Xenia’s Renegade (5 page)

“Sure. Can you milk a cow?”

“No, but I’ll try.”

Ty chuckled. “Don’t bother. I’ll milk her.”

“Oh, thank you, Mr.  Eldridge,” Mea Ann said.

He smiled at her. “Don’t you think after all we’ve gone through here today that we could be on a first name basis? Xenia has slipped a few times and called me Ty a time or two.”

“Then I’ll call you Ty, but I refuse to call Lou Bullins by his first name. He talks mean about the baby, and I don’t like him well enough to call him anything except Bullins.”

“I understand that.” He glanced at Xenia. “Want to go help me milk a cow?”

“I don’t know how to milk a cow, either, but I’ll do what I can.” She followed him out of the room.

When they reached the kitchen, he grabbed a bucket and threw a wet rag in it. He handed it to her. “Head toward the barn and I’ll bring the cow.”

She took the bucket and started across the back yard. She was sure the bucket was to collect the milk, but she couldn’t help wondering what he was going to do with the wet rag.

It was only minutes later when Ty walked the cow into the barn and tied her to one of the stall doors. He grabbed some hay and placed it in front of her, then reached for the three-legged stool hanging on the wall. He put the stool in place and sat. “May I have my bucket, please?”

“Here.” She wanted to fling it at him because he sounded bossy, but she didn’t. “What’s the wet rag for?”

He set the bucket beside his stool and took out the rag. “For this.” He began to wipe the cow’s udder and teats.

This puzzled her. “Why are you doing that?”

“Because we don’t want any trash or whatever she’s been into to fall into the milk. We’ll also let the first spurts go on the ground for the same reason.” He completed this chore, then placed the bucket under the cow. In an instant, milk began to pour into the container.

Impressed, Xenia watched with interest. “Doesn’t that hurt the cow?”

He chuckled. “Not at all. It relives the pressure the milk has built up in her udder. She’d be hurting if we left without milking her.”

“Oh.”

He glanced up. “Would you like to try doing this?”

She was hesitant. “Are you sure it’ll be alright?”

“Sure. It’ll be fine.” He stood. “Have a seat. I’ll squat beside you and talk you through it.”

Xenia wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but she didn’t want him to think she was afraid to try. She sat and tentatively reached toward the teat. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

“Sure, you can. Just do what I did.”

She tugged, but nothing came out. The cow swished her tail. Xenia was surprised and almost tumbled off the stool.

He laughed out loud.

She turned her head toward him. “Am I that funny?”

“Yes, my dear, Xenia, you are.” He reached for her hand. “Let me show you.”

She felt all kinds of shivers when his large, calloused hand enclosed hers, but she tried not to let him know.

“Relax and let me guide your hand. First, you take your thumb and you massage down on her sack. Then you gently pull and squeeze at the same time.” A stream of milk shot out and landed in the bucket.

“Look at that. I did it.” She giggled. “Of course, it was with your help.”

“Don’t get over confident. Let’s try it again.” He repeated the process, and in a short time they were able to see the milk begin to cover the bottom of the bucket. After showing her several more times he said, “Now, see if you can do it on your own.”

She nodded and bit her lip as she methodically repeated the steps he’d done with her hand. Each time, a little milk squirted out and awarded her efforts. She was thrilled.

The bucket soon filled, and she looked over at Ty. “Thank you for letting me do this, but maybe you better check and see if I left any milk in her.”

“It won’t hurt her if there’s a little left. You did a fine job.” He stood and held his hand to her. “Now, let’s go inside and I’ll show you how to strain it for the baby.”

“You think I’m awfully stupid, don’t you, Ty?”

“No, Xenia. I don’t think you’re stupid at all. You were raised in the city and never had to cope with the way life is for people in the country. Especially the west.”

“It certainly is different.”

“It is, but look at what you’ve done today.” When she gave him a crooked look, he went on, “You learned to load a rifle and you learned to milk a cow. Why, in a month’s time, with the right teacher, you could turn into the perfect ranch wife.”

Xenia wasn’t sure how to take this remark, but she was pleased. So she smiled at him, but didn’t say anything.

Ty was able to round up two of the fresh runaway stagecoach horses to add to the six already hitched up. They knew this would help the tired original horses to keep going. After they were readied to go, the milk cow and the four horses with the outlaws’ bodies were tied to the back of the coach. Because Ray’s wound was on his right side and Ty knew it would be hard for him to control the horses, he elected to help drive the coach. Ray decided he’d ride shotgun when he tired of driving, or his wound hurt him and he had to turn the reins over to Ty.

Inside the coach Mea Ann cuddled with the baby. She placed the pillowcase full of all the baby things she could find in the way station at her feet. Xenia sat beside her sister. Across the aisle, Lou Bullins sat with his hat and his case of gambling paraphernalia beside him on the seat. He didn’t seem to want to talk, and he refused to look at the women or the baby.

Xenia turned to Mea Ann. “Do you realize I haven’t had a chance to hold the baby since we found him? Would you share him with me now?”

Lou huffed and let out a low curse, but didn’t say anything aloud to them.

“Of course you can hold him. He’s a sweetie, and I know you’re going to fall in love with him just like I did.” Mea Ann put the baby in Xenia’s arms.

“He is precious.” Xenia wondered what it would be like to have a baby of her own. One like this with dark hair and skin and little round eyes. She was sure they were black, but he was asleep so she wouldn’t swear to it. Maybe his were as black as those of Ty Eldridge. She hoped they were, because Ty had beautiful eyes. Any young man would be handsome with eyes like that.

She figured Lou Bullins had been right, and Ty had an Indian ancestor. If so, it certainly hadn’t hurt his appearance. In fact, it probably helped. Of course, that dimple which appeared when he laughed didn’t hurt his looks either. Though she wouldn’t admit it if asked, she thought he was one of the most handsome men she’d ever seen, if not the best of all. He was nothing like the top-hatted, smooth talking, silly men her father kept introducing to her and Mea Ann in Richmond. Men like Jasper Newman, who Mea Ann was being pushed to accept as her husband. The type of man her family expected Xenia to marry and settle down with, as well. She wasn’t sure she could ever settle for a man like that. Not now. Not after seeing what a strong man like Ty Eldridge could do.

Of course, she could never see herself with a man like Ty Eldridge either, even if he
was
strong and handsome. He was too opinionated, too arrogant, and much too sure of himself. Besides, he’d never be interested in a city woman like her. She had nothing to offer him, even if she would consider it. Which she wouldn’t.

“Xenia, didn’t you hear me ask you a question?”

“I’m sorry. My mind was woolgathering. What did you ask?”

“I asked, what do you think of Michael as a name for the baby?”

“Why are you asking me? I have no right to decide on the baby’s name.”

“Well, we can’t keep calling him,
the baby
.”

Xenia though a minute. “Why don’t you see if you can find out his father’s name? I’m sure when he grows up he’d be proud to know he was named after his father.”

“That’s a wonderful idea. I wonder if Ray would know his name.”

“He might.”

“As soon as we stop, I’ll ask him.”

“Hell fire, why don’t you just call the brat
Breed
. That’s what he is, after all. Some of them might say they have normal white man names, but they really don’t. They’re all really named things like Bear Killer or Desert Rat.”

Mea Ann squared her shoulders. “Lou Bullins, if you insult my baby one more time, I’m going to kick you in your shins. You’re a mean man, and you have no right to say such things.”

He laughed. “You’ll see as soon as we get to Deer Meadow. The town folk won’t be very accepting of a white woman carrying around an Indian baby. They’ll think you’ve been laying up with some redskin and got yourself pregnant.”

“How
dare
you speak to my sister like that, you vile man!” Xenia glared at him. “What makes you think other people in town are as narrow-minded and bigoted as you are?”

“Because I know those people. A lot of their ancestors were killed by Apache savages and they ain’t forgot about it. They hate Indians, though most of them call them Injuns.”

Xenia turned up her nose. “A lot of my ancestors were killed by Yankees during the war, but that doesn’t make me hate all people from up North.”

He shook his head. “Deer Meadow has a long memory. It wouldn’t surprise me that if the people there decide one of you or maybe both have been giving Mr. Tyler Eldridge your favors—and
he
gave you that baby.”

The women’s feet flew out at the same time.

“Damn it!” he yelled, and grabbed his shins.

Xenia and Mea Ann both laughed because without even looking at each other they had both kicked his shins as hard as they could and at the same time. One kicked the left and the other the right.

“How dare you kick me like that, you damn whores.”

“What did you call us?” Xenia glared at him.

“I called you
whores
, because that’s all you’ll be able to do when you get to Deer Meadow. A couple of beauties like you will drive the men in town wild. I’m sure the Golden Door Saloon will give you both jobs.
I
might even be a customer.”

“That’s it.” Xenia handed the baby to Mea Ann and leaned her head out of the stagecoach. “Help, Ty!” she screamed.

In a matter of seconds, the coach came to a stop. The door swung open and Ty leaned inside. “What’s the matter?”

“These two women are crazy. That’s what the matter is,” Lou said.

Xenia ignored him. “Ty, I refuse to travel another mile in this stagecoach with this horrible man. He talks mean about the baby and he called Mea Ann and me an atrocious name.”

Ty’s dark eyes seemed to get darker. “What’d he call you?”

“A name you’d be too much of a gentleman to call any woman, no matter what her class.”

“What’d you call them, Bullins?”

“Only a name they deserved after they kicked me in the shins.”

“And why did they kick you in the shins?”

“I have no idea. I was minding my own business and—”

“That’s not so,” Mea Ann said. “Xenia and I were discussing names for the baby and he kept saying just call it
Breed
. Then he accused us of doing…well, terrible things.”

“Then he said we could get jobs in the saloon.”

Ty looked at Lou and his eyes darkened. “Did you suggest such a thing, Bullins?”

“I didn’t mean anything by it. I was upset.”

“Upset, my aunt’s bunions,” Xenia said. “He’s a terrible man and I can’t stand him.”

Ty looked bewildered. “What do you want me to do with him, Xenia?”

“I don’t care what you do with him. I just know we’re not riding in this coach with him for another mile. I’ll walk to Deer Meadow first.”

“So will I,” Mea Ann added.

Ty took a deep breath. “Well, I can’t have you walking into town, so it looks like Mr. Bullins will be riding on top of the coach.”

“Oh, no I won’t.”

“Deer Meadow is about five or six hours from here by stage. Walking, you might make it in a day or two, Bullins, because the ladies are certainly not going to walk. So, take your choice. Ride on top or walk from here to Deer Meadow. Doesn’t matter to me which you do.”

“Well, I’m certainly not going to walk.”

“Then get out and climb up on the top.”

When Bullins didn’t move, Ty added, “Do you want me to drag you out of here?”

The salesman grabbed his gambling case, his hat and got out of the coach.

Ty looked at the women and grinned. “I hope you’ll be more comfortable now.”

“Oh, there’s no doubt of that.” Xenia gave him a sly smile. “Thank you, Ty.”

“My pleasure, ma’am.” He winked at her and started to close the door.

She put her hand on his arm and stopped him. “One more thing.”

“What else can I do for you?”

“Do you happen to know the man’s name who owned the way station?”

Ty looked puzzled. “Ray called him John, and the place was called Miller’s Station so I assume that was his last name. Why are you asking?”

“We’ll tell you after we make a decision.” She patted his arm. “Thank you, Ty. You’ve been very helpful. You may close the door now.”

****

A still puzzled Ty slammed the door and pushed Bullins, who was struggling to climb to the top of the stage. “Hurry up. We’ve got to get on our way,” Ty said.

“This is ridiculous. I paid good money for a ticket on this stage. I certainly didn’t ask to ride on top of it.”

“If you noticed, you’re still on the stage. When it’s crowded, people ride on the top.”

“But it’s not crowded.”

“Looked crowded to me.”

“You’re a fool, Eldridge. Do you think either one of those pretty women in there is going to pay any attention to you? What would a high falutin’ woman from the city want with a half-breed in her bed?”

“Shut up and get settled.” Ty climbed back to the seat beside Ray.

Ray looked puzzled. “What in the hell happened back there?”

Ty shrugged. “Xenia said she’d walk into town before she’d ride any farther with Bullins. Her sister agreed. I didn’t see any option except to put him on top.”

Ray chuckled and shook the ribbons over the horses. “And you had to arrange it so we’d have to listen to his complaining?”

“Looks that way.”

“Never known you to be so protective over a woman.”

Ty gave him a quick frown. “What do you mean?”

“Look, Ty, I’ve been around a long time. I can tell when a man has decided to put his brand on a certain woman. And my friend, even a fool can easily tell you’ve decided that little Xenia is going to be wearing yours.”

“You’re wrong. There ain’t a woman anywhere in these parts that I’m interested in settling down with.”

Ray shook his head, but said nothing.

Ty added, “Especially a citified woman like Miss Xenia Poindexter. She’s not the kind of woman for a man like me. Not by a long shot.”

“So you say. So you say.” Ray flipped the reins again and the horses ran faster.

Ty bit the inside of his jaw and looked out across the desert. What did Ray mean by saying it was easy to see there was an attraction to Xenia? Of course he thought she was a pretty woman. Any red-blooded man would think the same. That didn’t mean he was ready to devote his life to her. Sure, he wouldn’t mind getting to know her well enough to be able to …

He stopped his thoughts in that direction. What did he really want to do with her? Did he want to get to know her better so their relationship might turn into something deep and lasting? Or did he want to make her comfortable enough around him so she would invite him into her bed? It shocked him when the thought skidded across his mind that the answer was probably a little of both.

But he was a fool. He had to quit thinking that way. Didn’t he remember the one time he offered his heart to a white woman? He remembered her words clearly.

“Do you think I’d have ever looked at you twice if I didn’t know how much money you had, Ty Eldridge? And now you tell me you’ve lost the gold mine.”

“But, Verna, we love each other and I still—”

“Love! Don’t act stupid. I never loved you. I only pretended to love you for your money. Why else would a white woman say she loved a breed? I’d rather work in a whorehouse than be with the likes of you. Any white woman would.”

Ty shook the memory away, but he’d never forget it. Never again would he be taken in by a white woman. Not even Xenia.

Ray yelled, “Oh, hell!”

Ty jerked his thoughts back to the present. “What—” He then saw two cowboys sitting on horses by the side of the road. “They don’t have guns drawn, Ray. Maybe they want help.”

“Maybe so, but don’t take your gun off them until we find out what they want.”

They drew a little closer and Ty said, “Well, we’re not going to have to worry about the one in the gray Stetson.”

“Why’s that?”

“He’s my cousin, Wilt Eldridge.”

“I see that, now. How about the other guy?”

“He looks familiar, but I don’t know him. Wait a minute, yes I do. He’s one of the outlaws that ran from the way station after he shot their leader. He must have a gun on Wilt. Be careful.”

“Will do.”

“I’m not having any part of this.” Lou muttered.

“Then hide under the tarp and keep your mouth shut, Bullins,” Ray said.

Lou scrambled under one of the tarps on the roof of the stage.

Ty ignored him. “I’ve got the rifle over my lap and I’ll slide the other one beside us on the bench. My pistol’s ready, too.”

Ray began to slow the stage.