The Wandering One

Chapter 16

The next morning, the Cartwight men arose to find the barn chores already completed and Terrin helping Hop Sing with breakfast. Adam studied her as they ate, noticing the dark circles under her eyes that told him of her sleepless night. He filed that information away in his mind for later discussion if necessary. She seemed happy enough at this moment, no need to spoil the mood. Ben gave out assignments to his sons as they ate.

"Hoss, you and Joe are to supervise the cutting of a few trees today. They're needed for support beams in a new mine tunnel. The mine's foreman will also be there. Adam, are you good to ride in with Terrin to go see the sheriff?"

"Of course Pa. I think I'll quite enjoy the ride. Anything you need picked up?"

"Yes Adam, there's a new rifle that I ordered last month and we could use some more rifle cartridges."

The two nodded and as breakfast finished up, Terrin and Adam set about saddling Lash and Sport. Adam noticed that Terrin was more on edge than usual as they rode and that she kept a close eye on their surroundings the whole way into town. Her quiet nervousness worried him, but he was unsure of how to approach the situation without spooking her more. He eventually decided to let it rest for the moment. It had been a very eventful night.

When they arrived in town, Adam and Terrin rode directly to the jail. The sheriff came out to greet them as they dismounted and tied the horses to the hitching post. He offered his hand to Terrin as she and Adam approached. Terrin offered him a small smile but hesitated at the offered hand. Adam quickly stepped in and shook the offered hand.

"How are you doing Roy?" Adam greeted him.

"Doing well, Adam," he tipped his hat at Terrin, "Ma'am."

Terrin nodded in acknowledged him with a small smile and a quiet hello.

"I never properly introduced myself last night. I'm Roy. Roy Coffee, Sheriff around these parts. It's a pleasure to meet you, though I must admit the circumstances are certainly less friendly than I would have hoped for." He gave a chuckle and led them inside the office, continuing to chat the entire time.

"Ben said something a while ago about an old friend staying with you folks. I must say I am quite impressed with how well you handle the situation last night Miss Terrin. Most folks would've lost their cool or panicked. Well I suppose you'll be wanting that reward. Both men have a reward out for two hundred dollars each. That amounts to a total of four hundred dollars. I've got it right here for you," he set a bundle of bills on his desk. "Now I'll just need you to sign that you have received the reward."

Sheriff Coffee handed Terrin a pen and she quickly scribbled her signature on the paper he slid towards her. He then handed her the money and wished them a safe journey home. As Adam and Terrin left the sheriff's office, Terrin turned to Adam.

"I should share the reward with you and your brothers and your Pa. You all helped capture them just as much..."

"Nonsense." Adam cut her off. "You had the situation fully under control by the time we got out to the barn. Besides, Pa thought you might try to give it to us and we all decided you get all of it. They would have gotten away with Buck and Sport if you hadn't heard them and stepped in when you did. That reward is all yours."

Terrin reluctantly nodded, giving a small huff of annoyance after seeing the determination in Adam's eyes. She had learned that it was useless to argue with him when he got that look in his eyes. Terrin shoved the money into her pocket and swung up onto Lash's back and followed Adam as he rode down the street. When he stopped at a store, Terrin dismounted and followed him inside. He approached the owner and exchanged pleasantries before the portly man bent down behind the counter to retrieve something. When he straightened, he had a rifle in his hands. Adam inspected the rifle and gave a nod.

"Looks good Clem. Pa'll be pleased. You got anything interesting come in lately?" Adam inquired as he paid for the rifle.

"As a matter of fact, I got a brand new Colt Army .44 in just today."

Terrin's attention turned to him immediately. She hesitated and then asked, "May I ask how much you're selling it for?"

Both Adam and Clem looked at her in surprise. Adam quickly overcame his surprise and a small smile crept onto his face. Clem just looked completely confused as to why this young woman was asking about a gun. After several moments, Adam cleared his throat, shaking Clem out of his stunned silence.

"Well ma'am it's twenty dollars. Are you thinkin' of gettin' it as a gift? I got some other pistols that'll be a bit more affordable if you'd like to have a look."

Terrin shook her head. "I'd like to examine the pistol if I may."

Clem looked to Adam, unsure, "Have you handled a pistol before, ma'am?"

Adam snorted and quickly covered it with some fake coughing as Terrin glared at him. Terrin heaved a sigh and stood taller, looking Clem straight in the eye. "Yes sir. I actually have quite a bit of experience with a pistol. I am looking to replace a pair of pistols that were stolen from me. May I examine the gun?"

Clem gaped at Terrin, but handed the gun to her hestitantly. She took the gun and checked it over thoroughly. After inspecting every part of it and getting a feel for how it handled, Terrin placed it back on the counter with a satisfied nod.

"I'll take it. I'm also in need of a new gun belt and I'll take 5 boxes of cartridges as well." Terrin stated this firmly and Clem once again confused and uncertain looked to Adam desperately as if to check if this was alright. Adam kept his face blank and this time it was Terrin who broke him out of his reverie by clearing her throat. She gave the man a hard look and pulled out her reward money. Upon seeing this, Clem quickly overcame his reservations on selling a gun to a woman and leapt into action.

Fifteen minutes later, Terrin and Adam were finally leaving the store. Adam decided to stop in at the general store before heading back to the Ponderosa. Terrin followed him inside and as soon as she entered, she noticed three women standing at the counter gossiping. As she stepped further into the store, one of the ladies turned and saw her. She gave Terrin a hostile look and turned back to the other two ladies, muttering under her breath just loud enough for Terrin to overhear, "There's that heathen again. Honestly she is practically a savage."

One of her friends chimed in. "You know I don't know why Ben Cartwright took her in. She's bound to rob him blind as well as ruin his reputation."

Terrin carefully schooled her face into a blank mask and walked over to Adam who was carefully selecting some sweets to take home.

"I'll wait for you outside," she muttered. He nodded absentmindedly and continued putting lemon drops into the paper bag in his hand. When the door to the store shut firmly behind Terrin, the three ladies burst into laughter.

"Did you see how she was dressed," one of them tittered.

"Well what do you expect from one of them," another chimed in while the third agreed.

"She should go back to her people. Her kind don't belong in civilized society."

Adam felt heat rise in his cheeks and throughout his body.

"Enough!" he roared, "I will NOT stand by as you insult another person for the simple reason that their skin is a different colour than yours. You should be ashamed of yourselves, calling someone else a heathen while judging them unfairly, without even trying to get to know them."

Adam slapped some coins down on the counter to pay for the sweets and stormed out of the store. He found Terrin tightening the cinch on Lash's saddle. Without a word, both mounted their horses and started off home. As they rode, Adam noted the shine of unshed tears in Terrin's eyes. A sinking feeling settled in his stomach.

"You heard them." It wasn't quite a question, more of a statement which was confirmed with a very slight nod from Terrin. Adam's temper began to flare up again. Terrin prevented the incoming outburst from him by quickly muttering, "It's fine Adam. I'm used to it by now." Followed by, "Just let it be, Adam." As she saw him open his mouth to protest. She then quickly kicked Lash into a gallop and left Adam in the dust. He sighed and urged Sport into a gallop to follow after her.