Page 78 of Repentance and Absolution
They had a full-sized tin tub, and we could fill it with big pots of hot water from the stove. T’was a luxury we’d got used to while we’d been spending most of our time there, and t’was a nice way to check in with them each week. She and Clarence handled our clothing, too, since they had a small room for washing and we didn’t. T’was very nice of them, and it took a load off of what I had to do around the stables and the cooking and cleaning at our place.
Every Friday we’d saddle up Onyx and Dixie and ride out with a bag full of laundry, since Irene had offered to take care of that, too. She didn’t mind. We’d ride home with our cleaned things the next day, after staying up late playing games and listening to Irene and Oscar at the piano then staying the night so we didn’t have to worry about riding home. Oscar and I were blessed, and that was a fact.
The last Friday in February, we set out for their place. The sun had gone down, but the full moon shone so bright that we’d dispensed with a lantern. We hadn’t been riding more than a few minutes when a chill went down my spine as a wolf’s howl broke the quiet of the night.
“Jimmy!” Oscar said, his body stiffening as he pulled Onyx up sharp.
“I know. I heard it,” I said as I stopped Dixie beside them.
Oscar’s eyes flew wide with fear, and Onyx didn’t look too happy, either. Her ears lay flat and she stepped forward and back, as if she couldn’t decide which way to go.
“Should we go back?” Oscar asked.
“Shh-h.”
The forest was peaceful and quiet again. Maybe t’was nothing. We waited a bit longer but didn’t hear anything else.
“I think it’s gone,” I said. “Let’s keep going. It’s only a little farther to their place.”
And, to be honest, I was looking forward to a good meal, a bath and being neighborly with Clarence and Irene.
“Okay,” Oscar said, but he didn’t sound so sure.
We quickened our pace, and we thought we’d be okay. In fact, I started to relax when we got within sight of the Trelawneys’ picturesque home. I turned in my saddle to say as much to Oscar when I caught sight of a slinking form about ten meters away.
“Oh shit. Oscar, go. Get to the barn!”
There was no way I was risking him and Onyx with the wolves. If those bastards had to get someone, they could have me…not him.
“But—” he said, his head turning so his gaze could follow mine.
“Do as I say!”
My tone brooked no argument and, as Oscar was used to responding to my orders, he turned around and kicked that horse toward Clarence and Irene’s place.
I reached behind me and grabbed my rifle, bringing it o’er my head as Dixie recognized whatever was loping in the distance and whinnied. She shied to the left as I squinted into the silvery moonlight.
“C’mere, you bastard,” I whispered as I lifted the rifle to my shoulder, then spoke in a calmer tone to Dixie. “Easy, girl. Steady now.”
I saw movement out of the corner of my eye, and Dixie moved to the right this time. I turned my body and took a shot that rang out in the quiet of the night.
I didn’t hear a whimper or a thump, so I supposed I’d missed. With any luck, the beast had been scared off, but there might be others lurking close by. So, I placed my rifle in front of me and kicked Dixie toward the barn.
As I rode, I saw Oscar reach the barn and slide off his horse, undo the latch and open the big wood door. He slapped Onyx on the rear, and she hoofed it inside.
“What’re you doin? Get in there!” I shouted.
But Oscar only stared at me, and I could see now he had his revolver in his hand.Of all the stupid—
“You get in that barn!”
I heard another shot and, for a second, I thought t’was Oscar, but he was staring at the house and had lowered his shooting arm. Clarence stood in the light from the open door, with his rifle to his shoulder. There was another crack of the gun, and I heard a sharp whimper as the bullet found its target.
“Get in the barn, both of you,” Clarence said. “Take care of them horses, and I’ll make sure you’re covered when you come to the house.”
I slid off Dixie and gave Oscar a glare, pointing at the revolver in his hand. “Put that thing away. And get in the barn like I told you.”
He looked as if he wanted to argue, but he said, “Yes, sir,” instead. He turned, pulled open the barn door and went in, leaving it ajar so I could ride Dixie in. I slid off her, shut that door and latched it tight.
