The Wolf and the Lamb

Welcome Back Old Friend

Anna and I sang as we rode in the wagon, the scene a familiar one from the past. We had been on the road for a couple hours. The few belongings we had were packed in the back of the wagon. "Pa are we going to go back home?" Anna asked John as she pointed back. He smiled, "Not quite, we're going to get a home of our own" he answered. Anna sat down, her feet hanging from the end of the wagon, "Why do we move so much?" she asked. "We just haven't found our place yet honey" I answered, "but this new place is where we'll find it." John looked at me, "You shouldn't promise her that" he whispered. I smiled and kissed his cheek, "I've got a good feelin about this."

John stopped the wagon in front of the bank, he helped me down and took a deep breath. "You'll be fine" I said and kissed him. He nodded and went into the bank. I took Anna's hand and we walked around Blackwater. I pointed out the buildings and explained them all to the young girl, "Mama, how do you know all this?" she asked. I smiled, "I was here for a while back when I was younger" I answered. As we turned a corner an old voice called to us. "Edith! Edith Hallows" the man called. I turned and laughed at the old man walking our way, "I knew that hada be you" Uncle laughed as he got closer. "An with a girl no less, where is that John anyway?" I smiled, "He's down at the bank, we're gettin a loan to buy some land near here." I answered. 

In the several years that we had been gone many things had changed. We rode up to the plot of land, kicked out some squatters, and set up a small camp. The building on the land wasn't worth much, and the letter from Sadie still stayed in our minds. Uncle hung around like old times, he told Anna stories of the gang and the 'adventures' he had gone on. John wasn't partial to the idea of Uncle staying with us, but he allowed it under the circumstances that he work. As always Uncle's excuse was Lumbago. 

It had only been a few days since we bought the land, we were still working out what we were going to do with it when Uncle brought up Charles. "I heard a feller sounds like him down in Saint Denis." he said. I looked at John, "If you want to check that out, I'm going to go see Sadie" John said looking at me. I nodded and looked toward Anna, "I think he deserves to see what he saved.." I answered. John kissed my head, "Just come back to me" he smiled as he mounted Rachel. "You come back to me" I smiled. 

I turned and moved back up to the house, "Uncle where did you last hear of Charles bein?" I asked. He shrugged, "Just heard of something down in Saint Denis." I nodded, "Could you watch Anna for a bit?" I asked. The words sounded stupid as a thought but even worse coming out of my mouth. "Why don't we tag along?" he asked standing up. "Last time we were in Saint Denis they were tryin to kill us, I don't want to put my daughter in that" I answered. Uncle grumbled something and sat back down, "Thank you" I said. I kissed Anna's head, "Now stay here and watch over Uncle please" I said. Anna laughed and nodded. I mounted my horse and waved to the two as I headed off to Saint Denis. 

The city was just as musty as I remembered. The sound of the bustling city never left my mind. As I rode down the street I looked for any sign of Charles. As I passed a small alley I heard a group of people, I stopped and moved to check out the crowd. Right on the edge stood the Indian. His hair was longer, slightly disheveled. He had on a worn pair of jeans and no shirt. "Charles" I called. He looked up and smiled, "Edith, you're a sight for sore eyes" he said. I stood in front of him, "Fighting in the streets?" I asked. He shrugged, "Not the proudest thing, but it pays. What have you been up to?" I smiled, "John and I have a small place up near Blackwater, Beecher's Hope. We found Uncle in town when we went to buy it and he told us he had heard of someone like you down here" I answered. 

I watched and cheered Charles on as he fought, and after he ushered me out, "We should go before people come looking for their money back" he whispered. We walked down the streets, "So this is what you've been up to for the past years?" I asked. He shrugged, "Not all of them, after you left with John I moved back up to Wapiti. It was a lost cause after Dutch, but I helped where I could. Then found myself back down here." Charles said, "I was actually getting ready to hop on a boat before you showed up, so I'll need to grab those bags." I nodded, "Sounds like a plan" I answered.

We made our way to the docks where, like old times, we ran into trouble. As Charles and I rode away from the bustling city I couldn't help but laugh. "What" he asked. "I think for the first time in my life I'm not that excited to shoot up Saint Denis" I answered. Charles gave a small laugh and we continued back to Beecher's Hope. 

When we returned to the shack John was waiting on me. Anna smiled and called for me as I rode up. As I dismounted my horse she ran to me and tightly hugged me. Charles followed behind and softly smiled at the child. "Here, Anna, this is your Uncle Charles" I said showing her him. "Do I have to watch him too?" she whined. Charles laughed, "No" he answered and gently touched her head. Anna smiled and ran back up to John. 

Things only got better from there, Uncle talked John into looking at a pre-build home. They tore down the shack, which was about all it was good for, and we began construction on our new home. It took a while, but once it was finished the house looked beautiful. There were still a few touches to add, like a porch and small details but everything was looking up.