The days passed pleasantly until a week had flown by. Dave thankfully took the hard hint and left Ella be for the time being. Billy had said he'd keep an eye out and warn him off if he got wind that Dave was planning anything. Ella found that Maria became more relaxed in her presence: having a young pair of hands to help with the cooking, chores, children and midwife duties of the village gave Maria time to rest and gather her strength and this gave the older woman a new glow about her, she smiled more and seemed to enjoy the day to day goings on to a greater extent than she had done in past months.
Ella often reflected on what a strong woman Maria was, wishing that she too could go through the troubles in her life with her head held high just as Maria seemed to. Ella had heard talk of Maria's past husbands in the village, it seemed all but one had been harsh with her, beating her and treating her as if she were no more to them than a possession. Yet still she fought on, her children were her life and she battled against all odds to make sure they would not have to endure the same hardships she herself had faced. Maria often told Teresa that she would not allow her to marry any man unless she approved fully, he had to have a good temper and a good heart… Ella knew such men were rare and hard to find, most were already married - the cruel trick life always seemed to do was to dangle something you couldn't have before your eyes. But Teresa was adamant that she would not marry, she said she would never have a need for a husband, she had her mother and her brother and she would be separated from neither… It did not pass Ella's attention that the eldest son Joey was never part of any future plans the strong willed girl had.
"Rafael!" Ella scolded softly as the young boy sat himself at the table carrying his baby goat under his arm, bleating to it in a tuneful song only he understood. "Go put your goat outside while we eat, the table is no place for a goat."
Rafael smiled and gave a small nod doing as he was bid and putting the goat back into a pen with the other animals Maria's household kept, Ella followed him watching with a warm smile.
"Now go sit down, food'll be ready soon" she said, giving the boy a pat upon his back as he wandered inside.
Ella took a deep breath of the clean evening air; she could hear the trickle of the river nearby, it sounded almost like tiny bells chiming. She closed her eyes listening for a moment, the sound reminding her of a small music box her mother had kept upon her dressing table. She quickly opened her eyes, she never liked to dwell upon the past, for every good memory there were two bad ones. She let her gaze wander over the village taking in the small details of the peaceful dusk. Her mind was upon Doc, where he was right now at this very moment, if he was safe and just what had he meant when he said he was going straight. Perhaps he really would become a bank clerk, the thought made her smile; he would better suit a poet or writer… She wondered when his first letter would come and what it would contain, would he reaffirm his feelings and would she know from his words what her own heart desired? She gave a small smile, her eyes settling upon the place where the horses were normally tethered, sometimes just the sight of Maria's old nag of a horse brought a strange joy to Ella's heart, most people would have put the skinny beast to death long ago but not Maria she valued those that had been faithful to her and the nag had been by her side through many travels. Ella's eyes widened in surprise as she saw that a new black horse had been tied there, one she could have sworn was not there when she had first looked out. She narrowed her eyes, scanning the area but could not see anyone in the quickly growing evening dusk.
She turned back into the house closing the door softly behind her before hurriedly walking to Maria, knowing that the horse's presence may signify that Joey had once again returned and the young children would not be happy to hear it.
"Maria" she whispered.
"Hmm?" Maria answered, stirring the pan.
"There is a horse tethered out back, a black horse." She glanced at the children making sure they were engrossed with setting the table.
Ella saw Maria visibly stiffen, "Just now?"
"Yeah, I could swear it wasn't there not two moments ago." Ella studied the older woman as Maria closed her eyes as if in pain.
"It is Joey, I am sure of it" she sighed. "Stay with my children Ella, I will go and see why he is here again so soon."
Ella nodded and took over the task of stirring the stew as Maria headed for the door.
Teresa, always able to sense anyone's movements without seemingly any effort looked up from placing a plate upon the table. "Mama?" she questioned, her brow furrowing. "Where are you going?"
"I need some air, you stay and eat, I will be back soon."
"It's okay Tessie" Ella put in, trying to keep her voice light and even.
Maria left and Ella began to serve up the meal.
"Ella?" Teresa asked, picking up her spoon and looking in Ella's general direction.
"Yes Honey?" Ella said, serving herself last.
"Joey is back isn't he?"
Ella gave a low sigh. "You're a smart girl Tessie, don't worry, your Ma is dealin' with it. She won't let him hurt either of you, and I'm here now, so he'll have to deal with me too."
Teresa gave a small smile and set about eating her food.
---
It seemed a long time before Maria again returned, Ella noticed that she was alone and wondered if she had finally told her wayward son there was no place for him here until he changed his ways.
"Ella," she said, looking a little flustered, "is there enough food for two more bowls of stew? Joey is staying for a while."
"Yes, there's enough" Ella said, her senses coming back to her and reminding her that Maria would never turn away one of her own children no matter the circumstances.
"But Mama!" Teresa began to protest.
"Not another word Teresa, he is your brother!" Maria said, ending any further objections. "Ella, just ignore him when he comes in."
Ella nodded slowly, suddenly feeling as if she'd rather be elsewhere.
She bent her head focusing upon her food, trying hard to make herself not even flinch when he entered. The tension that the village, the family had built up around him made it hard to not feel a slight flutter of fear but mixed within it was a burning curiosity about this boy that had everyone so skittish. She didn't have to wait long before she heard the sound of heavy footfalls accompanied by the clink of spurs. She chanced a quick glance up, but dared not look upon him for more than a few seconds. He appeared to be small in height, perhaps only a few inches taller than herself, he had light hair, long to his shoulders, his hat brim shadowed most of his face and his clothing was covered in desert dust. He carried a long rifle; Ella couldn't help but think back upon what Billy had said about his 'deadly' rifle.
"Here Joey" Ella heard Maria say and assumed she had handed him a bowl of food.
There were no words of thanks, in fact silence reined for a moment. Ella felt her muscles stiffen, waiting. She heard his boots scrape towards her and the table but thankfully he stopped a few feet away.
"You are letting gringos stay with you now Mama?" His voice was calm and had a strange hint of mocking cruelty to it. "I don't like gringos in my house."
"Well Joey, it is a good thing it is not your house, sit down and eat your food" Maria instructed.
"I will not sit at a table with a gringo!" he sneered.
"Sit by the fire then" Maria said, unconcerned, "Ella is welcome here."
Ella heard Joey give a hiss of laughter and knew it was directed at her back. "I don't think I will eat this food" he jeered slowly, his words purposeful.
"Just eat it!" Maria commanded.
"No!" Joey's voice exploded, making Ella and the children jump in shock. "I will not eat anything this gringo has touched!" His voice was once again calm but bore a note of hidden anger. Without warning he hurled the bowl casually at the wall behind the table, the bowl shattered upon impact leaving the food to slide slowly down the wall in clumps.
Ella reached out to Teresa as the young girl gave a soft whimper. "It's okay Honey" she whispered, wrapping Teresa's hand in her own. She gave a chanced glance over her shoulder and saw that Joey was now flinging food from the cupboard, trying to find something he wished to eat.
"Joey!" Maria scolded, her hands upon her hips. "Go into the bedroom and give us all some peace, your temper is bad tonight."
Ella saw Joey stop, he lunged menacingly at Maria making the older woman flinch, but he did not touch her, his intention was just to frighten and intimidate. He gave a hint of a smirk before picking a loaf of freshly made bread up and heading to the bedroom, Ella made sure she was not looking his way as he passed.
It took a moment for Maria to regain herself and then she joined them at the table, her face was paler than normal and she was visibly a little shaken.
"You okay Maria?" Ella whispered, she did not mean to lower her voice but found she couldn't help herself.
"Si, I'm fine… Joey is tired, he always has a bad temper when he is tired… after he sleeps he will be better."
Ella tried to smile comfortingly but doubted if Maria's words had any ring of truth to them.
---
The next week passed as if the whole family were walking upon eggshells. Luckily for all of them Joey seemed to sleep in late, not getting out of bed until midday at the earliest and Ella found that she and the children were normally out doing chores or buying food at that time. By the evening, when they returned Joey would have made his way to one of the local drinking holes and would not return. If Ella did have to stay in the house she never saw him, he seemed to keep to himself avoiding any company. But sometimes she felt eyes watching and knew he was lurking behind the curtain observing all the goings-on of the house as if he were a strange guardian, menacing and foreboding, his shadow seemed to linger long after he had departed.
---
Ella stumbled into the house, Teresa at her heels. Ella's head ached and her hands were covered in blood. A woman of the village had just given birth to a baby girl, the hours of labor had been grueling and full of blood, screaming and worries but the babe and mother had both survived. Maria had sent Ella back home saying she looked like she was about to be sick and indeed Ella did feel a little nauseated. It had been her first time helping with a birth instead of watching and it had been a hard ordeal to endure.
Ella quickly washed her hands in a bucket of cool water before throwing the contents upon the small crop of corn and chilies that stood beside the house. She wandered back in, removing her blood smeared apron and walked over to the small mirror that rested on the wooden fire surround. She glanced up; taking in her features… she looked tired, her hair was a mess, having come loose from her carefully placed hairstyle. She gently pulled out the hairpins, letting her long hair fall free to the small of her back. She ran her fingers through it, giving her scalp a small massage to ease the tightness the style sometimes caused.
She clumsily tidied a few items up that were out of place around the house and as she worked she again felt that familiar feeling of being watched. She gave an annoyed sigh, shooting a narrow-eyed look to the curtain.
"You keep on watchin'!" she said, knowing he'd hear her words, she'd become tired of the occurrence, tired of knowing he did not want her in the house.
Finally she walked back to the fire and let her tired body flop into a chair.
"I'm just goin' to rest my eyes a minute" Ella said; sleep already making her voice sound a little deeper. "Come sit down by me Tessie, get warm by the fire." She held out her hand for Teresa to aid the young girl onto the comfortable rug. "Don't let me sleep too long, I want to have food cooking for when your Ma gets home, she'll be bone tired I reckon."
"Okay Ella" Teresa said.
Ella stroked the young girl's head a moment before sleep claimed her fully.
---
"ELLA!"
Ella sat bolt upright in her chair as the screaming and shouting of her name pierced through the barrier of sleep. She glanced about wildly, the jolt making her mind work slowly for a moment until her senses finally caught up.
"What on earth!" She looked down as Teresa clawed frantically at her skirts.
"Ella wake up please!" Teresa screamed, tears falling down her pretty cheeks.
"Tessie, Honey, I am awake, what on earth is wrong?" Ella reached down, letting Teresa feel her hands, this action seemed to comfort the young girl and she relaxed a little. But Teresa did not lose her agitation; her fingers clung to Ella's hand as if for dear life.
"What's wrong?" Ella asked again.
"It was Joey" Teresa said, trying to stem her tears with her free hand. "He was here."
Ella gave a low sigh and looked around the room, her eyes adjusting to being fully awake. "You know Joey is here Tessie, he came last week." Ella rubbed her eyes, patting the girl's hand tenderly. "I know he scares you but he's gone now, probably drinkin', he won't be back anytime soon." Ella pushed herself out of the chair and helped Teresa to her feet.
"I'll get us a drink huh? It's warm in here" Ella smiled, making her voice light, trying to calm the girl's fears.
"No, Ella!" Teresa caught her hand in a hard grip, her fingernails digging into skin, demanding that Ella paid attention. "He was thinking of hurting you!"
"Hurtin' me?" Ella huffed a small laugh. "Why'd he do that?"
"Because he hates all gringos." She paused, her face looking distraught. "I heard him walk out from the bedroom, he came right over to where you slept, I heard him touch you!"
"Touch me?" I didn't feel anythin', I'm sure I would have woken up" Ella said, saying the words more to try and reassure Teresa, but she felt a welling of uneasiness filling her stomach.
"He did, I think your hair…" Teresa's hand clutched hard once more, she paused, wiping again at her tear stained cheeks. Ella felt the uneasy feeling grow and touched her hair on impulse.
"I tried to move to wake you when I knew it was him, but he told me he would cut my throat and feed me to the dogs if I made a sound." Teresa lunged forward, clinging to Ella's middle. "I heard him take out his gun, he was aiming it at you, I know it!" The girl sobbed, her face pressed against Ella's shoulder as she wept. "I was so scared he would kill you so I screamed."
Ella wrapped her arms around Teresa and stroked her hair hushing her with soft words of comfort.
"Ah now Honey, maybe you were dreamin' huh?" She pulled back and wiped at Teresa's cheeks. "Joey wouldn't just kill a woman for no reason; I think you heard wrong Honey is all." Ella pulled her back into a tight embrace.
"No, I was not dreaming" Teresa mumbled.
---
Ella couldn't help the sense of unease that crawled around her heart after this event, whether Teresa had heard right or not the thought that he had been around while she slept, while she was so vulnerable sent a sickening shiver up her spine.
She made sure to stay out of the house as much as she could, taking both Teresa and Rafael with her on her chores knowing they'd both rather be away from their older brother too. She found she spent many a day with Billy playing cards and laughing, Billy was good with the children, would have made a good father and taught them many fun tricks and spun old exciting tales of his past and various legends he had heard upon his travels. Although he was nearly blind and his limbs were stiff he had once been a great scout and rumor had it an accurate shot. Ella had never seen any side to him other than the kindly old man that was now sat before her, but she believed the tales of him being ruthless, even good men could do bad things in life.
Ella rocked herself quietly in an old rocking chair as she listened to Billy's latest tale, enthralling both Teresa and Rafael. Suddenly Billy's voice stopped, his words fading. Ella opened her eyes and saw what had caught Billy's attention, Dave was heading their way.
Ella rolled her eyes. "Christ, don't I get any peace" she said, sitting up in preparation for whatever it was he wanted.
"Who is it Ella?" Teresa asked with interest.
"It's alright Honey, it's just my Dave."
As Dave approached the small porch they sat upon, he removed his hat and pushed back his scruffy hair.
"Ella, I'd like to talk to you alone if ya can spare a minute."
Ella sighed loudly, "Dave, I ain't goin' to go somewhere alone with you, I ain't stupid."
"Well maybe Billy will let us use his house a moment." Dave looked at Billy.
Billy squinted, looking as if he wouldn't spit on Dave if he were on fire. "I guess ya can, you just shout me Ella if ya need me ya hear?"
"I hear ya Billy" Ella said, getting out of her seat, "I won't be long." She led the way into the house and closed the door after Dave.
"What do you want?" she asked, turning to look at him and not giving him a chance to begin with any of his normal sweet talk.
"I wanted to tell you that I miss you Ella, come on home and stop bein' so stubborn" Dave said, looking at her with a narrowing of his eyes.
"I don't want to come home; I'm happy where I am" Ella said, watching him intently, trying to read what he would do next.
"But you're my wife!" Dave said, trying to hold back his anger. "I married you cause I knew we were right together."
Ella sighed, putting her hands on her hips. "Dave, you and I ain't no more right for each other than oil and water." She rubbed her brow absently, "I need some time alone, neither of us were happy…"
Dave narrowed his eyes further. "Well fine then!" he spat, his temper winning through. "I wish I'd never married a god damn whore anyhow, only good for one thing and I don't even get that willingly no more!"
Ella sighed again knowing his words were trying to bait her into an argument. "Just go home Dave."
Dave shoved his hat upon his head and flung the door open letting it crash back into the wall with a loud thud. Ella watched as he stormed past Billy and the children and the thought crossed her mind that perhaps she was finally rid of him.
"I hear he's been causin' a stir at the saloon, bragging an' such." Billy said squinting at her, something that he often did because of his poor eyesight. "He should learn to hold his temper; someone might not take kindly to his braggin' and threats."
Ella sighed, "He's always been that way Billy, always will be I guess…" She paused, "Always said it'd end him in trouble, maybe one day it will." She returned back to her rocking chair, intent on enjoying the rest of her day.