Brothers in Blood (17 page)
“If I knew that I'd be the smartest man in the world.”
“I think you are.” Then she blushed.
After supper, an exhausted Cole and Shawn rode in with the horses. Marge fixed them supper and told Shawn he could sleep in the house or the bunkhouse. He chose the latter and thanked her.
When they finished eating, the room was cleared and the men left by themselves to talk. Chet explained the border problem and the Marshal's request. The two of them agreed they'd like to join him.
“How many days do I have before we leave?” Cole asked.
“Maybe two or three. Why?”
“I want to marry Valerie and have a couple of days with her before we go.”
“When are you going to marry her?”
“Tonight or tomorrow. Can I have two days and catch you?”
Chet shook his head at the young man's situation. “You can marry her, but you may be gone for a while.”
“No problem. I made up my mind coming home that if I don't marry her now, I may never get another chance.”
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“The boiler is on, Cole,” Marge interjected from the open doorway. “You can go upstairs when you're ready and take a bath. I have some of Chet's clothes ironed that will fit you. Leave yours and we'll wash them. Are you sure she'll marry you?”
“Yes, ma'am. We've talked enough about it.”
“Don't break your neck, but you can take our buckboard. Get a room at the Brown Hotel, and eat at Jenn's. Chet will pay for it. Now, Chet, show him the bath.”
“IâI don't know what to say,” Cole sputtered, looking flabbergasted.
“Say, âwill you marry me' to her,” Marge said.
Cole fell back in his chair. “I know that.”
They all laughed and sent Cole off to bathe and shave.
“Who will marry them this time of night?” Marge asked.
“Marrying Sam,” Chet said. “He don't care what time it is, as long as you have two dollars.”
“Oh, my, we could have saved some money doing that,” Marge said.
In thirty minutes, Cole was on his way to town. They waved him on his way, and hoped he didn't fall asleep and out of the buckboard.
The kids were in bed and Hampt and Chet sat in leather chairs before the fireplace. Logs crackled in the fire and spewed sparks that blazed in arches.
“We've all come a long way,” Hampt said. “In my darkest hour, you came with a job for us ex-hands. Poor old Hoot, he broke the ice back then when he called us all up here so we could take this big place away from Ryan and his outlaws.”
“Man, oh, man. I wondered if I'd ever get this ranch straightened out, even after they sent him to prison.” Chet wagged his head, thinking about all the problems they'd overcome.
“You and that boy, Heck, went clear to Hackberry and got him.”
“I guess I'll wonder the rest of my life what Heck would have grown into.”
Hampt agreed. “We was proud of him making a real hand. He sure cowboyed up fast working cattle with us.”
“One of my big mistakes.”
“Hell, no, it wasn't. Lady Luck shifted cards on you.”
“Thanks, Hampt, but I'll always labor over Heck's death.”
“Listen, boss man, we can't do everything right in our life. But being sincere is important. In that case, you did all you could.”
Chet hated even thinking about the loss of his nephew. “Tell me about your alfalfa planting.”
“I've talked to three different ranchers that have successfully planted it. You need a grain nurse crop. Sow it less than a crop for grain, but still it's needed to protect the alfalfa coming in. You need some kinda dust to treat the alfalfa seed. They sell it, too. I have it all ordered from Ivor, along with my seed. If I can get as good a stand as those three have, I'll whoop my head off.”
“You're going to have quite a bit of that acreage wise.”
“Yes, but the cattle really shine when we feed it to them.”
“Barbed wire and alfalfa. Folks will soon begin to think you're a farmer.”
“Call me what they want. I'm going to make that place as good as the Verde Ranch.”
“You will, Hampt.” Chet smiled at the pride the man showed.
“May says we will.”
“Tom's going looking for more bulls with some age on them. He's worried the home crop isn't developed enough to take the range conditions.”
“We'll need them. And ten years from now, we won't have any Longhorns left.”
Chet shook his head. “I never believed that, but it's going to be that fast.”
“Hell, all the folks had in Texas were range cattle and they were more like deer than cattle. No one thought about crossing them.”
“You're right. But change is coming.”
“I know that, boss. That's why I want alfalfa.” He paused and held his hands out to the fire. “How bad are these bandits down there?”
“I don't know, but this new US Marshal wants them mopped up.”
Hampt nodded, elbows on knees. “He picked the right man to do it.”
Chet wished he felt that certain.
C
HAPTER
19
HAPTER
19
When they woke up in the predawn, Marge stretched and asked, “Where will they live?”
“Who live?” Chet asked, rising to dress in the lamplight.
“Cole and his bride.”
“I guess they'll have to rent a place in town. Cole has his savings.”
“We better go find them one and a batching outfit.”
“I don't know that she married him last night.”
“If they took a room at the Brown Hotel, we'll know.”
“No, Jenn will know.”
“Sure, she lives with her. Hurry and finish dressing. We have lots to do today. You going to ask Simms today about loaning Roamer and not lose your temper?”
“That won't be easy, but, yes, I intend to see him.”
“I'll be downstairs in a few minutes. We'll have to take the old buckboard. Cole has ours.”
“Bring a warm robe to cover you. It won't be summertime out there.”
“Yes, I will.”
He looked up at her curt answer. “I only say such things because I worry about you.”
She rushed over and kissed his cheek. “I try not to be resentful.”
“Other words, you don't take advice easy.”
Trying to suppress her amusement, she said, “Oh, I went to finishing school.”
“Yeah, Susie warned me.”
“I think that was so funny, her saying because of that I wouldn't go camping with you. I'd of done anything to be in your hip pocket. You were hard to convince that you needed me.”
“Lucky I saw the light.”
Buttoning the front of her dress, she looked up at him and smiled. “I'm the lucky one.”
“We both are. I'm going down and see about Monica. Then fix the fireplaces, if she hasn't beat me to it.”
He hurried downstairs and saw the fireplaces were filled before he found her cooking breakfast. “Well, we're up.”
“I saw the light on up there and knew you'd be scurrying around this morning.” Hands covered in flour, she kneaded biscuits on the table. While she cut them with a shot glass, she shook her head at him. “There sure aren't any simple quiet days around here anymore.”
“You heard we sent Cole off to get married?”
“There'll be another woman that will miss her man,” Monica said, shaking her head.
Hampt was up by then and his threesome came tailing him into the kitchen.
“Did you sleep good, boys and girl?” Chet asked them.
“No,” Donna said. “Their feet were cold on me.”
Everyone was still laughing when May and Marge arrived to help finish setting the table.
“Monica says we're too busy,” he said.
“We all are busier, I think, than we ever were in Texas,” May said. “But we have lots more to say grace over out hereâand I like it lots better.”
“You said it, May. Thanks.” Chet hugged her tight.
“And I never would have said a word in Texas, either.”
“That's improved, too.”
“That day we packed it all up and had the auction, I wanted to cry. I wondered if I'd even fit in this outfit any longer with him and Heck both gone. But it turned out so much better than I ever imagined.”
“May, you blossomed in Arizona.” Marge smiled at her.
“Look at me. I sure did.” She indicated her growing belly and they all laughed about her increasing size.
The team they drove to town wasn't as good as the one Cole had taken. Hampt and his tribe had gone home. The two boys were outriding for him, while he drove the buckboard. What an outfit.
They made it to Jenn's first, and he helped Marge off and they went inside. Jenn met them talking. “I hope you two got some sleep. I sure didn't. That pesky pair got married about midnight, and by the time we got through celebrating it was three a.m. and I had to open at five.”
Marge hugged her. “Did they look happy?”
“Happy as they could be. Yes, I think they were excited and lost at the same time. They're at the Brown and may not come out until he needs to leave with you. He said that you all were leaving again in a few days and he wanted to get married first.”
“Can we rent a small house for them and get her set up, so she has a place to live while he's gone?”
“Yes. There's one near me for rent for seven-fifty a month. It needs some paint and a window fixed, but she can stay with Bonnie and me until we get that done.”
“Will she like it?” Chet asked.
“She'll be bowled over by it.”
“Make the arrangements for it then. I need to go see Simms and act peaceful. I'd like for Roamer to go with us.”
“We can handle all that,” Marge said, hugging his arm. “You go ahead, but remember your temper.”
“As she said, ahead,” Jenn said. “Marge and I can handle the rest.”
He left and drove to the courthouse. The deputy on the desk looked up in shock. “You got more prisoners?”
“No, I need to talk to Sheriff Simms. Is he in?”
The deputy went to the office door. “Mr. Byrnes is here to see you.”
“Show him in,” Simms said, and met him with a handshake. “Have a seat.”
“I came to see you about a favor. US Marshal Howard Blevins wants me to form a task force and try to stop the Mexican bandits from invading southern Arizona.”
“He's the new head man down there, isn't he?”
“Yes. We've never met, but he telegraphed me. I'd like to borrow Deputy Roamer to ride with us, but if he does, when it's over, I want him to have his job back here with you.”
“For how long?”
“Six weeks to three months. I don't know for sure, but it could be lengthy.”
“I don't see why not.”
“Thanks. I'll go talk to him about going along.”
“When are you leaving?”
“Within a week.”
Simms nodded. “Talk to him. Tell him I'll keep his place open. He may not want to come back after you finish the job.”
“I'm sure he will.”
“I hope you succeed. There's a vast number of those bandits down there. And I understand they're treacherous.”
“I know it won't be any picnic. Thank you.”
“Tell the new marshal I'd like to meet him.”
“Oh, I'm sure he'll spread out.” Obvious the new Chief Marshal hadn't talked to Simms about the bandit problem.
He left the sheriff's office and went by Frye's livery to see if Roamer was there. He found him and they hunkered down on their heels in the midmorning sun outside the barn, the warming sun shining on them.
“I'm forming a task force for the new US Marshal in Tucson, to try to stop the Mexican raids on the small ranches and outposts on this side of the border. I went on my best behavior and spoke to your boss about borrowing you.”
“What did he say?' Roamer twisted his handlebar mustache.
“He said I could have you and he'd keep your job open. Now, we may be gone for months. I don't know how that plays in your life and family?”
“As long as I get paid, my wife and kids will be fine.”
“So, you'll go?”
“Hey, I'd rather ride with you than any man living. Who else is going?”
“Cole Emerson, Jesus Martinez, Shawn McElroy, you and I, right now. They say my nephew JD is coming back, and he may join us.”
“I know all of them but the McElroy boy.” He shifted on his boot heels. “What are your plans?”
“Take four packhorses, and move like lightning to cut them off.”
“It might work. We should get lots done anyway.”
“If we once get started putting fear in their hearts, they may quit or taper off.”
“I like that lightning idea. What else?”
“I can advance you two months' pay right now. And you men will be paid a dollar a day.”
“That'll make my wife happy. Send word when you plan to haul out. I'll be packed and ready.”
Chet handed him sixty dollars. They stood up and shook hands, then parted.
He went to see Bo next. Busy behind a pile of papers, his land man looked up. “What brings you to town?”
“I'm headed out in the next week to run a task force against the border bandits. I may be gone for a few months. Marge can get hold of me, if you need me. And that about the task force don't need to be told to anyone.”
Bo nodded agreement and shuffled some papers around. “There's no news on the Rankin place. It's still in limbo.”
“Fine. We can settle on it whenever it happens.”
“How are the other ranches doing?”
“Great. When the government finally does pay, it pays well for our delivered cattle. That's what counts.”
“Where are your peace keepers today?”
“One got married last night. The other is home, shoeing horses for the trip.”
“Keep your fool head down. I need your business.”
“How's Jane?”
“A mean witch.”
“Liar.”
“You defend her. She bites me.”
“Tell her I said hello.”
When he left Bo, he went by to talk to Ben Ivor at the store. The big man stood up behind his cluttered desk. “Hey, how are you? Can I get you something?”
“No, I just came by to check on you.”
“I'm doing fine. That lady is all you said she was, and I'm pleased. She said to tell you hello, if I saw you. She's coming in this afternoon and filing these papers. After she gets through here, I may even have an office system.”
“No good or bad news about the machinery?”
“Oh, yes. They said they shipped it, so it should be here on time.”
“That's great that the machinery will be here in plenty of time before it's needed.”
Before Chet left, he explained to Ben about the task force and his future absence, then he went to the bank to see Tanner.
When he walked in, the banker handed him a telegram. “Good news. They're paying three more months of your paper.”
Chet grinned. “We'll be in good shape then.”
“I think so. Now, we're breathing anyway.”
“No, more than that. We're in fine shape. My man, Sarge, says the agency is pleased with our deliveries. If they keep paying for them, then I'll be fine, too.”
When he got back to Jenn's, the bleary-eyed married couple were eating their first meal of the day.
“Your wife and Mom are off renting them a new house,” Bonnie said.
“How will I ever repay you?” Valerie asked. She looked awfully dreamy eyed.
“By being happy with him.”
“Oh, that won't be hard. Marge and Jenn are busy setting me up in housekeeping. I'll be fine there. Plus, I'll still help Bonnie and her mom in here.”
“It's been a long time since I put you on a stage and headed you up here.”
“The best day in my life.” She beamed at him with teary eyes, then turned and brushed a strand of hair from Cole's eyes. “Thanks for him, too.”
Cole sat his coffee cup down. “How're things going?”
“Good. Roamer is going along.”
“That's good news.”
“Yes, things are coming together.”
“I don't see how you hold it all togetherâit's all so much.”
“With lots of help.”
Cole leaned over and kissed his bride. She blushed and put her arm on his shoulder. “I better get all the attention I can with him leaving this week, huh?” she asked Chet.
“Aw, he won't forget you.”
“I sure hope not. But thanks. You all are being real sweet to us.”
“My wife and Jenn I can't control.”
They laughed and he ordered lunch from Bonnie.
Clouds were gathering when he and Marge drove home in midafternoon. The day was still a warm one. When they drove in, a jaded ranch horse was hitched at the rack in front of the house. The porch door opened and JD, coffee cup in hand, came out to greet them.
The prodigal was back. Chet felt better, for the moment anyway.
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