Chapter 11 - Wasting no time
September the 26th, 1832
Since they had brought back Missie to her family, the Wilmingtons had climbed up the ladder of trust and honor. They might have strange friends in the eyes of the inhabitants of Canaan but they saved one of their children.
Samuel's leg had healed well though he had problems with running longer distances. The others had seen him wearing his hunter's ring with pride, the next day. Cole had curiously asked him how it had come that Wade had given him a ring. Samuel ended up telling the others about his ability. He had really earned it and paid it with enough pain, that much was sure.
The other good thing about saving Missie was that Mr. Kramer didn't worry about Carolyn's safety anymore while she was out with Cole.
Missie told everyone that Cole had been her hero and had saved her from that evil tree. He was now a warmly welcomed guest in Missie's family.
Carolyn's mother worried about other things. She had made a choker for her daughter and ordered her to wear it. Carolyn had explained to Cole why mothers made chokers for their daughters. He couldn't believe this should really be an indication of being pregnant. But well, he had seen stranger things.
*** The Wild West Triad ***
Carolyn knew exactly why her mother did this. Her mother had watched her suspiciously when Carolyn had come home that afternoon from the hidden pond, beaming in joy.
They had been more careful since then, Carolyn was sure she would get into a lot of trouble should her choker start to tighten. But there were other wonderful things she and Cole explored together that can be called making love to each other.
It was of course not the only thing they did while being together. For example, they rode out to explore the wide land of the Great Plains or went fishing. He was a skilled fisher, though his technique was unusual. Cole told her it was the native way. On other occasions, Carolyn taught him all the wildflowers she knew which were useful in the also taught Carolyn his recipe for the cookies. It was wonderful to watch him working in the kitchen. He was such a calm person in teaching. While watching him, his cocky smile grew when he noticed her dreamily staring at him. They seem to communicate without words.
Another funny thing Carolyn discovered was that he used to wear knives for every occasion, hidden somewhere in his belt, boot, or obviously wearing them in a sheath around his waist. She teased him a little about it and wanted to know why a single man needed so much weaponry. Cole had grinned at her and had shown her his whole collection. He was very proud of the one he had forged alone, though he said he had to practice more, the blade looked pretty good shaped.
The smile he gave her made her feel special. He seemed to have a particular one for her when he looked at her with his intense blue eyes. Then there was his wonderful long dark hair. It gave him an unsubdued and exciting touch. Most men with long hair she had seen wore it to a ponytail in the neck. Not so Cole. The wind played lovingly with his open hair every time they were out. She hadn't missed some beads here and there on his clothes that marked him as a friend of the Absarokee.
Though she liked his style of clothing, she loved seeing him shirtless, for example when he was chopping firewood. He had helped her father with it, and Carolyn had watched him almost drooling as the strong, well-formed muscles of his arms and chest played in a perfect symphony of movement. When he'd caught her staring at him, he'd winked at her and given her that lopsided cocky smile that melted her away.
The weather was getting colder. After fall, they would have to search for another place to meet in private. But luckily today was a sunny day and Cole had brought a big blanket for them in which she now was snuggled in his embrace.
Something was stirring him up today, though she hadn't found out what it was yet. "Is something wrong? You haven't talked much today."
*** The Wild West Triad - Prequel ***
Taking her hand, Cole smiled over the attention she paid him. Calling him alright would be a lie. He was completely in panic but tried to hide it as best as possible. Obviously, he hadn't been good enough. Closing his eyes, he didn't answer right away, taking a deep breath. He turned his head to look into his love's eyes. Confusion was to read in her beautiful brown ones. He would have to say something but wasn't sure how to start.
"No, I'm just … nervous. I have a gift for you. I saw it and I knew it would look perfect on you. It is not common for the purpose I have, but well I don't like common things."
Cole broke away from their embrace and reached for his bag. He took out the small paper box and revealed a moon-shaped tiger's eye pendant, attached to a leather chain. He had found it in Fort William when he was there last time with Mike. At first, Cole had not the intention of doing what he was about to do next with the present, but little Missie's question had stirred up a thought in his mind, and he had realized that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Carolyn.
Since he wasn't one to waste time, he had to face the truth now if she loved him enough to do such a crazy step. He knew all others would shake their heads over him thinking about marriage this young. But hell, life was short, especially a hunter's life and he knew he would soon be involved in more hunts. Cole wanted to claim Carolyn as his. Waking up next to her in the mornings and having her waiting for him when he came home. Missie had been right; he even wanted to have children with Carolyn. He would be a good father, a father who loved his kids, being proud of them, teaching them, and protecting them. The whole thing. He imagined it as a perfect life. He would leave a legacy to this world.
About the supernatural - well they hadn't talked about it so far He would do this after this. To tell Carolyn things about hunting werewolves, vampires, and ghosts would be easy in comparssion. When he turned eighteen, he would marry her no matter what their parents or Wade would think of it. But Carolyn's decision would be important to him. She had to want this, too.
Carolyn got up excitedly about the gift. Her smile was nearly worth the money he'd spent on it. "It's beautiful, Cole! But you know you don't have to buy me things."
He placed the leatherband around her neck, taking her hand. "It's a special gift because it has a purpose."
Though he knew she loved him too, Cole felt nervous like never before in his life. He went to his knees. "Carolyn Maria Kramer, do you want to marry me?"
Carolyn beamed at him looking like an angel. Sinking to her knees next to him, she covered him with kisses, whispering a joyful 'yes' while tears ran down her silky cheeks.
Cole was the happiest man alive. He was sure, today no one would be able to wash that joy from his face.
Soon, the two made plans about their future. Where they could build their own house and what their families would think about it. They decided to not tell anyone so far. In January, Cole would visit Jared and officially ask for the hand of his daughter. Until then it should be their secret.
*** The Wild West Triad - prequel ***
In the evening hours, they rode into the Kramers' yard, where Jared nervously was waiting for them with his rifle at hand.
Carolyn got off her horse already concerned, followed by Cole. "Daddy, what's wrong? Why are you waiting for us?"
Jared took his daughter in his arms. "Carolyn, Baby. Thank God! Bryan had been found dead on his pasture with a slit throat. I don't know more details but I was worried that you were still out."
"Oh my god! That is horrible! How is Mara?" Carolyn asked with her hand over her mouth in shock over the revelation. She had told Cole she often talked to Mara, Bryan's wife. Though the woman was five years older than Carolyn, she was the closest friend Carolyn had in Canaan.
Jared pulled her already with him. "She is surprisingly calm. She has to be in shock or something."
His girl stopped following her father, what made Jared turn to his daughter. "Dad, we have to unsaddle my horse first. Cole will bring me inside when we are done. You know he is watching out for me. We were safe."
Cole was close on their heels. "Do you have any clue who did this?" He asked Jared.
Jared still had his daughter by the hand. "We thought about an animal attack first, but I fear this was a human being. The cut had been caused by a blade, I'm sure of that. I can not think of any men of Canaan who might have done this. I have known everyone for over a year now."
Jared reluctantly let his daughter go, watching the two. Cole had never made a secret out of it that he loved Carolyn. He was sure Jared already knew and he had never said something against their picnics and trips as long Carolyn was at home in the evenings.
"Alright, hurry up. I want you inside the house in ten minutes," Jared ordered.
"Yes, sir. I'll bring her inside right away," Cole promised.
Jared nodded shortly and headed inside the house.
Cole took her hand and guided her horse with them inside the barn. His love was shocked about the news Jared had told. He turned to his love, cupping one of her cheeks. "Are you alright?"
She nodded bravely and met his gaze. "God, I can't even imagine how Mara must feel right now. I don't want you to ride home alone when a murderer is out there."
Cole smiled over her concern. No crazy asshole with a knife would scare him. Carolyn hadn't to be concerned about him. No, he on the other hand didn't want to leave her alone. But Jared would take care of his family. She was safe at home. He just had to make her understand not to leave the property until they would have found the murderer. "Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. I want you to stay at home, do you understand? I know you are friends with Mara, and if you want to see her, I will come over tomorrow and we're gonna visit her together, okay?"
Carolyn nodded. "Yes, we'll do that tomorrow." She hugged Cole, concern still visible on her face.
Sitting on a barrel Carolyn watched Cole unsaddle her brown dotted Mustang mare. She had named her Cookie. Cole had traded her from Grey Feather and gifted Carolyn the horse on her birthday. He also had helped build this barn. The Kramers had become good friends to them. He nearly felt like a part of this family. Maybe Wade and Jared wouldn't be as surprised as Cole first thought when he would tell them he wanted to marry Carolyn.
He took the saddle off the animal, to place it over the bar to the other ones. The blue horse blanket had its place on a small rack behind him. Cookie nickered slightly while Cole brushed her dry.
Cole turned to her after he had locked up Cookie in her stall. Taking her hands in his, he pulled her up. "Hey, can you give me a smile? I know this situation is nothing to smile about but I don't wanna see you sad. She managed a smile, though it was a small one, it was still like the sun was shining. "As long as we're together everything else will be fine," he whispered, placing a kiss on her lips.
"Yes, you are right. We should go inside or my dad is going to search for us, I don't want to worry him more."
Cole took her hand and the petroleum lamp with them and guided his girl to the house. He stopped in front of the door, pulling her in a tight embrace. "We'll find the murderer. You stay with your family. Jared would not let anything happen to you."
She whispered her goodbyes to him. "I have a bad feeling, Cole, be careful on your way back home. I love you."
Cole kissed her in front of the house. He wouldn't hide anymore how much he loved Carolyn and whispered back. "I love you too. Don't worry." Releasing Carolyn he opened the door, letting her inside.
Jared looked up to them as they opened the door. Cole didn't come inside but addressed Jared. "I'll let my uncle and his friends know about the events. I'm sure they will ride over to offer their help."
"We are grateful for any help to find the murderer. Good night Cole, and thank you. I know you watch out for Carolyn."
"That I do, Sir. Good night Mr. Kramer."
Cole rode home, not concerned about his safety. He already felt like a hunter since Mike had started to train him, and he never was unarmed. Animal attack - it was always the first thing the others blamed, though there were a lot of dangerous animals out there. But as Jared had said, none of them cut throats with a blade. Who could have done it? No stranger was in the area as far as Cole knew. Bryan had been to Fort William last week but had come home alone again. He thought about possible monsters who slit throats but he had nothing came to his mind. He would tell the Triad. Maybe they could go for a hunt today. That would be awesome.
TBC
