Hi again! Read on, enjoy, and Happy Halloween to all; stay safe tonight!
Lady Ravanna- Thanks for the review =] And interesting notion…we'll just have to see!
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The sun was just starting to set as the wagon rolled into the small city of Cheyenne. It was a bit jarring to be surrounded by an urban civilization again, but the feeling passed as quickly as it came. This sight might have enchanted Eabha a year earlier. However, it didn't have much of an impact on her now.
Brother Dultey slowed the horses to a stop not very far from a large building. It was hard to tell what kind of place it was, since the girl couldn't read what the sign said. Just then, a well-dressed woman came out the front door, glanced in their direction, and made her way over to the wagon. Eabha couldn't help but feel nervous for a moment, since nearby people were already starting to stare.
"Are you Eabha Malloye?" the woman asked as she stopped next to the horses.
"Yes," Eabha answered after a second or two of stunned silence.
"I'm Maggie Palmer, owner of this hotel. Mr. Bohannon told me to expect your arrival."
"He did?"
"He briefly described your circumstances, so I had a room prepared. Here, why don't you come in?"
The girl got her bearings and stepped down from the wagon, tightening her arm around Branna. She turned to fetch her belongings, but this new person stopped her.
"Don't trouble yourself. I've people who can carry your things."
Before following the woman inside, Eabha looked back at Brother Dultey.
"Thank you very much, sir."
"May God be with you," the man answered, tipping his hat.
With that, she turned and went into the hotel.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
After observing the small room near the back entrance of the building, Eabha turned to glance at the older woman.
"I'm sorry it's not larger, but the rest of my rooms are booked."
"No, this'll do just fine, ma'am. What's the fee?"
"Oh, it's barely anything. And Bohannon said he'd cover it for now."
The younger woman nodded in gratitude, taken aback by her savior's generosity. Maggie gazed at her before speaking again.
"Do you need help with unpacking, or…?"
"I can manage, but thank you."
"If you need anything, just go to the front desk." She went to leave, but paused momentarily. "And my deepest consolations for your loss."
Once she was alone, the girl sat down upon the cot and looked around. There was just enough room for her trunk to sit against the wall next to the headboard, and she was able to fit Branna's crib between the foot of the bed and the opposite wall. A chamber pot took up the only other free corner. Despite the meagerness of the enclosure, there were a few minor luxuries. A dusty miniature window loomed over the crib, and a small oil lamp was nailed next to the door. In addition, there was enough leftover space for her to stand and dress whenever she needed to.
Eabha was almost surprised by how much the room appealed to her. Other people would likely think it was only suitable for a maid or a butler. Then again, its original purpose was exactly that; Maggie mentioned being a little understaffed, so there were a couple of free rooms that she'd used for employee's quarters. But in Eabha's mind, it was perfect. It had all that she needed, and her former captor not being in there with her made it even better.
While some rays of sunlight remained, she removed the cape, undid her hair, and gave Branna a few bits of bread from the basket given to her by Sadie and the others. It was comforting to think of those who'd shown her such kindness, but she couldn't dwell on memories of the fort without digging up unpleasant things.
Of course. Even when he's gone, he's still governing my thoughts.
After retrieving her family's money from her shoe and slipping it beneath the child's cushions, she tucked her in and ate a little more of the bread while watching her doze off. However, her hunger was decreasing with every passing second. It dawned on her that she no longer had to act like everything was wonderful. The notion was almost liberating, but no sooner had it crossed her mind did the tears start filling her eyes. All Eabha could think to do was get up and sit on the ground where Branna couldn't see her. She leaned against her trunk and covered her mouth with both hands to mute the sobs.
It all came rushing back like the strongest waterfall. Catrina and Brendan lying dead in front of her, the wagon going up in flames, losing sight of the chicken, the ox seeming to wonder where she was going, the beautiful house she could never love, the false pleasantries she had to say, the soft mattress that became a torture rack, the husband she'd thought was dead, who she now wished to be dead more than anyone else…
Though she didn't make a sound, the weeping kept coming for quite a long while.
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
Her eyes opened at the sound of Branna's crying early the next morning. When the child fell back asleep after eating and having a fresh nappy put on, it was a great relief to her mother. Eabha didn't have it in her to do anything, to say nothing about her leaving the room. She made herself have a mouthful or two of bread, but she couldn't think of having more. Now that she was free to feel how she was feeling, getting her appetite back was practically impossible. Sitting on the floor with her tears was all she wanted to do, and it didn't require a great deal of energy.
She was distracted when a soft knock reached her ears. Though the woman was too tired to reply, the door slowly opened to reveal Cullen. He glanced at her for a moment before checking to see if the baby was sleeping. Then, he quietly closed the door and sat down against it.
"Wanted to make sure you'd settled in 'fore I headed out to work," he muttered.
"Yes, it's…we're fine. Thank you for the room."
It was silent for a couple of seconds before Bohannon spoke again.
"I'm sorry." He stared in front of him, unable to look Eabha in the eye. "If I'd killed him the first time—"
"You thought you had."
"But I should've made sure."
The girl didn't answer for a little bit. Part of her wondered why she didn't blame Cullen for what happened to her family, but the feeling just wasn't there.
"After what he…what happened to Mrs. Bell, I know you wouldn't have left that bridge unless you were convinced."
"Hell, I was. He shouldn't have survived."
"None of us saw this coming." She took a shallow breath and continued. "Besides, he didn't really win. I still have Branna."
"Branna?" Cullen grinned slightly, finally glancing at Eabha. "Pretty name."
The man shifted after a moment, having thought of something.
"You should bring her outside."
"Soon, maybe, but…"
Bohannon nodded, looking down at his feet.
"Yeah, I get it."
Just then, a pang of curiousity pushed Eabha to speak up.
"That woman you left with…who was she?"
"Oh, Naomi? She's my wife. I'd been…unchaste with her a while back, so her pa tried to have me hanged. But I married her instead."
Thinking back to what Thor said about a "sinner" entering the fort, the woman smiled faintly.
"And you've got a baby?"
"Little boy, William."
"Congratulations."
A few more tense seconds passed before Cullen carefully rose to his feet.
"Well, I've gotta head out."
He went to walk out, but the girl's voice stopped him.
"Mr. Bohannon…thank you."
After a moment, the man nodded and left, making sure to not make too much noise in closing the door.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Though it was a small comfort to talk with her rescuer, Eabha didn't have it in her to feel happy. She was just as vigilant as ever when it came to caring for Branna and making sure she was well fed, but that was all she was capable of. For some reason, she couldn't even lay on the cot. Her place by the trunk was the only appealing spot in which to rest.
Branna can't see me like this. I still need to hold on for her.
By the time the sun peaked out the next morning, the girl still hadn't moved from there. Nobody could get her to come out of the room either. Cullen had tried again the previous evening, but there was no way to make her budge. She'd been barred from grieving for such a long time, and until the horrible sensation went away, the poor woman simply couldn't function.
It was no different when she heard another faint knock. All she could do was stare out the window and try to count the colors of the sunrise. However, upon seeing the door open, Eabha could hardly believe who stepped through it.
Ruth saw her on the ground after a couple of seconds and gradually closed the door, kneeling down in front of her. It wasn't very light out yet, but Eabha could make out the utter pity and sorrow on the churchwoman's face.
"Eabha…"
She could barely process this. For months, she'd thought about her friend and about the uplifting words she likely would've said had they not been apart. And she'd also thought about how she'd never see her again. But here she was in front of her now, like an angel sent from Heaven.
Though Eabha's tears had slowed during the past hour or so, she soon felt them pooling in her eyes in a matter of moments. She considered trying to compose herself, but Ruth immediately leaned in and pulled her into an embrace. That was all it took. After spending months holding everything in, the girl finally broke.
"Shh," the older woman whispered, rocking her back and forth. "It's all right, let it out."
Eabha did just that as she rested her head against Ruth's chest, unable to keep from holding onto her. She'd lost almost everything, and with how fragile she was, the idea of losing anything else was too much to bear.
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Let me know what you think.
