Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

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librarian_7
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Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by librarian_7 »

Disclaimer: Josef...not, to my eternal regret, mine.

Author's Note: Yes, this is the final chapter of the main story. But there is an epilogue to follow. Just so you know.

Lucky


Dust

Chapter 14

The early morning was overcast, and a chill wind swept down the street, seeking out the gaps between tall wooden storefronts, one-story adobe buildings, and the imposing new brick bank building. Sally pulled her new shawl around her for warmth. She felt a little guilty, but she couldn’t help giving the fine, soft wool an extra stroke. It was the nicest garment she’d ever had, and she loved the vivid red, white, and black colors the Indian weavers had used almost as much as the feel of it.

Josef had insisted on buying her a complete set of new clothing, over her protests that she could not accept any such thing from him. He had an insistent way about him, though, and the knowledge that she’d lost every cent she had, and every possession, too, had ultimately swayed her.

“Don’t forget, Mrs. Watkins, you saved my life, out there in the desert,” he’d said.

“I think we’re more than even on that score, Mr. Constantine,” she’d retorted, brushing aside the enigmatic look he gave her, and setting her mouth in a stubborn line.

He’d muttered something about reasons being less than pure, sometimes, and something else she couldn’t quite hear, about obstinate women. But in the end, she’d had to accept the new dress, and the shawl, and heaven help her, undergarments to match, along with a neat little trunk to stow her travel-stained old things in.

So here she was, in the bustling main street of Las Animas, waiting on the stage, all new from head to toe, with one exception. Even Slade, so taciturn now, had nodded in agreement when Josef told her, “No new hat, though. You wouldn’t look like Sally without that funny little poke bonnet.”

She wasn’t quite sure if it was the right style to go with the neat jacket and skirt of her new outfit, and wondered if the tired old thing looked silly above the high-necked, white linen shirtwaist she wore. She put a finger up to touch the weight of the cameo at her throat. She’d take that off and stow it safely, once the stage had rolled away from town, but this once, she wanted to wear it for Josef to see.

She also wasn’t sure what Jim was going to think of all this, and she already knew he wasn’t going to be hearing all the details of her adventure. After all, she owed Josef—and Slade—the honor of keeping their secret. Who would believe the truth, anyway?

Josef was looking down at her now, with and expression of mingled affection and exasperation. “Mrs. Watkins, are you sure you won’t reconsider? It should only be a matter of a few days—“

“We’d feel better if you allowed us to escort you the rest of the way,” Weston put in. Sally thought his blue eyes had become much more intense, since Josef had turned him.
She shook her head. “It’s best I go on. Jim will be waiting, you know.”

“Surely he’d prefer slower and safer?”

“Mr. Constantine, it’s a good day’s ride to Bent’s Fort, and another day back. And who knows how long they’ll keep you there wrapping things up? You might have to go with them to the camp. It could be weeks.” She cast her eyes up to the lowering clouds. “And then there’s the weather to consider.”

He quirked one side of his mouth. “There is that.”

Somehow, there was little left to say. The morning before, when they’d first come into town, they’d been driven by the need to find an authority to report to, about the Colonel’s camp. The local marshal had listened at first with skepticism, but as the story went on, his interest grew.

Josef managed to cast Weston’s part in the stage robbery as positively as he could, painting him as an innocent victim of coercion, who had joined the side of the angels as soon as he could. He spoke eloquently of Weston’s attempt to extricate himself from the endeavor, with his feigned drunkenness the night before. Since the marshal knew that the Dodge City stage hadn’t arrived on schedule, and in fact the party sent to investigate had yet to report back, the tale of these strangers gained in credulity. Still, stages had been late before, with lamed horses or broken axles, and it was not yet time for alarm.

Still, the marshal eventually reckoned, what seemed at first to be only a wild, unlikely tale, made more sense than he cared to acknowledge, and the whole matter seemed like something for the consideration of the commander over to Bent’s Fort. He had the authority to act, and the men to do it.

Sally had listened to all of this while watching the sunlight grow in strength through the window of the marshal’s office. She thought about Josef’s limited tolerance for sunshine, and guessed Slade might be even more sensitive.

When it seemed a plan had been reached, she touched Josef on the arm. “Mr. Constantine, I’m feeling—very faint.” And slumped to one side, hoping she wasn’t overdoing it. It was only half an act, anyway.

The ensuing flurry of activity ended with all three of them safely ensconced in Las Animas’ only hotel. Sally thought she’d never felt a bed so soft, and she couldn’t resist bouncing on it a few times, like she used to as a child. She’d hardly had time to do more, when there was a knock on the door, and a woman bearing a tray of food, a jug of blessedly hot water, and “Mr. Constantine thought you could do with a nightgown to rest in, so I brought one of mine. Nothing fancy, but it’s clean.”

She’d barely been able to stammer her thanks, and blushed so hard she thought her hair might turn red from it. He could be so relentless in his thoughtfulness. She’d protested the room—what would Jim say, if he heard she let another man pay for a hotel room for her? But as Josef had pointed out, so reasonably, she had nothing.

“Let me take care of you, Sally.”

So instead of the pokey little hole her stage ticket (and thank the Lord, she thought very sincerely, that she’d kept the little piece of paper in her petticoat pocket, safe through all this uproar) entitled her to, she was in a far nicer room, and by herself. But after a day and a night of rest and food, it was time to go. And if she found the idea of climbing aboard a stagecoach again, especially without her friends, daunting, she wasn’t going to let anyone know.

She was glad, though, that Josef and Slade had come out to see her on her way. She could tell Slade, at least, was uncomfortable even in the weak, cloudy daylight, but he was there.

Time was growing short. The stagecoach was already turning from the livery stable yard onto the street, and the passengers were readying themselves to depart. Sally had a last task, though, before leaving. She put a hand in the pocket of her skirt—the left hand one, not the right, which held her derringer, reloaded thoughtfully by her friends, and retrieved something.

“Mr. Constantine,” she said, as gravely and grandly as she could, “before I go, Mr. Weston asked me to undertake a small task for him.”

“Indeed?” His voice was flat, but the quirk of his eyebrows signaled his curiosity.

Sally stepped up, and took his hand, pulling it forward with a smile. A twist of her wrist turned his hand over, and she placed an object into it. “I believe this is yours.”

Josef closed his hand around the familiar weight. “My watch,” he said. “I wondered what had become of it.”

Sally nodded, satisfied. “Mr. Weston gave it to me, back in the Colonel’s jail. To give to you. I think he said, he wanted to see your face.”

Josef gave Weston a businesslike nod, and favored Sally with a genuine smile, his brown eyes warm. “Thank you,” he said, his features mobile with fleeting emotions. “This means, uh—“ he broke off, then said again, “thank you.”

And it was time for them to part. There was a brief busyness as her small trunk was stowed, then Sally made to step up. And pausing, turned back suddenly. With a movement that threw her bonnet back around her neck, forgetting dignity and propriety, she flung her arms around Josef’s neck, and going up on tiptoe, kissed him soundly on the cheek. She clung for a moment, and he was surprised into returning her embrace. Pulling back, she whispered, “Be well, Josef. And take care of Slade.”

“I will,” he answered. “That last ride—you weren’t asleep all the time, were you?”

Sally made a face of false contrition. “I figured you knew,” she replied. Dropping a hand shamelessly to her belly, she said, “And Mr. Constantine, I wanted you to know I intend to name my baby after you.”

He grimaced. “Please tell me you won’t inflict Josephine on a girl.”

Sally pretended to consider. “How about Constance?”

Josef sighed. “Better. Somewhat.” He paused. “You have those addresses I gave you safe?”

“Yes, and memorized as well.”

“Good. Let me know if it’s a Joseph or a Constance, Sally. I’ll be waiting to hear.”

Weston was hanging back a little, but he too received a hug and a kiss. Sally could only guess at the emotion glinting in his sharp blue eyes. “Slade,” she told him, wanting to say she knew he had some of her within him now, but not knowing how to put it, “be well.”

“I’ll try, Sally.”

“And keep an eye on Josef for me, will you?”

Slade laughed. “You bet.”

She felt something hitting her face, lightly, and looked up to the leaden sky, the fine mist drifting down to touch her lips, still cool from the contact with the vampires’ skin. “It’s raining,” she said.

Josef inhaled, smelling the coming snow behind the rain. The weather had turned, and winter would begin its inexorable advance. “Well, that’ll lay the dust,” he said inconsequentially, as Sally mounted the step into the stagecoach.

He watched, with his new fledgling silent at his elbow, until she was quite out of sight in the gray morning.
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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by tucutecats »

what a wonderful story and a good ending, sad as that is. we need more glad there is a followup. you are such a terrific writer I read all you stories several time. Liz
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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by cassysj »

I love Sally! I'm so glad she was practical and let Josef take care of her. She did have quite an exciting journey.

This was an incredible story and I've really developed a fondness for Slade. You do have an amazing skill with Josef modern or historical.
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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by wollstonecraft61 »

Superb story!!!! I love this story, this Josef, Sally, even Slade! I hate to see it end. :yahoo:
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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by lunalux »

Lucky,

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and marvel at how well you convey Josef, Sally and Slade as 19th century characters. Sally is a wonderful character, plain in the best possible way, sensible, and spunky exactly when needed, no wonder Josef admires her (and I think he does). The description of their journey, its discomforts and dangers and death of Josef's "companion", is perfectly drawn without ever impeding the pace of the story. I really loved this, and intended to comment after each chapter, but will confess that I read all 13 chapters in one sitting and have been eagerly waiting on Chapter 14. I'm sorry that this is the last chapter, but look forward to the epilogue with great anticipation. I foresee a re-read in my future and will comment on each chapter then...but I'm also hoping that perhaps we'll hear a little bit more about Josef's life and Slade.

Thanks for writing this story.

LL
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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by LadyAilith »

Sally is such an incredible woman. I think I would have really liked to have known her. I've enjoyed every chapter of this story Lucky. And I'm looking forward to finding out if it's a little Josef or Constance!

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing gift.

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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by moonlight_vixen »

What an incredible journey for Sally! I enjoyed her so much; she's such a strong character. I'm dying to know if she had a "Joseph" or a "Constance." ;)

I'm looking forward to the epilogue! :thumbs:
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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by RangerCM »

Another brilliantly written chapter. With each new chapter, I'm struck with the 19th century "tone."
But in the end, she’d had to accept the new dress, and the shawl, and heaven help her, undergarments to match, along with a neat little trunk to stow her travel-stained old things in.
:snicker: :snicker: Love that little "heaven help her" comment. Perfect.


And this!!
“Thank you,” he said, his features mobile with fleeting emotions. “This means, uh—“ he broke off, then said again, “thank you.”
I can "see" this perfectly! Like the "I get lonely" scene from SB. :happysigh: :happysigh:

This adventure has been a delight. :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:
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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by francis »

The last one minus epilogue? Oh bummer. I wanted this story to never never end.

I love Sally. She is walking that fine line of being proper and being practical, knowing full well that she will have some secrets to keep, and they don't involve just the undergarments. I love her reluctance to take presents from Josef, even the room, and her joy about them when she finally gave in. I love that she talked about her condition in the end, and kissed Josef. Some things go so deep they can't be contained by society's manners. So she got the cameo that was Iris'? That's really something, but as she gave Josef back his watch it's only fair. They share a rare friendship in that times.
Now I will patiently await the epilogue. Will you tell us if it's a Josef or a Constance? And maybe how Jim reacted? Or will you tell us about the journey of Josef and Weston across the now rainy country?
The dust has settled. Thank you for this story. :heart:
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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by redwinter101 »

Such a marvellous conclusion, Lucky. I have thoroughly enjoyed this story. :clapping: :clapping:

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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by allegrita »

What a marvelous final chapter. You've tied things up beautifully, and Sally will have a lot of memories to take with her, along with the new clothes and the trunk. I've loved this story--you have such a perfect voice for the time. Thank you for sharing this piece of Josef's past with us, and for giving us Sally and Slade. I'm looking forward to the epilogue with a mixture of happy anticipation and dread. I don't want it to end! :bmoon:

Beautiful job, dear Lucky. :hug:
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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by jenstc2003 »

Such a wonderful ending for an amazing story! Can't wait to see the epilogue.
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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by Phoenix »

Wonderful, Lucky. :flowers:
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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by mitzie »

Superb story!!!! :heart: You wrote this 19th century story as if you lived it!! :thud: I am in awe of your talent. I love this story and can't wait for the epilogue... :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :hankie: :seesaw: :evillaugh: :eyes: :eyes: :rainbow: :yahoo: :yahoo: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :hyper2: :hyper2: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :thud: :thud: :thud: :thud: :notworthy: :hearts: :flowers:


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Re: Dust--Chapter 14, PG-13

Post by tucutecats »

Just read this chapter again, it was wonderful, Again I can't thank you enough for sharing your wonderful talent with us all. I wait anxiously for the followup.
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