Welcome to this new short story period fic.
Legal: I do not own and am not associated with DeGrassi or Epitome
Important things to know before reading:
*This is a period fic and is 100% A/U including location because there was no Pony Express in Canada
*This is 1860 in Nebraska so I'm using slang and syntax that better fits the time/region and therefor the characters won't necessarily talk like their characters on the show
*This is inspired by and loosely based on The Young Riders
*It's 1860 Adam is a boy and was born a boy he is not FTM in this and Maya is not trying to be an FTM only to disguise herself as a boy
*A Union Suit is long johns
*Just about every character from just about every season of DeGrassi (up to season 14) will be in this story in some capacity, townspeople, other riders, gunfighters etc.
*I think that does it character backstories and families will be revealed in various chapters
Ch. 1 Disguised to Start a New Life
(MAYA)
"Can you read?" He asks and I nod. "Read the contract and sign at the bottom," the man says sliding the contract over to me.
I look down at the paper glad that I at least had enough schooling to read as I begin reading out loud.
"I, Pony Express Rider, do hereby swear before the great and Living God that during my engagement and while I am an employee of Russell, Majors and Waddell, I will under no circumstances use profane language, that I will not quarrel or fight with another employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employers. So help me God."
I dip the quill in the ink and pause briefly, catching myself before I sign the wrong name. Not that I've ever actually signed the name Maya Matlin to a contract or anything else. But I'm not Maya anymore, at least not to the rest of the world, I cut my hair off real short and altered my fiancé's clothes, not like he'll be using them in heaven. To complete the disguise I now go by his name and so I sign Campbell Saunders to the contract.
The man gives me a bible and a five dollar advance in pay and he tells me to ride out to Plum Creek which is where I'll be living from now on. Plum Creek Express Station will be my central station where I live and where I'll be leaving from to make Express runs. However since I don't know how to get to Plum Creek he gives me a map and shows me just how to get to the express station which is just outside of the town of Plum Creek, Nebraska.
"Come on Madrigal we have a long ride ahead," I tell my horse as I get in the saddle and kick her into a run. She's a deep brown American Quarter Horse; Cam won her in a game of cards and gave her to me as an engagement gift. I named her Madrigal after the musical term because I used to play music and sing, but I haven't done either in a very long time.
After a couple hours of hard riding we make it to Plum Creek. It's a quaint little town in the middle of a whole lot of nothing. Of course most of the towns out here are little towns in the middle of nothing. It's got everything you could need or want though; a marshal, a general store, feed store, dress shop and tailor, bank, land broker, livery, cat house, saloon and hotel on the main street and houses along either side behind the main street. I stop in town to let Madrigal drink from the trough and get my bearings. After a few minutes of looking at the map I tell Madrigal to go, I ride out of town seeing more houses and then some ranches and then nothing again until a sign in the distance says Express Station ½ Mile so I know I'm close, which is good because the sun is beginning to set.
I see a corral and a stable, then a barn and then a small house with a sign that says Plum Creek Express Station out front. Not a bad place to start my new life, it's pretty peaceful out here. A woman comes out of the house and gives me a kind smile. She's short with dark hair, kept shorter than most women but still longer than mine, of course she's not trying to disguise herself as a boy.
"Are you one of the new riders?" She asks wiping her hands on her apron.
"Yes Ma'am my name's Campbell Saunders," I tell her dismounting my horse and wiping my hand on my pants before extending it to her.
"Christine Simpson but most folks call me Spike," she says shaking my hand, "either Christine or Spike will do fine. Well let's get you set up, you can tie your horse up here and I'll have one of the other boys brush him down and get him in the stables. Come on to the bunk house we'll find you a bunk. Everyone else arrived today as well but they arrived much earlier than you. You must be our last rider because our bunkhouse will now be full," she says.
I take my saddle bags off Madrigal, the two bags contain the few possessions I still have in this world, well the few I could take with me or cared to take with me anyway. I follow Christine to the bunk house, she opens the door and it takes all my willpower not to let my jaw drop and my eyes pop or my cheeks flush.
The bunk house has four sets of bunkbeds, it's a long rectangular building so two sets are on each of the long walls. There's a long table in the middle and a small depot stove next to one of two small windows. A small sink and counter space next to the stove so obviously some meals are prepared in here. There's four dressers in the room, one at the foot or head of each bunkbed set so I guess we share them. There's also coat hooks on the door most of which have coats hanging on them.
It's not the bunkhouse itself that nearly makes my jaw drop or makes me slightly uncomfortable, no it's the seven boys in here. Not just that they're boys it's that several of them are shirtless; one is only in a union suit. I've never seen so many shirtless or barely dressed boys, I hardly ever saw even Cam without a shirt and my father left us when I was very young I barely remember him. Every boy in here looks over at me when I walk in.
"Boys I want to introduce you to our last rider, this is Campbell Saunders," Christine tells them.
"Hi," I wave awkwardly, "you can call me Cam."
"I'm Miles," smiles a boy with dark hair. He's tall and slender with dark eyes and a very sweet smile. I almost blush and smile back but I hold my composure and shake his hand instead. "That's Dave, Lucas, Owen, Fitz, Drew and his brother Adam," Miles introduces me to the rest pointing to each as he says their names.
"Nice to meet all of you," I nod.
"The bunk above mine is the only free one, unless you want the bottom bunk," Miles tells me.
"Top is fine thanks," I reply setting my saddle bags on the bed.
"You boys wash up supper will be in about ten minutes and I need one of you to take care of Cam's horse before dinner," Christine says before leaving the bunkhouse.
"I'll take care of your horse," Miles tells me and I smile.
At least the boys start getting dressed again to wash up for supper. I let them go first and what little clothes I have I put into the empty drawer in the dresser at the foot of our bunk. I wash up for supper and Christine calls us all into the main house to eat. A tall man with short sand colored hair is helping her set food on the table. Miles comes in washed for supper just as the rest of us sit down.
"This is my husband Archie but most people call him Snake. We run this Express Station together and live here in the house, we built this house ourselves. This is the only building on the property you boys need an invitation to before coming in. Most evening meals will be in the bunkhouse. Along with your riding duties you'll have chores on the property and help us get supplies from town. You'll get your wages every week, breakfast and supper every day. There's a pantry in the bunkhouse 'case you get hungry between meals, we always keep plenty on hand I know how hungry young men get," Christine tells us.
"Any of you that ain't given my wife your contract give them to me after supper. We have to send them to Russell, Majors & Waddell in St. Jo so's they know who to pay. You all get some sleep after supper, you'll be up early tomorrow for trials and training," Archie tells us.
We all say grace and then start eating. We help clean up a little before going to bed, it's still early but everyone spent the day riding, a few of us spent the last few days riding, and everyone is tired. When the boys start stripping down to union suits or stripping down all together to change into union suits or night shirts to sleep in I look away. I don't have anything to sleep in just my clothes so I take my boots off and sleep in my clothes. Tired as I am it's hard to sleep with several of the boys snoring; I do finally fall asleep from pure exhaustion only to be woken at the crack of dawn.
"You always sleep in your clothes Cam?" Owen asks as I slide down from my bunk.
"Nothin' else to sleep in," I remark.
"You can sleep in the buff it won't bother us none," Drew shrugs as he starts to get up and I see that he did sleep in the buff! I look away and try to hide that my cheeks are red.
"My clothes are fine," I mumble grabbing my boots; I slip them on and lace them up quickly exiting the bunkhouse.
"Cam you'll want to eat breakfast you're going to work hard today. I got oatmeal and leftover biscuits, Snake'll bring the coffee in a moment," Christine tells me ushering me back into the bunkhouse. At least when I go back in the boys are mostly dressed and we all sit at the table to eat.
"Alright boys outside and line up I need to get a good look at you," Archie says after breakfast. We all go outside and line up next to the corral, I'm the shortest by a couple of inches and the scrawniest but not by much both Adam and Miles are on the slender side. "You sure you're up for this boy? You look to be on the puny side," Archie says looking me over.
"I've been around horses my whole life and I'm a hard worker," I respond with a firm voice. Just to prove my point I run over jumping on the horse Archie has hitched just outside of the corral. I unhitch, kick the horse into a canter and show my horse riding skills before returning and handing the reigns to Archie.
"Some fancy riding but that may not be enough to help you if you're being chased by robbers. I will teach you everything I know about riding and handling a gun if you need to. You'll be riding fast and hard, changing mounts 3 or 4 times a day at Express Stations along the route. Handing off the mochila while riding to save time will be your first lesson. Now everyone m…"
"Wootwoo," Lucas whistles cutting Archie off.
We all look over to see a girl riding up on black horse. She's wearing a purple and black saloon dress, she has curls that are pinned up and a purple ostrich feather in her hair. She's very pretty and she's very busty, it's hard not to notice, all the boys certainly are.
"Who is that?" Drew asks.
"Who the hell cares who she is I think I'll take her horse," Owen remarks.
"I think she might need help off her horse," Lucas says.
Like a pack of hungry wolves encircling a baby fawn they begin to advance on her as she stops her horse. Owen takes the reigns and Lucas helps her down and she smiles.
"I was wondering when you'd get back. Meet our riders, that's Cam back there," Archie says pointing to me and I nod politely to the girl. She smiles at me, she seems nice but it's hard to see all the boys drooling and fawning over her, salivating at the sight of her bust when I'm pretending to be a boy, not that I have much of a bust to speak of anyway. I already feel uncomfortable as a girl masquerading as a boy to survive and now this vision of beauty and sex appeal rides in and the boys are falling over themselves to be close to her and they don't even remember I'm here. Archie moves the other boys aside so he can introduce them, "this is Adam, Lucas, Owen, Drew, Fitz, Miles and Dave."
"Nice to meet you all I'm Clare. I'm beat Snake I'm going to bed can you take care of my horse for me?" She asks Archie.
"We'll take care of Poe you get some rest, must have been a long night," Archie says.
"Long and rowdy, thanks Snake," Clare grins and walks toward the main house.
"When do we get to ride with her?" Fitz asks while they all continue to watch Clare walk inside.
"You don't, Clare is not an Express Rider she works at the saloon and rents the spare room in the house. You boys just look back this way Clare is like a daughter to me and you all better be respectful and gentlemen to her and hands off," Archie replies in a firm voice, "Now listen up we have a lot to learn and two weeks to do it everyone saddle a horse and mount up."
(CLARE)
I yawn when the late afternoon sun hits my face and wakes me up. I stretch and groan slowly getting out of bed. I pull on my stockings; slip a blouse over my night dress and a skirt before getting my boots on. Looking in the mirror on my vanity I brush my hair and go downstairs. I can hear the sounds of the riders, the horse's hooves pounding and the boys talking loudly, whooping and calling things out, and occasionally Snake yelling at them.
"Were you able to sleep with all that racket?" Spike questions.
"I was so tired I didn't even hear it. Do you need help with supper?"
"I'd be happy for the hand. Did you meet the riders?" Spike asks as I begin washing dishes.
"Yeah they seem eager."
"Did they give you trouble?"
"Not at all they were polite and I can handle eager boys after working at the saloon for a year. Are Spin and Em still coming for supper tonight?"
"Yes with a couple horses, they're coming at seven. Hard to believe you've been with us a year already," Spike remarks.
"A year ago last week that Spinner found me and brought me to you and Snake," I reply with a reminiscent smile.
Emma is Snake and Spike's daughter and Gavin, better known as Spinner to those close to him, is Emma's husband. They were still engaged when I met them, they were married almost nine months ago and I was there at the wedding. They own a horse ranch and farm about three miles east of us.
I help Spike with the rest of supper and help her take it all to the bunk house to eat. Just as I'm setting the table Emma and Spinner arrive. I see them stop the buckboard and the boys help get the horses into the stables. Emma and Spinner are still getting introduced to the riders when I go out and ring the dinner bell. Most of the riders start to rush in but Snake tells them to wash their hands.
"So how come they call you Snake and you Spinner and you Spike? Why don't Emma got a nickname?" Drew questions after Emma has said grace and we begin to eat.
"I'll tell you why they call me Snake when you earn it," Snake says.
"You'll need to earn the right to my story too," Spike replies.
"Mine's easy I had it since I was a boy I used to spin around for hours and my ma called me Spinner. I always liked that better than Gavin anyway."
"That's why I go by Fitz."
"You mean Fitz ain't your name?" Adam inquires.
"No it's Mark, Mark Fitzgerald but they've been calling me Fitz since I was a kid."
"So Clare do you work at the saloon every night?" Owen asks me.
"Just about," I reply.
Everyone is talking, chatting about the job or asking questions of someone else. Everyone's got a story but no one is sharing their stories aside from Spinner and Emma who don't mind talking. The only one who hasn't said a word is Cam; I do wonder what her story is. I knew she was a girl as soon as I saw her, women's intuition I guess, obviously the men were clueless but I wasn't going to say anything. They don't allow women riders because it's dangerous work, which I think is bull. Whoever Cam is, whatever her story, and real name for that matter, she's got a right to make her own way and I admire her courage for what she's doing.
"When do we get to go into town? I want to see the saloon," Owen remarks.
"You can see it next time we go in for supplies," Snake responds and most of the boys groan.
"Speaking of the saloon I need to go get ready," I comment and get up from the table.
I return to my room and change out of my blouse and skirt, take my nightdress off since it won't go under the dress and it gets too hot, and put my saloon dress back on. I pin up most of my hair and put a feathered clip in my hair instead of the ostrich feather. Grab my drawstring handbag and go downstairs and out to the stables to saddle Poe. I get all my tack and walk to Poe's stall, I start getting the tack on when the stable doors open and Cam comes in.
"Oh hi Clare didn't know you were in here," she apologizes.
"Just getting my horse ready to ride to town," I tell her and she just nods a little before turning to leave. "You don't have to leave," I comment.
"I just uh…" she pauses searching for something to tell me.
"Trying to get away from the others?" I ask setting down the saddle and walking over to her.
"No I just came to check on my horse," she tells me.
"Hey," I comment taking her hand before she walks out, "it's okay I would understand. You're welcome in my room anytime."
"Clare," she sort of shrieks as her cheeks go red and she looks slightly horrified, "I don't even know you and I couldn't. I mean I think you have the wrong idea ab…" she's saying and I start giggling.
"I didn't mean that," I laugh and lean in close to whisper in case anyone is listening, "I know you're a girl."
"You do?" She questions with fear in her voice and I nod. "How?"
"I just did, I don't know I've known a lot of people maybe I could just tell. Don't worry I won't say anything and they don't know anything, with your hair cut short and your glasses and those clothes I really don't think anyone else can tell. Your secret's safe Cam," I assure her.
"Thanks," she smiles with great relief, "that means a lot. And it's Maya," she tells me extending her hand but whispering her name.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," I grin shaking her hand. "I'd stay to talk but I really have to get to work."
Maya smiles and comes to the stall with me she begins helping me get Poe saddled up, "What's your horses name?"
"Poe, after Edgar Allan Poe one of my favorite authors, and he's black and Edgar Allan Poe's writing is very dark," I tell her as I mount up.
Maya opens the stall door for me and I walk Poe out. Before I kick Poe to continue Maya catches my boot.
"Thanks for keeping my secret, this isn't easy and it's nice to know there's someone I can talk to," she smiles.
"Just know you're not alone and you've got a friend here," I tell her and she smiles a little bigger before letting go of my boot. I kick Poe into a run and take off for town.
Short Story month is coming to an end so the update for this won't be until Thursday, April 14th and probably pick up with Clare arriving at work and we'll be meeting some of the townspeople and getting some backstory from one or two of the main characters. And Maya begins developing an attraction to Miles but he doesn't yet know her secret.