Chapter 2 #2
El Aguila’s bandits had been relentless of late. Nothing came into or out of Unity without a group of them following, attacking, or just being menacing. They would ride along the ridges and make it clear that they were only letting the group pass because they felt like it.
He knew that certain citizens of Unity were working tirelessly on trying to end the conflict, make peace, and make Unity safe—he was one of them—but they didn’t seem to really be getting anywhere.
Nevertheless, they set off from Unity, heading toward San Antonio.
Thomas wasn’t certain what time Clary and Evelyn’s train would arrive, but he imagined that getting two stagecoaches and eight horses ready to go would take some time.
He wasn’t too worried about not being there as the train pulled into the station.
Certainly Clary wouldn’t have a problem with him not being immediately there to greet her.
One thing that had come through strongly in her letters was how independent-minded she was.
“Is it me, or have the bandits taken the day off?” Ben asked when they were almost at San Antonio and had seen no sign of them.
“It’s not you,” Ross confirmed.
“I would have preferred to see them,” Duncan said and, lifting his broad-brimmed hat, smoothed his brown hair. “I don’t like surprises, and this feels like one is brewing.”
“Yeah, it sure does,” Ross said.
“We should keep our eyes peeled then,” Mark said, looking around with trepidation.
“And who are you again?” Ross asked, squinting at him.
Thomas grimaced. They had been through all of this when they set out. Ross was just less than trusting. Who could blame him, after everything the citizens of Unity had been through?
“As I said when we set out, he’s okay,” Thomas said in a reassuring tone. “He was a deputy sheriff before, and he offered to help on his day off.”
Duncan shook his head, but Ben seemed fine with it. “Hey, an extra gun is an extra gun when the manure hits the windmill, so I’m fine with there being more of us.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ross moaned.
They soon reached San Antonio and headed for the station. It was always busy, and there were people and goods heading in and out in a steady stream.
“We need to go around this side,” Thomas said, following signs to the cargo depot. It was around the side of the main platform and also very busy with carts coming and going.
It didn’t take long to find the two stagecoaches. They were on the ground beside a flatbed carriage that would usually take logs. So that was how she had managed the feat. Thomas had been wondering.
A horse whinnied nearby and, turning, Thomas saw two women walking along the track, leading four horses each.
The women were clearly related, with their blonde hair shining in the sunlight.
They were dressed in riding skirts, simple blouses, and boots.
They both had pistols strapped to their hips, one on each side.
The men, as one, just stared at them.
“Fellas,” one of the women said with a nod of greeting as they reached them.
“Good day,” Thomas said, lifting his hat. “Is one of you Miss Clary Wilson?”
“That’s me,” the speaker said. She cocked her head ever so slightly to the side and then smiled. “And you must be Thomas Forster.”
“I am,” Thomas said. She was very pretty, with hazel eyes and a bright smile. She hadn’t run in disgust from him yet, and Thomas was taking that as a good sign. If only he could get out of the saddle gracefully with his sore leg.
In his eagerness, he did something wrong. Only realizing it when he found himself on the ground with one foot still in his stirrup, Thomas silently cursed his ill-fated stars. What kind of first impression was this?
She’s going to think I’m a complete idiot.
His horse decided now was the time to take a step to the side, and Thomas found he had to hop to not fall on his backside.
He was mortified, and his cheeks burned red hot.
Especially when Ben, Ross, Duncan, and Mark all tried so hard not to laugh.
Their snorts and swallowed sounds were almost worse than outright laughter would have been.
“Here, let me help,” Clary said. There was a slight hint of laughter in her voice too, but she wasn’t actually laughing at him.
Thomas sighed. “You know, I was really hoping not to show you my clumsy side until later, but I guess now is as good a time as any. At least you know what you’re in for.”
At that Clary did laugh, making Thomas laugh too. They smiled at each other as she helped him untangle his foot from his stirrup.
“Don’t worry, I have a little clumsy in my blood too from time to time,” she said in a low voice so that only he could hear.
Solidly on both feet, Thomas smiled. “Thanks for the help and understanding.”
“My pleasure,” Clary said. “Anyway, I wouldn’t do much better with an injured leg. You’re sweet for coming all this way to meet me. So, should we do this officially? I’m Clary, and this is my little sister Evelyn.”
Evelyn stepped forward and shook Thomas’s hand.
“I’m Thomas, and these fellows behind me are Ben, Duncan, Ross, and Mark.”
“Goodness, so many fine young gentlemen. Can I ask why there are so many of you here? Are you all here for us?” Evelyn asked. She had a flirtatious smile and manner about her, Thomas noticed.
“There are bandits in this area, ma’am,” Ross said stiffly. “We’re here to make sure that you get to Unity unharmed.”
“Oh, how very thoughtful of you,” Evelyn trilled.
“Evelyn Marie Wilson!” Clary said in a warning tone.
“Yes? Clarinda Augusta Wilson, what’s the problem?” Evelyn asked, shooting her sister a defiant look.
“Help me harness the horses to the stagecoaches and keep your smart mouth shut,” Clary said with open anger. “I think we’ve had quite enough of your mouth for one day, don’t you?”
Evelyn sighed theatrically. “Are you really still mad about John?”
“We are not having this conversation now!” she grumbled so low that Thomas barely heard her.
Oh dear, what did Evelyn do now?
This wasn’t the right time to have that conversation, so Thomas turned to the others. “Why don’t we give them a hand?”
“Sure,” Ross said, suddenly enthusiastic. He dismounted without any trouble, looking as suave and self-assured as Thomas wished he was.
“Thanks,” Clary said to Thomas as Ben, Duncan, Ross, and Evelyn went to hitch the horses to the stagecoaches. “I really appreciate the help. We should get our baggage loaded in the coaches though.”
“Is there a lot of it?” Thomas asked, limping along beside her. He’d left his cane strapped to his saddle.
“No. Why are you limping?” Clary asked. “Just use your cane, for heaven’s sake.”
“I’m fine. My cane is still strapped to my saddle,” he said, waving her concern away. “I can manage without it.”
Clary regarded him with a kind look, and she patted his arm.
He noticed then that she had a faint little scar that ran from her right eye into her hairline.
She must have noticed his look. “It’s also from an accident.
When we were very young, Evelyn and I got hold of our father’s whip and were playing with it.
On my turn, I made it crack like he did and gave Evelyn a fright.
On her turn, she accidentally caught my face with it.
I’m lucky she didn’t blind me in that eye. ”
They reached the little pile of luggage on the ground near the coaches. Thomas helped to carry the two suitcases and a single small trunk to the coaches while Clary took the two rucksacks. They loaded them inside the coaches instead of on top.
When the horses were hitched and the luggage loaded, they mounted their horses as Clary and Evelyn climbed onto the drivers’ seats of their coaches and soon were off.
They left the train station, and Thomas led them to a local bakery. It was well past lunchtime, and everyone was hungry, especially Ben, who could eat enough for two men. They got sandwiches and bottles of ginger ale and ate while they rode out of San Antonio at a gentle walk.
“What can we expect on the road to Unity?” Clary asked as she finished her sandwich.
“The road is like the weather,” Ross said. “Unpredictable.”
“It’s not that bad,” Thomas said. “Either we get attacked by bandits, or we don’t.” He shrugged. “We didn’t see any on the way in, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
He’d already forewarned her about the bandit situation, and Clary didn’t blink.
She nodded. “All right. Evelyn, keep your eyes open.”
“Yeah, yeah!” her sister replied.
They increased their speed. Thomas smiled. This was a great day, and he felt they could tackle anything El Aguila threw at them.