In an America that might have been, two war orphans from a divided nation, one in the north and one in the south, meet across a vast battlefield, striking out to forge a future together in the west. It's 1892, the fourth and bloodiest year of the Ci...
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When they were out of earshot of the mine, Deke said, "There's something wrong there."
"You think so?" Joe said. "Beau is a mean drunkard, but he's always seemed straight to me."
"He was lying. I think he knew Kay's Papa."
"Why would he lie?" Kay asked.
"Knowing Beau," Joe said. "If he was lying, it was probably out of pure cussed laziness."
"I would say, maybe we could get him drunk, but it's already too late," Deke said, which got a laugh.
"So you're looking for your Papa?" Joe asked.
"Yes," Kay said, and she told him the story about his last letter, leaving out the part about striking it rich.
"Finding him out here will be hard. People go missing a lot. You figure that learning a little about mining will help you to know where to look?"
"That was the general idea," Kay said.
"I can help you there a bit. If Beau did know something, others will too. You need some introductions I think. Maybe we should go visit the Independence next."
Joe left them at the hotel, but not before bowing and kissing the women's hands.
As they were walking up stairs, Deke stopped, "Should I kiss your hands too?"
Both women laughed, took his arms at the elbow, and escorted him upstairs.
Deke really enjoyed their warmth next to him, but when Kay gave him a little kiss on the cheek before they left for their rooms, Deke nearly fainted.
***
Deke woke in the early dawn, as was his habit and stretched. He really enjoyed this bed. Good beds were something he could get used to. He could see his room in the dim blue morning light. It was a quiet room with a window that opened and let in the breeze. He could get used to that too. Kay wouldn't be up for an hour at least, more likely two, so he had to decide what he wanted to do with himself. He thought for a bit and decided the horses could use a run, so he dressed, pulled on his boots and went out in the dim streets to the stables.
They were awake and starting their morning chores. He called to the stable boy up in the loft shoveling down hay.
"I'm taking our horses out for a run."
The boy took a close look at him and felt satisfied he was who he seemed, and nodded his head. That was enough for Deke and he went to the rack and found his tack. Ned, the greedy thing he was, immediately began a search for apples, of which Deke had none.
"If you're good, I'll bring you some later," Deke promised.
Ned wanted out. Deke had to be firm to keep him still while he saddled him. Next he pulled out the mares and then, mounting Ned, led them to the street. It was cool but not cold, which promised another day of heat. The street was mostly empty so he left at a trot.
