Chapter 5 – A Good Sign

My nose reacted before the rest of me did the next morning. The smell of coffee was in the air, and it didn't take long for me to respond to it. Harper had woken up and taken over the watch about two in the morning, and she was busy putting together breakfast for both of us. For once, I was happy I didn't have to make the coffee.

We didn't waste time. Within an hour we'd eaten, cleaned up, packed everything and were on our way. The day went past much as yesterday had. We rode and talked, talked and rode, again without a trace of Red Maxwell or anyone else. When we camped I caught a rabbit for supper, and Harper proved every bit as adept at skinning and cooking it as my brother. We traded this time, with the girl taking the first watch and me the second. Sunday morning found me making the coffee, and soon we were again on our way.

There wasn't much conversation on our third day of traveling. Both of us were worn out to an extent, and generally tired of talking. We stopped earlier than we had the other two days and agreed that we could probably do without either of us standing guard. It had become apparent that wherever Red was, we wouldn't see any of him until our party numbered three instead of just the two of us.

Monday morning came with the sunup, and whether it was nervous anticipation or just plain excitement, Harper had coffee brewing soon after. Why I was awake that early I have no idea, but once I got wind of the coffee there was no going back.

"Good mornin'," was the first thing I heard from the girl, and she sounded happy. My eyes came open slowly, and all that was visible was the cup of coffee she was holding out to me. "Did I wake you up?"

"Sorta. Kinda. Naw, it was the smell a coffee. Can't imagine why you're up so early."

My eyes were open wide enough now that I could see the big grin on her face. "Think he'll get out this mornin'?"

That was a question I had no answer for. "No idea. We'll find out when we get there."

"How far do we have to go?"

"Couple hours. Three at the most. Let's eat and get outta here."

Before too long we were on our way again. This morning she was all wound up and talked practically non-stop. Every sentence started out with either "Danny" or "Danny and me" and continued until I couldn't stand it anymore.

"Harper, honey?"

She pulled her horse up and looked at me. "Yeah?"

"Can you . . . can you stop talkin' for a minute?"

"Too much?" she asked me, and I had to tell her the truth.

"Just a little."

We rode for another few minutes in silence and then the prison came into view, and my peace was over. We approached the gates at the guardhouse, and I dismounted.

"Help ya?" the guard asked as he came out to meet us.

"Waitin' for a prisoner release supposed to happen today," I replied.

"Name?"

"Danny Mills."

He was back in less than five minutes. "Should be out this afternoon."

I looked up at Harper. She was grinning from ear to ear. "Do we just wait here?"

The guard shook his head. "See that cabin over there?" He was pointing to a small building about a hundred or so feet away. "You can wait there. He's the only one gettin' out today, so I'll send him right on over."

I climbed back on my sorrel. "Thanks. Where's the nearest town?"

"Bout three miles or so that way." East, this time. "Placerville."

"They got a livery and a general store?"

"Yep. And a saloon."

I turned to Harper. "We got time. Let's go get supplies." I paused, then added, "And a horse."

It was a quick trip to Placerville and no problem replenishing the supplies. On to the livery. They had a bay mare and a black stallion for sale; Harper decided on the stallion. As soon as he was saddled and paid for we headed back to the prison. This time we went straight to the cabin and tied all the horses outside. Harper was so excited she couldn't sit still, so I pulled out a deck of cards, determined to keep her occupied. She knew enough about poker to play a decent game, and that's what we did for the next two hours.

Eventually, even I was anxious. Just when I thought Mills would never be released, the front door to the cabin swung open, and a figure stood in the doorway. He wasn't as tall as I was, and he probably outweighed me by a bit, but the biggest difference was in age. I don't know what I was expecting, but he looked a lot younger than me. No wonder Harper had called me 'old man' more than once. His hair was dark and long, almost down to his shoulders, and he wore a mustache. But it was his eyes that you noticed, because they didn't go with the face. They were a smoky gray color and looked far older than the rest of the man they belonged to. Young in years, those eyes had seen things that Harper would never understand.

His expression was grim when he looked at me. Just who he thought I was, I have no idea. He searched the room and finally spotted the girl, and the hardened criminal look left his face and was replaced by the smile of a happy boy.

"Danny!" she shrieked, and ran into his arms. There was hugging and laughter, and for a minute all of their worries and fears were forgotten. They were just two friends that had waited a long time for this exact moment. He kissed her on the cheek, awkwardly, and she kissed him back on the lips. He appeared slightly startled but didn't pull away. When they broke apart he turned his attention back to me and extended his hand, tentatively.

"Danny Mills. And you are?"

"Bart Maverick," I replied, and shook his hand. "I'm kind of . . . kind of an escort."

Harper quickly stepped in to try and explain. "I thought it might help if we had someone with us. To discourage Red when he shows up."

"Gun hand?" Danny asked.

"Not exactly. Just some . . . extra protection. So Maxwell thinks twice before he tries anything. Maybe he won't like the odds."

"And you're doin' this because?"

I wasn't gonna lie to the kid. "I'm gettin' paid to."

He nodded. At least he knew there was nothing between the girl and me. "You seen him? Red, I mean."

"Not so far," Harper answered. "Bart figured he wouldn't show until we had you with us."

"Probably true. You know what he wants from me?"

My turn to nod. "I do. Harper told me the story. You did the right thing."

Danny laughed then, a cynical sound. "Too bad Maxwell don't feel the same way. Stupidest thing I ever did, tryin' to rob the saloon." He looked down at Harper. "You look awful good, Harper. You miss me?"

She blushed. There was a real girl in there. "You know I did. Thought this year'd never be over."

"How's your Pa?"

"He's still the sheriff, if that's what you mean. I don't see much of him."

"Still mad at me?" It seemed like a reasonable question.

"He came and told me you were bein' released. Bart seemed to think that was a good sign."

"You meet him?"

"Nope," I answered. "Just know what Harper told me. I kinda gave him the benefit of the doubt."

Danny hesitated, then told me, "I hope you're right. He needs to know people can change."

I thought about my own father. We'd never been close; I always believed he was partial to my brother Bret, and I just kinda came along with the deal. It took a few years before I found out that wasn't the truth. Funny how it's always easier to see things right in front of you when it don't involve your own kin.

I changed the subject. "You ready to go?"

"Yes, sir," the newly-released prisoner answered. "That I am."

In minutes we were mounted and on our way. I had a portion of my peace and quiet back; Danny and Harper rode together in front and chattered incessantly to each other. I rode behind and listened to the sound of young love. Quite noisy.