Savannah jumps when a butterfly flutters past her. She pushes back her hair and chews on her thumbnail. “Get it together, Savannah Ward, you were trained by the best women on the planet.” Remember the rules, she hears in her mind. Working with men, especially ones who are lonely, scared and away from family can be dangerous.
If you feel threatened, Mother Mary drilled into her head, stay in a group, never go anywhere alone, be loud, fight back, draw attention to yourself.
She jumps to her feet and glances around and stops on an old man working in the beds. He stands up with a groan and arches his back before rolling a cart towards the back of the interior walls. Savannah follows him to her excitement finds a service entrance. Perfect!
“Can I help you?” She offers.
Fred enters the garden and glances around frantically. She has to be here! He rushes from person to person asking about a redhead.
“I just saw her go to the back,” a man answers and points. Fred breaks into a run. Savannah gasps when he comes running around the corner.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispers to the old man, and grabs the cart, shoving it in front of Fred, slamming into him. He falls with a crash and, and she burst through the door.
Savannah runs down the alley towards the sunlight. She fades into a crowd and curses her red hair, it’s always a problem! “God, please, help me,” she cries out.
She glances around frantically, praying for a wagon or carriage. No such luck. Savannah starts walking back towards the train station. That leaves only stores or a Livery. She could duck into one of them.
Fred shouts behind her in the alley and Savannah picks up her skirt and runs straight into Langley’s Livery and Stable.
The smell hits her, causing her eyes to tear up. Home, the scent of hay, horse, and men. “Bubba, don’t just stand there, help the lady,” a man shouts as he walks in with a horse.
Savannah jumps and ducks out the entrance, as a shadow passes in front of her. “Oh,” her eyes travel up, and she stares at a massive, man. Bearded, muscular and sweaty.
“You’re a tiny mite, aren’t you?” he asks.
“Yes, I mean, No, you’re huge,” she stammers. “I need a horse, and quickly, please!” Savannah jumps when she sees another man enter.
“I see, come with me.” Bubba leads her to the back where they keep the ponies. She glances behind her, keeping an eye on the entrance and wringing her hands.
“I have twin daughters, eight years old, you know,” Bubba says and walks her to the stall, where a single hack is being strapped to a horse.
“That’s lovely,” Savannah gasps and ducks behind a stack of hay when Fred enters the stable. “Too late,” she whimpers.
Bubba sighs, “Stay behind it, he didn’t see you.” Savannah gasps and looks up at him.
“He’s following me, Bubba, and I have to get to the train station,” desperation fills her eyes, and he nods.
“Stay put, I’ll distract him.”
Savannah trembles and squats down behind the hay, praying silently she watches Bubba shouts orders to stable hands. “Strap up my hack!” he orders and turns to greet Fred.
“Can I help you, Sir?”
“Yes, I’m looking for my wife, we had a spat,” Fred grins at Bubba. “You know how that goes right?”
Bubba frowns down at Fred, “She do that to your face?”
“What? Oh no, of course not. Have you seen her or not?” Fred snaps.
“Nope,” Bubba shouts at another stable hand, “Not that way, put her in stall four!”
“Are you sure, I thought I saw her duck in here.” Fred glances around and starts to walk around.
Bubba steps in front of him, “This is a place of business, we don’t have time for this. I can guarantee you that we don’t harbor runaway wives in here.”
“Bubba where you want the hack?” a man shouts.
“Back door,” Bubba turns back to Fred. “Especially a red-head. Do you need to rent a horse?”
“No, thank you.” Fred sneers and leaves. Bubba keeps working for a few minutes until he’s sure he’s gone.
“Alright lil’ bit, come on out,” Bubba calls.
“Is he gone?” she asks.
“Yep, for now. My hack is on the side, I’ll take you to the station,” Bubba says.
“Why?” Savannah demands.
“Is he your husband?” Bubba snaps back.
“He wishes!” Savannah declares.
Bubba smiles and his eyes crinkle. “I don’t like men who scare women. You coming?” he calls as he stomps to the side entrance.
Savannah picks up her skirt and runs to keep up with his massive stride.
“Thank you, Bubba,” she murmurs.
“Don’t thank me yet. Sit on the floor, and I’ll cover you with a blanket. With that hair, you are hard to miss.”
Savannah scrambles inside and wipes at a stray tear, as he covers her with the blanket.
A few minutes of a rough ride and she feels the hack come to a stop. The blanket is jerked from her head, and a massive hand helps pluck her from the dark. Savannah squeaks as he sets her on her feet and waits for a second to allow her eyes to adjust to the sun.
“How much do I owe you?” she asks.
“Keep it, you’re going to need it, I think,” Bubba snaps.
Savannah smiles up at him, and he grins in response. “Any daughter lucky enough to call you Father is surely living a charmed life.”
“Yep, that’s how I think of it. Take care lil’ bit,” he jumps into his hack and rides off.
Chapter 26
Savannah rushes through the crowds, being sure to stick close to any woman that is walking the same way. She helps a young mother fighting with her children. When she finally gets
