Authors: Agnes Alexander
Xenia stuck her head out the window. “What’s the matter?”
“Get back in the coach and get on the floor. We’re about to face some trouble.”
“What?”
“Damn it, Xenia. If you don’t do what I say, you’ll cause your sister and the baby to be killed.”
She must have believed him, because she pulled her head in.
The stage came to a stop. Wilt lifted his hat and Ty noticed he waved it slightly toward the rise to his left. “Howdy, Ray. Ty.”
“What are you doing out here, Wilt?” Ty asked.
“The bank was worried because the stage was so late. They sent me to make sure you were safe and still had the money with you.”
“Everyone is fine and the money is as safe as it was when we first started out.”
“Glad to hear that, Ray.”
“Are you gonna ride along with us into town?”
“Well, I thought if it was alright with you, I’d take the money on into town for you. Looks like with all the dead bodies you have tied to the back you’ll have to travel a little slow. If I show up with the money, the officials at the bank won’t have to worry. You know how those men are. It’s like they’re sitting on a pile of hot rocks.”
Ty glanced at the pile of rocks beside the rise. So that was where the other man was. Probably had a gun trained on Wilt. A plan formed in his mind. He was sure Wilt would catch on. “He’s right, Ray. Let’s let my cousin have the money.”
Ray frowned. “I’m not sure we should.”
“Trust me. It’ll be fine.”
He shrugged. “If you say it’s the thing to do, I’ll go along with it.”
Ty locked eyes with Wilt and knew his cousin was ready. “I’ll climb up and get the strong box so we can be on our way.”
When he started to unfasten the box, he whirled around and tossed his pistol to Wilt’s waiting hands. He then grabbed the rifle. Wilt jerked his horse’s reins, turned and fired toward the rocks. His companion’s horse reared and the man fired into the air.
The outlaw didn’t get a chance to fire again, because Wilt shot the gun out of his hand.
Fire came from the rocks, but it was over their heads. Wilt galloped his horse in the direction of the hidden man, firing rapidly as he went.
Ty jumped from the coach, landing on the man on the horse and pulling him off. They both fell to the ground. In a matter of seconds he had the outlaw subdued and was tying his hands behind him. “Looks like you’ll accompany your companions to town. Only difference, they’ll land up in Boot Hill and you’ll be in prison until you swing from a rope to join them six feet under later.”
The man gave him a sullen look, but said nothing.
Wilt came back leading his horse. The shooter was tied in the saddle. “Got him all trussed up and ready to ride into town for you. Thought maybe you’d give me a ride since I lent the crook my horse.”
Lou climbed from under the tarp. “So, I guess you’re going to put him up here with me instead of letting him ride with the women.”
“Women?” Wilt lifted an eyebrow.
“Yeah. He wouldn’t let me ride with them and you better stay away from the one called Xenia if he lets you get in the coach. He’s got his sights trained on her.”
“Shut up and get back under your tarp, Bullins.”
The stage door opened and Xenia leaned out. “Is everything alright now?”
“Yes, Xenia,” Ty emphasized the name. “Everything’s fine. This is Wilt Eldridge. He’ll be joining us on the ride into town. Mea Ann and you don’t mind him riding inside, do you?”
Ty tipped his hat to her and gave her a broad smile.
She smiled back. “Eldridge? Are you Ty’s brother?”
“His cousin.”
“Then I don’t mind you riding with us. I’m sure Mea Ann won’t, either.” She turned to Ty. “Just keep Lou Bullins out of here.”
“I’ll do that.” His voice was a little sharp and he hadn’t meant it to be. It was because he wasn’t sure he could trust his cousin inside the coach. Not that he thought he’d be rude to the women. He just wasn’t sure he could trust him to keep his sights off Xenia.
Wilt handed a fuming Ty the reins of the horse with the captured outlaw and moved to the stage door. “Tie him to the back, cousin, and I’ll be ready to ride into town with this lovely lady.”
Ty had to hang onto the horses reins to keep from punching his cousin in the mouth.
****
Wilt climbed into the coach and took the seat across from the women. He controlled his surprise when he saw one of them was holding a baby next to her chest. He wondered if she was a widow. He felt a little guilty for hoping so, because of the two, for some reason, she caught his eye. The smaller woman was maybe a little more attractive, but the other one was beautiful in her own way. Her hair was a little darker blonde and her eyes were the same clear blue. Her figure was lovely. She looked as if she was an attentive mother, too. Besides, Ty’s attitude told him right off not to pay the little one any attention. Not only what the man on top had said, but Ty’s actions had led him to believe Ty was interested in the one called Xenia. This surprised him, given Ty’s experience with Verna McGill.
He tipped his hat. “Howdy, ladies, I’m Wilt Eldridge.”
“Yes, I met you outside. I’m Xenia Poindexter, and this is my sister, Mea Ann.”
Mea Ann smiled and his heart seemed to flip. “And this is Johnny.” She nodded toward the baby. “Ty told Xenia his father’s name was John and I thought it only right to name him after his daddy.”
Oh, hell. She’s soft in the head. Why does she have to be sick? She’s the first woman that has grabbed my interest since Juanita died. I guess I’ll just have to fight Ty for Xenia.
Mea Ann laughed. “I can see by your face that I totally confused you. Let me explain.”
“Please do.” He figured she always had an explanation. Most sick people did.
“Johnny is the son of the couple who owned the last way station we came to. It was attacked and the owners were killed before we arrived. We found Johnny hidden under the bed. I’m sure either his mother or his father put him there to save his life, and it was a good thing we came along.” She smiled down at the baby. “I decided to take it upon myself to see to his safety. I’ve always been good at looking after children, and this one is special.”
“I’m sorry that happened. Was the baby the only one alive?” He hoped she hadn’t noticed the sigh of relief he felt at learning she wasn’t touched in the head, after all.
“Yes, unfortunately he was.”
“Are you going to turn him over to someone else when you get to town?”
Her blue eyes darkened. “No. I’m going to look after him myself. I
will not
give him to a stranger because I can’t permit anyone to ever be mean to this baby. I’ve already learned that some people wouldn’t be good to him because his mother was an Indian.”
“You’re right about that. Most people will look at him as a half-breed, and very few white citizens like children with mixed blood.”
“That’s exactly why Lou Bullins is riding on top of this stage. Xenia told Ty she’d walk to town before she rode another mile with him.”
“I meant it, too. That man was awful.”
Wilt grinned. He’d never met women like these. He decided it was a pleasant experience. “I must say, I admire the both of you for your stance.”
“Thank you, but we’re nothing special.” Xenia smiled at him. “I think any decent person would have done the same, don’t you Mea Ann?”
“Absolutely.”
“It’s obvious from your dress and your manners you’re not from this area. If you don’t mind me asking, why are you ladies here in the wilds of Arizona Territory?”
“An uncle of ours is in trouble and we came out here from Richmond, Virginia, to see if we can help him,” Mea Ann said. “He’s been accused of something he didn’t do and we want to help him prove it.”
Xenia sat back. “Now, Mr. Eldridge, you’ve heard about us. If you don’t mind, please tell us about yourself and how you happened to show up here in the desert in time to help Ty catch those outlaws.”
“I’ll be glad to tell you. I was on the way back to Deer Meadow when I was ambushed by those two outlaws. One was injured, but not bad enough to keep him from helping his partner dry gulch me.”
Xenia frowned. “I’m not sure I know what dry gulch means.”
He grinned. “It means they jumped me because I wasn’t paying enough attention to what was going on.” She nodded and he went on. “After they got the best of me, I didn’t put up much of a fight because I knew Ty was on the stage and he’d be able to help get me out of the situation.” He chuckled. “As you can see, he did—and without anybody else getting hurt. Now the two culprits are tied to the back of the stage and are on their way to Deer Meadow and jail.”
Mea Ann looked at him. “It seems you and Ty are close friends as well as cousins, Mr. Eldridge.”
“We are, but I have a request.”
“And what is that?” Xenia asked.
“It sounds as if you’re close enough friends to Ty to call him by his first name. I’d be honored if you’d call me Wilt.”
“We’d be happy to do that, wouldn’t we Xenia?”
“Of course.”
Mea Ann turned back to Wilt. “Then you must call us by our given names, too.”
“I’d be delighted to, Mea Ann.”
The baby whimpered. “Oh, dear. I think he’s hungry.”
Wilt looked around. “Do you have anything to give him?”
“I think we have a couple of bottles of milk left. Would you check the sack at my feet, Xenia?”
Xenia pulled out a bottle. “You’re right. There’s one more. I hope it will last until we get into Deer Meadow so we can milk the cow again.”
“It should last,” Wilt said. “We should be there in about three hours or so. Of course, with the horses and the cow tied behind the coach, we might be a little later.”
“That should be fine. We’ll be able to get there before we run out.” Mea Ann stuck the bottle in the baby’s mouth.
Wilt couldn’t help being intrigued by the way the woman took care of the baby. A baby that looked as if it should be in the lap of an Indian woman, not a pretty blonde from Richmond, Virginia. Yet, she looked so natural with the child. It was if they belonged together, and always would.
Xenia interrupted his thoughts. “Tell us about Deer Meadow, Mr.—I mean, Wilt. What size is the town, and are the people friendly there?”
“It’s not near as big as Tucson or Santa Fe, but it’s big enough to supply the ranches that surround it. I guess there are two to three hundred people in the area.”
“That sounds nice. Is there a hotel where my sister and I could find a room?”
“The Deer Lodge is the only one in Deer Meadow. A business man was about ready to open another place, but something happened, and it never opened.”
“I’m glad to hear there’s at least one in town. Today has been trying, and we’re looking forward to a relaxing bath and a good night’s sleep.”
“Do you live in Deer Meadow, Wilt?” Mea Ann broke into the conversation.
“I live on a ranch about eight miles to the west of Deer Meadow. It’s on the road heading to Yuma.”
“Does Ty live there, too?” Xenia asked.
“Yes, Ty lives on the ranch, too. We own it jointly.”
Xenia looked surprised. “For some reason, I thought he was more of a renegade. The type to wander about and…well, whatever.”
Wilt laughed. “He’s been called a renegade, but that’s because he’s such a good rancher. Usually, men like us are not considered good at anything except taking advantage of people and taking what we want.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because of our heritage. But the two of us have combined the ranches our fathers left us and built it into a nice spread. We’re accepted in town because our fathers were well liked, and we give the merchants in Deer Meadow a lot of business, so not many people mention our mothers anymore.”
The stage slowed and came to a stop.
“You ladies stay down and I’ll see what’s going on.” He opened the door and after looking around, stepped out.
In a matter of minutes, he opened the door and peered back in. “It looks like the prisoner who is hurt can’t stay on his horse. Ty is going to ride ahead and take the two we captured and the bodies you already had with you on into town. I’ve enjoyed riding with you ladies, but since Ray is hurt, I’ll be helping him drive the stage the rest of the way.”
“Thank you for telling us.”
“My pleasure.” He tipped his hat and closed the door.
It was dark when the stage pulled into Deer Meadow and stopped in front of the Deer Lodge Hotel.
Xenia gathered the baby’s belongings. “Well, sister, it looks like we made it at last.”
“Thank the Good Lord. I’m more tired than I thought I’d be. I’m a little hungry, too.”
The door opened. “Ladies, we stopped directly in front of the hotel because neither Ray nor I wanted you walking the street this late.”
Mea Ann smiled at him. “That was thoughtful of you.”
“I’ll be happy to go inside and help you procure rooms if you like. Mr. Bullins already hurried inside. I can’t believe he didn’t offer to help you.”
Xenia shook her head. “We prefer not to have Lou Bullins help us with anything, and you’ve done enough, Wilt. We’ll be fine.”
“Then I’ll go with Ray to get this rig turned in and stable your cow at the livery. You’ll be able to get milk in the hotel for the baby, so we won’t have to do any milking. I’m sure the stable owner’s wife will be glad to get the milk for her family.”
“That’s thoughtful of you, Wilt.”
He grinned at her. “I’ll come by to see you ladies in the morning.”
“Thank you.”
He took their hands and helped them to the street. He then placed their valises on the porch. “I hope you have a good night.” He was looking at Mea Ann when he said it.
“I’m sure we will.” Mea Ann glanced at the baby. “I hope Johnny sleeps well, too.”
He nodded to them again then returned to the stagecoach and climbed up beside Ray. Xenia heard him say to Ray, “If you’re up to it, as soon as we get this rig turned in, I’ll treat you to a drink at the saloon.”
“Sounds good to me,” Ray answered.
She was sure her sister hadn’t heard the conversation when Mea Ann muttered, “Wilt’s so very nice.”
“I’ve noticed you thought so.”
“Well…”
Xenia laughed. “It’s fine, dear sister. It’s just obvious that you were attracted to him, and you know me. I’m going to say what I think.”
“I know you will. But is it really noticeable that he intrigued me?”
“Yes, it really is.” She took a deep breath. “But we can talk about that later. For now, let’s go into the hotel and see if we can obtain adjoining rooms or at least a room with two beds. We might even be able to order a bath.”
“That sounds lovely to me.”
Xenia handed Mea Ann the baby’s supplies and picked up the satchels. They stepped into the sparsely furnished lobby.
Lou Bullins moved away from the desk with a key in his hand and a smirk on his face, though he didn’t say anything.
A balding little man looked over his spectacles at them. “How can I help you ladies?”
Xenia moved closer to the desk. Noticing his name on the plate beside the register book, she said, “We’d like to rent two rooms, please, Mr. Stoneman.”
He eyed the baby. “Are your husbands coming in?”
“No. It’s just us.” Xenia had a sudden feeling she wasn’t going to be treated nicely by him. “We prefer adjoining rooms, or if you don’t have that, we’ll take one with two beds. We’d also like to order baths sent up, if that’s possible.”
The baby began to cry and his blanket fell away as Mea Ann lifted him to her shoulder. She began cooing to him and patting his back.
The clerk frowned. “That looks like an Indian baby.”
Xenia frowned back at him. “What difference does that make?”
“It makes a great deal of difference, lady. We don’t allow white women who’ve given birth to Indian babies in here. Women like that are more suited to staying at the Golden Door Saloon.”
Xenia’s eyes flamed anger. “How dare you suggest such a thing to my sister and me!”
“Well, Missy, I dare say such a thing because this is a decent family hotel. We’d be out of business if we rented rooms to people who don’t respect common decency. Now, pick up your bags and get out of here.”
“Are you actually throwing us out on the street this time of evening?”
“I said you could go to the saloon if you don’t have anywhere else to go. I’m sure they’ll take you in, especially if you get rid of that baby.”
“You’re a vile man.” Xenia grabbed the luggage. “Let’s get out of here, Mea Ann.”
“I tried to warn you about the treatment you’d get in Deer Meadow.” Bullins, who had paused on the stairs to hear what went on with the hotel clerk, gave Xenia a snide look. “I guess you believe me, now. The good folks in this town don’t want to have nothing to do with Indian babies, even if they are only something you rescued.”
Xenia ignored him, and as they went out the door the man behind the desk yelled, “If you’ve got the nerve, you can try Miss Emma Wright’s Boarding House on the edge of town, but don’t be surprised if you get the same treatment there as what you got here. She don’t like breeds any better than I do.”
Xenia didn’t answer, but she heard the clerk and Lou Bullins laughing.
On the street, Mea Ann turned to her. “What are we going to do, Xenia?”
“We have no choice. We have to try the boarding house. Say a prayer she isn’t as bigoted as that horrible man said she was.”
An hour later, the sisters were back on the street. Johnny had cried himself to sleep and Mea Ann held him close to her chest. Tears ran down her cheek. “I can’t believe that woman said if I’d leave the baby outside she’d let us have a room.”
“I can’t believe this town is so unfeeling. What’s wrong with these people?”
“I don’t know, Xenia, but we’ve got to do something. We can’t stay on the street tonight, and we should have milked the cow. Johnny is hungry.”
Xenia squared her shoulders and picked up the bags. “I heard Wilt tell Ray they were going to the saloon after they took care of the stage and the animals. We’ll go there and see if he’ll help us.”
Mea Ann hesitated. “Oh, my, Xenia. Should we go to a place like that?”
“What choice do we have, Mea Ann? It’s either that or sleep on the street.”
“You’re right.” She shifted Johnny to her other shoulder. “Let’s go find that place.”
****
“Mind if I join you?” Wilt asked.
Ty looked around the scantily dressed redhead sitting on his lap and nodded at Wilt.
“If Miss Sassy Sue doesn’t mind, I sure don’t.”
She smiled up at Wilt. “I don’t mind at all, sweetie. Have a seat. What can I get you to drink?”
“Whiskey for me,” Wilt said.
Sassy Sue looked down at Ty. “How about you, sweetheart? You ready for another shot?”
Ty shrugged. “Might as well.”
“Why don’t I just bring you guys a bottle? I’ll ask old grumpy Hiram if he’ll let me serve you the good stuff.”
“What’s the matter with Hiram?”
“Oh, you know how he gets sometimes. Him and Seymour had an argument this afternoon.”
Wilt frowned. “I’m surprised. What were they fighting about? His pay?”
“Actually, it was about Little Lil. Hiram has had a soft spot for her ever since she came to work here. He don’t like the way Seymour treats her, but there’s nothing he can do about it.”
“She doesn’t seem to have her heart in her work at times.” Ty winked at her. “Not the way you do.”
She kissed his cheek. “Thank you. But if it hadn’t been about Little Lil, it’d have been about something else. Everybody knows Seymour and Hiram don’t get along, and Hiram is always a grump after they have words. Which happens almost every day.”
Ty lifted an eyebrow. “I’m like Wilt. I thought they got along.”
“Not at all. I’m sure if Hiram could find another job he’d take it in a minute, but there’s not that not much of his kind of work available in Deer Meadow.”
“I don’t guess there’s much calls for barkeeps here in town.”
“Between him and Little Lil, Seymour has his hands full.”
“What’s the matter with Lil?” Wilt asked.
“She doesn’t have the right attitude. She whines when one of the men are a little rough, and she says if she ever gets a chance she’ll leave the business.”
“If she hates it that much maybe she should quit.”
“Seymour would kill her if she ever looked for another job.”
“You looking for another job, Sassy?” Wilt asked.
“Not at all. I like to entertain handsome men like you and Ty, here.” She gave him a big smile. “Now, how about that bottle of whiskey?”
“That’s fine, Honey,” Wilt said.
She kissed Ty on the jaw again. “I’ll get glasses for all of us.” She jumped up and headed for the bar.
Wilt turned to Ty. “Didn’t take you long to find company.”
Ty shrugged. “Thought I’d relax a little before heading out to the ranch.”
“What did the sheriff say when you brought the prisoners in?”
“Threw the culprits in jail and said he’d check to see if there were rewards while I waited because he figured there would be. I wanted to get a drink so I told him to take his time and let us know later. Undertaker said the county would take care of the dead men.” He looked at Wilt. “Did you get the passengers settled?”
“Let them out at the hotel. I’m sure they’re snuggled in soft beds and dreaming sweet dreams by now.”
“Where’s Ray?”
“I offered to buy him a drink, but he decided to pay the doc a visit. I think his side was hurting him more than he wanted to admit. The doc gave him something for pain and he said he was going to go to sleep.”
Sassy Sue returned with the bottle, placed it on the table and plopped herself back in Ty’s lap.
She was followed by Little Lil with the glasses. She put them down and looked at Wilt. “Sassy Sue thought you might like company and I volunteered so I could get away from those rough cowboys.”
“You should know by now that I’m always happy to have your company, Little Lil. We’ve been friends since you came to work here, haven’t we?”
“I was hoping you’d say something sweet like that. I wish all the customers were as gentlemanly as the Eldridge cousins.” She sat in his lap and put her arms around his neck.
He grinned at her. “I appreciate your kind words.”
Ty watched the exchange and couldn’t help wondering why his cousin was trying so hard. Could it be that he was missing the Poindexter sisters as much as he was? He’d tried to relax and have a good time ever since he’d arrived at the saloon. He could usually unwind and forget everything except having a good time when he came here, but for some reason, tonight was different. He knew it the minute he entered the door tonight. Something just wasn’t right.
He could tell from Wilt’s eyes that he felt the same way. But he knew they were both trying. In fact, he wondered if taking Sassy Sue upstairs would make him feel better. It usually did. He was on the verge of asking her to go when the men in the room began to whistle and call out things such as, ‘Hey, baby, come this way’ ‘I’m ready to show you a good time, sweetheart’ and ‘Prettiest gal I’ve ever seen in here.’
When he saw who the men were talking about Ty practically shoved Sassy Sue off his lap. “What the hell?” He muttered as he headed for the door.
Wilt whirled around, cursed, and sat Little Lil aside. He threw some money on the table and followed Ty toward the door.
Men were still whistling, mumbling and almost salivating by the time Ty reached Xenia and took hold of her arm. He rushed her back toward the door.
Outside on the boardwalk, he demanded, “What the hell are you doing in a place like this?”
“We need your help.”
The door swung open and men began to pour out. Wilt drew his gun and pointed it at them. “Get back inside. This doesn’t concern you.”
“But we want a chance at—”
“This woman isn’t here to entertain you. She needs help.”
“I’ll help her,” one man yelled.
“Get back inside, or you’re not going to be able to help anybody.”
A bearded man slapped his buddy on the back. “Might as well come on back in. You know them Eldridge boys ain’t gonna share with us.”
Once the men calmed down and went back inside, Ty turned to Xenia. “Now, explain yourself.”
Mea Ann came out of the shadows. She was crying. “We don’t have anywhere to go.”
Wilt moved beside her. “What do you mean?”
“She means we were thrown out of the hotel and then denied bedrooms at the boarding house.”
“You were what?” Ty grew furious.
“You heard me. Nobody would rent us a room because of Johnny. They even said if we’d get rid of him they’d let us stay. Can you imagine that?”
“I’m going to the hotel and—”
Xenia put her hand on Ty’s arm. “No. Don’t do that. Just tell us where to go to get a room. We’re exhausted and need to find beds and some food for the baby.”
Ty looked at Wilt. “Let’s head to the livery and rent a buggy.”
“Where are we going?” Mea Ann asked. “Johnny is going to need something to eat and frankly, I’m hungry, too.”
Ty picked up the luggage and Wilt said, “Let me carry Johnny for you.”