Page 21 of Red Hawk's Woman

“But—”

“We have a sayin’ here in the West that goes like this: Trouble comes in threes. Don’t rightfully reckon you’re goin’ to find many folks here who want to take on that kind of liability. What you really need isn’t a guide. It’s protection.”

“I see.” Hadn’t she had a similar thought last night?

“Do you?” The sheriff squinted at her.

“I think so. And you’re going to provide me with that protection?”

“No, ma’am, I’m not. My job here is to keep the peace. I figure I’m doing that by informin’ you that there’s a double whammy sittin’ over you. If goin’ into Blackfeet country isn’t dangerous enough for a white man—takin’ you and your party through savage and perilous mountains where many men have got themselves lost—you also need someone to act as both lookout and sharpshooter.”

“No, sir, I don’t. I can shoot, and we can post a watch.”

“Yes ’em, I reckon you can. All I’m sayin’ is that you’re asking a lot of a man.”

“Am I?”

“I believe so. Now, if I was you, I might start lookin’ elsewhere than here for a guide. Someplace where they don’t know you.”

Effie’s chin shot up in the air. “Was that an insult?”

“No, ma’am. Just speakin’ the cold, hard truth.” The man returned to his chair, and it wasn’t long before his feet had once again found his desktop. “You might try Helena. You might find more men there who’ll have experience in them mountains. Nice makin’ your acquaintance.” He smiled, then tipping his hat, he placed it over his eyes while he slouched back in his chair.

Effie stood aghast, hardly believing she had been dismissed so rudely. However, seeing that there was little point in making more conversation with the man, she turned and let herself out the door.

Determined that the sheriff would come to realize his mistake, Effie marched toward the general store. Within moments, she opened the door to the establishment, let herself in and walked straight to the counter.

“Excuse me,” she addressed the man there, who had been engrossed in a ledger. Absentmindedly, he looked up at her, then smiled. Effie returned the gesture.

“May I help you?” the clerk asked.

“I hope that you can,” said Effie. “I am looking to hire a guide who can lead myself and a few other people to the Gates of the Rocky Mountains country.”

“The Gates of the Rocky Mountains, you say?”

She smiled at the man. “Yes, that’s right. My name is Effie Rutledge.” She held out a gloved hand. “I am the person in charge of the archaeological expedition that came into town a few days back.” She added another grin when the man accepted her hand. “Do you know of any man who would be willing to hire on as the guide for the project?”

“Clyde Herman’s my name, and I’d consider it a real pleasure to help a pretty little gal like you, ma’am, but that’s Blackfeet country, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that it is, but you see we’ve been there before, although many years ago, and⁠—”

“Don’t reckon,” Mr. Herman interrupted, “that your task is going to be an easy one. Word has it that them Gates of the Mountains is terrible dangerous.” He scratched at his bearded face. “What happened to the guide you hired yesterday?”

“He… Hmm… He quit this morning.”

“Did he now?” The clerk shook his head. “Yep, thought I heard somethin’ about that, and I’m right sorry.”

“You heard about that already?”

“I did, miss.”

“Goodness,” she exclaimed, “news certainly gets around here.”

The clerk raised an eyebrow, then leaned over the counter, as though he were a co-conspirator. “Nothin’ else to do, I’m afeard.”

She sighed deeply. “I suppose you’re right. But to return to my original question, dangerous though it might be, do you know of anyone who would be willing to take on the position? Someone who might perhaps yearn for adventure, for risk?”

The proprietor didn’t answer at once, though he did look thoughtful. After a time, he said, “If you don’t mind my asking, ma’am, why did Jake quit? It was Jake, wasn’t it, that you hired on yesterday?”