Follow The Wind

by Janelle Taylor

  “Then I’m glad he’s gone. That would have meant big trouble.”

  “Jessie deserves a life of her own, Jed.”

  “Not with a saddletramp like that! She’s too good for him.”

  “That’s her decision, son. If he ever comes back, don’t force Jessie to choose between him and us. It’s better for him to stay than for her to go.”

  Jed looked worried. “You think he’ll return and cause trouble?”

  “No. Something terrible is driving that boy to keep moving. It’s a shame. I’ve watched him for nearly two months. He has a lot of good in him, but a lot of pain to cut out. If things were different, he could have been perfect for our Jessie.”

  Jed fretted for a minute. “Mary Louise, get out here!” he stormed. When she hurried to him, he demanded, “I’ll ask you one last time, is he guilty?”

  Her sapphire-blue eyes took on their most innocent expression. “Yes, Father; I swear it on Mother’s grave. Jessica is enchanted by him, so she can’t see the awful truth. He’s much too dangerous for me to frame. If you had allowed him to remain here, he would have been after both of us to get at your ranch. You did the right thing, Father, to protect me and Jessica.”

  “If you’re lying, girl, God help you—and us.”

  * * *

  Wilbur Fletcher visited them again on Monday. This time, he offered to buy all or only part of the Box L Ranch. Jed and Jessie refused the offer.

  “You can’t defeat us by blocking my sales and loans and association membership,” Jed said. “Nothing you do will change our minds.”

  “I told you, I have not nor do I need to use violence to win our conflict. These were my first moves against you, all legal, but not my last. If you can’t get sales or loans, how can you hold on, Jed? You can’t.”

  “No Lane has given up in the past, and I won’t be the first. Get off my land!”

  “He just wants to get stronger and to make us weaker,” Jessie told her father after his departure. “He wouldn’t be satisfied with a parcel of our land and water. He’ll try to freeze us out little by little.”

  On Tuesday, Fletcher apparently replied with cut fences and rustled steers in the southeast pasture. A gang of masked bandits ran off the two Lane hands riding herd and raced the stolen cattle toward their southern boundary.

  “I told you so, Papa,” Jessie told Jed. “He’s at it again because he knows Navarro is gone. Mark my words: it’ll get worse and worse. Come on, Matt. Let’s see where they’re headed.”

  When they reached the boundary, they found more fences had been cut to allow for the villains’ escape. Jessie glared at the trampled ground, then searched the horizon. “They’re long gone, Matt. They’re running the cattle fast and hard. They don’t care about injuries or weight losses. This wasn’t about selling good stock over the border. We could track them, but we’d probably ride into an ambush. I’m sure they’re smart enough to let guards hang back until they cross the river.”

  “Best I can figure, they took about a thousand head. Running them like that won’t give ’em much profit. It’s just harassment. I’ll rope up this gap like you and Navarro did. I’ll send boys back with wire to repair it properly.”

  Jessie dismounted and handed the foreman her rope. She watched him as he worked, his eyes squinting against the bright sunlight. He looked especially handsome today in his light-blue-and-faded-red checked shirt. That and a dark-blue bandanna enhanced his deep tan. Brown hair peeked from beneath his tan hat. He had a strong, appealing face. He was so different from Navarro. His expressions and manner were easygoing while Navarro’s were usually intense. When Mathew Cordell smiled, he did it with his eyes and mouth and face, and smiling came easy for him. Something seemed different about him today, though, and Jessie suddenly realized what it was. “You shaved off your mustache!”

  Matt glanced at her and grinned. He removed his hat to mop the sweat with his shirt-sleeve. His brown hair was mussed, giving it a wind-ruffled look. Sections fell across his forehead and teased at his wide brows. She noticed how white and straight his teeth were, and how the creases deepened around his mouth and eyes. “It looks wonderful. No need to hide a handsome face like yours.”

  The foreman chuckled. “You’ve been teasing me since your first pigtail.”

  “That was so long ago, Matt. The years have been good for all of us until now. I don’t know what we would do without you and the boys.”

  “Don’t worry, Jessie. I’ll do all I can to take Navarro’s place.” The foreman knew she didn’t realize the full extent of his words. He wanted this chance to prove himself to Jessie. He wanted to show her he was as brave and smart as that drifter who had so impressed and charmed her.

  “No man is as unselfish or honest, or loyal as you are, Matt.”

  He looked surprised that she had praised him instead of Navarro. Jessie smiled at him. Matt was all those things and more. “You’re my partner now.”

  “I would die defending you, Jessie. You and your family,” he added.

  The warmth of his smile and mood relaxed Jessie. “You’re my best friend, Matt. I know that’s strange coming from a girl, but it’s true.”

  Matt secured the last rope in place, then looked at the beautiful redhead. “You’re no longer a girl, Jessie; you’re a woman, a mighty pretty one.”

  Jessie laughed and jested, “I didn’t know any of you boys ever noticed.”

  “Pants, boots, guns, and a braid stuffed under your hat don’t hide it anymore, Jessie. You’ve grown up into a really fine woman. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Matt. That means a lot coming from you.”

  The foreman mounted. “Let’s head in before they worry about us.”

  Wednesday morning, Jessie, Matt, and the hands mounted up soon after dawn to ride fence. Tom was given permission to accompany them for a while. Before they broke into groups to check each direction and the scattered stock, a blast came from the eastern section. Everyone glanced that way, then looked around as more explosions sounded from the west and south.

  “What was that?” Jed shouted.

  All scanned the horizon and listened. The thundering and tramping of thousands of hooves soon reached their ears. Dust clouds rose in all three areas and soon merged into one enormous billowing of flying dirt and grass. It wasn’t long before they felt the ground trembling and heard snorts and bawls. Dynamite had spooked the clustered herds around their property and was sending the charging and terrified animals straight toward the settlement. Soon the frantic creatures were in sight. Stock of many sizes, ages, and colors made straight toward them. Longhorns had their heads lowered, and piercing horns aimed at targets in their paths. They dashed at full speed and headlong toward the shocked people, racing wildly and powerfully over everything in their path: bushes, grass, and rocks.

  Matt took command in a second. “Let’s go head ’em off!”

  The foreman, Jessie, Jed, and the men galloped to control the stampeding steers and horses. All knew they had to join the mad rush and ride along the outer edge of the stampede. It would take brave and skilled riding to prevent the stock from trampling anything and anybody in their path, and the herd could be injured or ruined if not checked swiftly. During such a panic, limbs could be broken, horns snapped off, animals gored, and weight lost. Sometimes stock would speed for miles before halting or being halted. The noise of the horde rapidly became deafening and ominous as it closed the distance between men, fence, and beasts.

  The men reached the herd and dashed alongside, trying to capture the animals’ attention, with familiar voices and songs. Yelling and singing at the top of their lungs, they separated into point, swing, and flank positions, and worked to string out the bunched animals. They were skilled at this task, as cattle often stampeded during drives to market. Sometimes a storm set them off—or thirst, or rustlers, or predators. Or steers with panic habits; those had to be killed or sold to prevent spreading the perilous trait.

  In the excitement, Tom kneed
his horse and rode to help the men protect his family and property. Gran yelled for him to stop and return but couldn’t be heard over the thunderous commotion.

  Mary Louise grabbed her arm and shouted, “Let’s get into the house before they trample the fence and us, Gran!” She almost dragged the protesting woman from the scene. Both knew what damage the charging beasts could cause.

  Jessie’s eyes and cheeks stung from the dirt and debris being kicked into her face. Dust choked her, but she kept riding and singing and shouting. Animals nearby were being hooked by long and sharp horns or tripped by entangled hooves. There was ho time to think of anything except her task and safety.

  Matt spied Tom riding ahead. Suddenly the boy, unskilled at riding and stampedes, was thrown from his horse as it panicked and reared, tossing him to the ground in the path of the charging herd. Matt spurred his mount into a swift run toward the awkward youth who was getting up as quickly as he could. His horse had galloped away, leaving the disabled boy in great peril. Tom began to run clumsily toward the barn, but there was no way he could outdistance the thundering hooves and deadly horns coming at him. Matt reached him, bent over, extended his hand, and yanked the boy over his legs. The foreman guided his horse to the left of the horde just before it trampled the earth where Tom had fallen.

  The riders turned the lead steers to the right and began to create a wide circle, turning them into the center of the herd. They kept the tactic up as they gradually tightened the circle. “Milling” was hazardous to the herd so they tried to calm them as rapidly as possible to avoid any more injuries and deaths. When all the animals were traveling in the circle, they gradually slowed their pace. The singing of a hymnal by all finally quieted them.

  Matt helped Tom to a seat behind him, and the shaking lad wrapped his arms snugly around his rescuer’s waist. Matt told the men, “Water and feed ’em here until they’re well rested and calmed. We’ll take ’em back to pasture later. Sing ’em a pretty ballad, boys, ’cause they’re still nervous. I want guards posted today and tonight. I don’t want anything like this happening again.”

  Jed looked at his son and asked, “What are you doing here, Tom?”

  “He took a little spill so I let him ride with me,” Matt answered for the boy. “He’s a mighty brave one, Jed. Tom, why don’t you help the boys sing to the herd? You got a good voice. You can keep Jimmy Joe company.” He helped Tom to the wrangler’s horse.

  The auburn-haired youth smiled at the foreman in gratitude for saving his life and for trying to ward off his father’s anger. “Thanks, Matt.”

  “Help the boys settle ’em good.”

  “I will. It’s all right, ain’t it, Pa?”

  “Go along, but be careful—and don’t get in their way.”

  As Matt, Jessie, and Jed rode toward the barn, Jed asked, “What happened?”

  Matt explained, then said, “He’s just eager to help and be like us, Jed. Don’t be too hard on him. He has to learn and grow. He won’t be a kid much longer.”

  “He could have gotten you or one of the boys killed trying to save him from his recklessness. I don’t want him riding anymore.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Jed. Those moccasins and the stirrup Navarro made for him have given Tom courage and confidence. He needs plenty of both. Life is hard and mean sometimes. We won’t always be around to help him or protect him. He’s got to learn to take care of himself. With lessons and practice, he’ll get better. I’ll work with him if you don’t mind.”

  Jessie was glad Matt had been around and was close enough to them to speak his mind. She knew he was right about Tom, and she hoped her father would agree.

  Jed took a deep breath and released it with a hiss. “You’re right, Matt. Lord knows I would take away that boy’s infirmities if I could. I don’t want him hurt more, but I suppose he needs to learn to stand on his own.”

  After her father left them, Jessie met Matt’s gaze and said, “You and I have a job to do tonight, partner.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jessie and Matt skirted the southern boundary of Wilbur Fletcher’s land, as most of it lay northeast of the Lane ranch. Wearing dark clothes and riding dark horses, they traveled for hours beneath the crescent moon. Their target—a herd of fine horses—was kept near the eastern side where Fletcher’s best grazing land was located.

  When they reached the point where the fence angled northward, they followed it at a safe distance. Jessie hoped Fletcher wouldn’t think of placing guards in that area. They reached their destination and halted, slipping off their mounts to check their surroundings for sights or sounds of danger. Hearing none, they proceeded to the fence with Matt holding Jessie’s hand and guiding their way. It was a strong and reassuring gesture that caused her to lock her fingers around his.

  There, in near darkness, Matt grasped Jessie’s arm and stopped her from going farther. “Let me check it out first,” he whispered. “Wait here.”

  Jessie sensed that he needed to prove himself to both of them, so she obeyed his soft command. She watched him maneuver through the strands of barbwire that she spread with her gloved hands and boot. Soon, shadows engulfed him. The redhead strained to hear every sound, ready to go to his aid if necessary. Time passed, and she grew worried, Matt was such an important part of her life and she couldn’t imagine losing him. If he got killed helping her, she would never forgive herself. She implored God to protect him.

  Jessie knew they were taking a big risk, but Fletcher had to be punished. With Navarro gone, she had to take control of the campaign against Fletcher. They couldn’t sit back and await their enemy’s next strike or simply keep retaliating blow for blow. For now, she didn’t know what else they could do.

  Matt reached her and talked over the fence. “All clear. No guards around. The herd is still grazing over there. Let’s hurry. Stand back while I cut a big gap. You know horses are scared of wire and will balk around it.”

  Jessie stepped away for Matt to cut several sections. When one end was released, each strand of wire whipped back toward the next imprisoning post. Jessie knew those razor-sharp barbs could tear bad holes in flesh and clothes, so she gave them plenty of room to dance in their freedom. Afterward, she helped Matt gather and toss them aside. With pieces torn from her father’s old Indian blankets, Jessie snagged them on a few of the prickly knots to conceal their guilt. She scattered about beads from a broken Apache necklace. “There…that should confuse them, especially with us riding unshod horses. Big John will shoe them first thing in the morning. Shouldn’t be any trouble for the Indians. All the Apaches and Comanches are gone from this area, except for a few renegades to the west.” Before they mounted, she said, “I’m glad you’re safe.”

  “Weren’t worried about an old hand like me, were you?”

  “Yes, but you aren’t old. You only have ten years on me.”

  “Eleven afore too long,” he amended.

  They prodded their mounts into the pasture and rode to the horses. They herded the animals to the gap without any problem. Using ropes and whistles and encouraging words, they moved along at a steady pace. Once they were clear of Fletcher’s property, they ran the herd faster. They traveled for over an hour toward the east. When they were certain the noise couldn’t be heard by their enemy, they fired shots into the air to spook the herd onward. They knew the animals would run for a long time, then locate the grass and water ahead.

  “He’ll be mighty angry when his men find them missing tomorrow.” Matt said grimly. “My pa always told us boys never to make a dangerous man angry, but you have no choice in times like these. It’ll take ’em a while, but they should be able to recover all or most of them. Let’s get home before light shows our faces.”

  “Thanks, Matt.”

  “For what? Tweren’t much.”

  “For saving Tom’s life and for helping me tonight.”

  “Knowing you, Jessie, you would have come alone if I had refused.”

  “Yes, I would ha
ve. But I’m glad you agreed. I feel safer with you here.”

  “I’m not as good with my guns and wits as Navarro, but I’d give my last breath protecting you.”

  “I know you would; that’s why you mean so much to me. Home it is.”

  Jessie and Matt reached home just as dawn was lighting the landscape and hinting at a beautiful day. They were exhausted yet elated by their easy success. The smithy joined them at the forge as they dismounted.

  “Good morning, Big John. Shoe them as quick as you can. I don’t want Fletcher finding unshod horses on Lane land. Thanks for the help.”

  The black man smiled broadly and revealed snowy teeth. “Yessum, Miss Jessie. I’ll git a fire het up and have dem hawses ironed afore vittals.”

  “You can eat first,” she encouraged.

  “No’m, Miss Jessie. I wants ’em dun afore dat bad man rides over.”

  “Matt will tell Biscuit Hank to keep a special plate hot and ready for you.”

  The smithy started his task as he hummed a spiritual song.

  “You get some sleep, Jessie. We can tend the chores today.”

  “You do the same, Matt, at least until noon.”

  “I don’t want to be abed when Fletcher gallops over here.”

  “He won’t, not today. Those clues will fool him for a while. He’ll wait to see how that rustling Tuesday and the stampede yesterday affect us. If I’ve got him figured right, he’ll give us a week to watch and worry. Besides, he probably thinks we’ve sent for the sheriff and soldiers again, so he’ll be careful. No need to report to them; Cooper and Graham can’t help us.”

  Jessie was right: Wilbur Fletcher didn’t appear until the next Thursday. When he did, it was on horseback and accompanied by Sheriff Toby Cooper. It was five o’clock, and the hands were changing shifts or tending chores. Big John Williams was finishing in the smithy. Biscuit Hank had fed one group of men and nearly had the second serving ready. Miguel, Carlos, Jefferson Clark, and others were unsaddling their horses after riding fence and herd all day. Jimmy Joe, Rusty Jones, and a few others were riding out to take their places as night sentries. Mary Louise was milking the cows. Tom was in the house with Gran who was cooking the evening meal and Matt, Jed, and Jessie were talking near the barn.