Jamie

Copyright © 2013 by Victoria Durbin-Neff.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

iUniverse

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4759-6320-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-6321-2 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number:  2012921853

iUniverse rev. date: 03/06/2013

CONTENTS

Chapter One         The Stranger

Chapter Two         The Secret

Chapter Three       The Answer

Chapter Four         Waterman’s Junction

Chapter Five         Disappointments

Chapter Six           Woman’s Things

Chapter Seven       The Storm

Chapter Eight        The Cook

Chapter Nine         Good-Bye, Blue

Chapter Ten           The Undertaker

Chapter Eleven      The Preacher

Chapter Twelve      Night Visitors

Chapter Thirteen    The Healing

Chapter Fourteen   Nightmares

Chapter Fifteen      Another Indian Remedy

CHAPTER ONE

The Stranger

I hated him.

I hated him the first time I laid eyes on him. I could feel it in the bottom of my stomach, hot and hollow, like I think it might feel if somebody opened up on you with a box four-ten. I’d never felt this kind of hate before, especially for somebody I didn’t even know. He had just come riding in on that big Sorrel, all covered with trail dust and those slate gray eyes peering out from under that beat-up old Stetson like he had every right in the world to be here. Then when he saw us sitting there on the porch he smiled, showing us a perfectly matched string of pearls between his full upper and lower lips and I found myself hating him even more. It wasn’t something I could explain to anybody ‘cause I didn’t rightly understand it myself. The man certainly hadn’t done anything to offend because he had just appeared in our yard, but I hated him all the same.

The big gelding stamped his feet while the smile slowly faded and the man eyed me and Pa. I watched the horseflesh quiver on the wet flank of the Sorrel as he rid himself of a fly and began swishing his tail in case another one tried to land. Little streams of frothy sweat, mixed with dirt, rolled out from under the saddle blanket and between his hind legs was lathered soapy white. I could tell that horse had been ridden hard.

The stranger took off his hat and slapped it against the tight, faded jeans on his upper thigh. The tan of his face stopped high on his forehead where the hat shaded him and his hair, even wet with sweat, was the color of ripe wheat. He looked from Pa to me and then back again. Hello there, he said, all friendly like.

Pa didn’t answer, ‘just nodded his head in acknowledgment and drew another puff from his pipe.

The man’s voice had a southern drawl to it and was real deep, almost gravely, as he asked, Mind if I get a drink of water from your well yonder?

Go right on ahead, Pa answered, squinting his eyes even though it was going to be awhile before the sun went down.

Swinging a long leg over the saddle, the stranger stepped down but when his boot touched the sand it seemed like his ankles gave way or something and he went almost to his knees.

I’ve had that happen myself when I’ve been riding a long time and not taking a break. ‘Seems like it makes your legs all weak and rubbery.

Pa stopped smoking and leaned forward in his rocker but the stranger regained his balance and walked kind of stiff legged over to the well. Pa leaned back in the chair again but his eyes was still squinty.

Putting a lot of his weight on the wall of the well he dipped the gourd into the bucket lifting it to his mouth. The Sorrel whinnied and moved a little closer to the man as though his rider may have forgotten him. His nostrils flared when he caught a good whiff of the water.

I couldn’t help but smile but then I thought, for a brief moment, he was going to let his horse drink right out of the same dipper. He seemed to catch himself though and poured some water into his hat for the horse. When the horse had finished drinking, and it took two hats full before he was satisfied, the stranger shook the remaining water from his hat and replaced it back on his head. The big Tamarack tree was throwing dappled shade over man and horse and I had to squint a little myself in order to keep an eye on him. I began to add things up in my head because Pa always said that if you keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open things would explain them selves in good time. Now I’d already said what all that sweat had told me and all that trail dust, plus the direction he was coming from told me he had been riding straight through the desert.

The way he had almost let the horse drink from the same gourd dipper told me that him and that animal had spent a lot of time with just each other. The sun was just beginning to go down now and since the nearest town straight across the desert was Yermo, I knew that he had been through some pretty rough country. The thing I didn’t have no answer to was… why?

Leading his horse, he moved over to where we was sitting there on the porch. Mind if I stay here to tend my horse and rest a while?

Better take him on ‘round to the barn and wipe him down, Pa said. Else he won’t be worth a tinker’s damn in the morning.

I could tell Pa had been doing a little adding himself.

I’d sure be obliged, the man said softly, and there was relief in his deep voice.

Pa swung his head towards me. Show him where everything is, Jamie.

I couldn’t help myself from frowning and I almost said something sassy. Pa seemed to understand because he looked at me for a long moment then nodded his head like everything would be alright.

Sure, Pa, I mumbled, but I didn’t have a good feeling about going anywhere with this stranger. I looked up and the man was smiling at me, showing off those pearly teeth again.

I didn’t smile back.

I got up nice and slow, taking my own sweet time about it, and walked down the steps. I was keeping my back stiff as I went around the porch and out toward the barn. I was thinking Pa had gone and lost his mind! We didn’t know this man from Adam’s house cat. Why he could be a bank robber or a bandit of some kind and here Pa had sent me to go with him all alone to the barn. I kept on walking anyway and I could hear him coming along behind me with his spurs jangling.

Lifting the wooden board that held the double doors shut, I flung one of them open wide, motioning for him to go on in ahead of me. I figured I’d feel better with him ahead of me where I could watch him. He smiled at me again but I wasn’t fooled by his mouth ‘cause I had already seen those pale gray eyes and I just couldn’t help feeling that he had done some terrible wrong somewhere or was about to.

He moved on ahead of me into the mustiness of the barn. Then he stopped, turning around and facing me with the strange eyes again. The name’s Travis, he said. Travis Callahan.

I didn’t acknowledge the introduction and I didn’t bother to tell him my name in return. Curry combs, brushes and towels are hanging on the wall there with the hoof picks. I pointed at the wall.

He didn’t even look in that direction, ‘just stood there staring at me like he was trying to count the pores in my nose. I really wanted to ask him just what in the hell he was looking for but Pa wouldn’t like it if I did. So I just told him, If there’s anything else you need, see Pa! I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving him to stare at the seat of my pants.

When I got back to the porch, Pa was rocking slowly back and forth and his eyes were closed. Are you sleeping?

Nope, but he didn’t open his eyes.

I flopped down in the other rocker, lifted my boots and clopped them down hard on the porch boards.

Pa just kept on rocking, not opening his eyes.

He’s probably stealing everything in sight, I mumbled just loud enough for him to hear.

He kept up the slow, steady rocking.

He’ll probably take that little Blue Roan you’re so danged proud of and leave that stove-up old Sorrel. ‘Be gone when we look again.

Jamie, he said softly.

Shoot! He probably robbed a bank in Yermo or Daggett. My voice grew louder. Now he’s looking for a place to rest up and…

Jamie! He stopped rocking and his eyes flew open, looking dead into mine.

I closed my mouth quickly before another word could come out. I knew that wasn’t a look I wanted to mess with.

He sat unmoving and just looking at me for a long moment. Then he took a kitchen match from his shirt pocket, struck it on the heel of his boot, and re lit his pipe.

I waited at few minutes, listening to the sound of the short little puffs as he got his pipe going again, then, Pa?

He shook his head and kept drawing on his pipe. Darkness was gathering now and the bowl of his pipe was a bright cherry red each time he took a drag. The young man is in need of rest, he finally said. Can’t turn a man out in the desert in his condition.

What condition? I flared. Ain’t our fault if he rides his horse to death and kills his self in the process! I wasn’t feeling a dab of sympathy for that stranger.

Pa heaved a big sigh. Jamie, everything just ain’t always a black and white situation.

I didn’t say anything but I was sure thinking aplenty.

The older I get the more I realize it’s the body that ages and wears out, not the soul. And things just ain’t black and white to the soul, he said softly.

Well, I never said they was! I just don’t understand you taking up with a stranger like this, not even using caution like you’re always preaching to me.

Caution’s all well and good, Jamie. I ain’t backing off on that. You just ain’t lived long enough to understand some things.

I don’t see what living long has to do with it.

You will when you’ve lived long enough.

I could feel that strange anger rising up in me again and I didn’t know why. Worse yet, I didn’t know how to explain it to Pa.

The longer you live, the more you get to understanding things, he said, still speaking softly. "And right now, I feel like I’ve lived a mighty long time."

It seemed like there was a hurting in his voice that I had never heard before and I tried to search his features in the gathering darkness.

Yep, he sighed. It almost feels like a full circle.

I waited until I just couldn’t hold it no more. Pa, are you all right?

Oh, yeah, he said. I’m just fine. and he sounded sincere, not sarcastic.

I got up and went to him, putting my arms around his neck as I stood behind his chair. Holding his head against me, I kissed him on top of the shock of thick, silver hair. Are you sure, Pa? You sound awful sad.

He reached up and covered my hands with his callused palms. I’m all right, Jamie. He patted my hands and went back to holding his pipe. But, Honey Girl, I think you’d better not be so hostile to every stranger that comes by ‘else you ain’t never going to get a husband.

I moved away from him, going back to sit in my own rocking chair. Hell fire, Pa! What do I need with a husband as long as I got you? Not realizing at the time, that there could be a lot more needs for a husband than just helping with the chores.

He shook his head and chuckled And if you ever do cotton to somebody you’d run ‘em off with that kinda language. I’ve told you before, it just ain’t lady-like.

"Yeah? Well neither is roping and herding cattle, is it, Pa? But since it’s just you and me here, I reckon somebody’s got to give you a hand, don’t you?"

Right, Jamie, I figure we ain’t got much choice about that, do we?

Then he got quiet and somehow I just knew we was both thinking about Jesse. I was sorry I had said what I did and wished I’d bit my tongue ‘fore I mentioned it ‘cause every time he thought about my brother he’d start thinking of all the others we’d both lost and then the tears would well up in his eyes. Somehow it hurt me something fierce when he hurt like that and besides, I really hated to bury them over and over in my mind. So I usually avoided speaking about them if I could help it, for his sake and mine too. But there didn’t seem no way to stop him now that I had let the cat out of the bag. Now when your brother was here…

The strangers coming back, I hissed, more than glad to interrupt him.

He stopped talking and sat up straighter in his chair.

It was almost completely dark now and I could hardly make out the man’s features as he stood at the bottom of the porch steps. Mister, I’m mighty beholding to you for your kindness. He hesitated for a moment. If it ain’t too much trouble to you, I was wondering if I could sleep in your barn tonight? I mean, with it coming on dark and all…

I could hear the embarrassment in his deep voice and opened my mouth to say something sharp but changed my mind.

Ain’t no need to even ask, Pa interrupted him. In fact, you’re more than welcome to share a little supper with us ‘fore you turn in.

Now the cowboy moved the other two steps up onto the porch, spurs jingling again, and stuck his hand out to Pa. Thank you kindly, Sir. My name is Travis Callahan and I’d be mighty pleased to share your vittles.

Pa stood up and grasped the stranger’s hand in a firm grip. I’m Jeremiah Baker. He tilted his head toward me. And this here’s Jamie.

Travis shook Pa’s hand and gave me a quick nod. I was relieved when he didn’t mention trying to introduce himself to me earlier.

I’ll just go and light the lamps, Pa. And as I walked away, I mumbled, and I guess I’d better tend to supper. The screen door slammed behind me like a rifle shot in the quiet of the desert night. I hadn’t meant to slam the door but I just kept on walking anyway. I wasn’t about to go back and apologize.

In the kitchen, I added a few more pieces of wood into the cook stove and took the biscuits and sweet potatoes out of the dry safe. While the coffee brewed, I cut them biscuits in half and waited for the bacon grease to get hot so I could fry them in it. As they were frying, I peeled and sliced the sweet potatoes so I could fry them in the same grease.

As I worked I could hear the murmur of the deep voices from the front porch. First Pa’s and then the rumble of the stranger’s deep baritone. A little feeling of loneliness moved around inside me. I knew that feeling. It hadn’t been like this for a long time, with men talking on the porch and the women-folk tending to things in the kitchen. I moved the coffee pot to the back of the stove so the grounds could settle and was surprised to feel a tear spill over the edge of my lower eyelid and slowly glide its way down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away, embarrassed, just like somebody was there to see it. Then the anger came rising up again and I just decided I wouldn’t even warm the beans. So there! I just smelled them to be sure they hadn’t soured with the heat of the day and then dumped them into a bowl to put on the table.

With everything done and the coffee poured, I walked to the screen door. After the light of the kitchen lamp, I could hardly make them out in the darkness of the porch. Supper’s on the table, Pa. I turned and went back into the kitchen. I could hear the scuffling of their boots as they rose and started for the inside.

Evidently Travis had removed his spurs and left them on the porch because he wasn’t jingling anymore. Now he stood awkwardly before me, squinting from the glare of of the lamp-light. You got someplace I can wash up? He held his hands out like a small boy, as if he thought I should inspect them. I’ve been fooling with that horse. His voice was apologetic as if I had just arrived and he was explaining the situation to me.

I had a terrible strong urge to look stunned and say, Really? Well I’ll just be dammed!

We got a pump right outside the back door, Pa said quickly, as if he read the sassy expression on my face. Just come right along. I’m needing to wash up myself.

I sat down at the table and started nibbling on the crispy edge of a fried biscuit. I really wanted to shout after them, I wasn’t actually going to say it, Pa! I didn’t, but I began to slowly realize that somehow the arrival of that Travis Callahan person had spoiled my appetite. But I knew Pa would be shamed if I didn’t stay and wait on them. After all, Mr. Travis Callahan was company.

Pa was chuckling when they returned to the kitchen. Pointing at one of the high backed chairs, he said, Right there, Travis. Which put Travis right across from him. Why, he was acting like he had known this feller for his whole life!

It ain’t much, Son, but help yourself to what we got. Pa handed him the plate of biscuits and picked up the bowl of beans. You didn’t warm the beans, Jamie?

I looked down at my plate, feeling my cheeks grow warm. I knew I had just been being hateful when I didn’t warm them. No, Pa. But I can warm them real quick if you want me to. The stove’s still hot enough. I knew that in spite of all of Pa’s making excuses for me, I had finally shamed him for true and I wasn’t proud of myself one bit for doing it. It was Travis I wanted to shame, not Pa.

Please, Travis spoke up. Not on my account. Cold beans is just fine with me. Which made me feel even worse.

I don’t mind them myself every now and again. ‘Specially on a warm evening like this one. Pa didn’t look my way but I knew he was trying to cover up again for the spoiled brat that I was being. Acting like I fed him cold beans all the time when I don’t think I’ve ever given Pa cold beans for supper. But if you’d rather have them hot, Jamie would be glad to do it. He took a really big helping just to prove that he liked them cold.

No, Sir, Travis said enthusiastically, reaching for the bowl Pa was handing him. These beans are just fine. He took an even bigger helping than Pa had, passing them to me with a smile.

I took the bowl and ignored the smile, but I couldn’t help noticing his long tan fingers and a pale circle on his right ring finger where a ring had been. Just one more thing to add to the sum total of exactly who Travis Callahan was. I knew he was trying to be extra polite about the beans but I hate cold beans, so I only took a token helping.

This coffee’s awful good, Miss Jamie. Travis turned the cool gray eyes on mine and I just stared levelly back at him, not accepting or rejecting the complement. Even under the deep tan I could see his color rising but I didn’t care if I made him uncomfortable. I just wanted him to eat his food, sleep in the barn, and be gone!

It sure is! Pa covered for me again by jumping right into the conversation. Jamie surely knows how to do that coffee thing all right.

Travis took his eyes from mine and shifted them back to Pa. I never can get it right myself. Either it’s so weak you can read a letter through it or it’s so strong the spoon just curls right up and jumps clean out.

Pa laughed softly.

I just picked up my biscuit and began nibbling again, not joining in the conversation.

Taking another swig of coffee, Pa cleared his throat. So, he said. What kinda luck did you have with that mining venture over at Calico that you was telling me about out on the porch?

Travis shook his head and finished chewing before he answered. Not much.

Pa gave him a slow smile while chewing.

Seems like it just wasn’t my thing. Some fellers got a partner and was able to hang on a little longer but it was pretty obvious that the mining was over. He drank some coffee. Somehow I just couldn’t bring myself to do that. I figured if I went bust it was on my own head. I’d not be dragging somebody else down with me, you know? I seen a lot of men waste a real good friendship by doing that. He shook his head and took another mouthful of the cold beans. There was silence for a time while he chewed and swallowed, the strong muscles in his jaws flexing in the lamplight. It just ain’t right to my way of thinking, getting a man to go in with you and then blaming him when things turn sour.

Pa thoughtfully nodded his agreement.

Travis smiled to himself and then spoke again. There was this set of partners up there and each one was always trying to get a good swindle against the other one. His smile widened when he realized he had captured both of our attention. Well, both of them was right old codgers and finally one of them ups and kicks the bucket. He laid his fork in his empty plate and drained his cup. Now, the one that was still alive figured he was finally going to get the whole pile.

Jamie, Pa interrupted him softly. Travis could use some more coffee.

I got up and wrapped the dish towel around the handle of the agate coffee pot so I wouldn’t get burned. When I turned back around, Travis was still looking at Pa and holding his cup out to be filled just like he owned the North Forty or something. I had the strong temptation to deliberately miss the cup and pour that hot coffee right into his lap. I wondered how cool those gray eyes would look when he was jumping around with a rowdy barn dance going on in his pants! But I resisted the temptation and was right proud of myself for it too.

With his cup refilled, Travis went back to his story. Well sure enough his partner had left instructions as to where his share of the silver was buried, just like they had promised each other they would do when they first partnered up. He laughed out loud.

Pa was eager now. Where? he asked. Where did he say he left it?

Travis was still laughing. The note his partner left only said that his share was buried under a big rock right next to a creosote bush!

Pa looked puzzled, staring up at the ceiling for a minute. I didn’t understand it neither but I wasn’t about to give Travis the satisfaction of asking him, so both of us just waited.

Travis propped his elbows on the table and cradled the cup between the long, tanned fingers, looking from Pa to me expectantly.

Pa and me just looked at each other. Finally Pa shrugged. Okay, he said. "Under which big rock by what creosote bush?"

Travis put his cup down and clapped his hands together That’s it! he laughed heartily. "Which big rock and what creosote bush?"

You mean to tell me that’s all the note said was… ? Pa’s voice dwindled away as the full implication dawned on him.

Travis was still laughing and nodding his head in delight. "You’ve been up to Calico, right? There must be fifty million big rocks laying around up there in that old mining town and creosote bushes? I wouldn’t want the job of counting them all!"

Mighty clever, Pa said.