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TITUS MOVED HIS PACKS into a small Spartan room provided by the brothers at the mission. It was a narrow room with plastered walls, a hard cot, and a tiny wash stand, but it was warm and clean, so he was grateful.
Sprawling out on the narrow bed he gazed up at the ceiling thinking about what Sarah Jane had said.
Why had she thought he’d been a farmer? Was their some tell-tale sign in a way a man worked that pointed to his past?
Gingerly he touched the scar on his head. It hadn’t killed him, but it had stolen his life. He was grateful to Jed and to Sheriff Davis for the life he had gained, but who was he really?
Behind the work, the daily routine of his living something nagged at him. In another month it would be two years since Jed had found him.
What had he left behind? Did he have a family who was looking for him? Did he have a sweet heart, a wife, children?
He was old enough to have been married for at least a year or two, but there had been nothing in his saddle bags to indicate a wife.
Rising he took the few steps to his bags and pulled out the little card that had at least given him a name.
“Good luck Titus, see you next time you get home, Abner.”
He read the words but no spark caught in his mind bringing to light a past he’d lost so recently.
Settling on the bed, he stared at the card. It was neatly written, but in an immature hand. Perhaps he’d set out on his own leaving behind a brother, a mother, a father.
Thinking about it made his head throb, and he leaned back against the cool adobe walls closing his eyes, trying to squeeze out the questions as much as the light.
Sitting there for several moments, he turned the name Abner over in his mind, worrying it like smooth pebble, but nothing came.
Wearily he rose returning the card to his bags then stripped down and crawled under the brightly colored woven blankets seeking the peace of sleep.
***
“GOOD MORNING,” SARAH Jane said as Titus walked into the small house his hosts had been given by the mission.
“Morning,” Titus replied, taking his hat from his head.
“Did you sleep well?” the young woman asked turning from the stove to study him.
Titus smiled. “Not really. You got my brain working, and it was hard to shut it down.” Something about the girl’s eyes made him answer honestly.
“Why don’t you sit down?” Sarah Jane said. “Coffee’s ready and I’ll whip up some breakfast.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“No, have a seat. The boy’s are out brushing the horses, and Ma and Pa are having a late morning.”
Again Titus smiled at her as he pulled out a chair and took a seat.
Sarah Jane place a large mug of coffee before him, pushing the creamer and sugar bowl toward him, and watching to see how he’d take his coffee.
“You drink it black,” she said, a statement, an observation.
“Yes.”
“I only drink it with loads of cream and a bit of sugar,” Sarah Jane said turning back to the stove and pulling down an iron skillet.
“This is all Jed could ever manage, so I drink it like he did.”
Sarah Jane cut strips of bacon placing them in the pan then broke several eggs into a bowl and whisked them.
“I hope scrambled eggs are alright,” she spoke. “It makes it easier to feed a larger group.”
In only a few minutes, she’d cooked the meal and set two plates at the table pouring a cup of coffee for herself and taking a seat across from Titus.
“Would you say grace?” she asked her dark eyes meeting his blue.
Titus dropped his gaze and offered a prayer, surprised when she slipped her hand into his.
“What are you going to do now?” Sarah Jane asked as he finished his prayer and picked up his fork.
“I was planning on eating this wonderful breakfast,” Titus said with a laugh.
Sarah Jane laughed, a bright smile spreading across her face and adding a sparkle to her eyes.
For some reason Titus felt at ease with the young woman across from him. She was quick to notice things, open, and kind enough to feed him.
“I mean now that you know we’re safe. Will you go back to Hester or stay here?”
“I need to make sure that Sheriff Davis knows where I am and that you and your folks are safe.”
“You could send a runner.” Sarah Jane said.
“A runner?”
“Yes, the priests here employ some of the younger men to carry messages to a town about forty miles away. Some of the native women say that it’s a big competition with the boys. They compete to see who can get to town the fastest.”
“If they send these runners out regularly why do you think we never heard down in Hester that you folks were here?”
Sarah Jane shrugged and Titus smiled. The answer was both clear and profound. “If I were you, I’d go see Brother John after breakfast. I’m sure he’ll be happy to help.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Oh good morning,” Mrs. Bentley stepped into the room followed by her husband. “I didn’t know you were up already,” she finished looking between her daughter and Titus.
“Calvin and Melvin woke me. They wanted breakfast.”
Mrs. Bentley looked around the room as if expecting the boys to spring from thin air. “Where are they?” she asked suspiciously.
“Tending the horses,” Sarah Jane offered with a smile. “Ever since Bobbin nipped Calvin they’re careful of their work around the horses.”
“You’re a smart girl,” Mrs. Bentley said walking to the table. “Mornin’ Titus.”
“Bill, Molly.” Titus greeted.
“Mama you sit down and have a cup of coffee, and I’ll get you and Pa some breakfast then I’ll take Mr. Titus to see Brother John. He needs to send a message.”
Twenty minutes later, Titus found himself walking along beside Sarah Jane who was draped in a heavy, geometrically patterned black and white shawl.
“I know it’s none of my business,” Sarah Jane said quietly, “but I think you’d be wise to stay her for the winter. You can decide what to do in the spring when we leave.”
“Why do you think I should stay?”
Sarah Jane laid a hand on his sleeve stopping him and he turned to gaze into her pretty face.
“You still don’t know who you are, maybe just taking some time off from travel and work will let you figure it out.”
They walked along a dusty track toward the high walled chapel as a cold wind blew off the surrounding snow capped hills.
It was a quiet little hollow in the midst of high stone cliffs, and though cold, it was sheltered from the worst of winter’s fury.
Several buildings dotted the valley: a barn, the chicken coop, five or six pueblo style houses, and the tall structure of the church itself whose high peaked roof and tall bell tower glowed bright orange in the morning sun.
“It’s pretty here isn’t it?” Sarah Jane asked. “As if the rest of the world has passed it by leaving it in peace.”
Titus took in the scene again trying to see it the way she’d described.
Several squaws and indian children worked near a well washing or carrying water further back into the treed slopes.
An occasional pony would trot by, a serious faced brave seated tall and straight on its back.
“I see what you mean,” Titus said. “Everyone here is working together in their own way.”
“That’s because at the end of the day they share one common bond: faith.”
Titus scratched his ear. It did seem like the village that had grown up around the mission had some secret for getting along.
Sarah Jane stopped before heavy wooden doors set in the sand stone walls of the church and pulled one open ushering Titus inside.
Stepping into the darker recesses of the chapel Titus blinked letting his eyes adjust. Along the front of the church he could see candles flickering, their soft light shimmering off of a simple silver cross and a chalice.
“Sarah Jane,” a priest in a dark robe called hustling toward them up the aisle between hand carved pews. “What brings you to us today my dear?” His eyes fell on Titus as he reached out and took Sarah Jane’s hands between his.
“Father John, this is Titus. I’m not sure if you’ve met him yet.”
“No, no.” Father John said stretching out his hand to Titus. “I believe Brother Mark found him accommodations though.”
“Please to meet you padre.” Titus said shaking the other man’s hands. He was surprised to find them strong and calloused.
“Come in, come in,” the priest beckoned them forward. “We’ll step into the office where I have a small fire.”
A moment later Titus and Sarah Jane were seated on two hand-carved chairs before a beautiful heavily polished desk while the priest took a third chair behind it.
“Father we were wondering if perhaps a runner could go to the telegraph station in Shady.”
“I see, you feel that it would be wise to ask someone to brave the weather over the pass?”
“I think it might be important enough to try,” Sarah Jane persisted. “Mr. Titus was sent to find my family by a sheriff in Hester, Nevada. Apparently my uncle never received our note in Biders Clump, and they’ve been looking for us. I’d hate anyone else to have an accident like Mr. Titus because no one knows we’re here.”
“You make a good point,” Father John said. “I’ll speak with the council and see if they want to risk it.”
Sarah Jane smiled, “That’s all we ask,” she said rising. “I know I wouldn’t want to travel in this weather, but some of the men here slip out on a regular basis to carry messages, or collect supplies. I’m sure they won’t let anyone go if they think it’s too dangerous.”
“I’ll be sure to impress that thought on them my dear,” The parson smiled. “In the mean time please show our guest around. I believe they’re making bread at the bakery this morning, perhaps you’ll take a couple of loaves home with you.”
“We will padre,” Sarah Jane said squeezing the man’s hand. “Let us know what is decided please.”
“Have a good day my child,” the priest said, waving them out the door.
“He seems like a friendly man,” Titus said. “Not what I’d expect from the leader of the mission.”
“Father John is much more I think than meets the eye. For example I know that he has carved each and every piece of furniture in the chapel and in many of the other buildings as well. He’s been teaching the younger boys the trade and hopes that they will be able to sell items at some point.”
“That explains the calluses,” Titus mused.
Sarah Jane smiled cheekily, “You noticed did you?”
“Hm. Oh yes,” Titus said offering his own smile. “If you’ll pardon me for saying so, for a young woman you seem to notice a great deal yourself.”
“Do I?” Sarah Jane asked innocently.
Titus cut his eyes toward her noticing the twitching of her lips.
“Yes,” He insisted.
“I like watching people,” Sarah Jane said. “Sometimes they’re very interesting.”
“How?”
“Take that woman working there,” she said nodding in the direction of a short Indian woman whose long braids trailed far below her waist.
“What about her?” Titus asked.
“She’s been injured at some time. She always favors her left arm. You can barely notice, but if you watch, you’ll see it.”
Titus studied the woman as they walked along the warn paths of the village, and finally noticed the slightest hesitation when the woman used her left arm.
“Very observant.”
Sarah Jane smiled. “She’s also in love with the brave who rode by on the brown and white pony just before we went into the church.” She said.
“How do you know?” Titus asked incredulously.
“She was busy wringing out the clothes when he rode by, but her eyes were always on him and when he rode away without any indication of seeing her she slumped even further.”
Titus turned his head to look at the woman again. He couldn’t see any signs of depression or defeat in her.
“How do I know you’re not just making it up?”
“Why would I?” she gazed up at him her dark eyes wide and full of truth. When she giggled, it caught him by surprise, and he wondered what was so funny. “The worst thing is the brave likes her just as much, but doesn’t know how to tell her,” she grinned.
This time Titus stopped crossed his arms and looked down at her skeptically. “You cannot know that.”
“Why else has he ridden through here three times then?” Sarah Jane tittered.
Titus shook his head. “Well I’d like to see if anything comes from your predictions,” he said. “I might need proof.”
A cold wind picked up the dust at their feet and Sarah Jane turned her back to it, pulling the black and white shawl over her head.
Moving to the side to shelter her further from the wind Titus place a hand on her shoulder as the gust buffeted them.
“I think we’d better head back,” he finally said. “You’re parents will wonder what’s happened to us.”
“Sarah Jane, Sarah Jane!” the twins came racing toward them as they approached the Bentley household, “Pa said we could each have a puppy from the litter Blundering Bear’s dog had.”
“He did? And what did Ma say?” Sarah Jane asked.
“She said if we couldn’t take care of it and train it to have some manners, we couldn’t keep one.”
“I’m gonna have mine trained before yours.” Calvin said.
Titus had finally come to realize that one boy had a slightly narrower face than the other and could now identify the twins.
“No you ain’t. My dog is gonna be the best ever. I’ll train mine to do tricks and everything.”
“I think you’d both better wait until their old enough to leave their mother first,” Sarah Jane laughed. “In the mean time where will these dogs live once you each get one?”
Calvin looked at Melvin and Melvin looked at Calvin, their dark eyes uncertain.
“Hadn’t thought of that,” they both said looking at their sister.
“We could put them in the barn,” Melvin suggested.
“And what if one of the horses steps on them?” Sarah Jane asked sensibly.
“We could keep ‘em in our rooms,” Calvin ventured hopefully.
Sarah Jane crossed her arms and stared at her brothers, one raised brow speaking volumes.
“Oh. Well maybe not.”
“We could ask Father John to help us build a house for them,” Calvin suggested.
“Yeah! That’s a great idea. Thanks Sarah Jane,” Melvin called as he and his brother shot back down the path they’d just come from toward the church.
“That should keep them busy,” Sarah Jane said smiling at Titus. “Father John will have them working for days.”
Titus chuckled. He liked this girl. She was different than the young women he could remember, though those were few. She had intelligence and a quick humor that set you at ease from the beginning.
“I’d better go check on my stock,” he said escorting her to the door. “I’ll see you for lunch.”
Titus strode toward the barn, his quick steps warming him even with the icy breeze from the mountains toying with the dust of the path.
He couldn’t help but wonder what else Sarah Jane had noticed. She had demonstrated that she saw so much in the little world where she lived, and he was intrigued.
As he walked into the simple pole barn the brown mule stuck his mealy nose over a rail and brayed at him.
“You been missing me old man.” Titus said, walking to the mule and scratching his forehead. “I wish you could tell me who I am.”
The old mule nodded his head making Titus laugh. “Maybe I hit my head harder than I thought when I came off that hill,” he said. “Talking to a mule and thinking it could understand.”
The mule tugged at his shirt sleeve with its lips and he chuckled. “Well I guess you know me as well as anyone,” Titus continued.
Turning away from the mule, he walked to the feed bin and carried a handful of grain to both the mule and the little buckskin he’d purchased in Hester. They both belonged to him, and yet they didn’t feel like they were his.
Titus shook his head. Talking to Sarah Jane had done all sorts of funny things to his brain. The fact that she was attractive didn’t hurt either.
“I guess it’s about time I give you each a name.” He finally said watching the animals return to their feed.
For several long seconds he studied the mule. The animal was tall and brown and that was about all you could say about it. Perhaps as mules go, it had good legs and a decent confirmation or form, but it was a mule.
Outside the barn Titus could hear the boys coming, and he listened to their excited chatter as they walked toward the house.
“I’m gonna build the finest crate ever,” one boy said. “My dog will think he’s the king of the world.”
“Well I’m going to make mine all fancy and my dog will never want to leave it then.” The other boy replied.
“What good’ll that do? No point havin’ a dog if it don’t want to go anywhere with you.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
Titus chuckled as he caught a glimpse of the boys turning up the path toward home, but he turned back to the mule.
“If what Sarah Jane said is true, and I was a sod buster, what would I have called you?” he mused scratching the mule’s forehead, then chuckling again. “I guess that’s what I’ll call you.” He said giving the mule a pat. “I’ll call you Buster.”
A strange feeling fell over Titus as he gave the mule a name as if something had filtered down into his heart that his mind hadn’t quite caught up with yet, some sense of belonging.
Giving the mule another pat he turned to the sure footed buckskin. “Buck is just too common,” he said, lifting a pitch fork and tossing hay in to the horse then making the rounds with the seven other animals stabled there.
A sudden light seemed to ignite in his brain as he made his way back to the horse and he smiled. “I’ll call you Chance,” he said. “Jed gave me a second chance at living, and you’re my second critter so to speak. Who knows maybe together we’ll have a chance to figure out who I am.”
He handed another fist full of grain to the horse then one for the mule and hanging the pitch fork back in place stepped out of the barn headed to the house.
Titus knew that if a runner was sent to get a message to Sheriff Davis, he might receive a summons to return to Hester, but in his heart he knew that anything short of the Sheriff demanding he come back or word that Jed needed him, he wouldn’t be leaving the little valley.
Something inside Titus has shifted, he needed to understand his past more than ever, but more than anything he hoped that he might finally accept that memory or not he could have a future.
“You look different,” Sarah Jane said as Titus stepped up onto the front stoop and washed his hands in the basin there.
“I’ve decided that message or no, I’ll stay put for the winter,” Titus said. “Maybe you’re right, maybe I need to settle a spell and see what happens.”
Sarah Jane smiled at Titus. He was a handsome man, even with the scar that marred his temple.
There was something about him that drew her to him; a fascination that she couldn’t pin point.
“I’m sure my folks will be glad to have you around and who knows maybe you’ll escort us to Biders clump in the spring.”
Titus smiled, “I might at that.”
“I do hope Father John can help with the message though. Everyone will be more settled if they know where we are.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Titus said.
“Titus,” Bill said, “just the man I wanted to see. The boys tell me you were working in the barn a bit ago, and I was wondering if you could help me with the wagon after lunch.”
Titus nodded. “I’d be glad to help,” he said as the rest of the family gathered around the table. “I’m grateful for you takin’ me in, and I’d like to help.”
“Good-good,” Bill Bentley said. “It’ll be a help having a bit more muscle around this winter.”
