Montana Journey(37)

Ed Kearney greeted the long line of soldiers and firefighters when they returned to town. The forest assistant smiled at Jesse and Annie, and then walked to the doctor in his wagon with its cargo of injured men.

"Dr. Samuelson, a medical aid station has been setup in the school. You can take the injured men there."

Ed leaned into the wagon and grasped Joe Copeland by the arm. "Joe, it’s Ed Kearney. How are you doing?"

The ranger’s eyes were bandaged; he looked toward Ed. " The doctor thinks I should be able to see in a few days. Can you telegraph Martha and tell her I’m all right? Don’t tell her about my eyes. I don’t want her to worry."

"Sure I will. They’ll take good care of you at the school. I’ll visit you as soon as I get things taken care of here."

Joe nodded as the doctor slapped the horses with the reins and the wagon rolled toward the aid station.

The young man turned back to the crews. "Jacob, a camp has been set up for the men over by the train station. They’ll be fed there and paid off. After you’re finished with them I need you to write your report and get it to me."

Jesse quietly spoke with Sergeant Cook as the soldiers prepared to return to their camp. "Thanks for your help. Your men are as fine a soldiers as I’ve ever worked with."

The sergeant smiled broadly, saluted Jesse and returned to his patrol. He had been angry when he discovered a woman would be in charge of the rescue mission. His dismay as well as that of his men quickly turned to respect for Jesse as the days passed. She never ordered the soldiers to do the hard dirty work while she watched like most white bosses would have. The tall woman worked harder than the men cutting trees out of the road. His troopers would be pleased by Jesse’s compliment.

Ed watched the crews and soldiers leave before talking with the two women. "I told Marshal Foster about what happened with Boone. He smiled and said he was glad I finally figured out how to deal with men like Boone. The marshal said he would report him as having died in the fire. There’s not going to be an investigation."

Jesse and Annie made no attempt to hide the relief they felt at Ed’s news.

"What’s happening with the fires?" Jesse asked.

"The latest reports say over three million acres have burned in Montana and Idaho. They’re already calling the fire the Big Burn. Some of the fires won’t be out until the snow comes. So far it looks like about 100 people died."

Jesse winced at the news. Ed continued, "The District Forester put me in charge of the recovery efforts in this part of Montana. Jesse, I could use your help inventorying the damage. Will you think about it?"

Jesse stared at Annie. The expression in the tall woman’s face clearly said the decision was Annie’s to make.

The young blonde looked directly into Jesse’s eyes. "I made my decision several days ago. Where ever you go, I’m riding with you."

Smiling Jesse answered, "Sure we’ll work for you."