Bid For Freedom

Chapter 22

Dani watched the goings on with confusion. What's happening?

Caleb and Jeremy were being extremely secretive but even the animals picked up on the tension.

She ached all over with barely enough strength to keep her mare in check. A cough rattled through her lungs once again.

Caleb seemed to look right at her before he followed a man to the buildings. Her eyes widened as Jeremy and another man returned to the group, remaining silent and on alert. He kept his hand on his pistol as his eyes scanned the hills.

She leaned forward over the pommel, resting a hand on the mare's neck.

"You all right, ma'am?"

She turned her head to look at the newcomer. She blinked her eyes, almost not understanding what he said.

"Dani?"

She looked at Jeremy but didn't hear his question through the ringing in her ears.

"How long she been sick?"

She felt a horse move alongside hers. Her fingers relaxed as the reins were taken from her. A hand on her thigh held her steady as the horse moved forward.

"Whoa, Honey. Caleb said to stay," she muttered.

The horse threw her head in the air.

Hands encircled her waist, pulling her from her horse. Dani protested mildly even as her head rested on the man's chest.

Dani sat up with a jolt. Lace curtains blew in the breeze. A soft comforter draped across the bed beneath her.

She started to stand, but voices outside the room stopped her.

"Really, Caleb. It's insane. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets pregnant on the trail. Where would that leave you?"

"It's not like that, Ana."

"You're lucky it's just a touch of heat stroke this time. What happens if it's much more serious out there?"

Caleb muttered something unintelligible.

The door creaked open and a man walked inside followed by a woman who looked as if she could be his twin with the exception of the hair. His was brown and hers blond. Dani blinked several times to be sure she wasn't mistaken. The man was Caleb, clean shaven with the exception of a long mustache.

"Dani, this is my sister, Ana. Ana, this is Dani."

Dani smiled. "Pleased to meet you."

Caleb held out a hand. "Are you ready for dinner?"

She smiled. "Yes, thank you."

Ana shook her head and followed them to the kitchen.

"Go ahead and sit here," Caleb said as he pulled out a chair.

The door burst open. "Ana! Why are there a bunch of darkies in the yard?"

"Hello, Stuart," Caleb said with a chuckle.

Stuart stopped in his tracks, a grin spreading across his face. "Caleb. It's been a while."

"Surprised you recognized me. Ana pulled a gun on me."

"Did not."

Caleb shrugged. "Your men did."

Her jaw dropped.

"We've had some, uh, problems. With the war, raiders are comin' more often than not."

Caleb nodded. "Can you still spare some men?"

Stuart shook his head as he hung up his jacket and hat. "No. I'd love to tell ya yes, especially if that's your crew out there."

"They're mine."

Jeremy clapped Stuart on the shoulder. "Good to see ya."

"You too, Jeremy, right?"

Jeremy nodded.

Dani immediately looked at the table when Stuart's gaze fell on her. "Who's this?"

"Stuart, this is Dani."

She watched Stuart and Caleb exchange a glance.

"Pleased to meet you." Stuart pulled out a chair and sat down as Ana placed a steaming pot of stew on the table. "So, Colorado?"

Caleb shook his head. "Montana."

Stuart raised his eyebrows. "I see." He glanced at Dani before continuing. "You're driving your herd to Montana now. How many of your men have worked cattle?"

"Pretty much, me and Jeremy."

"Who's your cook?"

"I've got someone lined up in Fort Worth."

"What are your plans?"

Caleb glanced at his clasped hands. "I'd hoped you'd be able to lend me a few men for a week at the beginning of the drive. Since that's not a possibility, can we stay here for a couple days and work your cattle? Let 'em get a feel for it before we pick up the herd."

Stuart nodded. "That'd be fine. Lemme have a talk with my men, to make sure there'll be no issues. I may be able to spare one or two. Not the four or five I've promised."

"I understand. Tensions are high all over."

Jeremy ladled a bowl of soup and started dipping his bread in the juice. "Ana, this is delicious."

She laughed. "I'd ask ya to stay on, but it seems Caleb needs ya."

"He's a young pup. Makes lotsa mistakes. But he seems to be learning."

"I'm glad he can be taught. I had my doubts growing up."

"You realize I'm still in the room," Caleb muttered.

"Yessir, he's sure a lucky one though. He's already wrestled gators, almost got his neck slit and has got hisself bucked off more than once this trip."

"We won't talk about you," Caleb scoffed. "It's not near as dramatic as he's making it out to be."

Dani bit back a chortle as she blew on a spoonful of soup.

"He's right," Jeremy agreed. "It's worse."