“When you going to come back to play with us, Susie?” Joey looked at his friend. “Me and Benny miss you.”
“I’m afraid.”
“Are you afraid of the storm?”
“No.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“That man.”
Joey looked at his friend. “I don’t think he’ll bother you again. I bet Uncle Clint will shoot him if he does.”
“Does he shoot people?”
“He only shoots bad people.”
“The man was bad. He hit me.”
“Did he hit hard?”
“Yes. The one who grabbed me said he wouldn’t let the bad man hit me again, then he...he wasn’t nice either.”
“What did he do?”
“He rubbed my back.”
“Did it hurt?”
“No. But when he started to squeeze me tight, it hurt.”
“Why did he squeeze you?”
“He said he love me. But he don’t know me.”
“Did you know him?”
“No.”
“Did he hurt you any more?”
“He threw me on the ground. It hurt when I fell. I was scared.”
“What else did he do?”
“I don’t want to talk about it any more.”
“All right. I brought my animals for us to play with. My daddy made them for me and my aunt says they’re special. Uncle Clint said I should keep them for my son.”
“Do you have a son, Joey?”
“No, Susie. I’m a kid. I think he meant when I grow up big like him.”
Susie reached for one of the animals. “I like this one.”
“That’s a pony. Do you want to pretend we’re cowboys and set up a ranch?”
“Will we put our ranch in Oregon?”
“Sure. If you want to.”
Nina Fritz glanced at her husband. “Looks like it has stopped raining.”
“Yes it has. Would you children stay here in the wagon and play with the animals if we step outside and start a fire to cook us some supper?” Herman Fritz asked.
Susie looked at her father, then her mother, but said nothing.
“We’ll be right outside the wagon. All you have to do is call us if you want us to come back,” her mother said.
“Don’t worry, Susie, I’ll protect you. I been protecting Aunt Rose and baby Hope. Uncle Clint says I do a good job.”
Susie let a small smile slide across her face. She nodded at her parents.
As soon as they were outside, Nina said, “Can you believe it, Herman? She hasn’t said half a dozen words to us since she was stolen, and now she’s rattling to Joey Webb almost like nothing happened to her.”
“I know. It shocked me, too. She told him what happened and she hasn’t mentioned it at all to us.”
“It makes me ashamed. I almost didn’t let Joey stay with us when Zeke brought him over. Now, I’m sure glad I did.”
“Nina, I think maybe we should invite Benny to come play with them tomorrow.”
“I agree.”
Bruce walked up. “What’s going on? Where’s Susie?”
“Joey Webb is here playing with her in the wagon,” his mother said.
“Who’s with them?”
“Nobody. Can you believe it?” Herman said.
“No, I can’t.” Bruce went to the back of the wagon and looked inside. He grinned at the two children.
“Hi, Bruce. Me and Joey are playing ranch.”
“Are you having a good time?” Bruce asked.
She nodded. “Joey’s my friend. He’s going to protect me.”
“Yes, I am.” Joey said. “Now, Susie, let’s set up the cows over on this ridge I made out of the salt box. Nobody can get on our ranch and steal our herd there.”
“All right.”
Bruce came back to his parents. “It’s almost like a miracle. She’s actually talking normally and seems to be having a good time.”
“I know.” Tears came into Nina’s eyes. “It’s the first time since it happened that she’s shown an interest in anything.”
“Well, I’m going to let them spend some more time together, but I’ll stay near the wagon.” Herman smiled. “I think this is better for Susie than to sit there with her mother and me.”
“When did Joey come to play with her?”
“Zeke brought him a little while ago. Said there had been an accident at their wagon. Wanted him to stay here until somebody came for him.” His mother moved to the fire pit.
“I’ll build you a fire, Mama, then do you mind if I check on the Larsons? I might be able to give them a hand.”
“Fine, son.”
* * * *
Zeke rode up to the Weatherbee’s wagon and dismounted. Granny Weatherbee’s grandson was sitting on a log with his wife. They were drinking coffee. “Howdy, Charlie. Ma’am.” He tipped his hat. “Evening, Zeke.”
“Has Granny’s patient come to yet?”
“I think he might have. Granny’s in there with him. She won’t let either of us in, but she might let you.”
“I’ll see.” Zeke went to the back of the wagon and looked inside. “Granny Weatherbee, how’s he doing?”
“He’s got his eyes open a time or two. Said a few words.”
“I need to talk to Zeke,” Mac said to her in a weak voice.
“You can’t talk to him long,” Granny chided her patient. To Zeke, she said, “Come on in, Mr. Wagon Master. He can say a few words to you.”
“Thanks, Miz Weatherbee.” Zeke climbed inside and knelt down beside Mac. “Can you tell me what happened?”
“Met up with some easterners and was shot.”
“Did one of them shoot you?”
He shook his head. “The fat one took the Fritz girl, though.”
“I know. I got them both tied up in the blacksmith’s wagon.”
“Good.”
Zeke wiped his sleeve across his brow. “If neither of the dudes shot you, do you know who did?”
“Must have been Markin.”
Granny Weatherbee butted in. “That’s about enough talk for tonight. This man is weak and doesn’t need to use up what little strength he has.”
Zeke stood. “Don’t worry, Mac. You concentrate on getting well. I’ll take care of things until you get better.”
“I need to scout...”
“Clint Larson’s helping out until you get back on your feet. Others have volunteered, too.” Zeke stood. “You’ll be back before you know it.”
“Scoot out of here, Mr. Zeke. He’s talked enough,” Granny said.
“I’m going.” Zeke went out the back before Granny could push him out.
When his feet hit the ground, she leaned out of the wagon and said, “Didn’t you tell him you had the man locked up who took that little girl?”
Zeke frowned. He didn’t mean for anyone to know the dudes were in the camp. “They’re where they can’t do any more damage.”
Her beady black eyes bored into his. Finally she said, “I won’t say nothing, but you better keep it a secret. If you don’t, we’ll have a lynching on our hands.”
“I know. I appreciate you keeping quiet about it. As soon as we get to the Fort, I’ll turn him over to the authorities. I know a federal Marshal comes there every so often.”
Granny nodded. “I wouldn’t bet a penny he lives to see a federal Marshal. Ain’t no decent people gonna put up with the likes of him.”
“I know, but at least it’ll be something we won’t have to take care of ourselves.”
Granny nodded and let the flap down on the back of the wagon.
Zeke was glad to see that Charlie and his wife were at the cooking pit and didn’t overhear the conversation. The fewer people who knew the men were here, the better it would be. After all, he hadn’t had a chance to talk to Clint about it yet.