“What can I do for you, Tom?” the banker asked.
“I need five thousand dollars,” Tom said flatly.
Weatherby took a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his brow. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
Tom sat up in the chair. “Why the hell not?” he asked loudly.
“Calm down, Tom,” Weatherby said quietly. “Your father has left strict instructions that if you came back, I was not to give you any funds.”
“Son-of-a-bitch,” Tom muttered. “That money is as much mine as it is his.”
“Be that as it may, the accounts are in your father’s name,” Weatherby said standing firm but he felt like he going to wet his pants.
Tom sat drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair; he had to think fast. “That ranch my father bought on the north side of the creek last year, he put it in my name didn’t he?”
“Well, yes, he did,” Weatherby answered. “But at the most it is worth two thousand.”
“I’ll take it,” Tom said.
The banker pursed his fat lips and thought, “I don’t know, your father won’t like it.”
“When my father is dead all of his holdings will be mine and you’ll have to answer to me, you fat bastard,” Tom growled. “Now go get the deed and the money, and I’ll sign it over.”
Weatherby mopped his brow again and rose shakily from his desk. He waddled to the safe and found the deed and counted out the two thousand dollars. Returning he handed Tom the deed. He pointed at the place where Tom had to sign and Tom scrawled his name on the deed. Tom stood quickly and snatched the money off the desk. He turned on his heel and walked heavily out the door, slamming it as he went.
Jimmy, Les and Troy were sitting on a bench in front of the hotel. When Tom got there he stopped and counted out five hundred dollars and handed it to each man. Les thumbed through the stack of bills and said, “This here is a damn sight shy of two thousand.”
Tom shot him a hard look. “There will be more when you’ve done something to earn it.”
“That wasn’t my understanding, I want the money up front,” Les objected.
“So you can ride off with full pockets? I don’t think so,” Tom snapped back.
Les weighed the look in Tom’s eyes and settled. “Fair enough, but don’t make us wait too long.”
Without saying a word Tom grabbed his belongings and walked in the hotel. The mousey little clerk glanced up with disapproving eyes. “Yes?” he said with a mock smile.
“We need four rooms, all facing the street,” Tom ordered.
“Yes, sir, Mr. MacIntyre,” said the clerk turning and taking down the keys. “That will be five dollars per room per night. How long will you be staying?”
“Till I say,” Tom said firmly and took the keys, handing them out.
“Would you care to pay in advance?” asked the clerk.
“We’ll pay up when we leave,” Tom snapped back getting irritated.
“That is highly irregular, but suppose because of you father’s reputation, I can accept that.”
The last thing Tom wanted to be reminded of was his father, and now he was genuinely mad. He snatched his things off the floor and turned toward the stairs.
“Please sign the register, Mr. MacIntyre,” the clerk said in a huffy voice while holding out a pen.
Tom dropped his belongings and spun and grabbed the little man by the shirtfront and yanked him forward. “You know who I am, you little turd, sign it yourself,” he spat.
“What about the men with you?” the little man squeaked.
“Just put ‘friends’,” Tom said tightening his grip and shoving him back into the cabinet where the keys hung, knocking several onto the floor. Tom picked his things back up and headed for the stairs with other three in tow. At the top of the stairs Tom unlocked the door for his room and growled at the others, “Get cleaned up and meet me downstairs in the morning.” Then he threw his things in the room and slammed the door behind him. The other three shrugged their shoulders and obeyed.
******
Tom could swear he could feel his blood boiling. Since he came back he had received none of the respect he had been used to. He stood staring in the mirror at his reflection and a plan started to form in his mind. He needed to get his father out of the way. With him gone he would have the money, ranch and all the respect he wanted. They would all answer to him and he would rule with an iron fist. He splashed some water on his face and was thinking how he could eliminate his father when a knock came on the door.
“Who the hell is it?” he yelled.
“Sheriff Johansson. I need to talk to you.”
Tom stomped over to the door and flung it open. “What the hell do you want?”
“Just to talk, Tom. Can I come in?” Johansson said calmly.
Tom stepped back from the door. “All right, but be quick. I’m tired and in no mood for your bullshit.”
Johansson drew a deep breath and entered the room. He turned to Tom and crossed his arms over his chest. “When’d you get back?”
“About an hour ago, why?” Tom said impatiently.
“Because in that hour, I’ve already received two complaints, one from Weatherby and the other from the clerk downstairs. He says you roughed him up pretty good.”
“He’s a whiny little piss ant that needed to be put in his place.”
“I’ll give you that, but it still ain’t right,” said the sheriff. “Who are those other fellas you came in with?”
“I met them on the trail, liked ‘em, now they ride with me. Is there a law against that?” Tom stated in an even tone.
“Nope,” Johansson said. “They got names?”
“Ask them yourself. I need a bath, shave and a drink. I’m done talkin’ to you.”
“I’ll do just that,” Johansson tensed, “and I’ll have a bottle sent to your room.”
“Are you sayin’ I can’t go to the saloon?” Tom asked defensively.
“I’m sayin’ that you seem to have a burr under your saddle, and going out in public and drinkin’ ain’t a good idea.”
Tom gritted his teeth. “I’ll go where I damn well please, old timer, best you keep clear of me.”
“As long as you know if there’s any trouble, you’re the first one I’m going to arrest,” Johansson said stone faced.
“Watch yourself, you old has-been. My father started this town and owns it, the bank, the mayor and that means you. He wouldn’t take kindly seein’ me behind bars.”
“From what I understand,” the sheriff stated, “he thinks that’s just what you need.”
Tom’s face grew beet red as he tried to control his temper, stomping over to door he opened it and glared at Johansson. “Get your sorry ass outta here.”
Johansson headed for the door and stopped. “I got my eye on you, boy, be nice now.” He left the room and the door slammed behind him.
******
The next morning Tom came downstairs famished. He had gone out the day before and gotten a bath, shave and haircut after he bought some new clothes. He disregarded the sheriff’s advice and went to the saloon, but in his present foul temper was not interested in cards or socializing so he bought a bottle and returned to his room and drank almost the whole thing. When he woke up the next morning his head pounded and his stomach churned, rebelling from the rotgut he drank the night before. He waited in the lobby for a few minutes for the others and was angry when he saw them. None of them had cleaned up in any way and all appeared to be hung over. “I thought I told you to get respectable looking,” he said shortly.
Troy looked at the two others and said, “You was serious about that?”
“Yeah I was,” Tom replied. “Y’all stink.”
“Well I got wet on the inside, with some fine whiskey and I’s got one part cleaned real good by one of them doves,” he laughed winking at Les. “Spit shined, if you know what I mean.” The other two broke out laughing with
him.
Tom winced and pinched the bridge of his nose. “After breakfast, I want all of you to get acquainted with some soap, your clothes, too. I don’t want you drawing attention to yourselves by stinkin’. Got it?”
“Kinda early in the day for bathin’, but all right,” Les said scratching his chin. “Where we gonna eat?”
“Right next door there’s a café run by a stone cold widow,” Tom told them. “The food is tolerable.”
They walked outside and down to the café. The town was in full swing decorating and Troy was looking around. “What’s going on? Some big shindig?”
“Founder’s Day,” Jimmy said. “It’s a big day in MacIntyre, lots going on. There’s lotsa food, games and dance later on.”
“I’m guessin’ your daddy plays a big part in it,” Les said to Tom.
Tom stopped and shot him a hard look. “Yeah, and soon it will be for me.”
“If you say so,” Les smiled, then pointing at Chrissy’s. “This the place?”
Tom took his time turning to see where Les was gesturing and said, “Yeah, that’s it.”
The four men entered the café and saw a table near the wall with four empty chairs. Tom didn’t wait to be asked, and he led the men over and sat down. Chrissy came out of the kitchen holding plates of steaming food and saw them. After setting down the plates she approached them. “It’s customary for you to wait to be seated,” she said in a curt voice.
“There wasn’t anybody sittin’ here, so it ain’t a problem. Bring us coffee and some breakfast,” Tom said irritated.
Chrissy placed her hands on her hips. “I see your manners haven’t improved since you’ve been gone. What kind of breakfast do you want?”
“We ain’t picky,” Tom replied, “just bring us the specials.”
Troy piped up, “I’m partial to hotcakes and syrup.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Chrissy said and left for the kitchen. She returned with a large pot of coffee and cups and set them on the table and turned to go.
“What’s your hurry?” Les asked, “ain’t you gonna pour the coffee for us?”
“I’m very busy,” she answered curtly. “I’m positive you can manage.”
Les face turned very serious. “My Pappy had a cure for a woman with a sassy mouth.”
Just as Chrissy was about to fire back at him, Mike Ventosa appeared by her side. “Lady said she was busy, please allow me to pour,” winking at Chrissy who left for the kitchen. Mike picked up the pot and a cup, filling it and handed it to Tom. “You, I know, and I believe you’re Jimmy Rocco,” he said handing Jimmy a full cup. “But I don’t believe I’ve met you other two,” he said filling each one of their cups.
Les gave Mike a wolfish grin. “I’m Les Palmer and this is my brother Troy. It’s nice to see the law in this town has a useful purpose.”
“Oh, I help out from time to time. Where do you boys hail from?” Mike said hooking his thumbs in his gun belt.
“South,” Les replied smiling.
“South is a big place, can you narrow it down a little?”
“No, not really.”
“Well all right. I guess it ain’t important. You fellas enjoy your breakfast. I’ll be right over at the counter should you need anything else.”
Les picked up his cup and drained it. “I could use a refill, tin star,” he said, very much amused with himself.
“Sure, hold out your cup,” Mike said smiling. Les did and Mike filled his cup till it overflowed, burning Les’s hand. Les dropped the cup and yelled in pain. “Damn, I’m sorry,” Mike exclaimed. “See, I help out, but I ain’t much good at it.”
“You did that on purpose,” Les yelled.
“Yeah, I’m sorry, I guess I’ll stick to arresting assholes,” Ventosa said as he sauntered back to the counter.
Les glared at Mike and said to Tom, “Nice friendly town you got here.”
After they finished breakfast, the four split up and went their separate ways with the understanding to meet in the saloon later that evening. Tom spent the day brooding and planning how he was going to take over. He made a list in his mind of people that needed to be dealt with. Slowly the plan was taking shape.
******
Founder’s Day started as a cool morning without a cloud in the sky. People milled about heading here and there, conversing and laughing. Blake ate a good breakfast and changed into his suit and visited with the friends he had made in town. The fire pit had a whole side of beef turning on it as one man spun the spit and two others brushed on a barbecue sauce that filled the air with a delicious aroma. There were several beer kegs out in the open and many of the men carried around mugs. At two o’clock in the afternoon there were rodeo style games down by the stock pens as people gathered around to watch. Most of the games were silly but required a great deal of skill, such as riding a bucking horse with an egg in your mouth or a tug of war on horseback blindfolded. Blake managed to finally spot Chrissy and tried to maneuver closer to her through the crowd. When he managed to get right next to her she turned and smiled at him. “Mr. Thorton, you seem to be enjoying yourself,” she said.
He grinned back. “It just got a whole lot better, but I was wondering if you could do me a favor?”
“What would that be?” she asked.
“I would be eternally grateful if we could drop the formality and you would call me Blake.”
She turned her head and watched a rider fall from his horse, dropping his egg and she giggled. “I think it sounds better if two people are courting to remain formal,” she said without looking at him.
Blake was stunned. “But you said…I mean … you still want to see me?”
“I’m here aren’t I?” she said still watching the festivities. “Oh look, it’s Caleb,” pointing to the center of the corral where Caleb was sitting on top of Rosie.
Mike Ventosa, who was acting as master of ceremonies for the games, picked up his megaphone from the top of the platform he was on and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce Caleb and his wonder horse, Rosie, in an exhibition of trick riding for your pleasure.”
Caleb smiled and waved to the crowd as he urged Rosie into a circle around the corral.
“What is he doing?” Blake said astonished.
“Just watch,” Chrissy said with a twinkle in her eye.
Caleb rode Rosie faster and faster around the ring with no saddle and just a halter and lead rope. At one point he sprung up on her back standing at a full canter, and then he jumped again and stood facing backward without breaking stride. The crowd cheered and clapped as he leapt again facing forward and brought her to the middle of the ring and stopped. Then he dropped down straddling her again and started a slower canter around the ring. Sliding off one side while hanging on to her mane he hit the ground with both feet and sprung over her back and did the same thing from the opposite side landing astride her again. The crowd cheered and clapped even more as he took one leg over her back and rode sidewards for a time and then turned again and was riding backward. Rosie cantered to the center of the ring and slid to a stop and sat down. The intention was for Caleb to slide down her back and land on his feet but instead he lost his balance and landed face first in the dirt. People gasped and stopped clapping as he lay still. Rosie turned and went over to him and shook her head.
Slowly he stood up dusting himself off. Smiling he pointed his finger and she cantered around and as she ran past him he grabbed her mane and started the whole trick over. This time when she stopped he slid down her back and took a deep bow for the audience. He turned and held out his hand to Rosie and she also took a bow by getting down on one of her front knees. The people of the town gave a long standing ovation and Bonnie ran out and threw her arms around Caleb’s neck. No one clapped harder than Blake who stood feeling a father’s pride. He pushed his way to the front of the crowd and climbed over the fence. Caleb saw him and walked over with his arm around Bonnie leading
his horse
“Wasn’t he wonderful?” Bonnie said grinning from ear to ear.
“He sure was. When did you learn how to do that?” Blake laughed.
“W-we k-kinda taught e-e-each other,” Caleb smiled.
“Damn proud of you, son,” Blake said giving him a bear hug.
“Hey, kid,” a cowboy from the audience yelled, “Ike wants to buy his horse back.” A bunch of them broke out laughing and prodding a sour faced Ike.
Caleb looked at him and said in a firm voice, “Not for sale!”
“Then can you teach Ike to ride?” he yelled back and they all teased a slightly embarrassed Ike some more.
Mike Ventosa picked up the megaphone and announced, “Ladies and gentleman, I just got word that the beef is done and the tables are set. Let’s head over and get to the eatin’.”
Blake found Chrissy in the crowd and held out his elbow. “May I escort you to the dinner?” he asked.
“Certainly,” she replied. They strolled along for a while and Blake steered her under a large tree.
“Let’s hold back for a second,” he said. “Did you know Caleb was going to do that?”
“Yes, I did,” she smiled. “He wanted so much to impress you. He been working very hard and wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Well he did and it was,” Blake said leaning against the tree. “The day’s been full of surprises.”
“How so?”
“Well you for one,” he started. “Why the change of heart?”
Chrissy gave a little smile and said, “I never really had a change of heart. I’m quite fond of you. I overreacted and said something I shouldn’t have.”
“That goes both ways,” he said.
“I hope you realize I wasn’t trying to trap you,” she said looking down. “I try to be strong….”
He lifted her chin up so he could look in her eyes. “I wasn’t trying to run, and you should speak your heart so there are no misunderstandings.”
The Blacksmith Page 21
