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“I’m not a fool,” Miss Tilda announced.
Miss Tilda stared down the road ‘til they were out of sight.
When the other girls came downstairs, she was sitting on the cowhide couch in stunned silence.
“Something wrong?” Nannette asked as she went into the kitchen for coffee.
Miss Tilda didn’t answer until Nannette came back and sat down opposite her. “Plenty is wrong. Those men that were chasing Riley…well…they got her. And it sure looks like they might kill her.”
Nannette dropped her coffee. “Oh my God, what are we gonna do?”
Miss Tilda sighed heavily. “Said they would if we sent a posse.”
“Oh Tilda, what should we do?” Nannette shook her head. “Poor Riley. Shouldn’t we follow them or something?”
“I don’t know yet,” Miss Tilda cried. “I thought maybe if we waited a bit, to see if they are gonna release her or not…”
Nannette shook her head. “They aren’t gonna release her. But they shore might kill her.”
Several of the other girls came down and Miss Tilda explained what happened. As they were discussing it, someone came to the door.
Miss Tilda answered it, and swung the door wide when she recognized Sam. “Sam…am I glad you are here.”
Sam glanced about the place wide-eyed, obviously not expecting Miss Tilda or her girls to be here. He moved slowly into the room and looked from one to the other with question.
“What’s goin’ on?” he demanded.
Miss Tilda had him sit and listen to the whole story and Sam shot to his feet. “I’m going after her.”
“You can’t do that, you’ll get yourself killed,” Nannette cried. “Maybe her too.”
“Not the way I’m feelin’ right now, they won’t. I’ll kill them with my bare hands,” Sam said.
“You need to get the Sheriff, Sam,” Miss Tilda said. “He’s obviously built himself a gang; you can’t do this single-handed.”
“No…it’s better I go this alone. Too many following could get her killed real easy. But I am curious, why are all of you here?” Sam asked.
Miss Tilda seemed to reflect on that question before answering. She smiled sadly. “Riley wanted us here. Invited us. Said it was too lonely all by herself, and that she missed you so bad.”
Sam sighed. “She said that?”
“She shore did, honey. That girl is crazy about you, Sam.”
Sam eyed the floor. “I’m pretty crazy about her too…”
Miss Tilda got up and grabbed him by the arms. “I knew you was. I told her so. Now, you go get her and bring her back here.”
Sam nodded. “Don’t you worry none, I’ll bring her back.”
Just then, Friend sauntered into the big parlor where everyone was. “Who’s that?” Sam asked.
“Her dog.”
Sam eyed the dog for a minute, as Friend came to him and smelled him. “What’s his name?”
“She calls him Friend,” Miss Tilda answered. “Crazy name for a dog, I guess.”
“That sounds like Riley alright.” Sam tipped his hat to them all. “Look, I’ve got to get after them. Do any of you know which way they were headed?”
