The Trails Back Home

A Christmas Gift Fic for SpaceLumities

“Ain’t far now love, just a bit longer.” Luz Noceda-Blight’s voice rose over the din of the snowstorm, her call muffled by the thick, woolen fabric of the duster she’d wrapped tightly around herself as a ward against the biting wind. Snowflakes darted around in a fevered waltz, their chaotic dance mapping the turbulent wind currents which turned the frozen December air into sharpened ribbons of cold, stinging the faces of the two huddled riders. Releasing a hand from the reins, Luz tipped the brim of her hat down further to shield her eyes from the whirling snow, her other glove gripping a set of leather reins, guiding their path through the storm. Luz’s loyal Mustang, Stringbean, her grulla coat flecked with snow, picked her way along a well-worn dirt track passing through a dense wood populated by the rustling branches of spruce and fir trees whose growth provided occasional respite from the biting cold.

Releasing her free hand from the wide brim of her stetson, Luz rested it upon the two hands already wrapped around her waist, giving a reassuring squeeze. The warmth of her wife, Amity, nestled tightly against her back was like an anchor in the face of the storm they rode through, and Luz couldn’t help but thank each one of her lucky stars for the woman who, only a year ago, had pledged to ride these trails with her forever. Feeling the squeeze, Amity nestled her face tighter against Luz’s back, shielding herself from the nip of the December chill.

“I’ll be alright, are you holding up ok? We can take turns if you need a rest dear.” Amity’s voice, her wife’s fatigue obvious despite her offer to take a turn against the storm, spoke into her back. 

“Mi maravillosa esposa , you’ve already worked yourself ragged getting everything ready for this trip, let me handle getting us there.” Luz smiled, giving the hands around her waist another squeeze. In return, she felt her wife leave a gentle kiss on the back of her head, leaving a moment of tender warmth against the biting cold surrounding them. Urging Stringbean forward, Luz settled into the serenity of riding, listening to the clink of Stringbean’s laden saddlebags as they trotted along the path. The road to the railroad town of Graves Ford was a familiar one to the Noceda-Blights, a wide, worn dirt track scored with the imprints of countless wagon wheels and hooves which flocked to the frontier town. 

After their wedding, the couple had moved out and built their new life out here, carving out a home in the rolling plains and foothills which surrounded Graves Ford. Together, they’d built a small ranch in the foothills on the edge of the shadow of a mountain called Titan’s Knee, a towering monolith of stone and ice which dominated the horizon of the western part of the state. The summer had been warm and kind, and the newlyweds had spent every moment not tending to their ranch wandering the forests and valleys around their home. The foothills were bountiful for hunting and fishing, and always had a new curiosity to drive the newlyweds to explore their little corner of the world. The forests had a wealth of exciting places to discover, and many times the couple would find themselves swimming in crystal-clear mountain springs or easing  sore muscles in the hot springs which dotted the upper reaches of the foothills. 

But December came to the foothills like a lion, and the pair had been largely stuck within their home, its timbers sealing in a comfortable domestic warmth in contrast to roaring snowstorms outside. Despite the pleasant proximity that being homebound brought, cabin fever had started to affect them both. And so, one crisp morning when a letter in Eda Clawthorne’s familiar scratching handwriting had arrived, the couple had jumped at the chance to travel to visit their family for the holidays in the warm desert of the southern states. And it was because of this they found themselves battling through the storms to reach Graves Ford, two tickets aboard the 105 train southbound nestled safely in their saddlebags along with carefully wrapped gifts for their loved ones, meticulously packaged by Amity the night before their departure. 

The couple rode in a comfortable silence as they cleared the wood, snowflakes dancing around them, catching the muted light of the setting sun. Stringbean’s careful hoof falls crested a rise, revealing the bustling town of Graves Ford below them, the town’s lights just beginning to illuminate the approaching dusk. The railroad, shining in the dying sunlight like twin ribbons of steel, meandered past the edge of town, marrying a station platform before fanning out into a small railyard populated by a few boxcars sitting aimlessly like grazing cattle on their iron tracks. Graves Ford was built around the Guthrie River, a glittering blue ribbon of fresh snow melt which thundered down the sides of the glaciers to the west in a series of famous waterfalls before gently meandering its way through the valley. The center of Graves Ford was built along the bank of the Guthrie just opposite the railyard, and sported a few taller buildings and cobblestone streets like the cities back east, which gave way to wide dirt streets and houses and shops at the edge of the town. On the railyard’s side of the river, a small industrial district had sprung up, forges and factories wafting black smoke out into the snowstorm, refining and packaging goods to be sent along the line to parts east. 

“Amity, darlin’, we’re here.” Luz craned her neck slightly to address her drowsy passenger. Her wife’s features were nipped with pink from the cold, framed by lavender hair which poked out from the knit cap Amity had pulled down over her ears to guard against the cold. Amber eyes met Luz’s, her wife’s groggy brain processing the words, making Amity’s nose twitch upwards in what would have been a smile had her face not been still pressed into Luz’s shoulder. Luz returned the expression, twisting slightly in the saddle to gently kiss her wife’s forehead, causing the pink on her cheeks to flush slightly with red. “Can’t believe it’s been almost a year and you still can’t help but blush at me.” Luz teased, turning back to guide Stringbean down the hill into the edge of town. Amity grumbled something unintelligible in response, pressing her face back into Luz’s back. 

Entering the town as the sun finally gave up its hold over the sky, the warmth of community was on full display in Graves Ford. Shop windows glittered with light, the soft yellow glow dancing off of garlands and wreaths which swayed gently in the wind. Strings of lights criss-crossed the streets, adding to the festive atmosphere. People of all descriptions meandered the edges of the thoroughfare, bundled up against the chilly air which nipped at faces and hands. The creaking of wagon wheels and clopping of hoofbeats created a pleasant background din to the cheerful atmosphere, broken by the occasional holiday greeting shouted from a passerby to their loved ones. Luz guided Stringbean to join the flow of horses and wagons through the town, meandering their way towards the Graves Ford stables. 

Cardinal’s Rest Stables was an institution in Graves Ford, and the wide red barn was a frequent stop for anyone passing through the town for an expert bit of horse care or a friendly word from the shop’s proprietors. Hunter and Willow Park were longtime friends of the Noceda-Blights from back down south, and had moved up into Graves Ford a while before Luz and Amity had. Keeping their friends close had been one of the many driving factors for Luz and Amity to make their way north, and there was no one they trusted more to look after Stringbean while they were away than the Parks. Luz hitched Stringbean outside the stable, sliding off her mustang’s back before helping her wife to do the same. Amity busied herself removing Stringbean’s saddlebags to take with them on the train while Luz ducked under an awning at the front of the stable, knocking on the inviting oak door of the Park’s home, which was attached to the stable itself. A moment later, a tall, blonde man, well-groomed and muscled from a life of hard work, scars criss-crossing his face and arms opened the door, a bright smile on his face at the sight of his company.

“Luz! We were startin’ to get worried y'all had gotten caught up in that right awful snowstorm, glad to see y’all’s made it through! Come on in, come on, let’s get ya out of the cold. Willow’s just finishin’ up in the stable.” Hunter beckoned excitedly inside, and Luz followed, quickly turning before the door closed to call out to Amity.

“Amor , we’ll be right inside! Come on in when you’re ready!”

“I’ll be in a moment!” Her wife’s voice called back, and Luz let the door close, stepping into the warmth of the Park home. The interior of the home was cozy, a crackling fire found its home in the brick hearth, mantle bedecked with photographs and knick knacks from the Park’s travels before settling in Graves Ford. Luz felt a smile cross her face, seeing a slightly younger version of herself and Amity featured in many of the photographs from their years in the Southern States, bright smiles against a backdrop of sandstone and cacti. The walls were furnished with shelves supporting a variety of flowers, vines, and other plants that Willow had brought in for the winter to be nurtured in their home. A pair of plush armchairs faced the hearth, and a bookshelf packed to the brim with well-loved covers rounded out the room. The Park’s home looked just like its keepers: cozy, supportive, and safe. Hunter had busied himself in the kitchen around the corner, and the strong, rich scent of good coffee filled the air. Luz pulled her stetson off, letting her short brown curls free of the fur and felt hat which had shielded them from the weather outside. 

Hanging the hat on a nail next to the door, she turned to a blast of cold from the opening door as Amity emerged, laden down with the saddlebags from Stringbean which she had folded into a more portable knapsack for their journey by rail. Amity shivered, adjusting to the warmth of the home inside. 

“Everything all set, love? Hunter’s in the kitchen, and Willow’s just finishing somethin’ up in the stables.” Luz smiled, and pulled her wife in for a gentle kiss, feeling the warmth spreading from the touch clear the bite of cold from her wife’s face. 

“Yeah, we’re all ready to go, just gotta drop some stuff off with Willow and get Stringbean bedded up.” Amity returned the smile, running her hand up Luz’s back reassuringly. “I know you’re excited to get going.”

“I am, but we’re in no rush. It’s just nice to be out and about, and to do something special together.” Luz gently leaned against Amity, the two sharing a moment of calm until Hunter rounded the corner, two hot mugs of coffee in his hands. 

“Y’all been travelin’ through all this, least we can do is warm you up a bit.” Hunter said with a grin, offering the mugs to the two women, who took them gratefully, savoring the warmth of the fresh coffee through gloved hands. Taking a sip, Luz savored the heat flooding through her core, rousing her mind and putting a gentle smile on her face. 

“It’s good to see you Hunter, truly. Y’all told us the winters were somethin’ fierce, but I wasn’t rightly sure what that meant until now. Business been well here in the Ford?” 

“It has, we’ve done well enough for ourselves. Wills and I are comfortable, and it’s all I can truly ask for. I know the two of you have done well making that house a home.”

“We have, but it’s always better with you all too. Home’s the people as much as it’s the place. Ams and I’ve been looking forward to the thaw so we can start to get together regularly again. We’ve both been missin’ y’all.” Luz grinned, looking down at her wife, who gave a mumbled affirmative through the mouthful of coffee she’d just taken. 

“Same thing here! The Ford’s felt awful quiet without us going out to cause a ruckus sometimes.” Hunter gave a teasing grin, folding his arms. “We’ll have to have a Christmas party of our own when y’all get back from down South, before you head home.” 

Amity gave Hunter a playful shove on the shoulder, grinning. “S’long as we don’t have to carry you home from the saloon like last time! I don’t think my back can do that again.” 

Hunter blushed, remembering the snippets his brain had kept from the Parks and Noceda-Blight’s last outing in Graves Ford, which had involved a fair amount of whiskey, questionable singing, and an unexpected bath in the Guthrie River. “Won’t have to worry about me Amity, I’ll keep myself well as long as your wife won’t put me in the Guthrie again.” Hunter gave an accusatory look towards Luz, who chuckled at the memory. A fourth voice joined the fray, laughing from the newly-opened door to the stable. 

“As I recall, Mr. Park, you deserved every bit of that for trying to jump up on Luz’s back.” Willow strode in, a bright smile on her face. The muscular woman was covered in dirt and sweat from working the stables, her long black hair braided back into a long braid which fell over her shoulder. She sidled next to Hunter, wrapping an arm around him and pecking the cheek of her husband, who feigned outrage at her recollection. 

“Lies and slander, and from my own wife, no less!” He laughed, returning the kiss, entirely unbothered by the muck and sweat his wife had accrued from her work. 

Luz smiled at her friends’ antics, feeling her shoulders relax from the strain of the road. This was what home was supposed to feel like. Warm and gentle and bright. She unconsciously nestled into Amity’s arms, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Amity pulled her closer, before clearing her throat. As much as they’d love to, they still had places to go. 

“We’ll definitely make a night of it when we get back. Y’all are set to look after Stringbean while we’re gone? And do a check on the ranch? I still hate to be a bother but with this being the ranch’s first winter I’d rather someone we trust be looking after it when we can’t.” Amity grimaced. The Parks looking after the ranch while they were away was the only way either of them felt secure enough to go on this trip. Their little slice of home was still new, and leaving it unattended was scary, especially for Amity. 

“It’s no bother Ams, you know that. We’re happy to look after things. You’d do the same for us. It’ll be safe and sound, that’s a Park guarantee.” Willow stated, her tone firm but reassuring.

“I know, y’all know how it is.” Amity smiled, apologetically. 

“We do. Which is why you don’t need to worry about a thing. Enjoy getting to go back and see the folks! Say hi to everyone for us, won’t ya?” Hunter grinned, beckoning the now-empty mugs from the two women’s hands. “Y’all still have a town to cross and a train to catch, so we’ll see you when you get back. That’s a promise.”

Luz and Amity wrapped the two Parks up in a tight, thankful hug, promising to give the family down South their best, before picking up their hats and pushing back out into the cold towards Graves Ford’s train station. As dirt roads turned to cobblestones, the streets became more lively. Lights danced off of plate glass windows and music filled the air from street performers and saloons. The snow had let up save for a gentle shower of slow, lazy flakes which glistened in the light of the streetlamps. Walking hand-in-hand, the pair made their way to the station platform, marveling at the energy and cheer filling the streets around them. 

Graves Ford Station was a large train station by frontier standards, which was to say it was a building with comfortable seating and a long passenger platform, rather than a shack and a wooden deck like many stations further west. Arched windows beckoned travelers into padded benches which followed the curved interior wall of the building. In the center of the space, a mail and ticketing counter passed out information and timetables to a small crowd of patrons waiting for their trains. Finding a bench, the couple nestled together, Luz resting her head on Amity’s shoulder as her wife rifled through their knapsack, producing a pair of train tickets. They still had a half hour to go before their train arrived, and spent it snuggled together on the bench, watching the snow drift lazily by in the lights of the platform outside the windows of the station. Luz held Amity’s hand softly, running her thumb over the back of her wife’s hand. As the station’s clock made its lazy rotation towards their departure time, she felt Amity’s breathing slow next to her, her wife drifting off in her arms.

As the clock neared the hour, a distant train whistle split the night, stirring the couple from their blissful rest on the station bench. A bright headlamp cast its eye across the station platform, heralding the arrival of the dark steel horse that would carry them southbound. The steam locomotive, its boiler huffing along the track, pulled a line of eight passenger carriages, their long windows casting a golden glow out into the snowy night. The locomotive passed the station’s platform, its brakes squealing as it aligned its carriages along the platform’s length. Gently shaking Amity’s shoulder, Luz roused her from her sleep, placing a soft kiss on her wife’s forehead as an apology for disturbing her wife’s well-earned rest. 

“Ami, the train’s here. ‘S time to get on board.”

A grumbling voice responded in turn, her wife slowly shaking off the hold of sleep. “Train can… five more minutes.” 

“No Amor , we need to go. I’ll carry you if I have to, but the conductor will probably have questions.” Luz giggled, helping her groggy wife to her feet. “Besides, you can sleep all you want on the train. It’s a long way south.”

Satisfied with the answer, Amity dragged herself to her feet, and the two women made their way out onto the platform, joining the crowd who were boarding the line of carriages to make the long journey south. Making their way aboard, they stopped to get their tickets punched by a conductor before finding a comfortable bench in a secluded area of the passenger carriage, settling onto the padded benches. Luz leaned up against the window, carefully tucking her knapsack between herself and the wall of the carriage, and motioned to Amity to cuddle up next to her, wrapping her arm around her exhausted wife. 

A short while later, the engine at the front of the train rumbled to life again, and with a squeal of steel, they were on their way, chugging southbound across the hills and forests. Luz, watching the world go by outside the train window, her wife, now fast asleep next to her, on her way to see her family and friends, with the promise of more fun on their return. There are lots of trails to home, but they always follow the people that made those roads special.