Logan's Word: A Logan Family Western - Book 1 (Logan Family Western Series)

by Donald L. Robertson

  Pierce stumbled, his confident air gone. All Josh saw now was a small frightened man. Pierce’s head swiveled like an owl as if looking for a non-existent rescue. The three other men were already in their saddles with nooses around their necks.

  Josh turned to Fianna. “You probably don’t want to watch this.”

  She looked up at him, her eyes glistening and said, “I’ve learned this is a hard country. I’m part of it now. Men like this can’t be allowed to live and do again what they’ve done to others. I’ll watch.”

  Josh nodded. She keeps surprising me. He walked over to the tree. “You men have anything to say?”

  The three sat stoically. They had refused blindfolds. The men looked at Josh and shook their heads.

  “Sergeant, will there be a problem if you and your men are involved in this?” Josh asked.

  “This is the frontier, Major, Sir. I can promise there will be no repercussions from the army.”

  “Good. Get on with it then.”

  The sergeant nodded and the troopers slapped the rumps of the three horses. The horses leaped from under the men and left them dangling from the ropes. The oak limb bent with the weight of the men as they swung beneath its protective shade. Josh’s men were somber.

  This is a dirty business. Anger rose in Josh as he thought that all of this was caused by two men with no scruples. He turned to Pierce and said, “Get on the horse.”

  Pierce stepped back from the stirrups. He was visibly shaking and tears were welling in his eyes. “Please, I have money in New Orleans. You can have it all. There’s money in my saddlebags; I don’t want any of it. Please, I don’t want to die.”

  Josh grabbed him by the arm and thrust him toward the saddle. He said, “Now you know how those poor women felt when you killed them. If you don’t get on the horse, I’ll put you there.”

  Pierce grasped the saddle horn. His foot missed the stirrup the first time, then he managed to get his boot in and pulled himself into the saddle. Pat had mounted his horse and rode him up beside Pierce. “This is more merciful than you deserve,” he said as he slipped the rope over Pierce’s head and tightened it around his neck.

  “Any last words?” Josh asked.

  “Please, I don—,” Pierce said, as Pat slapped the horse’s rump with his reins.

  The horse jumped out from under Pierce, and the man who had killed so many people and ravaged so many women hung from the end of the rope, his life quickly leaving his body.

  “Leave them hanging,” Josh said. “Hang Ruffcarn up here too. Sergeant, find something to write on; I want a sign around Pierce’s neck. I want it to read, ‘This man was a woman killer and these men rode with him.’”

  “Yes, sir,” the sergeant said. He turned to one of the troopers, “You heard the major. Make it quick.”

  Josh had forgotten Fianna as he carried out his gruesome duty. He turned to look for her and saw her standing by the front of the house, the back of her hand pressed to her mouth. Tears coursed down her cheeks, making little trails in the dust. He walked over to her and put his arm around her. “I’m sorry you had to be here for this dirty business, but we couldn’t let these men go. Any one of them, especially Pierce and Ruffcarn, wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.”

  She looked up at him, her green eyes large as they swam in her tears, “You’re right. It’s just hard to see men die, even bad ones.”

  He held her for a few more moments. She leaned against his side, putting her head on his shoulder. The warmth of her body against his felt natural. I’ve got to talk to Pat. He pulled away from her and said, “We still have some work to do before we can leave.”

  The men had taken the rifles and handguns out of the house and bunkhouse. Jack said, “Josh, we’re ready to burn this place anytime.”

  “Light it off; the sooner we get it burned, the sooner we’re out of here.”

  Jack turned and waved to the men who held the torches. They tossed them into the ranch house, the bunk house, and the barn. The dry buildings lit up like the kindling that they were. Flames licked up their walls, sending dark smoke up to the heavens. The heat was intense. Fianna and Josh backed into the middle of the yard and watched them burn. It didn’t last long. Within a short time there was nothing but smoldering ashes.

  Josh looked at Fianna. “Are you rested enough? I’d like to start back for the ranch. We need to let them know what’s happened.”

  “I’m fine, Josh. I’m not a hothouse flower.”

  “I’m beginning to figure that out,” Josh said. He walked over to the sergeant and his troopers. He shook each man’s hand, then said, “Sergeant, I want to thank you and your men. You’ve been of great assistance. If it’s alright with you, I’d like for you to take all the firearms back to the fort. Since Ruffcarn spent all his time rustling Mr. Nance’s stock, we’ll take the horses back to the Rocking N.”

  “Major, Sir,” The sergeant said, “it’s been a pleasure and an honor riding with you. We’ll take care of these weapons, and I couldn’t think of a more deserving man than Mr. Nance. If you’re back in Camp Wilson, we’d be obliged if you’d have a drink with us.”

  “I’d like that, Sergeant.” Josh watched the troopers as they rode out of the yard with the weapons tied onto their extra mounts. It had been a long day, and the day wasn’t over yet. Pat was with Fianna talking. Jack and Byron were rounding up the horses they had let out of the corral before they burned the barn. He walked over to Pat and said, “Well, Pat, are you ready to take your sister to the ranch?”

  “Aye, Major; I think we both are ready to be on our way. There are no sweet memories here.”

  “I’m anxious to meet the Nances,” Fianna said, “and to get away from here.” She looked at the big live oak, where five men swung in the wind.

  They saddled a horse for Fianna and trotted out of the yard. The loose horses followed them, and Jack and Bryan brought up the rear, riding drag to watch for stragglers. They topped out on the hill south of the burned out ranch.

  Josh took one last look back. The oak tree bore its morbid fruit with dignity, its dark green leaves fluttering in the afternoon breeze. The buildings were leveled; only part of the corral still stood. It was a forlorn place. Maybe the hanging men would deter others from doing the same thing. He turned forward in the saddle. Fianna was looking up at him. He could see the questions in her eyes. When they camped tonight, he would have to talk to Pat.

  Chapter 30

  The sun was slipping behind the western bluffs when they drove the horses into the deepening shade of pecan and oak trees along Pecan Bayou. They found a protected camping spot on the creek. There was brush along the outer border of the trees and a small open park next to the creek. Josh took Fianna’s hands to help her dismount. He could see the fatigue lines around her mouth, but she was still game.

  “If you’ll get some wood and the supplies, I’ll get some coffee started,” Fianna said, then she smiled like a beacon in the darkening woods.

  Josh smiled back into that beautifully strong face, with the faint line of freckles running across her nose. “I’d like to, but we best have a dry camp tonight. We’re deep in Comanche country. I don’t want your lovely hair hanging on some brave’s lance,” he said.

  “Oh, I didn’t think of that. I wouldn’t want that either. I think jerky and hardtack would be delicious tonight.”

  Josh grinned, and said, “You can eat that if you like, but Teresa, the cook at the ranch, sent some food with us. You’re welcome to join us.”

  Fianna laughed a soft, lilting laugh. “Why, thank you, sir. I’d love to.”

  Josh grew somber as he looked around, realizing that this was the same place where he had camped with Scott and Bull for the first time. This was where it all had started. It seemed like months ago, but had only been a couple of weeks. Had all of this happened so fast? How could he even think about taking this lovely young woman with him to the Colorado Territory? He’d known her for less than two weeks.

  He’d
killed so many men in such a short time. Granted, each had deserved to die, but so many? When he made the promise to Rory, he had no idea what it would entail.

  Like his pa always said, “A man can’t control his consequences; he can only control his decisions.” Pa was a rock.

  Josh looked forward to the time that Ma and Pa would be with him and Callum and his remaining brothers and sister; and Fianna?

  The other men had dismounted and were going about the duties of getting the campsite set up, the horses down to the creek for water, and the saddle horses rubbed down. There was plenty of grass. Jack and Bryan strung ropes among the trees to form a corral. They could hear the comforting cropping of the horses as they enjoyed the fresh grass.

  Fianna walked along the creek for a short distance and found some wild onions. She washed them off in the creek, then handed them out to the men to go with the food that Teresa had prepared. Pat had an extra bag with him that Teresa had sent along for Fianna. The men pulled up logs to sit on. All of them were experienced Indian fighters.

  Josh watched Fianna around the men. She was confident and friendly. She’d endeared herself to these tough cowboys. They knew what she had been through and marveled at her quick recovery. They respected her for it.

  “Jack,” Josh said, “how about you taking the first watch. We’ll do two-hour shifts. Bryan, take the second, and I’ll take the third. I’d like for us to be on the way again by daylight.”

  “Sure thing, boss,” Jack said. He picked up his rifle and moved out into the trees.

  Bryan nodded to Josh and continued to drink his coffee.

  Josh turned to Pat. “Feel like checking the horses with me?”

  “Aye, I need to stretch my legs.”

  Josh looked at Fianna across the embers of the fire. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.” He held her eyes for a moment. Was she was aware what this conversation could mean to both of them?

  The two men walked over to the temporary corral where the horses were contentedly eating. Josh could just see Pat in the faint moonlight. “Pat, you’re my best friend. We’ve been through things together that most men will never know nor understand. Last thing I want to do is throw a hitch into your plans—but I love Fianna.”

  Pat’s expression didn’t change. “Aye, I know. Do you think I’m blind? Why do you think I talked to you about her going to California? I could see what was happening between Fianna and you when we were at the Diehls’.”

  Josh shook his head. “I had no idea you knew. I didn’t even know then. How could you know?”

  “I’ve got eyes. I could see how you two responded to each other. But, Josh, she’s still young. She needs to go with me to California.”

  Josh’s heart sank. He couldn’t ask Fianna to go against her brother’s wishes. Pat was a friend he didn’t want to lose, but he didn’t want to lose Fianna either. Josh scuffed his boot in the leaves and said, “Pat, when you first talked to me, I was willing to accept your decision. I didn’t like it, but I was willing to do what you wanted. But did you see how she handled Pierce? She stood there and watched those hangings. She didn’t have to, but she did it because she felt she needed to. Look how fast she’s recovered. Why, she rode here like a trooper, even after all she’s been through. Pat she’s a strong woman. She’s what the West needs. She’s who I need to build a life with—but I don’t want to do it without your blessing.”

  Pat just stood there thinking. “I don’t know that I want her stuck on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. She’s been to school. That girl needs to use the smarts that are in her head, not disappear on some Colorado ranch. She needs to go to California.”

  “Pat, I don’t know what’s in store for her in California. I know that she’ll never find another man who will love her and take care of her like I will; and all that education is great. She’ll be able to teach our kids, so they grow up with knowledge of the world in their heads, not just ranching and tracking that I’ll be able to teach them. The two of us will grow strong, responsible citizens who will help grow this land. She’s strong, and she can do it.”

  Pat said, “Laddie, I know of no other man I would like to be my Fianna’s husband, but I’m still concerned about her and the Colorado Territory. You’d still be in Indian country. Why, you’d have to cross the Comancheria just to get there. Who knows what might happen.”

  “Anything could happen on the stage to California. Life is hard, Pat, we both know that. But it’s that hardness that makes us stronger. I’m asking for your sister’s hand in marriage, and I promise you I’ll always take care of Fianna.”

  “Who’s taking care of me?” Fianna asked as she stepped out of the shadows. “Are the two of you talking about me? Don’t you think if you’re going to talk about me I should be present?”

  “Ah, me wee sister, this is between Josh and me, don’t you fret yourself. Now why don’t you move back to the camp, and we’ll be acoming in a wee little while.”

  Fianna stomped her foot in the leaves and said, “Patrick Devane O’Reilly, don’t you ‘wee sister’ me. I’m twenty-two years old and fully capable of making my own decisions.” She turned to Josh, “And you, Mister Major Logan Sir, if you have feelings for me, it is me you should be talking to, not my wee brother.” With that, Fianna Caitlin O’Reilly turned sharply around, tossing her long flowing red hair, and marched back to the camp.

  The two men looked at each other sheepishly. “I have no problem telling she’s your sister,” Josh said to Pat.

  “Aye, she is, and you’d have your hands full with her,” Pat said.

  Josh smiled, though it was too dark now for Pat to see, and said, “I wouldn’t mind that kind of trouble at all.”

  “Let me think on it, Josh. As you say, she’s a strong woman.”

  “Pat, I just had a great idea. You could come with us. It’s a big country out there. Why, we could have adjoining ranches.” Josh chuckled and said, “At least we wouldn’t have to worry about our neighbor rustling our stock.”

  “You’re right on that, laddie. I thank you for the invitation, but I still need to think on it. I’m growing a mite tired of fighting and killing. Those hangings today took a lot out of me. They all deserved it, but I’m just getting tired. Speaking of tired, we’ve been up for two days. I think I could sleep for a week.” With that, Pat turned and walked back to the camp.

  Josh waited for a few moments, thinking about their conversation. He wanted Fianna with him. He needed to convince Pat, and, now it seemed, he needed to also convince Fianna. Josh realized that he was exhausted. He needed sleep. He walked back to the camp. Pat, Fianna, and Bryan were already asleep. He spread his ground sheet, slipped his Colt out of his holster and laid the Winchester next to him, then he lay down.

  “Boss, Boss—”

  Josh opened his eyes and Bryan was standing over him. “Alright, thanks,” Josh said. “Everything quiet?”

  “Yeah, so far nothing’s stirring. The horses are quiet. You were sleeping real sound.”

  “Yeah,” Josh said. “Glad you weren’t a Comanche; we’d all been dead. Hopefully, that’s the last time I sleep that sound, unless I’m in a bed.”

  Josh slipped his revolver back into its holster and picked up the Winchester. He walked around the horses, talking to them to keep them calm. They weren’t like those jumpy longhorns, but it always helped to talk to them. Several of the horses came over to him and he rubbed their noses. He waited a few minutes more, and moved out to the edge of the trees. The quarter moon was still up, casting some light across the prairie. He loved this time of day. All was quiet. An occasional owl would hoot back in the trees. He could hear an armadillo rooting among the leaves for any beetles or ants it could find. The stars looked so close he could touch them. Even though the moon was still up, the Milky Way was visible in the otherwise dark sky. Two coyotes serenaded the countryside with their mournful howls. He found a comfortable spot against an ancient oak and sat slightly outside the line of trees that paralleled the creek.
This gave him a wide view of the prairie. He’d been on watch for two hours when the stars started to fade. While it was still dark on the ground, he moved back into the trees so he wouldn’t be visible when it became lighter. He heard someone up in the camp. As dawn progressed, the few clouds turned from a ghostly gray to deep purple and then to a bright golden hue as the sun rose above the hills, chasing the shadows from the valley.

  He could hear voices back at camp and caught an occasional whiff of coffee. Footsteps warned him of someone approaching from the camp. It was Fianna. She handed him a cup of coffee, and their hands touched. He felt the warmth of her long fingers as she held her hand under his for a few moments. He looked down into those emerald green eyes. “Fianna.”

  She smiled into his eyes and placed her hand on his cheek, “I know,” she said.

  Josh was about to mention building a fire to her when he detected movement out of the corner of his left eye. He slowly turned his head and saw five Comanches riding single file just inside the tree line toward them. He pushed Fianna behind the tree. The Indians hadn’t seen them yet, but they would at any moment. Josh recognized Eyes of Hawk in the lead. Before they saw him, Josh stepped out into the edge of the trees, directly in their path. The movement gave his position away. The Indians saw him immediately, but didn’t stop. When they were about fifteen feet from him they pulled their horses up.

  Eyes of Hawk looked down at Josh. “We meet again, Josh Logan.”

  Josh turned slightly so that he could bring the Winchester to bear quicker and said, “Yes, and this time we aren’t shooting at each other.”

  Eyes of Hawk said, “Not yet.”

  One of the other Indians said something to Eyes of Hawk, who turned and looked deeper into the forest of trees. Josh heard the click of a hammer being eared back behind him. “You are not alone,” Eyes of Hawk said.

  “No, my friends are with me.”

  “You have many horses with you,” Eyes of Hawk said. Now it was light enough to make out the horses back in the trees. “And I smell food.”