Part III – Clarke

June/July 1882

Chapter 9

The Fourth of July

Scotty stared at the dress hanging in her make shift closet – a broom handle nailed to the wall and covered with an old sheet – in the room she shared with Nellie. It was a lovely dress, and she had to admit that she looked rather nice in it. Nellie was just pulling over her own dress and her hair was tousled. Scotty picked up her hair brush and continued to stare at the dress. She was of two minds about wearing it today. That had been her intention in the beginning, to actually wear the thing.

"Aren't you gonna put it on?" Nellie asked as she stood patiently while Scotty tried to rid her course dark hair of tangles.

"Ah don't think so," Scotty shook her head. Nellie turned around to look at her, her dark eyes wistful.

"But ya look so pretty in it."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Scotty chuckled to herself. "No. Ah think I'm jes gonna wear those new pair of pants and a shirt."

The little girl frowned, but Scotty had really already made the decision the night before. Jarrod had convinced her finally to let him take them to the Fourth of July celebration that morning. And that was what had prompted her decision. It seemed like a silly thing, but she felt that it would be easier for her to tell Jarrod what she knew she needed to if he did not comment on how lovely she might appear in the dress.

It could be a very shocking thing for people who'd only ever seen her in her britches and men's shirts to see her gussied up like a real lady, and it might be the very thing that would make her friend Jarrod see her differently and possibly be even more attracted to her than she perceived him to be at the moment. She intended that very night to make things clear to him. She had begun recently feeling very uncomfortable with his visits that seemed to be a little more frequent.

Ben heard the horse ride up first and Scotty checked her hair before following Nellie out of the house. She checked Luke to make sure he hadn't already smudged his good shirt and britches. She had brought along an extra pair of clothing for all of them because she was sure that none of them, not even Ben would keep their clothes clean all day long.

"Good morning," Jarrod tipped his hat and swung off his horse. "Is your wagon already hitched up?"

"Yes," Scotty nodded. "Yonder," she nodded towards it where Ben had already hitched up their team. She and the boys grabbed her boxes, some of them containing food, others containing the clothes and placed them carefully in the back of the wagon.

"Smells right good Ma," Luke said, sniffing at his box.

"You keep yer grubby little hands out of it, ya hear?" she replied without turning around.

"But Ma, dinner's so fer away and breakfast was hours ago!" he complained.

"Always the way of a growing stomach," Jarrod smiled at her as he picked up Nellie and put her in the back of the wagon. After a little while they were settled, Jarrod's stead tied up to the back, and the wagon rumbled down the path that led to the road into town.

In town, Ben, Luke and Nellie disappeared in the crowds. Scotty had given them a lecture the night before and hoped they had listened and would take heed. Some time during the day she would meet back up with them at "Aunt Neat's" house. Aunty Neat was an elderly black woman who lived on the edge of town and took in wash. Her real name was Juanita, but everyone called her Aunt Neat. After finding out about her, Scotty had befriended the woman and taken her children a few times to see her and visit with her.

It wasn't long before they were met with Heath and Leah and then Nick, Audra and Victoria Barkley joined them. There were races to watch and competitions of all sorts including a shooting one in which Ben tried to get in on. Both Heath and Nick had paid their fee and were also about to set up, when Ben gave the man his fee.

"Sorry you can't compete."

"Why not?" Ben demanded, his dark eyes flashing.

"You don't know?" the man scoffed.

"What's this about?" Nick took a step forward, standing right behind the young man. Heath too had moved forward to flank Ben's other side.

"It's against the rules for his kind to compete."

"And what 'kind' exactly do you think he is?" Nick's voice held warning.

"Well, you know Mr. Barkley," the man shrugged uncomfortably. "People his color."

"And what exactly is wrong with his color?" Nick had now moved closer to the man. "He's got the money for the fee. Let him shoot."

The man shrugged his shoulders as if trying to rid himself of an inch and took the money from the boy, holding it only at the edge. Ben's eyes flashed at him and he bit his lip, but said nothing to him. "Thank you," he smiled at Nick.

"Don't thank me yet," Nick grinned at him teasingly. "Wait until after I've beaten you."

"You beat me?" Ben arched an eyebrow. "I don't think so, Mr. Barkley."

"It's Nick."

"All right Nick."

And the boy did beat Nick, but it was quiet Heath who beat them all.

Clarke Hansen drank heartily from his glass of lemonade. It was still a bit too tart, but he guessed by the afternoon it would probably taste less of lemon and more like sugar water. His recollections of past July fourths were of such. He glanced down at his black leather brief case and sighed. The thing was annoying and he still had several hours before he had to leave on the train. He ducked into the little white church building.

"Good afternoon Reverend Billings," he called to the tall, lean, silver haired man.

"Good afternoon Mr. Hansen. Are you having a good time?"

"Yes, quite a good day. And you?"

"Quite good. We've collected quite a bit for our orphanage fund. The Barkleys contribute quite a lot every year and are encouraging to others to contribute."

"Well, it's a noble cause," Hansen nodded. "I was wondering if you would mind if I store my brief case here until I have to leave on the train this afternoon?"

"Of course not," Billings shook his head. "Go right ahead and leave it. I'm sure it'll be fine."

"I checked out of my hotel a little too early I suppose," he explained as he set it in one of the pews. "Or I would have just left it there."

"I understand," Billings said. "The church will probably be open most of the day so just come right in and get it when you're ready to leave."

Clarke headed back into the sunny July afternoon. His stomach growled with a reminder that the barbeque would be about ready and the groaning tables of food with the vegetables, pies and cakes that the women had made were probably being attacked.

Reverend Billings walked to the back of the church and stepped out into the alley to attend to some business and join the festivities. Neither he, nor Clarke had noticed the small tow-headed boy hiding in the corner of the church.

Scotty found herself seated between an attentive Jarrod and a reluctant Nick. Her mouth watered from the smells of the food and she hoped Luke had eaten his share of vegetables and had not filled up on the pies and cakes.

After a while Clarke Hansen walked by. "Why don't you join us, Mr. Hansen?" Jarrod asked.

"If it'll be no trouble," the blonde man responded slipping into the seat across from the threesome. Mrs. Barkley had gotten her own plate together and was just in search of them.

"Where is Audra?" she asked when she took in the occupants of the table. "And Heath?"

"Heath went over to help at the restaurant," Jarrod flashed a knowing smile. "Where Audra is I have…"

"Here I am," she called as she maneuvered through the crowds to them. "I was just talking to a friend. I hope you saved some of that good barbeque for me," she said half pouting.

"I'm sure there's plenty left," Jarrod said. Scotty noticed Clarke's glance at Audra. It seemed, that he was smitten with the pretty woman. And, unless she missed her guess, Audra had an eye for him as well.

"We were just discussing my research into your business. It seems sound. We'd like to move forward with you on it."

"Good, good," Clarke nodded. "I was hoping you would. I'm going to be out of town for a couple of weeks, but when I get back we can go over things a little more in depth."

"Okay," Nick nodded in agreement. "So what kind of contract would we have to sign and for how much of our produce?"

The day wore on. Scotty, Nick and later Heath discussed with Clarke Hansen a little more about the business venture and then Audra stole his attentions until it was time for him to head to the train station. "Do you mind if I walk with you?" Audra asked, smiling broadly at him. He raised one eyebrow, but shook his head.

"I have to stop by the church and pick up my briefcase, but that'll only take a moment."

"Okay. I wanted to talk to Reverend Billings about the orphanage fund."

"He had said it was very good this year."

"I hoped so. The children are always so happy when the money is used for building them better housing or buying them clothes or toys. It makes me so happy to see them smiling and their bright eyes when they get even clothes!"

Clarke's mouth formed a small smile as he listened to her. "You seem to enjoy it as much as they do."

"I do enjoy it." She nodded enthusiastically. They had arrived at the church and Clarke ducked inside. He found his briefcase a few pews back than he'd remembered placing it and hurried out the door. He had just stepped back out in the sunshine when the train whistle blew.

"We'll have to hurry, or I'll be late," he started to stride swiftly towards the train station. "I don't want to make you have to run, Miss Barkley."

She shook her head. "It's Audra," she replied.

"Well, Miss Audra, when I return to Stockton, may I have the privilege of calling on you?"

She smiled at him winningly, broadly. "You sure may, Mr. Clarke."

He grinned back at her and dashed down the street.

Heath had picked up Leah just after 5 when she finished up for the day. He had a special evening for them planned out. He had decided that eating would be first on their agenda. He had found a place that was secluded, peaceful and they would have a good view of the setting sun overhead.

It was here that they were sitting as the sky began to pink. "Red sky in mornin'," Heath quoted. "The sailor takes warning, but red sky at night, a sailor's delight."

Leah chuckled softly. It was a quiet, shy sound that was pleasant to the ear. Heath glanced over at her and found her staring at him. "What?"

"Nothing, Heath Barkley."

"Do you ever think about the future, Leah?" he asked suddenly. He had not intended to bring this up tonight, but somehow it seemed right.

"All the time," they were both silent for a time. "Do you?"

"Quite a lot. Especially lately."

"What do you think about in your future Heath?"

"You."

"That's funny," she said almost shyly. "I think about you in my future too." He looked at her and flashed a half-grin.

"Then I suppose we could start thinking about or futures together, 'stead of apart."

"I suppose we could…"

The half light, half dark grayness of dusk descended over the valley and the music began to play. Everyone's stomachs were full from more delicious barbeque that had been cooking all day. Scotty's children, or at least Luke and Nellie were both at Aunt Neat's house, and she wasn't sure where Ben had gotten off to.

Fireworks were to be displayed in an hour, when full darkness fell, so she knew that the two younger ones were still awake. She'd given them permission to stay up long enough to watch them, but then they'd have to go to bed on pallets made up on Aunt Neat's floor. She and Ben would be staying the night there as well.

Heath and Leah were dancing to the music and she was pleased with the looks on both of their faces. She smiled to herself. She was glad she'd finally had the chance to talk to Heath and hopefully it was her talking to him that had put some sense into his head. Audra had danced with Jarrod and Nick and Heath, but now she was just sitting quietly off to the side with her mother. No one had asked Scotty for a dance yet, though Jarrod had promised to whisk her away soon. Not that she minded being a wall flower.

After a while, tiring of watching the dancers she decided to go by and check on the children. She ducked off through the Stockton streets, but soon realized that she was not alone. She had first heard footsteps behind her, but hadn't really paid much attention. When she turned into a section of town most of the people attending the festivities would not have gone, she became concerned.

She was used to being a woman who had to be strong to survive the world, but sometimes she forgot that she was still vulnerable. She berated herself for not having better sense than going off into the streets alone as she casually glanced over her shoulder. She saw the outlines of two, or three men behind her. She had no doubt that they were probably drunk, but that only meant she felt the danger of the situation more keenly.

Taking the next turn sharply, she tripped and landed on her stomach. Two sets of feet rushed towards her as she rolled over. She swiped out with her foot, trying to unbalanced at least one of them, but he jumped back while the other sprang forward and grabbed her by the shoulders. With only instinct to go on she rammed her fist into the man's stomach…and instantly regretted it.

Her knuckles throbbed and tingled and she gasped it in unutterable pain. Satisfyingly, though, was the fact that the man was still recovering the gut punch she'd just given him, but his drunken companion was moving forward now. Suddenly, out of the darkness a fist rammed the man's jaw sending him flying.

Relief flooded through her at the sight of Nick Barkley. "All right, up," he told the men. "Are you all right Scotty?" he leaned over slightly to see her face and she nodded. "We'll take these two by the sheriff and then take a look at your hand. She realized she was still clutching it.

Onced they'd found Fred Madden Nick took her, rather gently she thought, by the arm and lead her to one of the open tents nearer the festivities. "Come on, let's put some ice on it."

"What about you?" she asked when he'd sat her down and gotten some ice from one of the ladies who had been in charge of the lemonade. He expertly wrapped the ice in a towel and pressed it against her now swelling knuckles.

"I'm all right." He had sat down on a bench nearby, but quickly got up. "I'm gonna go get Jarrod."

Scotty frowned. What did she need Jarrod for? Sighing she decided that there was no better time than the present to talk to him. When the tall, dark lawyer ducked into the tent she smiled at him. "I'm sorry Nick bothered you."

"No bother at all. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, just gonna have sore knuckles for a while. Wasn't the most the smartest going off by myself tonight. And there's a reason women shouldn't go around punching people."

Jarrod took the seat Nick had vacated and took the ice from her. "Jarrod…" she began, then hesitated. "Ah…don't know if I'm seein' things wrong or not, but it seems ta me that yer…well, ya like me."

She shifted uncomfortably at his deep, blue-eyed stare. "Of course I like you," he replied, his words seeming to be carefully selected.

"That maybe ya see me more than a friend…"

"That you think I'm looking for more in our relationship than just friendship?" Scotty bit her lower lip. She had too little experience in this kind of thing. She nodded slowly. "Did I come across that way?"

"Sorta," she shrugged.

"I'm sorry. I suppose…" he paused. "I suppose I was drawn to you because you are a unique woman and that was attractive. I guess I had thought that spending time with you something more could come about."

Scotty shook her head slowly, sadly. "As differ't as we are? Ah always thought that when ah got myself married I'd marry somebody I could work beside. Ah suppose I could work beside you being your secretary or somethen, but I don't think ah could stand sittin' cooped up in that office all day long. Ah could never be happy."

"I understand," Jarrod nodded. "I suppose that it was just a small infatuation."

"I'm sorry Jarrod, I shoulda said something sooner so ya wouldn't be hurt."

"I'm not hurt," he smiled at her. She liked his smile and she returned it.

A commotion from outside broke their little talk. Jarrod set aside the ice and Scotty followed him out to the grounds. Reverend Billings was there as well as Sheriff Madden and Nick, Heath and several other ranchers from the area.

"What's wrong Fred?" Jarrod asked.

"That business man stole the orphanage fund."

(To be continued…)