Chapter One
“Hey! You’re back!” Rose’s cheery voice ended up louder than she meant. When Diego gave her a friendly smile and waved enthusiastically, she felt better.
“Morning! How’s your day going, sweet Rose?” The grizzled, gray-haired man smiled at her through his thick, unkempt beard. It lit up his faded hazel eyes beautifully.
She smiled at the term of endearment. He was one of the few people she let get away with it, but then Diego knew her almost as well as Jasper, her brother, did. Diego was allowed to use the term. As she stepped more fully into his barn, she answered his question. “Today is still early, but I feel like I did the right thing asking to work in the hotel.”
Diego turned from the table he was working on to rummage around in something; Rose couldn’t tell what. “We all have to start somewhere. Did I ever tell you I used to be a barber?”
She giggled. Diego always told the same stories, but she didn’t mind. His voice was soothing and inviting, and he loved to tell stories. “You did.”
He turned back to the table, a dead rabbit in his hands. “And now look at me, a trapper who skins and cleans his own kills. When I was your age, I never dreamed of doing this.”
Her expression fell a little. “I get that, but the difference with me is I know what I want to be, I just can’t find a good Hired Hand to follow.”
“The point is that things take time. I was in my twenties before I figured out cutting hair wasn’t for me. I moved on to a few different jobs before I met my Teacher.” He shrugged, then placed the rabbit on the table. “It takes time, Rose. You have your entire life ahead of you. Learn different skills, which may help you when you become a Hired Hand, and see what comes along. You can also leave Bend, you know?”
“Jasper’s here. He knows what I want to do, but he doesn’t want me to leave.”
“We must all one day fly away from home, Rose. Even if we come back. It helps us find out who we really are.”
“You didn’t leave.”
He gave her a mock glare. “I leave every time I go trapping.”
Rose smiled, and it lit up her face. She liked his answers.
“I have a few animals I need to take care of. Did you want to help me? It’s a good skill to have when you’re a Hired Hand.”
Her smile fell as she looked at the rabbit on the table. She didn’t like cleaning animals, but Diego was right. As a Hired Hand, she would have two choices: eat dried meat she purchased or kill and cook her own food. She wasn’t a big fan of dried meat. But skinning an animal was weird, and she wasn’t always keen on touching raw meat. Rose steeled herself as she looked into Diego’s eyes.
“I’ll stay. I’ll help.”
“Good!” He gave her a large, toothy smile. “Let’s get to work.”
Trying not to regret her decision, Rose rolled up her sleeves and moved closer to the table.
*****
“Hey. Hey! Wake up sleepy head! I’m about to go on shift!” Jasper’s usually pleasant voice cut through Rose’s dream. He sounded irritated.
“What’s got you this morning?” Rose asked grumpily as she rolled out of his bed.
Jasper lived in the saloon, as most Escorts did. When their mom died, Rose was eight, but Jasper was sixteen and old enough to Apprentice as an Escort. He’d already lived at the saloon. Since she was too young to be an Apprentice or get her own place, she slept in Jasper’s room, or on a friend’s couch. In a few months, she would be able to Apprentice as a Hired Hand, earn her own money, and maybe get her own place. For the moment, this would do. She moved to Jasper’s dresser, grabbed a clean washcloth, and turned her head toward him. He rolled his eyes and left the room to allow her to get ready.
*****
“Why do you want to work for the hotel?” Rob, the kitchen manager, looked down at Rose. He wasn’t trying to look down at her, he was just rather tall and she wasn’t. She had already talked to the hotel manager about a job, but now she had to talk to Rob, as he was the one hiring.
“I don’t really know what I want to do, so I figured working for the hotel would help me figure it out.” Rose hadn’t been sure how to phrase it, but Bell, another trapper, had helped her with the wording.
Rob nodded. “I never saw you as a dishwasher, but if you’re willing to work, I need someone.”
She shrugged. “Dishwashing isn’t that hard.”
“No, but in a hotel, there’s a lot. And we do the hotel and the saloon’s dishes.”
Rose shrugged again. “Ok. I get paid, right?”
Rob laughed. “Yes.”
“When can I start?”
“Well, there’s some paperwork to fill out first. Let’s get you started.”
*****
Washing dishes was boring, but it was easy. And it gave her money until she could find a Hired Hand to take her on as an Apprentice. As she washed yet another plate in the cold water, she shook her head at the monotony. At least she could see Diego in the morning. Maybe she would visit Bell too. It felt like forever since she’d talked to either one, but Rose was sure it wasn’t that long. She thought about it and realized she had been working at the hotel for a couple months. Rob liked her, as did most of the people who worked in the kitchen. She didn’t talk much, did her job well, and did it quickly. The sous chef had asked if she wanted to learn how to cook, but Rose wasn’t really big on touching raw meat still, so she said no.
It occurred to her then, it had been two months since she’d gone out to see Diego or Bell. She grabbed the dish towel, dried off the last plate, and turned to Rob. He was close by, doing something with some food prep, she wasn’t sure what.
“I’m done. I’m going to take my break now, but I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to visit Diego and Bell. I haven’t seen them in a while.”
He stepped away from his station and looked at the dishwashing sink. Rob nodded and turned back to Rose. “You’re all caught up for the moment, so no problem.”
“Thank you!” She threw the towel toward the dishwashing sink and ran out. Her first stop was the barn next to the hotel. She smiled at the stableperson, a boy about her age. “Hi, Malcom. Can I use Pepper?”
He turned her way and smiled in a certain way. She hated that smile. It made her wonder what he was really thinking. Malcom always sounded like he was hiding something when he grinned like that.
“Sure, you can use Pepper.”
At least his answer was usually positive. “Thank you.”
“But, um, Rose?”
She had already started putting the saddle on Pepper, an older mare that was loaned out to townsfolk for short runs. She placed the saddle and turned back to Malcom. “Yeah?”
“I was wondering, been wondering for a while, would you like to go out on a date?”
“Oh. Um…” She looked at Malcom as if for the first time. They had been friends since first grade. He was as tall as she was, with light hair and brown eyes. They were kind eyes and always held a bit of humor. He was thin but strong and took care of the horses well. She guessed he was cute, by what other girls said, but Rose never really thought about things like that. “I…”
Rose watched as his face fell and quickly thought of an answer. “I’m not ready to think about that just yet. But thank you!”
She said it in the cheeriest voice she could. When he gave her a brave smile, she sighed with relief internally.
“Oh. Ok. Well, when you are ready, let me know, ok?” Malcom gave her a hopeful look.
“Sure! I have to go, though. I’m on my lunch break.”
“Oh! I’ll help you get Pepper ready then.”
“Thanks, Malcom!”
He grinned and helped her get the old mare ready, which allowed her to get out of the barn quicker than she had anticipated. As she rode, Rose wondered where to go first. Bell was to the south of town, and Diego was to the north, but his place was closer. If she went to his place last though, she might be able to secure sleeping arrangements. Though he didn’t drink too much, Diego liked his homemade whiskey and often had a glass or two after lunch. It made the mellow man even more mellow and turned his thoughts soft. Rose nodded to herself and turned Pepper south. Bell first, then Diego.
*****
Pepper protested softly as Rose dismounted. It made the girl frown and take note. She would have to tell Malcom about it when she returned to town. It was the first time the mare had ever sounded like that around Rose. A dog barked nearby, and Rose looked toward the barn to the west of the house. Jenny stood near the barn, her tail wagging, tongue hanging out of her mouth. Rose made sure Pepper was secure, then headed to the barn and greeted Jenny warmly.
“Hey Jenny! Who’s a good girl?” She went to one knee and hugged the dog, who enthusiastically licked her face.
A voice called from inside. “Rose? Is that you?”
“Hi, Bell! Yeah, it’s me.” She gave Jenny one last good ruffle of her long golden hair and stood up. Bell came out of the barn and smiled at her.
“It’s nice to see you.”
“I’ve been busy. I’m sorry I haven’t been out here.”
Bell shrugged. “I know you got the job at the hotel. I could have come by and said hi. We get busy. Don’t worry about it too much.”
Rose smiled. “Ok. I wanted to see how you were.”
Bell placed her hands on her hips. She was of average height, had wide hips and dark eyes that seemed to notice more than stated. Most days, she was around her farm, trapping small animals and making dried meats to sell to the general store. Bell wore homemade leather pants and shirts sewn together from smaller animals.
“I’m all right. Something has been spooking my horses at night. I’m thinking of taking them to my other farm, see if that keeps them quiet.”
“Do you think it’s a predator?”
“Haven’t seen any tracks. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
Rose noticed the look in Bell’s eyes and frowned a little. “You actually think it is something but don’t want to say.”
A small smile appeared on the woman’s thin lips. “Maybe, but if I don’t want to say, then I won’t.”
“Yeah, I guess not. When were you going to move your horses?” Rose knew not to pursue the subject with Bell when the woman didn’t want to talk.
“Now, actually. It’s a good time of day. I’ll be able to see for miles.”
“Well, I was going to see to Diego. Can I stop by tomorrow and have dinner with you?”
“Of course! I’ll try and get us something good to eat.” Bell smiled. “See you tomorrow, and stay out of trouble.”
“I will. See you!” She turned and headed back to Pepper, but made sure to say goodbye to Jenny on her way out.
*****
“Diego?”
Rose sat on top of Pepper and looked around the yard. Usually, Diego left his barn door open if he was home, but not his house door. Today, both were hanging open. Rose dismounted, and this time when Pepper protested, she shushed the animal. Guilt immediately replaced her need for caution when she remembered the horse might have an injury. Pepper only complained when she dismounted. When she was on the ground, Rose patted Pepper on the neck carefully.
“I’m sorry, girl. We’ll get done here, then head home and have you looked at.”
Feeling guilty but cautious, Rose moved Pepper to face the way out. She didn’t tie the reins to anything, as something felt off. Pepper wouldn’t wander off, at least. Once the horse was set facing the right direction, Rose moved toward the house first. She looked inside the door but didn’t see anything. She closed the door slowly to make sure it made no noise, then headed to the barn. Once there, she looked around warily and her worry grew.
Usually, Diego’s tools were clean and each hung from specific hooks. He had everything exactly as he liked it. Today, she saw tools on the floor, on different hooks, or simply missing. Some of the cages he took trapping were on the ground next to the door. He never left without them. Though his goal was to kill the animals before coming home, he sometimes kept them in cages, especially if he knew someone in town wanted to see a particular animal. Diego often talked about the animals he saw, but not everyone believed him. He liked to show them off when he could, hence the cages. Last month, he’d brought home a rattler to show one of the younger kids. It was terrifying.
Rose brought her thoughts back to the present. The out of place tools and cages finally unnerved her enough that she raced out of the barn to Pepper. Rose mounted a bit too quickly and headed home at the fastest pace the old horse could muster.
