Spreading Seeds Saga 05

Lauren made sure my balls got dry before she stood and kissed me. I could taste the semen on her tongue and figured if she could swallow it I could take a taste. We went back to her room and dressed.

The smell of bacon frying had me hungry before we got into the kitchen where Sarge, Betty and Winnie were. Winnie laughed at me and said, "Now that Josh is here I'll go see if Amelia and Able are ready." Winnie got up and left the kitchen.

Sarge looked at me and smiled, "Well Josh we've only got a half hour for breakfast. Are your saddle bags packed?"

I looked at him grinning, "Sure are, Sarge. I just have to go by the Kiva and pick them up. I kind of figured I'd be pressed for time this morning."

Amelia and Able came in with Winnie and sat down. Betty smiled at Amelia and asked, "Did you get any sleep dear? You've got a long ride and you don't want to start tired."

Amelia laughed and kissed Able, then said, "I got enough."

Winnie laughed, "She was talking about sleep."

Amelia laughed and grinned at Winnie, "Oh that too."

Betty and Lauren started to handout the food and we all settled down to eat. Eggs and bacon, tea and biscuits all disappeared in a hurry as all of us were hungry.

The sun started to show in the window, Betty and Winnie kissed me good bye, picked up the dishes and put them in the sink.

Sarge, between Betty and Winnie, led the way down to the Kiva while Amelia and Able, carrying Amelia's saddle bags followed them in the breaking dawn. Lauren and I walked side by side behind them.

The Kiva was almost empty when we got there. Mike was sitting on the pedestal in his bathrobe, looking dazed and smiled at me when I went in to pick up my gear. I looked at him when I came out of my alcove, "See ya Mike," I called to him.

Mike laughed and fell over, passed out cold. "He must not be on duty today," I thought.

Lauren was waiting for me outside the Kiva. She took my bedroll from me, put my arm around her shoulder and walked with me to the Trading post.

Raul had the team helping him saddle and pack the mules. Gloria was there with Maria. Gloria was watching them pack the mules and seemed excited when she saw me. "Josh, Josh!" she called out, "I've got Barb all saddled and ready."

I walked over to where Gloria and Maria stood. "Hello Maria, Are you here to see Gloria off?"

Hi Josh," she said and looked at Lauren who was hanging on my arm. "I see you have your own escort." Maria came up close to me and kissed me. "I want you to take good care of Gloria on the trail, Josh. Promise me you will?"

I reached down, pulled Maria to me and kissed her, "I'll watch after Gloria, you just watch after the baby," I said and rubbed her swelling belly.

Maria smiled at me and kissed me again, "You take care of yourself too. A baby needs his father."

I hugged Maria and said, "I'll be back in three or four weeks. I want to see that combined harvester ready when I get back."

Maria looked at me and smiled, "I can't promise anything like that but we are making progress on it."

Lauren pulled my arm, "I've got Molly used to the noise Josh. She is doing real well now, at least in the shop."

I leaned down and kissed Lauren, "You wait here, I have to go see Raul and check the mules."

She let go of my arm, "Go ahead, how can I miss you if you won't go away?" She was smiling and waved as Gloria and I went to see how Raul and the team were packing the mules.

Gloria was almost dancing in her excitement. I looked at her and asked, "Are you ready for a long ride Gloria?"

She laughed at me, her eyes wide, "Oh yes Josh, I want to get moving. I want to see what is on the other side of the hill."

I laughed at her, "Just more hills, Gloria. We won't see anything much different from around here until we get to Topock. There is a big river there, bigger than you've ever seen."

Gloria smiled, "I can't wait!"

I grinned at her enthusiasm, "You'll be glad to see the river. If I know Sue, she'll be pushing us every day to make more miles. You'll be dog tired by the time we see the river."

I started checking the mule's harness and talked to Raul and Bob about the loads while Gloria followed me around and I pointed out the finer points of packing to her.

The sun was up by now and started to warm the morning. A crowd was gathering as women finished up their breakfasts and came down to see us off. Gloria led me over to where she had Barb and Poncho tethered. I checked out Barb, tightened her cinch, put my gear on her and checked her feet, then I checked out Poncho. Both the horses could feel the excitement and were alert and restless.

Sue and the Chief came out of the Post with Amelia and Linda. They all hugged and said their good-byes. The Chief came over to Gloria and I, smiled at Gloria and asked, "Are your ready for the grand adventure Ms. Bitterwater?" she asked with her hand on Gloria's shoulder.

Gloria looked up with a broad grin, "Yes ma'am. I've been ready since midnight."

The Chief smiled at her then looked at me, "You ready Josh?"

"I just need to get my carbine out of the arms room, Chief," I said.

She nodded, "Sarge is inside, you better go get it now. Sue is anxious to start."

I turned to Gloria, "Ms Bitterwater, please form the mules up into two strings of ten. You and I will lead the mules and let Sue, Amelia and Linda lead off. Raul will help you."

Gloria snapped to attention and saluted me, "Yes Sir, Josh sir," and ran off to see Raul.

The Chief shook my hand, "You watch out for her, Josh and get the team back here as soon as you can."

"Yes ma'am." I said and went into the post. Sarge was in the arms room when I got there. He grinned at me, "Good luck on the trail Josh. Sue is going to push it hard."

I said, "I know Sarge. It's her first time leading a team and if I know her she'll want everything by the book."

"Yeah, she will." Sarge helped me check out our possibles bags and made sure the powder horns were filled, while I gave our carbines a thorough inspection. I made sure that the bags had at least two fresh nipples and a nipple wrench for each gun. I had checked them both yesterday, but when you leave civilization you always double check.

Sarge carried Sue's gear out after locking the arms room and we walked out to the horses. I secured my gear and swung up into the saddle. Raul handed me the lead to my mule string and hung a bell on Barb's neck.

Gloria was already up and grinning at me. There was a crowd of 40-50 women standing along the road some waving and some sniffling, I saw April and June waving at me and I waved back as Sue swung up into her saddle and glanced back at me. I gave her the high sign and she saluted to the Chief and yelled out, "Forward, Ho," waving us forward at a walk.

Winnie and Betty were on either side of the road and Winnie handed me up a bundle, "Just some biscuits and bacon for your lunch. Come back soon." She stopped and looked up at Amelia and started to cry. Lauren was crying on Astral's shoulder and they both waved to me as I rode past them. Irene was standing in the trees a little ways off the crowd and waved to me. I blew her a kiss and waved back at her.

Once we were out of the well wishers Sue picked up the pace to a fast walk and we started the ride proper. Soon we were out beyond the western fields and Gloria was as still bubbling over.

I said to Gloria, "I'm going to get some sleep, Gloria. Holler if anything happens."

Gloria looked at me incredulously but nodded, "Okay Josh. I don't know how you can sleep on a horse though."

I laughed, "You'll get the hang of it before we're through. The trick is to not fall off." I pulled my hat down and closed my eyes. I had faith in Barb's ability to follow along behind Linda and the two pack horses she was dragging. There was still a road of sorts and we wouldn't get into any rough country for a couple of hours. I knew Gloria was too excited to miss anything important and I hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. I dozed and let Barb rock me to sleep.