“Have you ever regretted it?”
“No, ma’am. We have a great life together. When I’m gone, she worries a lot ’cause she lost two husbands before me. But I’m very grateful to have her.”
“Sounds like a fairy tale come true.” A soft sigh escaped her lips.
“It was that.”
“Maybe some handsome prince will find me some day.”
“Oh, I’m certain he will.”
“I’ll keep my hopes up, but now I’ll have a tainted background.”
“Don’t ever think that. You’re still the same as you were before this happened. Don’t let yourself fall into a case of self-pity.”
“You give good advice. Thanks so much.”
“Meantime, I know your mother and father will be excited you’re coming home safe.”
They arrived in Preskitt in a light snow. As soon as he helped her down from the stagecoach, her mother was there hugging her. Jesus gathered their gear and put them in the waiting buckboard. Sheila’s entire family was waiting, and her father about wrung Chet’s hand off thanking him—and tried to pay him.
“You can pay Cole, Jesus, and your son. Shawn and Cole are bringing the horses and will be here in a few days.”
“What else can I do for you?”
“Hug that girl. She’s been through some tough days. She’ll be fine, but she needs lots of love.”
“Count on that. We love all our kids.” He paused and ran a hand over his whiskers. “You know, people spin yarns about you. Some aren’t true, and the next time I hear someone telling one of them, I’ll knock his block off. You had—”
“Excuse me, my wife is here.”
“Tell her thanks from all of us for letting you go find our Sheila.”
“I will.” He turned and caught Marge in his arms and kissed her. “You all right?”
“Wonderful since you’ve come home to me.”
“Oh, Mrs. Byrnes.” It was Sheila’s mother wanting to hug her.
He stepped aside and both Sheila and her mother hugged Marge. While light snowflakes fell in the starlit night, tears streamed down their faces.
“Oh, thank you so much. No one else would have ever found her. Your husband’s a treasure. We know it’s hard on you to be apart from him, but we do appreciate him finding her.”
“He’s part yours, too,” Marge said. “He’s very generous with foks.”
“Oh, Marge, I was so afraid I’d never see her again.”
“I know how you must have felt.”
The younger McElroy, Kevin, was there to shake hands with both Chet and Jesus. “Did Shawn help you get her back?” he asked.
“Big help. Cole, Jesus, and Shawn did a great job helping to arrest them.”
“You going to hire him?”
“I’d consider it, if I ever needed a good man.” Chet wondered what they were getting at, but nothing else was said. He hustled his wife to their buckboard and nodded to Jiminez, her driver.
“Let’s go home.”
Jesus hopped aboard just as Jiminez popped the reins at the team.
“Is Sheila all right?” Marge asked in a low voice.
“Yes, they didn’t molest her. They planned to sell her to this big hacienda owner as a virgin. So, besides thinking all the time that she’d end up some slave mistress, she’s fine.”
“Oh, my. What were they going to sell her for?”
“Several thousand is the amount I heard.”
“Did they shoot at you?”
“No.”
“You surprised them?”
“That we did.”
She twisted sideways in order to reach over and kiss him. “Glad you’re home in one piece.”
At home, bathed, shaved, and in bed, he felt a great letdown, so he reached for his wife and drew her to him. “Good night,” he whispered.
“It is. I have you safe at home.”
CHAPTER 17
By dawn, Chet was up, dressed, and in the kitchen drinking coffee with Monica.
“What kinda trouble are you looking for today?” she asked.
“Are there any mice in the house?”
“No, I have a cat who stays around the house and gets them.”
“El Gato gets them all?”
“He’s neutered, so he don’t chase females.”
“I’ve seen him a time or two.”
“What else worries you?” She got up to peer in the oven, then sat back down.
“How are my ranches being run?”
“As good as if you were there. They know what to do and they do it. So you can go on another wild goose chase.”
“Getting that girl back home wasn’t a goose chase.”
“No, but if that family had any sense they could have trailed them to the border and jumped those bastardos themselves.”
“In other words, you think I can be replaced.”
“If I find someone can do that, I’ll send him to you. I’m looking hard, so she doesn’t panic every time you leave.”
“Oh, she doesn’t panic that much.”
“You don’t have to live with her when you’re gone.” She slid his plate in front of him.
He sure couldn’t solve this impasse with her. He’d better eat his eggs, potatoes, biscuits, and gravy, and shut up. And go see if those horses had ever arrived.
Jiminez saddled him a horse and he rode off for town by himself. Jesus needed some rest, so he let him sleep. His other men were coming with the horses. He only needed to check on things in town. Then see if the horses Rose was bringing from California had arrived.
He stopped and drank coffee with Jenn. Valerie asked him about Cole.
“He’s fine. Bringing our horses back. He’ll be here in a few days.”
“Good,” she said, and nodded, smuglike. “We’ve been talking. He’s a pretty swell guy.”
“I think so.”
She winked at him and disappeared toward the kitchen.
“You think she’s got a winner?” Jenn asked when she was out of sight.
“He walks on his boot soles. Been a bachelor a long enough time.”
“I guess she could do worse.”
“Lots worse.”
“I got the word, your nephew ran away again?”
“JD can do what he wants. But, yeah, he left his brother up there on top.”
“What ails him?”
“That I can’t imagine, nor can I nail his foot to the floor.”
“Oh, I know. Young people get so restless. I learned that the hard way.”
“How is Bonnie?”
“She’s still here. But I’m afraid her life is too boring. Same disease as JD has, I think.”
“I was so damn busy holding our ranch together, I never had a chance to be bored.”
“She worries me, like he does you. But I don’t know anything else I can do for her.”
“There are those like Reg who lost a wife and picked up the pieces. JD’s different. But any way I can help, let me know.”
“Mister Byrnes! Mister Byrnes!” A boy raced into the café. “They said you were in town. I have a telegram for you from the Marshal in Tucson.”
“Here, let me read it.” The message covered two sheets, so Chet unfolded them and began reading.
DEPUTY BYRNES
I’M THE NEW CHIEF US MARSHAL FOR ARIZONA
TERRITORY. I UNDERSTAND YOU WERE HERE A FEW
DAYS AGO AND I MISSED YOU. MARSHAL BAILEY
RESIGNED WHEN HE RETURNED, THEN I TOOK
OVER. I FOUND WE’RE HAVING MANY RAIDS ON
RANCHES BY MEXICAN BANDITS OUT OF SONORA.
SINCE THE NEW RULES CAME DOWN FROM
CONGRESS, THE US ARMY CAN NO LONGER INVOLVE
THEMSELVES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. SO THESE
OUTLAWS ARE RUNNING WITH A FREE REIN IN
THE SOUTH HALF OF THE TERRITORY. SHERIFFS
ARE SEPARATED BY COUNTY LINES AND THESE
CRIMINALS DON’T KNOW WHERE THAT IS. BAILEY
&nb
sp; TOLD ME YOU HAD DONE GREAT WORK FOR HIM
IN THE PAST. CAN YOU RAISE A GROUP OF MEN
TO STOP THIS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, ONCE AND
FOR ALL? I REALIZE YOU HAVE RANCHES TO RUN
AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS, BUT YOUR SUCCESS AT
APPREHENDING CRIMINALS IS WELL KNOWN. MOST
OF MY OTHER MEN ARE WHAT YOU’D CALL OFFICE
DEPUTIES. IF YOU CAN BRING A HALF DOZEN OF
YOUR CHOICE OF MEN TO TUCSON AND BEGIN I
HAVE FUNDS TO COVER YOUR EXPENSES, AND YOU
CAN HELP ME MAKE ARIZONA TERRITORY A SAFE
PLACE FOR ALL.
HOWARD BLEVINS, CHIEF US MARSHAL, ARIZONA
TERRITORY, TUCSON, ARIZONA.
“Man, he wrote you a book,” Jenn said. “You have an answer for him?”
“I’m going to answer him.” Chet leaned over and lowered his voice. “He wants a law enforcement patrol to clean up the bandits in south Arizona.”
“He knew who to call on,” she said, nodding her approval.
She turned to Valerie who’d returned when the boy came in. “Get Chet some paper.”
The girl brought two sheets and a pencil. “Enough?”
“Plenty.”
He put pencil to paper, but didn’t need all the space the Marshal had used.
Marshal Blevins
I’m not sure if I can manage my business and do as you request. You will have my answer in three days.
Chet Byrnes
He gave the boy from the telegraph office two dimes, one to send the message, and the other a tip.
“Thank you, sir,” the boy said, and raced off.
“Who will help you?” Jenn asked, a frown wrinkling her forehead.
“That’s what I need to decide, as well as tell my pregnant wife what’s happenng.” He shook his head. “That may be even harder.”
“I can’t help you there. Good luck, brother. I’m rooting for you.”
He went by the livery to check with Frye about the horses Rose was supposed to bring.
“I may be gone for a while. Tom, at the Verde Ranch, knows horses and what I’ll need. When they get here, send word to him.”
Frye frowned at him. “Where’re you going?”
“Can’t say. Government business. All right?”
“Sure, I won’t tell a word. Be careful. Folks around here count on you.”
Lots do. Some more than others. He better go home and talk to Marge.
She read the telegram through. “Where are those Rangers the legislature voted for?”
“They had no money to fund them.”
“Well, that is sure stupid.” She dropped her hands and the paper in her lap. “I know you can handle this, but I’ll sure miss you. I promise not to cry on Monica’s shoulder when you’re gone. You have to be extra careful. This baby and I will need you. Who will you take with you?”
“If they will go, Jesus and Cole first. Then, I’d like to borrow Roamer, if he’ll still have his job here when he gets back. Then, Shawn McElroy, he’s a good capable young man.”
She agreed with his choices. “Who else?”
“I’d love to be able to take Hampt. When it comes down to it, he’s the toughest guy.”
She shook her head. “You need him at that place and May needs him.”
“I know, and Reg would be my choice, too, but he’s in the same situation. I can find another. I’d even like to take JD, wherever he’s at. He handled himself well in Tombstone. I’ll find someone.”
“Jesus was upset you left him behind to sleep. I told him you wouldn’t get into much in Preskitt, or he’d of rode in there. He asked if there was a letter for him, but there wasn’t. Do you think his girlfriend gave up waiting for him?”
“I don’t know much about it. He said he’d write her one more time.”
“I hope that works out for him.” She sighed. “I know you need to go. You live on challenges and do a great job. I couldn’t be prouder. I accept that you have a job to do, so you make your plans—whatever.”
“I love you, Marge Byrnes. God gave me a beautiful wife and a future baby. I treasure both of you. But we do need to make this territory a safe place to live. I have many things to do before I leave, but I’ll attend to that tomorrow. Let’s go to bed.”
“Yes, and do something cheerful for a change.”
Arms entwined, they went off to their bedroom laughing and teasing each other about lighter matters.
CHAPTER 18
The next morning, while Monica fixed them pancakes and fried ham, he and Jesus talked over coffee in the kitchen. After she put their plates in front of them, she told them the coffeepot was on the stove and left the room.
“No letter from your girl, huh?” Chet asked.
“No letter. I don’t know why. But it has been two years since I told her I would make us a place up here.”
“Did you write her other letters?”
“I did, but maybe my letters discouraged her. I was only a stable hand then. I will wait a while longer. Thank you for your concern. Did you want to talk to me?”
“Yes. There are lots of bandits on the border that come up and raid in Arizona and then go back. The Army can’t stop them. The new head Marshal in Tucson wants us to stop them.”
“The three of us?” Jesus frowned.
“No, six men. I wanted to ask you and Cole first.”
“Oh, we will help you. I know how he thinks.”
“Still, I’ll ask him.”
“Yes, you should do that. Who else?”
“I think Shawn McElroy will make a good team member.”
Jesus was quick to respond. “Yes, he is very calm, and quick thinking, too.”
“Roamer. If I can get Simms to hold his job for him until we finish.”
“A good man.”
“Yes, but I need two more.”
Jesus held the coffee cup in both hands. “They have to get along with the rest of us, yes?”
“Otherwise, we’ll damn sure get tired of each other.”
His words made Jesus laugh. With a shake of his head, he said, “That rules out some I know who might be tough enough.”
“You think of any one special, tell me. I trust your judgment to find men we can work with.”
“I will do that, Chet.”
“You and I are going down and talk to Tom today. The other two should be back when we return late tonight. We need to choose the best horses and have them shod. You tell Marge what you need to feed us and fill the panniers.”
“For that many, we will need four packhorses.”
“Right. When you finish your coffee, get us some horses saddled and we’ll head for the Verde.”
Jesus drained his cup and set it on the table. “Will you ride one of the roans?”
“Yes.”
“I will be sure he is shod today, and I will ride the big bay they call Tally.”
“He’s a stout horse.”
“Sí. We will meet out front in a short while?”
“After I tell my wife good-bye, I’ll be out.”
Hurrying upstairs to their bedroom, he decided it wasn’t nearly as cold as yesterday. He found Marge sitting on their bed in a robe, brushing her hair.
“I’m off to speak to Tom.” He bent over and kissed her.
“Are all expectant mothers this sleepy?”
“Darling, I have no idea. You’re the first one I’ve ever had.”
“You haven’t even been around a woman expecting, have you?”
“Only May, before she had Donna. And she wasn’t mine. My brother pretty much ignored her.”
“Well.” She popped up. “I’m glad you don’t ignore me.”
“Send word to Hampt today to come over tonight, if he can, so I can explain this business to him. May can bring the kids, too, and spend the night.”
“Boy, this house will rock with Ray and Ty and their little sister.”
“I’ll try to be back by supper, but probably later.”
/> “More than likely,” she teased.
He kissed her and left.
He and Jesus pushed their horses hard and reached the Verde Ranch by midmorning. They stopped at the big house, and Sarge came out putting on a coat. Chet sent Jesus to find Tom.
“Well, how is the cattle-driving business going?” Chet asked.
“It’s so simple, I’m afraid I’ve left something out. No renegade Indians. No stampedes and no weather holdups. I’m going back up to Windmill with the new cattle tomorrow. In case of bad weather, we’ll set out for New Mexico the next day.”
“Have you seen my building crew yet?”
“Susie got a letter from Lucie. She says they’re coming down when some of the snow melts.”
By this time, Susie had joined them, and he hugged her.
“Get your cold self inside. Coffee’s on,” Susie said, and herded them into the warm house.
When they were settled, he asked her, “What else do you know?”
“JD is back up there and is coming down here any day.”
Chet wondered if he would make a team member or not. He’d have to see. At this point, he didn’t want to weigh the good versus bad of picking him. So he put off thinking about it—almost.
“You act in a hurry. Is something wrong?” Sarge asked.
“There’s a new US Marshal in Tucson. He’s asked me to put together a group of men and stop the raiding by Mexican bandits in southern Arizona.”
“Doesn’t he know you have several ranches to run?” Susie asked.
“He knows. And he asked for my reply.”
“What will you tell him?”
“I’ll decide that later.”
“Tom’s here,” Sarge said, and let him inside.
“I’ll get coffee.” Susie excused herself and went to the kitchen.
After the three shook hands, they sat down at her big oak dining table. Chet handed Tom the telegram to read.
He frowned at the two pages. “Why, he sent you a whole letter.” After he read it, he looked up. “That sounds like a Texas Ranger job to me. Didn’t they vote for Rangers?”
Chet nodded. “Yes, but the Legislature never allocated any money for them.”
“Sheriffs like their tax collector job too well. And no wonder. They get ten percent of it.”
“Nothing to rock their job, huh?” Sarge asked.
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