Jed nodded. “When I was a boy I learned all horses have their own distinct sound.”
Amelia butted into their conversation. “Do you think Daddy is responsible for this?’
Jed touched her arm. “I don’t want to think your father would do this. Not when there would be a danger to you.”
“I’m sure Jed’s right. No man would want to do something to hurt his daughter.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know about that. My father hates me now.”
Curt frowned. “I’ve never asked, but what went on when you went to your father’s ranch?”
“He disowned me.”
“I’m sure if you’d agree to divorce me, he’d welcome you back.” Before either of them could say anything, Jed went on, saying, “If you’ll keep your eye on things here, I’ll go to town tomorrow and report this to the sheriff. I know there’s nothing he can do without a suspect, but in case it happens again, I want this incident on record.”
The coffee bubbled and Amelia got up to fill their cups. “Do you want me to go to town with you?”
“If you like.”
“I’ll think about it. I have a lot of work here, but I do need to pick up some more ranch clothes. You know Daddy wouldn’t let me take any of my clothes from his house.” She sat down beside him.
She saw a look pass between Curt and Jed. Before she could ask about it, Curt said, “You should go with him, Amelia.”
“Why? Is there some reason you don’t want me to stay here?” She looked from one to the other.
Jed took her hand. “Honey, I’m not sure who tried to burn our barn tonight. I think it best if you don’t stay alone until we find out who did it.”
“But…”
“Besides, I want you there to help me ask around for some woman to work in the house with you. You know the people in Settlers Ridge better than I do.”
“Are you sure that’s the reason?”
“Of course. What else could there be?” Jed stood and drained his coffee. “Now, I think we should get a couple more hours of sleep before daylight.”
* * * *
It was mid-morning and they had ridden in silence for a couple of miles since leaving the ranch. Amelia glanced at Jed. His mouth was set in a hard line and he had a frown on his face. She nudged Rambler a little closer to Devil, and asked, “What are you thinking so hard about, Jed?”
“I see someone coming.”
“Who?” She looked confused.
“I don’t know but there’s a big cloud of dust to our right. Somebody’s coming up fast.” He nodded toward a shallow ravine surrounded by a grove of mesquite. “Ride over there until we determine who it is and what they want.”
Amelia started to protest, but knew it would do no good. She turned Rambler to the ravine. Jed followed her.
Once hidden, she turned to him. “What’s going on, Jed?”
“I’m not sure. After the incident last night, all I know is somebody is out to get you or me or both of us. We need to stay on guard all the time.”
When he didn’t elaborate she asked, “Do you think it’s Daddy?”
“Your father might hate me and want me dead, but I don’t think he’d condone anyone hurting you. He may have disowned you, but he’s still your father.”
“Do you think he might send one of his men to kidnap me?” Amelia still looked worried.
Jed raised an eyebrow. “You know him better than I do, Amelia. Do you think he’d send one of his men to get you?”
“A month ago, I would’ve said no, but now, I don’t know. My father has always been hard-headed and had a fierce temper and he yelled and screamed a lot, but until you and I went to the ranch, I’d never seen his cruel side. I don’t know what to think about him now.”
Jed didn’t comment about her father, but nodded toward the side road. “Looks like a wagon. I don’t think anyone after us would use a wagon. We might as well find out what the rush is.” He walked his horse toward the road.
Amelia nudged Rambler forward and stopped beside him.
The wagon pulled up to where they waited.
“What’s going on, young man?” Jed asked the young boy driving.
“I got to get Doctor Wagner for my poppa.”
Amelia recognized the boy. “Miguel, what has happened?”
“They beat Poppa bad, Miss Amelia. I’m afraid he’s gonna die.”
“Who beat your poppa?” Jed asked.
“Some bad men and they made me watch. I’ve got to go…”
“Where is your father?” Jed looked at the boy.
“At home.”
Amelia put in. “The Garcias have a small ranch. It joins Daddy’s on one corner and yours at the north pasture.”
Jed nodded. “I’ve run into Roberto a time or two when we were working on the north end. Why don’t you go home with Miguel and see if you can help there? I’ll get the doctor.”
“But Mama said…”
“He’s right, Miguel. His horse is faster than your wagon.” She turned to Jed. “If you follow this side road Miguel is using and cut across the back section of our ranch, you’ll come to Garcia’s place quicker.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. You and Miguel be careful.”
“We will. Thank you, Jed.”
He galloped off toward town and Amelia turned to Miguel. “Let’s head back to your house. I’ll see if I can be of any help to your mother and father.”
“Yes, Miss Amelia.”
She turned Rambler toward the Garcia ranch. She didn’t want Miguel to know she saw the tears in his eyes.
* * * *
Wilma Lawson picked up a white cotton nightgown on the table in Brown’s Mercantile. She turned to Grace. “Do you think Amelia would like this?”
“I think we might find something she’d like better at Miss Purdy’s shop.”
“You’re right. Something in silk or lace is what she probably wears for her husband.” Wilma giggled.
“She’s sure crazy about him, isn’t she?”
“I picked up on that when all of you came to buy the ranch.”
The bell over the door jangled, interrupting their conversation. The woman who was on the stage with Wilma and her children came in. She smiled. “Hello, Wilma.”
“Hello, Esther.” Wilma moved to the other side of the rack of cloths. “I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Grace Hunter.”
The two women greeted each other.
“Is she the one married to the half Indian?” Joel blurted.
Grace frowned.
Wilma laughed. “No, Joel. This lady works at the hotel dining room, but she wasn’t working when we came in the other night.”
“Wilma told me you’re Doctor Wagner’s new nurse.” Grace smiled at Esther.
“That’s correct. I start work tomorrow and I came in to get some things to entertain the children while I’m busy.”
“Then come with me, Esther.” Wilma took her arm and walked up to the counter. “Stanley, this is Esther Venable and her children, Benita and Joel. She’s Doctor Wagner’s new nurse and needs to find some things for the children,” she announced without her usual self-consciousness when she was forced to talk to Stanley Brown.
“I’ll be glad to help. How about some books?” Stanley put the kerchief he was folding in a box and looked at it as if he was avoiding Wilma’s eyes.
Grace walked up beside her friend. “Why don’t I help Esther and the children look for books while you and Stanley get reacquainted?”
Esther and Grace walked away.
Wilma blushed and so did Stanley.
* * * *
When they reached the Garcia ranch Miguel said, “I’ll take care of our horses, Miss Amelia.”
“Thanks, Miguel.” She ran up the steps and into the small cabin calling, “Juanita, where are you?”
“In the bedroom,” Juanita answered.
Amelia hurried to a door on the side of the parlor and kitchen combination and entere
d the room. “When we ran into Miguel, my husband went for Doc Wagner because we knew his horse was faster than Miguel’s wagon. I came back with him to see if I could help you.”
Juanita sat by her husband’s bedside and looked up with tears in her beautiful dark eyes. “I don’t understand it, Amelia. We don’t bother people and we try to keep our stock close to home. Why would anyone be so mean and attack Roberto like this?”
Amelia moved beside the grieving woman and put her hand on Juanita’s shoulder. “I don’t understand it either, but there are some mean people in this world.”
“There sure are.”
“Do you know what happened to Roberto?”
“Not really. He went out to work on some down fences while I was cooking dinner. The next thing I knew, Miguel came running in and said three men had attacked his poppa and left him in the field to die. We got him to the house and I sent Miguel for the doctor.”
“How bad is he hurt?”
“I think some ribs are broken and probably some other bones. The place on his head keeps bleeding. I’ve tried to stop it, but so far nothing has worked.”
“Was he shot?”
“No. They have beaten him badly.”
“They didn’t hurt Miguel, did they?”
Juanita looked away. “No. They only warned him.”
Amelia frowned. “Warned him about what?”
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
Amelia continued to frown. She had a feeling Juanita didn’t want to tell her something. Probably something important, but she didn’t push it. “Where was your hired hand, Juanita?”
“He quit yesterday.”
“Why?”
Juanita shook her head. “I don’t know. All he would say was since we were moving he’d have to look for work someplace else. Roberto told him we had no intention of moving, but…” Her voice trailed off.
“But, what?”
“Amelia, we’ve been friends ever since I came to your father’s ranch to visit my Aunt Delores.”
“I know, Juanita. In fact, if you remember I’m the one who introduced you to Roberto.”
She smiled a sad smile. “I remember how I thought he was the most handsome man in the world and wanted to marry him right away, but he was so sad because he’d lost his wife and was left with a baby son.”
“But you worked through it and now you’re a happy family.”
“Yes. Miguel is my son as much as if I’d given him birth.”
Miguel came into the room. “How’s Poppa?”
“He’s still unconscious.” Juanita held out her hand to him. “Please try not to worry, Miguel. We have to pray and believe your poppa will be well soon.”
“They said Poppa would die and I’d be next if we didn’t…”
“That’s enough, Miguel!”
“Why can’t I tell? We’ll have to tell the sheriff.”
“No. Poppa will get well and we’ll…”
“What, Mama? Sell our ranch to Mr. Donahue and move away like they said?”
“What does my father have to do with this?” Amelia demanded.
Roberto moaned. Juanita ignored her and turned toward him. “It’ll be all right, Roberto. The doctor will be here soon and you’re going to be fine.”
Amelia could tell the woman was fighting to keep the fear from her voice.
When Roberto grew quiet Juanita took hold of his hand and whispered, “Please, dear God, don’t take my husband from me. Miguel and I need him and love him so much.”
Miguel began to cry. “I don’t want Poppa to die.”
Amelia touched Miguel’s arm. “Why don’t you and I go make your mama some tea? She looks like she could use some.”
He followed Amelia out of the room.
When they got to the kitchen she asked, “Are you hungry, Miguel?”
“A little.”
“Let’s see what your mama cooked.” She turned to the stove and noticed Juanita had pushed the food to the back of the stove so it wouldn’t burn. “She made Chili Verde.”
“I like the way Mama cooks pork.”
“It has finished cooking. All I have to do is serve it.” Amelia took a plate, dipped some rice and beans on to it then added the pork in green sauce. She put the prepared corn tortillas on the side. “Here you go, Miguel. Enjoy.”
Miguel began to eat as Amelia made a cup of tea. “I’ll take this to your mother and I’ll be right back.”
Miguel had eaten half of what was on his plate when she returned. He glanced up at her and had tears in his eyes. “I shouldn’t be eating with Poppa sick, should I?”
“Of course you should eat, Miguel. Your poppa would want you to. You have to keep up your strength so you can help your mama.”
He gave her a half grin and ate another bite.
“Tell me what happened, Miguel.”
He dropped his head. “There were three men. One said Poppa shouldn’t bother with the fence because as soon as Mr. Donahue bought the ranch he’d pull down all the fences so the cows could run free.” When she said nothing, he went on. “Poppa said Mr. Donahue wasn’t going to buy our ranch because he wasn’t selling it. The big man laughed and said Poppa should think it over.”
“And then what happened,” Amelia prodded after Miguel paused.
“Poppa said he didn’t have to think. Then the man said if Poppa didn’t sell they’d burn us out. Poppa reached for his rifle, but the big man rode his horse up beside him and kicked him in the chest. The others laughed. I started to run to Poppa, but the big man threw a rope around me and held me tight. He told me to watch what happened to people who didn’t do what Mr. Donahue wanted them to do. The other two men got off their horses and one held Poppa while one began to beat him. He tried to fight back, but one hit him in the head with his gun. Even after Poppa was unconscious on the ground, they kept beating him and kicking him. I thought they’d killed him for sure.”
“Oh, Miguel. I’m so sorry.”
It was as if Miguel had to get the whole story out now that he’d started telling it. He continued, “I figured they were going to kill me, too, but the big man said, ‘See what happens to people who don’t cooperate with Mr. Donahue, boy?’ Then the big man told his men to quit beating Poppa. They didn’t want to, but they kicked him a few more times and got back on their horses. The big man took the rope off me and told me he knew Mama wasn’t my real mama.”
“She may not have given you birth, Miguel, but Juanita thinks of you as her real son.”
He nodded. “I think of her as my mother and I love her. I never knew my real mama. She died when I was a baby.”
“I know. Juanita has been a wonderful mother to you. She loves you just as much as you love her.”
He nodded and took another bite of food.
Amelia watched him finish his meal and push his plate back. Taking a breath, she asked, “Did the man say anything else?”
“Yes. He said if I didn’t convince Mama to sell to Mr. Donahue the evening after Poppa’s funeral the same thing would happen to me and her.”
Amelia moved beside Miguel and put her arm around his shoulder. “I’m sorry this happened. Those men need to be put in jail. Do you know who they were?”
“They work for your Poppa. I think the big one was the foreman. He came over the other night and said Mr. Donahue wanted our ranch, but Poppa told him no. He told Poppa he’d be sorry if he didn’t change his mind.” He looked up at her with tears running down his cheeks. “How could your poppa do that to mine, Miss Amelia? How could he be so mean?”
Amelia was asking herself the same question.
Chapter 13
Jed hurried to Doctor Wagner’s office as soon as he reached town. Sheldon came to the door after the first knock.
“Hello, Wainwright. How can I help you?”
“Roberto Garcia has been hurt. I ran into his boy coming into town and told him I’d come get you because my horse was faster than the one he had pulling his wagon.”
/> “What happened to Garcia?”
“His son said some men beat him and left him for dead. Amelia has gone to see if she can help until you get there.”
“I’ll leave a note for my new nurse and go right out.” He began writing on the slate which lay beside on the desk.
“Thanks, Doc. I need to see Sheriff Gentry then I’ll be there.”
The doctor propped the slate on the desk and picked up his bag. “You’ll probably catch me. If your horse is faster than Garcia’s wagon, it has to be faster than my buggy.”
The doctor headed toward the buggy parked in front of his small white house and Jed headed to the sheriff’s office.
When Jed entered the sheriff’s office he saw Lance Gentry sitting behind his pine desk with a cup of strong coffee and a stack of papers in front of him. “Hello, Jed. I knew you’d eventually come by to collect your reward.” He opened a desk drawer and took out a stack of bills. “There were four of them at two hundred each.” He counted out eight hundred dollars.
Jed nodded and put the money in his pocket. “Actually I came by to report a couple of things.”
“Oh?”
“On the way into town, Amelia and I ran into the Garcia boy. Somebody beat up his daddy this morning. I sent Amelia to their ranch with the kid and came for the doctor.”
“Has Doc headed out there?”
“He was getting in his buggy when I left to come here.”
“Good. What else do you have to report?”
“Someone tried to burn my barn last night.”
“Damn, I hate to hear that. Did it do much damage?”
“No. I caught it in time.”
“Any idea who it was?”
“I have my suspicions, but it was too dark to see.” Jed pushed back his hat.
Lance frowned. “Do you think the two incidents are connected?”
“Could be. I found some tracks around my barn. I’m going to Garcia’s ranch to see if the hoof prints there are the same as the ones at my place.”
Deputy Bryce Langston strode in the door. He nodded to Jed. “Everything seems to be quiet in town. Anything going on?”
Lance shoved the stack of papers in his desk. “Somebody attacked Roberto Garcia. I’ll ride out there with Jed and see what I can find out. You keep things under control here.”
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