Chapter 3

Wagon's Ho pt. 2

A.N. The little-itty-bitty continuation of Chapter 2

Yuma, AZ

It's early afternoon when they roll into Yuma and head towards the field next to the Derby tent. Charlie leaves Caroline in charge to make it appear as though they're setting up camp for their stay.

Charlie, Connor, Bass and few of the other men with them, walk a mile or so down the tracks to where the rest of her men are staying. Entering the darkened warehouse they're greeted by the sound weapons being locked and loaded.

Charlie tskes in response, "Well, if good time Charlie didn't have the blues before, she sure does now," with a hint of a pout in her voice.

Laughter rings out from the shadows as a motley assortment of men emerge from various points. The one who thinks he's in charge struts over, throwing his arm around Charlie's waist like he owns her, bending down to whisper in her ear as he looks over their new arrivals.

Connor holds out a hand, stopping his father from attacking when he hears the growl rattling in his throat.

For her part, Charlie has no choice but to lay her hand flat against his chest in what has to be an incredibly intimate scene if the look Bass is shooting in their direction is any indication.

Straightening then taking a step back, she waves Bass and Conner over, tilting her head in the other man's direction. "This is Evan. Evan this is Connor Bennet and Bass Monroe."

Evan looks them over. "Blanchard sent them?"

"Yeah."

"And he's?"

Charlie huffs. "Yeah, Evan. Enough with the twenty questions, already. Tell me something I don't know."

"If we're doing this it's gotta be tonight."

"Why, what happened?" Charlie asks instantly on alert.

"The industrious little bastards are ahead of schedule. They plan on going for a joy ride tomorrow. Troops have been flowing in steadily every day since we arrived." he informs her.

"Shit." Charlie spits out violently, beginning to pace, one hand on her hip and the other running across her mouth. "We'll have to get back and start sending people in groups almost immediately. It's going to take a while with the kids, and with more troops we're going to need a hell of a distraction."

"Got that covered, Boss." One of the older men speaks up carrying over a crate marked explosives. Bass peers in the crate and laughs clapping the man on the shoulder.

"This is perfect, Charlie," Bass tells her.

"What is all of it?" She asks not knowing what she's looking at.

"Fireworks. You remember the Fourth of July, don't you? Everyone loves fireworks. Hire some local kids to get the word out that 'The Good Time Charlie's' want to show their thanks for being welcomed into town and will be putting on a fireworks show after dark. Most of the town and the soldiers will show up to see them and we can handle those left to guard the train while their buddies are having a good time. Plus that noise will hopefully cover our noise."

She trusts his judgment and the look she gives him tells him so. "You heard the General, boys, let's get this show on the road."

They split up making their way back to camp with the fireworks and each of the men that have been here, take a group back with them, leaving in thirty minute increments until it's only the core members of her group left. She's hired some men from town who claim to have worked with fireworks to set up the show and asks to have it last as long as possible and to have as big of a grand finale as possible. She pays them handsomely.

She orders everyone to the train before the fireworks, telling them she'll meet up with them once the show starts. Bass of course argues with her till she finally gives in, leaving with them, not knowing how long it'll take before it's discovered that they're missing.

They make their way through town quickly and quietly. Once they reach the rest of their people, Bass and Evan lead a group to take out the soldiers still guarding the train as Charlie and Carolyn help everyone load up on the first box car. Along with the wood and coal car it'll be the only other car they'll take. She promised Blanchard a steam engine, not the entire freaking train. They're loaded and ready to go before the other group returns, waiting on them for the all clear before
Bill, her train expert, fires it up.

Everyone other Bass, Charlie, Evan and Bill are positioned in different areas of the train. When the first firework explodes she nods at Bill. "Open her up and don't stop till we get to Dening, no matter what happens."

They share a look and Bill follows her orders. There's no celebration as the train pulls away from the depot heading into the night.

Bass, catching a glimpse of her face, smooth's a hand down her shoulder putting his lips near her ear. "It's a good plan, Charlie. We're gonna get these people to Texas. We're gonna get you and your little girl home to Miles."

She looks up at him, tears in her eyes, before tangling a hand in his shirt pulling him close. He wraps his arms around her, resting his chin on her head. It's going to take eleven, long, torturous hours, if not longer, to reach the Texas border.

They make it through Marcopia just fine, the soldiers not even firing their weapons, before meeting some resistance at Benson. A few brave soldiers follow on horseback only to be shot down. Word is passed up that everyone is fine. Now they only have to make it through Lordsburg and they're home free.

Charlie passes out dry rations before taking her turn at the boiler, giving the guys a break. Bass watches from across the engine as he eats slowly. She's trying to exhaust herself, worry for the lives on this train written all over her face.

He's picked up the subtle changes in her that have occurred over the last year and a half and knows that whatever challenges she's faced, she's become stronger for them. More focused, not so gun-ho. She's dripping with sweat by the time Evan pushes her away and they're only a few miles away from Lordsburg.