Blood Ties: A Texas Ranger Will Kirkpatrick Novel

by James J. Griffin

  “Sure thing,” Will said. He picked up the clothes and carried them into the fitting room in the back corner of the shop.

  ****

  It took Slattery nearly an hour, fussing over every detail, before the suits and shirts were ready to be altered to his satisfaction. Both Will and Jonas had made his efforts even more difficult by insisting the shirt collars not be too tight. Finally, the garments were ready.

  “You may come back for them any time after three,” Slattery had told them. Now, they were standing in front of his shop, looking up and down Kirkpatrick’s main street.

  “We do we go now, Will?” Jonas asked. “Back to your house?”

  “No,” Will answered. “First, we’ll leave Pete and Rebel at the blacksmith’s. They both need new shoes. Then, I’ve got to find a wedding gift for Susan and Harvey. After that, we’ll head for the saloon. I dunno about you, but I can sure use a beer or two.”

  “I’m in your custody, per the judge’s orders,” Jonas answered, grinning. “I have to go where you go. What a pity it’s such a hardship.”

  “I can see that it is,” Will answered. “Let’s go.”

  11

  Saturday morning dawned exactly the way every bride hopes her wedding day will be. The sky was a clear blue, with just a few wispy mares’ tail clouds, which only emphasized the cerulean vault of the heavens. The temperature was not too hot, only in the mid-seventies, and there was a slight northerly breeze which kept the humidity down.

  Instead of using his own team of horses and carriage, or one from the Kirkpatrick Livery Stable for the bridal party, Silas Kirkpatrick had a team of matched white horses and a white carriage driven all the way up from Kerrville. The team and its driver had arrived the afternoon before, and the rig was now sitting in front of the Kirkpatrick mansion. The horses wore white plumes in their bridles, while the carriage was beribboned in white and gold.

  Susan and her best friend and maid of honor, Sarah Thompson, were sitting in the rear, forward facing seat, while Juliet Mason, Ellen Hutton, and Emily Barton, the other bridesmaids, were sitting in the other. The rest of the Kirkpatricks, except for Will, were in the family’s six passenger carriage, which had been polished by their driver, Jose Calderon, until its black leather paneled sides, red leather seats, and wood trim gleamed. The matched bays pulling the carriage also wore white plumes.

  Will, despite his father’s strenuous objections, had insisted on riding his own horse, so he was mounted on Pete, with Jonas next to him on Rebel, directly behind the carriage.

  “It’s time to go,” Silas called out to Zeke Murray, the driver of Sarah’s carriage. Murray nodded, slapped the reins on the rumps of his team, and put them into a high-stepping trot. It took only a few minutes before the small procession pulled up in front of the Kirkpatrick Community Christian Church. Most of the town, and the surrounding ranchers and their families, had been invited to the ceremony, and most of those who hadn’t been, such as the owner of the saloon, the working girls from the establishment, ranch hands and others of the lower working classes, were standing on the boardwalk opposite the church, watching the bridal party and guests as they arrived.

  Georgia, who was among their number, waved discreetly at Will, and gave him a sly wink. He touched two fingers to the brim of his Stetson in barely perceptible acknowledgement as he dismounted. He and Jonas tied their horses, then waited for the rest of Will’s family to alight from their carriage.

  Once the entire family, except for Susan and her father, was inside the packed to overflowing church, Jacob, Henry, and Robert Prescott, Harvey’s three younger brothers who were acting as ushers, escorted them to their pews. Harvey’s mother and father had already been seated, while the groom and his best man, Adam Trumbull, whose family owned the neighboring Diamond T spread, were standing to the right of the altar.

  When Silas had the church built, in the plans he included a small organ, which had been brought by rail as far as St. Louis, then freighted from there to the new town. When Susan and her father made their entrance, the organist began to play the Bridal Chorus from Richard Wagner’s opera Lohengrin, which was more popularly known as Here Comes the Bride.

  Once they reached the foot of the altar, Silas kissed Susan on the cheek, then took his seat alongside Claudette. Harvey, beaming with joy, took his place beside Susan, his soon-to-be bride. They made a handsome couple, she with her light brown hair and eyes and well-formed figure, he with his reddish-blond hair, blue eyes, and tall, slim build.

  Reverend Frederick Schwarzwald, who had come from the German settlement of Fredericksburg some twelve miles to the northeast to take over the pastorship in Kirkpatrick, stood before the couple, opened his prayer book, and began the ceremony.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of Almighty God to join in holy matrimony Harvey Leroy Prescott and Susan Helena Kirkpatrick…”

  ****

  The ceremony was brief. Less than thirty minutes after it began, Harvey and Susan Prescott walked out of the church to the strains of Felix Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. They newlyweds emerged from the church to showers of rice thrown by friends and family, then climbed into their carriage to head for the reception at the Kirkpatrick home.

  “Boy howdy, I’m sure glad that’s over,” Will said to Jonas, as he loosened his tie. “Not that I’m unhappy for Susan, but this damn tie’s chokin’ me.”

  “Yeah, but now the party’s about to start,” Jonas reminded him. “I’m sure lookin’ forward to it. I ain’t never been to a fancy affair in my entire life.”

  “That’s true, but everythin’ bein’ the same, I’d just as soon head over to Gordon’s saloon for some beers and his wife’s baked ham, rather’n havin’ to put on airs for my mother and father,” Will said, as he untied Pete. “Reckon that’s not an option, though.”

  He and Jonas climbed into their saddles, following the wedding party up the hill to the awaiting banquet.

  ****

  The wedding reception for Susan and Harvey lasted well into the evening. Long tables laden with food had been set up in the Kirkpatrick’s back yard, with Delia and Peggy efficiently running the buffet line and seating of guests.

  A temporary dance floor had been laid, and two orchestras, one a seven member ensemble from Austin, the outer a five piece mariachi band from San Antonio, were providing the musical entertainment. Will had to wait his turn to finally get a dance with his sister, even having to wait until his younger brothers danced with her, despite protocol dictating he, as the oldest, should have had the first dance with her, after her new husband, and then their father.

  “Will,” she said softly as they waltzed, “thank you so much for coming home for my wedding. I really wasn’t certain you would, after the huge argument you had with Mother and Father when you told them you weren’t going into the bank, but had joined the Texas Rangers. I’m so proud of you, both for standing up to them and living the life you chose for yourself, and for what you’re doing. I understand why you had to leave home and follow your own path. Now, if only you’d find the right woman to settle down with.”

  “Thanks, Susie,” Will said. “You always were the only one who understood me. As far as coming home, I nearly didn’t, but Captain Hunter and Father didn’t leave me any choice. They were right. I wouldn’t have missed being here for your special day for anythin’. As far as the woman, when the right one comes along, I’ll know it.”

  “I’m so glad,” Susan said. “Your wedding gift was lovely, also. How in the world did you find that lovely Navajo blanket, and have it embroidered with mine and Harvey’s name and our wedding date, in time for today?”

  “It wasn’t easy,” Will answered. “Luckily, Hank at the general store had just gotten a shipment in, and Ada Hopkins was able to do the embroidery. I’m glad you like it.”

  “Why wouldn’t I? It’s perfect. Harvey and I will be able to snuggle together under it on cold, windy nights. Perhaps we’ll even—”

 
“I think you’ve said enough,” Will said, grinning.

  “Now you sound like Mother,” Susan said. “Always saying a decent girl must be prim and proper, and know her place. Well, that’s just not me. You know that, and Harvey knows it. Now that I’m out of this house, everyone else is about to know it, too. I’m sick and tired of being a good little girl.”

  “That means I’m probably the only one in the family who understands you,” Will said.

  “Which is why we’ve always gotten along so well, big brother. Don’t forget to thank Jonas for me and Harvey again, for his present. He didn’t really have to get us anything, since his invitation was spur of the moment. I know he doesn’t have much money, but the china tea set was just perfect.”

  “You can tell him yourself,” Will said. The music had stopped, and the dancers were applauding the orchestra. “I see him headed this way. I do believe he intends to ask you for the next dance.”

  “Ooh.” Susan gave a soft squeal of delight. “Mother will be deliciously scandalized, and Father, well, if I hadn’t gotten married, he’d have confined me to the house for a month, as punishment for dancing with a man I’ve just met. Perhaps I’ll even kiss Jonas while we dance. That will really cause a stir. Remember two things, Will. I love you, and I always will. You’ll always be welcome to stay with me and Harvey, if Mother and Father won’t welcome you back. That, and keep yourself safe.”

  “Thanks, Susie. I’ll do my best. You and Harve watch yourselves in New Orleans, too. I know it’s a great place for a honeymoon, and Mother is from there, but there are also parts of the city you need to stay clear of.”

  Will kissed her on the cheek, just as Jonas stepped up to them.

  “May I have the next dance, Mrs. Prescott, with your brother’s kind permission, that is?” he asked.

  “You certainly may, Mr. Peterson. And I don’t need my brother’s permission, nor anyone else’s, to dance with whomever I choose.”

  The mariachi band took over, and broke into a lively border tune. Susan took Jonas in her arms and swirled him away.

  “I sure hope Harve knows what he’s let himself in for,” Will murmured to himself. “He’s about to start a wild ride.”

  12

  Since the reception didn’t end until well after midnight, Will and Jonas weren’t up with the sun, as they usually would have been. In fact, they awoke so late they decided to stay one more day, and leave early Monday morning. They rode out of Kirkpatrick just before eight o’clock. Will’s farewell to his family had been fraught with tension, his mother pleading with him one last time to give up the Rangers, come home, and go to work in the family’s bank. Now, three hours and fifteen miles after leaving town, the two men had stopped alongside a small spring, to eat a quick meal of hardtack and jerky, and allow the horses a breather.

  “Someone’s comin’ fast,” Will said, at the hoof beats of a hard ridden horse coming to his ears. “Don’t know if he means trouble or not, but we’d better be ready.” He pulled out his six-gun, while Jonas loosened his in its holster. The hoof beats drew nearer, then Kirkpatrick’s deputy marshal, Art Mason, rode into view. A bloody bandage was tied around his right arm. He slid his lathered sorrel to a crow-hopping halt. The horse stood blowing hard, head hung low and spraddle-legged.

  “Art. What the hell happened to you?” Will asked.

  “I’m sure…glad I caught up to…you fellers,” Mason said, gasping for breath. “The Kirkpatrick bank’s been robbed.”

  “What?” Will said.

  “The bank’s been robbed. Four or five men hit it just after the doors opened. Plugged Newt Haines, the head teller, and cleaned out the cash drawers. Mebbe the vault, too. I dunno. They shot their way outta town. That’s when I caught this bullet. The marshal sent me to find you boys while he went after the bunch, but he won’t be able to chase ’em too far, since he’s got no jurisdiction outside of town.”

  “You can tell us the rest as we ride,” Will said. He and Jonas tightened their cinches and jumped into their saddles.

  “Let’s go!”

  The men put their horses into a gallop.

  “Anybody else hurt, besides Newt?” Will asked.

  “Not that I know of. I know your father and brothers weren’t, except for a knock on the head Bertram took, when he didn’t move fast enough to suit those hombres,” Mason answered. “It’s just lucky you fellers weren’t ridin’ all that hard. I figured I wouldn’t catch up with you for at least another hour.”

  “How bad was Newt hit?”

  “Pretty bad, from what I could see. Appeared like he was gut-shot. I don’t imagine he’s gonna pull through. Doc Wilson’ll do all he can for him, though. He’s a fine doctor.”

  “Anybody get a look at any of those outlaws, or what kind of horses they were ridin’?”

  “They were all masked. The horses weren’t any different from a hundred others, all bays or chestnuts.”

  “Any of ’em get winged?”

  Mason shook his head.“Doesn’t seem so. If one of ’em did, he wasn’t hurt bad enough to slow him down any. Look, I’m slowin’ you boys down. My horse is plumb wore out. You ride on ahead. You don’t need me.”

  “What about your arm?” Will asked.

  “It’ll be all right. I lost a good chunk of flesh, and bled a lot, but Doc Wilson’ll take care of it proper when I get back. Don’t worry about me. Those hombres’ll have a big enough start on you as it is, without me holdin’ you back.”

  “All right. You take care, Art.”

  “And you two be careful. Hope you find those hombres.”

  “We will. You can count on it,” Will said. “C’mon, Pete, move those feet.”

  He and Jonas urged their mounts to even greater speed.

  ****

  When Will and Jonas reached Kirkpatrick, Marshal Spurr was sitting in front of his office, waiting for them. With him were Will’s father and brothers, as well as several townspeople. Bert sported a clean white bandage wrapped around his scalp.

  “Will. Jonas. Glad to see Art found you. Where’s he at?” Spurr said.

  “He had to stop and rest his horse,” Will answered. “I don’t suppose you caught up with the men who did this. How are you doin’, Bert?”

  “I’ve got one hell of a headache, but I’ll be all right,” Bertram answered.

  “No, I sure didn’t,” Spurr said in answer to Will’s first question. “I lost their trail about six miles north of town, so I came back here to wait for you fellers. I figure if I show you where the tracks petered out you might be able to pick ’em up again.”

  “You’ll be ridin’ with us,” Will answered. “I’ll deputize you, so you’ll have full authority. Grab what supplies you need and be ready in ten minutes. I’ll meet you back here.”

  “Where are you goin’?” Spurr asked.

  “Doc Wilson’s. If Newt Haines is still alive, I want to see if he can talk. Jonas, you stay here, and talk to my father and brothers. Get as much information from ’em as you can. Then we’ll be ridin’.”

  Will backed Pete away from the office, and spurred him into a lope, until he reached the doctor’s office, which was located in a wing of his house. He dismounted, hurried up the walk, and went inside.

  “I’ll be right with you,” Doctor Wilson called from the back room.

  “It’s Will Kirkpatrick, Doc. I’m takin’ after the trail of those bank robbers, soon as I see if Newt is in any shape to talk.”

  Wilson came out from the back, wiping his hands on a blood-stained towel.

  “He’s not, and I’m afraid he won’t be, Will. He took a bullet in his abdomen, at close range. His intestines have been really torn up, I’m certain. It’s just a matter of time. At the rate he seems to be hemorrhaging, I’d give him an hour or two at the most. Real shame. He was engaged to Mary Kline. They were supposed to be married this summer. I had to give her a sedative, then send her home.”

  “Thanks, Doc. I’ve gotta get on the trail of those renegades. The
marshal will be ridin’ with me and Jonas. If Newt does happen to regain consciousness, even for a few minutes, see if he can tell you anythin’ at all about the robbery. Anythin’ he can give you, no matter how small, might just help. When Art Mason gets back, if Newt is still alive, have him stay here until Newt dies, just in case he can talk with him.”

  “I’ll do that,” Wilson answered.

  “Thanks, Doc. I’m obliged. Adios.”

  “Vaya con Dios, Will. And good luck. When you do catch up to those men, if you have to shoot any of them, try’n keep them alive, so I can patch them up for the hanging.”

  “That’s a promise, Doc.”

  Will retrieved his horse and went back to the marshal’s office. Jonas and Spurr were already mounted and waiting for him. Spurr was on a sturdy sorrel gelding he’d named Durango.

  “How’s Newt?” Will’s father asked.

  “No good.” Will shook his head. “It’s just a matter of a few hours, at most. The slug he took tore up his guts real bad, Doc Wilson said.”

  “William, I’m asking you to forget our differences, at least for now,” Silas said. “Just find and bring back the men who did this.”

  “I will, Father. Not just because it’s my family’s bank that was robbed, but because it’s my job. You have my word on it, as your son, and a lawman. I do need one favor in return.”

  “Whatever it is, just ask.”

  “I need a telegram sent to Captain Hunter at Ranger Headquarters in Austin, explaining what happened, and tellin’ him me’n Jonas are on the trail of those outlaws.”

  “I’ll have that done right now.”

  “Thanks. We’ll be back as quick as we can, with those men in tow… either alive, or draped belly-down over their saddles. Tell Mother not to worry. Oh, and I wouldn’t send word to Susan about this, either. Let her’n Harve enjoy their honeymoon. No need to have ’em worryin’ and frettin’. There’s not a thing they can do anyway.”