Anything Could Happen

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet chuckled. "I hope you don't develop that habit. The snow flakes would be a good idea. Could be a time saver, especially if you had seen riders that split up or you got into the rocks."

"Black Wolf believes in benefit of much time spent with horse. You and Ruth proof like Scarlet and Lucky and Black Wolf with War Drum." Black Wolf said to Ella. He stepped forward running his hand slowly along Ruth's neck and down to her belly. "She is good horse; her foal will be strong and spirited, like mother she will carry her rider proudly some day."

[Scarlet Angel]

Bo tucked the deed to the house in his pocket, walked out to his horse and mounted up. He looked at the main house. If they thought Scarlet would have reservations about the other place this one would be a good alternative. She'd lived here with Bo for a long time after Travis died. It had been her place of choice over her own room in the Starr, something about bad memories. Although she had gotten over that too, maybe he was worried for nothing. Thanks Jimmy. He thought as he turned towards the house that sat between the Southern Starr and where he was.

Bo had to admit the place looked good as he rode close. It was amazing what a little hard work had done for it, Rose had even pulled the weeds around the rose bushes. He spotted the new set of hoof prints as he rode up. He was glad they weren't Lucky's, not that anyone expected Scarlet to come out this way, but when you least expected it would be about the time she would.

Bo rode up to the Starr just in time to see Mr. Dawg and the colt Scarlet had named Merlin race out of the barn together. Many of Black Wolf's warriors were near the entrance. It would have been an alarming sight if it had been any other ranch, but here it was like the neighbors had come for a visit.

He would talk to Fritz when they had a moment alone together.

[Scarlet Angel]

Black Wolf looked across the land. "Is time we ride." He said to the group of riders then turned to Ella "You will have more guests soon. Black Wolf will return with the foal of Ruth. Blue Feather can return with Grey Eagle to see Ella again."

He stopped in front of Rebecca and spoke briefly causing her to smile.

Wolf Song looked up at Ella "He says his heart soars because of his sister's happiness." Wolf Song hugged Ella. "Thank you. I hope we meet again soon."

[Elegant Ella]

Ella returned Wolf Song's hug, and said, "We will meet again soon, I'm sure.  You take good care of the bandages, and help Blue Feather get strong again."

Turning to Black Wolf she said, "The army doctor comes today to collect some of the wounded soldiers."

She offered her hand to Blue Feather, saying, "I will treasure the horse you carved for me."

[Scarlet Angel]

Blue Feather took Ella's hand and shook it. "I will never forget your kindness."

Wolf Song hugged 'Becca and Scarlet on his way out; stopped and shook hands with Johnny thanking him for giving them a safe place to be then stopped and shook hands with Fritz before mounting his horse.

[Elegant Ella]

Ella watched them riding away for a moment, then turned toward the infirmary.  "Time to get some of those soldiers ready to go back to the fort with the doctor.  I will be glad to see the end of Andrews!  Scarlet, what is the fort doctor like?  I was surprised to get a telegram asking politely when I would have time to talk to him.  Most men doctors I've met either ignored me or patronized me or ordered me around like a servant, with Army doctors mostly in the ordering around category."   

[Scarlet Angel]

"I was really surprised." Scarlet replied. "He is fairly young. I expected the doctor that's been there for a long time but he must have retired or something. He was impressed with your field work. He was a bit surprised when he heard our healer was a she but seemed to take it in stride. He seems willing to listen to suggestions and interested in ideas not necessarily found in books."

[Scarlet Angel]

Bo watched the riders for a moment as he wondered if Fritz had heard the same conversation he had between Scarlet and Desert Sun, and if he had how much of it he understood.

Listening to the young warrior trying to convince Scarlet he would be a better husband than Fritz without insulting anybody and listening to Scarlet's responses without insulting Desert Sun had been somewhat amusing. What had caught Bo's attention most was when Desert Sun asked what Yellow Sleeve had Desert Sun could not give.

Scarlet had looked up at the man and simply replied "He has my heart."

Desert Sun retorted with "Given time and a chance perhaps your heart could won by another."

Scarlet smiled softly. "Does Desert Sun understand what it is to have a soul mate?"

The man shook his head in understanding, glanced at Fritz then back down to Scarlet.

"The great spirit has given both of you a sacred gift. Desert Sun knows the meaning of these words. You are both lucky to have such a gift." With that the man turned his horse and followed after the others.

Bo turned his attention to Scarlet and watched her walking towards the infirmary with Ella. She had told him once people continually changed. She was right they had all changed over the years. She wasn't the same person who stood on that porch those years ago. There was a saying about how the love of a good woman could change a man, no doubt that worked both ways.

Bo waited until the women were out of ear shot before he spoke.

"I found the papers for the ranch. I think Scarlet will be happy there with you, but Jimmy reminded me of something this morning." Bo went on to tell him about the conversation then finished with. "If you want to wait to sign the papers to be sure it's fine by me." Then he smiled. "If that place is not the one we can talk about the other house, course it doesn't look nearly as good as the place you're getting."

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz sat down on the porch, and took his saddlebags off his shoulder.  He broke out a small metal can with a screw cap.  Next came the box containing his shoulder scales, and a couple of clean rags.  Fritz shook the can, and unscrewed the top.  He poured a small amount of liquid on the rag, and began rubbing the scales.

Bo asked "what are you doing?"

Fritz rubbed the scale, slowly removing the tarnish.  The spot came clean, and shined brightly in the sun.

"I can't tell you how many hours I've spent polishing brass.  I bet they'll be soldiers and Marines a hundred years from now, doing just what I'm doing."

"So," Bo asked, "what do you think?"

"You'll think I'm crazy," Fritz said.

"Try me."

"Do you remember when we went to the house to find the box?"

Bo nodded.

"I prayed, and asked both God and Travis if what I was doing was right.  Ever since then, I was sure that Travis wanted Scarlet to be there."

"Go on."

Fritz sighed.  "He's not there you know...Travis' soul is at rest.  When Scarlet killed his murderer, Travis was able to rest.  But in that house, he can still be close to her."  Fritz looked at Bo.  "Do you think that's weird?"

Bo shook his head.  "No...I think YOU'RE weird."

Fritz chucked.  "Takes one to know one.  I have something to ask you."

Bo sat down.  "Yeah?"

"I have a brother.  He lives back east.  I haven't seen him in awhile.  He and I aren't much alike.  He's a doctor...kinda like my mom was."

Fritz finished one scale, and picked up the other.

"You're like a brother to me...will you stand with me, on my wedding day?"

Bo looked hard at Fritz.  "I'm honored...but I saw Grey Eagle ask to stand with you."

Fritz smiled.  "Is there any law against having both of you at my side?" 

[Elegant Ella]

Ella replied, "If he's fairly young, there is a good chance that he went to one of the new medical schools that the American Medical Association is promoting.  I wonder if he's heard of Henle, Semmelweis, Lister, or Pasteur.  There's another German just starting to produce some interesting papers, named Robert Koch."   

She sighed, "The doctors who are the hardest to deal with are the ones who DON'T care about knowledge that can be found in books and in medical journals from Europe.  Too many of those old time doctors learned by following an older doctor around, and have a real hard time accepting any different ideas."

[Scarlet Angel]

"Not here." Bo replied.

Fritz looked at him questioningly.

"I don't know if there is such a law, but if there is it would be among those Johnny says we check at the gate." Bo chuckled. "Gonna be an interestin' affair that's fer sure. Don't believe I've ever seen a wedding with all the different kinda folk that'll be at this one."

Bo looked at the brass Fritz was polishing then straight ahead. "I'm not going to dress like Grey Eagle...... but someplace I got a nice grey uniform, we'd make a right interesting lookin' group fer sure." Bo teased. 

[Scarlet Angel]

"He seemed like the type who would listen if you could give him a reason to." Scarlet replied  "He's already impressed with you're field work Ella. I don't know if things would have been different if the Marshal had been one of his soldiers or not. The only thing I impressed upon him was the reason we weren't going to stitch the wound up, found a good comparison as to why."

Ella looked over at Scarlet a bit curious.

Scarlet grinned. "I told him there was only one Indian I'd ever seen with one leg and he'd been to a white doctor, which is true. I kinda left out the part most Indians I know of will die before they let you take their limbs, religious reasons ya' know. But he couldn't deny my comparison or my reasoning behind it. He said he'd seen some wounds treated with herbs on the Indians. He was very careful in his wording and I'm guessing the wounds he'd seen were on dead men, perhaps captives. He requested to talk to YOU Ella, after having seen your work and knowing you're a woman. I would say he's interested in different ideas." Scarlet said. 

[Elegant Ella]

"Well, it will be an interesting visit,and maybe he'll turn out to be someone to socialize with," replied Ella.  "And the best part is that he will be taking some of the troopers off my hands, especially Andrews!  I'm keeping the ones with broken bones, since I won't put casts on them until the bullet wounds are cleanly healed."

[1stSgt Fritz King]

"Well," Fritz replied, "I was always taught you wear your best at a wedding.  A uniform is about the best you can get...blue or grey."

Bo smiled.  It was in the quiet moments between words that friends were made.

"I've gotta get to work on those buttons."

[Scarlet Angel]

Bo stood up "Guess I better go make sure what I'm gonna wear fits." He looked back at Fritz "Ya sure about that, be kinda strange puttin' on a uniform that's been outta commission for that long."

[Scarlet Angel]

"Andrews." Scarlet said with a roll of her eyes. "Part of me would have loved to have Black Wolf and his men ride right by the infirmary." She replied to Ella. "Sean was invited to the wedding, I hope there is a reason for him to not go back with the first group besides broken bones....speaking of which do you have splints on the bones that are broken that have bullet wounds?" Scarlet asked Ella. 

[Scarlet Angel]

Becca watched the warriors ride off. Black Wolf had told her he would send her horse when Grey Eagle and the boys returned for the wedding. She wondered if Black Wolf would come too. She was unsure if he would although he'd been invited; he was cautious as to how many white actually knew who he was. She was glad he trusted Johnny enough to let the boys return to the Starr for the wedding. With the boys gone Becca headed back to Tensleep's cabin. She'd been somewhat neglecting him watching the boys.

She knocked on the door before opening it. "Hey there good lookin'" she said smiling at him. "How are you feelin'? Anything I can do for you?"

[Elegant Ella]

"I was planning to release Sean to the fort doctor's care," replied Ella.  "However, I could ask to keep him because he has been very helpful.  Johnson, the one with both legs broken, has been an orderly.  Sean works well with him - Johnson tells him what to do and how, and Sean does it.  Bill rigged up traction stands for the broken legs, to supplement the splints.  That means those three troopers have to use bedpans.   It is clear that they are feeling better, because they are embarrassed for me to help them with the bedpans.  They are happier with help from Sean than from any of the ranch hands.  I can release John Smith, now that he is conscious and clearly recovering."

Ella motioned to Scarlet to be quiet when they got close to the infirmary.  She opened the door very carefully, and could hear Andrews in normal mode.  She whispered to Scarlet, "Listen to how he changes his tune when he realizes I'm in the building."

She closed the door firmly.  Andrews shut up.  A muffled "thump" suggested that he had jumped back into bed.  She walked to the ward entrance and entered with a cheery, "Good morning."

Most of the troopers replied with equal cheer.  But Andrews moaned, "What's good about it, when I'm lying here suffering?" 

Ella ignored him, and announced, "The fort doctor is coming this morning to take half of you back to the fort.  Sean, I will request that you stay as an orderly to help with the men with broken bones."

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet rolled her eyes hearing Andrews' whining. She wondered how much worse he'd be if he was really hurt.

"The man squeals like a snared rabbit. Wanna see him shut up right quick?" Jimmy said coming in behind her.

"At least the Army Doc will have something....." Andrews moan stopped mid sentence as Jimmy came around the corner shooting Andrews a cold look.

"Oughta thank Miss Ella fer not asking one of us to look after ya. She always has that option if ya get outta hand." He growled going by the bunk. 

Andrews' eyes followed Jimmy but he said nothing. He'd seen Jimmy in a local bar room brawl once and suspected the rumors he'd heard of the man were truths. He wondered just how the army scout had made friends with him but wouldn't ask.

Jimmy pulled a chair next to T.J.'s bunk. "You look better, but ya still look like crap."

T.J. chuckled "I'll get better, what's you're excuse."

Jimmy smiled at the smart remark. "Been taken care of that horse you rode in on. Johnny told us to round up the stray army horses, I was wondering if you'd mind if I take you're horse for ride?"

T.J. eyed him for a moment. "What you want to ride him for? You've got all kinds of horses out there to choose from."

"You've been ridin' that ol horse for years, just curious as to whatcha like about 'im." Jimmy replied. "Sides ain't never been on a Yankee's horse that ain't been stole."

"You better not teach him to take holes outta my uniform." T.J. retorted still somewhat curious as to why Jimmy wanted to ride his horse.

"I'll take that as a yes." Jimmy said standing up with a grin. "He's not afraid of cattle is he?"

"Don't think so." T.J. responded. "thought you were rounding up horses."

"well I don't want to get dumped if spots the cattle." Jimmy said putting the chair back. Hoping if T.J. had a horse he was comfortable riding doing some ranch work it might be easier to get him to accept a job.

Jimmy tipped his hat to Ella with a sly grin.

"Member Miss Ella, they give you any problems just let one of us know. We'd be happy ta take care of it for ya." He said loud enough for Andrews to hear.
"You coming with me?" he asked Scarlet who had been talking to Sean.

"See ya later." She said to Sean and went out the door with Jimmy.

[Scarlet Angel]

Becca put her hand on her hip leaned against the door and smiled as she awaited his response, as she looked at her soon to be husband with his wounded leg propped up on a chair it dawned on her what Scarlet had meant when she had said "If you are lucky enough to find happiness take advantage of it today because tomorrow may never come."

Rebecca remembered one of the nights Scarlet and Fritz had been at the Ace. She and Scarlet were standing at the railing looking down into the bar room   "Is it worth loving someone who is in a line of work he may ride out and never come back?"

Scarlet had smiled when Fritz looked up at them. "Absolutely." Scarlet said moving towards the stairs, pausing she looked over her shoulder at her friend "If you are lucky enough to find happiness take advantage of it today because tomorrow may never come, it doesn't matter who you are or what you do. I learned that the hard way."

Rebecca crossed the floor, leaned down and kissed Tensleep. "I love you." she said softly.