San Francisco, California was a city known for arrivals. The
San Francisco Evening Bulletin ran a story on the brand new Pony Express back
on April 3, 1860. An earthquake shook the city just five years later. Then,
in 1869, the first westbound train pulled into the growing city. By the next
year, the coastal town was the tenth largest city in the entire United States.
The telephone system ushered in a new method of technology in 1878, and the
city seemed to hum with commerce and change. Little did the city know that its
ties with the Pony Express continued into 1880 as Honey Hickok rode into town,
the very daughter of the Pony Express riders who were the original mode of communication.
Dusty and saddleworn, she arrived in the thriving city. Honey didn't have to
worry about applying dirt to her face in an effort to hide her gender; the trail
had taken care of that matter easily. After spending time and traveling with
her Uncle Buck, she was more than ready to continue her hunt for the man who
had sired her fifteen years before. The hardship of the trail was a necessary
evil she gladly embraced in the rush to finish her quest.
Without a backward glance, Buck Cross had left the wagon train, as well as the
whites leading it along the trail. They had shown no more compassion toward
the braves who had safely delivered Honey to him than his own Kiowa tribe had
shown innocent homesteaders. Buck felt disgust at the total lack of regard for
humans, no matter what color their skin. Honey was relieved at his ready willingness
to help her, even if only for a short time.
She recalled their conversation when they were safely away from the angry wagonmaster.
"I know who you must be, but you hide your gender better than your mother
did," Buck stated, amazed and impressed.
Honey angled a grin in his direction, and Buck had to catch his breath. "You
look so much like Lou."
"I've heard that, but I've also heard I look like my father," Honey
agreed, awaiting her Uncle's reaction.
Buck studied her carefully, weighing the knowledge behind her eyes with what
he knew of her past and her parentage. "You've been told," he stated
unequivocally.
Honey simply nodded. "I'm searching for Kid."
Leaning back in his saddle, Buck took measure of the young woman riding beside
him. She rode a horse as if born in a saddle, and he'd already seen her ability
and quickness with a gun. Though she would have been plenty old enough in his
Kiowa culture, he was surprised that his white friends had recognized her maturity
and capability to meet such a task.
"You searched me out?" he asked, keeping his thoughts private.
"You have more information on Kid than my parents do since you've been
making deposits for him," she stated.
Buck cocked an eyebrow, surprised at her knowledge and her calm demeanor. Her
tone held neither accusation nor censure, only the question of one searching
for answers.
"He has written me," Buck offered, "but not lately. The money
for the account was sent in one large sum, that I was to send into the bank
as smaller deposits over time."
"Is he dead?" Honey pressed, trying to make sense of a man she had
never met and actions that were inconsistant.
Slowly Buck shook his head. "As far as I know, he's still alive. His last
few letters were from San Francisco."
"Then why...," Honey began, but Buck held up his hand.
"Why did he use me instead of sending the money himself? Maybe to further
separate himself from the pain of all he'd lost. I'm his friend as much as Jimmy
and Lou's. I did not press him to confide."
Honey chewed her bottom lip as she gazed at the open prairie around her. Buck
took the opportunity to study her further. Her wavy, dark brown hair and vivid
blue eyes were definitely a mark of her father, but so many of her gestures
and countenance were evidence of Jimmy and Lou's parentage that Buck could only
chuckle silently. Kid may not have raised her, but she clearly had three parents.
"If you'll give me his last known address, I'm off to San Francisco,"
Honey announced.
Buck smiled at the young girl. "All alone?"
"If necessary," she nodded.
"How about I travel with you until you reach the city?" Buck offered.
Honey bit back a grin. "If I found ya, I think Ma was hoping you'd tag
along."
"I'm sure she did," Buck agreed. "After I get you to the city,
I think I'll visit your parents."
"Thank you Uncle Buck," Honey said solemnly.
Now, she was in the city; Buck had left her a few miles back and Honey already
missed his company. He seemed to intuitively recognize her abilities, and Honey
found herself enjoying the refreshing change of not having to prove herself.
Uncle Buck treated her as an adult. Secretly, Honey hoped Kid would be impressed
with her maturity as well.
Nightfall was quickly laying a blanket of darkness over the city. From a crate
in a side alley, Caleb Tucker watched as the lone woman walked her horse from
one hotel to the next. He tried not to find amusement in her predicament. Most
folks knew that all the hotels were full by this time of the day, when dusk
settled over the city and 'good' folks stayed indoors. And because of her feeble
attempts to hide her gender, she probably wasn't able to find a room at the
ladies' boarding houses.
'What in the world is she up to?' he wondered. 'Did she really expect those
clothes to protect her from the rough men in this city?'
Caleb briefly considered helping her, but she had a mean look on her face that
didn't invite offers of solicitude. He sure wasn't afraid of her, but the kind
of ruckus she'd cause was attention he didn't need. While he argued with himself
over the right thing to do, a group of bullies strode from the alley across
the street.
Honey kept her head ducked, but surveyed the approaching pack. That's exactly
what they reminded her of -- a pack of mongrel dogs. Their clothes were not
only dirty, but threadbare. The all seemed to squint, despite the approaching
dusk, and their appearance was menacing. Each of the boys' hair was unkempt
and greasy, and they all were in sore need of a haircut. What was most disturbing
though was the skinny, gaunt bodies, as if food was a rare commodity. Hunger
could make anyone mean.
"Well lookee here boys. We've got a new face on our side of town,"
the leader chided, walking toward the young man and his horse. "You trying
to cut in on our action?" he demanded.
Honey merely glared at him. "I'm just looking for a place to stay tonight,"
she supplied in a gruff voice. Her tone was neither confrontational nor fearful.
"Yeah, and what if we don't believe ya?" the leader said in an ominous
tone. "We don't like new kids on our streets. There's barely enough action
here for us."
Honey briefly wondered what action meant to these boys, but she didn't care
enough to linger and find out. "Just let me be," she spoke again,
her voice low. "That way, we'll all be happy."
"You just being here makes us unhappy," called out one of the other
bullies.
'Dammit,' Caleb hissed to himself. 'Now I either help her or watch her get beat
or worse,' he thought.
Leaving his hiding place, Caleb walked silently out into the street. He looked
around for cops, for once wishing one would make an appearance. Unfortunately
for the young lady, the street appeared deserted.
"Back off Jake," Caleb yelled to the gang of boys, singling out the
leader.
"You gonna help the new kid or try to get on our good side by helping us
take care of him?" Jake called back.
"You don't have a good side," Caleb answered, relieved that the others
didn't realize the "he" was really a girl. If they had, he probably
had no hope of getting her out of this situation.
Jake sneered, and Honey began unconciously moving toward the boy called Caleb.
Not one to trust easily, Honey still instinctively felt safer near the lone
young man rather than the pack of dogs bearing down on her.
Caleb watched the mob of boys warily as he neared the young woman. Quietly,
so that Jake and his cronies couldn't hear, he hissed at her, "get on that
horse and ride out of here now." His command was harsh because of the gravity
of the situation, but Honey still bristled at the tone. She didn't like taking
orders, but more than that, she didn't think leaving him alone to face these
bullies was a good idea either.
"Only if you go too," she whispered back.
Suddenly, the gang lunged. Honey felt herself being propelled atop of her horse
by Caleb's strong hands. She felt relief when he swung up behind her. Digging
his heels into the mount, they galloped down the street, leaving the jeers and
insults of the boys behind.
When Caleb felt they were a safe distance away, he finally slowed, allowing
the horse and riders catch their breath. He guided the horse to a nearby trough,
letting the steed get a cool drink of water.
Honey wiggled a bit in front of him, trying to turn to look at her rescuer.
"Who were those boys?" she asked.
"Just a group of orphans who feel better in a pack than alone," Caleb
shrugged. "They don't want to share what little they can find in the territory
they've staked out."
"I wasn't trying to invade their territory," she scoffed. "I
tried to explain..."
"And why should they believe you?" Caleb asked wryly. "You look
like you've never worried about warmth on a cold night or food in your belly.
That alone made you their enemy."
"Get off my horse," Honey said through clenched teeth.
"Yes ma'am," drawled Caleb, sarcasm dripping from the two words as
slowly as he eased off the horse.
Honey's eyes widened. "How did you know I'm a girl?"
Caleb's eyes widened as well. "You mean to tell me there's folks that think
you aren't? In the daylight I mean?"
"I've been getting by as a boy for weeks," shrugged Honey.
Caleb let our a long whistle. "I knew folks were dumb, but that takes the
cake." He again looked her up and down, this time his perusal blatant.
Honey lifted her chin defiantly.
"Well, you have a good night ma'am," Caleb drawled again, turning
away.
"Wait," called Honey. "I didn't mean to lose my temper, but it
ain't my fault I'm not an orphan. And stop calling me ma'am -- call me Kid."
Slowly Caleb turned around. He really hadn't wanted to leave her, but they'd
get along a lot better if she didn't bristle at every supposed offense.
"Caleb Tucker," he introduced himself. "Care to tell me why you're
playing dress up?" he asked.
"Protection," Honey muttered. She didn't like the affect Caleb had
on her senses. He at once angered her and intrigued her. And as much as she
hated asking for help, she didn't want him to just walk away.
"The city ain't safe for a lady, even if she's dressed as a man,"
Caleb explained casually.
"I'm here to find someone. Want to help me? You know this city much better
than I do and you obviously know what streets are dangerous."
"Kid," Caleb exaggerated the single word, "for a woman alone,
especially at night, all the streets are dangerous. I'll let you bunk in my
hideout tonight, but you'd best find whoever you're looking for first thing
tomorrow. That is, if you trust sleeping with me tonight," he added, watching
her.
"I can take care of myself," Honey hissed.
"I'm sure you can," chuckled Caleb. "I'm sure you can."