THUNDER PEAK, page 12
“Humans, or others.” Casey looked at him.
“Others?” Jonas felt his jaw slip. “So…humans and arils aren’t the only people?”
Casey shook her head, eyes glazing over.
Jonas drew his hand over his face and said, “Let’s stay focused on opening the gate.”
Still speechless, Casey nodded.
“Right then,” Jonas said, nodding back and looking up at the top of the arch. “Not much to go on—you get started, and I’ll have a better look around outside the maze.”
“It’ll be getting dark soon,” Jonas said at length.
He had returned some time ago and spent the remainder of the afternoon perched on one of the tree stump chairs, staring down into the fish pond, trying and failing to grasp the shadowy sense of fear that was haunting him.
Casey stirred sleepily at the sound of his voice, rubbing her eyes. After walking under and around the portal, touching and examining everything for nearly an hour, StarFall suggested it might be best to simply sit and meditate upon opening the gate. He was right. While she sat there. it felt like half remembered images and memories were brushing up against her thoughts, but each time she tried to focus on one, the idea—or perhaps more accurately, the vision—slipped away.
Casey was certain it was the magic of the gate reacting to her. She just had to learn how to harness and control it. Like breaking in a new stallion.
‘Here,” her father said, extending his hand. Casey took it and stood, shaking life back into her tingling legs and feet.
“I can feel it, Dad,” she told him. “Like it’s alive but we don’t know how to talk to each other yet.”
Jonas flicked his gaze toward StarFall. “I know what you mean.”
“You do?”
Jonas nodded. “When I first met your mother, she didn’t speak English. But she always seemed to know what I wanted to say and picked it up quick. Along the way she taught me a few of her words too. Mostly for fun, not enough to carry a conversation.” Then his eyes took on a faraway look. “Sometimes, though, when we were just sitting, very close and quiet, I felt something. Could almost see flashes, but I couldn’t hold them. She told me the fact that I could see anything at all was proof of just how much we cared for each other.”
Jonas shrugged. “By that time we knew you were coming and were planning for her to stay, and then…” Jonas shrugged again. “You know the rest.”
Disappointed but yet hopeful, the trio exited the Gategrove and headed back to the ranch.
8
The Double D Deal
On Monday, August 10, 1885, Storm Town and its environs were saturated to the roots by a dark, thunder-laden storm that erupted just before sunrise. The storm exhausted itself, and by late morning, the hot sun resumed its scorching vigil with a vengeance. Despite the soggy start—and their travels to and from the Gategrove being plagued by relentless clouds of hornets, honey bees, and other stinging insects—Jonas and Casey set about fulfilling their promise to assist StarFall in getting home with unmitigated homesteader determination.
Hour after hour, day after day, Casey tried to connect with the gate and used breaks to teach the errant unicorn English. Meanwhile, Jonas worked inside the circle and out, cutting branches and fashioning them into a small shelter. Believing it best not to confound his daughter any further with murky possibilities and dismal prospects, Jonas kept quiet, ready to provide what comfort and support was needed if and when it came to it.
For his part Jonas was still grappling with the realization that the arrival of StarFall had simply been some sort of unicorn misadventure and that the aril still had no intention of returning. It was difficult hiding how he felt about being no closer to ever seeing Mae again, but he had done well keeping it from Casey so far and vowed each morning to carry on.
And so, knowing not how long it would take for Casey and StarFall to resign themselves to failure should it come to that, he buried his personal disappointment and worked diligently to make the grove shelter as sturdy as possible.
He could never have done it so quickly, if at all, without StarFall.
Figuring it was unwise to use any elements of the grove wall to make the shelter, Jonas plied his axes and saws outside on nearby trees. Then, utilizing his innate ability to pass through the barrier unhindered, the steed quickly and easily carried the building materials Jonas crafted outside the ring inside to where they could be assembled, saving Jonas untold time and energy.
A long history of working with regular horses had created habits and expectations that were hard to break, but StarFall’s intelligence quickly asserted itself into every task they did together. In fact, it had been StarFall’s idea to help him when he saw Jonas struggling to bring his first planks into the clearing. Sure enough, Jonas found he could communicate with StarFall from the outset using hand signals and quickly came to accept the steed as his equal, and in some ways his better.
Late Thursday afternoon, while putting the final nails into the shelter, he mentioned to Casey, “He really trusts us. I’m glad he does. Maybe it’s my nature to do different. But given the disposition of the aril and what he must’ve heard about us humans, I’m surprised how well we’re all working together already.”
Casey smiled after conferring with StarFall. “He says you knowing about the pearlwood made him feel like he could trust us. And that he could tell from the beginning something was different about me and thinks me being half aril and half human might be a vast improvement on both bloodlines.”
Jonas laughed. “Doesn’t say much for me.”
“Maybe not,” Casey giggled with him. “But he also says he talked to the horses in the barn when he first got here and they all like you too. Told him you’ve always been good to them and they were happy living with us. Said they feel the ranch is a safe place for them.”
Jonas had been nailing planks together and paused. “Really?”
StarFall nodded at him.
“Tell him thank you. That means a lot to me.”
“Of course, tasty apples might have something to do with it too,” Casey added.
“It might, huh?” Jonas laughed. “Speaking of which, I’m going to have to make a run into town tomorrow, trade for supplies. We’re getting low on lots of things, and you’ll need some stuff for out here too. Why don’t you take a break tomorrow? Catch up on your chores or, better yet, come along with me. I don’t think it’s wise for you to be out here alone.”
“I won’t be alone. I’ll be with StarFall.”
Seeing Casey’s determination, Jonas nodded, his lips a thin, tight line. “I wish Taliko was around to keep an eye on you. He’s been busy with those rotten lizardlings for days.”
“We’ll be fine, Dad.” Casey looked at him squarely. “After all, I’m pretty sure StarFall can outrun anything in the whole canyon.”
Jonas glanced over at the hornless unicorn.
“And he fought off three wolves right on our doorstep,” Casey reminded him.
Jonas nodded, still looking at StarFall.
“Even killed one of them,” Casey added.
“He certainly did,” Jonas agreed sullenly, knowing right then and there the matter was settled.
That night their sleep was interrupted numerous times by cracks of cloudless thunder that never brought rain, so Friday, Casey’s sixth day working and meditating in the Gategrove, began with a late breakfast.
Finally, after exchanging warm hugs and issuing stern warnings to be careful and lots of severe gesticulating to StarFall to watch over Casey, Jonas set out for Storm Town with an oversized wagonload of apples. Apples that everyone in town was delighted to see.
Arriving from Mountain Road, Jonas paused at the corner of Water Street and Thunderbolt Way to jump on the deck and start tossing out free samples that put a smile on even the sourest face.
By the time he got to the general store, word had spread and there was already a line waiting.
“I haven’t seen Jonas in over two weeks!” Jacob Miller was howling at the buzzing mob who had only heard Tamm Apples are here! “Whoever got apples didn’t get them here.”
Just then the bell over the door jingled, announcing the arrival of a new customer, and everyone turned.
“Jonas!” Miller cried happily, even as several others began to applaud.
Jonas froze in his tracks, completely taken by surprise, “Howdy, y’all. Seems to be a commotion; maybe I’ll go wet my whistle a bit and come back after.”
Jonas turned to go but was affectionately drawn back and pulled to the register with amiable hoots and hollers for him to stay.
The apples were unloaded with happy fervor while Jonas traded for numerous needs including ropes, nails, water skins, pots, blankets, and a cooking kit that he thought would make Casey more comfortable in the shelter, as well as some grain, fresh bread, cheese, beans, salt pork, potatoes, and other vegetables. From the general store he also picked up bullet molds, gun powder, and a new pot in which to melt silver and lead to make more bullets. He was disappointed to discover that Mr. Miller hadn’t acquired any new books, but saving the best for last, he cheerfully stopped by the saloon for that beer and traded for some whiskey to enjoy on the porch while watching the sunset.
Hours later he was just tying down the last of his new supplies when a voice called out behind him.
“Mr. Tamm?”
“Yes?” Jonas turned.
During the war, Jonas’s regiment had once stumbled onto a stream where he won a bet by being the first to spear a fish. The instant he looked into the piercing blue eyes of the striking woman who had called out to him, he knew how that fish felt.
“Oh, I’m delighted to catch you, Mr. Tamm,”
“I’m sorry, I’ve traded all my apples already, Misses…”
A mild gust tossed First Street, liberating a shock of raven dark hair from the blue ribbon holding back the woman’s tresses; Jonas was forced to wait while she corralled it with a white lace-gloved hand.
“That would be Miss—Sherwood,” she informed him.
“Right then. Ms. Sherwood.” Jonas tipped his hat.
“I’m not here about apples, Mr. Tamm.”
Jonas had meant to say, please call me Jonas, but what he said was “You’re not?”
“No.” She shook her head and eyed him severely. “I’m here about your daughter. Casey I believe it is.”
“You believe correctly, Ms. Sherw—”
“I am Storm Town’s new teacher, and the rate of Casey’s absences this summer has me frightened, Mr. Tamm.”
“Frightened?”
“Indeed, sir. Without a proper education, poor Casey’s prospects will also be frightening, to say the least.” She looked knowingly over his shoulder, and Jonas followed her gaze back to the saloon from which he had just exited. “Don’t the prospects for an uneducated young lady, and by that I mean your own daughter, Mr. Tamm, scare you as well?”
“She’s passed school age,” Jonas turned back to face her. “Turned fourteen in the spring.”
“Oh! Fourteen you say,” Miss Sherwood said with mock congeniality. “Doesn’t that just make all the difference?”
She waited, and eventually Jonas said, “Doesn’t it?”
“No, sir, it does not.”
“Oh,” Jonas said, peering back at the saloon.
“Oh, indeed,” Miss Sherwood said with a curt nod. “As August has half flown and I know how much everyone adores those apples of yours, I will trust upon your good judgment to rectify the situation when school resumes after the fall harvest.”
“Yes, well, I’ve been keeping up with—” Jonas began before Ms. Sherwood cut him off a second time.
“When school resumes, for the winter.”
Unsure of what to say next, Jonas poked his dusty hat up with his forefinger.
Misreading the gesture, Miss Sherwood tilted her head and smiled with a genuine allure that Jonas could not deny.
“Nice to make your acquaintance Mr. Tamm.”
Jonas meant to return the smile but could only frown when she added, “But I do so hate to repeat myself, so I hope we needn’t have this conversation again. Good day.”
Ms. Sherwood whirled and walked off. When Jonas knew she was safely out of earshot, he mumbled, “It was until you came along.”
On the way home with his supplies, Jonas considered Ms. Sherwood, who had certainly gotten both the drop on him and the best of him. Storm Town had a one-room schoolhouse, and as far as he knew, most kids did stop school around fourteen to work full-time. At least they had when he went to school. Casey also seemed to catch on quicker than others her age, probably thanks to her mother. Even so, Jonas routinely made sure to keep up with her learning as best he could and traded for new books for her to read when he could find them. Beyond that, he’d always figured Casey would just inherit the ranch someday. At least if she wanted to. And why not? She loved the orchard, the horses, the animals, and exploring the foothills around Thunder Peak. Which might worry Jonas if Taliko wasn’t out there. But he was. And there was also that boy Nash, who never seemed too far away. No doubt the boy was quite fond of Casey, but Jonas had no idea if the feeling was mutual.
So it was that before he had gotten even halfway home, Jonas had decided Casey had lots of good prospects and none of them involved the likes of the Aces High Saloon.
When Jonas did pull the wagon to a halt beside the front porch, it was to the comforting thunk of Casey practicing her knives next to the barn. He could also see that many of the timber targets he had left out for her to practice her pistols on were punctured, scared and splintered with new bullet holes.
“How’d it go in town?” she asked when he strode up behind her.
“Good. Most everything we need is in the wagon. You’re back early. Where’s StarFall?”
“When I focus on the gate too long, I start getting headaches.” Thunk! Casey hit the target but not a bullseye. “And even though I’m just sitting there, it’s exhausting. Like, I-been-haulin’-apples-to-town-on-my-back-for-a-week exhausting.”
Jonas nodded and then shook his head from side to side. “I have no ideas about that. What does StarFall think? Where’d you say he was?”
“Not sure really.” Thunk! “He went for a run, or a walk, or to explore. Maybe he doesn’t want to be cooped up. Maybe he’s disappointed.”
“Disappointed?”
“Yeah.” Thunk! “Disappointed in me.” Thunk! “Not having any luck.”
“Casey.” Jonas held her arm back. “I can’t talk to him like you can, but I’m sure he knows how hard this is for you. How”—he chose his next words carefully—“much of a long shot this is to happen right away.”
“If at all,” Casey muttered, looking down.
“Yes,” Jonas said softly, “if at all. But you also just started. I don’t recall you being much better than useless with knives or bullets after a week either.”
“That’s true,” Casey cocked a half smile. “And hey.” She looked up. “You should be practicing with me. What with the sheriff calling on you more and more, and when I do get that gate open, who knows what the aril will do.”
Jonas frowned at a mental picture of aril soldiers leaping through the portal like a swarm of angry sunthorns, then said, “That makes a lot of sense. I think I will. Right now, though, you keep working. I’ll get the wagon unloaded and dinner going.”
The following morning Jonas accompanied Casey and StarFall back to the grove. To Jonas it seemed there was a diligent silence hovering over them like a storm cloud waiting to burst, and it put him on edge.
Guessing it had something to do with the aura of disappointment Casey described yesterday and not one to wait when something was on his own mind, Jonas struck the frosty quiet inside the Gategrove with unbiased blunt force.
“All right,” he said. “We’ve all got work to do. What is it?”
Casey’s expression flashed from morose to blank. “What’s what?”
“The silence,” Jonas said pointedly. “You two are never this quiet. What’s the matter?”
Casey looked at StarFall, then back to her father, and sighed. “Crickets and rotten apples,” she barked. “That’s just it. I know he’s got a bother. I can feel it. But when I ask him about it, he keeps saying it’s the bees.”
“The bees? Aren’t they just aggravated we keep passing by?”
“No,” Casey replied. “He says they shouldn’t be stinging him. Not here, not anywhere. Some kind of unicorn magic. And maybe that’s true because all the times I’ve explored, I’ve never been stung either. But I think there’s more. He doesn’t want to say, but I can feel it, Dad. There’s something else.”
StarFall whinnied loudly.
“The wolves that chased him down?” Jonas asked, his face tightening. Seven bells, Taliko! Where are you? You should be here helping us with this.
“Okay, maybe.” Casey acquiesced. “But it’s not just the wolves and the bees—are you listening to me, Dad?”
“I am,” Jonas said, pointing at StarFall and walking toward him. “Not just the wolves and the bees. Is he bleeding?”
StarFall turned away as Jonas neared.
“Hey now!” Jonas said sternly, patting him on the neck.
“What do you mean ‘bleeding’?” Casey rushed after her father. “Where?”
“We’re all friends here,” Jonas continued softly. “At least I think we are. Let’s have a look.”
But each time they tried to face him, StarFall shook his snowy mane and craned his head up in the opposite direction, blocking their view of his forehead.
Finally, Jonas locked eyes with him and said, “Casey, remind him we’re all helping each other. That he can trust us. He doesn’t need our word. He spoke to our horses.”
StarFall finally snorted in resignation. “I know,” the unicorn sighed in Casey’s mind, lowering his head as she repeated it for her father. “But time runs short for me.”
