Chapter Fourteen

They were ten minutes at the hall collecting fliers and posters. One of the men gave them a hammer and some tacks so they could hang posters on bulletin boards and such as they went along.

Turning north as they left town, the trio headed for the tiny mining community of Silver Creek first. There they handed out fliers and hung posters at the general store and the livery stable. By the time they reached Eagle Bluffs the sun was high in the sky and it was almost lunch time.

"We can leave the horses here," Cam said as they got to the livery stable, "and have lunch at Katie's. The horses will have a rest, some hay and water, while we eat. The food at Katie's is good and it's reasonable. The servings are generous."

All three were hungry and it didn't take long to decide on the beef stew with fresh bread and butter as well as coffee and milk. There was chocolate cake for dessert. When lunch was over they retrieved their horses and went on their way. They passed through several small towns before they arrived in Brimfield - the town where the orphanage was located. On the edge of town stood a two-story house that had been damaged by years of storms and just plain wear and tear before the fire.

"That's the orphanage we're raising money for," Cam told her friends. "Pretty bad, huh?"

"I'll say," Jess agreed. "When you came to Laramie, last summer, the paper said they needed a lot of money to f ix this place up. I can see why. Why hasn't it been torn down yet - and lumber collected to rebuild?"

"Not one person volunteered if you can believe that."

"If this was Laramie it wouldn't be like this would it Jess?" Mike spoke up

"Nope. Sure wouldn't. Sheriff Cory would have seen to it being torn down and anything worth saying would be put somewhere safe until it could be fixed."

Turning to Cam he said, "Let's finish passing out the fliers and putting up the posters. We can talk this fair up so they get the money to tear this place down and put up a new one that's bigger and better."

With that they stopped in front of the general store and started passing out the handbills. Jess took personal charge of putting up several posters around town. He was really getting involved in this cause.

Jess kept his eye on his two young companions. Cam had been so shy and timid, when they had attended the dance the previous summer. Here though, in a small town with a cause to promote, she was all smiles.

"She's gonna be a heart breaker in a couple of years," he thought to himself "That smile's gonna win a lot of hearts. Doc and Mrs. McAllister are gonna have to watch that some young fella don't sweep her off her feet and talk her into running off with him."

"I saved a flier for us," Cam said when they met up in front of the general store an hour later.

"Let's see," Mike said reaching for it.

"When we get home," Cam told him. "Then we can pass it around and make sure Slim and Mrs. Cooper get to see it too." She folded it up and put it in her jacket pocket.

"Your aunt's expecting us for dinner ain't she?" Jess asked while quelling Mike's curiosity with a look.

"Yes, and we should be heading back. It'll take most of the afternoon to get back."

"They rode back toward Evergreen at a steady, but leisurely, pace. In spite of the chill the sun was warm and the little boy started dozing off. He wasn't used to such long rides. The travel, and the sun, took their toll on him.

They stopped for a moment. Cam slid off of Smoke and climbed up behind Mike ,handing her mount's reins to Jess.

"He can lean on me and sleep the rest of the way," she said. "Smoke won't give you any trouble but it's best not to take a chance with Galway until you've worked with him longer."

Jess didn't argue. Galway was still young and could be flighty. Best to leave the boy where he was and hope Cam was right - which she was about Smoke. He was calm and steady - a good influence on Jess' colt. Cam had learned a lot from him and from Mr. Quinn.

It was around four that afternoon when they finally got back to the McAllisters'. Jess reached up for the sleepy Mike allowing Cam to dismount. While the Texan took the boy inside, the teenager took the three horses into the barn and started unsaddling. Slim came along five minutes later and pitched in. Five minutes after that Jess came back and took over the care of Galway while his friends tended to Smoke and Yankee Doodle.

Half an hour later the three friends went to the house and cleaned up. Cam left her jacket and hat in her room, then went down to help her aunt, and Daisy, get dinner on the table.

Fried chicken, mountains of mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, gravy for those who wanted it, fresh biscuits. All were devoured in a very short time. For dessert there was blueberry pie with whipped cream.

The upcoming fair was the chief topic of conversation.

"I saved a flier for us," Cam said as she finished eating. I'll go get it. I put it in my jacket pocket for safekeeping."

While the adults took their pie and coffee to the parlor and got comfortable she ran lightly up the stairs to retrieve it. She was downstairs a moment later.

"Mike? Come on over here and sit with me. You can help me read it," she patted a place on the sofa next to her.

Everyone else sat in the various chairs except Jess. He was sitting on the floor next to Duncan and giving the pup a lot of attention since Duncan had been largely ignored all day while everyone was busy.

"What does the flier say Cam?" David McAllister asked. He'd been so busy with patients that he hadn't been able to keep up with the plans.

"Evergreen Fall Fling

October 20 - 23

Fun for all

Displays of sewing projects, canned and fresh fruits and vegetables

Woodworking

Paintings and sketches

Livestock judging and auction

Beef and chicken barbecue

Horse race on Saturday

Many other fun events. All proceeds benefit the Brimfield Orphanage. Ribbons and Money prizes."

"Let me see that," Slim said certain that she was leaving something out.

"Here," Cam handed him the flier dreading what she knew he'd see.

"Well, well, well," the tall rancher said. "Looks like you've been holding back. Says here there's to be a dance too."

"Yeah, but I won't be there," Cam told him.

"Still afraid?" Jess asked remembering the how she'd reacted during her first visit to Laramie and the terrible time she'd had.

It was true. Cam wasn't fond of such affairs and, though she'd made some good friends among the young people of Laramie, she'd been manhandled and slapped when she refused to dance with a young troublemaker from another town. Jess had wanted to tear the young man apart but cooler, and wiser, heads had prevailed. Those heads belonging to Slim and Sheriff Mort Cory. Mort Cory had sent them on their way home and dealt with the troublemaker himself.

"I just don't like them is all," the girl said.

The adults exchanged looks. Cam had come out of her shell as far as talking to strangers was concerned, but it was obvious that she still wasn't comfortable in crowded social gatherings such as dances.

"What's this contest about winning livestock for the orphanage?" Slim asked.

"I think the idea behind that," David McAllister said, "is to get the children involved."

"No, Father, not the children," Gordon spoke up. "They're planning to sucker innocent bystanders into entering games and such." He grinned. "I hear there's a dunk tank planned. If it's deep enough maybe I can talk Mattie into volunteering for it."

"Mattie thinks not," Slim said. "If it's real deep Gordy can take my place."

Can giggled while the others laughed. Good friends though they had been since childhood, Gordon and Slim were always goading each other.

"I know. There's a sack race and probably a three legged race." Cam's eyes sparkled with mischief as she thought about the potential match up.

"What can I do?" Mike asked.

The sack race is for everybody Mike. Kids of all ages enter it. Even some of the adults."

"There's a pumpkin carving contest," Hannah told him. "All the young folks from eight years old to teenagers have a chance to create jack o'lanterns. I believe they're awarding prizes for the silliest, happiest and scariest faces."

"It all sounds lovely," Daisy said. "Maybe Slim can find some livestock for the ranch."

'It's a lot of fun," Cam said. "It's busy and noisy and exciting all at once. Mr. Merriweather and Mr. Dawson see to that when they try to outbid each other at the auction."

"Yes, indeed," Dr. McAllister laughed. "Those two old timers are determined to walk away with the best horse or bull."

"Or cow. Or chickens," his son added. "A lot of folks come to the auction just to watch them go at it."

An hour later, after much fair talk, Cam reached up and unpinned her braids and then undid them.

"It's getting late and I have to be at the Grange Hall by nine to help check in last minute entries," the girl said. "I'll see you all in the morning." Looking down she saw that Mike was fighting a losing battle to stay awake.

"Come on, Mike, I'll tuck you in before I go to bed." She helped the sleepy boy up. "Say good night to everyone."

"Night Slim, night Jess."

"Night Tiger. "Good night, Tiger," Slim replied.

"Night Aunt Daisy." He gave her a hug.

"Good night dear. I'll check in on you before I go to bed." Daisy gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Good night, Mrs. McAlllister."

"Good night, Mike. Sleep well." Hannah smiled at the boy.

"Night Dr. McAllister. Night Mr McAllister."

"Good night Mike," the two men responded.

"Come on small fry," Cam said after kissing her aunt and uncle and bidding everyone a good night. "Let's get to bed huh? You've had a busy day."

Mike went willingly hoping that his friend would tell him more stories about his guardians.