Choices In Time

by Jeanette © 2001

Chapter VIII

"I think this is the place Jimmy." sighed Kid.  The sun was out in full force, shining brightly as the two riders looked down at the well kept farmhouse stashed in the middle of nowhere.  Seated high on their horses they surveyed the home from a distance.

"I reckon.  It's the only house around here, less that old fella we ran into back there told us wrong." Jimmy added.

The two young riders had been on the search all morning.  The homesteads around the area were becoming more scarce in between.  The old man told them it was just down the road.  Sure, down the road.  This one was ten miles away from the old man's homestead they had ridden into.  They were tired, the horses needed water which by the looks of the trail they had to travel, was nowhere in sight.  Didn't seem like too many people cared to pass by here, too much of  a bother and nothing really becoming of the area for any visitors to stick around long enough.  Then, as if by magic, there it appeared.  Neat, welcoming, sitting on a vast area of plush, green land, surrounded by an awesome beauty any man could marvel at.

"Well let's get going.  We ain't gonna get no answers just sitting here." grumbled Kid.

Although exhausted in themselves, Jimmy and Kid were thrilled to have found the oasis, they only hoped that they hadn't come all this way to turn back disappointed.

The two friends approached the house and soon dismounted their horses who took it upon themselves to walk over to the water trough to quench their thirst.  Suddenly, they heard the click of a cocked hammer.  The boys looked at each other with frozen stares.

"You twos holds it right there!" shouted a man's voice.  "Put them hands up, way up where's I can sees them." he charged commandingly. 

The riders obeyed turning slowly around to meet the eyes of the man; a Negro man.  He was dressed in a grayish shirt and dark pants, a brown hat sat on his head, his dark eyes narrow, staring down the strangers.

Kid decided to speak.  The last thing they needed to do was get shot.  "We don't want no trouble Mister."

The man frowned.  "What y'all want then?!"

"We're just looking for someone." added Kid.

"Ain't no runaways here!  I'm free!" the man spat at once.

Jimmy assured him they weren't looking for runaways, trying to ease his concern.  Like Kid, the last thing they wanted was more trouble or attention.  All they wanted was information and hoped that this man wasn't a trigger happy fool to begin with. 

The man stepped closer, his shotgun held at shoulder level, ready to fire.  His eyes darkened even more and he asked menacingly, "Then who you looking for?"

"We were told a woman by the name Mustang Sally lives out in these parts." informed Jimmy.  The man was about to ask what they wanted with her when a woman's voice broke out in laughter behind them.

Kid and Jimmy swiftly turned in her direction.  She held a rifle under one arm, her petite figure donning a white shirt tucked into a pair of brown riding pants.  Her hair, light brown in color, was pulled back at the sides which matched her shimmering light brown orbs under the afternoon sunlight.  The years had been kind to Sally, and even now at forty-two could still turn a number of heads at her age when most women were thought to be past their youthful glow.  She now lived a quiet, peaceful life, the way she desired it to be.

Then she spoke asking, "Who wants to know?"

"Jimmy Hickok Ma'am...and this here's the Kid.  We're looking for a woman, goes by the name Mustang Sally.  We were told she lived out by your place."

The slender woman ventured down the steps to stand before the young men.  "And why're you looking for Mustang Sally?" she inquired.

"I don't mean no disrespect Ma'am but it's a private matter." Jimmy gave his frank reply.

The woman puckered her rosy lips to one side as she measured the two young men, her eyes traveling over their faces.  "Clarance, take care of their mounts." she told the stablehand who'd been holding them at bay. 

"Yes Ma'am."

"Follow me." she invited them with a nod. 

Jimmy and Kid figured they must've hit the right place and with no further delay followed behind the woman.  They stepped into a nicely decorated home where she made them sit at a table draped in a fine lace cloth as she prepared some tea.  She asked them several questions.  Where were they from?  What did they do for a living and how long?  Where were they headed?  The boys found her probing a little uncomfortable but figured they'd give her the answers she sought, though still measuring whatever information they decided to share with her carefully, so as not to put themselves in any mortal danger.  They prayed it was enough to get them to Sally...that was the goal.

Sally for her part probed not simply out of curiosity but there was no fault in being too careful either.  Old enemies had a strange way of showing up.  But, she discerned these boys had plans other than revenge.  She wondered if these two were in search of Jonas' golden treasure but she wasn't certain.

As she poured the tea and took her seat, she asked, "So what do you boys want with old Sally?"

Jimmy and Kid looked at each other before Hickok spoke.  "We have a matter we need to inquire of her.  Does she live here?"

Their tenacity of wanting only to speak with Sally was definitely a telling clue that they were being extremely cautious and she decided she'd see how smart these two really were. 

"Oh yes, for the past five years." she replied.

Kid was getting anxious.  Short of showing her any disrespect he wanted to know when she'd be back.  They were tired and just wanted to get done with this business so they could get started on the long trip back to Celinda's.

"Oh she'll be here any minute...but if you're in a hurry, you can always leave the message with me.  There's nothing we don't share.  You could say we're inseperable." she smiled.

Jimmy's eyes reflected a smile of his own which then appeared on his lips.  "Nice to meet you Sally."

Kid was surprised.  "Sally?"

"In the flesh." a grin as wide as Kansas itself she gave them.  "You have a very good sense of perception Mr. Hickok.  I've always admired that in a man."

"Even in Jonas McBride?" Jimmy interjected.

Sally paused.  Her eyes seemed to glisten as if memories long gone were now surfing in her head.  "Good ol' Jonas." she snickered lightly. 

"Then I guess this is for you."  Jimmy produced the letter and handed it to her.  She already knew what it was about.  She took it to make sure that it was rightly the message Jonas had written to her about, reading it silently.

Pushing whatever it was she thought about in those few seconds aside, Sally rose from her seat, and walked over to the mantle of the fireplace. 

The boys watched as she reached inside the fireplace, feeling behind the dark place until she tugged at something.  With the item securedly in hand, she returned to her guests.  Sitting down with the smokey, soot stained envelope, she felt its contents through the paper. 

"Then I guess this is for you." she spoke softly as she handed the envelope to Jimmy.

Jimmy didn't reach for it.  He was puzzled.  All they did was produce a letter, anybody could've done the same. 

As if Sally read his mind she revealed, "Jonas wrote to me before his death.  Jonas liked tying up any loose ends.  He knew he wouldn't make it to Fort Laramie alive.  So the night before they came for him, he wrote me.  He told me a young man fitting your description would come looking for it.  Never in my wildest dreams would I thought it to be Wild Bill Hickok." she teased.

"Wild Bill Hickok...that's not me.  I'm just James Butler Hickok Ma'am." Jimmy said, attempting to separate himself from that awful reputation.

"Not to worry Mr. Hickok.  I've been down that road too.  Too many lies and not enough truth heh?"

Jimmy nodded embarrassed.  "Well, I'm hoping to outlive my legacy." he joked.

"We all do Mr. Hickok.  We all do."  Her eyes turned back to the envelope still in her hand and she once again nodded for Jimmy to take it.

"What is it?" asked Kid.

"Open it." she encouraged, as she held the envelope out to Jimmy.  He did.  He could feel the object inside, its shape like a rounded coin.  He finally opened the envelope, producing its hidden content.  The two riders stared at the piece, puzzled. 

Jimmy shrugged slightly.  "What is it?" he asked as he inspected the coin in his hand, and the strange markings it possessed.

"It's part of the map to the gold."

"You know about the gold?"

She nodded.  "I've known about it for years.  I'm the one who suggested Jonas get these fine pieces made." she stated, taking the piece in her hand as she admired it at eye level.

"You?"

"Does that surprise you?"

"Honestly...yeah.  A fine woman like yourself keeping company with someone like McBride." Jimmy noted.

"To tell you the truth, we weren't expecting Mustang Sally to be as beautiful." added Kid.

An embarrassed smile crossed her face.  "Boy, your mama taught you well."

"Well, she always told me to tell the truth." Kid smiled.

"Charming.  Absolutely charming." she paused.  "Jonas was charming too.  See I knew a side of Jonas than no one else did."

"How long had you known him?" asked Kid.

"Oh I was a girl of only 16.  Jonas was 20 when we met.  He was young, exciting, a scoundrel.  Everything I never knew a man could be.  He seldom played by the rules and I guess that stirred in me something wild.  I grew to be very fond of him.  My father of course didn't approve.  He already had a reputation that preceeded him and my father was determined to keep us apart.  I was sent away in hopes I would forget this girlish infatuation but I couldn't.  He'd lit a fire in me so strong I couldn't think, I couldn't live.  I was wild inside.  That burning in me never ceased.  So, when I turned 18, I ran off with Jonas.  We'd been writing to each other in secret.  We knew we were in love, meant to be together and nothing or no one was going to stop us." she paused again reminiscing.

"Jonas molded me, taught me everything about the business.  I knew what we were.  But I felt no shame because it was what I lived for.  And as long as we were together, nothing else mattered." she confessed. 

The boys sat there listening to her unbelievable story.  It seemed like something you'd read out of one of those dime-store novels.  So unreal.

"Anyway, I took a liking to Mustangs; such beautiful animals like yours."

"That's how you got your name." noted Kid.

She smiled slightly.  "Mmmhmm...Mustang Sally...boy, I haven't heard that name in a long time.  Yeah, had us some wild times Jonas and I did." she laughed lightly and then Sally's countenance seemed to fall as her mind took her back in time.  "We shared everything...but there was one thing I knew I could never give him, what he wanted...an heir."

Sally hadn't spoken about it in years.  Somehow it was a pain she needed to release.  Maybe these boys weren't the best of candidates to hear of it but in a sense she felt that they had become the heirs of her unborn son's future.  She told them about the awful accident she'd had.  She'd damaged her pelvis when she was thrown off of a wild horse.  Jonas blamed himself for the life he was making her live though she wouldn't have wanted it any other way.  She recalled so clearly the pain in his eyes when the doctor told them she could never carry a child.  The one gift she yearned to give him she now couldn't.

"Things slowly deteriorated between us and I decided to leave...start a life on my own." she quickly wiped a tear off the corner of her eye.  "I'm sorry." she apologized.

Jimmy consoled her telling her it was okay, taking a hold of her hand.  He didn't really know what else to say.  Obviously the pain was still piercing though it happened years ago.  All he could do was hold her hand and comfort her.  He dared not mention that Jonas had a son...somewhere.  It would probably break the poor woman's heart. 

Sally welcomed his comfort but she pushed her sorrow aside.  "Thank you." she told them.  "But now there's no need for anymore sulking...God knows I've done my share of that over the years.  You go, find that money.  Use it well.  Make a wonderful life for yourselves." she said with a glint in her eyes.

"But if you knew about the gold...why didn't you go after it?  It ain't right if we did." Jimmy said.

"No, no, no.  Please don't feel that way.  I really have no need for it.  Jonas has been extremely generous to me over the years.  He purchased this land for me, built me a fine house.  A house I was hoping he'd come and share with me one day.  But for whatever reasons, he wants you to have it and knowing Jonas, he didn't trust many folks.  So there's something special about you Mr. Hickok.  Just let me give you a little advice.  Don't trust anyone.  Jonas had far too many enemies to count.  It only takes one to kill you.  And I know for a fact as I'm sittin' here that they all want to get their hands on that gold.  They'll do anything to get it."  The boys took her words as gold in themselves.  Caution was a must.

"You mentioned there were other pieces." added Kid.

"Yes, two others.  Jonas thought it best to spread them around.  It was safer that way."

Sally rose again, going back into the kitchen and emerged a minute later.  "I guess you'll need this to help you on your way." she handed Jimmy a note.

Jimmy read it outloud. 

"You've made it this far,

Keep going down south,

To find the fine maker

Of my three golden pals."

The boys at once turned to Sally for help.  She shook her head.  "I'm sorry.  I really can't give you a definite answer just a wild guess."  At this point, anything would do, they assured her.

Sally sat again, folding her hands on the table.  "Jonas had connections with all sorts of people.  There was a close friend of his down in New Orleans...an old man by the name of Witherby.  Last I heard he was very ill, could be dead by now.  He'd known Jonas since his boyhood.  He was a jeweler there.  That's where I'd start."

"It makes sense.  Jonas said he was on his way to New Orleans to get the gold...that it was there." noted Jimmy.

"New Orleans it is then." agreed Kid.

The two riders thanked Sally for all her help.  She made them stay for supper and they heartily agreed to do so.  As they mounted their horses to be on their way, she told them, "You boys take care of yourselves...Remember, be careful!"

"Will do Sally." Jimmy assured.  They tipped their hats and soon were galloping away from her homestead.

Sally sighed as she watched them ride off.  Her only hope was that these two would be strong enough and smart enough to get out of this without getting killed first.

"Hi Lou." greeted Victoria.

Lou sat on the porch swing next to Victoria as she watched little Nathan at play.  Louise smiled at him, getting a kick out of the cheer joy the simple wooden toys brought to his face.  She leaned back on the swing, glancing at her friend from the corner of her eye.  Victoria donned a smile, finding the little tyke's antics amusing. 

"Hey...maybe one day huh?" nudged Lou.

Victoria gave off a look of puzzlement.  "What's that?"

Lou rolled her eyes saying, "A baby...a family of your own."

Victoria's gaze fell to her lap, avoiding Lou's eyes.  Sensing something was wrong with her, Lou decided to inquire of the matter.  Her friend had kept to herself for most of the day and when she thought no one was looking, seemed so doleful.

"What's wrong?  Did something happen between you and Jimmy?"

"Not exactly..." she sighed.  "I don't know to be truthful."

"Well honestly," Lou added, "I don't remember seeing you too so distant.  Sure there isn't anything I can do to help?"

Victoria gave no answer right off.  It was killing her inside.  She had to know.  Rosemary had been on her mind ever since this morning.  Why hadn't Jimmy mentioned anything about their relationship?  He had never called her name.  After all their many intimate conversations, Victoria knew for sure there wasn't anything about her beau that she didn't know.  She was sadly mistaken and it bothered her that Jimmy had hid it.

"There is something you can do for me."

"Name it."

She looked straight into Lou's brown eyes as they waited her request.  "Tell me about Rosemary Burke."

Lou's brow contracted.  "Rosemary?" her voice spoke softly.

"I want to know what happened between her and Jimmy."

Lou fidgeted at the inquiry.  She knew more about Jimmy's relationship with Rosemary than anyone else.  She had been the one by Jimmy's side to comfort him as he picked up the pieces of his shattered heart.  He had confided everything to her.  His feelings, his intentions.  He was going to ask Rosemary to be his wife.  He'd already bought the ring and all!  Then Rosemary dropped the bombshell on him.  She was leaving to carry on Isaiah's work and it was better that they went their separate ways. 

Lou recalled that night so clearly in her mind.  Jimmy came home drunk as a skunk.  She'd never seen him in such a state!  He was rambling and actually crying...Jimmy was crying!  She couldn't remember ever seeing him cry; not even when Ike died, no tears.  He kept his hurt deep inside but this had been too much to bare.  He let it all out on that night and Lou had been there for him, every step of the way.  They got too close.  They began to feel more than friendship. Penned up feelings started to be expressed which led to their secret relationship, something only the two of them knew of and would keep it as such.  It was their promise to each other.  Lou pushed the thoughts aside.  She felt like a heel already.  It was bad enough she knew about Rosemary but to know that she herself had slept with Jimmy also made her feel even worse.

"Maybe, maybe I shouldn't be the one you speak to about this Victoria."

Victoria became visibly irritated.  "Why is everyone avoiding the subject?!  Celinda can't speak to me any further on it, Jimmy sure hasn't and now you!  Why is everyone trying to protect me?!" she cried.

"Victoria calm down."

"I AM CALM!" 

Little Nathan began to whimper at the outburst, startled by the raised voice.  A sigh came out of Victoria, regretting her temperament.  She rose, and scooped the young boy in her arms, comforting him as she returned to her seat. 

"I just need some answers Lou."

"I'm sorry.  But I'm not the person to give them to you."  Lou sighed, seeing the disappointment in Victoria, the hurt in her eyes.  "All I can tell you is that Jimmy loves you with all his heart.  Don't doubt that."

Victoria just gave a small smile.  All this time she'd thought she had conquered him and all his love.  To be mistaken?  It would be devastating for a certainty.  She had to know but could she ask?

The late afternoon sun descended on the Rock Creek waystation.  The homestead was rather still, awaiting the arrivals of riders from either runs or errands into town.  Teaspoon and Rachel sat on the porch swing, a cup of tea in their hands, discussing her proposal to Buck. 

"Do you think I did the wrong thing Teaspoon?"

"Well...I wouldn't say wrong Rachel.  Your heart's in the right place.  My question would be is it the right time?"

"When will there be a right time Teaspoon?  Things are getting worst not better."

"And what do you hope to get accomplished from this experiment?  You know how the folks in this town are.  The worst thing than a one track mind is two-hundred minds that are on that one track." he shook his head.

"Not all are that way Teaspoon.  There are some decent people in this town.  It's the one's with their ugly prejudices that anger me!  We can't just turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to it any longer.  Something has to be done.  I don't want those children to think that this is a world full of hatred.  They need something better."

"I know how you're feeling Rachel.  I been down that same road as you.  Problem is, it's a tougher road than you can ever imagine.  Changing age old prejudices ain't no easy thing.  Once folks are stuck on a certain way, it's hard to make 'em see any different.  You'd have better luck training an old dog to do new tricks than to change a man from what he feels is right in his own head, no matter how stupid it really is."

"I understand but I can't stop thinking about those children.  You should hear the things young Joshua Lynstrom says.  No child should have such a view of another human." she sighed.  "I'm going to do something about this Teaspoon.  If Buck won't help, I'll do it on my own."

"What're you gonna do Rachel?  March into a Sioux camp and tell 'em you want to be neighborly?"  Rachel shrugged.  "The Sioux as well as the other tribes are past being neighborly.  All they're now trying to do is survive.  I seen how their way of life has changed.  They're trying to hold on to their way of livin'.  As whites keep spreading over their lands, they know it won't be long 'til all their ways are gone forever."

"It doesn't have to come to that Teaspoon!  That's what I mean.  We don't have to destroy each other to live on the same land."

Teaspoon admired Rachel's idealism but she didn't realize the scope of what she was getting into.  "Listen Rachel, I know this is important to you but you have to realize that there's now a big gap 'tween whites and Indians and the gap ain't getting any smaller.  White men make treaties, they break them.  The Indians have no need or reason to trust the word of a white man or woman in your case."

"So what do we do?  Just sit back and watch each side kill the other off?  We're already doing that amongst ourselves with this war coming!  What hope do these children have when there's fighting, and killing and hate coming at them from every direction?  I won't let those children think that this world is so unfeeling and hardened that they can't make a difference.  I can't."

Teaspoon gave a hefty sigh.  Obviously Rachel was set to carry on this plan of hers.

"So what're you gonna do?"

Rachel turned to her dear friend and asked, "I wanted to know if you'd come to class and speak to the children."

"Me?"

"You said you lived with Indians.  Surely you can teach them something.  Anything is better than nothing."

"Well anything I can do to help Rachel.  I reckon I do remember a few things."

Rachel smiled widely.  "Thank you Teaspoon.  I knew I could count on you."

Their conversation was soon interrupted as the shout of "Rider Coming!" was heard.  The two friends watched in silence as the rider neared, the orange sun setting behind him.  It was such a beautiful sight.  Rachel sighed within her breast, the cup of tea touching her lips.  If life could only be so simple what a wonderful place the world would be.

Finally home!  Jimmy and Kid made it back to Celinda's late the following afternoon.  They had been expected earlier that day and the ladies fretted that nothing had happened to them.  Once they arrived safely, the ladies felt relieved and greeted them anxiously.  Victoria told Jimmy she was glad he was back in one piece and hugged him.  Jimmy closed his eyes when she did.  To feel her in his arms like this again, God it was heaven!  He touched her smooth, silken hair, threading his fingers through her locks as he brought her head to his, engaging her in a much desired kiss.  It felt as if a massive weight had been lifted off both their shoulders.  The room stood still as their friends watched.  Sensing the silence, they separated, both smiling embarrased.  Victoria snuggled tight against his chest, as Jimmy held her as close as he'd ever wanted her to be.

Though they were happier than ever to be together, they both knew that certain issues needed to be resolved.  Jimmy knew Victoria had a right to know and being as stubborn as she tended to be, he also knew she wouldn't let the matter rest.

They all sat down as supper was being prepared, relating everything that they'd found out on their trip.  Kid produced the gold coin which was inspected closely by each lady while Jimmy made their destination known.  They would board the next stage to Topeka.  From there they would take the train to New Orleans.  It all sounded so exciting!

"When do you leave?" asked Celinda.

"Day after tomorrow." informed Jimmy.

"And this jeweler...Witherby...does he have the second coin?" Victoria asked.

"As far as we know, the clue leads to him." added Jimmy.

"So we find him, get the next piece to the map and the final clue to the gold." Kid smiled.

"Well hopefully it's as simple as it sounds." noted Celinda.

"So do we.  First we have to find him...hopefully he's still alive."

"Is there a chance he might not be?" asked Lou.

"From what Sally said, he's pretty old.  For our sakes, we better hope he's still among the living, or we might as well cut this trip short right now." Jimmy voiced.

Another obstacle to overcome.  One in many more they reckoned.  Yet, the gold was a powerful motivator.  It beckoned them.  It called to them.  They would listen.

Jimmy stepped out into the beautiful starry night.  The moon shone brightly up above.  He loved nights like this.  Everything was peaceful and quiet...serene.  He walked down the steps towards the small corral where Victoria was standing enjoying her usual pastime.  Watching the horses.  She heard footsteps approaching, breaking into her swirling thoughts.

"Hey, what're you doing out here so late?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her slender waist, hugging her from behind.

Victoria smiled, feeling the thrill of his warm embrace.  He kissed the side of her head as she said, "Oh just thinking that's all."

"What about?"

"Do you really want to know?" she snickered.  She didn't want to be a baby about this but it just bothered her.  She couldn't help not to think about it.

Jimmy turned her over to see her eyes.  They looked troubled and he hated himself for making her feel like this...hurt.  "Rosemary." he said matter-of-factly.  Victoria nodded.

"I'm sorry Jimmy.  I know I shouldn't have been so mean to you.  It's just..."

"No Vic, I'm the one that should be apologizing.  I should've told you but I was scared."

"Why?" she asked, her eyes pooling with tears.

Jimmy looked up to the heavens and then back to her.  " 'Cause I don't want to lose you.  I love you so damn much I can't understand it myself.  Rosemary was a big part of my life.  But I love you now, don't you forget that." he said, looking her straight in the eyes.  He wiped away a tear that fell with his thumb.  "I'm sorry Vic.  I should've told you."

"What happened?" she asked.  She had to.  Whatever happened between them she had to know.

Jimmy understood why she asked.  She had a right to know.  In a way he still had a special place in his heart for Rosemary and that's what really scared Jimmy.  She had touched a part of him that no one in his past had and he'd fallen madly in love with her.  The possibility of those feelings resurfacing one day...it was too much to think about.  He loved Victoria with all his heart, mind and soul but that one little spot he feared would be the ruination of them both and he didn't want that.

He related everything to her.  Every detail necessary.  With each question came an answer.  Victoria was getting a clearer picture as to why he'd kept such a pain deep inside.  He wanted to forget but she knew he'd never be able to and she had to accept it.  Just like Jimmy had to come to accept the spot she had in her heart for Cody, it had to be the same with Rosemary.  Yet it was hard for Victoria.  She'd never been Cody's lover but Rosemary had been Jimmy's.

He saw the worry in her eyes when he confirmed it.  He pulled her tight into his chest, hugging her with all his love.  "That's all in the past Vic.  I'm in love with you and I want to share everything with you."

"But we're not..."

"That's not the important thing...not to me." he interrupted.  "I know that day will come but on it's own okay?  There's no rushing things." he said, his eyes melting into hers.  "I look forward to the day when I can make love to you constantly." he smiled and made her smile.  "But my love is true Victoria.  I know what I want and I want you in my life.  As my best friend, as my wife and as my lover.  I'll love you forever and no one will come between us.  No one."

Next

Back to The Reading Room Continiuos Stories