Around the River's Bend (18 page)

The passengers made their way into the station, which consisted of a large room with a stove at one end and three tables with mismatched chairs. The smell of fresh-cooked meat laced the air, and despite her weariness, Sabrina felt a sharp pang of hunger. The woman who met them was no longer young, but she still had traces of attractiveness. She was wearing a brown vest, and her pinned-up brown hair showed glints of red.

“I'm Mrs. Tompkins. Supper's ready.” Her eyes fell on Sabrina, and she guessed at her upbringing. “Perhaps you'd like to freshen up first.”

“Yes, Mrs. Tompkins, I would.”

“Come this way.”

She led her to a room that had a single bed and a washstand in it. “There's fresh water in the pitcher and towels. Take all the time you need.”

“Thank you.”

Sabrina washed her face and longed, as she had all day, to get into a bathtub and simply soak. But she was hungry and quickly went back to join the group. Sion and several of the other men rose as she entered. She sat down and saw that the others had already started.

“This lady's a good cook,” Sion said. The meal consisted of steaming mutton, freshly baked wheat bread with whipped butter, green beans, and steamed carrots. She tasted the beverage in her cup but did not recognize it.

“That's fresh cider,” the fat man said. “Mighty good, too, ain't it, now?”

“Very good.”

The passengers ate rapidly, and there was little talk around the table. When they were done, Sabrina went outside and sat in a rocker on the porch. The sun was down now, and the air had a chill to it, which was a welcome relief after the heat of the stuffy stagecoach.

She sat there for a long time, relaxing and almost dozing off. The men inside began to gamble, and she glanced inside and saw Sion looking on but not playing. She leaned her head back and enjoyed watching the stars. The moon was full and laid its silver beams down on the earth, and she thought how much more beautiful the land was bathed in silver than it was during the day.

Mrs. Tompkins came outside and sat down in a chair. “I expect you're pretty tired. It's a long trip from Portsmouth.”

“Yes, I am tired. The meal was so good. I appreciate it.”

“After a while I'll fix you some tea. I know how you English ladies love tea.”

Sabrina liked the woman. “Yes, I do, but I don't want to be any trouble.”

“I always have my tea before I go to bed.”

As the women sat there, Sabrina felt the tension drain out of her. The two talked for half an hour, and somehow Sabrina found herself telling Alpha Tompkins her story. She was the kind of woman who made you feel like you could tell her anything. Finally Sabrina finished, saying, “So here I am in a strange country with little money and a great many fears.”

“Don't be afraid, Miss Fairfax. God is in all we do. He wouldn't make us, would He, and then not care what happens?”

Sabrina turned to face the woman. She could see her face clearly in the moonlight and noted that there was a gentleness about her that had not been erased by hard work. “It sometimes seems He doesn't care.”

“We make mistakes sometimes, but God can use even those.” She hesitated, then said softly, “I married the wrong man, but God will bring something good out of it.”

Sabrina wanted to ask about her husband but did not feel she had the right.

Alpha asked her, “What about this man who's with you?” She listened as Sabrina briefly outlined how she and Sion happened to be traveling together.

“He looks like a strong man, but I don't know if he's good. Strong and good don't always go together.”

Sabrina did not answer for a time, and then she said, “I think he's a good man.”

Mrs. Tompkins watched the younger woman's face and then said, “Let's fix tea. I think it would go down well.”

After the two enjoyed their tea, Sabrina made her way to bed. She was exhausted and fell asleep as if she had been drugged.

****

By the time Sabrina had cleaned herself as well as she could with the fresh water from the basin and a sweet-smelling soap, she was ready to face the day. She put a protesting Ulysses into his cage, then left the room. When she got to the dining room she saw that Mrs. Tompkins had already started feeding the passengers.

“Good morning, Miss Fairfax. You need to have a good breakfast now.”

Sabrina greeted her, then turned and saw a couple who had not been there the previous night. They were eating breakfast, and the only seats available were right opposite them. Sion was sitting across the room and gave her a smile but did not get up. When she sat down the man arose and said, “Good morning,” and the woman nodded at her.

“Good morning,” Sabrina said.

The man said, “We'll be traveling together, it seems. My name is Joshua Spencer, and this is my sister, Hannah.”

“I'm Sabrina Fairfax.” Sabrina studied the two. They were both young, perhaps nineteen or twenty. Joshua was a tall man with dark hair and dark eyes, rather handsome in a way. Hannah Spencer had honey brown hair, a heart-shaped face, and unusual green eyes.

She smiled and said, “It's good to meet you, Miss Fairfax. Now, you'd better eat. I think we'll be leaving soon.”

The breakfast consisted of eggs, ham, some sort of porridge or mush, and biscuits with jelly. The meal was delicious, and knowing that the next meal might not be as good as Mrs. Tompkins's, Sabrina ate everything she was served.

“Are you traveling far, Miss Fairfax?”

“I'm going to Tennessee Country, but I understand the coach doesn't go that far.”

“Why, no, it doesn't,” Hannah said. “We're going there ourselves.”

“That's your home?”

“Yes, it is. We came to Virginia to see a relative who was ill, but we're on our way home now.”

“What part of the territory are you from? I know so little about this country.”

Joshua Spencer said, “We're near Holston.”

The name meant nothing to Sabrina. “I wish I knew more about the geography of America.”

“Well, that part of the country's a little confusing right now,” Joshua said. He sipped his coffee, then added, “We've had a war, and some of the new states are arguing over claims.”

“I'd be very interested in hearing about that, Mr. Spencer, because that's why I'm going to your part of the world.” She went on to tell about the land she had inherited, and when she had finished, she said, “I'm told that I actually have to be there before I can discover much about the legality of the claim.”

“Well, I think my brother could help you with that, Miss Fairfax,” Hannah said. “He's studying to become an attorney and has had some experience dealing with claims like this.”

Sabrina put her eyes on the young man. “I would very much appreciate any help you might give me.”

“Well, I'm pretty new at this. I'm actually just getting started, but I'd be glad to help you all I can. Can you tell me the location? Perhaps when we stop to stretch our legs later today you can show me your papers, and I can tell you what I think.”

“That would be so kind of you.”

Sabrina felt better about her situation, for these two appeared very presentable. Joshua Spencer seemed young for an attorney, but since she had encountered him she had determined to accept his aid.

Breakfast was almost over when a man entered the room and called out, “I need some grub before that stage leaves.” Everyone turned to look at him, for his voice was as loud and as rough as his appearance. He was a big man, wearing a coat that appeared strange, at least to Sabrina. It was made out of some sort of leather and there were strings attached to it. He wore the same sort of fur cap with an animal tail attached as she had seen on the previous day.

He was big enough to fill the room, it seemed, and wore a huge knife at his side. The rank odor he gave off reached even to where Sabrina sat. He turned to Alpha Tompkins and said, “You hear me, woman? Put some grub on the table!”

“Take your seat,” Alpha said, “and lower your voice.”

“You tell me what to do? I'm Jack Fry. I don't lower my voice for no woman!”

“Then get out.”

Fry glared at her. “It's a good thing you're a woman,” he said, “or I'd cut your gizzard out for that!” He sat down and everyone was very much aware of his presence. He seemed to enjoy their attention, and when his eyes fell on the two women, he said, “Good-lookin' fillies. Maybe I'll give you two a chance at a real man.”

Alpha Tompkins set a plate filled with food down before him, but she did not remove her hand. “Jack Fry, you can take this plate outside. But you won't bother the passengers in my station.”

“All right. Have it your own way. Bring me about a gallon of coffee.”

“He's a rough-looking man, isn't he?” Sabrina said after Fry moved outside.

“I've seen him back in Tennessee Country,” Hannah said. “He's not a nice man.”

“He looks dangerous,” Sabrina observed.

“He is,” Josh said. “He's the kind that'll fight at the drop of a hat, and think nothing of gouging out a man's eyes or cutting him wide open.”

“I don't look forward to sitting beside him,” Hannah said.

“Let's all sit together,” Sabrina said quickly. “If we get on early enough, we can take the backseat.”

“Sounds good to me,” Josh said.

When the three had finished their meal, Sion came over and said, “I'll see that the luggage is all on board, miss.”

“Good, Sion.”

After Sion left, Hannah asked, “Is he a friend of yours?”

“An indentured servant. His name is Sion Kenyon.”

The two waited for her to say more, but she had no chance, for the driver outside called them to board the stage. The three got up and made their way outside. Sabrina watched as Sion carefully stowed the luggage and made sure it was tied down.

She was just about to enter the stage when she heard Fry's voice.

“Well, ain't you a pretty one, now.”

She turned to see that Fry had approached and taken Hannah's arm. She saw the young woman struggle to get away, but the man merely laughed.

“Turn her loose!” Josh commanded.

Jack Fry did not even hesitate. He shoved Josh Spencer, who flew backward and barely managed not to fall. The strength of the man was enormous.

“You stay out of this, sonny, or I'll cut your gizzard out.”

Sabrina was frightened, for the man was a brute. He kept his grip on Hannah's arm, and Hannah said nothing, although she still struggled to get away.

Suddenly a voice said, “I think you'll be taking the next stage—not this one.”

Jack Fry turned, and his hand went to the knife in his belt. Sabrina saw him studying Sion, who had approached and stood watchfully. He appeared relaxed. His feet were spread slightly apart, and his arms were at his sides. There was a strange expression in his face that she had never seen before, watchful and somehow dangerous. His body did not look dangerous, however, for he appeared small beside the monstrous form of Jack Fry.

Fry cursed and drew the knife with his free hand. “Come on! I'll cut your throat with this and throw you out for the wolves to eat!”

Sion Kenyon moved so quickly that Sabrina had trouble following the movement. His hand shot out, and he grabbed the wrist of Jack Fry and repeated, “It would be better if we didn't have trouble. You're not taking this stage.”

A silence had fallen over the onlookers. Sabrina saw the scene as if it were a painting. The stagecoach driver was leaning over, watching with alarm. Alpha Tompkins had come out the front door and paused there with a troubled expression. Josh stood still, his face pale and his jaw clenched.

Sion said no more, but suddenly Fry released Hannah's arm and tried to wrench his hand holding the knife away from Sion's grip. Sabrina saw Fry's huge muscle strain, but Sion hung on, and Fry's eyes opened with astonishment. He was obviously not accustomed to finding men stronger than he, and he shouted, “Why, I'll kill you!” He struck out with his left hand, but Sion simply ducked under the blow. Then he put his other hand on the right wrist and with a jerk began to throw the man in a circle. Everyone jumped back, and Sabrina saw Sion take a complete circle, heaving the man around as if he weighed nothing. He released him, and Fry sailed backward toward the station. He crashed into the wall, his head making a hollow, thumping sound, and the knife fell to the ground. The man was not unconscious, Sabrina saw, but his eyes were dull and he wasn't moving much.

Sion picked up the knife and stood over the fallen man. He turned to the others and said, “I think we'd better be on our way.”

The passengers started to get on board as Fry staggered to his feet. “You can take the next coach, Fry,” said Sion. “I'll drop this knife out a hundred yards down the road.”

Fry's eyes were still unclear, and blood was running down his face from the spot where his head had struck the wall. He cursed at Sion, closing with, “I'll kill you! No man does that to me!”

Sion did not answer. He got into the coach, and at once the driver called to the horses, and the coach pulled out.

It was silent inside, and Sabrina found her heart was beating fast. The violence had exploded like a bomb, surprising everyone. She put her hand on Sion's shoulder, who was sitting in front of her. When he turned, she said, “If you ever see that man again, he'll try to kill you.”

“Don't worry about things like that,” Sion said. The other passengers were stunned with the outburst of violence, but he seemed unaffected by it. “We get so busy worrying about things that never happen, we don't have time to think about what's happening around us.”

The fat man said, “I've heard of him—Jack Fry. He's a mean one. He killed two men that I know of. You should've kilt him.”