Angel in Her Face
Image Courtesy
of The Writers Ranch
Sam rode up to Emma's property just as she finished hanging the last sheet on the line. He stopped a few feet away. "Miss Emma," he said as he tipped his hat.
"Why Marshal, what brings you out this far so late in the day?"
"Just wantin' to stop by and check up on ya. This far out, a lady livin' by herself can't be too careful in these parts."
Emma smiled. "Well now, I was just headin' in for some supper. Would you care to join me?"
"I don't want to put you to any trouble," he said hesitantly, even though he was hoping she would ask him just that.
"No trouble at all. Nothin' fancy, just soup and sandwiches. Won't take me no time at all to make a couple of more. Go hitch your horse and wash up, I'll have it waitin' when you come in."
Ten minutes later, Sam knocked on Emma's front door before entering. "You have some mighty fine horses out there Emma, I especially like that black Mustang. Ride him much?"
Emma looked up from setting the table. "Him? No, he's never been ridden. I had to have some men from town help me move him to the corral behind the barn to keep him away from the others. He's got a mean streak to him."
"Just need to break his spirit that's all. No sense keepin' him around if you're not gonna do anything with him."
"Enough talkin' 'bout the horses and let's sit down to eat, before your soup gets cold." Sam walked around the table and pulled Emma's chair out for her. "Why thank you Marshal, that was very sweet of you."
"Call me Sam, please." They sat quietly eating for many minutes before Sam spoke again. "Do you mind me askin' why I young woman like yourself lives out here all alone on this huge piece of land? Seems mighty big for just yourself, have you considered movin' closer to town?"
"Funny you should mention that. I received an offer earlier this week from a representative for the company Russell, Majors, and Waddell. Seems they were out this way scoutin' for locations for the Pony Express and they seemed mighty interested in this land as a station for some of the riders."
"That mail service everyone in town's talkin' bout'?" Emma nodded. "Are you gonna sell the land?"
Emma shook her head. "No, they even offered me a job as a cook and house mother."
"Well I'm not sure if I'd feel comfortable with you out here by yourself with a bunch of boys. Don't know what kind they'll be. Might be more trouble than it's worth if you ask me."
"I didn't. But even you said early a woman this far out isn't safe by herself. This way I'll have some company. If it all works out, the station master should be arrivin' in the next month or so, and the boys soon after that."
Sam finished his meal and stood, "That was a fine meal, Emma. Best I've had in awhile. Would you like me to help with the dishes?"
Emma shook her head and reached for Sam's plate. "No, you're a guest, I wouldn't hear of it. Since it's such a nice evening, if you'd like, go sit on the porch swing and I'll bring out some coffee."
"That'd be real nice. It is unusually warm for February and I'm sure the sunset is pretty out here." He headed outside and sat in the swing. A few minutes later, Emma joined him.
"So Sam, you've been the Marshal almost three years now. Why'd it take you so long to come see me?"
"Well, I'd hoped you would invite me over sometime. But seein' as you didn't, I took it upon myself. And if I'd known how wonderful your suppers were, I would've come out here a lot sooner."
Emma smiled. "Would you like to see the rest of the property?"
"I'd love to," Sam said as he stood and held out his hand to help Emma out of the swing. Once she stood, he didn't let go.
They walked around for a several minutes, Emma pointing out the bunkhouse, the stables, and other various sights of interest. Finally Emma showed him the few horses she had including the wild mustang. Emma held out an apple and he came over to take it.
"He seems gentle when he wants to be, but I don't dare think of ridin' him. Like you said, his spirit has never been broken, and I don't want to take any chances."
Sam smiled coyly. "Well there's still some daylight left if you'd like for me to give it a try."
"Gettin' bored on me Sam?"
Sam blushed. He'd enjoyed the evening very much, but he'd hope to have some fun when he came out here. Of course, breaking a wild mustang wasn't the type of fun he'd imagined, but it would do.
"Not at all. Just offerin' to help is all. If you don't want to get rid of him, you might not want him around a bunch of young boys who think they can't die."
"Be my guest then. I won't be responsible if your foolish notions get your neck broken. There's a saddle and tack in the barn."
Sam went into the barn to grab the items he'd need and cautiously walked into the corral. The mustang cautiously approached him, and allowed Sam to ready him with only a minimum of shyness.
"See Emma, this won't be so bad. Come hold him steady while I get on."
Emma held on the reins and tried to soothe the horse while Sam mounted up. Sam slowly backed the horse away from the fence and let Emma get safely away before spurring him. The horse started to buck like mad.
"Sam!" Emma cried out. "Be careful!"
"Ahh this is nothin' Emma. Broken worse with less."
Sam continued to try and control the horse as the sun set and the full moon rose over the hills. He'd finally thought he horse was starting to settle down when a coyote howled in the distance. The horse bucked madly throwing Sam halfway across the corral.
"Sam!" Emma cried again as she climbed under the fence posts and ran to where Sam was lying deathly still. "Sam, can you hear me? Are you ok?" She continued to check him over for injuries.
Sam regained consciousness and struggled to breathe. He could tell the wind had been knocked out of him, and he'd have a bump on his head in the morning, but other than that he felt fine. He looked up to see Emma's hair glowing in front of the moon positioned behind her. She looked like an angel.
"Anyone ever tell you that you're an angel Emma?"
Emma chuckled and playfully slapped his arm. "Oh Sam."