Elizabeth and Will traveled for almost two weeks to reach Roma, surrounded by the large group of armed men. The two rode in the covered wagon, which slowed them down, taking turns with driving and sleeping, and spoke relentlessly during their journey. They continued their life stories and talked about what they planned to do with the future. Most importantly, they talked about whether they would ever meet again. By the time they reached Roma, Elizabeth felt that she had found a friend for life, and had little doubt about maintaining contact. She knew that she and Will would meet again someday, and looked forward to it.
Victor and Martin took special interest in Elizabeth, as a white woman who managed and ran a ranch. They spent their time picking her brain about her horses and dogs, and asking her opinion on different cattle and sheep in the area. They decided that she needed to know how to shoot a bow and arrow, and took it upon themselves to teach her. Elizabeth agreed, laughing, and told them that she would be happy to learn, and that it was always a good idea for a woman to know how to defend herself in various ways. She did what she could to return the favor, teaching them some Spanish songs about love, children, and good horses. These men, too, became Elizabeth’s lifelong friends.
*********************
When they rode into Roma, the group found that the entire town had gathered to welcome them. The scouts outside of the town had seen them approaching and recognized some of the men in the marshall’s party. They had also recognized Will riding in the covered wagon, wearing his unique and identifiable hat, which had a thin white band around the base. When the wagon stopped amid the women, children, and men of the town, the questions began to fly. Will laughed and answered as many as he could, telling the people where he’d been, what had happened, and how he was. His face stilled when people asked about Roy, though, and he passed on the news of Roy’s death with a sorry face. He introduced Elizabeth and the men from her ranch, telling the townspeople that this woman and her children had saved his life, and asking that the people of the town make them welcome.
“Bienvenidos!” someone called from the crowd. The voice was echoed by several other voices and a smattering of applause.
The Mexican ranch hands nodded solemnly at the crowd, tipping their hats.
After an hour of answering questions and telling his story, Will put a hand to his head.
“Good people, we have been on the road for some time, and some of us are not as well as others. Let’s adjourn this meeting for now and agree to meet again tomorrow, for I need to go home and rest. I’ll oversee a town meeting at nine tomorrow morning in the town hall. The marshall and I will answer more of your questions then.”
A young girl in the crowd jumped up and down, waving to get Will’s attention. “What about school, Sheriff?”
Will laughed. “Well, Tracy, I think you can probably talk to your teacher about that. She may see her way to letting you skip school, seeing as how we have an important meeting planned.”
The girl turned to a small woman next to her, looking up earnestly. “Is that okay, Mrs. Olson?” she asked quietly.
The woman nodded, smiling down at the girl. “You can come to class after the meeting, Tracy,” she answered kindly.
Will smiled in return, nodding to the school teacher in thanks.
Elizabeth laughed as Will turned away. “You seem to have some big fans in the town.”
“It happens when you live among people long enough,” he shrugged. “That girl – Tracy – is one of kids I saved during the tornado. You get close to people in situations like that.”
