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Notes Chapter 13: Waiting for the rescuers to return…
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 fractured-fairytale06 for much discussion and help; Blue Shadowdancer for reading; Miss Poisonous for letting me borrow 'her' Adam in the previous chapter XD; and afrozenheart412 for discussion.
Once Upon A Time In the Old West
Chapter 13: Hearts of the West
Lindsay:
Dear lord I'm at it again! Jumpin' up from my chair and headin' over to the window. Only been a few minutes since I was last peerin' out into the blizzard. Can't see through the condensation that's clouded up the glass again, so I'm wipin' it with my sleeve. Don't make no difference though. Can't see anythin' but snow. Same sight as there's been the last hundred or so times I've looked out. We've been waitin' for hours. Before we know it, Dawn's going to be breakin' and we ain't none of us had a sight of our beds.
There wasn't a flake of snow this morning when I woke up, but now you can't see anythin' of the world for that cold, white stuff, and I'm sick of the sight of it. It's coverin' everythin' up, every sight and sound, and the worst thing is that it's hidin' any sight or sound of my Danny and the others.
There's a gentle tutting from behind me, and I can take a good guess at what's going to be said next to me. And I ain't proved wrong.
"Sit yourself back down, Miss Lindsay!"
But I don't turn away from the window, "I'm just seein' if there's any sign of them yet, Mrs Hammerback, so I can go out and welcome them back in."
I'm strainin' my eyes to see out. Still ain't seein' anythin', even though I'm wishin' to with all my heart. Wish I knew they were all safe and sound back here.
Oh Danny, where are you? Don't keep your girl waitin'…
"They'll be all right, Miss Lindsay, they won't keep us waitin' too much longer." Seems sometimes as if Mrs Hammerback's a mind reader. Maybe that's how she manages Mr Hammerback, and stops some of his wilder ideas. It's maybe somethin' to do with her being an Englishwoman. She's got a real pretty accent, told me once she comes from a distant part of England, somewhere real wild and bordered by the sea. Seems Mr Hammerback met her there when he was travellin' round Europe in his younger days. She sure keeps him in check; maybe that's to do with her bein' English too…
"You looking out's not going to make one mite o' difference my lovely. They won't be coming back any faster with you leapin' out of your seat every few minutes like a March hare!"
I know she's right, but I can't help it. There's nothin' else I can be doin' whilst we're waitin'. We got everythin' ready for their return – fire's blazin' away merrily with a stack of wood and coal to keep it goin'; food's laid out too, most of it provided by Mrs Hammerback, who seems to have a pantry that's got magic in it as there can't be any other explanation for the endless supply of victuals that comes out of it; we got beds warmed and ready for whoever needs them; and there's a round, fat kettle hanging over the fire boiling away, 'cause everyone's gonna need some warmin' drinks inside them when they get back. Real good sound it's makin', gives me hope of a safe return for everyone.
Guess there's somethin' comfortin' about a fire and a kettle boilin'. Reminds me of back home and when I used to be allowed to sit up in the evening waitin' for Pa to return from the stables. 'Cause he always came home, even though there were times when I'd be nearly asleep in his big armchair before the front door'd rattle open and he'd come in stampin' his boots and sweepin' Ma and me up in a hug, after he'd been seein' to the well-bein' of one of our horses. Ma always kept that fire burnin' for him, she never let it die down.
I'm still starin' out of the window, but my eyes ain't seein the snow any more - they're seein' our kitchen and the fire, and the worry in Ma's eyes as she's sittin' down then standin' up to look out of the window, waitin for Pa… Guess I understand now how she felt.
I'm hearin' Mrs Hammerback's voice again, tellin' me to come sit back down, but I can't, I can't. It ain't only the past I'm seein' outta this window now, it's the future too. I'm seein' my own hearth, and two armchairs by the fire; one for each of us, me and Danny. And in one of them, I can see there's a child sittin' on her Pa's knee, listenin' to him tellin' a story about the time he went out into a blizzard to help rescue the Sheriff of Hattanville…
So Danny's gotta make it back alive, along with all of them, 'cause we gotta make that future happen! I hope it's soon, oh I hope it's gonna be soon! Don't think I can take much longer of this sittin' and waitin'…
"Come sit yourself here, my love." Mrs Hammerback's got a real warm and liltin', voice, and somehow it draws me away from the window, away from all I'm seein' out there, back to the present and her kindly face, all glowin' with the heat of the fire. So I walk over slowly to where she's sittin' with Mr Hammerback and Jessica on the settle, and next thing she's standin' up and two plump arms are round me and her cheek's pressed next to mine and suddenly I can't stop the tears fallin'…
"There, there now. You have yourself a good cry, it's what's needed at a time like this. Does you a power of good to let a few tears fall."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" I'm splutterin' into her shoulder, "I shouldn't be cryin' like this… I'm… I'm a grown woman! And tears ain't going to help anyone…"
I can't stop them fallin' though; my eyes are all hot, and sorta' burnin, and my nose is tinglin' and big fat tears are trickling' down my cheeks like they ain't going to stop. Even though I'm feelin' real embarrassed and cross with myself for it, 'cause I ain't the one in any sorta' trouble. No, I'm safe and sound in the warmth whilst Sheriff Taylor and Flack and Doctor Hawkes and Stella, and… and Danny are out there…Oh Danny, Danny!
I'm pulled tighter into Mrs Hammerback's embrace, and I'm surrounded by nothing but caring and warmth and the smell of home baking. She's got flour in her hair and up her arms, so I know it's going to be all over me, but at this moment I couldn't care less.
"Don't you be apologising for crying. I'd be worried if you weren't upset, Miss Lindsay. It's a worry to all of us, with the men folk and Miss Stella and Miss Higgins out there, but it takes courage to give in to a little cry, so you've got nothing to be ashamed about."
"Martha's right, Miss Monroe." Mr Hammerback says gently, "Not a one of us is going to criticise you for a few tears shed."
"I'm so sorry…" I gasp, "I'm feelin' so… so helpless! They've all gone and ridden off out there, and I'm feelin' I should be doin' more to help, and… and then I get to thinkin' about what… what if they don't… don't come back, and they're all lost in the snow…"
"They ain't gonna be lost, Lindsay!" Jessica says, and her voice kind of rises up as she says it, and I can hear the tremble of tears too, and that makes me feel real guilty. 'Cause I know she's waitin' too, for Flack, and that's got to be as hard on her as it is on me waitin' for my Danny. Waitin's the hardest thing for anyone to do in circumstances like this. Guess that's why Stella wasn't going be waitin' whilst they all went to find Sheriff Taylor. Wish I could've done the same, even though I know they needed someone back here to be waitin' for them…
But we don't know where they are! We don't even know if they're alive! It's a long ride to those works, I know it is, 'cause me and Danny rode out there one Sunday in the summer after church, and had a picnic there, just the two of us, no one else around… Oh he's gotta be comin' back! We gotta have time for more picnics to enjoy and more days spent together. We got a wedding to be havin'! And you can't have a wedding without a groom and a best man, and Stella to be helpin' with my dress. The dress Danny ain't even seen yet…
Can't stop the tears now, can feel them all slippin' down my face; poor Mrs Hammerback's going to have a real damp shoulder... Got a sob risin' in my throat too, and I don't know how I'm going to stop it. Maybe if I swallow real hard, kinda' choke it back with a cough…
Mrs Hammerback's pattin' my back now, and I'm rememberin' how Ma used to do the same when I got real upset over somethin' when I was a little girl. Jessica's got her arms round me too, even though I can hear she's tryin' not to cry too as she's tellin' me it's going to be all right.
"Don't neither of you be making yourselves all upset and worried now my lovelys." Mrs Hammerback's soothin' us, "They'll all be back before too much longer, just you wait and see. I've lived many a year, and I know when a thing's so. You ask my Sidney. I got a store of confidence in every last one of them that's gone out there to bring back Mr Taylor, your Mr Daniel included, and your Mr Don, Jessica."
"Thank you, Mrs Hammerback." Jessica gulps.
"Martha's a woman who knows these things." Her husband adds, and I see the look of admiration he's givin' his wife. They make a picture; Mrs Hammerback's small and round and Mr Hammerback's tall and skinny as a fence post, as Pa would say. But the two of them kinda' fit together…
"I've got faith in Mr Daniel and Mr Don, and I know Mr Taylor has too, 'specially in his Deputy. You've got a real capable young man there, Miss Jessica, I've got no shortage of admiration for him. Got a real hearty appetite on him too, and that's something I like to see in a young fellow."
That makes me smile, even though I'm still kinda' snuffling, 'cause I know for sure Mrs Hammerback likes to see a good appetite in folks, 'specially Don Flack. And there ain't anyone who appreciates her bakin' more than he does. Many's the time I've seen her bustling out of her house and crossin' the street over to the Sheriff's office with a fresh baked cake in her hands, and returning a little while later with an empty plate. I see a lot from my schoolroom window, when I let my mind wander away from teachin'. Only from time to time though, when the children are busy writin' their lessons on their slates. It's real nice to have a few peaceful moments to let my thoughts kinda' roam out of the schoolroom. They don't roam too far though. Just across the street to Danny's place, and a little way into the future when we're going to be wedded and settin' up a place of our own…
"You hear that?" Jessica clutches hold of me, and I pull myself out of Mrs Hammerback's arms.
'Cause I hear it too. The most welcome sound I've heard in a long time; a whole lot of jingling and stamping outside. Unmistakably a group of horses and their riders, which I'm certain about, seein' as it's a sound I'm real used to hearin' from home.
It's them! They're back!
I'm flyin' across the room, and Jessica's right behind me…
"They're here! They're back!" I'm yellin and laughin' and cryin' all at the same time as I'm pushin' open the doors of the Saloon, not mindin' at all the snow that billows in.
It's them, it is! They're all in a huddle ridin' up Main Street towards us.
Jessica catches hold of my hand, "Can you see all of 'em, Lindsay? Are they all back safe and sound?"
Mrs Hammerback, her husband in her wake, rustles up beside me, clutching hold of her skirts and panting a little from hurryin', "You see my lovelys? Told you they'd be back. Now, can you see your young men and the Sheriff and all the rest?"
Quick as I can, I'm countin' those horses, 'cause I know how many went out, and I know the names of 'em all too and who they belong to… In front's Mr Ross on his horse, Hickory alongside John Carter on Cooper; then comes the young Texan lady on her horse - don't know the name of him, but I can see he's a fine beast none the less; then Flack, sittin' on Flapjack - real good name for a horse the colour of his, a lovely golden brown Arab. He's got the Sheriff's horse, Blue, trotting beside him on a short rein, and he's followed by Lenny Cody on Bobby…
But where's Hank Gibson and Doctor Hawkes? Where's the Sheriff and Stella? Where's Danny? I can't see them! Oh my hand's risin' to my throat, and I can feel my heart bangin'… Jessica's already dashin' across the snow as the little group rides up. Flack's the first to dismount, and in a second, he's swept her up into his arms and they don't let go of each other…
But Danny, where's my Danny?
Feelin' like my legs are going to give way, I'm runnin'. I gotta know, I gotta find out…
"Danny!" I'm callin', and my boots are slippin' in the snow, but I pick myself up and carry on, "Danny! Danny,where are you?"
Then Flack's got a hold of my arm, and's speakin' words I almost can't believe…
"Danny's fine, Lindsay. He's fine. He's a little way back with Hank, the Doc, Stella and the Sheriff, who they're bringin' real slow and careful." Suddenly I can't stop the tears again, even as he's givin' me a hug, then I'm pullin' away from him 'cause finally I got a sight of my Danny.
He's safe.
Can't stop myself smilin' in relief at seein' him sittin' on Biscuit, but I can't smile for long, 'cause it don't take me a second to realise that they ain't all safe and sound yet. Stella's beside Danny, ridin' Diamond, the Palomino who belongs to Mrs Angell; but she looks close to fallin' out of the saddle…
And then there's the Sheriff, and oh my; my hand's flyin' to my mouth, 'cause he don't look good at all, slumpin' forward even though Hank Gibson's propping him up in front of him; he's kinda' got the reins wrapped round one arm, whilst with the other he's holdin' onto the Sheriff. Doctor Hawkes is ridin' alongside on Bill, helpin' support him too. Moments later, they're stopped and surrounded, then Hank and Don take charge of the Sheriff, as Doctor Hawkes lends a hand to Stella. I'm runnin' over now, and I can't help but gasp in horror at the state of all of 'em; everyone of them's exhausted, white-faced and sorta' battered lookin'…
Then Danny reaches me, and his arms are holdin' me so close I can't hardly breathe. But I don't care because he's safe. He's safe.
"Hope I didn't get you worried, Lindsay." He says as he pulls back to look at me, still with his hands holdin' real tight to mine, and at that I got a sob and a laugh sorta' mixin' together.
"Only a little worried, Danny Messer," I tell him, touchin' the scrape he's got down his cheek that weren't there when he left, "Knew you wouldn't be lettin' a small thing like a blizzard defeat you..." For a moment longer there ain't anythin' else around us and even the snow don't seem to be fallin' any more, 'cause all I can see are his eyes gazin' into mine and all I can feel are his hands wrapped around me. The moment can't last though, we ain't the only ones out here, and we got folks who're needin' our help.
Hank and Don are carryin' Mr Taylor between them, towards the Saloon. His eyes are closed and he's white as anythin'. Got a bandage of some kind wrapped around his chest too and there's a spot of red in the middle. He looks hurt bad…
"Danny, what happened? How is he? How'd you get him out?"
He squeezes my hand, "I'll tell you all 'bout it later, Lindsay. The Doc's gonna' be seein' to him." He takes his hat off and rubs his hand through his hair before replacin' it, "We've had a time of it gettin' him outta there, I'm tellin' you." I see then the worry that's kinda' been drawn into his face, and the smudges and bruises all over him.
Followin' close behind the Sheriff, are Stella and Doctor Hawkes with his arm round her. Then they stop for a moment and I hear her tellin' him in no uncertain terms, even as she's swayin' with exhaustion, that she ain't leaving Mr Taylor's side till she knows he's all right. I glance at Danny with my eyebrows raised and he shakes his head.
"Don't know how she's still standin', but I ain't arguin' with her; even the Doc and Flack have given up on that. Should've seen her when we got him back up, clutched him to her and wouldn't let go… If she says she's stayin' with him, she's stayin' with him." And then he wraps his arm round my waist, "And I'm stayin' with you, Miss Monroe. Reckon the thought o' you waitin' helped me back home…"
Then he clears his throat, and sounds sorta' gruff as he says, "Come on, we're gonna be the last ones out here, and in case you ain't noticed, it's still snowin'. Can't have you catchin' cold, let's get in the warmth."
Snow and the cold ain't a problem though, not now I got my Danny back at my side. But I let him lead me inside, 'cause I reckon we'll be even warmer together by the fire.
Soon as we get inside, I'm caught up in the bustle of servin' food and hot coffee to everyone; Mrs Hammerback's movin' like mercury makin' sure everyone's got enough food and heat from the fire. Only ones who aren't down here are Doctor Hawkes and Stella, 'cause they're still with Mr Taylor. Flack and Hank came down soon as they'd got him upstairs. Poor Flack's lookin' drawn and worried; lost all the pink in his cheeks and the twinkle in his eyes; but there's just a flicker as he catches hold of Jessica's hand and draws her close to him.
There ain't much mood for talkin', not until we get some better news on the Sheriff and gradually everyone falls silent. Then people start driftin' back towards their own homes and hearths till me, Danny, Flack, Jessica, Miss Higgins and the Hammerbacks are left. I'm fightin' to stay awake with the warmth of the fire and the tickin' of the big old clock hangin' over the mantelpiece; feel my head noddin' onto Danny's shoulder every few moments…
Next thing I know, Danny's shoulder's shifted, and I look up to see Doctor Hawkes comin' down the stairs. We all stand up, and I rub the sleep out of my eyes.
"What's the news, Doc?" Flack asks, stridin' over to him.
Hawkes mops his forehead with a handkerchief, "I've cleaned his wounds, bandaged him up, and got him comfortable as he can be in bed. He's got a couple of broken ribs too, but rest is going to be the best thing for that. I'm hopin' for a good recovery as long as he don't get any infection in that deep cut."
"What about Stella?" I ask, 'cause I'm worried about her too, "Where is she?"
A look of exasperation appears on the Doctor's face, "That's something I could use a little help with from you, Miss Monroe, and you too Flack."
I glance over at Flack; both of us are a fair bit puzzled, but we follow the Doctor up the stairs and into one of the rooms off the landing. He pushes the door open and stands back against it as we enter. Lyin' in the bed, eyes closed tight, a night shirt mostly hidin' the bandages round his chest, is Mr Taylor.
He ain't alone though, 'cause Hattanville's Saloon owner is the other occupant of the room; sleeping as if for a wager.
"I went to go get some water, came back a few minutes later, and found her like this." Hawkes sighs.
"Have you tried wakin' her?" I ask, "She can't stay here like this!"
For one thing, even in these circumstances, I guess it ain't the proper thing for an unmarried lady to be spendin' the night in the room with a gentleman; even if said gentleman is unconscious, and the Sheriff of Hattanville. And for another thing, she ain't in the most comfortable position for sleepin'; she's half kneelin' on the floor beside the bed, with her head lyin' on the covers; one hand's beneath her cheek, and the other's laid over the Sheriff's.
Sure is a sight to make my heart feel a pang, to see how much she cares for him, but I've always been a practical thinker too, and I know that if she stays like that, she's going to get no end of stiffness in her legs and neck. Ain't no way we can leave her like that.
"I tried, and failed." Hawkes replies, "She's as stubborn asleep as she is awake." At that I can't help but smile. Flack however only frowns, steps over, and shakes her shoulder.
"Come on, Stell. Can't be sleepin' here." He waits a few moments and then shakes her again, "Stella! Wake up!"
But she don't stir, despite all his attempts and in a minute or so he gives up and stands lookin' down at her, arms akimbo, with a glower on his face.
"Any suggestions?" He looks at me and Hawkes, "'Cause she ain't spendin' the night on the floor. Mac'd never forgive me if he found out…"
Part of me wants to tell him to carry her to her own bed, but another part of me knows how I'd feel if it were Danny lyin' there and someone took me away from him without me knowin', so I wrack my brains for somethin' else to suggest…
"How about this?" I say as an idea strikes me, "We fix up a mattress and some blankets for her here. That way she'll be comfortable and she don't have to leave the Sheriff."
Hawkes gives me a smile, "Sounds a good idea to me, and that way I can look after both of them, as I was planning on staying up with Taylor anyhow."
"You sure you're good for that, Doc? You been up a good few hours yourself already, not to mention your efforts in the rescue."
Hawkes holds up his hand, "That's the way of being a Doctor; I'd rather lose a few hours sleep than lose a patient. Just fetch me some coffee, spare me a few of Mrs Hammerback's sandwiches, and I'll be fine."
"Whatever you want. I'll ask Miss Higgins to bring you some up." Flack says with a grin that I could swear makes the Doctor blush, "Now lets see to some blankets."
It don't take us long to hunt down some bedding and set it up. Real gently then, we move Stella over to the makeshift bed, get her boots and outdoor things off and make her as comfortable as possible. She don't wake up for a second; not even when I accidentally drop her cloak on the floor and it kinda' clatters. Guess she must have a couple of her pistols in there…
Soon as we've made sure she and the Sheriff are safe for the night, and Hawkes is settled in a rocking chair with a blanket over his knees, Flack and me head downstairs. There we find the Hammerbacks propping each other up on the settle and snorin' in unison; Jessica and Miss Higgins asleep in an armchair each; and Danny dozing in another. We grin at each other at the sight, before Flack tiptoes over to the coffee pot, givin' Jessica's cheek a caress as he passes her.
"I'll take the coffee up myself." He nods towards Miss Higgins, "Hope the Doc ain't too disappointed about that."
I give him a grin as he heads back upstairs, then I realise just how tired I am myself. Don't think I can even make it home… But I reckon there's enough space for two in that big ol' armchair Danny's sittin' in, so I squeeze myself in next to him; gotta make sure the two of us don't get cold if the fire goes out.
"That you, Lindsay?" Danny murmurs and his arm slips round my shoulders, "Was wonderin' where you were. Was gonna tell you 'bout what happened… Gonna tell you…"
His head droops, and I stroke his hair, feelin' my eyes closin' as I do so.
"S'all right, Danny. Tell me tomorrow… 'Cause you're back now and everything's fine…" I'm driftin' now, real warm and peaceful… Just gotta say a few more words to him, "We got all the time we need for tellin'… You're back home, safe with me… Everything's fine… You're home… Everyone's home."
Hope you enjoyed that! Please review and let me know; poor Adam didn't get too many last chapter : ( Still time to review that though, and this one of course! Thanks, Lily x