by Jake Logan
“I thought you might need a drink too,” she said.
“That was real thoughtful of you,” Slocum said. “That’s just what I need.”
He uncorked the bottle and poured a glassful, and he watched Tex from the rear as she moved about the kitchen preparing things. He had some wicked thoughts, and he cursed himself, but damn it, she was a fine-looking woman. He couldn’t control his thoughts. He could control what he said and what he did, but he had no control over his thoughts. They just came when they felt like it. He wondered if Vance Kirk was a spirit hovering somewhere overhead, and then he wondered if spirits could read thoughts. He damn sure hoped that they could not.
8
As Slocum filled his belly with good food and warmed it with good whiskey, he and Tex told each other what had happened to them that day. Slocum told the tale of his being arrested, how Totum and his boys had arranged it, and how Benton had thrown him in jail and made him wait. Tex told Slocum about Benton’s visit. The two stories jibed all right, and Slocum was about convinced that Benton was indeed playing it straight. When they had run out of tales to tell, Slocum moved with his whiskey to the big easy chair. Tex followed and sat on the arm of the chair.
“So,” she said, “what do we do now?”
“We have a ranch to run,” Slocum said, “so let’s run it.”
“What about Kansas and his chums?”
“Don’t worry about them. Let them worry about us.”
“What do you mean? I don’t get it.”
“Totum wants this ranch, right? If he sees that we’re moving along with it like we mean to stay, that’s going to cause him to do something. He won’t just sit around forever watching us build it back up.”
“I see,” she said. “I guess you’re right about that.”
“What we need is building material and ranch hands,” Slocum said.
“I have credit at the general store in town,” said Tex. “We can get what we need there. But we won’t find any ranch hands in Dead Dog. The closest place I can think of is Hang Town, about a two-day ride from here. I’ll get started first thing in the morning.”
“Whoa,” said Slocum. “You ain’t riding for two days all by yourself. I’ll make the trip.”
“And leave me alone here? Not on your life. I’d be safer on the road.”
“I don’t like it,” said Slocum. “I’d say we ought to make the trip together, but likely we’d come back and find the house burned down if we was to do that.”
“It’s the only way I know to get any hands.”
“I still don’t like it.”
“You’re the foreman, but I’m the owner. That means I’m the boss. Right?”
“I can’t argue with that.”
“Then I’ll go to Hang Town, and you’ll stay here and keep an eye on things. Don’t worry. I’ll be all right. I’ll be real careful riding over there, and on the way back, I’ll have some boys with me. In the meantime, you can go into Dead Dog to the general store and order up whatever you think we’ll need. The owner is named Joel Barnes. He and Daddy were good friends. He’ll write it all up on my account.”
Slocum downed the rest of his drink. “It’s been a long day, Tex,” he said. “I think I’ll turn in, if that’s all right.”
“Sure it’s all right,” said Tex. “Sleep well.”
Slocum stood up and headed for the bedroom. He heard the sound of approaching hooves, but Tex spoke out before he could.
“Slocum, someone’s coming.”
Slocum jerked the Colt out of his holster and moved with long, quick strides to one of the front windows. He sidled up to it to look out, and he saw one rider coming. He rode easy. Tex looked over his shoulder.
“Well, I’ll be,” she said.
“What?” said Slocum.
“It’s okay. That’s Mr. Hooper. He’s a friend.”
She walked to the door and opened it. “Hello, Mr. Hooper,” she called out. “Light out of the saddle and come on in.”
Hooper swung down to the ground with a groan. He lapped his reins around the hitch rail there. “I’m sorry to be calling at such a late hour, Tex,” he said, “but I had a busy day and couldn’t get away no earlier.”
“It’s all right,” she said. “Come on in.”
Hooper stepped in the door and saw Slocum. He was obviously surprised.
“Mr. Hooper, this is John Slocum. He’s an old friend of my daddy’s. He’s agreed to stay around for a while as my foreman.”
Hooper stuck out a hand for Slocum to shake. “I’m glad to know you, Slocum,” he said. “And I’m glad you’re here. I hated thinking about Tex here alone.” He turned to face Tex. “I heard about your troubles. That’s how come I rode over here. I heard your hands all walked out on you after your daddy got killed.”
“That’s right,” said Tex. “It’s just me and Slocum now, but I’m fixing to take a trip over to Hang Town to hire a crew.”
“By herself,” said Slocum.
Hooper looked at Slocum. “You ain’t going along?”
“She won’t let me. She’s afraid something might happen to the place if we both leave it at the same time.”
“Well, now,” said Hooper, scratching his head, “she just might be right about that. Still, it don’t seem like such a good idea for her to be out riding like that by herself. Say, Tex, how would you like to have my boy Bobby along for the ride? He ain’t much older than you, but he’s a good hand, a real scrapper if need be. I’ve got my whole crew and three other sons. I can spare Bobby.”
“I hate to ask you to do that, Mr. Hooper,” Tex said.
“Well, now, you didn’t ask, did you? As a matter of fact, that’s what I come for was to ask if I could lend you some hands for a spell. So what do you say? Bobby’s a good boy. He’ll behave himself.”
“That’s real kind of you, Mr. Hooper,” said Slocum. “She accepts.”
“Good. I’ll send him over here first thing in the morning.”
“Mr. Hooper,” said Tex, “why don’t you sit down and have a cup of coffee? Or a glass of whiskey? Whichever sounds good to you.”
“Well, thank you. I think I’ll just do that. I won’t stay long, though. I have a good ride ahead of me yet, and it is getting late.”
Sure enough, Bobby Hooper showed up early the next morning. The Hoopers, Slocum found out, had a sizable spread a little farther out from Dead Dog than Tex’s place. They had not been bothered much so far by Kansas Totum. Tex figured that Totum wanted to grab up the nearer and smaller places before tackling the Hoopers. But the Hoopers had always been good friends to Vance Kirk and his daughter. Slocum was glad to discover that they did indeed have at least one ally, and a fairly powerful one at that.
Bobby Hooper was a nice young man, tall and stoutly built. He wore one six-gun at his side, and he wore it like he knew how to use it. The senior Hooper had said that he was no slouch when it came down to it. Slocum felt quite a bit better about Tex making the trip to Hang Town with Bobby along. Like a father, Slocum checked their supplies before they left, gave some advice, and told them to have a safe and uneventful trip. He stood in the yard and watched them as they rode away. He did not move until they were completely out of sight. Then he saddled up a horse and rode into Dead Dog to order up supplies for the new barn.
Joel Barnes in the general store had already heard about Slocum’s employment, and gave Slocum no problem at all. He took down notes of everything Slocum wanted. He said that he would have to order out for most of it and that when it arrived, he would personally load it up and drive the wagon out to Tex’s place. Slocum shook hands with the man and left.
Inside the saloon, Coy Ball was standing by the big front window looking casually out onto the street. Kansas Totum and Jimmy Reardon were seated at a table just next to the window.
“Hey,” said Ball. “There’s that Slocum son of a bitch coming out of the general store.”
Reardon jumped up to take a look. “Damn sure is,” he said.
/> Kansas Totum tried to appear disinterested, but he couldn’t maintain it. He got up to and joined the other two at the window. “Smart-ass bastard, ain’t he?” he said.
“Yeah,” said Reardon.
“What do you want us to do?” Ball asked.
“You heard Benton,” said Totum. “We don’t do nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“That’s what he said. So don’t do nothing.”
“It looks like he’s leaving town,” said Ball. “Sure you don’t want us to follow him and gun him down out on the road?”
“It’s tempting,” said Totum, “but not just now. I can’t risk pissing off Benton, not just yet. One of these days, you can gun down both of them. For now, just be patient.”
“Patience ain’t one of my best points,” said Reardon.
“Yeah,” said Totum. “I’ve noticed that. Coy, run across the street to the general store and pick me up a box of forty-fives.” He pulled some money out of his pocket and put it on the table. “While you’re in there, ask kind of casual what Slocum was doing in there. Then come on back over here.”
“Okay,” said Ball. He picked up the money and went out the door. Crossing the street, he went into the general store. Barnes looked up when Ball stepped in.
“Hello, Coy,” he said. “What can I do for you?”
“Give me a box of them forty-fives,” said Ball.
Barnes turned to pick the cartridges off the shelf. He laid them on the counter, and Ball put down the money. “Say,” Ball said, “wasn’t that Slocum I just seen come out of here?”
“That’s right.”
“I didn’t see him carry nothing out when he left. Is there something you ain’t got?”
“Well, I’ve got just about anything a fella would need,” Barnes said. “No. He ordered up some lumber and stuff. For a barn building.”
“A barn? Oh, yeah. He’s working for that Kirk gal, ain’t he?”
“He is.”
“Her barn burnt down a while back. I remember now. Guess he’s fixing to put her up a new one.”
“I reckon,” said Barnes.
“Well, thanks.”
“You’re welcome, Coy,” said Barnes. “Come again.”
Ball hurried back to the saloon and sat back down at the table with Totum and Reardon. He tossed the box of shells on the table.
“Well?” said Totum, impatient.
“He ordered up lumber for building a new barn out to the Kirk place.”
“It sure sounds like that gal means to stay put,” said Reardon.
“That ain’t good, is it?” said Ball.
“Maybe it is,” said Totum. “Maybe it is. If we just hold our patience, like I said, when they get that lumber, Slocum’ll be busy with the new barn. He won’t be as likely to notice what’s going on around him. We’ll let them get a good start on it, and then you two’ll ride out there and sneak up kinda close. Catch him up on a ladder or something and then knock him dead with a rifle shot.”
“That sounds good, Kansas,” said Ball.
“Sounds like we’re going to have to wait a spell,” said Reardon.
When Slocum got back to the ranch, he still had a few hours of daylight left. He decided to act like a ranch foreman. He rode out to check on the cattle. They were in good shape. In spite of the heat, they had plenty of grass, and there was enough water in the creek and the pond it filled. Satisfied that the cattle were in good shape, he rode the fence line. He found the fence in good shape as well, but by the time he had ridden it all, it was just about dark. He made it back to the house, put the horse in the corral, and went inside. He poured himself a glass of Vance Kirk’s whiskey, lit one of Vance’s cigars, and went out on the porch. He sat down to enjoy his smoke and drink and solitude. He had plenty of thoughts to occupy his time.
He thought about Tex on her errand, and he hoped that she would be successful and hire a good crew. He knew how to build a barn, but he did not like that kind of work. A bunch of hands would be right nice for getting that chore done. He wouldn’t have to ride fence or check the cattle anymore either. He’d have cowboys to take care of that. All he would have to worry about would be Totum and his two dogs. That chore was much more to his liking. He was anxious to see the new crew, anxious for Tex to get back from her trip. He knew that she’d be gone for at least four or five days. She had said it was a two-day ride.
Slocum finished his drink and his cigar and went inside to prepare himself a meal. When he was done, he washed the dishes. Then he got his bedroll and went outside. If Kansas Totum’s crew decided on another surprise visit, he would surprise them. He rolled his blankets out on the ground beneath the trees to the side of the house. If anyone came riding up, he would know it, and he would get the drop on them first.
9
Tex had a lot on her mind, and for the first half day of the ride, she was pretty quiet, speaking only when Bobby Hooper said something to her that required a reply. They stopped for a noon meal, and Bobby fixed a small fire. Tex prepared a good meal, especially for trail food. They ate pretty much in silence. When Tex poured a last cup of coffee for them, Bobby said, “That was a mighty fine meal, Miss Kirk. Thank you kindly.”
“There’s no need to thank me, Bobby,” Tex responded. “You’re doing me a big favor by making this ride with me.”
“Oh, I don’t mind. It gets me away from the work at the ranch. Besides, you’re awful good company.”
Tex blushed a bit and ducked her head. “Thanks,” she said. “You’re not bad yourself.” She stood up abruptly. “Well, let’s get this mess cleaned up and get back on the road.”
Bobby put out the fire while Tex cleaned the dishes. In a short while, they were riding again. This time, though, the conversation was easier. They made small talk as they rode along. At last Bobby asked, “Miss Kirk, it maybe ain’t none of my business, but this man Slocum—what’s he to you?”
“I’ll tell you on one condition, Bobby,” she said.
“Well, sure, what’s that?”
“Call me Tex.”
“Okay, Tex.”
“Slocum and my daddy were real good friends. In fact, he came here looking to visit Daddy. I didn’t know who he was and I took a couple of shots at him.”
“On account of the trouble you been having with Kansas Totum?” said Bobby.
“Yeah. Anyhow, he survived it, and I found out who he is and how he come to be at my place. I fed him a meal and told him my problems, and he decided that he would stay and be my foreman.” She gave a little laugh. “To tell you the truth, I think he’s trying to take my daddy’s place.”
Bobby looked somewhat relieved. “That’s good,” he said. “It sure won’t hurt nothing to have a man around in times like these.”
“Especially one like him,” Tex said. “According to my daddy, there’s no one out there who’s any better with a six-gun than John Slocum.”
“That’s good.”
“The real trouble is the sheriff.”
“Carl Benton.”
“Yeah. He says there’s no real proof that Totum is behind all this. Even after Slocum killed one of his men in my front yard. There’s not much Slocum can do except guard the ranch.”
“You know, Miss—uh, Tex, if you’d have me, I’d like to be the first cowhand you hire on. I’m a good hand, and Slocum will need some good hands to run the spread. He’s likely to have his hands full just watching out for Totum and his bunch. I’m sure that my paw can spare me right now. He won’t mind.”
“Don’t you think you’d ought to talk to your paw about it first?”
It was Bobby’s turn to blush and duck his head. “To tell you the truth,” he said, “I already did. He said that I’d ought to work for you. He said that he was just sorry that he hadn’t come around to see you sooner. Maybe—well, he just said he was sorry.”
“No one could have known what was going to happen, Bobby. It was all so fast. And I’d be proud to have you around the ranch.”
/> Bobby grinned wide. “It’s settled then,” he said. “Let’s get on up to Hang Town and get us a crew.”
He spurred his mount and raced ahead, Tex chasing right after him. It was sheer exuberance, not that he was in a hurry. In a short while, they slowed down again to save the horses. They looked at one another and laughed. The rest of the day was pleasant enough, but it would have been lonesome had they not had each other for company. When the sun was low in the sky, they found a place to camp for the night.
Again, Bobby made a small fire. They had a meal, and they spread their blankets on the ground, one on each side of the fire. Bobby pulled off his boots and set them to one side of his blanket. Tex lifted the coffeepot off the fire and held it up toward Bobby. “More?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he said. “Thanks.” He held out his cup and she refilled it. She put the pot down on the ground. Bobby sipped from his cup. Tex sat watching him. He was good-looking, she thought, and he was a real nice boy. She was having thoughts that most folks would think were not very nice for a young, single girl to be having. Bobby put down his cup and unbuckled his gun belt. He put the rig where it would be within easy reach when he stretched out to go to sleep. Suddenly, Tex stood up, picked up her blanket by one corner, and walked around the fire. She put her blanket down again, right next to his. He looked up at her with curiosity.
“Do you mind?” she asked.
“Why, no,” he said. “I don’t mind a bit.”
He was thinking that maybe she felt uneasy out on the trail on a dark night like this. Maybe she needed to be close to someone she felt could protect her if any need came up. Well, he thought, he could fill that position all right. Tex pulled off her boots, and Bobby finished his coffee. Tex moved over to sit close beside him. He looked at her, still with curiosity on his face. Before he knew what was happening, she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. “Oh, my,” he said when she backed off a little. She reached her arms around him and kissed him again, this time a long, hard, lingering kiss. His arms encircled her, and they fell back together on the blanket. Tex forced her tongue between his lips. He opened his mouth enough to let her probe around. Then he responded with his own searching tongue.
