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Notes Chapter 11: The mission to rescue Mac…

Thank you very much for reviews, please continue! They're a great help with writing, and I really appreciate knowing what you think. Thanks to iluvCSI4ever for lending me Kelly, her character from 'The One With…' and for reading; to Blue Shadowdancer, Forest Angel (the ending got away from me...) fractured-fairytale06 and marialisa for discussion and help; afrozenheart412 and chrysalis escapist for extra thoughts; and to all who have reviewed, including Saggitarius Fire Goddess - sorry I couldn't send a proper reply.

I'd really like to know what you think of this chapter, as I'm not using one of the regular characters to narrate - please review and let me know!

Once Upon A Time In the Old West

Chapter 11: Home On The Range

Kelly:

I declare, this has gotta be one of the most eventful days of my young life! Never thought at the start of the day, when the sun risin' over the mountains woke me, that at the end of it, I'd be ridin' out as a member of a search and rescue party. No sir. And in a blizzard no less! Snow's one thing I ain't gotten used to out here. Ain't somethin' we get a whole lot of back home, and it still takes my breath away. It's a real rare sight, and one that fascinates my eyes. Mighty strange phenomenon, sorta like a white blanket coverin' the world up. Sure is a thing to behold; terrible dangerous thing too. I ain't simple, I know we ain't out for a leisure ride; this is a serious and dangerous situation, and the blizzards's the main reason for that. Know that for sure as I'm lookin' back at the route we've ridden and can't see nothin' in the way of tracks, or anythin' to show we've passed along. Almost like we'd never even been there, and that gives me a shiver.

Ain't gonna think too much 'bout that though; I know we're here and I know we're gonna make it to the end of this day and into the next one. But quite a day it's been, and not just for me, but all the folks of this here small town. How 'bout all these events? Fair makes a gal catch her breath thinkin' 'bout everythin' that's been crammed into one day. And the day ain't even over yet… Well, almost; sun slipped outta sight a good number of hours ago, and reckon there ain't many more to go now till midnight.

Reckon when I get the chance to write it, I'm gonna have one heck of a letter full of news to send to the folks back home! Like to keep 'em informed of my doings out West, keeps Ma and Pop entertained. Get real pleasure from tellin' 'em 'bout my adventures, even if I do hold my pen back from recountin' some of the hair-raisin' exploits I've gotten myself into on occasion. Didn't tell 'em fr'instance the full story of my narrow escape at the Grand Canyon, when my horse decided he was gonna do a bolt after bein' spooked by a coyote. Nearly bolted clean over the edge of the canyon, takin' me with him… Whew, makes my hands shake a little to think of it even now! Managed to yank the reins hard enough to pull him back at the last minute and Dancer came to a stop with his hooves hangin' over a sheer drop. I'm tellin' nothin' but the truth when I say I weren't more than a hair's breadth from a terrible long fall.

Never forget starin' down all that way and realisin' how close I'd come to bouncin' down to my death. Made me realise how precarious a hold we all got on life; how dangerous places can be if you lose your concentration for more than a moment. Life's a precious thing, and too easy to lose out here in a wild place like the West. Decided it wasn't the kindest thing to be tellin' the folks back home 'bout that little adventure; so the version of events they got was that I'd been for a leisurely canter along the canyon and admired the view. Didn't see the need to give 'em unnecessary cause for worryin'; reckon they worry enough about me bein' far away out here seekin' my fortune.

Thinkin' about keepin' safe and how easy it is to lose a life, I'm lookin' round me now, makin' sure we're all doin' fine, and we're the same number we set out from the town with. Yep, can count we're all still here. Still got Miss Stella leadin' our little band, with me and Sheldon either side of her; Mr Flack, Mr Messer and Mr Ross ain't far behind with a few more folks I ain't yet been properly introduced to, but who seem to be fine and capable gentlemen. I'm surrounded by good folks, and it makes me real proud that I was asked to be accompanyin' them. Now that's somethin' I will be tellin' Ma and Pop. Reckon they might be proud of me for it, and it'll maybe be somethin' they can tell the folks at church on Sunday.

Gosh, I miss 'em real hard when I get to thinkin' 'bout them! Home sure is a long way from Hattanville. I got the finest family a gal could wish for back in the greatest state of the Union, Texas that is, so I do my best to keep in touch with 'em, even though with all the travellin' I been doin', it's kinda hard for letters to catch up with me. They get through to me now and again, however, and I got a small pack of letters I keep close to my heart from Ma and Pop and my brothers. Take 'em out most nights and read 'em; reckon I got their words near enough memorised by now, and they've pulled me through some tough times.

Sheldon was real interested to hear 'bout my family, and I was happy to oblige in tellin' him - we had a mighty enjoyable talk over dinner about our respective folks. Why, to think I only met Sheldon Hawkes a few hours ago, but already I'm addressin' him by his first name, and feelin' like I've known him all my life! That sure is a special feelin'. It was a real pleasure to sit and share a meal with him, served up by Mrs Wildman his housekeeper. Now there's a woman who can talk without takin' a breath, but a real good-hearted soul none the less.

Doctor Sheldon Hawkes though - he's a gentleman through and through, yes sir. Real glad we're ridin' out together. The sight of him gives me a feelin' of reassurance, and hope that we're gonna find Sheriff Taylor still in one piece. Only had a coupla' short conversations with the Sheriff of Hattanville today, but I know as sure as the sun sets in the West, that he's also a mighty fine gentleman. Reckon my Pop would approve of such a man, and approve of Sheldon too. Know that for sure, 'cause my Pop's the greatest gentleman I know, same as Ma's the greatest lady I know. Yes sir, I sure do miss them and my home back in Texas. But, after the warm reception I got in town after doin' nothin' but what anyone woulda' done when someone was in need of assistance, I got the strangest sorta' feelin' that I've found a place I could also call home. Sure, I ain't been in in Hattanville more than a day, but it's a place I can see myself stayin' many more days.

Home. Interestin' kind of idea. Known many places where I've laid my head for a night, some better than others - the floor of a barn where a colony of rats lived comes to mind as one of the worst places. Or there's the cave I slept in the entrance of, and woke up just in time to avoid the bear it rightly belonged to - that was another encounter I didn't write home about. Couldn't rightly call any of them places home, 'cause home ain't just where you lay your head. Reckon it's gotta be a place you lay your heart too, and that can't be any old place.

Yes sir, there've been a few places I wouldn't care to call home, not in a million and one years. I've travelled through a good many states and towns, and found folks are mostly friendly to a young woman on her own, but I learned that I ain't in the safest position, even with my skills and experience. Had a couple of unpleasant encounters with folks that weren't so friendly, and weren't wantin' to do nothin' but take advantage of a gal on her own. Guess they underestimated me though; shan't ever forget the dealin's I had with one man. Huh, reckon with all the alcohol he'd drunk, he thought I was gonna be bendin' easily to his will and his roving hands, but he got more'n he bargained for when I looped him up in my lasso and brought him crashin' down to the ground in a big ol' mess of mud, and other stuff that weren't mud! Reckon it took him a fair few days to wash the stink off of him. Sure taught him a lesson, one I hope he ain't forgotten, so maybe the next young gal adventurin' on her own don't need to have that kind of attention.

That memory brings me back to Sheldon, and the attentions he's shown me the last few hours - I gotta say it again, he's been nothin' less than a gentleman, and I got a feelin' he's a man I can lay my trust in. Reckon that's somethin' all these folks around me do; easy to see the respect he's got from all of 'em, the Sheriff included.

Reckon the Sheriff's also a man that's got the respect, and trust, of this here town. As I'm glancin' round again at everyone, I can see the worry in their faces. It's all too plain what the loss of such a man would be. I'm lookin' over at Miss Stella as I'm thinkin' that, and I wonder exactly what she's thinkin' at this moment. Can't hardly imagine how she's feelin', but I got an inklin'. She ain't givin' anythin' away with words, but her face sure tells a story.

Liked her as soon as I laid eyes on her this mornin', made me feel real welcome to the town, she and the Sheriff both did. Seems the two of 'em have quite some history between them - Sheldon told me the stories of some folks over dinner. Not that he's a man for gossipin', no sir, he ain't that at all, but he's got a store of knowledge about the history of the town and all the folks in it. I sure enjoyed listenin' to his recountin' of Hattanville's tales and legends. Sheldon's lived here a fair number of years, and had his share of troubles too. Only mentioned them briefly and in a matter of fact way, 'bout the few folks who were too short-sighted to see past the colour of his skin when he first arrived.

Darn it though, that makes me real mad! That such a man as him should be judged that way. Why, we're all the same underneath, and the colour of a man's skin, black or white or any shade in between, don't determine whether he's possessed of a good heart or not. I've encountered my share of bad-hearted folks during my travels, and they came in all shapes, colours and sizes. Reckon I'm a fair judge of character, even if I do say so myself, and I could tell darn straight the moment I met him that Sheldon's a good man inside and out, with a heart that's true and brave.

Yes sir, a good man indeed. Real handsome too… I steal another glance across at him as we're canterin' along, can see him clearly in the light of the lanterns, and I better be truthful and own that it gives my heart a flutter to look at him. Even through the snow that ain't showin' no sign of lettin' up, I can see the brightness of his eyes. Feel real safe and secure knowin' he's out here with me. We share a smile and, gosh, ain't he got one heck of a smile! Only just come to know it, but it's fair and honest to say I'd find it real hard to give up the sight of that smile. Sorta makes me catch my breath, but in a real good way, and I know for sure I got a feelin' for this man. Hope it's right and proper for me to be feelin' this way. Well, guess I've heard folks talk often enough 'bout love, but don't reckon I ever felt it before now. Maybe now's the time though. Got a powerful sorta' tinglin' feelin inside, and my stomach feels like it's got sparks shootin about inside. And I don't reckon that's down to anythin' I've eaten neither…

But I'm lettin' thoughts run away with me here, reckon I'd be better concentratin' on the task we got ahead of us, namely the rescuin' of Sheriff Taylor. Sheldon's told me a fair bit about him, and I reckon I got a feelin' as to what sort of man he is from him, as well as my own impressions. Now if he ain't a man in love then my name ain't Kelly Catherine Higgins! And equally if the woman of his affections ain't the same one ridin' next to me, then I'm a Dutchwoman. So, seein' as Kelly Catherine Higgins is what I was christened, and that me and my folks ain't ever set foot outside the US of A, then I know it to be true. Way I see it, and the way everyone else in town sees it, is that the Sheriff of Hattanville has been in love with the owner of the finest, and only, Saloon in town for as long as anyone can remember.

Trouble is, it seems to have taken them a fair bit o' time to realise the fact themselves.

Why, you only gotta look in their eyes to see how they feel! Saw it myself this morning' with the way the corners of the Sheriff's mouth sorta' turned up and how his eyes kinda' creased at the side and started shinin' when he was lookin' at said Saloon owner. I'm an observant kinda' gal, but it don't take much observin' to realise Sheriff Taylor's got eyes for no other woman than Miss Stella Bonasera, and she ain't got no eyes for any other man but him.

Sheldon was tellin' me though, it's only in the last few months, after a big adventure in town involvin' a gang of wrong-doers, that they started a-courtin'. Now Sheldon reckons the question on folks' lips is when the Sheriff is gonna be askin' a certain question of Miss Stella; reckon we're all hopin' now it ain't been left too late. Why, that would be nothin' less than a tragedy! My way of thinkin' is to always be seizin' hold of the moment, otherwise you might never get that same moment again. Maybe it's somethin' someone oughtta be sayin' to the Sheriff, to give him a sorta' poke in the right direction, so he don't lose his chance with Miss Stella.

Shakin' my head to clear some of the snow outta my eyes, I look across to the lady in question as we're gallopin' along. She's still leadin' our little band, but hasn't uttered more'n a word since we set out. Don't think anyone knows exactly what to say to her neither, not even Mr Flack who seems a real good friend of hers. It's a sad change in her since our first meetin' this morning'. Could see the happiness in her then, got a real sense of her joy of livin', but that ain't present no more. There's nothin' but fear and worry in her face now. Seems to have affected the whole of her appearance and person too.

Saw this mornin' that she's a fashionable kinda' lady, could easily see her in one of them fashion plates in the Sears catalogue Ma likes to admire a little wistfully. As she's told me herself many a time, Ma ain't got the figure of a thin woman, but as Pop tells her, that just means she's got more beauty for him to admire. Brings a smile to my face suddenly thinkin' 'bout that, and the lovin' smile they give each other when Pop tells her that. There's more to beauty than looks and fashion, yes sir. Gotta agree with Pop when he tells Ma she got beauty inside that not many can stake a claim to.

Gotta confess, I felt a little ashamed of my appearance this mornin' on first meetin' Miss Stella, dressed as I was, and still am, in my muddy chaps and a shirt that if I'm honest, ain't seen soap and water for more'n a few days. But, gotta give her credit, it weren't nothin' on her part that made me feel ashamed, and after she shook my hand, that were the end of the feelin'. She was nothin' less than welcomin', and I could tell there's a whole lot more to her than a fashionable dress and a purty face.

Sad to see it, but right now, her appearance ain't nowhere near as trim as it was this mornin'. Her dress is all mussed up, got a great long rent in it through to her petticoats, and it's covered in streaks of dirt; seems to have pieces torn out of it too. Can see as well she's got marks and scratches 'cross her face, and her hair's come loose from the arrangement she had it in earlier.

Don't reckon she cares a jot 'bout that though.

We ain't heard the full story 'bout what happened at the gunpowder works, but it's got to have been real bad for her to have come ridin' back to town on her own. Gotta shake my head in admiration of her courage in doin' that'; I'm with a whole band of folks, and I'm still a little afraid bein' out in these conditions. Can understand her doin' it though; man she loves is in a bunch of trouble, and I can tell she ain't the sort to let anythin' stand in the way of helpin' him, even if it means puttin' herself in peril.

It's clear Sheriff Taylor's an important man to everyone here, and that's the reason we've all set off in the worst weather I've ever known. Worry's plain to see in everyone's face as I glance around. Wish there was somethin' I could be sayin' to reassure them, but don't reckon words are gonna be much good at this time. We just gotta keep goin' and keep hope in our hearts…

Suddenly, Miss Stella's holdin' up her lantern; so Sheldon and me follow her example - must be gettin' close now to our destination. Sure enough, she turns round and calls out.

"Almost there! Can see the works in the distance, keep goin!"

Well, we ain't gonna be doin' anything' less than that, so all of us put a spurt on. Reckon our horses got a sense of our urgency as they're near enough flyin' over the snow. What a sight we must be, a band of folks and their horses out here. Surprised we ain't attracted the attention of any of the wild beasts out here; only thing we heard earlier was the faint sound of wolves howlin' some way off in the distance. Reckon we're too big a group for 'em to take on. Truth is, I got a real admiration for wolves, noble beasts they are, but it ain't me who'd be wantin' to face a starvin' pack of 'em. Got a glimpse of Miss Stella's face when those wolves started howlin', and it weren't my imagination that she turned a shade paler. Could see her holdin' real tight to her pistol too. Guess she had some bother from them wolves earlier.

Seems too she had somethin' of a lucky escape from freezin' out in the snow, so I heard from Mr Flack and Sheldon's brief conversation to me before we set out. They were real fortunate to have found her, considerin' the snow's near enough blindin' and icy cold too. Makes me have a longin' for the heat of Texas, or the heat of the blazin' fire we left burnin' back home… Back in Hattanville that is. Gosh darn it, if that ain't a remarkable thing! Guess my heart really is guidin' me on the matter of home…

"Over there!" Miss Stella's cry startles me out of my contemplatin'; seems we've made it to these here gunpowder works.

In a few moments, we're ridin' into an open yard in front of a big old place that looks like it ain't too far from collapsin'. Whew, if that's where the Sheriff is, then we got one heck of a task on our hands to get him outta there…

There's a horse tied up outside, who whinnies as we approach. Miss Stella jumps down from her own horse and rushes over to it.

"Oh, Blue!" She says and buries her face for a moment in its neck, all the while her hand's strokin' its back, "Told you I'd be back and you'd be seein' your master again real soon." Then she turns to the rest of us, and there's hardly a waver in her voice as she tells us, "All of you gotta be real careful inside, you hear? Floor's given way and there ain't too many solid floorboard's left. Gotta watch where you step." In another moment, she's sweepin' past, hurryin' to get inside the building, her lantern swingin'

Mr Flack's already dismounted from his own horse with a rope over his shoulder. He catches up to Miss Stella and stops her with a hand on her arm, "That goes for you too, Stell. Don't be doin' any unnecessary heroics, we're all here to help."

Sheldon and me have slid down off our horses, and together with the other gentlemen, we're standin' back a little way.

I'm close enough though to see the anger that flares in Miss Stella's face; then it dies away and she looks up at him with nothin' but sadness, "Don, I ain't gonna be doin' anythin' to jeopardise Mac's safety, or anyone else's here, you can trust me on that. All I want is to get him outta here and back home safely, get all of us back home safely."

"I know that." He sighs, "It's all I want too, and what we're gonna do as well." There's no more to say after that, as we all make our way inside silently. Sheldon takes a hold of my hand in his, and it's somethin' that feels nothin' but right, as we step outta the snow and into the wreck of that old building.

Got a bad feelin' soon as we get inside though, not least 'cause of the creakin' and groanin' soundin' all around me as we clamber over what was the roof. Miss Stella's already crouchin' over a mighty great hole in the floor, callin' out as the rest of us gather round, shinin' our lanterns down into it.

"Mac? Mac, it's me, it's Stella! Told you I'd be back here to get you out, didn't I? I ain't come alone neither, got Don and other folks with me, so we can all get you outta there…"

There's a pause, and reckon none of us even breathe as we wait for an answer.

'Cept there ain't any answer forthcomin'.

I look at Sheldon and see his mouth's set in a grim line.

Miss Stella calls again, and there's a note of fear buildin' in her voice now, "Mac! Mac, please, you gotta answer me! Mac! You still there? 'Cause you'd better still be there like you said you'd be… Please, Mac, I'm here, I'm safe, I came back! And we're gonna get you outta there, like I promised… "

"Stell…" Mr Flack's reachin' out, takin' hold of her shoulder, but she shakes him off and calls again.

"Mac!" Her voice rises, "Mac, you gotta answer me, please! Mac you made a promise to me, remember? You promised you weren't gonna be leavin' me!"

Only sound's the sighin' of old timbers. Sheldon grips my hand tighter.

"You promised me, Mac! You promised!" Sounds almost like a sob in her voice, and I can't hardly bear to hear it; the Sheriff ain't answerin' her, and that can only mean bad news.

"Mac!"

The wind moans through the rafters. No one's movin' nor even takin' a breath.

"You promised…"

Is Mac still alive? More next chapter... Sorry for the delay in updating; work and perilous cliff-top adventures to blame XD I hope the wait was worth it. Please, please review and let me know; it also helps with writing chapter 12! Thanks, Lily x