“I didn’t mean to bring up bad and sad things in your life. I love you, hombre. I love every day we ride together. I just don’t want you disappointed in me.”
“No chance of that happening.” He rolled over and kissed her. At least on this hard ground he had her with him to cuddle and love.
Morning came too fast, but the three women were up in the pre-dawn making coffee and cooking breakfast. Cole and Jesus gathered the loose horses close by while they prepared the food. Chet was drinking his first cup when they ran them into the corrals. He stood up to look them over. They looked slick—fine ranch horses, most of them. Obviously these thieves had only taken the best.
Cole dismounted to shut the gate. “There may be a few more. We can get them and hit the road after breakfast. Sound okay, boss man?”
Chet nodded. “We’ll ride that way after we eat.”
Cole spoke out, “Wait. I want a word with you.”
“Sure.”
Cole came close, talking to him in a quiet tone. “My mother-in-law, Jenn Allen, always needs help at the café in Preskitt where Valerie works. That Ellen May could fit in as a waitress and Lupe would be great kitchen help.”
“That sounds like an answer to Liz’s prayers.”
Cole smiled at his words. “Maybe Jenn’s, too.”
“Thanks. I never thought of them doing that, but they might.”
The younger man clapped him on the shoulder. “Get ’er done.”
Chet walked over to the cooking fire. “Ladies, Cole has an idea. His wife works in a busy café in Preskitt. I found most of all my help there when I came to Arizona. The owner’s name is Jenn. She’s a real lady, but she needs help. We could find you two a small house to help get you started. Might not be a mansion, but it’ll be dry and warm this winter.”
“What if she don’t like us?”
“Ellen May, you put on a smile and work as hard as you two have here, she will hire you.”
“But I’ve got to smile?”
“Ain’t any worse than working in a red light house. You have to smile at them coming and leaving, right?”
Everyone laughed.
“You’re right, Mr. Byrnes. Lupe, you going to check it out with me?”
“Oh, sí, I think so. Sounds better to me, no?”
“Yes. I think we can try it.”
Lupe smiled. “We supported each other here? We can try there.”
Ellen May quickly said, “Yes. You guys and Ms. Elizabeth were better than any of my kinfolk ever was to me.”
Chet squeezed his wife’s shoulders and said softly, “Prayers do help.”
“I know. How do you think I got you, hombre?”
His plate piled high in biscuits, gravy, fried potatoes, and crisp bacon, the saliva filled his mouth as he headed for his place at the makeshift table.
Thank you, Lord, one more time.
Mid-morning, they took the dim wagon track north-west. Liz led a bay mare at the head of the line of loose stock. The horses were trail broke and had an established pecking order, so there was little fighting in the ranks moving out. The two women led the packhorses while his men kept the stock in the herd. The day passed with little incident.
It was late evening when they arrived at the Windmill. The commotion from all the horses brought everyone out.
“Chet, what do you have?” Susie asked, carrying her hem off the ground. She was the wife of the Windmill’s owner, Sarge. She was also Chet’s sister. Sarge was on the trail with the cattle herd they shipped every month for the Navajos in New Mexico and surrounding lands. “Oh, you’re doing law work now?”
Chet laughed, dismounted, and hugged her. Susie and him had been real close before they moved out there from Texas. She still held a warm place in his heart.
“We had a shoot-out with four men and buried them all. These two ladies were with ’em. Now they’re going to look for work in Preskitt.”
Liz came running and the two women hugged.
“How is your boy, Erwin?” Liz asked.
“Growing too fast. I guess Adam is growing up, too.”
“You wouldn’t believe it. He’s ready for Rhea to move to the Verde Ranch. He walks and babbles.”
“Come on in the house. You ladies come, too. We’ll fix up some supper.”
The two women joined them and went inside. Chet broke off and spoke to the man Sarge had left in charge, Johnny Hart. “They got off alright I guess?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. Gathering those cattle up ahead of time solves lots of that road-fighting on the way.”
“Well, you men make it work. Lots of folks would like to have our contract, but bringing them good cattle on time helps us keep that job.”
“We all understand how important that is.”
Chet grunted. “Railroad ever comes, we’ll have more competition for it, but that’s still years away.”
“Will they ever get it built?”
“Oh, they will some day. Keep the faith.”
“I sure appreciate you and Sarge letting me try for Victor’s spot,” Hart said.
“You earned it.”
“Only thing, I can’t play a guitar like he can. Victor’s very good at that. He said he was with you and your first wife when you bought that ranch out west on the high country.”
“He was the camp cook on our honeymoon.”
“He’s going to be your farm man at Camp Verde?”
“My foreman over there, Tom, has enough to do. I think Victor will do good at it.”
“He’s a smart guy. He showed us a picture of Rhea holding your son.”
“That’s Adam. They’ll have him down there. It’s a big house.”
“Oh, a grand house, I’ve been there for several events.”
“I bet the girls have coffee made.” Chet sniffed the air. “Come on up and we can visit more.”
“I’ll be there later,” Hart said. “I have a few things to check on and then I’ll be along. Thanks for the invite.”
“Good talking to you, Johnny.”
They parted. Chet knew Johnny had been under lots of pressure talking to the big boss by himself, but Sarge said the man was quick on his feet and understood the ranch and its needs. And Chet felt in time the man would be more at ease with him.
“Those girls work,” Susie said, her boy in a high chair and her feeding him.
Chet agreed. “They’ve done well since the start.”
“And I love your wife. I am so glad you found her.”
He laughed. “Oh, yes, she’s a grand wife. We share a lot and she can be a tornado, but she tempers down well.”
“You have any big plans coming up?”
“None that I can think about today. But I am certain there will be something, though. I’m going to have Bo look into the place where we found the outlaws. It was supposed to belong to the leader, but I doubt that. It’s a section of land that has a great hay meadow on one end that could be fenced. Has water and looked like it could be a bargain.”
Susie smiled. “We’ve bought lots of those places but I agree in time they may be invaluable. And they don’t cost much today because nobody wants them.”
“The reason no one wants them is because there’s no way to make a living on one. The railroad will change that.”
“You’re right about that. I will miss Victor. So will the whole crew. He’s such a talented musician besides being a nice guy. You saw that in him years ago, didn’t you?”
He nodded. “I need a job like that for Cole. He’s a great backup but he needs a place to run. He’s really made a great hand.”
“He and Valerie aren’t expecting a baby yet?”
“No, or he’d’a told me. But she does good working for Jenn at the café. Keeps her occupied. But he needs a ranch foreman job. I’ll find him one.”
“What about Jesus?”
“In time. In time.”
“I figured that. How are JD and Bonnie doing?”
“Wonderful. They have a new boy, Samuel. That ranch is re
ally growing. The artesian water will make it grow, too.”
“I knew about the baby. That matchup is a miracle. JD was so lost.”
“Bonnie was, too. But they’ve both grown up.”
She shook her head. “Man. In Texas we were simple ranchers.”
“No, Susie, we had Mexicans growing crops for us and were doing good. Out here there have been more opportunities to expand. We got here soon enough. Cattle drives to Kansas made Texas ranchers rich and they bought up their neighbors. You recall we had a safe full of money and not much worth anything was for sale around us.”
“Oh, this was the place to come to and we have done well here,” Susie agreed. “The women about have supper ready, so I am going to put my boy down. Chet, I want to tell you. I am as happy as I have ever been in my life. Sarge is a great husband and I couldn’t be more pleased than I am today.”
“That’s good. I knew it was a tough transition for you.”
She kissed him on the forehead and left him alone in the living room. He set his tight, sore shoulder back against the leather chair and stretched. There was plenty to do, but he could take a few moments to relax.
Liz brought him a cup of coffee. “You in here thinking about more things to get into?” She took a seat on the chair arm and looked at him expectantly.
“Oh, you know me, Liz. I’m always thinking about something.”
“You do recall we have a wedding in two weeks for Victor and Rhea?” Chet nodded. “Lots of things that I need to get done before then. She has a room upstairs for us tonight. I know now how close you two were in Texas. She’s a grand person. Losing a husband and finding another in a pregnancy. She made it work and working really well.”
“Exactly,” Chet said. “But Sarge was determined to have her if he ever got the chance. When she became a widow, he stepped in resolved to have her and he won.”
“She told me most of it. But she is as organized as you are.”
“That’s where I learned it all.”
They both laughed.
“What is so funny?” Susie asked, coming back from the bedroom.
“You,” Chet said, and his wife shook her head to try to stop him.
“How me?”
“You made me organized.”
“Well, you did a wonderful job on your own,” she replied. “Liz, when we were just kids he ran that ranch in Texas and made money. I was amazed how hard he worked. And after the cattle drives to Kansas we had lots of money.”
“He’s a good man, we both agree.” Liz hugged his head and kissed him. “Time to eat, though. Where are your boys at?”
“I’ll ring the triangle and they’ll come in,” Susie said.
Cole and Jesus arrived and they all sat down to eat.
“After supper,” Susie said, “you women can take baths. My man is heating water now for the three of you.”
Ellen May and Lupe thanked her.
“We must smell,” Liz teased. Everyone chuckled. “Thanks, Susie. You are a great hostess.”
“No problem. I have clothes or robes for all of you to wear.”
He and Liz left early the next morning to make the Verde Ranch and arrange some things. Free of the slow-moving herd of horses, the two of them reached the Verde Ranch before lunchtime. Lea, the Hispanic woman in charge of the big house, fixed a nice meal for them and talked about all that was happening. Tom, his foreman, came by the big house for a talk as well.
“I think we’re in good shape for winter. We have some late calves need branded, but we can catch them later. The crew is building the west holding fence on the property line, so that will save a line rider having to stay out there to turn the cattle back.”
“How long is it?”
“Three miles on the property lines. I had it surveyed and the line’s well marked.”
“The start of things, huh?” Chet asked, considering more fencing needs in the future. “I bet someday we have it all fenced.”
“We may have to. What else?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. If you don’t have anything, I’ll go back to the Preskitt place after we eat and see how things are there.”
“Cattle are looking good. Been a good year for ranching.”
“I know. Tell Millie hi.”
“Oh, I will.”
Liz came to get him for lunch. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, going well. After we eat we’ll ride home, huh?”
“My plans now.”
“Good, we’ll go there. Lots I need to do yet.”
“I understand.” They went in and ate.
It was late in the evening when they arrived at the Preskitt Valley Ranch house. There was a buckboard and some tired horses parked in the yard under the moonlight. Someone sat up in the back and threw back the covers in the starlight.
Chet’s hand went for his gun.
“Mr. Byrnes, that you?”
Cautious, Chet was slow to answer. “Yes. What can I do for you?”
“My name’s Able Thornton. I came to ask you for some help?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, to start with my son’s in jail for a crime he never done. I ain’t got the money for no high-priced lawyer and I figured you could get him out.”
“Have you talked to my housekeeper?”
“No sir. It was dark when I got here. I didn’t intend to wake anyone. Some Messican come by and asked why I was here and I told him my story and situation and he left. Guess he figured I wouldn’t hurt nothing. He kept saying, ‘But Mr. Byrnes is not here.’”
“I have a cot in the barn for tonight, sir.”
“I reckon you’re tired, coming in this late. I’ll be alright here. My horses are tuckered out but I’ll water them again in the morning. They’ll be fine.”
Liz started to take his horse, but Chet said to her, “I will get them put up. Go on to the house, I’m coming.”
“Good evening,” she said to the man.
“You can unhitch them,” Chet offered.
“No, I’ll just sleep out here. I don’t want to bother anyone. It’s my boy I’m worried about.”
A stable boy arrived then. “Señor Byrnes, I will take your horses. I was not expecting you.”
“It’s okay, Manuel. I’ll let you take them.”
“This man said he must talk to you.”
“Oh, yes. I will talk more to him tomorrow. Good night, sir.”
“Thank you, Mr. Byrnes.”
He extended his hand. “The name’s Chet. Able, I’ll see you then.”
“I won’t forget it, sir. I mean . . . Chet.”
“Who is he?” Liz asked quietly going upstairs.
“Able Thornton, and I don’t know one thing more but that his son is in jail for a crime he says he didn’t commit and wants my help.”
“Wonder how long he’s been waiting for you?”
“Liz, I have no idea.”
“I was only teasing you.”
His arm over her shoulder and he hugged her to him. “We’ll learn his business after we get a night’s sleep. Love you.”
The next morning, Able Thornton was drinking coffee from a saucer seated at the kitchen table. Monica had the kitchen fireplace crackling. Must be a cold morning outside.
“Morning, Able. Don’t get up. You get any sleep last night?”
“Plenty for me, mister. Ah, I mean, Chet. This lady is a mouey granday cook.”
“Yes, she feeds us all well. Now tell me more about your son?”
“Ratchet—that’s his name—is eighteen. He’s a good boy and works hard for folks. Does day work for ranchers. Gets along good with most of them, but Beacher Plane was a hard man to get along with and I cautioned him about doing work for him. Beacher hit him up to cut a few of his cull cows out and pen them up so he could send them to the butcher. Ratchet knew the cattle, one was blind in one eye, the other two were mossy horned ones probably come from Texas years before. Beacher’d been thrown off a horse and was on crutches, but he
had a chance to sell them to some Mexicans to make jerky.
“Ratchet said he gathered some other cows to help herd them three into the ranch. Said Beacher rode up and had a fit before he could explain about the reason for the extra cows. Ratchet finally had enough and told him to herd his own cows and he left for home. Told me the whole story when he came in that afternoon and I said fair enough. Next thing we knew the sheriff deputy came, arrested him for shooting Beacher to death. Said they got in an argument and the boy shot him.”
Chet shook his head. “Where was the man shot?”
“Once in the chest, coming and going, they said.”
“They have the bullets?”
“Chet, I’m not certain. They said his gun was recently fired and that backed their idea about his guilt. That boy shot a coyote the day before and hung him on a fence post to scare off the others.”
“Beacher have any family?”
“Got him a wild young wife. They ain’t been married a year. She’s twenty years younger. Name’s Emma Lou, and she’ll spend all his money now he’s dead and sell that ranch in no time. She ain’t a ranch wife, I kin tell you that. More like a”—he lowered his voice—“whore.”
Chet nodded. “Where do you live?”
“East of Mesa out by Fort McDowell.”
“That’s in Maricopa County?” Chet had to be certain.
“That’s where they’ve got him in jail. Ratchet ain’t no liar. He said he only had words with Beacher.”
“Who found Beacher’s body?”
“A guy named Ash Carnes.”
“Who’s he?”
“A gambler sort of guy that trades horses. He said when Beacher didn’t come home that night, Emma Lou came over to his place and asked him to go look, fearing something had happened to him. Told him she ain’t a rancher’s wife or she’d looked for him herself.” Able shook his head. “Carnes found him and brought his body into Phoenix. Chet, Ratchet didn’t kill him and whoever did is getting off with it.”
“You go home. I’ve been gone running down horse thieves, need to catch up some ranch business, and then me and my boys will come down there to look at the entire deal. In three, four days maybe. I can’t promise you anything but we will investigate. Don’t say a word to anyone about our coming—I don’t want any cover-ups.”
“Thank God. I won’t say a word to anyone.”
Pray for the Dead Page 2
