Chapter Fifteen
Excerpt from Ch 14
Sheriff Madden liked the idea and said as much. "We'll need more than your dogs though. We can divide into groups and decide who is searching what area in the forest; we have to find them." ….
Mariah, who had walked around the stagecoach accident once more and had been elated to find the old tin coffee pot her brother had brought with them along with two tin cups-now stood next to the fire pit. That morning, she had also successfully gathered berries, nuts and wild mint. The wild mint was going to make a good tea-even if she was sure the men would have preferred something stronger.
As the tea was being prepared, the smell of wild mint spread through the air, mixing with the other natural smells that were in- or around-the campfire. The noise the fire made as it danced up and down seemed to create a rather nice feeling to the otherwise quiet morning.
"I wanted to say I am sorry." Eliza stood up from where she'd been sitting and walked up to Mariah, looking more than embarrassed.
Confused, Mariah looked away from the tea she was making. "What on earth are you sorry for? In spite of everything, you're doing what you can and are willing to learn. Why apologize for that?"
"Because I... well... I didn't quite believe it when you and your brother said you knew as much about living off the land as he did. I mean, I thought he…" Eliza paused as she struggled to find the words she wanted.
Mariah wasn't offended as she figured the accident was opening the younger woman's eyes more than Eliza thought possible. "You figured he was actually doing everything, and I just stayed near our campsites and did the cooking and mending his clothes?" Her mouth twitched a bit as her eyes sparkled - shouting that she was inwardly dying of laughter.
"Well," Eliza looked downward and then back up. "Quite frankly, yes, I did. But the way you've been able to gather much needed food-even the mint leaves to make this tea...I really have a lot to learn, don't I?"
"Yes, but don't worry. Life will give you plenty of opportunities to do just that-learn various things. It-meaning life-does that for everyone." Mariah poured a cup of the mint tea and held it out to Eliza. "Now, why don't you go give that to Phillip. Afterwards, you can pour yourself a cup. I'll get Brian his drink."
Soon the women were sitting next to Brian and Phillip. Their conversation quickly turned to what, if anything, they could do about their situation.
"I don't see where we have a choice but to stay here." Mariah looked around, and then turned her gaze to the bottom of the hill and the wrecked stagecoach. "Not only do we not have a way to move the two of you," She looked at her brother and Mr. Madden. "But you both know how much easier it is to find someone if they stay in one place. Well, if they can at all help it."
"Hate to admit it, only sis is right." Brian did his best to readjust the position he was sitting in. Mariah quickly moved to help him. Afterwards, Brian continued talking. "We have no choice but to wait. We aren't that far from the road. Sooner or later, someone will come along. Though," he paused, hating the fact that Mariah was having to do so much of the work-even if Eliza was honestly doing her best to help where she could and not arguing with Mariah.
"Though, what?" Mariah looked at her brother, already knowing how he felt about her doing so much.
"You might have the capability to raise your voice loud when the need arises." He tilted his head and looked up at the road that ran alongside the hill the stagecoach had rolled down. "Still, I still wonder if any would be rescuer would hear you."
Eliza, who had never stopped wondering about that herself, started beaming-excited to finally be able to think of something to help them. "I have an idea." She looked at her husband, then at Brian and Mariah.
~oOo~
Nick, his two brothers, Sheriff Madden, and a young red-headed nineteen-year-old lad by the name of Benjamin, who was anxious to prove himself, kept their eyes wide open as they drew closer to the thick forested area. The numerous trees that gave cover to the road seemed to be attempting to throw ghostly shadows even though it wasn't the time of day to do such a thing. The men didn't want to miss any sign of the missing stagecoach, knowing full well that every second counted. Naturally, with their attention on trying to find the missing passengers any sound of rustling leaves or an occasional animal call only served to increase their awareness of things around them.
While they rode in silence, Nick's mind went back to a conversation he and Silas had had shortly after Nick had had his conversation with Duke McColl.
"You think I'm crazy for seriously thinking to give this marriage to a woman I've never met an honest shot?" Nick sat in the kitchen looking at Silas who was standing next to the new marble counter-top the family had recently put in.
Silas, who secretly hoped Nick would do exactly that-give the marriage a chance-smiled. "You are a lot of things, Mr. Nick, but crazy isn't one of them. No matter though, I think you'll find what you look for. Most people do."
Nick surveyed the area they were in once more and silently hoped their search for this Mariah, her brother and the others wouldn't last too long.
