Chapter 9

In the days that followed, Will found himself torn between his desire to be with Mrs. McMillan and the need to respect Awanata’s instructions. Every time he looked at her, lying there so fragile and bruised, he felt a mix of love, lust, and guilt that threatened to overwhelm him. He tried to keep his distance, focusing on helping around the camp and preparing for their eventual departure, but it was a constant battle.

On the second day, Mrs. McMillan’s condition began to improve. The color slowly returned to her cheeks, and her breathing grew steadier. Will’s heart swelled with relief, and he knew it was time to make a decision. He gathered Carter outside the tent, the early morning light casting a soft glow on their faces. “We’re leaving tomorrow,” he said, his voice firm. “We need to get back to town, to figure out what we’re going to do next.”

Carter nodded, his own thoughts a whirlwind of excitement and trepidation. “We’ve got enough gold to make a real go of it,” he said, his eyes shining. “We can start fresh, build something that Big Jake can’t touch.”

The following day, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, the brothers packed their belongings and prepared to leave. Mrs. McMillan’s eyes fluttered open, and she managed a weak smile at the sight of her sons. “We’re leaving,” she murmured, her voice hoarse.

“We’ve got to get back to town, Mom,” Will said, his own smile forced as he tried to keep the worry from his voice. “We’ve got a new plan, something better than doing dirty business.”

Mrs. McMillan’s eyes searched his, and she seemed to understand the gravity of their situation without him having to say a word. With a nod, she pushed herself up onto her elbows, the fabric of her dressing gown gently hugging her healing body. “You’re going to be the change,” she whispered, her eyes shining with a mix of pride and hope.

Will felt a lump form in his throat as he leaned over to kiss her forehead, the warmth of her skin and the smell of her hair sending a jolt of longing through him. “We’ll do it for you,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “For all of us.”

Mrs. McMillan reached up, her hand trembling slightly, and placed it on his cheek. “Be strong, my son,” she said, her eyes filled with a fierce love. “Find your way, and I will find mine.”

Will’s throat tightened as he nodded, leaning down to press his lips to hers in a soft, lingering kiss. The contact was like a jolt of electricity, sending waves of warmth through his body. For a moment, the world outside the tent faded away, and all that mattered was the taste of her, the feel of her breath against his skin. It was a kiss filled with love, regret, and the promise of a future that was still unwritten.

When they finally pulled apart, Mrs. McMillan’s eyes searched Will’s, and she gave a small nod of understanding. “Thanks for your care, sweety,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “And remember, no matter what happens, I will always love you.”

The next morning dawned with a crispness that seemed to mirror the clarity of their decision. Will and Carter were up before the sun, packing their supplies and readying their horses.

Will helped Mrs. McMillan onto Wilder, the gentle giant of a horse that had borne her through so many battles, both physical and metaphorical. She winced slightly as she settled into the saddle, her body still tender from her recent ordeal. Will felt a pang of guilt for the pain she had endured because of his own desires and the life they had built together.

Carter swung onto Thunder, the stallion’s muscles rippling beneath him as he adjusted the two heavy sacks of gold that were tied to the saddle. The clinking of coins was a stark reminder of the path they were leaving behind—one paved with greed and exploitation.

“Mukiki,” he began, his voice carrying a newfound resolve as he addressed the wise old man, “we’re taking the gold and heading back to town. We’re going to use this to start over, to build a future that doesn’t involve treating people like cattle.”

Mukiki’s eyes searched his, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “I knew you two had the heart of a leader,” he said, his voice filled with respect. “The Great Spirit has guided you to this decision. It is a good one.”

With a nod to the tribe members, they mounted their horses, the leather creaking under their weight. The Native American women and children had gathered to bid them farewell, their eyes filled with a mix of sadness and hope. The men stood proudly, their chests puffed out as they watched the young brothers ride away.

The air was filled with the sound of hooves beating a steady rhythm against the hard-packed earth as they made their way out of the camp. The tribe members lined the path, their arms raised in a silent goodbye that seemed to carry on the wind. Will couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret as he saw the faces of those they were leaving behind. They had shared so much, had come to understand the beauty of their culture and the strength of their spirit.

Mukiki and Awanata stood at the head of the procession, their eyes filled with a mix of pride and sadness. They had become more than just allies in a time of need; they had become friends, mentors even. Will knew that their decision to leave was not just about themselves, but about the future of the people they had come to care for.

As they rode away from the camp, the early morning light cast long shadows that danced alongside them, the waving hands of the tribe people a blur of motion as they disappeared into the distance. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of sage and the distant promise of a new day. The horses’ breaths puffed out in clouds of mist, and Will couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement tinged with trepidation.

They had a long journey ahead of them, and the weight of their decision sat heavily on their shoulders. As they rode, Will and Carter discussed their plans for the future, their voices low and filled with hope. They talked about the schools they would build, the laws they would change, and the lives they would touch. It was a future that seemed so far away, but now, with the gold from the bandits and the knowledge that Will’s mother would soon be well, it felt tantalizingly close.

The ride back to town was quiet, the only sounds the jingle of their horses’ tack and the occasional hoot of an owl as the night settled in around them. They had left the camp early, eager to put as much distance between themselves and Big Jake as possible. The stars above were their only companions, twinkling like the eyes of the spirits that Mukiki had told them watched over them.

As they approached Will’s house, the first light of dawn painted the sky a soft pink. The building looked small and vulnerable in the early light, a stark contrast to the grandeur of the saloons they had frequented. Will felt a sense of responsibility wash over him as he dismounted, the cold metal of the saddle’s stirrups sending a shiver through his body. He took the sack of gold that Carter handed him, the weight of it feeling heavier than it ever had before.

Carter took a deep breath, his eyes lingering on the sack in Will’s hand. “We’ll use this to make a real difference,” he said, his voice filled with determination. “We’ll start with the school, get ourself an high education. Maybe even build a hospital.”

“And a proper law,” Will added, his gaze drifting to the horizon. “We’ve seen enough of the dark side of this town. It’s time to bring some light to it.”

Carter nodded, a fiery determination in his eyes. He swung his leg over Thunder, the mustang’s powerful muscles flexing beneath him. The horse’s eyes rolled back, sensing the urgency in his rider’s movements. Will watched as his close friend secured the second sack of gold to the horse’s saddle, the weight of their future nestled against the animal’s flank.

Mrs. McMillan looked at her son, the soft light of dawn illuminating the lines on her face, etched deep by the trials of their past. “What’s the plan, Will?” she asked, her voice still raw from the night’s exertions. She leaned heavily on the makeshift crutch that had been carved for her by one of the kinder members of the tribe.

Will took a deep breath, the cold air filling his lungs and steeling his resolve. He stepped closer to his mother, his eyes shining with a determination she hadn’t seen in a long time. “Ma,” he began, his voice steady, “I’ve been thinking. With the gold we’ve got, we can buy ourselves some good land. We can build a ranch, get some cows, maybe a few horses. You won’t have to work so hard anymore.”

Mrs. McMillan looked at him, her eyes widening in surprise. “A ranch?” she repeated, her voice a whisper. “But Will, we’re not ranchers.”

Will’s gaze was unwavering. “We can learn,” he said, his voice filled with conviction. “We’ve got enough gold to hire some skilled workers, get things up and running. And once we’re established, we can start thinking about those schools and laws. We’ll build a future that’s not just for us, but for everyone in this town.”