The Long Trail Home by Stephen A. Bly Page A

goin’ up there for you.”
    â€œWell, I’m not goin’. I’m goin’ to stay right here in Antelope Flats.”
    â€œWhy on earth would you want to do that?” Sam quizzed.
    â€œâ€™Cause I think it’s God’s plan for me. He wants me to take care of Piney. I’ll get me a job and look after her.”
    He hugged her shoulder. “You’re bitin’ off a big chew, Ladosa.”
    â€œEver’body needs someone else to take care of, Sammy. I never had no one. Now I do. Who do you have to take care of? You goin’ to take care of Kiowa? You goin’ to take care of me? You’ll be dead in less than a year. You’re lucky to have lived this long. You told me so. If you ain’t got someone to take care of, you ain’t got nothin’—no matter how famous your gun is or how much money you have in your poke.” She slipped an arm around Sam’s waist and laid her head on his shoulder. “Ain’t you goin’ to say nothin’?”
    He stared out across the street.
    â€œIt could have been me, Sammy. I look at Piney, and I say, ‘What if it were me?’ If it were me, would you stay and take care of me? Would any man want to take care of me? I’m stayin’, Sammy. That’s all there is to it.”
    He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “I’m glad you’re stayin’, Ladosa. Piney needs you bad. I’ll rest a little easier at night knowin’ that you’re lookin’ after her. We traded off your patent medicine, but you can sell the mules and wagon.”
    â€œWhat are you and Kiowa goin’ to do?” she asked.
    â€œThere’s an old boy who needs some horses broke. That’ll give us a couple of horses and a little cash.”
    â€œThen what? Indian Territory is changin’, Sammy. They’re goin’ to open it up, and then there will be no place left to hide.”
    â€œMaybe we’ll ride down to Arizona. My little brother and his family are down there with the army at Fort Grant.”
    â€œWhy don’t you go up to Dakota and see who mailed you that carbine?” Ladosa challenged.
    The dark, sulfur-smelling clouds crept into town, like outlaws sizing up a bank.
    â€œBecause there’s no one in the Black Hills who needs me to take care of ’em.”
    â€œHow do you know that?”
    â€œDarlin’, there has never been anyone in that family that needed someone to take care of ’em.”
    â€œAre they all as stubborn and reckless as you, Sam Fortune?”
    â€œStubborn—yes. Reckless—no. I win the prize for that one. Me and Daddy, I suppose.”
    â€œGo see ’em this year, Sam. For people like you, me, Piney, and Kiowa, there ain’t no next year.”
    He stood up on the dirt. She stood on the porch. Even so, she remained several inches shorter than he. He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. “Good-bye, darlin’. I’ve got some ponies to break.”
    â€œI won’t see you again, Sam Fortune. I know it in my bones.”
    â€œThen let me thank you for all the fond memories I’m goin’ to have of you around some campfire on down the trail,” he said.
    â€œThanks for dancin’ down the street with Piney. She won’t ever forget that,” Ladosa added.
    â€œNor will I.”
    He turned and walked away.
    Heavy, dark clouds squatted over Antelope Flats, muting the daylight inside the building. Stagnant cigar smoke and untrimmed lanterns also dimmed the Ohaysis. Sam could barely see the other side of the building. He strained to make out the figure of Kiowa Fox, leaning with his back against the bar, glass in hand.
    â€œYou ready to pull out for Dodge City?” Kiowa tested as Fortune approached.
    â€œThere’s been a change in plans. Ladosa wants to stay here and take care of Piney.”
    â€œThat’s good. That’s real good.” Kiowa picked at his