A Past Remembered

Chapter 4

"I am sorry I am late, I had to sneak out," Caroline rushed in through the wooden fence, "we're going to town today and pa wanted to leave early but I had to come see you."

The fence circled around the green patch separating it from the sweltering heat. I wiped my forehead with my shirt sleeve while listening to the fluttering leaves of the lone tree. He had taught me to climb it when we were younger but now he quietly lay there looking up at its branches.

"I couldn't come yesterday ... Ma made me scrub laundry" I plopped down on the grassy patch near him, "look at my hands! They've turned into tomatoes."

I stretched out my palms for him to see but he wouldn't look. He was never interested in such small details. He always thought of the bigger picture but I didn't care. I wanted him to know or at least I wanted to be able to tell him.

"Rudie Boots! That's what you are! Aren't you going to say anything? No? Fine then! I'll speak and you listen but first ..."

I wiped away the dust with the end of my skirt unsuccessfully trying to reach every crevice on his face. The dust was stubborn, it had made a home for itself in the gravestone and would not budge easily.

"Pa has been teaching me shooting," I continued," He says I ought to learn it for when he's not around. I am getting pretty good at it! He's even teaching me fishing and how to gut fish and ... and swimming as well! but Ma is making me wear boy's clothes for swimming ... she says the petticoats are too heavy ... it's disgusting" I scowled.

"Besides, I think something is going on at the farm ... Mr. Coleman, he came to meet pa yesterday and they left in a hurry ... something about an incident ... you bet your boots I'm going to find out what it is! Now, don't you make that face at me! If you're going to be rude then I am leaving."

I ran out the gate calling out, "I'll come by to see you in a few days". It was a short run up the path leading to the back door but I took a turn and peered through the rose bush at the front yard.

"No! You cannot come with us, Moose. The town is too far!" Ma said. Moose stood his ground blinking at Ma unwilling to move. "Don't give me that stare. It's not going to work on me."

Moose stomped his hooves and trotted around refusing to listen. He tried to dash past but Ma she blocked his way. She stood with hands on hip. Pa had hitched the horses and brought the covered wagon to a rumbling halt outside the house.

"C' mon Ma. We've got to get a move on. Where is Caroline?" he asked.

"I'm here!" I stepped out from my hiding spot.

"About time young lady. Where have you been?" Ma questioned.

"Never mind that! Hurry up and get in. We need to make it to town before noon" Pa replied.

"You talk to Moose, Caroline," Ma said, "He is not to follow us and tell him to stay out of my flowers."

"I ... went to see Gabe"

"It's all right Caroline" Pa nodded, "C' mon".

Ma hadn't heard me as she had already climbed into the wagon. It was better she hadn't since talking about Gabe always upset her. I patted Moose on the head trying to calm him down.

"Listen to me. You have to stay back and protect the house" I tried to convince him. "There's no one better for this job than you". He eyeballed me.

"Plus, there are fresh strawberry muffins with jam for you" I continued. He let out a whinny and trotted off to the window.

"You be on your best behavior Moose!" I yelled getting into the wagon.

It would be about an hours ride to Carson City but pa wanted to get there before it was too hot. We had to return back by sunset as it would be too dark to find our way back.