Ransom when the bottom fell out of the sky and thick sheets of water began to pour. Reno couldn’t see a thing. There was no way he could continue on – it wasn’t safe for man nor beast. Dismounting, he bowed his head and trudged forward slowly, leading Traveler along the way.
Out of nowhere, someone stepped in front of him and grabbed his arm. He jerked out of the person’s reach and went for his gun. Any further action was stopped by a woman’s voice, barely discernable over the roar of the storm. “Peace. I mean you no harm. Come with me.”
Blinded by the deluge, Reno let the woman guide him. In a few minutes, he could barely see the glow of a fire lighting up the entrance to a cave. Afraid to let go of Traveler’s reins, lest the animal bolt, Reno led his horse beneath an arch of rock into a shelter of stone. As water dripped from his hat and duster, he wiped his face and stared at the old Indian woman who was spreading her shawl over a rock to dry.
“Thank you. I’m grateful. I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face.” That fact brought a question to mind. “How did you know I was out there?” There was no way she could’ve spotted him.
Turning to face him, Reno could see the woman’s weathered face and kind eyes in the glow of the firelight. Something about her sparked a feeling of recognition.
“Simple, my friend. I was waiting for you.”
Since that night, Ela Blue became a part of his life. She filled a hole in his world that he hadn’t known was empty. With her, he could speak of things his friends couldn’t really understand. A wise woman of the Apache, she chose to live apart from her tribe. At her advanced age, Reno worried she couldn’t properly take care of herself. Without hesitation, he chose to watch out for her. The extra time and money it took to ensure her needs were met was not an issue. She repaid him a thousand times over with her sympathetic ear and wise advice. Not to mention what she’d done to help them rescue Ace’s sister, Amelia, from the Apaches holding her captive.
“Welcome.”
Her greeting came as no surprise. “I can never slip up on you. You have cat’s eyes; you can see in the dark.”
Ela laughed softly. “I don’t need eyes to see. Sit down. I made venison stew.”
“Good. I’m starving.” He patted the saddlebags. “I brought beef, more venison, and vegetables from Fancy’s garden.” After seeing to his horse, he hoisted the provisions over his shoulder and made his way into the cave to check her supply of firewood. “I’ll gather more before I leave.”
“Ah, Reno. You are too good to me. You need to spend your time taking care of those children and not bother with an old woman like me.”
“The Stanton family is fine. I check on them regularly – as I know you do.” He gave her a grateful glance as he unloaded the bags and placed the items to one side for her to put up later. “I do wish you’d be more careful though. They live on the other side of the mountain, the trip is not a hop, skip, and a jump for you.”
She waved off his concern. “I am self-sufficient. As of yet, I haven’t been blessed with grandchildren and they make me happy.”
“Just as soon as this thing is over with Cole, I plan on breaking ground to build my own place. When I do, I’m moving everyone in with me – the Stanton’s, Cole, and you.” He gave her a wink as he removed his duster and draped it over a boulder in the back of the cave to dry.
This declaration made the old woman throw her head back and laugh. “I’ve never lived in a place with four walls and I never will. Most nights, I spend out under the stars. I love to gaze up into the heavens as sleep draws near.”
“I understand.” Finding a place next to the fire, Reno smiled sadly. “Many mornings I would find my mother sleeping out of doors. She said she could breathe so much easier.” Lifting his head, he watched as Ela filled two pottery bowls with stew. “You remind me so much of Sojourner, you know.”
“That’s a high compliment. From what you’ve told me, your mother was a great lady. Very brave. Anyone who traveled the Trail