Lilac Temptress

Chapter 10

Drake heard the heavy pounding of fists on his door. It can't be dawn already, he groaned. He'd hadn't slept an hour, unable to get Sierra out of his head.

Rolling over in bed, he pulled himself upright. Still, in his trousers, he opened the door.

"Ready to head out?" Girard sauntered into the room. "I met two men headed to New Iberia. I invited them to travel with us. It's safer that way."

Drake knew Girard was referring to the threat of a native attack,Girard was always cautious.

Girard took a closer look at Drake. "You look like you didn't sleep a wink last night."

Drake yawned, moving about to rouse himself. "I think I can convince William to sell his land." He reached for his shirt, hanging over a small wooden chair, and pulled its sleeves over his arms, buttoning up.

Girard looked at Drake with heavy skepticism. "I know William's type. Hell, you know his type. We've dealt with men like him before. Let William stay the fool. In a few months, Jadesville will be a hunting ground for Indians. Get your bags," Girard insisted. "We leave in twenty, giving us enough time to grab a bite from the kitchen." Girard exited the room.

"Good Lord, I should have gotten some sleep," Drake mumbled and dressed. He grabbed his saddlebags.

When he didn't find Girard outside the inn, he started saddling his horse, noticing two other horses tied to a nearby post. Drake assumed the steeds belonged to their traveling companions.

Girard stepped outside with two men. He tossed Drake his breakfast in a brown paper sack, then proceeded with introductions.

"Drake, this is Jacob Gannon and Christopher Jourdain."?

Drake greeted them. They seemed like decent enough company to keep.?

"Ready to ride out? It's an eight-hour journey to New Iberia." Girard mounted his already saddled horse.?

Drake turned in the direction of the brothel, wistfully. He had a gut feeling that he was losing something meaningful, and he never liked losing anything of value. "I'm not going," he said gruffly.

"Pardon me? I don't think I heard you correctly." Girard grimaced.

"I'm not going," Drake repeated, knowing damn well that Girard had heard him the first time.

"Comrades, we've got to make good use of morning hours," one of the men called out.

Girard glanced from the men to Drake. "I'm weary. We've been on the road for too long, and I need to be home. So, do me a favor, get on that beast of yours, and let's get moving."

"I'm homesick too, but we can't lose this deal because of our personal feelings. I know that I can convince William Hunter to sell. He hasn't even seen the offer. When you get to New Iberia, see to it that the buyers are ready to sign. I'm staying for a while," Drake said.

Girard grunted. "Morgan will be happy with what we've already acquired,deeds of the property needed from two other towns. Jadesville is least important. We've done what we can. Besides, by now, our families are expecting us," Girard protested. "Let me help you recall what William said last night. People around here don't want their way of life disturbed by a railroad."

"I'm sure William is one of few in this town who has problems with the railroad," Drake refuted. "William won't have a choice but to sell, eventually. I want to be the man to broker the deal; this train means too much to many people."

Drake acknowledged Girard's agitated state and said, "I agree with you that the fight over the land will eventually drive William out. But tradesmen need this route to get goods to people less fortunate, right now, without complications."

Girard knew that his argument was a lost cause when pitted against Drake's charitable intentions. Defeated, he decided to try a new angle. "You run a risk staying here any longer. Travel is dangerous. Is this transaction worth it? I've been asking myself this question since we've left Opelousas."

Drake and Girard heard the travelers call at them again.?

"Do this for me, I'm begging you," Drake said, unable to forgo the challenge of convincing William to sell, and he knew that Girard didn't expect any less of him.

"You are incorrigible." Girard finally gave up. "I don't know what in the hell you think you're doing by staying here, but I'll get word to you before the week is out. Get some sleep, would you?"

"Much appreciated. Please send my family word that I'm well when you reach New Iberia." Drake grinned.?

Girard nodded, barely waving as he mounted his horse, riding off with the other men.

Although Drake was fatigued from his long night, sleep would have to wait. He had too much to do before the day was over.

First, he reserved his room at the Casa Bayou Inn for another week. After drinking too much coffee and eating the bread and ham that Girard had tossed to him earlier, he asked the desk clerk where he could find a map of Jadesville, then headed out.

He walked a mile or so up the dirt road. A few people greeted him, while others kept their distance.?

Finally, he reached a run-down wooden building with a sign that read "The River Market" at the entrance.

The store was a mixture of survival gear. Hunting rifles hung against one wall while canned and dried foods sat stacked near the animal feed. Drake strolled the aisles marveling at the contents of the variety store. He noticed a lean, graying man watching him from behind a counter.

"Passing through town, are ya? Need some supplies?" the shopkeeper asked.

"I was told that I could find a map of Jadesville here," Drake answered, making his way to the front counter.

"Well, you heard, right. But what do you want with a map of Jadesville?" the man prodded. "Most travelers spend a night or two here before up and leaving. There's not much for sightseeing around here."

Drake leaned against the counter, nodding at the man's remark. The man smiled back, exposing his nearly toothless grin.

"Tell me something,how often do you get supplies into town?" Drake asked.

"Supplies?" The man groaned his despair. "A few wagons come through here every month from New Iberia. Deliveries are made."

"What do these supply wagons carry?"

"Simple goods. The only problem is that sometimes our supplies are delayed for weeks due to raids or Indian uprisings. Traveling through the swampland can be tricky, no matter how clear a path is. If the town's doctor has a very sick patient and doesn't get the medicines," the man's voice trailed off. "Let's say a lot of praying goes on around here. But you want a map, right? Well, I got maps."

The man fumbled behind the register for what seemed like an eternity, before finally emerging.?

"It's in mint condition," he said as he offered the map to Drake for inspection.

Drake paid him and headed through the exit, opening the map for further study as he walked. He scouted the small town most of the day, took notes, and kept a low profile. Hours later, he'd completed his survey and returned to his room.

Lying in his bed, he stared at the ceiling. He hadn't realized how small the town was with all of its dull matching buildings.

Jadesville was no place for a vivacious woman like Sierra, Drake decided. Anywhere but here was better.