Okay, wow…talk about a delay. So, the semester's over, took my last final this morning, and grades are already beginning to be posted. Got a D in Business Finance, and an A in Equine Production. Who didn't see that one coming? Anyways, now that the summer is upon us time to get back at it. If anyone is still reading this, thanks, I really appreciate it.
Big thanks to my beta Smacky 30 and my new cohort, Sidle 77. Both of you are amazing and more help than you can imagine.
The Other Side
Chapter 7
For several months, Gil took an occasional evening to teach Sara how to shoot a handgun. Greg even decided to participate in the activities only to find out that Sara could outdraw him. Several of the other men had quit and gone to work for Sam as he offered more money for their services. They were down to six riders including Sara. Gil was happy when she rode with them, but was concerned for her safety as well.
Gil and Sara decided to head to the far south pastures to gather any strays. They rode for hours at an easy pace, but when they saw smoke billowing in the distance, picked up speed. Several miles later they were standing before a burning cabin. Gil dismounted and began to investigate the area. Sara also scanned the area with her eyes.
"Gil." She reined the bay over to what she had caught sight of. "Awww." Sara jumped off and kneeled next to the small dog tethered to a stake.
"What is it?" Gil soon joined her.
"It's a puppy." She untied the small pup.
Gil watched as she cuddled the dog, but something in the background caught his eye.
"I bet it was Sam's guys. They have a tendency to burn things." Sara was comforting the scared dog. "It's going to be alright."
Gil slowly moved over to the small bush and glanced down at several bodies. It wasn't the arrows sticking out of them that caused his senses to go on high alert, but the fact that they were missing their scalps. He looked up and began searching for anything suspicious. "Sara…" She was still talking to the dog when he returned to her. "Sara, let's go."
"What about the people?"
"They're dead. Come on, we need to go." He reached down and pulled her up to her feet. "Give me the dog and get on your horse."
"What…Gil…"
"Now, Sara." She was taken aback by his demanding tone of voice, and climbed onto her horse. Gil followed suit. When she quickly dismounted, he asked, "What are you doing?"
Sara picked up the dog. "I'm not leaving him here." She held up the pup to him for him to take and remounted. "Okay, give him here."
Gil passed the dog back to Sara and looked past her, his eyes turning a coal black. "Start back towards the ranch."
Sara turned to look at what had captured his attention. "Oh my God."
"Ride, and don't look back." Sara hesitated, staring at the figure in the distance as it was joined by several more. "Now!"
At his command, Sara spurred her horse and began to ride as fast as his legs could carry her. The pup was cradled in her arm close to her body as the horse picked up speed.
Gil drew his gun and debated on taking a shot at the men on horseback or following after Sara. He didn't have to make a decision as they began towards him. Gil took several shots then started after Sara. He urged his horse until the animal was running as fast as it could as Gil glanced back over his shoulder.
He was certain they were a small band of rouge Comanche Indians, but didn't know why they were this far north. Gil continued to spur his horse on until he saw their pursuit slow, coming to an eventual stop. When he was certain they were no longer being chased, he whistled at Sara who wasn't too far in front of him.
Sara pulled back on the reins. She stopped when Gil had caught up to her. "What the hell was that?" She huffed, out of breath.
"Comanche." He took several deep breaths trying to calm his own anxiety. "They were the ones who murdered that family and burned the house."
"Why?"
Gil shrugged. "That's just how they are." He clicked to his horse. "Come on." They walked letting their horses catch their breath. Gil looked over to Sara as she clutched the pup, and laughed.
"What?" Sara knew he was laughing at the dog.
"I can't believe you held onto him after all of that." Sara proudly smiled as he playfully shook his head at her.
It was dark when they arrived back at the house. Sara placed the puppy on the ground and unsaddled her horse as Gil attended to his. After putting the horses up, they walked towards the main house hand in hand.
"Come on." Sara cooed as the puppy followed.
Gil rolled his eyes and proceeded to walk up the porch steps. "I'd like to see him get up here."
Sara narrowed her eyes at him and bent over to scoop up the dog. She gently placed him on the porch. "See, he did it." She opened the door to the house and called the pup to her. "Coming?" Gil smiled and followed.
As always, Gil was awake before Sara. He detected a slight whining and moved to look over the side of the bed. The small dirty pup eagerly wagged his tail as he looked up at him. Gil rolled his eyes and climbed out of the bed. He watched Sara sleep as he dressed. Her hair was tousled; the sheets were pulled down exposing her bare back to him. The pup whined again and Gil sighed. "Let's go."
He carried the dog down the stairs, passing Al as he sat at the dining table. Gil walked out the back door, placed the dog on the ground, and returned to the dining room. Al was smiling at him when he sat down. "That's not quite the stray I was hoping you'd bring back."
Gil groaned as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "We ran into trouble."
After Gil explained the situation with the Indians, Al sighed and shook his head. "At least they won't be pursuing you like Sam is." Gil narrowed his eyes in aggravation. "The guys went to town last night. Nick brought Greg back…" Al paused for a moment getting Gil's full attention before continuing. "…and Warrick and Bobby were spending the night with Jim."
"What happened?" Gil asked knowing that it wasn't just an ordinary scuffle.
Al sighed. "The way Nick explained it, sounded like Sam paid his guys up to rough them up a bit. Greg got the worst of it."
Gil's mouth fell open. "Is he okay?"
Al nodded. "Lots of bruises and some cuts, but otherwise he's fine."
After having a small breakfast, Gil stood and went outside. He stood on the porch and watched Nick and Warrick ride out of the barn. Knowing they were thinking the same thing he was, he whistled stopping them in their tracks. He walked towards the barn. "Where are you two going?"
Nick shrugged. "North."
"Funny, so am I. Stay right there." He disappeared into the barn as they waited. Gil then reemerged on his horse. "I'll go with you."
As they rode, Nick and Warrick told the story of how they were hassled by six of Sam's men, and that they behaved and never made a move until Greg was pulled from his seat and tossed outside.
They soon rode upon a man lying on the ground. Cautiously, they began scanning the area. Gil dismounted and went to check the identity of the body. Nick pulled his rifle to be on the safe side as Warrick noticed the man's horse standing nearby and went to retrieve it.
"Gil!" Nick noticed another man suddenly jump from behind the bushes and take aim on Gil, Nick fired.
Gil had spun around at Nick's warning in time to see him fall from the shot. The man on the ground sat up and jabbed a large knife into Gil's thigh. Gil cried out in pain and Nick was quick to take the other man out.
Warrick and Nick quickly scrambled off their horses and went to Gil's aid. He had fallen to the ground and was clutching his leg in agony.
"Hold on." Warrick removed his bandanna and tied it tightly around the wound.
Gil gritted his teeth as the knot was tied. "Let's get back to Doc." Nick said as he and Warrick helped Gil to his feet. They helped him get on his horse and started back towards the house.
Warrick took off ahead of them to inform Al of the incoming injury while Nick rode with Gil. He noticed blood was quickly soaking the older man's leg. "Come on Gil, we need to go faster." Nick grabbed the palomino's reins and pulled him into a faster pace. As they approached the house, he notice Gil beginning to slump over the front of his saddle. Nick yelled for help just as Gil fell off his horse. He knew he needed to get his friend inside as soon as possible. Warrick quickly joined him and they pulled Gil along the ground and in the back door.
"Put him on the table." Al instructed as he stood with Angela. She had a bowl of water and cloth strips ready for him.
Sara came rushing in from the corrals just as Gil was placed on the table. She was at his side in an instant.
Al began to quickly cut away the blood soaked material as Nick and Warrick rolled Gil onto his side. Sara was caressing his face as her tears fell. Once the wound was exposed, Al poured water on it to wash away the blood. "Hold him down." Nick moved to his legs, while Warrick held his torso. Al examined the depth of the wound before taking a needle and thread from Angela. "Ready?" When he got the nod of approval, Al pierced Gil's skin with the needle. It wasn't the prick of the needle that caused the most pain, but when he tied the knot and pulled the skin back together, Gil tensed and let out a pained growl.
"Shhh, I'm here." Sara cooed as she tried to comfort him. She continued to softly stroke his face as he endured the pain.
By the time Al had finished stitching the wound, Gil had passed out. Al dabbed more water around the stitches before Angela wrapped his leg with the cloth strips. While Sara and Angela attended to Gil, Al motioned Nick and Warrick over to the other room.
They explained to Al what had happened, and all he could do was sigh and shake his head in disgust. "Can Greg ride?" Nick nodded. "Okay, here's what I want you to do. It seems Sam wants me out of the north pastures, so I want you guys to go drive the yearlings south. He wants us out, we'll get out."
"But…" Nick began to protest.
Al held up his hand. "He may win this battle, but there's no way we'll let him win the war." Nick and Warrick smiled and went to get Greg and Bobby.
After they left, Al returned to the dining room. "I think the bleeding has stopped." Angela told him.
Al nodded. "Leave him there. I don't want to risk moving him right now."
Sara sat down next to him and continued to run her hand through his hair. The perspiration was cooling against his skin. She sat by his side, unmoving, until the boys returned, and it was near dark.
"Okay…" Al limped in clutching a blanket. "Slide this under him, and use it to carry him upstairs. I want to keep the movement in his leg to a minimum." They carefully worked the blanket under Gil and took him up to his room.
With Angela's help, Sara removed most of his clothes before sliding into the bed next to him. She rested her hand on his chest as it rose and fell with his breathing. "I love you." She pressed her lips to his bare shoulder and closed her eyes.
The next morning Sara awoke feeling soft breaths pass through her hair. She sat up and looked at Gil's face. His eyes were barely open, but he was awake. "How do you feel?" She rubbed her hand up his arm.
He moaned. "Sick to my stomach…and my leg hurts like hell."
"It's been nearly a day since you ate." She ran her hand through his hair as a knock interrupted them. "Yes." Sara called to the door.
Angela entered holding a plate and a glass of water. "Breakfast for the injured, toast and water." Gil swallowed hard and groaned. "Doctors orders. Eat."
Gil painfully pushed himself up so he could eat. Sara climbed out of the bed and moved around to the other side. She thanked Angela as she left and held out a piece of toast to Gil. "Here, you need to eat."
"Water first. My throat's dry." He reached out and grasped the glass, bringing it to his parched lips. Gil proceeded to drink in big gulps, and in no time, had emptied the glass.
Sara watched wide eyed as he handed back the empty glass. "Well now…" She exchanged the glass with the piece of toast.
Like the water, Gil had consumed it in a matter of seconds. "Now, to work." He began moving his legs to swing out of the bed.
"Gil…no." Sara tried to hold him back, but he was able to stand on one good leg.
"Where are my pants?" He stood and looked around the room, clad only in his underwear.
"Why don't you get back in bed and rest?" Sara tried to coax him back into bed.
Gil hobbled over to the chest of drawers and pulled out another pair of pants. Without a second thought he sat in the nearby chair and attempted to put them on, but with his injury, he found that it was difficult to bend his leg. "Sara, would you please help me?"
Sara was sitting on the bed and at first just glared at him. His eyes pleaded with her, but when she silently refused, he continued to try. After she witnessed several pained attempts to get his leg in the pants, she found it harder to sit and watch him than to help. She crossed the room and kneeled in front of him. "Here." Sara held the pants away enough so he could get his leg into them. "I don't know what you're trying to prove."
Gil winced as he slid his leg into the pants. "I'm not trying to prove anything."
"Then why are you doing this?"
He gritted his teeth as the material slid over the wound. "Would you get my boots?"
"They're downstairs." Sara sat back on the bed and watched him stand and test how much weight his leg would hold. "Gil, please." He never acknowledged her comment as he grabbed his shirt from the back of the chair and limped towards the door. Sara sighed and reluctantly followed her stubborn husband.
Gil carefully made his way down the staircase followed by an irritated Sara. He found his boots and sat down to put them on. Like his pants, he found it difficult to get the one leg to bend. Instead of asking for Sara's help, he struggled.
She watched him grit and wince in pain and refuse to swallow his pride. "Ugg." Sara pushed herself off the wall and went to help him. Gil kept a hold on the boot as she tried to help. "Let go."
After she helped him get his boot on, he asked, "Why did you just help me?"
"Because I'm tired of seeing you in pain." Sara turned and disappeared into the kitchen only to reemerge seconds later. "You know, maybe you should stop thinking about yourself all of the time, and consider the fact that there are others here to help you." She finished her point by storming out of the room.
Gil let her words filter through his mind before he decided to head out. He groaned with every hobbled step as he made his way towards the barn. The first thing he noticed was that Al's wagon was gone, and everyone was gone too, all except Jose.
"Hola, Senor Gil." The young boy jumped out of the hay mound.
"Hola, Jose. Where is Al?"
"Senor Al went to town to send word to the train station. He said that he was having the cattle shipped back east."
Gil narrowed his eyes. "The yearlings?"
"Si, Senor Nick and the others left early this morning."
"Gracias." He watched as the boy went back to his duties. The thought of going to town crossed his mind, but he knew that as painful as it was to walk, riding would be worse. Gil was making his was back toward the house when Sara came out. She ignored him as he walked past. "Where are you going?"
Sara continued into the barn and didn't look back. She knew he was following her. Without hesitation Sara entered Whiskey's stall and began to brush him off.
When Gil caught up with her, she was already saddling the horse. "Sara, where are you going?"
"What do you care?"
Gil reached out and spun her around so she was facing him. "Dammit Sara, do you realize how dangerous it is out there?"
"Let go!" She fought against his hold.
"I'm not letting you leave." Gil's hands held a tight grip on Sara's arms preventing her from moving.
"They're not after me, they're after you!" Sara retaliated and Gil took a step back from the verbal blow. "I heard what you guys ran into yesterday. It was a trap to get at you. Sam wants you dead and he'll stop at nothing to make sure it happens." She pushed away from him and continued to saddle her horse. "Gil, I love you but I don't know if I can watch you die." She led Whiskey out of the stall.
Gil stood frozen, his mouth agape at her comment. Sara had already climbed on the horse by the time he managed to move. "Sara, wait." He limped towards her. "Please, don't leave."
Sara sighed. "I just need time to think."
"Sara…" She gave a firm kick and rode away from Gil gaining speed as she crossed the open terrain. He could only watch from the doorway of the barn as she left. "Dammit!"
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Sara rode to a familiar building and tied Whiskey to the post. She went inside the brothel and was greeted by Heather and Mandy.
"Sara!" Mandy shrieked and went to embrace her friend. "Come, sit." After they were seated Mandy spilled the beans. "I've got good news." Sara gave her a slightly confused look. "I'm pregnant."
"Um…" Sara paused as Mandy's smile illuminated the whole room.
"Isn't it wonderful? I was hoping to come out tonight and tell Nick."
Sara was still trying to soak up the pregnancy thing. "He'll be gone for a few days."
Mandy shrugged. "Oh, well."
"How do you know, that you're pregnant I mean?" Sara was curious.
"Well, it started with just feeling queasy in the mornings, and then always being hungry. Heather thought I was sick, so she told me to get checked out by Doc." She squirmed with excitement. "He told me I was pregnant. That and…" She pointed down at her stomach and proudly showed her bulging belly.
Sara smiled. "Congratulations. Is Doc in his office?" Heather and Mandy nodded and Sara left. She proceeded to walk down the walkway until she reached the door with the name of Dr. Al Robbins carved in it. With a deep breath Sara entered.
The space in the small office was empty as glanced around. Sara slowly made her way down the short hall to the back and knocked at the open door. Al looked up and waved her in. "Sara, what can I do for you?" When she fidgeted before him, he took a guess. "Is it Gil?"
Sara shrugged. "Kinda." Al patiently waited for more of an answer. "Well, I need your opinion on something."
Al smiled at her and removed his small spectacles. "Sara, you know you can ask me anything."
"I know, but…well…the past week, I haven't been able to keep anything down." She was nervously playing with her hands as she spoke. "I don't know if I'm getting that flu thing I've heard of back east or what."
Al stood and held his hand out to Sara. "Come with me." She followed him into the next room. "Hop up." Sara sat on a raised table as he put the stethoscope on her chest. He listened to her breaths, felt her nodes under her jaw, and covered all the bases. "Well, you seem to be fine. Have you been tired lately, I mean more than normal?"
"I guess." She began to get even more nervous as he continued with his examination.
Al moved the probe of the stethoscope to her lower back. "Breathe deep and hold it." She did as he asked. He continued to listen between breaths on her back, then unexpectedly to Sara, moved to her stomach. After several breaths Al smiled.
"Listen."
Sara held the stethoscope to her ears as Al held the probe to her stomach. She took in a deep breath and held it. Her eyes narrowed in confusion until her ears picked up the slightest sound of a rapid noise. "What is that?" She continued to listen.
"It's your baby's heart beat."
Wow, who didn't see that one coming? And FYI, there will be some major ups and downs coming, ya'll know me so hope you continue to read, cause it will all work out in the end…trust me.
TDCSI
