The Way of the Dogs (The Colter Saga Book 2) Page 6

  “Yes,” the old man said. “It was a small dot on the map in Tennessee named Ridge.”

  The man pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket.

  “Here, take this,” the old man said handing a small folded piece of paper to James. “It’s a copy of the map I made before I left the room.”

  James studied the map for a few minutes. So this is what it’s all about, James thought.

  “Do you want me to get you out of town?” James asked.

  “No,” the old man said standing and heading towards the door. “I think I can get out of town myself. Besides, I’d just slow you down. Just promise me you’ll do what you can to warn others.”

  Chapter 9

  After the old man left James thought about his story. It made sense. With the number of people to feed and the amount of food in the warehouses, there couldn’t be more than a month or so of food left. Once the food ran out it would get ugly around here in a hurry.

  He decided to leave in a day or so without raising a lot of questions. He changed into his buckskins and shoved the map down his shirt. He left to go to the stables and make sure the sorrel was ready to travel.

  Heading down the stairs was the first time James saw Molly.

  She was sitting at a small table drinking tea from a dainty cup. Her flaming red hair was pulled tightly into a bun, but appeared to be straining to be set free. The dress she wore was a soft grey material with a tight bodice and a full skirt. She’d tucked the skirt tightly under her legs. Molly looked up with green eyes and smiled at James. He tripped on the carpet runner and almost fell down the rest of the stairs. She laughed and to James it sounded like the tinkle of a bell. James was smitten.

  “I’m sorry I laughed,” Molly said.

  Molly stood from her chair as James tried to regain his balance and his dignity. She was taller than James expected and appeared to be well proportioned.

  “It’s alright,” James said. “I must have looked like a fool falling flat on my face.”

  “You did no such thing,” Molly said. “In fact I was admiring your leggings and the fine bead work just as you came hurdling down the stairs. My name is Molly Gentry and yours is…?”

  “Ahhhh… James Colter,” James said, appearing flustered again.

  “Did you forget your name?” Molly asked smiling.

  “I’m sorry Miss Gentry. Is it Miss or Mrs.?” James asked.

  “It’s Miss, and please you must call me Molly,” Molly said. “Would you like to join me for tea?”

  “I would enjoy it very much,” James said.

  The server brought another dainty cup and Molly poured tea from a small teapot. James tried to fit his large frame onto a chair next to the small table. He managed to appear both awkward and uncomfortable at the same time. He tried to pick up the little cup with two of his large fingers, but only managed to rattle the tea service.

  “Excuse me, Server?” Molly called out, “Could you please bring a man size cup for the gentleman’s tea?”

  She waited for the server to return and poured another cup for James, smiling at him the whole time. James was having difficulty breathing and organizing his thoughts at the same time. I wish she’d stop smiling at me, he thought.

  “So,” Molly said, “James, are you with the People’s Temple? My father, who is a Minister himself, is over talking to Pastor John as we speak.”

  “It’s a long story with a short answer,” James said. “No. I’m not a part of the People’s Temple or will I be joining any time soon.”

  “My father is considering a request by Pastor John to merge his church with the People’s Temple,” Molly said. “We have a church south from here in Ridge, Tennessee. But we’ve heard rumors my father found quite unsettling.”

  James almost dropped his cup when he heard Molly say she was from Ridge. Just then a large well dressed older man entered the hotel lobby. He walked over to the table where Molly and James sat. The gentleman did not look happy.

  “Father,” Molly said, “I’d like you to meet Mr. James Colter. We just met and Mr. Colter agreed to join me for tea.”

  “Good to meet you, Mr. Colter,” the man said. “I’m Reverend Jacob Gentry. I’ve heard of a Colter, from down Chattanooga way, I believe.”

  “Did things go well with Pastor John Father?” Molly asked.

  “Not exactly, Daughter,” Jacob said. “Pastor John seems to think the only way to heaven is through his office door. Oh, I’m sorry Mr. Colter, you may feel more kindly towards the People’s Temple then I do.”

  “Not likely, Reverend Gentry,” James said. “Call me James.”

  “James it is,” Reverend Gentry said.

  The server came by with a tea cup and chair for the Reverend. James remembered why he came downstairs. He wasn’t sure how to broach the subject, but thought he’d better mention it now.

  “Reverend,” James said. “In your talks with Pastor John, did you pick up any sense it might be easier getting into Christiansburg than getting out?”

  “He said nothing overt,” Jacob said. “Towards the end of our discussion, I told him it is doubtful I would bring my church to his. He implied it would be better for my whole congregation if I put my private feelings aside, and brought them into the People’s Temple.”

  “Better?” Molly asked. “How would it better, father?”

  “I don’t know what he meant,” Jacob said. “It just… sounded odd.”

  “When are you planning on returning home, Reverend?” James asked.

  “I don’t know,” Jacob said. “I told Pastor John I would pray on the decision and talk with him in the morning.”

  “Two more questions, sir,” James said. “Did you meet Bates and has Pastor John seen or met Molly?”

  “I believe I met Bates,” Jacob said. “A pale fellow, somewhat unsettling to be around.”

  “You met Bates,” James said. “What about Molly?”

  “Why yes,” the Reverend said. “When we first came into town, both Molly and I were introduced to Pastor John.”

  “I think you need to get your daughter as far away from this place as soon as you can,” James said. “There are some really evil things going on here and I’m afraid you and your daughter have walked right into it.”

  James told them everything. He told them about the raid, the map, and the targeting of Ridge, Tennessee.

  “I had no idea. What should we do?” Reverend Gentry asked obviously both shocked and dismayed.

  “I assume you came in a carriage,” James said. “Do you both ride?”

  “We have a beautiful carriage,” Jacob said. “In spite my repeated attempts to have Molly act more reasonably, she is a strong rider. I, of course, have ridden for years.”

  Molly looked at her father and smiled, and James knew it was true.

  “Here’s what we need to do,” James said. “First, your carriage now belongs to the People’s Temple. Sorry.”

  “Oh,” Reverend Gentry said, “It’s a beautiful carriage the church presented to me to celebrate…”

  “Please try and focus father,” Molly said. “He’s trying to get us out of here in one piece.”

  “Of course you’re right,” Jacob said. “I am sorry, Mr. Colter.”

  “Call me James,” James said. “Both of you change into riding clothes shortly after dark. Find the backstairs out of this place and I’ll meet you out back about midnight. Do either of you have a weapon?”

  “Please, Mr. Colter, James, I’m a man of God…” the Reverend said.

  “I do,” Molly said, while receiving a very stern look from her father. “It’s a small two shot derringer.”

  “Good,” James said. “Make sure to keep it hidden wherever you keep it…”

  James smiled at Molly, and it was Molly’s turn to blush.

  “Travel light,” James said. “No trunks, suitcases or valises. When you eat tonight, hide some of the food in your purse or pockets to take with you. I will meet you at midnight. Are there any quest
ions?”

  James looked at Molly and then her father.

  “Needless to say, do not tell anyone about this.” James stood abruptly and as he walked out the door of the hotel looked over his shoulder one more time at Molly.

  Chapter 10

  It was well past dark and approaching midnight. James entered the stable and stood quietly in the darkness listening for anybody who might be there late. It was silent except for the movement of horses and the occasional scratching of mice running back and forth to the grain bin.

  James pulled the stub of a candle from his pocket and lit it with a sulfurous match. He quickly identified his sorrel and two other horses for Molly and her father. He then entered the tack room of the stable. There were at least fifteen saddles lined up on one wall. The one at the end he recognized as belonging to Bates. He carried his saddle and two others back and finished outfitting the three horses he needed.

  As James was about to lead the three horses out, he had an idea. He quickly returned to the tack room and by the flickering light of the candle, he drew his knife and cut each of the chinches except for the last inch or so of leather. The chinch is a four inch wide flat strip of leather that goes across the belly of the horse. It gets looped and tightened by a chinch strap so the saddle stays in place. James knew the chinch would hold until the rider tried to get on the horse or ride. James was laughing to himself as he mounted the sorrel and led the other two horses from the stable.

  The night was as black as the bottom of a well. James sat waiting for Molly and Reverend Gentry to appear at the back of the hotel. Mrs. Lynch came out on the back stoop and emptied a large pan of water over a banister. A few minutes after she went back inside, Molly and her father appeared on the back porch. James pulled the two extra horses up to the steps. He got off to assist Molly up on the horse. As he turned around he saw Molly already in the saddle smiling down at him.

  James motioned for Molly and her father to follow him out of town. The route he’d scouted earlier went behind the livery, blacksmith, and corrals. Some of the horses nickered at the group as they headed north out of town. A mile further and James dismounted and called the others down as well.

  “We’re going to have to be very quiet from here on,” James whispered.

  “Why are we headed north?” Reverend Gentry asked.

  “To slow up pursuit by making them think we went north, father,” Molly whispered.

  “There is a road barricade about a hundred yards up the road from here,” James said. “We’re going to go due east until we approach the woods on the far side of the fields. Once we reach the woods, we’ll turn south until we clear the barricade. Once we’re clear we’ll return to the road until we reach seventy five. There we turn south again and put as much distance as possible between us and this place. Do you have any questions?”

  Reverend Gentry looked a little confused. Molly didn’t.

  “No?” James asked.” “Let’s mount up. Molly, you lead. I’ll be at the rear in case.”

  James threw a rope around several small bushes and dragged them behind the three horses to cover their tracks. The three reached the woods and turned south as expected. All went well until they were roughly parallel with the south barricade. The Reverend’s horse was startled by something and reared up in surprise making a lot of noise and dancing around before the Reverend could regain control.

  “Hey! Who’s out there?” A guard at the barricade called out.

  “Keep going,” James whispered. A rifle shot rang out and a bullet high and to the left zinged by James. James saw a black form, hugging the ground, race towards the barricade and then veer off to the north. James heard more voices at the barricade.

  “There goes that damn dog again!” someone shouted.

  “Get him!” someone else shouted.

  Gunfire sounded from at least three different rifles up and down the barricade. Jesse motioned for Molly to lead on. After more firing and a lot of swearing, the barricade finally settled down again. James waited a while before he looked over his shoulder and saw Samson trotting some distance behind the sorrel.

  Molly rode through the darkness looking back occasionally at the stranger taking her and her father to God knows where. Somehow she thought they should have thought this through before following someone they knew for a few hours into danger. Those were real shots being fired at the roadblock. What were they shooting at anyway? She thought she saw the flash of a large black dog running toward the road block. None of it made much sense.

  As for this James Colter, Molly’s first impression was he seemed some sort of wild man, falling down the stairs. When he finally stood up and arranged himself, Molly was struck by what a good looking man he was. The soft buckskins were beautifully made and left little to the imagination. He was obviously a fit and rugged individual. His curly blond hair need to be trimmed and he could use a shave. But overall he seemed an intriguing character.

  Certainly he was miles and miles more attractive than the old man her father had suggested would be a real catch. Marshall Biggs was a successful farmer and a mainstay of her father’s church. Recently widowed, Mr. Biggs was on the search for a new Mrs. Biggs to look after his home and three little ones. When he approached Reverend Gentry about his vivacious and beautiful daughter, the Reverend thought it a wonderful idea.

  Molly loved her father dearly, but clearly understood he was clueless about his only daughter. Losing her mother when she was thirteen to typhus, Molly was suddenly thrust into the role of parent as she attempted to console her father on the loss. The epidemic had taken a third of the congregation and had shaken her father’s faith to its core. Now ten years later, Molly sensed a continuing depression in her father. She knew the trip to the People’s Temple was another attempt by her father to remove the burden of ministering to the people of Ridge. Molly urged her horse forward till she rode beside her father.

  “How are you doing father?” Molly asked. “I know Pastor John and his church must have been a big disappointment.”

  “I’m alright,” Jacob said. “I just wish we could have found a spiritual home for our people. You know, someone who could guide them towards God’s light. I’ve lost my faith Molly, and I feel like a fake.”

  “You haven’t lost your faith father,” Molly said. “You’ve just misplaced it. When you need it, God will show you the way. He always has.”

  They rode on in silence for a while before her father spoke.

  “What do you think of our rescuer?” Jacob asked.

  “So you think he’s our rescuer?” Molly said.

  She glanced back over her shoulder at James shadowy figure and smiled for no apparent reason.

  “At least he got us out of that awful place,” her father said. “He seems fit enough, doesn’t he?”

  “Fit?” Molly asked. “Well, compared to Marshall Biggs, James Colter is a Greek god. Seriously father, could you ever in your whole life, imagine me with Marshall Biggs? The man is an old toad for heaven sakes.”

  “Now don’t be unkind Molly,” Jacob said. “Marshall is a good provider and…”

  They’d had this conversation more than once, and Molly kicked her horse to pull ahead of the two men following her. She’d been in love once when she was sixteen. It was Billy Jameson, a nice young boy of seventeen who followed Molly around like a puppy dog. Still shy and awkward, Billy had been a timid lover when they escaped to the field behind her father’s church.

  Molly found diversion from the depression of her father’s melancholy, and was sad when Billy had moved west with his parents and sister the following summer. She wondered if Billy ever thought of her on warm summer nights under a full moon.

  ****

  The three riders came around the bend in the path and on to a crumbling overpass spanning an old cluttered roadway. They stopped to rest and eat some of the provisions they’d brought with them from the People’s Temple. James noted Sam had disappeared soon after daylight. He passed a canteen of tinny tast
ing water around and warned them to only take a sip.

  Molly appeared tired from the all night ride. But James was really worried about her father who did not look good at all. He estimated they were still a hundred miles from where Charley Oaks waited for them. Bates and his thugs could be in hot pursuit already. Still James thought the old man needed to recoup before they continued.

  “Reverend Gentry, why don’t you rest for a bit,” James said. “I want to scout around this area so you have an hour or so.” The reverend looked relieved and sunk to the ground. “Molly, you can rest or walk with me, which ever you chose.”

  Molly gave James a funny look and shook her head yes. He wasn’t sure what the look meant.

  “We won’t walk far Reverend,” James said. “You just rest here.”

  James and Molly walked to the other side of the overpass bridge and sat on the crumbling guard rail along the road. James looked around, but Sam was nowhere to be seen. He turned toward Molly and thought again what a real beauty she was. She wore one of her father’s dress shirts over a pair of tight jeans that complimented her figure well. Her hair, no longer pulled back in a severe bun, had broken free, wild, and more auburn in the sunlight.

  “How is it, Molly, you managed to reach the ripe old age of twenty and not gotten married?” James asked.

  “I’m twenty three, James, and thanks for not asking,” Molly said smiling at James again.

  “I’m sorry,” James said. “I was being nosey wasn’t I?”

  “You just have to stop telling me you’re sorry, James,” Molly said. “Every other sentence you say to me starts or ends with I’m sorry.”

  “I have to say I’m sorry all the time because you keep smiling at me,” James said. “Every time you smile, I forget my name and everything else.

  There was quiet for several minutes.

  “Did we just have our first fight?” Molly asked, smiling at James.

  “I’m sorry… See?” James said grinning back at Molly. “You’re smiling at me again!”

  They sat for a while, this time in comfortable silence and watched as the sun rose higher promising a warm day. James finally stood and stretched.