Land of the Unknown

Jesse Evans

February 18, 1878

Gouyen was cleaning some furniture within the Bixby residence. A sigh escaped her lips. Luke has always been kind and protective of her. He also introduced her to his good friend Isaac and other workers on the ranch. Gouyen also made many friends during her stay on the ranch. When introduced to Charles and Netty, it didn't surprise her that they were racist. Luke was the opposite, making her wonder why he married Netty and why Charles acted in a way. There were no suspicions that she was close to Emiliano and the Regulators. As time progressed, she viewed the family as bizarre; she noticed that Luke was distant and only spent time with them for lunch and dinner.

It was also noticed that Luke would venture out in the night alone. Luke informed her that he and Emiliano would meet secretly; he was helping him with shooting skills and more. She wanted to go with Luke, but the older man explained that it would bring suspicions to his wife and Charles. However, he would get her letters or handmade jewelry from Emiliano whenever he returned. Gouyen learned from Isaac that Emiliano was part of a posse that worked for John Tunstall, who was in an undeclared war with other businessmen. It made her fear for Emiliano's safety.

At that moment, she finished cleaning Netty's room and was about to leave when her mistress entered. "I made a list of things I need; go to the county and fetch them. Here is a bag of money. Make sure to bring them back."

"Yes, Ms. Netty, I shall go at once." Gouyen walked toward the county, holding a woven basket in hand. Upon arrival, onlookers eyed her, but she ignored them. The trip went smoothly. She got everything on the list and was about to head back to the ranch when she caught sight of a familiar face. "Annmarie!"

Annamarie stopped and saw Gouyen approaching her. "Oh, it's you! It has been a while since we last saw one another."

"Yes, it feels like an eternity, my friend."

"Friend?"

"Why yes, because of you, I am well. You helped me when no one else would. Are you okay with me calling you that?"

Annmarie smiled. "It's no problem at all. So what have ya been doin'? Are ya staying with Emiliano?"

"No, he found a family that I am now working for. I just wanted to say hello. My mistress will not be happy if I am late." Before Annmarie could speak, the young Native woman ran off. She couldn't tell her the truth that she worked for the Bixbys, and suspicions would arise, which could bring Emiliano and Luke trouble.

Meanwhile, Annmarie watched as Gouyen ran away. She continued walking on the path to Tunstall's ranch to visit Emiliano. He hadn't come by and visited her like he used to. Unfortunately, she had no information to help him with his goal. Still, it didn't hurt to visit him. While walking on the trail, she saw a group of horseback men approaching her. They were Tunstall and some of his men, Richard, John Middleton, Henry Brown, Robert Widenmann, Fred Waite, and Billy. The men were on the trail with nine other horses in their charge. They stopped, along with the horses. "Oh, Mr. Tunstall, I was goin' to visit yer ranch to see how Emiliano was doin'."

Tunstall and the others chuckled. "Sorry, he's not in the ranch since today is his day off. I heard him say that he's going somewhere to practice shootin'."

"Oh."

"You seem upset. I'm a little surprised you came here to see Emiliano," said Tunstall with an amused smile.

A blush was apparent. "N-No reason. I just wanted to see how he was doing! I guess I'll go back. Thank ya for the notice." Annmarie walked back to the county as the men watched her.

Meanwhile, the men continued with their path as they crossed the county and onto the open road. They were headed to McSween to trade horses for cattle. "Who was that?" asked Henry.