The Vicky Series: Book 2: Saving a Dream

Chapter 08

Jeremy finished his year of work for the saloon and devoted himself full time to his paper. He was always at the paper or in the room they'd converted to a library in the house. He was always writing articles and letters and scouring over all the newspapers he gathered from all over the country.

Abolitionists and Slave Advocates fought bloody battles in Missouri and Kansas. The southern states threatened succession from the Union. The new president was not yet determined, but in a few months one would be elected. Speculations were ripe that the election would spark a chain of events leading to war starting with Texas leaving the Union—the news was never good.

By September Vicky found her large, rather cumbersome body made simple daily task aggravatingly complicated. One afternoon she dropped a shirt while hanging the laundry. She struggled for several minutes before she heard a quickly suppressed chuckle.

"Cato! This is NOT funny!"

More chuckling, not quite so suppressed this time.

"Cato! Just because I can't see you, doesn't mean you won't be in trouble! Now stop laughing at me and just help me!"

He was still trying to suppress his laughter as he stepped out from behind the sheets. Sheepishly he reached down and picked up the offending shirt, quick as you please. Vicky felt her frustration bubble again. She reached up and tugged down another shirt and glared at Cato, eyebrow arched, daring him to laugh.

Instead he spread his legs wide and tried to limbo and squat to reach the shirt. All at once Vicky realized what he was doing and how silly she did indeed look. With a snort she burst out laughing. Cato joined her until she suddenly said "Oh dear!" and waddled off quickly to the outhouse. When she'd returned Cato had finished hanging the laundry.

Jeremy came home from the paper and went straight to his library to continue working. The news about the riots, the lynching and other mob actions had him worried. Twice he offered to pay Cato's way to California or the North where he would be safe from the escaped slave hunters. The last report from Missouri was particularly gruesome and he decided to try again.

Emerging from his library, he found Cato playing in the parlor with Naomi Beth.

"Just the man I wanted to see." Cato grinned. "Remember how I explained about the mobs and the escaped slave hunters?"

"Yes Mr. Jeremy. I remember. You said they hated my kind and found terrible ways to kill us."

"Yes." He cleared his throat, glad that Naomi Beth was too young to understand this conversation, "well, I'm afraid the violence is moving west. I don't imagine the escaped slave hunters would bother you here on the ranch, but I can't promise you are safe either. Folks round about these parts have pretty strong feelings on things—and"

"And nothing Mr. Jeremy. I'm not leaving. I'm not going north or to California or anywheres. I have my papers now and I'll stay on like I promised."

Jeremy was impressed. Loyalty was an admirable quality. Jeremy sighed.

"I had to at least try one more time. I won't ask again. You've made your intentions clear, and I respect that." He held out his hand. As Cato took it, he added "Thank you. I rest easier knowing you're here when I'm not able to be. You're a good man, Cato."

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Vicky was exhausted but she always felt tired these days. She struggled out of her clothes and wiggled into her night shirt. It was several inches shorter in front than the back, but she didn't care anymore. She was counting the weeks! With a sigh she sat on the edge of the bed and clumsily wiggled around until she was on her side and semi-comfortable.