I had completed the chore I'd volunteered to do for my sister Carol. I'd driven her car up from Houston, Texas to her in Nashville, Tennessee where she'd been asked to report as soon as possible to accept a new job and promotion in her company. The promotion had been so important to her career she'd flown up immediately to accept it. I'd driven her car up at a more relaxed pace.

I had stayed the week and helped her get set up in her new apartment and settled into her job. I'd had nothing much better to do, and Carol had always been very supportive of me, sending me care packages in whatever God forsaken hell I was stationed in and letting me know I still had a family who loved me to come back to. I'm retired and on disability from the military now.

On a nostalgic whim I'd decided to take a bus ride on my way back to Texas. I had capable friends who owed me taking care of my house, stables, and livestock, so I could take as long as I wanted. I figured I'd do the trip in short hops, stopping anywhere the mood struck me to see the sights. I could always rent a car or take a plane if the trip became tedious or there was a problem at home. It had been my days in the military since I'd ridden a bus, and I could recall being fascinated in studying the variety of people who rode them.

I'll make an explanation here. Once, early in my military career we'd had a mandatory formation in dress uniform to honor a dignitary. I'd left there when it was over and walked to a nearby bus stop. There was a beautiful young lady there, and I do mean world class. She'd looked at me with interest in her eyes and said, "Sgt, you are a handsome sight to behold in your dress uniform! You could be a movie star." The look in her lovely eyes told me she was sincere, and she probably didn't use such terms often or lightly. I managed to stammer, "Thank you, Ma'am. You are quite beautiful, if you don't mind my saying so."

A bus pulled up and my dream girl stepped onto it and turned to wave farewell, and I've always regretted not following her onto her bus and asking if she'd like to exchange names and phone numbers. I never saw her again, quite naturally, but I've always wondered how it might have changed both our lives had I followed her. I suspect it had been a case of love at first sight we had both missed out on. I know I still thought about her, years later. The incident had helped create my fascination with buses.

Carol thanked me for all I'd done by cooking a fine southern dinner, using our Shelby family recipes from memory and long use, and then dropped me off at the bus station the next morning. I hugged my sister and told her I would love her when I'm dust blowing in the wind. Hey, if it is possible, I will do it!

I walked in the door and headed for the ticket counter. I hadn't taken three steps in that direction before I was distracted by the sounds of crying. I looked to see a little red headed, green-eyed vision of loveliness seated in the waiting room. She was bawling her eyes out and my first thought was her mother shouldn't have left the pretty young girl responsible for the crying sibling she was holding all by herself.

Another look showed the front of her dress was unbuttoned and one small swollen pale breast was exposed. I may have been a little slack jawed when I realized that young girl had been trying to nurse her own baby. I am a combat veteran and have callously stepped over dead and dying men on streets and in jungles and deserts around the world on many occasions. Some I've killed myself, but I'd never been one to walk past a young mother and baby in distress without offering to help!

I walked over to her and sat down two seats away from them so perhaps I wouldn't seem threatening. "Ma'am," I spoke quietly and calmly, "your baby sounds like it may have a touch of the colic." I hoped my appearance wasn't too frightening, I was dressed in the typical cowboy fashion I always wore, complete with boots and a Stetson felt hat. I usually wear a cooler straw hat in summer, but I'd expected to be in air conditioning most of the time on this trip.

It seemed to take her several minutes to collect her own thoughts and stop crying. From close-up she was even more strikingly beautiful, with shoulder length, curly, flaming red hair and jade green eyes of an otherworldly shade I had never before seen in a human. I have an almost encyclopedic memory for mostly worthless facts, and recalled I'd last seen those color eyes in the spotted face of a large South American jaguar. It had approached me closely while I was in camouflage in an ambush on a mission there.

Her freckles were uniformly abundant over her otherwise light complexioned face and exposed parts of her body. I found them fascinating and beautiful. "Thank you. I didn't know what it was," she said, "but she hasn't nursed at all today and I'm so afraid for her and my breasts are hurting terribly!"

"May I hold her for a few minutes?" I asked. "Usually a baby's moods will respond to its mothers emotions. You're upset so the baby is upset. It cries and upsets its stomach and makes it cry that much more. It's sort of a self-generating circle, and if it keeps on it can become chronic. I'll try to calm her." That must have seemed logical to her, because she handed the baby to me. At any rate she was smart enough to know she needed help from someone, and from her having told a total stranger her breasts were hurting I knew the poor girl had to be at wits end!

I stood and carefully accepted the crying infant from her, then she straightened and buttoned her dress recovering her breast. I sat back in the chair and looked that beautiful crying baby in her face. I kissed salty tears off both her cheeks, and I calmly told her what a beauty she was, then I laid the baby atop its blanket across my lap face down, and began to rub and pat her tiny back gently. The baby had a good start of curly bright red hair the same shade as her mom's and her remarkable jade eyes. She was gorgeous, as I'd told her, despite her own crying. In my experience every female of any age enjoys being flattered.

I asked the girl, "Do you sing to her? She's what, only a couple of weeks old, but you can bet she's imprinted on your voice." I thought the sound might soothe both of them and distract the little mother from her painful breasts.

She moved to the chair next to mine and sang a lullaby about riding a little pony and going to town to her baby for a few moments. I remembered that song from my own childhood, and I drank in the sound of her sweet voice like a rare wine. Watching the pure mother love for her baby radiating from the face of this exquisite woman child touched my own scarred and broken heart. Despite the familiarity of the lullaby it struck me this lovely creature would have appeared more in her natural surroundings singing and dancing nude in the moonlight around the boulders at Stonehenge, than sitting in this grungy bus station.

The baby stopped crying. I watched her eyes close as she relaxed and rested. I was still patting and rubbing her, concentrating on projecting my protection, confidence, and soothing thoughts to her, something I'd learned years ago with a stepson who had had colic for weeks. The baby burped loudly and spit up a little sour milk. That seemed to have relieved some of her problem with her belly. I smiled and nodded to her mom reassuringly, letting her know that was a good sign. She gave me a million-dollar smile in return! I was working my own version of therapy on both the pretty redheads at once and it seemed they were responding favorably to it.

The mother of the two was right there with a soft cloth to clean up the mess. I could tell she had the mothering instincts, but perhaps needed some experience and support in caring for her baby. She seemed little more than a teen in appearance herself.

"You know more about babies than I do." She said with an angelic smile, "I was an only child and my Granny raised me, but she passed on last year."

"I'm sorry to hear you lost her, Ma'am. She'd have adored this child." I told her, and used the opportunity of her closeness to lay a calming hand on her small one. "It's a damned shame babes don't come with directions on the butt. If it's okay with you we'll let her take a nap then see if she's ready to nurse? You must not have a breast pump or you'd already have used it. If she doesn't nurse after her nap I'll help you find a breast pump and some relief for you, and a Pediatrician for her."

"Your plan is working better than mine," she confided, "Nancy and I don't have anything but the clothes on our backs, and no friends or family in Tennessee. My husband left me here last month, saying he was going back to Alabama where we were raised to find work. I spent all day my eighteenth birthday walking five horrible miles with her from the hospital back to the dump he'd left me in, and that place threw us out last week. I sold my ring to buy food so I'd have milk for her, but the few dollars ran out two days ago. I'm sure there are relief agencies, but I have no idea of how to contact them."

"You have a friend now, young lady, if you will allow me to help you?" I told her. "My name is Jo Shelby, J-o after one of my ancestors, Confederate General Jo Shelby. I'm retired from the military and was looking for something to occupy my time when I heard you and this precious child crying."

"I have no choice but to accept your kind offer for our very survival, Mr. Shelby, though I don't know how I will ever repay you. I'm Sally Ann Ryan. That's my maiden name, and I am proud of it, though the family name was Granny's." She gave me a pretty smile of relief and a warm handshake with a small strong freckled hand. "I've been a hard worker all my life, but I can't care for Nancy Sue alone and on the street, and I won't give her away like my mama did me!"

"Your pretty smile is all the repayment I'll ever ask for, Sally Ann Ryan." I told her truthfully. "You can call me Jo, my dad is Mr. Shelby."

"Gentleman Jo it is then." Sally Ann grinned up at me and I must say I have never in my life seen a prettier grin on a young lady, even the freckled ones. The baby in my lap seemed to have gotten her a relaxing nap in and she was stirring, she stretched her arms out, yawned and cooed. I glanced at Sally to see wet spots magically appear on her dress over both of her breasts. She'd let down her milk and her eyes had teared up when the baby cooed. Motherhood can be a beautiful thing!

I told her, "I'll leave you two girls alone then and see if you can work out this nursing thing between you. Think soothing thoughts and talk to her, Sally. I'm going to call and have a rental car delivered. I'd give you the money for tickets, but there's no way after a week on the streets either of you have the strength for a long bus ride to Alabama. You don't know there will be anyone there to take care of you when you get there either. We'll drive there in style and see if we can find your wayward husband."

Sally nodded; she seemed relieved to have someone else making some of her decisions. She took the baby from me, pulled her dress aside and held her to her breast. I was happy to see little Nancy zeroed in on and latched onto Sally's nipple hungrily!

One phone call to the car rental agency was all it took. Twenty minutes later I saw their representative walk through the bus station's main doors, wearing a blazer with the company name and logos. They drove us to their office and I filled out their forms. The baby was asleep when I climbed back into the SUV to leave, but Sally was becoming desperate again. There were tears in her eyes. "Jo, please do something right now. The baby is full and asleep, but my breasts are still killing me!"

I quickly pulled the SUV into a secluded spot in their lot. I opened my door to have room for my legs and turned around in the seat. Baby Nancy never stirred as I carefully placed her onto a blanket in the back seat. Sally got the idea quick; she unbuttoned her dress to her waist and bared both her breasts. Sally said, "This is so embarrassing, but I have to have some relief or or I may pass out!" She looked gorgeous, and I found her small freckled breasts and pale puffy nipples an incredible turn on. It went through my mind I might be in love with her already.

I quipped, "It's been a while since I've done this, but I think I remember how." I put a lip lock on Sally's pretty left nipple and my mouth was almost instantly filled with warm creamy goodness! Sally leaned back on the headrest and moaned in relief. Both of her hands went to the back of my head and her fingers entwined in my hair. I had an erection that would have drilled diamonds!

After a few moments I switched my mouth to her right breast to take the pressure off it, too, and Sally sighed deeply as I suckled. "Oh, Jo, that feels so good, thank you!" I took the pressure off that breast then went back to her left breast for a while. I was enjoying suckling her pink nipples and her delicious milk, but my major concern was still relieving her pain. I know what you're thinking but yes, giving this sweet young mother relief from her pain was still my priority. The pressure was off that breast but there was still some milk there. I nursed at it until it until it seemed empty. I went back to her right breast and emptied it.

"I hope that feels better, Sally." I told her, "I know you were in pain, Sweet Baby Girl." I couldn't resist kissing her soft lips fondly, after all, I felt we knew each other much better now. Sally didn't resist, and after a moment I felt her tongue enter my mouth. Two can play that game and I joined in on the tongue play, and wrapped my arms around her, caressing her everywhere I touched. She still had both her hands at the back of my head in my hair.

We broke our kiss and Sally smiled and said, "Your mouth tastes delicious, Jo, what have you been drinking?" We both laughed in delight over that!

"Booger Red," I told her, "your breasts make pure Irish cream! You could go into business as a creamery making gourmet ice cream and butter with that sweet milk of yours. You mentioned you were out of money, have you eaten today? I think I recall seeing a Country Kitchen on the way here."

I could see the desperate hunger in her pretty eyes. "Oh yes, Jo, please feed me something! I haven't eaten in two days and feeding the baby drains all the energy out of me."

"Sally Ann," I told her, "you're going to make me cry, Girl! I'll have you fed in just a few minutes, you poor Darling." I retrieved Nancy Sue from the back seat, put her in Sally's lap, and drove to the Country Kitchen.

When we walked in the door there we were met by smells of good food cooking. Sally thrust the baby at me and said, "Jo, those smells make me weak kneed, you hold Nancy in case I faint!" I cradled the baby with my left hand and arm, holding one of her legs securely and pulled Sally closer, holding my right arm securely around her midriff as she wrapped her arms around me. She grabbed at my belt with both her hands and held on bravely.

I told one of the waiting staff the lady was a new mother and was feeling light headed and we were seated immediately. I asked the waitress to please bring Sally some ice water and lemon wedges. I held the chair for Sally, then sat and laid the baby in my lap. She had a full tummy, was worn out from the crying, and was limp as a rag doll.

I took Sally's ice water glass, squeezed lemon wedges into it, added several spoons full of sugar and stirred. "Take a couple of swallows of that lemonade, Sweetheart. It will raise the sugar level in your blood and give you energy. The mild acid level will help normalize that of your empty stomach." She gulped half the glass gratefully and within minutes she told me she felt much better.

We looked at the menu and Sally was near crying again. She said, "I'm literally starving, but I don't dare eat the chicken fried steak with gravy and greens after the baby's stomach being upset." She sensibly settled on the broiled chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and mixed veggies. I wasn't about to eat anything in front of her she couldn't eat because of the baby so I ordered the same as her, adding that we wanted at least a half dozen portions of corn bread with our orders.

Sally noticed what I'd ordered and must have suspected why. She reached for my hand, "How considerate of you, Jo. My husband would have ordered the things I couldn't have just to spite me, not that he ever took me to a place as nice as this!"

I squeezed her hand and told her, "Yes, and he deserted you to have Nancy Sue and to sink or swim alone, but that may have been the biggest favor anyone has ever done for me! If he is bedridden when we find him I will apologize. I've only known you for hours, Sweet Sally, yet I feel more connected with you than any woman I've ever known."

"Jo," she said, "You have me wishing things had been different. That baby girl sleeping in your lap deserves a daddy like you, instead of that jerk Roy. We will go back there to hear his explanation, so I'll have answers when she asks me later. I will promise you and Nancy Sue his answers had better be damned good!"

"Sweetheart,"I told her, "He's the type Nancy will grow up to call the sperm donor. Oh, here's our food." I pulled one of my cards out of my wallet. "Put that in your wallet or the bottom of your purse. If by some chance you decide to stay with this Roy boy, you can call me any time night or day. I will be there to take you and Nancy home with me or to break his arms and legs, whichever you ask of me." Sally beamed at me as she ate.

Sally Ann ate like she'd been starving, which of course she had been. I buttered a couple of the warm golden brown corn bread muffins they'd brought us for her. Those should be something nutritious she could eat as many of as she wanted, without upsetting her stomach or the baby's. I enjoyed the meal and the conversation with her, despite my emotions ranging from rage at the worm that deserted her nine months pregnant, to something I was more and more sure was love for her and the baby.

Sally cleaned her plate, and I told her, "If you'd like another chicken breast, more potatoes, or the entire thing all over again all you have to do is say the word, Love." Yes, I called her by that four lettered word only a few hours after having met her and I meant it.

I saw a light in Sally's eyes, and the little Darling asked, "How about a southern dessert, Jo? Could we have a glass of buttermilk and corn bread?" Hell, I knew I was in love then, and told her so! We ordered our buttermilk and when it came we crumbled a couple of the corn bread muffins into each of our glasses. Sally spooned a bite of it into her mouth, smiled at me and said, "Yes, that's just what I needed!"

We enjoyed sitting and savoring eating our treat perhaps more so than some people would have a parfait. I won't turn my nose up at a parfait either, but there's something dear to the souls of many southerners about good corn bread in either sweet milk or buttermilk. I suppose it's a genetic thing, or perhaps adaptation to the climate.

When I'd ordered the buttermilk I'd asked them to bring us another dozen of the corn bread muffins in a doggy bag with our check. I knew they'd still be good for a day or two at room temperature, and I wanted to have something healthy for Booger Red to snack on. I could not bear to think of her having starved the last couple of days as she fed the baby off her meager body reserves! The baby was only two weeks old and with her dressed you couldn't tell Sally had ever had a baby. The only tell tale signs were her lactating breasts.

I turned to her, "You deserve so much more, Sally! I'd consider it a personal favor if you would allow this Texas cowboy the honor of buying a sweet redheaded Alabama girl a pretty yellow dress, and a dozen or so of whatever other colors you'd like?"

"Jo, that's so generous of you!" Sally answered. She took my hand again. "Yellow is one of my favorite and best colors. I suppose it's the contrast with my hair and skin."

"You'd look gorgeous in a burlap sack, Sally," I insisted, "but yes, with your freckles and flaming hair you're a natural for any shade of yellow. This can be my belated birthday present for you. Nancy needs clothes, blankets, a baby carrier, and a car seat, before we drive any further. Oh, I want to give her a pony, a saddle, and boots, too, but maybe she's still too little."

"Oh, you men!" Sally laughed in delight. "Nancy is two weeks old and you want to buy her horses, saddles, and boots. I've competed at barrel racing, pole racing, and cutting cows at rodeos at the state level in Alabama, so it would be one of my dreams for her to be raised with horses."

Oh, I laughed at the little Darling. "I knew there was something I loved about your red headed, freckled little self. You would love the horses in my barn, Sally Ann! I hope you'll let me take you there sometime. My next question is why did you stop at the state level? I would think with the sheer grit and determination you have, you could be the Grand National Champion. I'll hold the baby ringside as she watches her mommy win."

Sally laughed, "You sure do have a lot of confidence in me, Jo. You haven't seen me ride yet!"

"You show up at my place, Darling," I promised her, "and I'll introduce you to my big red gelding Poco, out of Poco Bueno blood lines, and buy a saddle your size. He was on the tracks in Louisiana as a two-year old colt but he didn't want to run for his trainers. He will run like the wind for me! We've won dozens of races and no other fast horse in our part of Texas has stayed within three lengths of him at a quarter mile. Think how fast Poco would be with your light little butt on him! He is the fastest horse I've ever ridden and after winning he goes right back to his calm mode, he'll ask you to give him more rein so he can crop a bite or two of grass."

I could tell by the far away look in Sally's eyes she was thinking. That's the way I wanted to keep her. I wanted this girl in my arms, in my bed, and in my barn, and I wanted to raise little Nancy Sue and protect her from men like her daddy!

"Now think about this, Sweetheart," I told Sally, "I own a miniature horse colt I delivered and imprinted on me a few years ago. His conformation is stout like a foundation quarter horse. He is loaned out to my farrier's youngest son to train and ride. He's been on trail rides and in parades and he's roping calves off him and learning to cut calves from a herd off him. He's also barrel and pole racing on him. The boy should be outgrowing him about the time Nancy gets old enough to hang onto a set of reins."

Hell, Sally was crying. I thought for a minute I'd hurt her feelings, then I began to understand her crying was from relief, not hurt or sadness. I slid my chair away from the table and lifted little Nancy and cradled her with my right arm. "Come here, Sally Ann, sit in my lap, darling." I invited.

Sally sat in my lap, kissed me, and took Nancy from me into her arms. "Jo, a few hours ago I thought my baby was dying, I was in horrible pain, homeless and desperate, and I'd been starving for days. I'd been rudely propositioned dozens of times on the street in the last week, and I didn't know how much longer I could hold out without having to prostitute myself to eat and survive, so I could feed her. I didn't know if I could even keep my baby if we both lived. You're offering me Heaven in exchange for my smiles. I have a lot of thinking to do."

I told her, "My offer stands, Sweetheart. I want you and the baby in my life in whatever capacity you choose. I'll take you home as an adopted daughter if that's what you want, or I'll have my lawyer get your divorce and marry you. It's all up to you."

"Let's take this one step at a time and get some shopping done first then," Sally said, "Nancy and I have been sleeping in parks and the bus station. My dress smells like stale milk and I've lived in it for a week. I've done sponge baths in rest rooms every day, but I had nothing to change into. I'd like for you to get a room and wash Nancy and me and put her to bed and tuck her in bed in clean pajamas and kiss her. Would you please take me to your bed and make me feel wanted, loved, and protected?"

That sounded like a plan I could live with. I told her, "I like the way you think, Sweetheart!" I paid the check, and left a generous tip. I carried the sack of cornbread muffins. Sally felt strong enough to carry the baby now. I opened the doors for her proudly. She was easily the prettiest girl in the place, at least in my eyes. We drove around town a bit until Sally spotted a store she said would have everything she and the baby needed.

I remembered to mention luggage and we found a sturdy set Sally liked. She found a yellow sundress that had me drooling when she held it in front of her. We both loved a dark green dress with cream lapels she picked out too. She picked out a couple of more, then some blue jeans and blouses, shorts, and underwear. I insisted she pick out a pair of western boots and a hat, knowing as a horse woman she'd be comfortable in them with her blue jeans anywhere in the south. It didn't take her long to shop for the baby either, but we bought everything she said she needed for right now.

Oh, I bought an ice chest, too, and some plastic containers we could put into it to hold snacks. I would buy Sally some small containers of buttermilk to go with that extra cornbread at my first opportunity. I'd already decided even if she went back to her husband, I'd keep track of her, no matter the cost. I had made a decision sweet Sally Ann Ryan would never starve again as long as I was alive and in this survival game called life!

We checked the girl's goodies out and loaded them into our rented SUV. My only question was this, "Hotel or motel, Sweetheart?" Sally suggested we find a motel with a laundry so we could run their new wash and wear clothing through a wash and dry cycle. I called sister dearest and she answered on the first ring. She asked, "How far toward Texas have you gotten, Jo?"

"Oh," I told her, "I never made it to the ticket counter at the bus station, Sis. I met two homeless red heads and fell in love with both of them. We're about to get a room together, shower, and shack up for the night." All I could hear from her end of the phone was laughter!

"You will never change, Jo Shelby!" Carol said. "I'm off work tomorrow, bring them by and introduce them to part of your family."

"I will do that, Carol, I know you will love them. We'll see you sometime early tomorrow!" I went by a corner quick shop and bought ice, sodas, buttermilk, supplies to make sandwiches and chips.

"Oh, I'm in Heaven!" Sally said, "We have food in reserve!"

I had to kiss the poor little darling. I told her, "You will always have something to eat if Jo Shelby has any say on the subject, Sweet Sally, or I will get out and kill something. It hurts me so much to think you did without. I am so glad I met you this morning, Darling!"

Sally had tears in her eyes. "I don't know if you were sent to us by Goddess, karma, or what, Jo, but I feel you have saved Nancy and my lives."

We found a motel with several washers and dryers in a little laundry and Sally loaded the washers as I checked us in. We bathed Nancy in the little tub we'd bought for her and she loved it! She kicked and splashed while cooing and gurgling at us. It had been years since I had been able to enjoy a baby so young. Sally had a blast thinking up new noises and faces to make to entertain her adored child as I intently watched them both and joined in the fun.

Yes, I knew I was in love with both of them. Sally stripped and fed the baby as I went to put the clothes in the dryers. When I got back Sally told me solemnly, "Jo, I know this is an imposition on you, but I need you to drain my breasts again, please. I've been so emotional it has kicked up my milk production."

I sighed deeply and told her just as solemnly. "I'll do my duty then, Sally Ann. We all have our burdens to bear." I laughed and went to her side and bent to take a beautiful nipple into my mouth. Her breast was so warm her milk almost felt heated. I nursed gently for a minute, then drew more of her breast into my mouth and sucked her nipple up against my palate with my tongue. I had a handful of that fine looking little ass too. Sally had lain back on our bed and was purring sweetly, while running her fingers over me. She was much more relaxed with me now. I delighted in taking the pressure off her other breast, too.

"I've got an idea you might go for, Sally." I suggested. "We could actually buy one of those damned breast pumps and some baby bottles, sterilize them, and seal them in plastic bags. If Nancy would learn to drink your milk out of them we could stock up a couple of days supply of your milk and you could take a break for a day or two every week and enjoy your chicken fried steak, gravy, and greens, spicy Mexican food, or whatever."

"Oh, my God!" Sally was excited. "You're a genius, Jo!" She got up, pulled me to my feet and we danced around the room, her as naked as a little heathen.

"I'll put your vote down as an enthusiastic yes, then, Sally Ann!" I pretended to write down her vote. "Of course it would be best if your nipples continue to be nursed to stay in condition for it, so I will step up to the plate and volunteer for that strenuous duty."