Red Iron Sunrise

[BLACK BART]

Tom

"Riley, Pull my nags from the bunch and send them up yo the round up" I barked instead of replying to his usual cheerful good morning. "And tell Petey and Walt they'll be staying behind this time"

I had dressed after my "guest" had left, and after tidying up the upper level knew what I was going to do, what I needed to do...

Moving back into the house I packed my saddlebags and then moved to the chest in the corner and brushed off the dust before opening the heavy lid. It was all there still, just as I had packed it away, just as it had laid for the years since I had promised Becky I would keep it there.

But now?

"Times have changed Becky, I made a mistake putting these away, cost you your life...I was sorry for that, just as I'm sorry now for this"

I stood and fastened the heavy belt around my waist, the once reassuring weight of the twin pistols now awkward, the power I felt when wearing them oddly gone. I was rusty I discovered as I pulled them from the well oiled holsters, my thumbs searching for the twin hammers and finding them a second later...time I would have to make up for in practice, time that would be my own death if I didn't improve on it...

"Boss? Riley told me ya was goin on the trail with us and I was ta send the two back, what's up?"

Bucks voice came from behind me and I turned, holstering the .44's before placing the black stetson on my head and meeting Buck's eyes.

"There's a lot of fence mending and new horses to be broke, those two young pups can do the chores and help Riley with the bunch we caught last month, I'll pull thier weight on the trail if you're worried about that"

"No Sirree Boss, I just thought you and Miss O'Dannon were hitting it off and you'd be sticking closer to home this time"

Scratching his head his face asked the question I knew he never would, his eyes on the outfit I wore as I lifted my saddle bags and blanket roll, and I softened my tone as we moved for the front door.

"So did I Buck, but I guess I mistook the big city girls attitude for something else, a mistake I won't make again..."

Moving to the corral I caught and saddled a dun mare that had turned four only weeks ago and was the best in my own personal remuda, then tied down the bedroll behind the saddle as I read the inscription worked into the horn...

"Too bad it didn't ever work out Becky, we could have had one hell of a life together"

Minutes later I rode north towards the waiting herd, Buck beside me as it had always been, riding away from the memories of the night before as we discussed next years herd and the growinf presence of rustlers.

"They're getting braver, coming down more often from the high mountains in greater numbers, one day soon they'll get tired of riding back and try to stay" Buck predicted as we topped the ridge and looked down at three thousand of the finest mixed breeds of cows we had raised...

"We'll be back in a week, Buck" I consoled as I clucked to the mare beneath me and moved down the hill side towards the herd. "Then I'll do what I should have done in the first place...go looking for the ones that killed Becky and clean the entire lot of them out...

Within the hour the words and worries were temporarily forgotten, the cows not used to the trail giving us a run for our money before we were able to bunch then and head them in the right direction, the sound of Bucks voice heard even over the moaning of the cattle we endlessly circled and pushed...

It would be a long week, not like the trails of the old days when Buck and Riley had adopted me and let me tag along...but long enough to wipe the memory and the smell of Mary's perfume...out of mind.

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

Work. Gut busting, back breaking, callous making, day burning, hard work.

It was just what I needed to clear my head of the anger and confusion that was crowded into it, just what I wanted to ease the pain that was in my chest...

"Ya can't kill the memory of that gal this way, the only thing ya'll accomplish is killing yourself" Buck insisted and I ignored him as I saddled another horse and readied myself to another turn at tending the cattle.

He was right and we both knew it, but something was churning in my guts and I had to work it out myself...before it ate me whole.

Despite Buck's worried predictions I made it the entire short trail and as I stood and agreed with the tally the buyer had instructed him what to do with the money...

"Three thousand cash and the rest we wire to my bank in Bismarck"

An order the buyer agreed with as he told me the price he had given me was the best he's ever handed to anyone...as the beef was as well I gave him...

"Still thirty three fifty a head and thirty one hundred head adds to a lot of cash, I'm glad to see you wise enough to keep that money safe" He pointed out and I shook his hand as we came out of the bank, our business concluded.

That night was one to remember. I paid off the seasonal help and gave them each a healthy bonus, I could afford it and they had earned it all...as had Buck, Riley and I...

Then the celebration began and the beer flowed, round after round that sent us wobbling to our rooms, the ladies nearly carrying us as we climbed the steps and collapsed on the beds.

At least I had collapsed, by the smile on Buck's face it was obvious he hadn't drank half as much as I did...and enjoyed the evening long after I had quit dreaming...

The ride home was mercifully short and as we followed the Missouri River north I looked forward to returning and presenting Riley with the grulla I had bartered over for three hours before taking with us.

"Blamed idiot will probably try to skin it and eat it" Buck joked as we rode over the last hill before riding into the valley that was ours....

The joking was soon over though. Over for because as we came to where the house should have been we found only ashes, and where the corrals once stood remained only a pile of broken timbers, the horses gone or dead where they lay rotting.

"Poor old Riley, he was the best bronc buster I ever knew"

Buck lamented sadly as we eyed the damage, then jerked around in his saddle as a voice came from the only remaining buildings...

"I still am you white skinned idjut, now get over here and help me up"

Later that same day we sat in the bunkhouse and drank coffee, making plans to rebuild and listing the supplies we would need...

"Lots of wood, coffee and ammo" I agreed. "To build a new corral and stay awake guarding it"

"And a cane for Riley to walk with while his leg heals" Buck insisted, eying the makeshift bandage that wrapped Riley's leg while he cleaned his rifle.

Saddling the grulla I knew I needed to borrow a wagon and a team, ours were gone thanks to the outlaws that had visited while I was away...the only problem was the neighbor that was closest and on the way to town was....hers.

Shrugging I set out regardless...I would buy the entire rig and trappings from her, with as large of a crew as she was carrying and so few cows she would soon need the cash...and I wouldn't feel guilty owing her for anything....

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

The door rattled under my fist as I continued my assault on it and voiced my displeasure.

"Come On Miss O'Connor, Time to rise and shine"

The voice behind me made me turn, then face the pair of cowboys that stood in the dirt and looked up at me with annoyance.

"If the Boss Lady wanted to talk to ya she'd answer her door. But since she isn't why don't ya take the hint?"

Crossing my arms I stared down the two, then rolled a quirly and lit it up before replying. The one on the left with the bad attitiude was armed, a Colt that had the grip notched three times as if to say he was a killer and had buried three opponents.

The one on the right wasn't and his eyes were level, quiet, studying my face as we looked each other over...

"Maybe if her horse and rig wasn't missing I'd agree with ya, but since they are why don't you vamoose and go do something uselful, like saddle your horse and get the others ready to ride."

The comment angered the young man and his face reddened, his hand straying to the cross draw rig and the ivory handled six shooter it held, my own arms unfolding and dropping loosely to my sides.

"Reggie...DON"T" The older and unarmed man warned, stepping away from the younger man, recognition on his face.

"That's the man we were discussing the other night, the one that helped out last year in the territory?"

The statement snapped the hand of the younger man away from his gun and to his hat, to pull it off and look at me with a new attitude, one of fear...respect....adoration...

I sighed. Grateful to avoid the fight but knowing I was now saddled with a wanna be gun...boy.

"My name is Tom Dalton and I'm your neighbor, nothing else, understand?"

I spoke to both of them and only the older man nodded in understanding, Reggie's mouth open as if to say something but no sounds coming out.

"Now did someone ride with your Boss Lady...I hope?"

My fears grew as both shook thier heads, telling me they were the only ones up and the rest of the crew still in the bunkhouse...

"Boys, Get saddled Pronto" I ordered and moved to my own horse at the trough. "I've got a bad feeling about this"

Hours later the feeling was even worse, my gut wrenching as I found the trail of Forlorn and the three other horses that had stopped her, then all four riding in the same direction.

"That horse is carrying the weight of two" I pointed out "And hers is suddenly empty. She didn't go with them on her own."

And then the trail dissolved, the riders covering thier tracks and moving into the shallow river bed, and my heart lurched knowing...

"Get your bronc and ride to my ranch, tell Riley and Buck to burn daylight and get here pronto, Miss O'Connor has been grabbed"

Rustlers...outlaws, the same ones that I had been hunting, ruthless and with absolutely no scruples, the kind that would stop at nothing...thinking nothing of taking a young filly like Mary and breaking her...

"Ride!" I bellowed as I swung off my horse and pulled the skirt I had given Mary months ago...

"NOW, before it's too late"

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

It had taken hours for Riley to reach us and with him Buck arrived, stern jawed as he ignored my attempts to send him back to our own ranch and our business.

"Ya need help son and not just the kind Riley can give if I'm a judgin this predicament correctly"

He was right. I would need help, from the hogleg he carried on his hip and the rifle in his saddleboot as well...and if we found what I feared..in his saddlebags...

"Then lets move" I nodded and turned to follow Riley as he moved already ahead of us.

Less than an hour later we found my worst fear, the crumpled and battered form of Mary, her faced twisted in agony as I lifted her and moved to my horse, Bucks face a black mask as he removed his heavy coat and draped it over the abused womans body.

"Let me help you Tom" He gently suggested and backed away as I stared at him, the anger barely controlled and burning in my eyes as I swung into my saddle then took Mary back into my arms.

The ride to her ranch was hell but swift. Hell to Mary as each hurried mile jarred her and she would moan and cry, hell to me to see so much pain in her face and hear it in her voice...knowing it was my fault that she had been treated so...

For a short time she woke, her eyes unfocused but her voice clear as she answered my question as to who it was that took her into the hills...the names of two men giving me third unknown name who rode with them...and then she slumped in my arms again, unaware of who it was that carried her back to her ranch.

Days later after the blur of faces had receded, after the endless trail of well wishing cowhands had been turned away, after the doctor had announced he had done all he could...I sat at the front door and waited, the meal served to me forgotten beside me as I cleaned and recleaned my second pistol...



"Mister Tom" The voice of her caretaker and self appointed nurse broke softly into my thoughts "She's awake and calling for you."

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

And that had been the worst of it. After the Doctor had looked Mary over the final time and then sat down with me...the look in his steady eyes telling me he knew a lot more than the words he spoke let on, not judging but telling me none the less.

"Mary will survive physically, both her and the baby will be ok, providing they aren't subjected to a repeat experience. But it's Mary herself I'm worried about. The look in her eyes tells me she's having a hard time dealing with this, the emotions she's feeling are overwhelming her and may drive her into a reality that's much more acceptable than this one."

The words had stunned me. I was a father and never knew it until the doctor told me my unborn child would live, never had an inkling by Mary's actions or words as to the fact she was pregnant...

"I thought so" The doctor nodded at my sheepish looking face "What Mary needs is someone she can trust and feel safe around, someone who will be there when she needs him and will look out for her and that baby"

He had left. No mores words said in typical western fashion, why waste or mince words, just speak what needs speaking and then leave...

"You're still carrying our child, Mary" I assured her and saw the relief in her eyes, and knew at least she wanted to be a mother...if not the mother of my children.

Despite what you've been thru the Doc says you'll fare ok...and will be able to return to a normal life with only a few restrictions...that is if you feel you want to?

What could I say? In my mind the news of her carrying our child was never intended for me to know, otherwise in the past months she would have sent word...or simply rode over to my ranch and told me herself...But I wasn't going to shrug off the responsibilities after finding out in a round about way...

"Riley and I have a hunting trip to make, then I'm going to return to your ranch and help out with things around here, I'll sleep in the bunkhouse with the rest of the boys and make sure what needs to be done gets done...And that you have someone around here that can run off any varmints that might wander in or around your ranch. That is...if it's ok with you?

What else could I say? She didn't need to hear a country bumpkin was in love with her, the doctor had said "safe, trust and watch out for the baby".

I'd do that if she let me and maybe one day she'd tell me what I had done wrong...

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

Stampeding cows I could deal with. Bucking bronc's I could tame. I could more than hold my own in a fistfight, a gunfight or a drinking match...But Mary crying?

I was beaten before I tried to start.

"Awww now Mary, I knew the day I met you I wanted you in my life every single day. And when you stayed the night I prayed to Becky and told her there was another woman in my life and got her blessing. But when you walked out on me the next morning? Calling me Mister as if nothing had happened or as if you had made a terrible mistake and wanted to forget it????"

I had wrung my hat into a shapeless mess as I tried to tell her how I felt, how it hurt me to see her hurt...and I felt like I was stumbling along a slippery path and couldn't get my balance...

"I made my mind up when the doctor told me I'd take care of you and our child in any way you'd accept me...and that's why I asked if you'd let me hang around, even if it meant being one of your hands for the rest of my god given life..."

Still I stood there helpless, if Mary suddenly produced a gun and aimed it at me I wouldn't be able to move out of the way...and come to think of it I'd probably welcome the bullet...

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

"I'm just not sure I can be... anymore."

"Mary, nothing was taken away from you by those men, nothing...It's still within you ...just waiting for you to heal and return to the people that care about you..."

I found myself close to her, my hands holding hers as I looked into pain filled eyes, and wishing it was me that took the beating and rape she had had to live through...

"Mary?" I asked, watching her fade away from me and the tears well up in her eyes again...

"When you decide you want to be a wife...I'd be honored to be your husband, if you'd accept me, that is?"

And then the tears really came...her body racked with grief and the pain and humiliation she was living in, and as my arms crept around her and held her...I felt it too...and a growing anger and need...to kill.

An hour later I held her, watching her sleep finally, the huge dark rings under her eyes telling me how desperately she needed rest and peace...Peace inside her mind and the time to sort it all out. I lowered Mary to the pillows and pulled the covers over her, seeing her suddenly as a tiny child, hurt, wounded...sick, and I the man that was going to care for her...

Creeping outside I closed the door and stood in the bright sun, reshaping my hat and pulling it on as Riley approached...


"Boss, I found all three of them polecats, drunk and not more than two miles from where they....from the first campsite, whatta ya want to do?"

Moving to my horse I tightened the cinches and swung up, then slapped the reins over it's rump.

"We're going to go cook for them" I called out to Riley as he followed suit.

"Cook, Boss?"

"Serve them a dish they've long needed, one I'll make special for them...it's called Justice Pie"

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

"Give them thier guns, Riley" I ordered in a stern voice as I surveyed the stinking trio in thier hooligans as they stumbled out of the lean to and into the sunlight.

It had been too easy. The three were hungover from the night before and still sleeping, we had walked our horses right up to the shack and walked into the filthy single roomed hovel.

And now?

"How about our boots, Mister?" The greasiest and darker of the three demanded as Riley handed each a gunbelt and stepped back.

"You won't need those where you're going" I negated and then asked. "Which one of you is Jeb?"

"If you're the law why are you asking?" The same greasy man asked as he signalled the other two to spread apart and his hand moved to touch the butt of his pistol.

"I'm not the law and knowing that you're Jeb makes it easier for me." I replied and let them move.

"Easier why?" Jeb asked as a sly look came to his eyes.

"To tell Miss O'Connor I shot and killed you first" I goaded "Before the other two"

"And just WHY would you try to do something like that?" Jeb asked as a look of not being sure crossed his face.

"Two reasons. One because you raped her a few days ago. and Two...Because I wouldn't waste a good rope on you stinking jackasses"

It was over in seconds. I let them clear leather, then drilled each in the greasy patch where the tobacco bag stained thier hooligans, leaving the bodies for the wolves to feed on.

"Let's get going" I told Riley as we saddled up. "I promised a lady I'd be there for her when she wakes up."

"Whatcha going to tell her, Tom?" He asked and looked me in the eyes with a sober stare.

"If she asks...I'll say that justice was served." I replied and gigged my horse with the spurs. "Western justice"

Lathered and tired we dismounted hours later, Riley taking my horse as I moved towards her ranch house and slid through the door her housekeeper held open.

"She's still sleeping" She supplied without asking. "Did you have a good hunt?"

Nodding I knew what she meant and spoke for her benefit.

"I bagged my limit"

Nodding in approval she brushed her apron, looking down at her feet and then up into my eyes.

"I'll bring your coffee and breakfast to her room"

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

"I've been thinking about your setup here at the ranch, Mary, the number of hands you have and the fact you have cows for milking and not beef. If you have the energy I'd like to discuss it with you and help you if I could?"

Mary was alert, her eyes sharp and smiling as she sat up in the bed and looked at me and I hoped I wasn't going to pressure her with worries about her ranch...

"Nothing that can't be attended to later" I admitted with a gentle smile and stretched the kinks from my arms and back then sat up as Mary's housekeeper knocked and entered.

"I took the liberty of having enough breakfast for two brought in?" I explained and rose to help the smiling woman lower the overfull tray to the bureau top and thanked her.

"Can I pour you some coffee?"

Smiling I lifted two mugs and returned to my chair, offering the first to Mary as her eyes watched my every move...

"I hope you're hungry" I teased gently "I've got a lot of chores for you and you'll need your strength just to put up with me"

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

"Mary...." I began and then stopped as I considered her words, hearing the despair in them and it reminding me of another woman who I cared for.


"I'm not sure how much help I'm going to be, What, with the pregnancy and all."

"Just because your role changes in life doesn't mean you become useless. I was headed for a short rope over a tall tree limb myself until Becky pointed out a few things like that. Life was difficult for her and I at first, the money was short, the cabin we first built cold...I could have easily returned to my old life and made some easy money, made it easier on her...But she reminded me the good things in life worth having are often the ones you have to fight the hardest for."

Lifting the tray and plate off of Mary's lap I found our faces scant inches away as I looked up, her eyes on mine as I told her what I thought...

"You're worth fighting for Mary, and when you decide to agree with me you'll begin to heal inside yourself, and you can begin to enjoy life."

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

Fate. It played it's hand as I answered and parralelled her thinking...

"One step at a time Mary Beth. You walk outside of this house, show the men you're strong, then use those pretty eyes to look at what needs to be done. Then you tell them what needs to be done. It's fall, winter is coming, a winter like you've never dreamed of, those cows you've been sold can't live on the open prairies and will die if you make them try. You'll need barns. Huge wooden barns to hold them and shelter them, and enough feed to keep them fat and happy. Then? You'll need to convince those cowboys they want to milk those cows and find a way to keep and sell that milk."

Grinning I put my hat back on and rose, taking the tray into my hand and placing my hat back on it's customary place.

"I'll let you dress, then wait outside for you, to come and tell us what you think...and if you want, to help you"

True to my words I did just that, depositing the tray and kissing the matronly womans cheek as I passed, and answering her question as well as I could.

"The Boss Lady...she is allright now?"

"Not completely yet, Maria...But she is on the right path now..I hope"

The air smelled good as I stepped out on the porch. Crisp, sharp....clean... the threat of what was to come in it, but promising to hold off...and I knew Mary needed all the time she could get as I rolled a quirly and dragged it in, then shifted the belts that had become a part of me again.

Mary was on the right path. And I'd be beside her to make sure she stayed on it, until she could walk it alone and no longer needed an outlaw like me.

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

Time had passed quickly. The raw lumber gleaned in the failing sunlight, sunset had already come upon us in the early afternoon, and as I had watched it set my thoughts turned from Mary to the events that were happening outside this peaceful haven.

"Into bed you young whipper snapper" I teased gently as Mary moved from her bathroom in the heavier robe she had begun to wear as the weather cooled.

Smiling she nodded, the look on her face showing the strain of the day and yet her eyes showing the contentment gained from the work.

"You're not that much older than I am, Tom Dalton" She replied as she sat and I helped her legs to swing up and under the covers I held aloft, the retort now a part of the repetoire we repeated each evening.

Smiling I covered her, then sat next to her and we gently spoke of the minor things that had happened on her ranch. The birth of a white calf...the meal that Maria promised us as Christmas was soon approaching, the name of our new son or daughter...

"I'm old enough to be your husband when your ready, Mary Beth" I gently prodded for the hundreth time, then nodded as with sleepy eyes she apologized and yawned.

"Tomorrow Tom, I promise we'll talk about it, tonight I am so tired"

There was no need to reply, already she was asleep, and as her body relaxed I brushed the hair off her cheek and tenderly kissed it.

At least she was sleeping, the dreams that plagued her had lessened, no longer coming at her every night and letting her find the rest she needed.

"Senor Tom?" Came the whispered voice and the aroma of fresh bread, both telling me who the owner of the spoken words were before I turned and rose from my chair.

Stepping outside I knew what she was about to say was serious by the look in her face and motioned her to move to her kitchen to speak, and as we stood by the range and enjoyed the heat from it I found I wasn't wrong.

"Senor, Buck sent message they were struck again...no one killed this time and the bandits were run off, but this time they did it in the middle of the day."

"Tom" I chided gently to turn her mind away from worrying about the words she had just spoken. "I've told you to call me Tom"

"Ohkay Senor Tom, I call you Senor because it is YOU who are man of the house, is it not?" Maria smiled up at me and patted my cheek, then grew serious again...

"What does this daylight raid mean?"

My own face serious, I lifted the never empty pot of coffee off the top of the wood stove and poured the dark brew into two tin cups.

"It means the rustlers want one more large strike before the snow closes the pass, so they can run the cattle out and live off the profits for the winter. It also means they'll soon try here next...and we have to stop them"

Both Maria and my face reflected off the window, sober faces as we drank the coffee, both worrying not about the rustlers coming...but how Mary would deal with it...

"Like everything else we deal with it when it happens." I summed our unspoken worries up and drained my cup. "Until then...we make sure we;re ready..and wait"

 

[McKenna]

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[BLACK BART]

Tom

That morning was spent planning, and months later as we looked back we now knew the plans were well made.

The rustlers did make one bold attack. Not as soon as we expected, but when they came we were ready, the cowhnads weilding handguns, Maria using the sawed off I had made for her, even Mary Beth getting in the act at the very end despite being 9 months along...

Me? I did what I always did. Warned everyone to keep thier heads down and be safe, to not take risks...then ignored my own words, walking into the middle of the snow filled yard and emptying my twin guns into the middle of the thieving bastards...

And up until the last rustler it worked...the roar of the pistols and the fury of the .44 caliber slugs cleaning out the saddles, breaking the momentum they had built up and ruining what could have been a perfect raid...

I stood in the middle of the bloody quiet, loading my guns and knowing there was no way Mary Beth would ever accept me now, the rumors of my past all too evident that they were true and laying at my feet bleeding...

And then that wasn't a worry for me...One of the rustlers had played possum, waiting until the time was right and using his own loaded gun on me as I reloaded my, the roar of the pistol loud in my ears as I felt the slug tear into my back and out my chest...and I fell. My last thought was for Mary Beth and what could have been...if things were different.