Chapter 24 – The Threat Of Home

A couple of days had passed since I was inducted into the US Army, in those two days sentries had spotted a trail of smoke about 3 days ride from our fort. The Indians were going home and everyone finally started to relax, our drill rides and gun displays had worked.

That meant that we could go into town for supplies and I could go home, instead of feeling excited, I felt terrified. What on earth would everyone think as I rode through the town in military uniform?! Would they even recognise me?

The worry crept into my dreams and I had fitful sleeps, waking up a couple of times each night and not being able to get back to sleep for hours. I took to spending most of my evening out in the corral with Jesse or Bailey.

I had ridden him twice since the day I broke him, both times he'd careered off across the arena in a bronco fit before calming down enough to be worked. He shied from my legs and snatched at the bit but he worked, everything was falling into place. Bailey was to be the Colonel's second mount, which meant he could be kept entire, something that pleased me to no end. Though the Colonel often rode Dread when Sampson was not ridden, he did not click with him and found him to not be suitable for the work he was needed for. Once Bailey was ready, Dread would be taken on by the Lieutenant who did not have a second mount due to his older gelding having to be retired recently.

The next morning our small group tacked up ready to go into town. James was going to meet some Military Officials who would be coming back with us for a day or two before heading onto the camp at the railroad station, the Lieutenant would be acquiring supplies, a few soldiers were coming with us and that was it, there was 4 of us in total, we had to take 2 horses back to sell who were not cut out for military work and they were to look for some others, I possibly had a couple at home who could be suitable for the job.

It was a 3 day ride back to town and by the time we had arrived home everyone felt weary and stiff, as we entered the town it was nearing early evening and the streets were full of life. Everyone turned and stared as we walked through, people recognised me and stood with their jaws hanging open, I smiled and tried not to laugh at their faces when they saw me donned in my uniform. My yellow gloves felt hot on my hands and I was glad of my cap to keep the sun off my face, I didn't usually wear one and would come in from a ride red faced and sunburnt during the summer months.

It was September now, but out here the weather was still blistering and dry, dust blew off the road into our faces and it made me squint around. I noticed friends and people I'd trained horses for had started to trail behind us, I'd offered to let the men stay in my house for the night and rest the horses in my stables to save paying for rooms at the tavern like they would normally and they happily accepted.

We headed through the main road into town, past the shops and houses and out around the back where my ranch lay nestled at the foot of a small mountain range. It was an hour out from town and the horses felt like they were ready to collapse when we reached the double gate to the yard. We went under the overhanging sign that said 'Chase Ranch' and I led the men round the back to the stables were I heard a commotion in the barn.

I shouted out. "Annie?"

More commotion as a red cheeked pretty young woman with brown curls escaping her pony tail and bright green eyes came rushing out followed by my younger brother Willy.

"Miss Cally is that you?!" She shouted as she rounded the corner and came face to face with a hoard of military men and horses. She stopped dead and Willy almost ran into her as she stared at us before her eyes came to rest upon me.

"Oh Miss Cally it is you, I barely recognised you in that there uniform! Heavens be blessed your home we've all been missin' you something frightful."

"Cally, what on earth-" Started William before she batted him away.

She walked forwards and dipped her head to the Colonel who let me explain why we were here. She listened quietly before shouting out two names.

Alan, my older brother came round the corner followed by a young girl I had had up to muck stalls before called Lucy. The both stopped short of us and stared wide eyed before shuffling over to Annie who explained the situation.

The Colonel dismounted first and walked over to Alan, grasping his hand firmly and saying. "It is nice to finally meet you Mr Chase, your sister has told us much about you and your family here."

He dipped his head respectfully and replied. "Thank you sir, I welcome you to our home and thank you for looking after my sister."

"Don't you worry, she needed no looking after out at the fort."

"I'd expect as much from her sir." He looked at me and smiled, flashing his teeth as he eyed my uniform.

I dismounted once the Colonel had greeted everyone, I was very proud at how well Lucy handled herself when she was completely terrified by the military men in front of her. As soon as I had walked away from Jesse I was assaulted by my family and friends, first Annie who, teary eyed, bawled about how much she'd missed me and how different I looked and how I looked thinner and how I needed a good fresh supper. Willy managed to prize her away from me before launching himself at me. It had only been a month but it felt like I had been away from them for years, I wonder how badly the rest of the regiment must miss their families.

I gave Lucy a small hug and asked her if Annie had been working her too hard, she shook her head, lost for words as she stared at me like I was a new person, then I made my way to Alan. He held out his hand to shake mine and when I took it he pulled me into a tight bear hug that lifted me off the ground. Before they could barrage me with questions I asked them to get some stalls ready for our horses. They bustled off into the barn and James came over to me.

"Your family have missed you."

"I've missed them too sir, more than I ever realised."

"It will never be easier being away from them, I hope this doesn't change your mind about staying with us."

"No sir, it won't, had I not gotten your offer in a year or two I would have gone to Spain, that's a bit more than a 3 day ride to here." I laughed as we walked the horses towards the freshly bedded stalls.

"You're quite right Miss Chase." He smiled before leading Sampson into the stall next to Jesse's.

We untacked the sweaty horses and rubbed them down with straw and then headed out into the yard, I told Alan that the two horses we had brought with us were to be sold and asked if he knew anyone, he said if we liked he'd take them off our hands and train them up and sell them on for a higher price which pleased the Colonel to no end. We moved off and Annie flitted around us asking questions whilst Willy and Alan followed behind. As the day drew to a close Lucy bid us good night and tacked up her little spotted roping pony so she could ride into town before it got dark, Annie had taken her on as a stable hand after I left and I was pleased to here that she fitted in perfectly, though she was fairly quiet and sometimes a little bit scared of large horses.

Annie let us in and insisted on preparing us supper, she had been staying in the house with Willy to keep an eye on things and sent Willy off to make up the rooms for the night, our house was a large ranch house with many bedrooms and a veranda that went the whole way around the house, it meant that in the evenings we could sit out behind the house and watch the sun behind the mountains.

As Annie cooked and Willy came back down and settled around the table with us I told them about what had happened over the past month, when I came to the part about being inducted into the Army everyone stopped and stared at me like I'd told them I was really a man and had fruit stuffed down my corsage.

Thankfully, James stepped in here and told them about how my work had influenced his men and done wonders for the horses here.

"I reckoned you'd make a splash out there Cally, but never such a big one! What a mighty fine offer you've been given, Pa would be so proud." Exclaimed Willy gleefully as Alan sat there in silence. After what seemed like a long time he looked up at me.

"I don't know what to say Cal, you're my baby sister and the army is the last place I'd put you, but I also know that Pa wanted you out there making a difference and that's exactly what you're doing, so I'm happy for you." He smiled and I felt tears welling up and I swallowed hard, trying to keep myself composed in front of the others.

Supper went down well, Annie truly surpassed herself and the soldiers couldn't stop the compliments rolling about the meal, once everything was finished and James had insisted on washing up we retired to the living room were we talked and dozed in the warmth of the fire.