the stove along with a pot of coffee.
"Thought I'd make myself useful at last. I have biscuits in the oven. I hope the Hillmans won't mind us using up their supplies."
Call shook his head. "That's what they're here for." He hung his hat and coat on the other chair.
"How're the horses?" Dannie asked.
Call stood at the window gazing out at the downpour.
"Fine. They're standin' right outside the door."
"Maybe they're hoping for some of these biscuits. I think they're ready." Dannie laughed as she opened the oven door, but the thin rag in her hand was no protection from the hot iron. "Ouch!" she cried out as she yanked her hand away.
"You shoulda let me do that." Call grabbed the rag she had used and hurried outside, returning with it dripping wet. He took her hand and wrapped the rag around it. Then he fixed them each a plate.
After they had eaten, Call pulled her over to the window to examine her damaged fingers in the light. As he unwrapped her hand, the blanket fell back, exposing her bare shoulder. He reached to pull it back, his fingers brushing the side of her neck. Dannie quivered at his touch. Noticing, Call stared into her eyes for a moment, then brought his lips down to hers, kissing her gently at first, then more insistently. Her heart beat wildly as he pulled her close. But suddenly, he pushed away from her. Dannie started to protest and took a step towards him, but he held up his hands to stop her.
"Rain's lettin' up. Best be gettin' back. Tongues'll be waggin' enough as it is."
Dannie sighed and gathered up her things.
~~~
Back in town, they left the horses at the livery and started to the hotel. As they crossed the main street, Jared strutted out of the Number 10, Cole and Jimmy following close behind him.
"'Bout time you brought my woman back, Call. Me 'n the boys been waitin' quite a while. We been -- how should I say -- inconvenienced?"
"Yeah," Jimmy said with a smirking glance toward the whorehouse down the street, "we was inconvenienced all night long."
Jared looked at Dannie. "Let's go, darlin', you're comin' with me now."
Call motioned Dannie to precede him onto the boardwalk. "Leave her be, Stewart, she ain't goin' nowhere with you."
"Oh, I get it; you're a bounty hunter now, aincha, Call? You wanna get paid for bringin' her back. That it? Here, this oughta just about cover it." Jared pitched a few coins into the street at Call's feet.
Ignoring him, Call continued on his way, his boot crushing the coins into the dirt. Jared stepped out in front of him.
"Outta my way, Stewart, I got no quarrel with you," Call warned as he made to move past him.
Jared's hand snaked out and caught his sleeve. Call's fist shot out as he turned, catching Jared's chin and sending him sprawling on his back in the dirt. Before he could get up, Call's boot came down hard on his chest, pinning him to the ground. Suddenly, he was staring up the barrel of the sawed-off.
"I wouldn't if I were you," Call said to Cole and Jimmy when they reached for their guns. Both men heeded his advice.
"What's your game, Jared? You really want to marry Dannie here? Or you just savin' face with your buddies?"
Jared didn't answer.
"How 'bout the girl you got in the family way over in Bitter Creek? Plannin' on marryin' her too?"
"Aw, she just took somethin' serious that was poked at her in fun," sniggered Cole.
Call wasn't amused. "Seems a sorry way to treat a woman. Matter of fact, I don't much care for the way you've treated Dannie here." Call gave Jared another shove with his boot. "I think you owe her an apology. Are you sorry?"
Jared glowered at him.
"I said, are you sorry?"
Jared gave a shaky nod.
"Then tell her." Call shoved the gun barrel up under his chin. "I said, tell her."
Jared coughed. "Sorry," he spat out finally.
"I didn't hear you. Did you hear him?" Call asked Dannie.
"N -- no," Dannie answered in a small voice.
Call pulled the hammer back.
"I said I'm sorry."
Call kept the sawed-off pressed into Jared's neck.
By this time Austin had arrived. "Let him up, Call."
Call acted as if he hadn't heard.
"I said, let him up." Austin drew his gun and aimed it at Call.
"You know the only reason I don't kill you right now is on account of your father." Call gave Jared a vicious kick that sent him sprawling in the dirt. Jared got to his knees tasting blood. He wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and glared back at Call.
"Now get on your horses and get on outta here while I'm still feelin' charitable." Call waved them away with his shotgun.
Jimmy picked up Jared's hat and held it out to him. Jared snatched it out of his hand.
"You can have the little bitch, Call, I never wanted her anyway." Jared spat in Dannie's general direction and staggered off, followed by Jimmy and Cole.
Dannie watched them go with undisguised relief.
~~~
Dannie didn't see much of Call over the next few days. When she did bump into him in the hotel or on the street, he merely nodded to her, not really meeting her eyes. Was he avoiding her, she wondered, denying what had happened between them?
One morning she saw him ride past her window, and she headed to the livery to find him. Call had his back to her as he removed the mare's saddle and slung it over the rail.
"I'll be leaving today," she said quietly.
He spun around to face her, startled.
"I 'm going back to Ohio, to my brother's school. I'm going to try to find work there." A sad little smile played at the corners of her mouth.
She saw the stab of hurt in his eyes. "You do what you have to do," he said. Then he turned back to his work.
"Davy needs me, Call. He's family; he's all I have left."
Call didn't respond. Dannie stared at his back for a few moments and then turned sadly and made her way back to the hotel to pack her things.
Later that morning, she boarded the stage to Miles City. It was the first leg of a very long journey. She didn't see Call among the small crowd of well-wishers gathered on the boardwalk. Tears clouded her last look at Curtis Wells as the stage rumbled out of town.
Call stood in front of the general store watching her leave. He hoped she would be back someday. He kicked his toe in the dirt. Then he turned and ambled back down the street.
The End
6/2002
