Sara Bear Protector

By Paul Sharp

Sara Bear Protector is the second book in the Sara Bear series. Sara, along with her newly adopted family start their ranch out west. With the group working together, they soon have a booming ranch with dozens of horses and more arriving.

Brian Knight enlists Sara's help in locating a ex-Senator Collins, who was last seen in St. Louis. Sara was interested in who Collins was meeting because she suspected some of the orders and funds for destroying the John Thomas family had come from this area.

Find out how a missing ex-Senator, a murdered Aunt, and rumored Spanish Gold all come together in helping Sara find closure to the mystery and danger that changed her life forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Sharp
• Release date: Jun 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458176059

Book preview

Sara Bear Protector

By

Paul Sharp

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Copyright© 2011 All rights reserved.

Written by Paul Sharp.

Published by Alan Schneider.

The novel Sara Bear Protector comes from the writer’s imagination. All major and minor characters are purely fictional and are not intentionally based on any person living or dead. Any written events of time’s past are fictional, and any connection to real events is simply coincidence.

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

***

Chapter One

Sara smiled as she leaned back against the stock car wall and looked at the handsome young stallion and the four recently purchased fillies. The John Thomas Family Ranch now had several fine mares and a new crop of foals from the big bay stallion Maj, and since she had returned Maj to his rightful owner, the young stallion Daniel Burke had presented to her as a gift, was the new breeding stud of the future.

The Family ranch had gained several brood mares after Sara had purchased the first four fillies from the Burke breeding farm. They now owned six Indian mares, two mares from the Amish team, twenty six mares from the defeated Comancheros, and the two fine mares left to them after the death of Gunther Graf, making a total of forty, plus the four new fillies riding here in the stock car.

Sara remembered how she had convinced Seth Olsen to go west with her as the handler for her new fillies and the jewel Seth was as a builder, as well as horse handler. She thought of all the fences, sheds, and the huge log barn which Seth had showed the family how to construct so they would last for a long time.

As she was contemplating Seth’s past accomplishments, she suddenly thought of the one thing Seth probably missed most – a wife! Sara was pretty sure while she had been absent from the ranch, Singing Lark was busy trying to get into Seth’s bed. She sincerely hoped Seth had been able to resist, because for him to become involved with an Indian girl, would be disastrous.

Seth’s background was so different from anyone she had ever known, and Singing Lark had been raised to go after whatever she wanted, any man, especially a good man – in her case a fine warrior. As Sara mulled over possible family problems, she realized the railroad car would soon be on a near Indianapolis, and she would probably have time to go see Grandfather Olsen, and he just might have a solution to Seth’s problem.

Sara unloaded the young stallion and the four new fillies and swinging upon the back of the stallion, she headed for the livery stable where she could board the horses and rent a horse and buggy for her journey to the house of Grandfather Olsen.

When she arrived at the stable, a young boy came to meet her, offering to take the lead ropes of the fillies and the stallion. Sara thanked him and sought the manager of the stable to make traveling arrangements to the Amish settlement, just as she had done almost a year ago. When the horse and buggy had been brought to the front of the stable barn, the young boy asked to speak to her in private. He said his name was Henry and he wanted to go west with her and the five horses to the Missouri railhead.

Sara asked, How old are you Henry?

Henry fidgeted a little, and then stammered, Almost sixteen.

Sara replied forcefully, I do not trust anyone who doesn’t always speak the truth.

Henry hung his head and muttered, Yes ma’am. I’m fourteen and really want to go west with you. I have read in the papers about how you had U.S. Senator Collins removed from office, despite his great power and money backers.

You must also know the senator and the men he employed were responsible for the deaths of the father, mother and aunt, of the John Thomas family. There is a great potential for danger around me and my adopted family, and although we have escaped serious harm since the killing of John, Ellen, Aunt Gloria, and then Grandfather Thomas, many seemingly powerful people would do us great harm if we let our guard down.

I still want to go with you to the railhead on the Missouri River.

Sara continued, What do your parents have to say about your intentions.

Henry flushed, and said, My mother won’t care and I don’t really know my father. My mother is a drunk and often entertains various men at night.

I still must talk to your mother and gain her permission before I can take you to the railhead on the Missouri River. When may I talk to her?

Henry sullenly replied, It is about noon, so she should be about to wake up. She still won’t care whether I go or not.

Sara called to the stable manager and asked if he knew Henry’s mother. He grimaced and said he did, but Sara should stay away from the woman because she was pure poison. Sara told him Henry wanted to go back west with her and wanted to be the horse handler for the five horses she had stabled with him.

The manager said that Henry was a capable boy, but was in a bad situation with the threat of violence from the different men his mother seemed to prefer. After the manager reluctantly gave her directions to Henry’s temporary home, Sara called Henry and told him it was time to get permission from his mother.

When they reached the ramshackle dwelling place, Henry opened the poorly hung front door and went in calling for his mother to come to the front because they had a visitor. When the woman appeared, she was still wearing nighttime apparel and seemed in a grumpy mood. The years had not been kind to Henry’s mother. She had a bloated body, stringy hair that needed combing, and a wrinkled face with red eyes from drinking booze.

When Henry informed his mother Sara wanted to hire him to tend her newly purchased horses being shipped west, a cunning look appeared on her face. She asked Sara how much she would pay Henry for the work. When Sara told her the John Thomas Family paid very fairly and if things worked out, Henry could have a good place to live for the rest of his life.

Henry’s mother sneered, Surely you can buy a better male companion than my Henry.

Henry shouted, Don’t talk to Sara like this. She’s the one who got your precious U.S. Senator kicked out of office. Not all people are like you or the senator, but she works all the time for better things for all people.

Henry’s mother screamed, You ungrateful snot! I’m going to have Sam teach you a lesson when he gets back.

Sara entered the arena once again, Please do not misunderstand my intentions. If you are displeased with Henry, how about you indenture him to my family, and receive a sum of money as compensation for your agreeing to place him into servitude with the John Thomas Family.

Henry’s mother immediately replied, How much money?

Sara replied, If you will come with me to get the legal papers drawn up right now, the family will pay you fifty dollars a year for seven years. This means you will receive a sum of fifty dollars each year if you legally give over all parental responsibility to me and make no claims, legal or otherwise, on Henry from the time the papers are signed and witnessed until he is twenty one years old.

Henry’s mother cried, I can’t bring myself to give up my little boy. He’s such a comfort to me and a great help in earning money for the household.

Henry quietly said, Mother, you are lying in your teeth. Most of the time, you want me out of the way so you can entertain your customers. If you get more than fifty dollars at one time, you will simply drink yourself to death.

Henry’s mother asked, Is it to much to ask for more money. Your family seems to have an abundance of cash money.

Sara said firmly, Fifty dollars a year for seven years is the most the family will pay. If you refuse, I will simply leave, get on railroad stock car, and hope to never see you again. You have five minutes to give me your answer. If it is yes, we will go to a place where they will draw up the legal papers, you sign, your signature will be witnessed by at least three people, and Henry and I will load our horses and head west. If the answer is no, then I will still be on the train headed west by myself.

Henry’s mother said, All right, alright. I might as well get something out of this situation before Sam get’s back to town.

The three went to the county courthouse. Sara inquired about legal advice, and was led into the office of a county judge. Upon giving the judge the needed information, a clerk wrote up three copies of the indenture papers, each was signed by Henry’s mother, and witnessed by three witnesses besides the judge. One copy went to Henry’s mother, one to Sara, and the other copy was deposited in the local bank along with the 250 dollars, payment for the length of the contract. Sara handed Henry’ mother fifty dollars and told her that in exactly a year from right now, the bank would give her another fifty dollars, and each year she would be able to collect another fifty dollars until the seven year contract ran out.

Sara told Henry she wished for him to go for a buggy ride with her, and he needed to get anything he could use, from his mother’s home. He looked at her thoughtfully, and said he had a dog he wished to take with him, because Sam was always mistreating her and had drowned all of her last litter of puppies. Sara simply nodded her head in assent and watched Henry race off to collect the dog. When Henry came back, he was leading a rather large female dog, who all but cowered at any noise or movement.

Sara walked slowly to the dog and tentatively held out her hand toward the dog’s nose. The dog slumped to the ground and laid her head on the ground whining deep in her throat. Sara advanced her hand until it rested on the dog’s head, and knelt down in front of the dog. The female dog rolled her head to one side and quickly glanced up at Sara and then lowered her eyes back toward her outstretched paws. Sara placed her hands on each side of the dog’s head and slowly lowered her head until her nose briefly touched the dog’s nose. Sara arose from her crouched position and told Henry to remove the lead rope from around the dog’s neck and began walking toward the waiting buggy. The dog whined loudly until Sara turned and beckoned for her to come. When the dog slowly got up and walked toward her, Sara told her to jump up into the back of the buggy, which the dog promptly did.

Henry was awestruck. He shook his head as if to clear his mind and quietly told Sara the dog’s name was Polly and he had never seen her act this way before. Sara told Henry what he had just seen was a meeting of the minds, which had a mutual respect for each other, and Polly was trying to please her by obeying.

On the road to the Amish settlement, Sara told Henry about Seth Olsen and his being shunned from the settlement because he had broken their rules, and last year his grandfather had finally given him his blessings in going west with Sara and the first four fillies. She related how she had bought two teams of horses complete with harness to pull the two wagons from the railhead to the place where John and Ellen Thomas, Aunt Gloria Parker, and now Grandfather Thomas were buried.

She now needed advice about a perceived problem Seth had – no suitable woman to marry. She continued by telling Henry he would have to get out of the buggy at the gate to Grandfather’s house and care for her double barreled rifle because she didn’t think the Amish would appreciate firearms in their midst.

When they reached the gate leading to Grandfather Olsen’s house, Sara suddenly changed her mind. She tied the buggy horse to the fence and told Henry to stay and not let anyone take her rifle. As she started through the gate, Polly whined loudly, causing Sara to turn and tell her to stay with the buggy and to protect the horse and Henry, until she returned from her walk.

When Sara reached the front gate, there was no one on the porch, so she walked up onto the porch and knocked quietly on the screen door which covered the entrance. After a short pause, Sara rapped on the door again, and this time a young woman came to the door.

Sara asked, Does Grandfather Olsen still live here?

The young woman nodded her head and said, Yes, my grandfather lives in the little house at the back.

Sara said, My name is Sara Bear and I would like to speak to Grandfather Olsen on a matter of mutual importance.

The young woman simply stared at her for a while and then said she would ask her grandfather if he wished to talk to her. He had been sleeping the last time she had checked on him, but if he was awake, she would tell him someone was in front asking for him. After a short time, the young woman walked around the corner of the house and beckoned her to follow. When they came to a small structure built against the back of the house, the woman motioned for Sara to enter the door to the small shack.

Grandfather Olsen was lying on a small cot that rested against one wall of the small room. When he looked up at Sara, she almost went into shock. The man she remembered from a few months ago, had become a frail shell of a man, with a furrowed face and even whiter hair then Sara remembered.

Sara quietly asked, Grandfather, do you feel like talking to me?

He nodded weakly and the young woman asked if he would like some hot tea. He nodded again, and the woman left them alone.

Sara spoke to Grandfather Olsen, Seth is fine. I came to ask for your help with a problem I have encountered because we live so far west. Seth has been worth his weight in gold, and is a good builder and horse trainer, but there is one thing Seth misses badly, besides you.

Grandfather struggled to sit up, and when he was upright, he looked at Sara with questioning eyes. At that moment the young woman returned with two cups of tea and a small plate of cookies which she sat on a small table and left again. Sara looked at the elderly man questionly but he did not speak, only stared at her until both heard the soft footsteps leaving the outside of the shack.

Sara reached into her pocket taking out a small jar of sealed honey which she offered to put into Grandfather’s teacup. He smiled and nodded eagerly as she placed two teaspoons of honey into his tea and then stirred. After he had taken a cautious swallow, he took two more and then drained the rest of the tea still in the cup. Sara put two spoonfuls into her cup, stirred, and then handed her cup to Grandfather, who was looking decidedly better by the minute.

Grandfather, Seth badly needs a wife, which is why I have come to you. The only available women where we now live are two Indian women who are totally unsuitable for Seth because of his religious upbringing. Do you know of a suitable mate for Seth?

There was a small sound from Grandfather, and then another sound which could only be a laugh. Grandfather began chuckling louder and as Sara looked on worriedly, he began smiling broadly. He began rubbing his hands together in only what could be satisfaction, finished his second cup of hot tea with honey, and slowly arose to his feet. I could not have asked for a better question than what you have asked. About a month ago, a man was gored by his breeding bull, and died after several days of pain. His widow would be just the one for Seth, but has fallen out of favor with her in-laws as well as her own family. Let me give this some thought. What are your plans for the rest of the day and tomorrow? Your future plans?

Sara told him about their journey west and how they had reached home after many days of traveling by wagon. She related how Seth had fit right in with the family, and was now considered an integral part of the John Thomas family. She quietly told of the betrayal by Little Beaver, the death of her Indian husband who was one of the leaders of the attack and her bargain with Lone Eagle.

She described in detail the corral with a shed, and the building of the huge log barn and how winter had finally came, but by then they were snugly living in a large cave within a small canyon. She continued with how they had passed their days, Seth keeping a diary, all learning to read aloud and in some instances, telling stories from each one’s past. She soberly told of the early spring, the certain realization the Comancheros were going to attack and try to kill them, how the army sergeants had helped and the final end of the left over Comancheros.

She explained her reasons for coming back east after Grandfather was killed in his rocking chair by an assassins’ bullet fired from over five hundred yards away. She related the events leading to the removal of Senator Collins from office, and how she was now returning west with four more fillies and a young stallion. She told him of Henry and his dog, and how she was thinking of buying four milk cows and a bull to take back to the family.

Grandfather was standing straighter and there was a definite gleam in his eyes. He asked her if she was willing to spend some money if she could secure a possible wife for Seth. He explained how within this Amish settlement, a wife’s dowry was due at the point of the consummation of a wedding pact, but with special arrangements and conditions, some of those things could be bypassed. Sara asked him if illness had overtaken him or simply age.

Grandfather replied, I have felt so useless since Seth was banned from our midst. When you came and bought the four horses from us and insisted I personally talk with Seth, you charged up my life for many days. Finally there came a fit of depression which couldn’t be lifted, and I have been in lingering decline ever since. I have turned over all my things to my youngest son, and moved into this room as is the custom of the Amish, when we become old and worn-out. But once again you have changed my life, and I will certainly try to solve your problem and help my grandson at the same time.

Sara walked over to him and hugged him fiercely. When she stepped back, she saw that he had watery eyes and was trying to control himself. He said, I wish it would have been possible for Seth and you to become close, but from what you have told me, Seth is a very much loved brother to you. Return tomorrow mid-morning and maybe there will be a good solution to your stated problem.

Sara left the small shack and walked slowly around to the front of the main house where the young woman was waiting. She told Sara her name was Katherine, and Seth was a favorite cousin who had been given a raw deal and should never have been asked to leave the Amish settlement. Sara told Katherine Grandfather Olsen had asked her to return mid-morning tomorrow for a possible solution to a problem she had presented to him. As Sara walked back up toward her buggy, she was wondering if she had done the right thing for Seth.

When they reached the stable, Sara and Henry checked the stalls where the five horses were tied. She saw to their grain feeding and went to ask the manager if there was a boarding house or inn where they might get a room and bath and possibly a good meal. The man directed them to a house on the north end of town that offered the services they needed. After making arrangements for two nights and paying, Sara told Henry he needed to get a shave and haircut in preparation for their meeting with Grandfather Olsen tomorrow.

When they walked into the only barbershop in town, and Sara told the barber that Henry needed a good haircut and a shave, the barber successfully hid his feelings and nodded for Henry to be seated in the barber chair. The barber asked Henry how he wanted his hair to look after it was cut. Henry was clearly baffled because he had never been in a barbershop before and didn’t realize there was a choice in haircuts. Looking at some of the pictures on the walls, he pointed to one in particular and said that was how he wanted his hair cut.

When Sara and Henry left the barbershop about an hour later, they were barely out the door before they heard the snickers of the barber and a couple of on-lookers. Sara grabbed Henry’s arm and steered him into a clothing store where she insisted he be outfitted with new clothes and boots, and yes, a hat, a vest and heavy coat which would be needed this coming winter. After Sara paid for the clothes, they returned to the boarding house where Sara told the woman running the business, both she and Henry wanted hot water for a bath brought to their individual rooms.

***

Chapter Two

After an early breakfast the next morning, Sara asked Henry where he had put the new vest she had bought at the store. After he had retrieved the vest from his room, Sara explained to him the purpose of the vest – to cover the shoulder holstered derringer she was intrusting to him. Sara explained to Henry, since he was an employee of the family he must always be on guard and hinder any harm to the John Thomas family. Although it was not yet the appointed time to go to see Grandfather Olsen, Sara and Henry, with Polly in the back part of the buggy, drove out of town about a mile and pulled the buggy into the shade of some huge trees. Sara began asking Henry questions about his past life with his mother and no father.

Henry was very bitter and finally explained he believed Senator Collins, before he became senator, was his mother’s lover and he was the product of the union. Henry said as near as he could find out, Collins had dumped his mother right after he had been born, and passed her on to one of his hirelings. There seemed to be a yearly income from Collins, but when he became Senator, he withheld all support from his mother and fairly young son. Henry was very angry and said he blamed Collins for how his mother now lived. The only way seemingly to support them, was for her to entertain various men.

Henry continued talking along these same lines, bitterly condemning his mother and the sometimes vicious men who visited her and sometimes beat him for no apparent reason. Sara listened for some time and finally told Henry she wished to hear no more. She related to Henry how her father had sold her to the Indians when she was eight years old, but that in fact had been her salvation because her life with the Indians was so much better than around the riverboat gamblers,