A Good Day To Kill (33 page)

The day they were to leave on the drive, wispy clouds began covering the sky. On the porch in his jumper, crutches under each arm, Chet wondered about the approaching weather while the cool south wind swept his face. His wife was riding her jumping horses, and he figured the arena was too far away for him to hobble clear down there that morning. In time, though, he would. Besides, his leg was still throbbing a lot. He wheeled around and Monica opened the front door for him.

“Why, you're as handy as a pocket on a shirt,” he said.

“Don't expect it every time. Is she doing alright?”

“Yes, if she sticks to those lower bars, she'll be fine.”

“Okay. I have things to do.” Their cook went back to the kitchen. He knew that she shared his concern about Marge's jumping. Hell, she'd done it all her life, and it was her main interest outside of being a mother. What could he do as the late arriving husband to this household? Let her jump.

He read the latest
Miner
newspaper. One story was about a recent stage robbery east of Tucson on a stagecoach headed for Benson. One of the robbers listed as shot and killed by the guard during the crime was Larry Masters. That was good riddance, if it was really him. The Pima County Sheriff was seeking two others involved in the robbery. Anyone with information should contact him or Wells Fargo. That firm was offering a reward for their arrest.

Damn! One good thing happened while he was laid up. His archenemy had been shot and killed. When Roamer found that out, he'd wire him the good news. They could all celebrate. In the morning, he'd go to town with Jesus who was busy shoeing ranch horses that day. If there were no troubles on the drive, Raphael was coming back when they crossed halfway up there. May and the kids were all coming over the next day to visit. She'd sent word to Marge. His wife had also written everyone—north and south—about his wreck, plus the progress on his foot.

JD, to his surprise, had written him a lengthy letter about his progress on the Diablo Ranch. He'd bought two more windmills for newly drilled promising wells. Two were set up and pumping, and the women had started the garden. He couldn't count the number of palm trees they'd planted. The houses were framed and the shake roof was nearing completion on his house.

They'd trapped thirty wild horses and sold them for three dollars apiece. The brothers had several other mustangers working the ranch, and the wild horses would soon not be eating their grass. He also planned to trap the maverick cattle on the place and brand them. They discovered several head of them while on the horse-hunting trips. They had his blue roan horse captured and it was being gentled down.

His final note—“we are working our hind ends off down here. JD.”

Roamer had Shawn write him a letter on the Force's operation. Ten border bandits were arrested on various charges and turned over to local law or the federal court. Most were for hold-ups. Nothing in major crimes had been happening down there.

May and her baby Miles arrived with the rest of her tribe. Her oldest stepson, Ty, drove the buckboard over and the other two kids rode horses. Sarge and Susie drove in later with their baby Erwin. They hadn't heard about his wreck until the night before and set out early to make the trip to check on him.

Chet was standing in the back doorway. When Sarge went around and swung Susie and baby off the rig, he still had a bad limp from his accident.

“You alright?” Sarge hollered.

“I'm taking food and nourishment,” Chet said, amused.

“Good,” Susie said, coming up the stairs with a smirk on her face. “They shoot good horses with tore-up legs. You both are lucky.”

They laughed and he ushered them into the kitchen. There'd be no getting ahead of his sister's sharp tongue.

“That baby doing fine?”

“Yeah,” Sarge said. “They're lots of work. I never realized they were that much. How are you?”

“I'm fine. We have the diaper crew here today.”

“Chet, sit in a chair,” Marge said, “and tell them about your wreck.”

“We were sorting cows from the Ralston place we'd just bought to take up to Reg's. There were supposed to be four hundred cows over there. We don't know the full count yet, but before it snowed, we wanted to send them up to him. That will sure rest that range, which has been overgrazed. We also didn't want to take any culls up there. So, Hampt and I were sorting them and some old gray-muzzled sister got mad and charged my horse broadside. No way he could turn, and she struck my foot in the stirrup. Then she wanted more of me, and my horse was on his side, so Hampt shot the cow. I scrambled over the corral and, aided by one of the ranch women, we got Hampt out of the pen.

“That was about all. Jesus brought me back here at breakneck speed in an old wagon, and Doc came out and looked at it. He said I should lay in bed for two months and those three—Marge, Monica, and Jesus—laughed about that.”

“I bet they did,” Susie said. “Have they gone with the cattle?”

“Yes, Hampt took half the men and they've been on the road a few days. He was concerned because he never made a drive this large and he didn't have Sarge's experience. Why? Do you think it will snow?”

“It might. There are some fuller clouds coming off the rim this morning.”

“They have supplies. We'll have to wait and see, because they wouldn't let me go along.”

Everyone laughed and Monica served them coffee and some fresh sliced bread, butter, and strawberry jelly.

He and Sarge retired to the living room. Glad to be off his crutches at last, they talked about the cattle deal with the Navajos.

“Victor is taking the drive over again this time. I'll be good enough to go back to riding next month. He's pretty sharp at that business, and may be better than I am at it. I hate this happened.”

“No, this stuff happens. Look at me. You still favor that leg.”

“I know. That's why I sent him again.”

“Hey, I don't question your judgment or why. You're the boss over there. And you have a good man who we need to pay more for what he does. In the end, you have to make it work like Robert up at the sawmill. I had him find a number two man. I think he was doing too much work himself to keep things going. Not a crime, but we all need a man under us who can do the job—if we aren't there.”

“Thanks. I've been some worried about the accident.”

“Well, stop worrying. Actually, the log hauling and the cattle sales to the Navajo Agency are the profit makers in this enterprise.”

“Good. We'll do all we can. I looked at our new places Bo bought. There are some wells that with a windmill we could get water up for the cattle and spread out the grazing. There's lots of graze on those places, but water development would allow us to spread out.”

“Okay. You need how many windmills and tanks?”

“I could handle two or three. Two we could make earthen ones, but the other one would need to be masonry.”

“Can we get some shelf rock close by?”

Sarge shook his head. “I don't think so.”

“Let's get the earthen tanks built and a windmill on each of them first. Maybe we can solve the last one with pipe and metal ones, but they cost more. So we'll do that last. Can you hire a couple of men and teams up there to dig it?”

“Yeah, there are several homesteaders can use the work.”

“When you go back, get them started.”

“Oh, that'll be great.”

Susie came in with their baby, Erwin. “What's great?”

“We're hiring some local men to dig two tanks on those homesteads Bo bought.”

“Sounds like we're going to be busy. Do you think your foot will heal?”

“It'd better is all I can say.” He looked the child over. A lot smaller than Adam, and several months younger.

“How is JD?”

“Working his backside off down there. Read the letter over on the desk.”

“So, he sent you a letter. I never get one from him.”

She handed the baby to Sarge. “I want to read it. Lucie sends me letters. Marge, and May, too. Is his wife down there yet?”

“No, she's still in Preskitt. They're building her a house down there.”

“Oh, I know all about that building a house.” She read the letter and nodded. “That's a long letter from him. Sarge, you need to read it, too. He's been busy.”

“I will,” he said, and she handed it to him.

“So far, he's really involved in it,” Chet said.

“Oh, I can see that. Sounds great.”

Monica served lunch and the talk continued nonstop.

After lunch, May told him to behave, then left for home with her stepson driving, sitting tall on the spring seat beside her. Susie and Sarge spent the night, then left early the next morning. Concerned about the trail drive, everyone was eyeing the thick clouds rolling in.

Chet had halfway expected Raphael to be back. Maybe they had trouble. He could sure kick that damned old cow for butting him. Dang her hide.

After lunch, it started to snow in the form of small flakes swirling on the wind. But by the hour chime on the grandfather clock, the snowfall increased until, by dark, there were several inches of wet accumulation on the ground. Marge worried about him going out on the porch every hour to check on it.

“You'll fall down if you hit a slick spot. I'll go measure it if you want me to.”

He shook his head and smiled. “I'm just plain worried.”

“You can be worried here, or up there. You still couldn't truly have done anything if you were with them. Those men can think it out. You have the best men money can buy. Don't fret so.”

“I can't help it.”

“I can. There's plenty of whiskey left. Have a drink and simply relax.”

He shook his head. “I'll drink some and try to simmer down.”

“Good.” She went for the liquor.

“I hope those two stayed down at the Verde when it started snowing.”

She poured him half a glass. “They're not children. Sarge fought with the Army in the snow in Montana. He's not stupid.”

He raised the glass. “Here's to all the smart people I have working for me.”

They both laughed.

The next morning, Jesus came into the kitchen.

Chet looked up from his food and saw his serious face. “Ain't one damn thing we can do for them. How deep is the snow?”

“Five inches. But it is melting underneath.”

“Not fast enough.”

“Sit down at the table,” Monica said. “I'll get you some coffee. This is going to be a long talk about what two men can't do about the snow, and what they want to do with it.”

Marge laughed. “You know you're right, too.”

“The snow may melt, a lot of it,” Jesus said, taking a seat.

“Ah, we knew we had a chance of it. We better enjoy the moisture and runoff.”

“We sure can't help them.” Jesus shook his head and laughed. “Where do you think they are by now?”

“I hope on the rim.”

“They might be. But I bet Reg is hauling them hay anyway.”

Jesus agreed.

“Everything alright here?”

“Yes, I helped them load one rack of hay already this morning for the cows on this ranch. The cows are coming in this morning. They know where the food is.”

“You don't need to go pitch hay, either,” Marge said.

Chet looked at the ceiling for help. Inside his body, he had more unrest than six people. Clear enough there was not one thing he could do for Hampt and crew or the ones on the ranch there, either. It would probably be 80 degrees today down at JD's ranch.

When Jesus left him, in order to escape all of his pressing concerns, he took a nap.

Marge woke him for supper. Their baby, Adam, was acting upset, but he had no fever. He knew that a child's survival rate to reach age six these days was fifty-fifty. That made another concern for him to worry about. He really wanted to escape all those thoughts, but with his aching foot and ankle to pester him, it would be hard.

 

 

In a few days, the snow was gone, except in the shade. There'd been no word from the cattle drive, and there was no way for any news to get there except by the mail. He got along better on the crutches and he guessed his foot was healing, but too slow for him. It still was sore enough to wake him when he tried to roll over in his sleep. Also, he protected it from anxious horses and crowds stomping on it. Jesus took him to town in the buckboard, and when he hobbled into Jenn's Café, the girls jumped him.

“Any word from my husband?” Valerie asked.

“No, ma'am, or I'd have it here with me today. There's no telegraph up there and they are out in the wilds.”

“I get letters, anyway,” Bonnie said, and kissed his cheek.

He shook his head. “There are enough men with them to get through. They should be there in another few days and started home. I am as concerned as you are.”

“Sounds to me like JD is getting lots done down at Diablo, on the water supply and your house.”

“Yes, he is.”

“Hey, let him sit down girls,” Jenn said. “He's on crutches.”

“I'm fine. They're just concerned.”

“Don't get in a booth. I have chairs for you two at a table back here. How is Marge? With the snow, I missed talking to her this week.”

“Doing fine.”

“Good. Since we went to Tombstone together, we've become very close.”

“She sent her best to you.” Chet stood his crutches against the wall.

“You doing alright, Jesus?”

“Yes, fine. Thank you.”

“Big job, taking care of him, isn't it?”

“No. But I like my job.”

Jenn laughed, then shook her head. “You men stick together.”

“We have to,” Chet said.

“Your lunches are coming,” she said, and moved off to take some customers' money at the cash register.

“Maybe you are the smart one. You don't have a wife,” Chet said to Jesus. “I love her and Monica, but they sure can get feisty.”

“I know she means well.”

Valerie brought their plates of food and set them down.

“I'll get your coffees. Sorry, guess we're busy.”

“We'll be fine,” Chet assured her.

“Those girls are good workers and they try hard. This is some busy business.”

Chet agreed. “And when she doesn't have them anymore, she'll be in a tizzy for help.”

Jesus agreed and began to eat. Their coffee arrived and Chet thanked her.

At the end of their meal, Jenn refilled their cups. “Tell Marge hi for me. You two get enough to eat?”

“Plenty,” Chet assured her. “And we'll tell her.”

“Where you going next?”

“To see my banker, Tanner.”

“He's a pretty straight guy. We get along. I borrow some money from him from time to time.”

“You never asked me?”

“After you ransomed my daughter with horses worth thousands of dollars, I'd be too embarrassed to ask you for any money.”

“Don't be. That's water passed under the bridge. I ended up with her as JD's wife, anyway.”

She agreed and looked close to crying. In a rush, she hurried away to the kitchen.

“I recall that trip down in Mexico.”

“Jesus, you can't not consider a person's worth. Horses are nothing.”

“Even Barbarossa ones.” Jesus knew how he felt about the trade.

They drove to the bank and Jesus gave him a hand getting down. They went inside and a clerk waved him over. “Mr. Tanner is sick today. He plans to be back to work tomorrow.”

“Serious?” Chet asked in a soft voice.

“He doesn't think so.”

“Thanks. I just came by to check with him.”

“Mr. Marsh has access to your accounts. Could he help you?”

“Nothing I need. Tell him to get well. Thanks.” They left the bank for Bo's office.

Bo was deep in papers on his desk and looked up at him with a blank expression. “Oh, Chet, what do you need?”

“To get the hell out of here. You look buried in papers today.”

“Yes, I mean I am covered. No, Chet, did you need anything?”

“No, I wanted to be sure you were alive and taking food.”

“I am fine. Sober as a judge.”

“Good. Stay that way. I'll be back.”

“I heard about your wreck. Damn glad you survived. See you next time. I'll take time for you then.”

“No problem. We'll be back.”

“Tell Marge hi from me.”

“We will.” He closed the door and buttoned his coat. There was a cold wind coming. Someone turned the heat off on them, he decided. They drove home in the dropping temperature.

On the twelfth day, several bundled-up men on horseback rode up the driveway and someone rang the yard bell. Chet grabbed his crutches and hurried through the kitchen and outside.

Raphael drew up his reins. “Good afternoon. We are back.”

He dismounted and Chet, crutches and all, hugged him. “Is everyone alright?”

“A little cold. A lot tired, but we are all back here. We never lost a cow. Cole went on to see his wife. Hampt and his boys should be home now, too.”

“After you see about your wife and family, and the men, come to the house. I want to hear it all. Bring everyone, for we all want to hear about it.”

“I am awfully dirty. So are the men.”

“Come to the house. A little dirt doesn't matter. You've been doing my job. We all want to hear how it went.”

In Spanish, Raphael gave the men orders to get their families, children and all, and come right back to the house. Then he nodded at Chet. “They will all be there shortly.”

Chet turned to his two women on the porch, both wrapped in long tailcoats. “Make some coffee. Everyone is coming to the living room and tell the story of the drive.”

Marge still stood out there to wait for him. “Everyone is alright?”

“Yes, he said everyone was alright.”

When he hobbled in after his wife, Monica was already working at the large range. “Are the ranch women coming?”

“Yes, everyone.”

“That's good. They can help me make bear tracks for everyone. It will be a treat for the children, too.”

“Save me some.” And he went on in the living room.

“Rhea and I can fold up your bed and store it, so we have enough room,” Marge said. “You go sit in your big leather chair and play host.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Did he give you any clues?”

“Yes, the best one. Everyone is alright and all the cows are up at Reg's.”

“Cole, too?”

“Yes, he went on to his wife in town.”

“I bet May's happy to have Hampt back.”

Rhea excused herself to go check on the baby, while Marge went to answer the back door. People were already arriving.

They began to file in—sleepy children with their mothers,
vaqueros
with beards, and single men nodding to everyone, with their
sombreros
in their hands. Monica drafted Raphael's wife and another woman to help her make bear tracks, and Jesus joined them to oversee the cooking.

When everyone was there, Chet told Raphael to start his story.

“The drive went well. We crossed Chino Valley and started north in the snowstorm. Cole told me we better keep going and not stop. So we drove them all night. He had a compass and kept us going north. When we stopped the next day, the cattle were tired enough they stayed in place.

“We had some firewood in the chuckwagon and Haze cooked a meal. That evening, Reg and one of his men brought us hay wagons. That settled the cows and we backtracked to his place. But the hero was Spud. He knew that country and led Reg to us.

“Everyone was so exhausted, we stayed there two days and let the snow melt.”

“Fine, you all did wonderful. Did you bring the wagon back?” Chet asked.

“Yes. We left it at Tom's. We came back by the roadway, in case it snowed some more. There's no one out there on that route we took.” Raphael shook his head.

“Was Reg happy with his cows?”

“Oh,
si
. Very happy, and his wife, too. He has a nice ranch up there.”

“Lucie is a great gal. Eat the bear tracks and enjoy yourself. This was a good page in the ranch history. Thanks to all of you.”

Everyone, the men and their wives and the children, were all smiles and headed to the kitchen for Monica's bear claws.

For the first time in months, he slept through the night.

The next morning, he walked in his felt slippers to breakfast without his crutches. Monica frowned at him. “I bet that hurts.”

“Not bad. I need to get used to it. These damn crutches need to be retired.” He eased himself onto a kitchen chair. “I damn sure won't run any foot races.”

“I bet Hampt wants to rebrand all those new cattle as soon as possible.”

“Oh, yes. I figure he'll have it all planned out. He's a good man to have on that job.” Chet blew on his hot coffee. “Oh, yes. Everyone is growing up. I think JD has really made a great turn.”

“Yes. It sounds that way.”

“Between great men like Hampt, Raphael, Tom, Robert, and the rest, I'm very fortunate. And JD has really made a great turn for the better.”

“That's great.” Monica wiped a dish and spread the towel across the counter.

“Yes, and not just JD. Everyone is growing up, marrying, having children. The next few years will be great, watching the young ones grow and become part of our family.”

“You are lucky to have so many good men. Your ranches are spread too far apart to not have reliable men like them. What comes next?” Monica put his breakfast on a plate before him, pancakes, fried eggs, and bacon.

“Hampt's branding project. Counting all the yearlings, and two-year-olds on that place, I'll bet we have five hundred head to work.”

“Good thing you took those cows to Reg.”

“We had to. Come spring, we'll send most of those big steers to Windmill. He'll have lots of graze up there and they'll need to be fattened. That will help all that range over there.”

“Why didn't their man sell the big ones off?”

Chet shrugged. “They were never fat, and until we get a railroad up here there's little market.”

She took a seat across from him with a cup of coffee. “I can say this, I know you get concerned when you have to stay here, but both Marge and I like it.”

“I really like it, too. Both of you, and the boy, are my family.”

 

 

Clean-shaven, Hampt was there the next day and laid out his plans to borrow two of Raphael's single men and two of Tom's men to get on with re-branding the Ralston cattle. They could use the cleaned-up house on the new place, and if Jesus could cook for them—he'd be set up to do it.

“Come spring, I want all those steers moved to Windmill. Sarge has the grass up there. So they can get fat and be moved out on our contract.”

Hampt looked relieved. “Boy, that will give that range a real chance to recover.”

Chet nodded. “You're on the right track. When do we start branding?”

“Get set up Sunday and start Monday. Weather holds, we should get it wound up in a week.”

“I'll talk to Jesus about being your cook.”

“Good. That boy from the Verde was alright, but Jesus is better.”

Things moved fast. Jesus agreed to be the cook, and they took cots over for the men to sleep on.

Hampt and his men worked over the corral some more. Chet and Jesus made a trip to town for food and supplies, including a large roll of hemp rope to make lariats. The trip took all day and they spent the night at the Preskitt Valley Ranch. On Saturday, they took the supply wagon to the Ralston headquarters. Cole joined them and rode a quiet horse to accompany them over there.