North of the De Rivera Hacienda
Dawn
Hernando Lopez was filled with a mixture of hope and fear as he topped the rise and spotted the Hacienda far below. He knew Don Garcia would be pleased that he'd brought a medico, but he would have felt better had he also brought along the gunslinger. The Negro called Nathan would put him in the Haciendada's good graces, but if he'd brought Chris Larabee with him it would have secured him of the spot as Don Garcia's right hand man. Perhaps he could still find the gunman and bring him here, but first he'd make sure the medico was in place and perhaps the other gringo would be put to work in the fields.
They'd ridden through the night, stopping at two small villages for fresh horses before riding deeper into the mountains. The second prisoner was face down on his horse and Ernesto and Raul had made a game of taunting him much to the healer's chagrin. He'd put a stop to it when Jackson had grown angry enough to throw himself off his horse and tried to protect his semi-conscious friend. As the sun rose above the horizon, Hernando heard the telltale signs that the people of the Hacienda were awake and ready to start a new day.
It took 30 minutes to reach the Hacienda and when they did Don Garcia De Rivera and Luis Martinez met them. Hernando disliked Luis and hoped someday he would be able to prove to Don Garcia that his trust in his bastard son was ill placed. He pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted in front of the two men.
"Don Garcia, I have brought a medico as you wished," Lopez said, giving the man a half bow before pointing to the dark skinned man whose hands were still tied to the horse's saddle.
"Where did you find him?" Luis asked.
"We found him and his friend in Purgatorio," Lopez answered irritated that Martinez seemed to be speaking for the Haciendada.
"How do you know he is a medico?" Luis asked.
"He was tending his friend…"
"His skin is not the right color for a medico," Don Garcia observed.
"I told him I ain't no doctor," Jackson told the man before him. There was something cruel in the way the man held the cane, and Nathan knew the man had probably used it on more than one back.
"Hernando, is this some kind of joke?" Don Garcia asked angrily raising the cane to strike the other man.
"No, Don Garcia, I saw him tending his friend and he knew what he was doing," Lopez snapped and pulled Jackson from the horse.
"Is this true? Do you know anything about medicine?" Luis asked.
"I know some things…picked up some stuff when I was a stretcher bearer during the war. Been takin' care of some folks in a town north of the border," Jackson answered and turned to the horse carrying Vin Tanner. "Please, my friend needs water…he's been sick…"
"Your friend is no longer your concern," De Rivera warned. "What do you know of childbirth?"
"I've helped deliver a few babies…why?" Jackson asked, cursing as Raul cut through the ropes holding the Texan and letting his body drop heavily to the ground. He tried to go to him, but two men grabbed his arms and held him in place as Don Garcia made his way to the fallen man and struck him with the cane before using it as a stick and poking Tanner's ribs.
"This animal is your friend?" De Rivera asked.
"He's not an animal…he's a man…a good man!" Jackson said as the Haciendada strode toward him, blocking his view of the Texan. "Please, let me help him."
"My wife is with child and she is ill…you tend to her and maybe I will let you see to your friend," De Rivera told him.
"But…"
"Si, if you insist…Hernando, give him water!" De Rivera said softly, but there was a hint of cruelty on his face.
"Ernesto, Raul…hold the bastardo while I get him some water," Lopez ordered and hurried to the well, returning with the bucket of water as Ernesto and Raul forced the Texan to his knees.
Vin struggled against the strong arms holding him, but had already been weakened from the illness and being bound face down on the horse. He lifted his head and glared at Hernando Lopez, but the man just laughed as he signaled for another man to step forward.
"Pedro, hold the puta's head so he can take a nice long drink!"
Nathan realized instantly what they were about to do and tried to get past the big Mexican standing beside De Rivera. "No…damn it let him go!"
"They are only giving him the water as requested," De Rivera told him, motioning for his men to continue.
"Get his mouth open!" Lopez ordered, smiling as Pedro pulled on the long hair and pinched the prisoner's nose until he was forced to breathe through his mouth. He took pleasure in running his hand down the corded muscles of Tanner's throat before lifting the bucket and pouring into the Texan's mouth.
Vin knew he was drowning and fought the hands that held him in place, but it felt as if the floodgates had opened up and his body was drowning in the liquid necessary to stay alive.
"Vin!" Jackson called and for a second he caught sight of two blue beacons of fear before De Rivera turned to him.
"I am not a cruel man and your friend has had his fill of water. You will tend Dona Maria and perhaps I will allow you to see to him when I am satisfied you have done all you can for my esposa." De Rivera said and glanced at Martinez. "Luis, take him to Evita and tell her he is to help care for Dona Maria!"
"Si, Patron," Luis agreed and took Jackson's arm and softly said. "You cannot help him now…come don't make it worse than it already is."
"I'll need my things," Jackson said, knowing the man was right and that if he protested further Vin would be the one who paid for it. He watched as one of the banditos grabbed his saddlebags and tossed them to Luis, before Martinez took his arm and led him to the house.
"What do you want me to do with the gringo dog, Patron?" Lopez asked of the half drowned Texan. The two men holding him had released their grip and Tanner was on his hands and knees as again and again his body shook and the water they'd forced on him was vomited onto the ground.
"Bring him to Fernando and tell him to put him to work in the fields," De Rivera ordered.
"Si, Ernesto, Raul, get him up!" Lopez told his men.
"What of the other matter, Hernando? Did you find the bastard who killed Alonzo?"
"No, Don Garcia, but we will leave here as soon as we deliver the gringo to Fernando," Lopez vowed.
"See that you do not return without him or I will have no choice, but to make an example of you," De Rivera said and walked back into the hacienda.
"Come on, Bastardo, it's time to earn your keep," Lopez laughed, slapping Tanner's face as he was held between the two men eliciting a sharp cry of pain from the semi-conscious man.
Vin's face exploded in pain as someone slapped him repeatedly. Water dripped down his face and he blinked rapidly in an effort to focus on the man standing in front of him. There was no mistaking the stench of the man's breath, and Vin remembered the rough treatment at the Mexican's hands and understood things had not gotten any better. He looked around, hoping to see Nathan, but the man was nowhere in sight.
"The gringo medico has been taken to the main house, Bastardo, but you…we have a much better place for you. Fernando Gores will be very pleased to have the extra help in the fields and if you fuck with Fernando the medico will pay dearly…comprendez?"
"I h…hear ya," Tanner managed, staring into the man's cold eyes, until Lopez's left hand shot out and struck him in the stomach, doubling him over in spite of the men holding him up.
"You'd best learn your place right now, Tanner, or you'll find yourself at the mercy of Don Garcia's cane," Lopez spat. "Bring him along!"
Vin could barely breathe, but he found the strength to pull away from the two men and walked like a man who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, or in this case the life of Nathan Jackson.
M7M7MM7M7M7M7
South of Four Corners
Late Afternoon
Buck glanced sideways at the woman riding next to him and wondered about her story. What had brought her to a life as a prostitute in Purgatorio? Was there an abusive father or husband looking for her? Did she have family who might be worried about her? Had she found solace in the life she'd chosen simply because she'd found others with the same troubles that plagued her? He remembered his mother and the other women talking about their lives and why they'd chosen a certain path and knew underneath it all, some women just didn't have a choice. They were born into the wrong family or simply married the wrong man and the law never too the abuse seriously. It was wrong, but it was the way of things in this day and age and Buck hoped that someday things would change for the better.
"How long…I mean when did you…aw hell," Wilmington stammered and turned away.
"How did I meet Chris or how did I end up in Purgatorio?" Maria asked.
"Both…I guess. If it's too private I'll understand…I just, well my mama was forced into it and I grew up around ladies like…"
"I haven't been called a lady in a long time…except by Senor Chris. He has always treated me with dignity. He came here looking for something I couldn't give. That night you and JD came to get him was our first night together and he was filled with sadness. He asked me if I could bring his family back and I wish there was some way to do that, but when death comes calling there is no escape…no turning back the clock."
"You sound like you're speaking from experience…did you lose someone special?"
"Si…it was so long ago, yet it still feels as if it was yesterday. I married a boy from the village and we made our home south of the Rio Grande, but fate sometimes has a way of killing a dream. He was killed because he would not turn our land over to the rich man who thought it was his right to take what he wanted. His men…they staked him out in the hot sun and made me watch as they teased him with water, but would not give him any. They cut him and let him bleed and he lasted for three days…and," Maria could not finish as tears filled her eyes and streamed down her face.
"Animals," Wilmington whispered and wished he could sooth away her pain, but nothing could take away the agony of watching a loved one die. He could only imagine what they did to her while waiting for her husband to die and Buck felt angry at how some men…men like Guy Royal and Stuart James existed in every country…in every town. Men who did not believe in hard work to get what they wanted; instead they stole from the homesteaders or merchants and built an empire of greed.
"I buried him…and there was nothing left for me there…not after…after they bragged of what they'd done to me. I found myself as an outcast and made my way north until I reached Purgatorio. It was there that I found a woman's body could come in handy and accepted a few coins for what those bastardos took for free. Some people would say I chose the easy way out," Maria told him.
"My mama always told me never to judge someone unless you've been in his or her shoes," Wilmington told her. "I met lots of ladies and I've heard a lot of stories, and I doubt if anyone can truly say you chose the easy way out. It may have been the only road open to you at the time, and God knows my mama did everything she could to bring me up right and teach me to respect and protect women. There are times when I mess up, but I will never look down on any woman who's got the guts to do what they have to do."
"Thank you, Senor Buck," Maria said as they topped the rise and looked down at the town in the distance. "I wish others felt as you do."
"They do, Maria, but they just don't know how to show it," Wilmington said. "When we get to Four Corners I'll introduce you to Inez Recillos. She's had some hard times in her life too, but she found a way to overcome them and is an asset to the town. She'll help you settle in until Chris gets back and you can decide what you want to do."
"Senor Chris is a good man," Maria told him and grew silent as they continued toward the buildings. It took another twenty minutes to reach the town and Maria took a deep breath to calm her nerves. There was no way anyone in this place could know her unless they'd frequented Purgatorio, but she was still nervous about meeting the good citizens of Four Corners.
"You'll be fine, Maria," Wilmington told her as they drew to a stop in front of the saloon. He spotted Josiah and Ezra walking toward them and dismounted, looping the reins over the hitching post before helping her off the horse.
"Where are the others?" Sanchez asked of the missing men.
"Long story…let me take care of Maria and I'll tell you about it," Wilmington offered and pushed through the batwing doors. He spotted Inez behind the bar cleaning the glasses and smiled at the pretty woman. "Inez, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. Her name is Maria and she needs our help."
"Hello, Maria, welcome to Four Corners," Inez said, coming around the counter as Wilmington placed her bag on the bar. She studied the face, noting the eyes in particular, and the lines that spoke of a life of hardship. She knew Buck and the others had gone south to check on the marauders and wondered what the woman's story was and if it was close to her own? It really didn't matter because she felt a kindred spirit and knew she had to do what she could to help.
"Thank you," Maria said, unsure what she should say or do as Inez took her hand.
"Will you be staying in Four Corners?" Recillos asked. She'd come to Four Corners as a stranger and stayed because there were people here who helped her without question and that kindness was something she would offer another wayward soul.
"For a little while…at least until Senor Chris returns," Maria explained and allowed the other woman to lead her to a table.
"All right, Buck, what's going on? Who's the lady?" Sanchez asked.
"Her name is Maria…she's a friend of Chris," Wilmington offered and reached for the bottle of whiskey on the bar. "We split up just south of here. Vin and Nathan went to the Doherty place while me, Chris, and JD checked the homesteads. We stopped in at the Wilson place and Martha took one look at Chris and saw he was bleeding and that was it…."
"Martha told us she tended Chris' wound," Sanchez told him.
"Are they still in town?" Wilmington asked of the friendly couple.
"No, they headed back yesterday afternoon," the ex-preacher answered.
"Tom knows how to handle himself," Wilmington said and went on with his story. "We spent the night there and headed for Purgatorio the next morning. Chris was moody…"
"I believe Mr. Larabee is always moody," Standish observed and saw a hint of a smile on Wilmington's face.
"Might have a point there, but let's say he was moodier than normal," Wilmington said. "We hit Purgatorio later than we were supposed to and Chris went to see Maria…" Buck continued the story, filling the two men in on everything that had happened in Purgatorio and the reason he'd returned to Four Corners with Maria in tow.
"Do we have any idea how far south of the Rio Grande De Rivera's Hacienda is?" Standish asked.
"Not sure, but it's supposed to be a big spread and that should make it easy to find it," Wilmington answered. "I figure we should get started."
"All right, but we need to make sure the town's ready for anything," Sanchez agreed. "Ezra, send a wire to the judge and let him know what's happening. Buck, get something to eat and grab a couple of hours sleep. I'll talk to Yosemite and make sure he knows what to do if there's trouble."
"Tell him to lock Conklin up and throw away the key if he gives him any trouble," Wilmington said.
"Yosemite knows how to handle Conklin and he'll have most of the town backing him," Sanchez said heading for the door. "I figure we should be able to head out at first light."
"Guess you're right…I just hope we have that much time, Josiah, because Nathan and Vin are in trouble and Chris and JD are about to ride right into a hornet's nest," the rogue said and downed a glass of whiskey.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
De Rivera Hacienda
Late Afternoon
Nathan sighed heavily as he felt the older woman watching him. Evita Martinez had watched over him as he examined the woman in the bed. She was as intimidating as De Rivera, but Nathan understood it was because she cared about the lady who seemed so weak, a delicate flower wilting in spite of the promise of the new life growing within. Nathan knew Maria De Rivera was not a strong woman and there was only so much they could do, but he had never given up on anyone and was not about to start now. Not when three lives, Maria, the unborn child, and Vin Tanner's depended on him staying true to his own calling.
Maria slept through his ministrations and he gently lifted the blankets up over her waist. Her dark hair starkly contrasted the paleness of her skin and only the slight rise and fall of her chest signaled that she was still with them He turned to see the older woman watching him closely.
"She is weak," Evita said.
"Yes, she is," Jackson agreed. "Has she always been…delicate?"
"Yes, she was never meant for this hard life with a man like Don Garcia. He can be cruel," Evita told him, reading the kindness in the soft brown eyes. She sat on the edge of the bed and gently brushed back the hair from Maria's face. "She hardly eats enough to keep her alive."
"We'll have to make sure she's getting the foods she and the baby need," Jackson said. "Fresh fruits are a must…vegetables…anything soft that she can eat will be good…"
"Fruits and vegetables are easy to come by. Don Garcia makes sure the Hacienda is well supplied with the things needed to support his child. He can be very cruel and I am taking a chance in telling you this, but you have soft eyes and I sense I can trust you, Nathan," Evita told him.
"Senora…"
"Please, we will be together for a long time and Senora is a formal title for ladies like Senora Maria…I am Evita…"
"You are a lady, Senora…Evita," Jackson said, sensing the trust the woman was placing in him. "What I'd like for you to do is make sure there is always a fresh supply of juice and have the people working in the kitchen keep a supply of vegetables ready. They should be well cooked and easy for Senora De Rivera to take. I have some herbs with me, but not enough for a long stay…"
"There are special herbs grown here or Don Garcia will have whatever you need brought in," Evita told him, returning her attention to the woman on the bed when she shifted and her eyes opened.
"Evita…"
"I'm right here, Maria," Martinez assured her, smiling as she touched the woman's cheek. "There is someone I want you to meet, Maria. He is a medico…"
"Like the other one?"
"No, not like that animal, Maria…"
"You trust…trust him?"
"Yes, I do…he has nice eyes," Evita said softly. "Nathan, come here."
Nathan moved closer so that the woman could see him and smiled as he looked into her eyes and felt the wayward soul searching for answers. "Senora, I'm not a real medico…"
"Don't let him fool you, Maria, Nathan has a healing touch…a strong one," Evita told her.
"Did you ch…choose to come or did my husband force you to come here?"
"I had no choice, but I will not turn away from anyone who needs my help, Senora," Jackson told her.
"You will help keep me strong for my b…baby?"
"God willing I'll do everything I can," Nathan vowed.
"God is always willing as long as we believe in Him," Evita told them.
"I am sorry…sorry my husband forced you to come here," Maria whispered. "Perhaps someday he will understand what it means to be forced to do something you d…don't want to."
"Honestly, Senora, I didn't want to come, but now that I'm here I'll do everything I can for you," Jackson told her and looked wistfully toward the window as a thunderous sound shook the house and rain pelted off the windows. His thoughts turned to Vin Tanner and without a word he made his way toward the verandah and looked out over the fields where mestizo people, young and old, still worked in spite of the heavy rainfall. He tried to find Vin, but the distance was too great and he prayed the Texan was okay, but the underlying fear kept niggling at his senses.
TBC