Beneath Red Tail Wings Vexed Beyond Words
Beneath Red Tail Wings
Table of Content
Vexed Beyond Words!
by Patricia I. Williams
Vexed Beyond Words!
William was confounded. Where was he? He felt too weak to call out for Frances Ann. For a moment he believed Sarah was singing softly to him. Why were they here? He left them both safe, at the ranch. Where was this place? He returned to darkness. The pounding ache couldn’t follow him there.
Sarah choked back tears. She wouldn’t give up hope. For a moment it appeared her father would awaken. His eyes opened, but he never focused on anything. He grunted in pain and blacked out again. It was a good sign wasn’t it? She wished Gil would hurry. Once more she began to pace back and forth, agitation growing. Tears began to flow unrestrained.
Oh, the one thing she had not done since the night she left home was to pray. Standing there in the shadowed doorway she bowed her head, thanked God for sparing her father’s life and for His help to get them safely home. A deep breath held and released signaled renewed determination. Sarah checked her sidearm and walked outside looking around for Kevin.
Her momentary lighter heart was replaced with irritation when she realized his horse was gone.
“I don’t believe you’re still trailing Matt around. Kevin Harlan you have to be the most hard headed man I’ve ever met!”
Where was he when she was supposedly in danger? Was he protecting her father? Standing guard anywhere? No he was riding around in territory he didn’t know and would probably get lost, again! He might never find his way back at all. Really, this was all so ridiculous.
Kevin fumed while his pony picked its way through the thick brush. He had been watching that saddle bum real close. Contrary to what these cowboys believed, he wasn’t a fool. The man had eyes for Sarah, oh yes he did. It wasn’t going to happen, he’d make sure of that. Women were always taken in by penny dreadful, strong silent types, the unattainable ones. Where he came from all the silly girls thought cowboys were such heroes. They didn’t see the reality; unwashed bodies, dung covered boots and chewing tobacco. Kevin wasn’t going to remain here. He already invested too much time on this enterprise, but Sarah had been an unexpected bonus. She was stubborn as a mule alright enough. But when he did get a kiss, the feel of those womanly curves charged through him like lightening.
It would have been easy if the broken down bastard had stolen the money. Why hadn’t he? Maybe he wasn’t as down on his luck as it appeared. That Winchester was in mint condition, even he could see that. The man hadn’t been wearing a sidearm when they got there, but after they settled in with him, it was soon hanging off his hip. It looked new too, not the battered relics most of the cowhands wore. He even slept with it on. Then Travers comes in claiming he’s sick and Sarah went all soft hearted on him again. Didn’t she know a man like that wouldn’t want her pity? That girl was supposed to look all doe eyed at him, not some ragged wretched bastard! Oh, if only he knew what the man’s game was. Why didn’t the fool cut and run with that money? Why? He couldn’t afford to have Sarah’s head turned. There must be some way to make the man show his true intentions.
Damn it, all the stupid trees looked the same. Had he wandered off the trail? Travers should be just ahead of him. Sarah would be really angry if he got lost again. Kevin turned his mount around, unsure of his destination. Upset was the least of it now. His horse whinnied, causing him to jerk on the reins in surprise. A distant response gave him the general direction, but his mount moved off on its own. It was with no little relief the young man returned to the cabin, managing to elude the hard eyed young lady tapping her foot in the doorway.
He stalled his return indoors, reluctantly wiping down his pony. This is why cities had livery stables. Sarah would readjust to a life of refinement once they were away from here. The charming lady he met in Boston would once again come to the fore. No more camping trips, no snakes and slain carcasses hanging from trees. A carriage ride around the commons would certainly be more romantic than that filthy excursion, complete with unwashed cowhands and blood.
Out here, the hired help were too familiar with Sarah. The men praised her roping technique of all things, then scolded her when some chore was forgotten. What on earth was her father thinking allowing Sarah to herd cattle and rope steers? She even cleaned the stables and other disgusting activities. It also didn’t help the fools thought his ‘tenderfoot’ status a source of hilarity. The jokes were stupid and insulting. Little did they realize he would have the last laugh. They would be looking for work and Boston would once again be his playground.