Buster said, “He thought I’d sell him the ranch and he would get to keep the brand. He really didn’t understand me at all.”
Dub laughed. “He kept calling her ‘little lady’. I figure he’s lucky she didn’t take buckshot to his backside.”
She was still mad enough at Hansen to wreak havoc on him if he were in front of her. “Darn right he is. If he’d asked me to sell once more, I would have loaded the shotgun.”
Thad would have enjoyed seeing that. “Here’s a different brand, the Bar S.”
Dub and Buster wove their way through the cattle to inspect Thad’s discovery. Cordelia and Aubrey followed.
Buster said, “That belongs to John Sanders. His ranch is west of Hansen’s and smaller than the Rafter O. I wonder if he knows they’re missing.”
Tony rode up to Buster. “You want me to go and tell him?”
“Please do, Tony. Maybe he’ll send some men to help cut his cattle from the herd.”
Dub gestured to a heifer. “Here’s another Bar S brand. Anyone found a third mark?”
No one had seen additional brands.
He asked the lawmen, “Have you seen enough to verify the theft so we can start separating out Rafter O cattle?”
Sheriff Bowles took off his hat and mopped his brow with his handkerchief. “We have.”
They began cutting, the dogs helping as they were trained to do. They bunched the Rafter O cattle on one side of the canyon and those of the Bar S across the creek. By the time Tony returned with John Sanders and three of his men, they were ready to drive the cattle to the correct range.
Sanders reined in his horse in front of Buster. “Sure appreciate you letting me know about this. We missed over a dozen head but couldn’t find where they’d gotten out of our fences.”
Buster nodded toward the creek. “We found twenty of yours and they’re ready for you to drive home. Hansen had fifty-five head of Rafter O’s here. He’s in jail, by the way.” She gave him a summary of Hansen’s activities.
“Your man Ortiz told me. Couldn’t figure out exactly why I didn’t like Hansen, but I didn’t. Still, I never reckoned him for a rustler.”
Thad couldn’t keep bitterness from his voice, “And a killer. Who knows what else he’s done.”
Sheriff Bowles said, “Soldiers are on the way to take him and his men to the fort for trial. Marshal Wentz and I will give them written statements about what we’ve seen here today. Don’t believe you folks will need to testify at the trial.”
Buster smiled at the lawman. “That’s good. I’m sure Fort Bridger is interesting but I have no desire to travel there.”
Cordelia gestured toward the cattle. “You can move these now. We’ve seen what we needed to see.”
Dub held up his hand and motioned forward. “Let’s get ’em moving.”
Thad was relieved when they had the cattle back on Rafter O land.
Buster double checked the gate. “Don’t want them pushing this open to get back to that nice creek in the canyon.”
Dub rode with the two marshals, engrossed in conversation.
Thad took advantage of Dub being distracted and leaned over and kissed Buster. “You’re pretty enough to set on a shelf but I’d rather have you with me.”
She smiled and her beautiful blue eyes shone. “I’d never be the sitting type. I’d much rather be doing things.”
He kissed her again. “As long as you include me in whatever you’re doing.” He realized he meant what he’d said. When he was with her, he was more content than he’d ever been.
Chapter Eighteen
The next day after breakfast, Buster asked Dub and Thad to come into her office.
She sat behind her desk. “Thad, have you come to a decision about the horses?”
He didn’t meet her gaze. “Not yet. There are several things to consider, one of which is that I don’t have a bill of sale yet. Saying he’ll mail one doesn’t mean anything unless I actually receive the thing.”
“If you’ll sell those horses to me, I want to use them to cross with mustangs and develop a hardy line of beautiful horses.”
Dub looked from Thad to Buster. “Sounds good, Buster.” He braced his hands on the chair arms and stood. “I’m gonna check on Sam.”
Buster rested her hands on the desk. “I need those horses. Dub and I planned a breeding program using those four plus some of the mustangs rounded up for the sale. I have plans to cross the Morgans and the mustangs to breed a superior ranch horse.”
Thad cocked a hip and hung his thumbs on his waistband. “Getting ahead of yourself, aren’t you?”
Fighting to control her temper, she took a deep breath. “Until a few days ago, we had no idea those horses weren’t legally mine. Papa and I had planned to breed to get better ranch horses. I reckon that’s why he played into Hansen’s hands and bought those four.”
He rested a hip on a corner of the desk. “Where did you plan to get the Morgans?”
She met his gaze, annoyed he’d sat on her desk. “Papa was planning on contacting a man he’d heard of in Colorado to buy them. When Papa bought the four you came for, we thought we were all set. I do know how to manage a ranch, in spite of your doubts.”
He came around the desk, leaned toward her, and raised his eyebrows. “Oh? In the last three months you’ve had cattle rustled, your home ransacked, and lost a horse contract with the Army. Is that what you call running this place well?”
She punched a forefinger into his chest. “Mr. Know-it-all, how was any of that my fault? I suppose you’re going to blame Sam’s injuries on me, too?”
His expression changed from anger to remorse as quickly as if she’d stabbed him. He clasped her shoulders. “Sam being shot was totally my fault. Tony had warned me that Oglesby character was deadly but I focused on Hansen and the two with him.”
He looked into her eyes. “None of the other was your fault, either. I’m sorry I threw them in your face. I don’t know what came over me.”
She rested her forehead against his broad chest when he apologized. “When I saw Sam, at first I thought he was dead and I was devastated. He’s a good man… he was so gray.” Her voice caught in her throat.
His strong arms went around her, caressing her back. “He could have died. I should have insisted he stay at the doctor’s office but I gave in because he asked to come home. I knew, if it were me, I’d sure rather be here.”
She raised her head. “You would? Do you mean in your own bed or here at the ranch?”
“I mean…” He took a deep breath. “I mean here, where you are. Guess I don’t have any other home now.”
“You have this one if you wish.” She wrapped her arms around him.
Dub’s voice separated them. “What is it with you two? Knock it off. Thad, let’s get to work.” Dub stomped into the hall.
With a smile, Thad quickly brushed her lips with his before he hurried from the room.
She stood with her fingers against her mouth for a few seconds. Happiness cloaked her. I’m silly as a schoolgirl.
Rounding up and saddle training over a hundred horses had taken months. They had reinforced the routines daily and insured the animals remembered their tasks. Buster and all her hands except Sam had worked with the horses the previous day.
Now they needed to select the best ten for her breeding program. In the time spent training the horses, Buster had a good idea of which ones she wanted to keep. Whether Dub would choose those same ten or not she’d learn today.
When Dub appeared accompanied by Thad, Buster took her foreman aside. “What is he doing here?”
“I asked Thad to work with us today. From the way you two keep pawing each other, I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“We do not paw each other. A couple of times I was upset and he comforted me briefly. That’s all.” She wasn’t being totally truthful—he’d kissed her and she kissed him back. Dub didn’t have to know that.
“You want to buy his horses, you’d better be civil.
”
“I will be. I was just surprised you asked him when he’s new. Why not Tony?”
Dub scowled and put his hands on his hips. “Tony’s taking care of something else. Why are you second-guessing every decision I make? Am I the foreman or not?”
Buster linked her arm with Dub’s. “Guess I’m just nervous about the sale and whether or not Thad will let me buy his horses.”
Dub patted her hand where it rested on his arm. “Stop worrying and let’s get on with our work.”
They had arranged for Eddie and the four newest workers to show the horses for observation. Checking over five at a time, they had gone through half the horses by dinner time. Eleven horses had been put aside as possible candidates.
The dinner bell’s peal could barely be heard. It was loud enough to catch the attention of Eddie and the other four men working in the paddock. They joined Buster, Dub, and Thad in trekking to the house for their noon meal.
Marnie set the meat on the table’s center. “How much progress have you made?”
Dub reached for his coffee. “Halfway through. Figure we’ll go faster this afternoon now we’ve got a routine down. Tomorrow we’ll work with those we chose to see which ones to keep.”
Buster passed the potatoes. “I definitely want that dappled blue and the bay. I think they must be the offspring of thoroughbreds. They’re beautiful horses.”
Thad grabbed another biscuit. “I believe you’re right, Buster. There’s no brand on them or I’d think they’d escaped their owners recently.”
Buster marveled at how the man kept his slim waist. “We rounded them up on the range. Domesticated horses get mixed in with wild herds occasionally but we check for brands.”
She was happy they were making progress. By tomorrow evening, they’d have chosen the ten they wanted to keep. She just had to talk Thad into letting her buy the four horses from his previous employer.
As predicted, the afternoon went quickly. At the end of the day, they’d chosen eighteen horses to consider keeping. Of course, she loved each of them but she had to be practical and narrow her selection to ten. Being the boss carried burdens of providing for those who lived on the ranch.
She had told Hansen the truth, she thought of her employees as her extended family. Especially Marnie and Dub, who were like her parents now that Papa was gone. Lucy was like an older sister—a shy one who seldom talked.
Chapter Nineteen
Thad was awake earlier than usual. He’d had a restless night, concerned about driving a hundred horses to Wildcat Ridge without encountering problems.
Dub appeared in the bunkhouse to rouse those still asleep. “When I checked with Jones yesterday at the livery, he had everything ready for us to push the herd in this morning. Farrier will be available if he’s needed. Everyone know his job?”
His question received mumbled “yeah” and “yes” answers.
“Okay, let’s go have breakfast so we can get this chore finished.”
They filed into the kitchen and sat at the table. Marnie and Lucy had steaming food ready to eat.
Thad glanced at Lucy before speaking to Buster, “Sam still too weak to come to the table?”
She watched Lucy take a plate she’d filled to the bedroom where Sam recovered. “She won’t let him out of bed. Doctor Spense has been to see him several times and agrees he needs complete rest. Doc said Sam very nearly died from the blood he’d lost.”
“I reckon he’s getting mighty good care.”
“He sure is. Lucy has made nursing him back to health her priority. She spends most of her time waiting on him, reading to him, talking to him.”
Thad leaned back and raised his eyebrows. “Talking? I don’t believe it.”
“Doubt the fact if you wish. I probably would have if I hadn’t heard her. They have long conversations.”
She pulled her napkin across her lap. “Not that I was eavesdropping. I heard them from the office because both the office door and the one for her bedroom were open.”
“Sam’s not much of a talker either. Guess they each found a kindred soul.”
After breakfast, Buster and her ranch hands saddled up and began driving the horses toward town. The animals had been trained for saddles but they still had enough wild mustang in them that she was afraid one of the stallions would take his harem and bolt. She and Thad rode near the front on one side with Dub and Tony on the other.
The drive progressed well until they reached Wildcat Ridge. At the edge of town, Mortimer Crane and two of his yes-men had stretched ropes across the road.
The flashily-dressed entrepreneur puffed out his chest and gestured wildly with the hand holding a cigar. “This is my town and you can’t drive those beasts on my property.”
Groups of onlookers formed on each side of the way.
Dub rode forward at the same time as Buster. She glanced at Moose Creek beside the road, checking whether that as an option. No, too deep plus she wouldn’t risk the horses’ legs slipping on rocks.
Before her foreman said anything, Buster said, “You may own most of the town, but not this road and not the livery stable or corral.”
“I own this land and you’re not driving those horses across and leaving a pile of horse apples in the wake.”
Dub jerked his head toward the men behind him. “Two of our men are set to clean up any manure left on the street.”
Crane gestured again in a shooing motion. “Don’t matter. Turn around and take those animals back to your ranch.”
Hester and the lawyer, Owen Vaile, strolled up behind Mortimer. The mayor folded her arms across her chest and smiled at Buster.
The lawyer tapped Mortimer on the shoulder. “This is a public road, Crane. You can’t bar anyone from using it. If you’d care to step over to the hotel, we can discuss the matter.”
Crane used his cigar to point at the lawyer. “I bought this land. When I sold a few lots to businesses, I didn’t sell the road.”
“Ah, but you did as far as the law is concerned. When you sold the first lot, you made this a public roadway instead of a private road. Now you can’t dictate who can or can’t use it to gain access to any business.”
Dub yelled, “You heard him, Crane. You gonna move those ropes and step aside or do we have to drive these horses over you?”
Shouting curses, Crane turned and stomped toward his saloon. His men removed the ropes then followed him—keeping their distance. The man was known to have a vindictive temper. Apparently, his men were not willing to incur their boss’ wrath.
Buster stopped beside the lawyer. “Thank you, Mr. Vaile. Thank you, Hester.” Then, she rode on with the herd.
Jasper Jones closed the gate as the last horse passed through. “I’ll have the hay passed out in a jiffy. Fresh water was pumped out this morning.”
Thad took off his hat long enough to wipe his sleeve across his brow. “Tony and I’ll hang around and calm them and help Jones. Mac and Eddie are set to take tonight’s watch. The rest of us will bed down in the loft to take over from them and in case of trouble.”
Buster nodded toward the building. “Jones said the men could nap in the hay loft. Dub and I are staying today, too. Can’t afford to have the horses upset. I don’t want prospective buyers thinking they’re high strung when they’re not.” She stroked the nose of one horse and moved to another, talking softly to soothe them.
Being amid the animals filled her with bittersweet pleasure. She’d come to know each one and hated to part with them even though keeping them would be impractical. At the same time, she was proud of the job they’d accomplished with this herd.
Now that the trouble with the Indians had diminished and the Army required fewer mounts, she hadn’t planned to round up more wild horses. With a scornful Pffft from her lips, she conceded the recent fiasco with the Quartermaster certainly reinforced that decision. Instead, the Rafter O Ranch’s efforts would be concentrated on raising cattle and breeding fine horses.
Late in the after
noon, she left the corral and watched over the rail. Soon, Thad, Tony, and Dub joined her.
One of the onlookers, a burly and unkempt fellow, pretended to accidentally bump into Buster.
He pushed at her shoulder and looked her up and down. “Well, I’ll be. Bill and Max, would you lookee here, this here’s a girl.” He leaned into her face. “Saw you from behind and them overalls sure fits nice. Say, girlie, you sleep in the bunkhouse with the boys?”
One of his companions said, “Good one, Walter.”
She shoved Walter in his chest. “Watch your filthy mouth, mister, or I’ll rearrange your teeth for you.”
Thad stepped between her and the man called Walter. “Hands off, mister, and apologize to the lady.”
The uncouth man leered at her. “Huh, I don’t see no lady, just a–”
Whatever he’d been about to say was interrupted by Thad’s fist on his jaw. The rude man went sprawling on his backside. He was up in a flash and threw a punch at Thad. Thad reeled but remained upright and got in a sharp hit to the man’s gut.
When Walter’s two friends would have come to his aid, Tony and Dub stepped in front of them.
Dub said, “Interfering would be a mistake, fellas.”
Tony rested his hands on his hips. “Sí, a grave mistake. Miss Odell is very popular in this town and she has many friends who would not like to know you have been disrespectful to her. These are her horses.”
As he said this, three more Rafter O hands joined him.
The two combatants traded blows until the vulgar man called Walter was unable to get to his feet. Thad jerked him by his collar and dragged him in front of Buster.
“I believe you were about to apologize for your rude remarks.”
The bad-mannered Walter wouldn’t look her in the face as he mumbled, “Sorry.”
Thad leaned toward him and said, “What was that? I don’t think anyone heard you.”
A little louder, he said, “Said I was sorry.”
Blessing (Widows Of Wildcat Ridge Book 2) Page 10
