Chapter 6, by Dogwood
Dawn was beginning to announce the new day while still maintaining its mysterious dark hues over the town. Mystery surrounded the unexpected appearance of Dirk Farrow out of the shadows as well.
He'd made advances toward Folly whenever he was in the Yucca which she tried to ignore. She needed the job and the owner of the Yucca made it plain to her she needed to be friendly toward Dirk and any of the Farrow hands. She begrudgingly complied knowing it was another gesture fueling the fire of an already scurrilous and privileged son.
Folly was on a mission, foolish and obvious as it might have been, but she would go to any ends to get the Cartwrights out of town and more importantly out of her room. She wanted her life to return to whatever was normal for her and at this moment it did not include the Cartwrights much less Dirk Farrow.
His unexpected appearance was as frightening to her as was the question asked …. "What are we going to do about that?"
Wiping the remnants of his kiss from her mouth with the back of her hand she answered. "You're making a mistake. There's nothing that needs to be done about anything. Besides, there's no way I could help anybody. I can hardly help myself. Why do you think I'm still working at the Yucca?"
Dirk pushed Folly against the cold boards of the building and smiled. He rubbed his finger against her cheek and spoke softly. "That's not what I'm hearing. You were seen helping Joe Cartwright earlier this evening and then you had a drink with Adam Cartwright. Sounds like you were being pretty friendly."
Defiantly she pushed the hand from her face. "I get paid to be sociable."
Dirk stepped back. "Just a word to the wise …. be careful who you socialize with. People around here aren't looking too friendly on the Cartwrights."
" … And you Farrows are making sure of that ain't ya. Yeah, you're stirring up the town alright but that's got nothing to do with me. I just want to be left alone. Now get out of my way I need to get some sleep."
"Yeah, make sure you do just that," laughed Dirk. "This will be over soon and we'll have some celebrating to do. Just watch your step."
She pushed her way past Dirk. Her heart beat faster and confusion set in. She needed to reach the doctor and she needed the Cartwright brothers out of her room. Realizing she'd acted on nervous energy and poor instinct had put her in this situation.
A rush of cold made its way down her back and it wasn't because of the skimpy dress she was wearing. She turned to look back at Dirk and he was gone.
Her mind was racing with both nervousness and questions making little sense …. unsettled … needing a spoke for the wheel of emotions and thoughts to be held together. She needed help but knew she was alone. Going for the doctor was an innate quality of her compassion. This quality could very well harm her or even get her killed
She turned onto Main Street and bumped into Roy Coffey.
"Folly!" Roy said as he grabbed her to stop her fall. "Where are you going in such a hurry and better yet, what are you doing on the street at this hour?"
Reaching for her chest she tried to catch her breath. "You scared me sheriff."
"I didn't mean to. I heard tell there was a gunshot just a while ago and wanted to check it out. You happen to know anything about it?"
"Me? No. I don't know what you're talking about. I was just getting some fresh air and heading back to my room at the Yucca."
All his years of being a lawman equipped Roy with a knack for seeing what wasn't obvious to the average citizen. He peered over her shoulder. Quietly he said, "I'm thinking you best get going."
She nodded in the affirmative and turned quickly in the direction of the Yucca. Roy rubbed his chin and watched her hurry off. Not in the direction of the doctor's office but back to the saloon.
She was frightened and had every right to be. This night was turning into her own personal nightmare. It was serious and not a matter to take casually. Joe was beaten and Adam had been shot. The battle was scaling up to become a war and she wanted no part of it. She scanned the area and prayed she'd be able to get the doctor without being seen.
Roy looked at the three horses tied at the hitching post. There was no way they should be there at this hour. His thoughts returned to his earlier conversation with Adam. Something was wrong and his intuition told him the Cartwrights were involved.
* * * * * * *
"What could be takin' her so long to git the doc?" Hoss wondered aloud.
Joe, who was now standing but feeling no less pain, checked his gun. "I'm thinking she may have run into some trouble."
Seeing the concern on his younger brother's face he knew the look. "Ya ain't figuring to leave this room are ya?"
"Somebody's got to Hoss. Adam needs a doctor and from the look of things he needs one quick."
"Little brother, I have to agree with ya, but right now you ain't in no condition and I ain't about ta have your beatin' turn into you gettin' shot too," Hoss said nervously as he continued to compress Adam's leg to stop the bleeding.
"Hoss, I'll give her five more minutes … no more!"
The tone of Joe's words were set in stone. Hoss knew there was no changing his mind and tried to think of other alternatives. He knew they had a way of getting out of the Yucca without being seen but didn't want to risk any more injury to Adam. The trip to the Ponderosa was too far.
A quiet knock brought them back to the moment. Joe held his gun steady as he walked to the door. Hoss removed his gun as well.
"Open the door, it's me … Folly."
Slowly the door was opened and Folly rushed in.
Seeing she was alone Joe asked, "Where's the doctor?"
"He should be right behind me. I had some trouble and had to come back here and leave through the rear exit to get him."
A moan came from the man in dark clothing lying on Folly's bed. He opened his eyes and felt the pain and fire in his leg. His vision was blurred and he was unsure if he actually heard Hoss' voice or was dreaming. He tried to move. The rough rolling sea of dizziness overcame him. Taking shallow breaths, he exhaled and the sea became as dark as the clothing he wore. He didn't move.
A knock on the door seemed almost unexpected. As Joe carefully opened the door, Folly moved to the farthest point away from the bed as she looked at the motionless body.
The doctor, showing signs of being rustled out of a sound sleep entered.
* * * * * * * *
Ben listened to the ticking of the grandfather clock. He pulled his pocket watch out and double checked the time. What could be taking so long? he thought.
Hop Sing came in with fresh coffee but Ben waved him off. Observing the worry on his employer's face he offered, "It late when number one son left. Maybe sons decide to stay overnight in town. They be home soon."
Trying to be optimistic, Hop Sing didn't believe his own words.
Ben acknowledged the words he heard. Intuitively he felt something was terribly wrong. He sat in his oversized chair and let the softness of the leather comfort his head as he thought.
Did I put my family in harm's way? I should have thought – thought before allowing Joe and Hoss to go into town. I knew tensions were growing because of my accusations against Ray Farrow's youngest son. What was I thinking?
Ben closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
What I did was necessary. Was I foolish to think that supporting the punishment of a wrongdoing would not possibly bring a wrongdoing on my family? There's no point in being a human being if you're not going to be responsible. This burden of not knowing about my sons is too much. This load is too heavy! I'm carrying yesterday's burdens into today. If I carry this any further without knowing what's going on …..
Ben stopped his thoughts abruptly. He was revolving around a pivot of fear and had to put a stop to it.
"Hop Sing," he called. Strapping on his gun belt, he ordered the diminutive man to rouse the few men sleeping in the bunk house.
"Mista Cartwright you sure you want to do this?"
"Hop Sing, I'm not going to step outside the law, but I'm not going to ride into Virginia City alone. Get going and tell them we're leaving in five minutes. I'll explain."