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Lost and Found – Part 10

Chris Larabee watched the young woman across the table from him. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. To say that Catherine was uncomfortable was an understatement. Sitting in the dining room of the only restaurant in the small town of Potterville, Catherine jumped at almost every sound. Chris could only imagine how noisy and loud it must seem to her after the homestead. He understood why Vin had not wanted her here. She sat as close to Vin as possible without being in his lap, her sightless eyes darting nervously at the sounds around them. He had never thought about how boisterous people were in crowds. Was that why Vin sought solitude? Is that why he seemed content to stay in Catherine's home? He watched as she moved the food around on her plate, not actually eating. She had to be hungry. Vin was getting antsy too, glancing around at the people. At least he was eating. Chris shared a look with Josiah and Nathan before leaning forward on the table. "Catherine?" he said gently.

I can't do this, Catherine's mind screamed. There's too much noise, too many people. At the soft call of her name, she lifted her head to the voice across the table.

Chris winced at the panic he saw in her eyes when she lifted her head toward his voice. "Would you rather eat in your room at the hotel?" He did not miss the glimmer of hope that sprang to her eyes, and he waved the server over to have her package the food.

Catherine nodded her head quickly, "Aye. Thank you."

Vin immediately put a protective arm around the back of her chair, circling her shoulders. She in return leaned into him. He had spoken to her softly before her food was returned to the table. He stood and pulled her up with him. "I'm takin' Catherine back to the hotel."

"Vin," Chris stopped his turn away from the table. "We need to talk."

Vin looked at him before he nodded once. "Back in a minute."

Chris, Josiah, and Nathan were talking when Vin returned fifteen minutes later. "What's up, Cowboy?"

"We need to decide what happens now." Chris watched Vin closely as he said it.

"I know," Vin told him. "Already told Catherine I want her to go back with us."

"You sure that's a good idea?"

Vin narrowed his eyes at Chris and the other men. "She ain't stayin' here. She's got no family. Now no home. She's comin' with us." His voice was firm, his decision made.

"And just what do you plan on doing with her?" Chris knew he was hard on Vin but needed to know if he had thought this out or was just reacting. "Where's she going to live? What's she going to do?"

"Thought I'd talk to Miz Nettie. See if she can stay there till I find somethin' else," Vin replied defensively. "She can't stay in town. Ya saw how she was in here." Nathan and Josiah nodded at that. "Don't know what she'll do. She lived here on her own for two years trappin'. Might be able to keep doin' that." Vin pursed his lips at Chris. "Hell, I don't know. Ain't talked to her about it except comin' back with us."

Chris looked at him a moment. It seemed Vin had thought some things out. Nathan and Josiah looked at each other and then Chris.

"Y'all got ideas," Vin spat out, "I'm listenin'."

"It's her life, Vin. What does she want?" Josiah asked.

"Don't think she knows. She's scared. That place is all she's ever known, and now it's gone. Ain't no one here lookin' after her."

"The decision isn't ours," Nathan put in. "She's the one that has to adjust. It should be her choice."

"Nathan's right. It's her life," Josiah agreed.

"I ain't turnin' my back on her."

"We're not asking you to, Vin," Chris tried to mollify. "But it should be her decision."

They were right. It was her life, therefore, her choice. Does she know what she wants? She had been through so much in such a short time. It was always hard to make life-altering decisions after such turmoil. She had told him she did not want to lose him, and he did not want to lose her. Vin sighed, "I'll talk to her." He was so tired all of a sudden. "Think I'll turn in."

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Catherine jumped at the knock on her door and took a deep breath, releasing it as she made her way to the door. How was she going to get any sleep in this noisy place? "Who is it?" she called through the door.

"Vin." The door opened, he walked in and noticed she had eaten her supper. She's still jumpy. Shutting the door behind him, he stood in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Ya alright?"

Shaking her head no, she replied, "I don't like this place."

"I know." He studied her a moment. Her face was not as swollen, but the bruising was darker, and he was glad she could not see it. "Ya know I want ya to come with me?" She nodded. "What do you want?"

Catherine frowned. Taking one of his hands in hers, she led him to the bed and sat down. He sat down as well and turned to face her. "I don't know. My mind keeps turning everything over." She paused a moment. "You know I haven't been anywhere else. I don't have any way to rebuild. I can't live in town." She shuddered at the thought. "I don't know what I could do to support myself. Trapping isn't what it was." She paused again, her eyes roving back and forth as if she were reading her thoughts. "I care about you, Vin. I like taking care of you, but I don't know anything about that place you want to take me." Her voice was tremulous. "I don't know what you want from me."

Vin squeezed her hand reassuringly. He did not have any more answers than she did. She looked so lost. He took a deep breath and let it out. "It'll take some time to figure it all out." He paused to look at her. "I know what it's like to not have family or home. I won't leave ya here with nothin'."

His raspy whisper made her move closer to him, and he put his arm around her shoulders. Resting her head against his shoulder she said, "Tell me what you've planned." They talked a while longer, making plans.

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The next morning at breakfast, Chris, Josiah, and Nathan noticed Catherine seemed a little more at ease. She still was wary of the people and noises around her but not quite so nervous or jumpy. As they ate, Vin looked at the three men. "You boys can head on back to Four Corners. We'll be along in a few days."

Chris looked at him sharply. "We'll stick around."

"Ain't necessary. Take a couple days to settle things here. Then we'll be along." Vin said, never breaking eye contact with Larabee.

Josiah looked at Nathan then Vin. "Care to fill us in?"

Vin looked at Josiah questioningly.

Josiah indicated him and Catherine. "You've made plans. Might want to let the rest of us in on them."

Vin quickly filled them in on the plans he and Catherine had made the night before. They would sell off the livestock and land, if they could, then pack whatever Catherine wanted and head to Four Corners. That would give her some money to get what she needed since she had lost everything in the fire. As they finished their meal, Vin again stated that the three men were not needed and should head home.

While Vin and Catherine were at the general store getting supplies, Chris talked to Nathan and Josiah. They had agreed that Chris would stay here and come back with Vin and Catherine while Josiah and Nathan would head back to Four Corners. The two men could fill in the others once they returned home.