Northern Peace and Perils, Part 5
February 3rd, 1865
Newport, Vermont
Riding their horses, Alex kept a watchful eye around them for any signs of trouble. The war and soldiers were far behind them and life in the countryside was much calmer than the battlefields of Virginia, but one couldn't be too careless. Stopping her horse, Alex looked at her companion as he matched his mare along with hers.
"You think we'll find him this time?" she asked Gordon. The older man shrugged and took another drag of his ever-present pipe. Her friend looked so tired, dark circles had begun to form under his eyes a couple of months ago and she knew that she didn't look much better either. They had been on the road for nearly six months, trying to find the elusive third officer they had to kill. The man was constantly on the move, going from place to place alone without really belonging to a regiment or group.
"All I know is that I'm really fed up of chasing a ghost, Alex." Gordon replied and stretched his sore back, "I know that I'm the one who insisted on finishing our mission, but if we don't find him here, we're going back home."
Looking down at the town below them, Alex sighed and pulled her long, fur coat tighter around her body. 'Home,' she snorted, 'I've got nothing waiting there for me except my parents and I'm not even sure if they're okay or still alive.' Spurring her horse forward, Alex silently guided the animal down the main road to Newport.
According to their information, the Union Captain, a man named Hunter Clayton, had been wounded while in Virginia and was now recuperating at his private residence in Vermont. Happy to see that the house was quickly located, Alex and Gordon waited patiently for a glimpse of their last target. Trying to figure out a way to complete their mission, Alex scanned the area and quickly discarded the use of her rifle. There were too many houses near and the shot would attract too much attention.
Looking up at the sky, Alex cursed when she saw more snow starting to fall. "I hope we spot him soon. I want to get indoors as soon as possible."
"There's a saloon down the street, why don't we head over there and warm up for a while?" Gordon said, "I don't see what difference an hour will make."
Taking a deep breath, Alex stared at the Captain's house beside the lake and seeing no movement behind the windows, nodded to her friend. "Alright, I could use a shot of whiskey."
As they slowly rode their horses, Alex kept an eye out on the people walking by. A few children were playing while men and women walked down the busy street. Climbing off of her mare, she tied the reins to the post and started walking up the steps to the saloon.
"Do you think we could get something to eat? I'm starving!" Gordon smiled and patted his stomach, "I'm sure you're hungry too. I can't remember the last time you ate."
"I'm not hungry." Alex mumbled and stopped just before walking into the saloon. Hearing laughter, she turned around and spotted a boy and a girl running and playing in front of their parents, the adults smiling at the antics of the children.
Taking a better look at the couple, Alex noticed that the man was limping and leaning heavily on a cane he had in his right hand, the woman walking slowly beside him. Something caught her attention and she saw that the man had no left arm, the sleeve from his blue military overcoat swaying with every step he took. There was something else about the man that Alex couldn't quite figure out.
"Are you coming?" Gordon asked, tugging on Alex's sleeve.
"Huh? Oh! Yeah," she replied distractedly, her eyes still following the soldier. A customer walked out of the saloon and Alex smiled at the man and indicated the family. "Excuse me, sir. But would that be Captain Clayton?"
The man stopped and looked at where the tall woman was indicating. "Sure is! He got shot while pursuing some damn Rebels in Virginia. Look at what the bastards did. Lost his arm and his leg don't work right anymore."
"Hmm, that's terrible." Alex replied, trying to look horrified. "Thank you for the information, sir."
"You're welcome, ma'am," the man tipped his hat and continued on his way.
Having heard the exchange, Gordon stepped beside his friend and grinned at her. "Is there any information you can't get with that smile of yours?"
"Hmmm," she grunted and brought her attention back to the officer who had stopped walking. "There's something about that man…" she started. The soldier was a tall man, about forty years old. He wore his sandy brown hair short and his thick mustache…"Oh, no!" Alex breathed as she recognized the officer, "It can't be!"
"What? Alex, what are you talking about?" Gordon asked as he saw the surprise on his friend's face.
"I know that man."
"You know a Union officer? But how can you know him?" the older man whispered in Alex's ear, "He's our last target. We're supposed to kill him."
"I can't, Gordy. I just can't do it," she shook her head and backed up until she hit the saloon wall, watching as the customers exited the bar.
"You're not making any sense, Alex. What's going on?"
Grabbing her friend's coat, she stepped down the stairs with her companion trying hard to follow her without losing his footing.
"Alex!"
Walking away from the officer's family and to an area where there wasn't anyone, Alex grabbed Gordon's battered winter coat and shook the man. "He's the one! That's the officer who spared my life in Piedmont!"
Taking a quick look at the Captain as he slowly limped toward his house, Gordon frowned and turned to face Alex, "You mean after you took care of Sergeant Archer?"
"He's the one. I can't kill him, Gordy, not after what he did for me."
"Well, maybe I can do it instead…of…" the older man stopped at the glare his friend was giving him, "But Alex, the mission!"
"Fuck the mission, Gordy! I'm not doing it and neither are you."
"But…"
"Gordon…" Alex warned and took one step closer to him. "We won't do it," she growled.
Taking a deep breath, Gordon closed his eyes and shook his head. "Lieutenant Perry knows we're here in Newport. Remember the telegram we sent him?" he said and looked at her again, "He'll expect us to find the officer eventually and do our job. If we don't, it'll be us his goons will go after."
Cursing, Alex rubbed her face and then slid her fingers through her long raven hair. "I have to warn him. I owe him that much," she muttered and turned back, heading straight for the officer's house, Gordon hurrying close behind. A young boy quickly stepped next to Alex and he tugged at her long fur coat. "What?" she asked the boy impatiently.
"Are…are you…A…Alex?" the young boy asked nervously.
The tall woman suddenly stopped and stared at the blonde boy, surprised at hearing her name from a complete stranger and especially from a boy. "Who wants to know?" she asked gruffly.
"I…th…this message is f…for you." He stuttered and handed the folded paper up to the woman. As soon as she took it, the boy left at a dead run.
"What the hell was that about?" Gordon asked, looking at the running boy.
"I don't know, but I don't like it," she muttered as she unfolded the paper and read the few words written on it. 'New orders. Kill Captain Clayton and his whole family.' "Shit!"
"What is it?" he asked and took the paper Alex was handing him. Gordon instinctively looked around them then at Alex, "This isn't a telegram, Alex. Somebody who knows about our mission must be here too."
"That's what I'm afraid of. They must be watching us as we speak." Looking at the officer's house, Alex sighed and changed direction, heading for the saloon instead. "Come on, I have a plan."
Sitting at a table with a glass of whiskey before her and having succeeded in getting a piece of paper and a pen and ink, Alex scribbled a few words and blew lightly on the message she had written to help the ink to dry. "That should do it."
"What did you write?"
"Something Captain Clayton told me just before we parted that day," she said and repeated his words, "He told me that maybe one day I'd do something that would save somebody's life and to think of him when I do. I'd never thought it'd be his life I would help in saving one day." She sighed and drank the last of her whiskey and ordered another one. "I asked him to meet me at the bridge near the lake at eight o'clock tonight. I want to warn him that somebody wants him dead."
Under the cover of darkness, Alex waited for the Union captain to arrive. The message had been delivered and accepted personally by the officer and now Alex only hoped that he would show up. Off to her right, a figure walked slowly and she waited until the man was close enough to her to softly clear her throat, recognizing the officer.
"Captain Clayton," Alex said softly and stepped out of her hiding place, "My name is Alex Carmichael."
The officer stopped walking and looked at the woman before him. "Do I know you?"
"Piedmont, Virginia. You spared my life when you found me in the barn with Sergeant Archer."
Approaching the tall woman, the captain recognized her and nodded, "Ah, yes. Now I understand the message. What is it that you want?"
"I'm here to warn you, Captain. Somebody wants you dead and it was my job to do it."
"Was your job?" he repeated, "What made you change your mind?"
"I couldn't kill the man who saved my life." She replied simply. "I received new orders that instructed me to kill your whole family as well. That instruction was delivered by hand and wasn't sent by telegram. I strongly suspect that I was being watched earlier, possibly by the same people who want you dead."
"Who are they?" the officer asked.
"I received my orders from a man named Lieutenant Edwin Perry. Where he got his orders, I don't know." She said and watched as the officer concentrated on the name, "Who would want you dead, Captain? I mean, you were specifically targeted along with two Lieutenants."
"There is a war going on, Miss Carmichael, military assassinations are a common thing."
"Yes, they are, but usually the targets are high profile officers or key players in a greater scheme of things. No offense intended, but you're just a Captain. Why would anybody target you?"
"I have no idea." He sighed, "I'm just an investigator working for the treasury department."
"An investigator? What were you working on?" Alex questioned, feeling like some pieces of the puzzle were slowly falling into place.
Wondering if he should trust the woman, Captain Clayton finally decided to risk it and explain, "Many of our shipments have been attacked in the past three years. Somehow, it was almost like the thieves knew which route they were going to take. They were simply waiting for the soldiers. We strongly believe that the routes were given to the thieves and that information came from within the treasury department."
Alex sucked in a breath in surprise. What the officer was telling her sounded strangely like what the unit she belonged to had been doing for the past years. Gordon and herself had often voiced their suspicion on the fact that the heists were more than just a coincidence.
"The gold…" Alex said softly to herself, "Were the shipments you're talking about gold?" she asked the officer.
"Yes, they were."
Now it made sense. The unit she belonged to was ambushing shipments of gold that belonged to the Union. Somehow, the information about the routes the stagecoaches were taking made its way from someone within the treasury and on to Lieutenant Perry or whoever was giving his orders. With Captain Clayton investigating the heists, no wonder they wanted him dead.
Remembering papers she had found in Lieutenant Perry's tent, Alex lifted one end of her coat and pointed to the lining inside. "I don't know if it can help you, but I have names of people who might be involved in the stealing of the gold. The papers are sewn into my coat and…"
"Alex! Watch out!" Gordon yelled as he came running toward them.
Turning to look at her friend, she quickly spotted two figures running after him. "Shit!" she swore and opened her coat in one hard tug, ripping the buttons off then pulled her Colt revolvers out of their holsters. "Get behind me," she ordered the injured officer.
Taking his own service revolver out, Captain Clayton limped to stand next to Alex, "What is it?"
"Bad news." she growled and leveled her Colts at the approaching figures and instinctively ducked behind the half wall as the first shots ran out. "Come on, Gordy! Hurry!"
"I'm running as fast as I can, damnit!" the older man yelled out, out of breath, "Johnson's right behind me, he's…" Gordon never had time to finish as another shot was fired and he went crumbling to the ground.
"Gordon!" Alex yelled and started firing her guns at the advancing men, stopping them in their tracks and forcing them to take cover. "Damn! I need to get to him," she said and stood up half way to look at her friend who was lying on the ground. Gordon wasn't moving and his position put him in the middle of both parties.
"You can't go there," Captain Clayton said as he started shooting, "They'll get you too."
"He's my friend. I must…" Alex tightened her jaw as a bullet hit her in the left shoulder and she ducked behind the half wall that was protecting them. "Ah, damn!" she grunted and put one of her Colt into its holster and plastered her hand on her wound to stop it from bleeding as best as she could.
"It looks like I'm not the only one they want to see dead." With only an arm to work with, the captain put his revolver in his holster and took his money pouch in his hand, giving it a solid tug to break the straps. " Take this, you'll need it and get out of here, Alex, I'll hold them as long as I can." After putting the money pouch in her coat pocket, he took his revolver out again and continued firing.
"I can't leave. What about you and Gordon?" Alex replied from between clenched teeth. She could feel the blood leak through her fingers and she closed her eyes at the pain.
"Never mind that!" Captain Clayton said as he took another shot at the men. "If the information you have is very valuable to the investigation, I want to know that it's safe and out of their reach. Give me the papers once everything calms down."
"What about Gordon?"
"There's nothing either one of us can do for him right now." Lifting his head higher over the wall, the officer saw more men approaching and he recognized them. "I'll be okay, help is on the way, but I'll have a lot of difficulty explaining your reason for being here and still keep you from jail."
"You've spared my life twice so far. How can I repay you?"
"You didn't kill me and you refused to harm my family. I'd say we're even. Now go!"
Tightening her jaw still holding her shoulder, Alex squatted next to the officer. She looked quickly at where Johnson and whoever was with him were and spotted them still hiding behind a rock fence. Cursing when she remembered that her horse was still at the saloon, Alex looked at the officer and nodded. "Alright, I'll go. Tell Gordon I'll be back for him."
"If he's still alive. Keep those papers safe, okay?"
"I will. See you soon." Standing up, Alex headed toward the trees at a run, trying hard not to lose her balance. Her shoulder was going to be a problem, especially on the run. She hated the fact that she was abandoning her friend, but at least he wasn't alone. She just hoped that he wasn't dead.
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Trailing her finger on the healing shoulder injury, Mick shook her head slowly, "You headed straight for the mountains with a gun shot wound? I'm amazed that you didn't bleed to death," she said softly and lifted her eyes to look at Alex. "Who took the bullet out?"
The older woman shrugged as if it wasn't such a big deal, "I did."
"What?" Mick exclaimed, "You did that yourself?"
"Hmm, I had to."
"I know but…" she sighed, "I could never do it if it happened to me."
Alex smiled and wrapped her arms tighter around the petite figure, "I hope that never happens."
Resting her head against the taller woman's right shoulder, Mick continued sliding her fingers over the warm skin of her lover, "What about those deep scratches I saw on your back and thigh? What happened?"
"Michelle…" Alex shook her head and closed her eyes, "You don't want to know."
"Only an animal could have done that," she pressed, "What was it?" Michelle lifted her head and waited until Alex opened her eyes again, "Please, tell me."
Knowing that the younger woman wouldn't let go until she had an answer, "Dogs." Alex replied simply.
"Oh!" Michelle breathed and leaned back down against the muscled body. "What happened?" she asked again.
"They must have assembled a posse, I don't know, but three days after I left Newport, I heard dogs barking and approaching near where I had been hiding all that time. I shot the first dog as it jumped on me but I wasn't fast enough to kill the other two."
"But you eventually succeeded, right?"
Alex nodded, "Yes. But the dogs did a lot of damage before that." If she concentrated hard enough, she could almost feel her skin burn as the claws ripped through her coat and at her skin while the dogs' sharp teeth snapped at her limbs. Wrestling with the animals, she tried to have a good shot at them, knowing that she only had two bullets left in her revolvers. "I had no choice but to leave the barn I had been hiding in. I was sure that the owners of the dogs weren't too far away and with the sound of the gun shots, well, I kind of gave my position away."
Michelle understood better the sorry state she had found Alex in. Gun shot wound, attacked by dogs and on the run in the dead of winter. It was amazing that Alex hadn't given up faced with all those challenges. "Where does Parker fit in all this?" she asked, wanting to know more.
Alex snorted, "I had no idea he was the second figure I saw with Johnson. After I left the barn, I heard him call out to me, taunting me. If he had kept his mouth shut, I'm sure he would have succeeded in capturing me eventually. He always was over confidant in his abilities."
"I'm glad he was," Michelle smiled, "At least because of his babbling, it gave you the opportunity to know where he was and get away, right?"
"Hmmm, partly, but I owe my escape to Mother nature."
"Huh?"
Alex laughed softly and kissed the blonde hair close to her lips. "It snowed all day and by the time Parker almost found me, the wind picked up and I was able to escape through a blizzard. That was the last time I saw him."
"Oh, but I guess he eventually found some tracks since he made it to Mansonville."
"I'd rather guess it was because of some dumb luck. There's no way he could have tracked me all the way here. He was never that good of a tracker, especially not with all that wind and snow covering my steps."
"Well," Michelle said as she lay the full length of her body on Alex's, "I'm very happy that I found you first," she smiled and softly kissed her lover. "Or else, we wouldn't be here like this," another kiss, this one on her cheek, "Stretched out in front of a nice fire," a gentle nibble at Alex's sensitive earlobe, "Completely naked together."
Alex let out a playful growl and turned the smaller woman on her back. "Did I ever thank you for all that you did for me?"
"Many times, but who's stopping you from thanking me again?" Michelle teased as she linked her hands behind Alex's neck.
Looking deep into eyes the color of jade, Alex smiled, "You saved my life. Thank you," she said softly and leaned her head to kiss her partner gently. "I owe you a lot."
"All I want is to see you happy, Alex."
"I am. As long as we're together," she grinned and kissed the tip of Michelle's nose. "I want this to go on forever."
'Forever!' Michelle repeated and smiled. Never in her life did she think that finding somebody special to share her life was going to be so important. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that somebody would be a woman! "I want it too," she murmured and closed her eyes in delight as Alex's hand started to move against her naked body, travelling slowly up her chest to end up caressing her breasts.
"Do you have any more questions or can we continue with more pleasurable things?" Alex's voice was low and husky. She watched in amusement, as Michelle slowly shook her head no.
"What questions?" she managed to say before a moan escaped her lips. All coherent thoughts stopped as Alex's mouth found her breast and started to suck gently, her tongue softly flicking at the hardened nipple. She knew they had things to do, but somehow, she couldn't remember what they were or even cared, not now anyway.
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Charleston
South Carolina
The man paced in the telegraph office, waiting impatiently for a reply to his message. Rushing to the counter as another message came in, Johnson blew a breath in frustration when the operator shook his head again, indicating that once more, the message wasn't for him. "Where the hell are you, Parker?" the man mumbled to himself. Since receiving Parker's message, Johnson had sent him three of his own, receiving no reply to any of them. The last one had been sent directly to the telegraph operator in Mansonville, asking about his whereabouts. "Damn fool! If he did anything stupid, I'll make sure he pays for ignoring precise orders." As he was about to leave the office, another telegram came in and Johnson turned to look at the operator.
"Reply from Mansonville," the operator said, relieved that he was about to be rid of the impatient man. Quickly scribbling the message, he then handed the paper and jerked his hand away as the note was torn out of his grasp.
Johnson quickly read the message and cursed at the reply. Damn idiot had gotten himself arrested for the murder of a trapper. 'At least, it's not the bitch that he killed!' Crumbling the paper into a ball, he threw a coin at the startled operator and walked out of the office. "If you want something done, do it yourself!"
It would be a long and dangerous road from South Carolina to Mansonville, especially with the Union army advancing the way they were. But if there was one thing he wanted to do, it was to kill Alexandra Carmichael and the risk of getting captured by the Yankees was worth the chance to see her dead by his own hands. That woman had humiliated him too many times. Murmuring to himself as he walked down the street, he went over his plan of revenge and his trip North.
******************************
After hammering the last nail in, Alex took a step back and inspected the sugar shack to see if she had missed anything. The small cabin had been fully restored to its original shape, the walls and roof much stronger than it was. Dropping her hammer in the wooden toolbox, she took her gloves off then sat on a log to rest. Cracking her neck to loosen it, she closed her eyes as she massaged her aching shoulder. Soft footsteps were heard coming from behind her and Alex smiled as she recognized her lover's gentle voice humming a tune.
The weather was beautiful and the temperature was finally warm enough to wear a lighter jacket instead of the fur coats they had been wearing for the past weeks. Walking through the woods to join Alex, Michelle watched as her Malamutes raced after each other, playing in the snow. She couldn't believe how fast the week had past and sighed as she thought about Alex leaving the next day on her first supply run for Mr. Cole.
Switching her basket to her other arm, Mick smiled as she spotted Alex sitting down and soaking up the sunrays. The older woman had her hair tied into a ponytail, her dark bangs barely ending above her closed eyes. Her coat had been discarded and she sat there in just a black shirt and tan pants, her booted feet crossed at the ankles. A sure sign that Alex was much more relaxed than when she first met her was the fact that she was less armed than before. Only one gun belt and Colt revolver was at her hip instead of the two she owned and usually carried.
Stopping a few feet behind her partner, Michelle put the basket on the ground and with a grin, picked up some snow and formed it into a ball. "Alex?" she called out. 'I wonder how far I can get with teasing her?' Not wanting to hit her directly, Mick threw the snowball to Alex's right so that it landed with a splash a few feet before her.
Wondering why Michelle had stopped walking, Alex opened one eye as her name was called and did it just in time to see a white ball fly beside her and crash on the ground. 'She wouldn't dare hit me!' Alex thought with a smile and continued soaking up the sunrays.
'So, you're trying to ignore me, huh?' Picking up another handful, Mick patted the snow into a bigger ball and this time, let it fly to Alex's left, landing with the same results.
"Michelle…" Alex warned, still not moving from her comfortable position on the log.
"Yesss?" Unsuccessful in stopping a giggle, Michelle scooped a third snowball and this time threw it high and straight above the dark haired woman's head.
"Michelle…" she warned again, her voice getting lower with every call, "Don't." Smiling at her lover's playfulness, Alex kept her back to Mick and wondered what the younger woman was going to do. Would she dare make a direct hit?
"Whaaat?" Mick drawled innocently then giggled some more as she picked up more snow.
"Don't make me get up and catch you." Alex said and slowly took her discarded gloves and put them on again.
"Or what?" Michelle taunted and prepared to throw another snowball. As she was about to let it go, one of the dogs barked playfully, startling her and caused her to aim lower, hitting Alex on the shoulder. 'Oh no!'
Slowly turning her head to look at her snowy shoulder, Alex calmly brushed it off and shook her head. "You shouldn't have done that," she smiled and scooped up some snow.
"Was that a threat?" Michelle laughed, 'It's just a matter of time before she lets me have it,' she thought with a smile, 'Might as well be ready for it.' Taking more snow into her hands, she patted it into a good-sized ball and waited for Alex to make a move. 'I just gotta be faster, that's all,' and watched as her lover prepared to attack.
'You really want me to go after you, hmm?' Pressing the snow into her hands, Alex listened carefully to gage the younger woman's position and started counting off. 'One…'
Seeing that Alex was about to move, Michelle pulled her arm back and let the snowball fly, aiming for the middle of the broad back.
'…Two…Th…' Twisting on the log she was sitting on, Alex prepared to throw the ball at a giggling Michelle and stopped in mid motion as she saw Mick's snowball head straight for…her face. Alex barely had time to close her eyes as the fluffy ball hit her dead center.
As soon as the snowball left her hand, Michelle knew that she had made a mistake. She hadn't expected Alex to turn around so soon. Mick silently watched as the snow covering her friend's dark hair started to fall on her shoulders and slowly melt as it traveled down high cheekbones and strong jaw. "Oh boy!"
Blinking a few times in surprise, Alex licked the melting snow as it passed her lips. Looking down at the ball that hadn't yet left her hand, she threw it playfully at Michelle who easily sidestepped to avoid it.
"Is that the best you can do?" Michelle teased.
"Why, you little…" Alex growled and jumped off the log and ran after Michelle.
Squealing in laughter, the smaller woman started running away from Alex, trying hard not to lose her balance as she slid over the ice and snow covered ground. Making as if she was going to turn right, Michelle suddenly turned left and smirked, guessing that Alex had bought her ruse. That is until the more muscular woman wrapped her solid arms around her waist and twisted in mid air, causing the both of them to crash in the fluffy snow.
Straddling Michelle's thigh, Alex bit the end of her right glove and pulled it off with her teeth. Letting it drop to the ground she started to tickle her young friend, "Did you think you could run away from me?" she grinned as she continued her attack on the smaller woman.
"No! Stop!" Michelle laughed and tried her best to escape Alex's teasing fingers, "Argh!!!!!" she squealed again as her lover found a ticklish spot.
"Was that the best you could do?"
Seeing no way out of her position, Michelle quickly gave up, "Alex! Okay! Okay, I give!"
"What if I don't want to let you go?" Alex asked as she held Mick's wrists in her hands, "What are you willing to give me for your freedom?"
Michelle bit her lip as if she was deep in thought, "I could prepare you a nice, hot bath for tonight?"
"That's a start. What else?"
"Hmm, what about a few sandwiches, small cakes and hot cider for lunch?"
Alex turned her head and spotted the basket Michelle had brought with her earlier and nodded, "Add a back rub and you've got yourself a deal, lady." Alex smiled.
"I'll give you more than just a back rub." Michelle grinned and closed her eyes as Alex bent down and kissed her, moaning softly as she felt the larger hand slowly make its way under the light jacket and shirt to end up caressing one of her breasts. "Hmmm,"
"That's a little taste of our evening together tonight." Alex murmured and stood up, offering her hand to Michelle. "Come on, before you get all wet," she said as she brushed snow off of her pants then picked up her discarded glove.
"Too late," Mick replied as she grabbed Alex's hand and got up, "Oh! You meant wet from the snow!" she winked as her friend started laughing. "Whaaat?"
Alex shook her head and brought Michelle into a solid embrace. "You are something, you know that? Don't you go and change on me."
"As long as I can make you laugh this way, I won't!"
Making their way back to the fallen tree Alex had been sitting on, she grabbed the basket Michelle had brought with her and sat on the log. Taking her other glove off and putting them beside her, Alex accepted the half sandwich Mick offered and hungrily bit into it, nodding her thanks. She watched the younger woman as she looked at the newly repaired sugar shack and smiled when Michelle whistled appreciatively.
"You did a great job, Alex! It's been a long time since I've seen the cabin look this good," she smiled and took a bite from her own sandwich.
"Thanks. I see that you've been busy as well." Alex said, looking at all the newly tapped maple trees. The number had doubled ever since the extra containers had been bought. "That should keep us busy for a while. The sap should start flowing soon, right?"
"Oh yeah!" Michelle nodded and sat beside Alex. Holding her sandwich with her teeth, she took a jug out of the basket and pulled the cork out, "Juch in tie fo wh…" Grunting slightly she took a bite and held her sandwich in her hand. "Just in time for when you'll be back if the weather holds this way."
Laughing as she watched Michelle juggle with her lunch and jug, Alex took the container from Mick, "Need help?"
"You think?" Michelle smiled and grabbed two mugs, "Pour!"
Taking one of the mugs, Alex filled it with hot sweet apple cider and then the other. "You know, if the road to Sherbrooke isn't too bad, I don't think it'll take me a full week for that supply run. I was looking at your map, it isn't that far."
"That would be great!" Michelle nodded, "I wish that I could go with you though, but I can't leave the relay unattended, not with the guys staying overnight."
"Maybe we could plan ahead and you can come with me on the next run." Alex smiled, "I wanted to ask you, how well do you know those trappers? Do they come here often?"
Putting her empty mug into the basket, Michelle swallowed the last of her sandwich. "They're okay. Ben, the big one with long hair, comes by at least every two months and stays for one or two days just long enough to set his traps. Jonathan usually stays one night on his way to his house from the loggers' camp. The relay is about half way on his route."
With a twinkle in her eyes, Michelle watched as Alex finished her lunch and put her own mug back into the basket. 'So you think you won by pinning me on the ground, hmm?' Moving as fast as she could, Mick wrapped her arms around the taller woman's waist and sent them crashing on the snow. "Gotcha!" Michelle exclaimed triumphantly as she straddled her lover's thighs and held Alex's arms.
Landing flat on her back, her arms outstretched, "Wha…" Alex blinked in surprise and looked up to see Michelle grinning. "Okay. So you got me. How long do you think you can hold me like this?"
"I don't care! I got you, that's all that matters. I win!" Mick laughed and rubbed her hands together playfully, freeing Alex.
Extending her fingers, Alex grabbed as much snow as she could and tossed it at Michelle. "I guess I got you too," she smiled.
"You can't do that!" Michelle sputtered, shaking her head to clear her hair and face of the snow, "That's not fair." Scooping a handful, she threw it at her laughing friend.
Snow started to fly in all directions as the two women played, throwing handfuls at each other and laughing. The dogs that had been running all over the place came trotting back to see what the commotion was about and proceeded to clean Michelle of the melting snow on her face. Alex thought it was a funny sight until one of the Malamutes decided that the taller woman was safe enough and licked a chunk of icy snow off the tip of her nose.
"Okay, that's it!" Alex shook her dark hair, clearing it of snow and stood up, "I don't mind some tongue action but not from a dog!" She held out her hand and helped a giggling Michelle up.
"A hot bath is a really good idea now, don't you think?" Michelle grinned as she brushed her pants off, "I'm getting a bit chilly."
"That's a good plan." Alex agreed as she put her jacket on and grabbed the basket, "Don't forget you still owe me a back rub."
"Oh, I didn't forget. I'm looking forward to it," she smiled and wrapped an arm around Alex's waist, "Let's go home."
Walking back to the cabin, Alex stopped and dropped the food basket as she spotted two horses waiting patiently in front of the relay. Knowing that the men staying overnight had arrived on foot, she pulled her Colt revolver out of its holster and motioned Michelle to stay put. "Shh."
"But it could be just people wanting shelter," Michelle whispered and followed the older woman as she made her way toward the animals.
"Michelle, I told you to…" Alex started and swung her revolver at the figure who suddenly appeared from behind the relay.
"Ahhh!" the young man yelped in surprise at finding a weapon aimed at him.
"Christopher!" Michelle breathed a sigh in relief at seeing Mr. Cole's employee. She patted Alex's back until the taller woman relaxed and put her gun back into its holster. "What are you doing out here?"
"I…ah, I just wanted…er…" Eyeing the gunslinger uncomfortably, Christopher took a few hesitant steps toward Michelle who he found much safer. "I just wanted to use the outhouse," he whispered to Michelle and then looked at Alex. "Mr. Cole thought that it would be faster for you, Ms Carmichael if you had a horse to get to the store tomorrow."
"Thank you. I appreciate the offer. Sorry I scared you."
"It's okay." The young man smiled shyly and took a better look at both women. Both had their clothes and hair wet. "Was there any trouble?"
"Nope, just fooling around." Michelle winked at Alex as she walked back to get the basket, "You staying for the night, Christopher?"
"I can't. I have to be back in town before darkness, but thanks for the offer, Miss Laberge."
"Okay. Well, be careful on your way back." Michelle smiled. Standing behind the young man, she playfully stuck her tongue out at Alex. "I still say I won."
Shaking her head with a chuckle, Alex watched as the young blonde opened the cabin door. She quickly bent down and took a handful of snow in her hands. Forming it into a ball, Alex threw it high into the air above Mick.
"Michelle, watch out!" she grinned.
Turning around, Mick looked at her smiling lover. "Wha…" With a splash, the snowball landed right on top of her head, sending snow flying everywhere. "Ahhh!" she shrieked in surprise and blinked a few times to clear her eyes. "You…you…" she exclaimed as she stared at Alex who was killing herself laughing.
"I told you to watch out." Alex said as she crossed her arms over her chest, proud of herself, "I win!"
Christopher watched the exchange in a stunned silence. Nobody would believe him when he say that Alex had a playful side, at least where Michelle was concerned. "I guess I'll be on my way and leave you to, ah, whatever you were doing."
"One day, I'll get you back!" Mick replied, trying hard not to laugh. "Do you want that bath or not?"
"You know, you're beautiful when you're angry." Alex teased with a wink, "I need to ask Christopher something and I'll be in shortly."
"You better!" Michelle smiled and closed the door behind her.
"Is she really upset?" Christopher asked.
"Not really. I guess Michelle likes to win but I hate to lose even more." Alex explained. 'And that will make that back rub really interesting!' she thought with a smile. "I need you to do something for me, Christopher. I need you to bring a message to Newport, Vermont. There's a couple of gold coins for you if you accept."
"Sure! I'd love to!"
"Good. This is what I want you to do…"
******************************
March 13th, 1865
The morning arrived too quickly, Michelle thought as she silently watched her lover prepare herself for the trip to Sherbrooke. She just hoped that it would take less than a week for Alex to come back and even then, a few days away were still too many. Sitting on the bed that they now both shared, she sighed softly as she played with her fingers, trying hard to keep the tears from falling. 'It's only for a few days. Alex will come back, she promised,' she kept telling herself, hoping that her friend would keep her promise.
Michelle had been living on her own for so many years, she had never thought that one day being alone would make her so miserable. The days would be so different now without anybody to talk to. The men staying at the relay were nice and fun to be with, but nothing compared to Alex's newly discovered sense of humor. The past week had been one of the best Michelle ever had and so was Alex's.
Booted feet sounded closer to her and she looked up in time to see Alex sit down beside her, a wrapped package in her hands.
"Hey, you okay?" she asked softly.
Michelle silently nodded and leaned against Alex as she wrapped her hands around the muscled forearm. 'No, I'm not okay and I don't want to see you go! What if you decide not to return to me?' an insecure voice suddenly screamed in her head.
"I'll be back before you know it." Alex said as if reading Mick's mind, "Next supply run, we'll ask Lone Wolf to keep an eye on the relay and you'll come with me. What do you think about that?"
"I'd like that very much." She replied softly.
"That's settled then." Taking a relaxing breath, Alex tentatively handed the package to Michelle. "I bought this on my first visit to Mansonville. I wanted to give it to you on a special occasion but…well, since I don't know when your birthday is, I, hmmm…"
Taking the parcel into her hands, Michelle looked up at her friend and gave her a sad smile. "It's the 19th," she said softly, "So I guess you're not too far off."
"You mean this month?" Alex asked surprised and saw Mick silently nod. "But…I won't be here, damn!" she mumbled. 'Well, not if I can help it! That trip won't take a week, that's for sure!' she thought. "Why didn't you say something? I could have left the next day or…"
"Alex, it's okay, really." Michelle smiled, trying to reassure her lover. "So, what is it?" she asked as she lifted the package.
"I guess what started out as a simple gift suddenly turned into a birthday present." Alex said, feeling suddenly shy. "It's not much, but I thought you'd like it. Go on, open it."
Opening the package, Michelle stopped as her fingers touched the soft material inside. Letting the wrapping fall to the floor, the younger woman sucked in a breath in surprise as she held a beautiful thick woolen sweater before her. "Oh, Alex! It's beautiful," she exclaimed and stood up, slipping into the pullover. "It must have cost you a fortune!"
"You're worth it." Alex said softly as she stood up and wrapped her arms around Michelle. "I'm sorry I won't be here for your birthday. But we'll do something when I come back, okay?"
Leaning her head against Alex's chest, Mick closed her eyes, enjoying their last moment together. "You don't have to do anything for my birthday, Alex. I've spent so many alone, it's just another ordinary day to me."
"Well, not to me, Michelle. Birthdays are special and it's about time that you spend it with a friend or two."
"You're the only friend I need or want." Michelle murmured as she tightened her hold on Alex, then looked up at her. "Thank you for the gift."
"I'm glad you like it." Lifting Mick's chin slightly with her finger, Alex gently kissed her. "It looks good on you. Happy birthday, Michelle."
Smiling a little, she stepped back to let Alex finish preparing for her trip.
Taking her Bowie knife on the table, the dark haired woman slid it into its sheath at her boot then grabbed her two gun belts and fasten them around her hips. She looked at Michelle who had suddenly gone quiet. The younger woman was looking at everything but at her. 'What's wrong with you, Michelle? I've never seen you so hesitant before.'
"I packed some dried meats and bread for you to eat on the way." Michelle said softly as she indicated the solidly packed bag on the table. "There's also some apple cider and a small flask of Caribou. I remembered how much you liked it."
"Michelle, is there something that's bothering you?"
"No, why?" she asked then sighed, "I'm just worried that you won't…" she stopped, unable to voice her fear of not seeing her again. "I hope that you won't have any trouble on your way."
"Don't worry about that. I'm more than capable of taking care of myself." Alex smiled and slipped into her long fur coat. Taking the food Michelle had prepared for her and watched as the younger woman took the bag containing her extra clothing, Alex opened the door and walked to the horse waiting patiently in front of the relay.
After fixing her equipment to the saddlebags, Alex turned around to say goodbye to Michelle and blinked in surprise as the younger woman practically threw herself in her arms. "Hey, everything's gonna be okay, don't worry," she said softly.
"Just remember that I love you." Michelle said with a shaking voice.
Alex gently kissed the blonde hair and held her lover tight in her arms, "I love you too, you know that, don't you?"
Michelle nodded and felt her face tilted up as two strong hands softly caressed her cheeks and she closed her eyes as Alex's soft lips slowly kissed her.
"I'll hurry back as fast as I can." Alex smiled and put her gloves on before climbing on the mare. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too. Be careful, Alex." Michelle waved as the dark haired woman left the relay in a thunder of hooves hitting the snow cleared path, a lone tear slowly making its way down her cheek. "Damn Mick, give Alex more credit than that! She'll be back, I'm sure."
******************************
Having left the general store in Mansonville with Mr. Cole's wagon a few hours ago, Alex still couldn't help but wonder what had caused Michelle to be so sullen. She tried to think of something that she might have done to make her friend act this way but couldn't come up with anything. The evening they had spent together had been filled with laughter and the night by making love until the early hours.
Remembering the morning with Michelle, Alex repeated their conversation, trying to find a hint on what was bothering her lover. One phrase kept coming back to her over and over again; "I'm just worried that you won't…" Michelle had started to say. What had she meant by that? "Is she worried that I won't make it to Sherbrooke?" Alex asked herself, then another thought crawled into her brain. "Or is Michelle worried that I won't come back to her?" "Just remember that I love you," the younger woman had told her before she left.
Alex shook her head and slapped the reins to get the horses moving faster. Not only did she want to be back in time for Michelle's birthday, now Alex had another reason to get the supply run over and done with. 'The first thing we're going to do once I come back to the relay is to have a serious talk together.'
******************************
March 16th, 1865
Michelle wiped her hands on her apron and put the cover back on the pot to keep the stew hot. The warm weather they've been having for the past few days has brought a lot of trappers and travelers to the relay, which kept Mick occupied and she was thankful for the extra work. The day Alex left had seemed so long to her and everything she saw reminded her of her lover, whether it was the reconstructed sugar shack, the new sweater she had received as a gift or Alex's small tool box beside the fireplace.
Cutting a fresh baked loaf of bread into slices, she put them on a tray along with a jug of cider and brought everything into the public room where two trappers waited for their meals. In the past four days, a total of nine men had come to the relay for food and shelter. Business was good and Michelle was pleased. She smiled at the men as she put the tray on the table and as she was about to turn around to leave, the door opened and in walked Lone Wolf.
"Wolfie!" Michelle smiled and hugged her friend, "I'm so glad to see you."
"How have you been, Little Fox?" the tall Indian asked and frowned as he took a good look at the smaller woman. "You look tired. Everything okay?"
Michelle silently nodded and walked out of the room with her friend trailing behind her. "Are you staying overnight?"
Sensing that something was wrong and that Michelle didn't want to talk about it, Lone Wolf accepted the change of subject and smiled, "Only if you want me around, my friend."
"Of course I want you here." Michelle laughed. Walking into the kitchen, she reached for the pot of stew but was quickly stopped by the dark haired man.
"Let me do that. Two bowls for the men, right?"
"Yes, thanks Wolfie." Michelle smiled and sat down to rest. "I haven't seen this place so busy!"
There was a knock on the door and both Michelle and Lone Wolf looked at each other and in sync said, "Another customer." They started laughing and she got up to answer.
Standing outside the cabin was a man in his thirties, of medium height but solidly built. He was dressed in gray pants and wore a long, dark blue coat. Taking his battered gray cowboy hat off, he smiled and shifted the bag he was carrying over one shoulder. "Good afternoon, ma'am. Would your name be Miss Laberge by any chance?"
"Yes, it's me. What can I do for you?"
"I'm heading west and I was told in Mansonville that I could stay here for the night," the man smiled as he brushed his hand through his shoulder length hair, "If you have a bed to spare, that is."
"Oh, sure. There are three available cots in the next room, just choose one and get settled." Michelle explained, indicating the public section of the relay. "We were about to serve dinner, you're welcome to eat with us if you want."
"I'd like that very much. I've been riding all morning and I'm a little tired." Reaching into his pocket, he took two coins out and handed them to the blonde woman. "Would this be enough for my stay here?"
"That's fine, thank you." Michelle nodded with a smile and took the money. Pointing to her right, she said, "You can bring your horse over there," and watched as the man turned around and walked a few steps toward his horse. She felt a presence behind her and looked up to see Lone Wolf watching the traveler leave. "I guess that's one more bowl of stew."
"Looks like it," the Indian said as he kept his eyes on the stranger.
Walking back into the kitchen, Michelle prepared one more bowl and added it to the two already filled. "I didn't expect to see you. What brings you here so soon?"
He smiled as he helped the smaller woman carry the food to the next room. "Can't I just come by and visit sometimes?" he said, trying to keep his real reason for visiting to himself.
"You know that you're always welcome here, Wolfie." Michelle said they entered the public room. "I'm just surprised to see you, that's all." She put the food on the table and smiled at the men. "Let me know if you need anything, okay?"
Lone Wolf silently watched as his friend chatted with the trappers. He thought back to his last visit to the relay, only a few days before, when Alex had asked him if he could drop by and spend a few days with Michelle while she was away. Surprised at the request, he had explained that Little Fox could take care of herself and his watching over her might upset her.
"I'd rather have her upset at being watched over than have her…" she stopped. Rubbing her eyes with her fists, Alex sighed and looked up at the cloudless sky. "Listen, I understand if you can't be here. I'll just tell Mr. Cole that I can't go on that run."
"Hang on, Alex. I didn't say that I don't want to do it." Lone Wolf said, "I'm just wondering why you seem so unwilling to leave Michelle alone. She can take care of herself, you know."
"It's not her, it's me." She sat down heavily on a fallen tree and looked up at the Indian. "Some years ago, I left on a supply run and when I came back…" Alex swallowed a few times and formed her hands into fists. "…My friend was dead. I wasn't there to help her. I don't want this to happen to Michelle too."
"Do you expect any trouble?"
"No, but…I can't help thinking that it might happen again. Michelle means a lot to me Lone Wolf, I don't want to lose her." she explained and murmured, "I love her."
Lone Wolf sat down beside her and spoke softly. "Nobody knows what life has in store for us. I can't tell you that it will never happen again Alex, but you have a life to live." He waited for her to say something but she kept silent. "I know you're worried about leaving her alone, but you have to do it. If you don't, you'll always be haunted by what happened to you."
"I guess you're right." Alex sighed and stood up, "But the next runs I do, I can always ask Michelle to join me and you can baby-sit the relay for us."
"It would be a pleasure." The tall Indian laughed and looked up at his new friend. "Don't worry Alex, I'll drop by when you're gone to make sure that Little Fox is doing okay."
"Hey, are you okay?"
Michelle's voice broke him out of his thoughts and he smiled, "Just thinking about Alex. I wonder how she's doing."
The blonde woman stepped back to allow the traveler to enter the room, "Yeah, me too. I really hope it will take her less than a week on that supply run."
"She'll come back sooner than that, you'll see. I'm sure Alex will have those horses running most of the way," he laughed and held the door opened for Michelle to walk out.
Taking the blankets that were on the cot, the traveler listened to the Indian and the woman as they talked while he prepared his bed for the night. The place wasn't that bad for something that was so deep in the woods. He was used to much better living arrangements, but sometimes one had to deal with what was available. Lifting his eyes, he saw two other men sitting at a table having lunch and discussing about when to leave the relay the next morning. A third steaming bowl was on the table, probably waiting for him. He nodded with a smile, 'This looks better than I thought.'
It had been a long day and with her friend's presence, Michelle thought about going to bed early and let him take care of the guests. This was the fourth night that she was going to spend alone and without Alex, she couldn't find anything interesting to do but sleep. Walking into the private part of the cabin, Michelle went to the stove to prepare two bowls of stew and pieces of bread for Lone Wolf and herself and put the plates on the table.
They sat down and started eating in a comfortable silence. Looking up from his meal, Lone Wolf watched as Michelle pushed her food more than she ate it. "Alex's shirt looks good on you." he said as he continued eating.
"What makes you think it's hers?" Mick asked.
"Because I don't think you'd make yourself a shirt twice your size." the Indian smiled as Michelle looked down at the oversized shirt and blushed.
"Oh…I just, hmm…" 'Busted!' she shook her head and smiled, thinking of the previous night. Unable to sleep, Michelle had gotten out of the bed and wandered around the cabin for a while. Neatly folded on a shelf was Alex's shirt. She took it in her hands and breathed in her lover's scent, closing her eyes as she did so. Aside from her toolbox, the shirt was the only thing that belonged to Alex.
Feeling lonely and sad, Michelle had took her sleeping shift off and put the large black shirt on, wrapping it tightly around her body. Going back to bed, she closed her eyes as her mind drifted off to the times they had spent together and her heart ached at their being apart.
"It's just that…well, I miss her a lot." Michelle explained softly. "We've only known each other for a short while but I feel like I've known her forever. I know it sounds silly but…" she sighed and looked up at her friend, "Do I feel this way because I spent a long time alone and now I found somebody I like to be with or, hmmm…"
"Or because you love her?" Lone Wolf finished for Mick, surprising the younger woman. "I'd say both." He smiled and continued, "Don't look so shocked, Little Fox. I taught you many things since you've been on your own and you've been a good student, but you still can't hide your emotions from me. I guessed how you felt toward Alex the first time I saw the both of you together."
Michelle could feel her blush deepen with every word from the man. "I…but…argh!" Closing her eyes, she sighed and slouched in her seat. "But how can I feel this way toward…I mean…what will others…"
Bringing his seat closer to Mick, Lone Wolf covered her hand with his, "Little Fox, you never had any problems talking to me. Why do you hesitate now?"
"I don't know!" she exclaimed, frustrated. "I mean, I'm confused."
"About what? Alex?"
"No! I'm in love with Alex, don't get me wrong, I…" Realizing what she had just admitted, Michelle blinked and stared at her smirking friend. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
He gave her hand a light squeeze before leaning back in his chair. "So, if you know you love her, what's the problem?" he asked gently.
Taking a deep breath, Michelle let it go slowly before answering. "It's just that I never thought it could be possible for two women to love each other this way."
"And you think it's wrong?"
Michelle shook her head and sighed again. "How can something that feels so good be wrong? I've never been happier, Wolfie. I just hope that Alex loves me as much as I do." She finished softly.
"I wouldn't worry about that, Little Fox. If she didn't, she wouldn't have made such a big deal about leaving you here alone." 'Oh no! You had to go and say something, didn't you!' Trying to find something to cover his slip up with, he suddenly stood up and started clearing the table. "You want a cup of coffee?"
"Wait a minute! What big deal did she make?" Mick asked as she stood up to join her friend by the counter, "Did she talk to you?"
"I…ah…well, she asked me not to say anything, Michelle. She was afraid you might get upset."
"Too late. Spill it out, Wolfie."
He sighed when he saw the determined look on the smaller woman's face. Sliding his fingers into his long dark hair, he leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. "Alex was worried that whatever happened to a friend of hers might happen to you too. That's why she didn't want to leave you alone. She even wanted to tell Mr. Cole she couldn't go on the supply run."
Michelle didn't know if she should be angry or not. She was upset at knowing that Alex didn't trust her enough to stay alone in her own cabin and take care of herself, even though she had been doing that for over ten years. But on the other hand, if she worried so much, maybe Alex did care enough about her and would be coming back to her.
"You mean a lot to her, Michelle." Lone Wolf continued gently, "She doesn't want to see you hurt. That's why I said not to worry about Alex's feelings towards you. She loves you."
"How can you be so sure?" Michelle asked softly.
"Because she told me so."
The answer caught her completely by surprise. Of all the things she expected to hear, this was the last one. She looked up and blinked a couple of times, trying to keep the tears from falling. "She did?"
Lone Wolf nodded and smiled.
"I saw you and your wife together, you looked so happy. I never thought that it could happen to me one day. What did I ever do to deserve something so wonderful like that?"
"You both deserve happiness and love, Little Fox. Just enjoy the time you have with Alex to the fullest. I miss my wife terribly, but at least I have good memories of the time we spent together." Taking the pot on the stove, Lone Wolf pointed to it and smiled. "Now do you want that coffee?"
"Sure." Michelle laughed.
******************************
March 18th, 1865
Whistling softly, Alex guided the horses along the road as she made her way back to Mansonville. The trip, which was scheduled to take a week, had been made within five days. 'And a day to spare before Michelle's birthday!' she thought with a smile and tightened the scarf her lover made around her neck to keep warm. Finding the scarf in her clothes bag had been a surprise but the note that had been put along with it was even more precious. Taking the letter out of her pocket, Alex read it for the fifth time.
Dearest Alex,
I hope that your trip is going well. How I wish that I could have gone with you but like you said, maybe we can both go on your next supply run.
I made you a scarf to keep you warm in case the weather gets colder. Since I don't know when your birthday is, consider this as a friendship gift. Also know that the warmth you'll get from this scarf will only be matched by the warmth waiting for you upon your return.
As I'm writing this letter, I'm watching you pack and my heart aches knowing we'll be apart. Please, come back to me as soon as possible. I'll be counting the days until you come home.
I'll miss you my love.
Michelle.
Alex carefully folded the letter and put it back into her pocket then brushed her fingers lightly on the scarf with a smile. Mansonville wasn't too far away and coming up at a fork in the road, Alex decided to take the left path and make a detour before bringing the wagon back to Mr. Cole.
Even though she had asked Lone Wolf to visit Michelle once in a while, Alex couldn't help but worry and she wanted to see her friend and make sure that she was okay. She guided the horses up the road that led to the relay and went as far as possible, stopping just before she couldn't turn the wagon again to go back down the road. Putting on the brake, Alex climbed down and walked the short distance between the wagon and the cabin.
The wind had picked up, making the leafless branches swing gently in the breeze and the sun slowly grew less bright as dark clouds approached with the threat of more snow coming. Alex looked about the land for any signs of Michelle and frowned as she found none. Everything was quiet, too quiet. No smoke came out of the chimney and the dogs that usually barked at the slightest movement were silent.
"Michelle?" Alex called out and received no answer. "Mick, I'm back."
Standing alone next to the dogs' pen was a spotted Mustang still saddled. Alex slowly approached it and slid her hand along its flank, soothing the animal with a soft voice. There were no apparent markings or any signs that would identify the horse to its owner and she glanced briefly at the saddle before turning back toward the cabin.
Trying to calm her growing nervousness, Alex swallowed a couple of times and took a deep breath as her hand touched the door's handle. 'Just calm down, will you? Maybe she just took the dogs and went for a ride or something.' Alex scolded herself and stepped into the cabin.
"Michelle?" she called again with the same result. The place was silent and nothing was cooking on the stove, which was strange, since it was close to lunchtime. The bed hadn't been made and there were many papers littering the table. "The lists!" Alex breathed in a panic and took one of the sheets to examine it. She relaxed somewhat when she saw that the papers weren't the lists of names Captain Clayton was looking for. Reaching for one of the books in the small living room library, Alex nodded in satisfaction when she found the precious papers still hidden there.
Walking back outside with a faster step, Alex went to the pen and saw the sled with the dogs' harnesses still hooked on the wall. "Where are you, Michelle?" she murmured with a trembling voice and looked out toward the sugar shack, still seeing no signs of her lover. "Not again, please!"
Closing her eyes as her panic rose to a fevered pitch, Alex screamed, "Michelle!"
"Alex!"
An out of breath voice answered from behind her and Alex turned around to see Michelle run toward her, nearly tripping in the snow a few times. "Oh God! Are you okay?" Alex asked and wrapped her arms tight around Michelle, refusing to let her go.
"You're early! I'm so happy to see you!" Michelle laughed as she hugged her friend. "Of course I'm okay. Why…" Her smile quickly disappeared to be replaced by a worried frown, "Alex, why are you shaking so much?" she asked and looked up at the teary eyed woman, "Did something happen?"
Unable to talk, Alex shook her head no and gently kissed her lover's forehead, breathing in her scent. 'She's okay. Nothing happened.'
Finally able to enjoy her lover's closeness and attention, Michelle sighed in satisfaction and leaned her head against Alex's chest. She could feel the taller woman's strong heart slowly coming back to a more normal rhythm and her breathing became more regular. 'What could have scared Alex this way?' Michelle thought as they both stood in front of the relay, tightly holding onto the other.
Feeling Alex relax, Mick looked up and gave her a warm smile. "I'm so glad to see you. I guess the trip went well, huh?"
Finding her voice once again, Alex smiled, "It did, but it was lonely without you." Cupping the blonde's face with her hands, Alex kissed her lover gently at first then more passionately. "I missed you so."
"I'm so happy you're back." Michelle murmured, 'See? I told you she'd be back!' a little voice inside her mind chided her, 'You worried for nothing.' Sliding both of her hands inside Alex's long coat and up her chest, Mick smiled. "I have a plan. Why don't we go in and do some catching up?"
Moaning softly as one of the younger woman's hands found itself into her shirt, Alex closed her eyes, enjoying the gentle touch that she had been craving for, for days. "I wish I could," a sigh, "But I still have the supply wagon with me." She looked up at the approaching clouds, "There's a storm coming and I have to be on my way before it hits." Alex smiled and gently kissed Michelle again, "But that's a good plan. I'll be back as soon as possible, okay?"
Disappointed but understanding, Mick nodded, "Okay. I still have some work left to do in the woods. Lone Wolf is giving me a hand with tapping more maple trees," she smiled. "I'll be waiting for you."
Leaning her arm across Michelle's shoulders, Alex gave the lone horse one last look before they turned around and headed toward the supply wagon some distance away. "Does the Mustang belong to Lone Wolf?" she asked curiously.
"No, he doesn't like to ride." Michelle explained as she wrapped her arm around Alex's waist, "It belongs to a traveler on his way west. He decided to stay at the relay a little longer. It's a good thing too, especially with the weather turning bad."
"Hmm," Giving her lover one last kiss before leaving, Alex then climbed the wagon, took the reins in her hand and let go of the brake, "It won't take long, I promise." She smiled and gave the younger woman a wink, "It's nice to be back home."
"Home," Michelle breathed in, her heart beating double time, 'Does she really feel that this is her home? Oh God, I hope so!' She watched as the dark haired woman urged the horses forward and waved goodbye at the departing figure. "Welcome home, my love."