Our little farm was bustling with activity once our brothers had returned
to Jim and me. Cole did take Jett as he said, which upset the horse a fair
bit at first but he soon got used to the new rider. I was in charge of
helping recover Cole's stubborn brown Tennessee walker named Kirby. It was
a trying job because Kirby had grown too fond of Cole in the war and never
did anything I told him while Cole was in sight. But life was still
pleasant, especially with the frequent visits of Jesse and Frank to our
farm.
Today they came to discuss the recent offers that a man named Thaddeus Raines had placed on all of our land. The James had been visited the day before, and Jesse and Cole were discussing exactly how Cole could refuse the easterners offer in the most insulting way, while still keeping his head out of a noose.
"Frank and I are meeting with a few of the townsfolk tonight." Jesse informed Cole as they fixed the wheel on one of our carts.
"Well I'm gonna stay with the farm tonight, don't want those cronies of Raines, the Pinkerton bastards stealing my land while I'm gone." Cole responded. I veered Kirby over toward the boys, trying not to stare at Jesse who wasn't wearing a shirt.
"How would you boys care for something to drink?"
"Sure thing Jaime! I'm sweating like crazy in this blazing sun. I've been hiding from those Yanks in the shady bushes for so many years I forgot what it feels like to do an honest days work out here in the sun." Jesse laughed at Cole's answer then looked over at me. "Sure thing, that'd be mighty sweet of you James." He said to me, giving me one of his boyish grins. I was startled and surprised that he had used my old nickname from my extreme tomboy days. I grinned back, trying not to seem too pleased at his friendliness and headed back to the house to get something refreshing for them.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Later that night, we all finally sat down for our first meal together as a family. For the past few days people had been stopping by, bring pies and treats to welcome home the boys, so I was excited to have my brothers to myself tonight. Everybody else was at the town meeting that Jesse had spoken of. I had cooked all of my brothers' favorite foods: corn for Cole, roasted potatoes for Bob, and warm bread with my special gravy on top for Jim. We all sat at the dinner table eating, talking, and laughing until well after dark.
"Well thank you boys for one entertaining evening but I am tuckered out. I believe I shall go check in on the horses, see that they're set for the night and head off to bed." I said as I rose from the table. They all quickly clambered to their feet as I stood.
"Thanks for a great dinner Jaime, its wonderful to be back home." Bob said as he kissed me on the cheek and started clearing plates. Since our parents had died my brothers had helped my take on the domestic tasks and often cleaned up the dishes after I cooked.
"Yeah, you sure know how to make a man feel happy," said Cole as he leaned back in his chair and sighed contentedly. Jim also thanked me as he helped out Bob; I smiled at them and headed out the back door.
It was a beautiful, warm, clear night and I took my time walking out to the barn, admiring the stars up above. My brothers were home, Jett would be mine again in three short weeks, and my attraction to Jesse would have plenty of opportunities to strike now that he was home. Life seemed to be perfect. Just then a rough hand clamped around my mouth, smothering my breathing.
"Perfect timing missy, I think you'll be of great help to us in getting your brothers to sign our contract," a man whispered harshly in my ear. His breath stunk of whiskey, I tried to scream but his fingers were too tight. I struggled against him until I felt the cold sharp edge of a knife being pressed against the base of my neck.
"Any more resistance out of you and you'll never see your precious family again," he growled. I obeyed his words, my heart beating fast in my chest. I prayed for one of my brother's to appear. I could feel tears and cold sweat beginning to pour down my face. Just then, my captor turned me so that I could see the group of men walking up to the front door of our farmhouse.
"Howdy there folks" the man in a bowler cap said to whoever had opened the door. His voice was slick and oily like one of those city salesmen. "I am here to discuss the sale of your land here in order to benefit the future progress of our days finest mode of transportation-"
"We know why you're here!" Came the aggressive voice of Cole " and you can save your speech mister we're not selling anything to you pompous asses!" At this the man in the bowler hat merely smirked.
"Well sirs we have gotten used to you country folks and just how stubborn you all can be. So we have secured ourselves a bit of leverage that might make you reconsider." At that the man holding me shoved me forward into the pool of light pouring out of our front door. He held up my head with the edge of his knife.
"Jaime!" cried Cole as he realized what he was seeing. He attempted to lunge out of the door at me but Bob, who was standing behind him with Jim, grabbed him and pulled him back. At the same moment the knife at my neck was pushed harder into my flesh. I gasped as I felt it draw a bit of blood.
"What the hell do you want!?!" Cole shouted at the smug man in front of him.
"All we want is your signature on this deed and she will be returned to you in perfect health." He replied calmly, apparently enjoying the panic that was rising on Cole's face.
"No!!!" I screamed through my captor's hands but he quickly tightened his grip around my mouth, the only sound I could utter was that of a panicked whimper.
"I'll go get a pen." Cole said dejectedly, glancing at me earnestly as he turned back into the house.
"Very good sir." Said the man happily "but I suggest you hurry, Dodds is not known to be a patient man and I wouldn't want anything to happen to your dear sister." Cole gave him a smoldering glare as he disappeared into the house.
The man still holding me, Dodds, was now laughing hungrily. I could fell his rotten breath on the back of my neck as his free hand reached around my waist and started to pull up my skirts. At this I began to struggle again, no longer caring about the knife at my throat. Once again I emitted a high- pitched panicked whine. I looked desperately back to my front door, but none of my brothers were in sight.
"Oh God." I thought desperately "Please help me lord, please!"
Right then I heard a horrible popping sound. I stiffened up and squeezed my eyes shut. Dodds had stopped his search of my body. In the next instant Dodds arms let me loose as he fell backwards and landed with a dull thud on the ground. Opening my eyes I found myself looking up at the porch, my brothers standing there all holding their pistols. Cole's right pistol was smoking slightly. Everyone stood in stunned silence for a few moments, frozen in shock.
The next instant all hell broke loose, I bolted away from the now dead Dodds as Cole and Bob started shooting at the men who were lunging after me. Jim came sailing off the porch, grabbed me and pulled me behind a stack of firewood. Jim and I didn't move as the battle continued around us. Finally we heard the sound of lots of shouting and then of the mens' frantic retreat. Jim and I stuck our heads out from behind the pile. Bob came down and pulled me to him grabbing tightly onto my shoulders.
"Are you ok?" He asked me fiercely his eyes blazing with a spark I had never seen before. Still too scared to speak I nodded at him shakily.
"How about that cut?" I had completely forgotten about the knife slicing my skin until now. I reached up and felt the blood seeping out of the wound, but the wound itself was shallow. I found my handkerchief in my bodice and pressed it against it.
"It'll be fine" I choked out. Bob nodded at me and tussled my hair, then turned to Jim.
"How about you? None of them got a shot in you did they?"
"No, I'm fine. But where's Cole?" At this Bob jaw tightened and his eyes averted ours
"They got him." He said softly
"They what!?!" I shrieked my head rocketing off of Jim's shoulder where I had retreated to after Bob's inquiry.
"They hauled him off." Bob said now with a trace of a sob in his voice. "Said he killed men working for the government so they're gonna hang him tomorrow at noon."
These last words knock all of the fight out of me. I sunk back into Jim. I couldn't believe it; I couldn't lose Cole, not after I had just gotten him back. But there seemed to be no hope. It all seemed so hopeless. Jim held me close not saying a word.
"So what should we do?" he asked of Bob. Bob sat for a moment as if he had not heard Jim, then he rose suddenly and strode quickly away from us towards the barn.
"Where are you going?" Jim shouted after him.
"To the town meeting. Frank and Jesse were our comrades in the war, together we'll think of something. Looks like we're not done fighting after all." And with that he disappeared into the barn only to gallop out on his horse Chester moments later towards town.
Today they came to discuss the recent offers that a man named Thaddeus Raines had placed on all of our land. The James had been visited the day before, and Jesse and Cole were discussing exactly how Cole could refuse the easterners offer in the most insulting way, while still keeping his head out of a noose.
"Frank and I are meeting with a few of the townsfolk tonight." Jesse informed Cole as they fixed the wheel on one of our carts.
"Well I'm gonna stay with the farm tonight, don't want those cronies of Raines, the Pinkerton bastards stealing my land while I'm gone." Cole responded. I veered Kirby over toward the boys, trying not to stare at Jesse who wasn't wearing a shirt.
"How would you boys care for something to drink?"
"Sure thing Jaime! I'm sweating like crazy in this blazing sun. I've been hiding from those Yanks in the shady bushes for so many years I forgot what it feels like to do an honest days work out here in the sun." Jesse laughed at Cole's answer then looked over at me. "Sure thing, that'd be mighty sweet of you James." He said to me, giving me one of his boyish grins. I was startled and surprised that he had used my old nickname from my extreme tomboy days. I grinned back, trying not to seem too pleased at his friendliness and headed back to the house to get something refreshing for them.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Later that night, we all finally sat down for our first meal together as a family. For the past few days people had been stopping by, bring pies and treats to welcome home the boys, so I was excited to have my brothers to myself tonight. Everybody else was at the town meeting that Jesse had spoken of. I had cooked all of my brothers' favorite foods: corn for Cole, roasted potatoes for Bob, and warm bread with my special gravy on top for Jim. We all sat at the dinner table eating, talking, and laughing until well after dark.
"Well thank you boys for one entertaining evening but I am tuckered out. I believe I shall go check in on the horses, see that they're set for the night and head off to bed." I said as I rose from the table. They all quickly clambered to their feet as I stood.
"Thanks for a great dinner Jaime, its wonderful to be back home." Bob said as he kissed me on the cheek and started clearing plates. Since our parents had died my brothers had helped my take on the domestic tasks and often cleaned up the dishes after I cooked.
"Yeah, you sure know how to make a man feel happy," said Cole as he leaned back in his chair and sighed contentedly. Jim also thanked me as he helped out Bob; I smiled at them and headed out the back door.
It was a beautiful, warm, clear night and I took my time walking out to the barn, admiring the stars up above. My brothers were home, Jett would be mine again in three short weeks, and my attraction to Jesse would have plenty of opportunities to strike now that he was home. Life seemed to be perfect. Just then a rough hand clamped around my mouth, smothering my breathing.
"Perfect timing missy, I think you'll be of great help to us in getting your brothers to sign our contract," a man whispered harshly in my ear. His breath stunk of whiskey, I tried to scream but his fingers were too tight. I struggled against him until I felt the cold sharp edge of a knife being pressed against the base of my neck.
"Any more resistance out of you and you'll never see your precious family again," he growled. I obeyed his words, my heart beating fast in my chest. I prayed for one of my brother's to appear. I could feel tears and cold sweat beginning to pour down my face. Just then, my captor turned me so that I could see the group of men walking up to the front door of our farmhouse.
"Howdy there folks" the man in a bowler cap said to whoever had opened the door. His voice was slick and oily like one of those city salesmen. "I am here to discuss the sale of your land here in order to benefit the future progress of our days finest mode of transportation-"
"We know why you're here!" Came the aggressive voice of Cole " and you can save your speech mister we're not selling anything to you pompous asses!" At this the man in the bowler hat merely smirked.
"Well sirs we have gotten used to you country folks and just how stubborn you all can be. So we have secured ourselves a bit of leverage that might make you reconsider." At that the man holding me shoved me forward into the pool of light pouring out of our front door. He held up my head with the edge of his knife.
"Jaime!" cried Cole as he realized what he was seeing. He attempted to lunge out of the door at me but Bob, who was standing behind him with Jim, grabbed him and pulled him back. At the same moment the knife at my neck was pushed harder into my flesh. I gasped as I felt it draw a bit of blood.
"What the hell do you want!?!" Cole shouted at the smug man in front of him.
"All we want is your signature on this deed and she will be returned to you in perfect health." He replied calmly, apparently enjoying the panic that was rising on Cole's face.
"No!!!" I screamed through my captor's hands but he quickly tightened his grip around my mouth, the only sound I could utter was that of a panicked whimper.
"I'll go get a pen." Cole said dejectedly, glancing at me earnestly as he turned back into the house.
"Very good sir." Said the man happily "but I suggest you hurry, Dodds is not known to be a patient man and I wouldn't want anything to happen to your dear sister." Cole gave him a smoldering glare as he disappeared into the house.
The man still holding me, Dodds, was now laughing hungrily. I could fell his rotten breath on the back of my neck as his free hand reached around my waist and started to pull up my skirts. At this I began to struggle again, no longer caring about the knife at my throat. Once again I emitted a high- pitched panicked whine. I looked desperately back to my front door, but none of my brothers were in sight.
"Oh God." I thought desperately "Please help me lord, please!"
Right then I heard a horrible popping sound. I stiffened up and squeezed my eyes shut. Dodds had stopped his search of my body. In the next instant Dodds arms let me loose as he fell backwards and landed with a dull thud on the ground. Opening my eyes I found myself looking up at the porch, my brothers standing there all holding their pistols. Cole's right pistol was smoking slightly. Everyone stood in stunned silence for a few moments, frozen in shock.
The next instant all hell broke loose, I bolted away from the now dead Dodds as Cole and Bob started shooting at the men who were lunging after me. Jim came sailing off the porch, grabbed me and pulled me behind a stack of firewood. Jim and I didn't move as the battle continued around us. Finally we heard the sound of lots of shouting and then of the mens' frantic retreat. Jim and I stuck our heads out from behind the pile. Bob came down and pulled me to him grabbing tightly onto my shoulders.
"Are you ok?" He asked me fiercely his eyes blazing with a spark I had never seen before. Still too scared to speak I nodded at him shakily.
"How about that cut?" I had completely forgotten about the knife slicing my skin until now. I reached up and felt the blood seeping out of the wound, but the wound itself was shallow. I found my handkerchief in my bodice and pressed it against it.
"It'll be fine" I choked out. Bob nodded at me and tussled my hair, then turned to Jim.
"How about you? None of them got a shot in you did they?"
"No, I'm fine. But where's Cole?" At this Bob jaw tightened and his eyes averted ours
"They got him." He said softly
"They what!?!" I shrieked my head rocketing off of Jim's shoulder where I had retreated to after Bob's inquiry.
"They hauled him off." Bob said now with a trace of a sob in his voice. "Said he killed men working for the government so they're gonna hang him tomorrow at noon."
These last words knock all of the fight out of me. I sunk back into Jim. I couldn't believe it; I couldn't lose Cole, not after I had just gotten him back. But there seemed to be no hope. It all seemed so hopeless. Jim held me close not saying a word.
"So what should we do?" he asked of Bob. Bob sat for a moment as if he had not heard Jim, then he rose suddenly and strode quickly away from us towards the barn.
"Where are you going?" Jim shouted after him.
"To the town meeting. Frank and Jesse were our comrades in the war, together we'll think of something. Looks like we're not done fighting after all." And with that he disappeared into the barn only to gallop out on his horse Chester moments later towards town.