Blood on the Verde River Page 20

  “Nothing anyone could do. I feel more sorry for Susie. I didn’t take him along to get him killed.”

  “It will be hard, but I survived it. Hurts like someone kicked you in the guts, but you survive. We talked last night. She’s a strong person. Married only a few months and he’s already been taken away from her.”

  “First Heck, now Leif. What am I?” Chet took in a deep breath, letting it out in a sigh.

  “A strong family man. What now? I brought some good clothes. Tom and his wife are so nice and this cowboy Cole Emerson, he’s a good one. Things look in place to me.”

  “I need to write a script.”

  “You want a bath and shave?”

  “Yes, I better have that.”

  “I’ll arrange for it. Anything else?” Marge asked.

  “Coffee and some breakfast when someone gets time.”

  “They will. You can write up here. I’ll arrange the rest.”

  Chet kissed her. Then she got up and dressed.

  At the desk, he began scribbling ideas on paper. He’d need a prayer to start. Then he must write about the young man who’d come and asked to ride with him. Leif wanted to help and rode with the posse who went after the killers of the old couple. He went along to find Roamer’s shooters and holdup men. He’d proved himself and became part of the Quarter Circle Z crew. He courted Susie and they married a short while before this tragic accident occurred, running down three worthless rustlers.

  Hampt came upstairs and stood in the doorway holding his hat.

  “Come in, Hampt, and sit down,” Chet said, looking up for moment.

  “I didn’t come to trouble you.”

  “You aren’t.”

  “May will sing ‘How Great Thou Art.’ She cried some coming over, but when she heard you were doing the services, she straightened up and said, ‘Oh, I have to do it.’”

  “She’s a lovely lady and you have done more good for her than any of us.”

  “Aw, hell, boss, I’m so lucky to have her. She’s such a bright light in my life. I won’t know what to do without her.”

  “Great. Hug and kiss her for me. We did get those three thieves that caused Leif’s death. They were rustling cattle, butchering them, and selling the meat to freighters on the road.”

  “I didn’t know there was a way up the mountain to March Road. Cole said it was steep going in lots of places.”

  “Hard. How are things?”

  “John and I talked some about making our own barbed wire this winter.”

  “He says he knows how, but getting the stuff from the end of the tracks to here would be a helluva big job.”

  “Hell, boss we can do that.”

  Chet chuckled. “Oh, well go on. You say we can, then we can do it.”

  “Good. We’re going to find out how and how much.”

  “Do it. I need to take a bath and shave. How cold is it outside today?”

  “Warm enough. It will be fine by the time you have services.”

  “Thanks and thank May for me.”

  Hampt looked around. “I never knew before, but Sarge has a big crush on your sister. He knows it is way too early, but he told me he was not going miss getting her this time.”

  Chet agreed. “He’s a solid man.”

  “Yeah, hardworking, too. I thought I’d share his intentions with you.”

  Chet heard steps on the stairs. “I think my wife is coming up to tell me she has bathwater ready.”

  “Hampt, how are you?” Marge asked, stepping into the room.

  “Sad that we lost him, but I’ll be fine.”

  “Good.” She looked at Chet. “The water’s hot.”

  “Hampt and I were just talking. May will sing this afternoon.”

  She nodded that she knew. “She will be the icing on the cake.”

  “See you, Chet. Ma’am.” Hampt said and started out.

  “You call me Marge. We’re all family. I’m not someone special.”

  “Yes, Marge. I will do that.”

  She reached over, caught him, and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Marge is who I am.”

  Hampt was embarrassed, but he was laughing. “I won’t forget.”

  Equally amused, Chet knew Hampt would not forget it.

  They went downstairs—he to be bathed, shaved, and to eat an early lunch, Marge to welcome the people who were coming from everywhere, and Hampt to find his wife. The south wind swept the dust of churning wheels across the open land between the house and the road.

  Dressed at last, Chet passed the coffin, noticing that the women had cleaned up the body and dressed it in a suit. Leif’s father was in the kitchen and they shook hands, shared a few words, hugged, and patted each other on the back.

  Chet’s Aunt Louise and her man came to the house. Dressed in black, she looked straight-backed, but Chet could feel she was very devoted to the man. He could hardly believe how much she’d changed since they’d left Texas.

  He made his way over to them. “Aunt Louise, I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Chet, I know how this has stabbed you, but you are so important to this family. Keep your head high. You lead these people. I only wish JD would come back and be a part of us again. He sent me one sparse letter, but I guess I should be grateful for that. Reg’s woman Lucy sends me short ones, but quite often. I do enjoy them. Lean down. I want to kiss you for all you’ve done for us and poor Susie.”

  He did and her kiss burned a hole in his cheek. “Thanks,” he managed.

  Two o’clock, six cowboys including Tom carried the coffin from the house to place it on the sawhorses at the gravesite beside Heck’s monument. The family was seated in the front row chairs. Chet took his place before the crowd he estimated at over a hundred and fifty folks.

  May sang the hymn. Her voice sounded so strong and he was moved as he thanked her.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we come before you today to lay to rest a fine husband, a fellow worker, Leif Times. His time here was cut short by a horse wreck as he bravely fought outlaws who had shot a cowboy while they were rustling cattle. This young man came to me wanting to help bring the lawless ones to justice. He never asked for any special treatment other than what the rest of us had on those days spent in the saddle. He never complained.

  “His marriage to Susan Byrnes was a great union for both of them and his loss leaves a great space in her life and heart. But we never know when we will depart this world. I can only suppose God needed Leif’s work in heaven. We do know He choose a great man to help Him. All of us who rode with Leif loved him . . . or at least liked him.” Chet smiled and the crowd gave a soft laugh.

  “So on this day we say farewell to a good friend. We must support his father who has lost a son he loved and who was proud about his accomplishments, as were all of us.

  “Please stand. Let us pray.

  “Dear Lord, we are gathered here to intern a friend, a son, a husband, and a great human being, Leif Times. Receive him into your hands and make him welcome in his new home. We will remain here and ask you to heal our loss of him. Be strong in our hearts. Give us the wisdom and ease our way forward. Amen.”

  He stepped over to Susie and hugged her then hugged Marge sitting next to her. They nodded their approval and the men lowered the coffin into the grave using ropes.

  His hands held high, Chet turned to the crowd. “The service is over, but please stay. We have lots of food fixed and I am certain Leif would want you to be friendly and have a good time. Thanks for coming.”

  May joined them and he mused to himself how forward she had become; not brazen, but proud and part of the three-woman team. Her face shone and he swelled with pride at her new appearance.

  “Should we help serve them?” she asked her co-hosts.

  Marge shook her head. “Those ranch hands are serving it well enough. It is their way of helping.”

  “Thanks, brother,” Susie said. “You were long enough. He would not have wanted a longer one.”

  “Good. I a
lways get tired most times. That may be why the boys wanted me to do it.”

  “No,” Marge said. “They respect you and knew you’d say the right things.”

  “Oh well. Now, I’m hungry.”

  “Feed him,” Susie said. “I told Sarge he and I could eat together. He has been so nice to me through all this. I am impressed.”

  “He’s a good man.”

  “I don’t need a man, thank you, but he has been very thoughtful.”

  “Sure.” Chet had better hush up and take his wife to the food line. Walking beside her, he wondered how she felt. Obvious she was growing bigger, but it looked all right to him—that would be their son or daughter some day. “You feeling all right?”

  “Fine. Morning sickness is part of this deal. It isn’t more than an inconvenience here and there, but greater things will come from it. I am happy about being with child.”

  They filled the plates she had brought along and found their fold-up chairs, no doubt set up for her by a ranch hand. The weather was warm from the radiant sun on the front side and cold on the backside. He put a shawl from the back of the chair over her shoulders, then took his plate back. With his fork, he picked at the fine, tasty meat.

  “You ever hear any more about those stage robbers? The Marconis?” a rancher stopped and asked him.

  “No, but we will. Rewards are posted for up to a hundred dollars for them now. When Wells Fargo raises it to two hundred, that’s when they’ll turn up. Bounty hunters will find them for that kind of money.”

  “It’s one more deal Sheriff Sims owes you for.”

  Chet shook his head to dismiss the matter, but he knew Sims had no plans to do anything about it.

  By late afternoon, most everyone had gone home. Chet and Marge decided to stay at the big house with Susie, rather than go home so late and the days so short. Of course, she was with Sarge who’d been escorting her around all afternoon. Eventually, he brought her back to the house.

  Marge had made coffee and the four sat around the living room with the big fireplace heating the house. Plenty of wood had been stacked inside.

  “Thanks, brother,” Susie said with a cup in her hand. “You did well. Everyone said that. I am always glad to hear your voice when you speak. Did anyone invite Leif’s father to stay?”

  Marge shook her head. “I spoke to him about it and he said he needed to get home.”

  “I can understand. This would be too big a reminder for him, anyway. He is a sweet man. And Sarge, thanks for looking out for me.”

  Straight-faced he shook his head. “You have done so much for everyone Miss Susie, anything I can do to help you—send word. Unless I am on the road with cattle, I’ll be right here.”

  “Good to know. Thanks.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I better go to up to the bunkhouse and find a bed.”

  “There are plenty of rooms here and I’ll make breakfast early if you need to ride back,” Susie offered.

  “How would that look?” Sarge’s voice sounded concerned.

  “It looks like you don’t have to sleep in the bunkhouse tonight,” Chet said.

  “Why don’t we play rummy awhile,” Marge said. “That could occupy our minds.”

  So they agreed. Chet wasn’t a great card lover, but he knew it would settle them all down and lower the tension in the room. The fire crackled and burned. He rose and backed up to it as the girls set things up.

  Sarge joined him and spoke softly. “I know she’s hurt deep, but she’s taking it better than I thought. And thanks. This has been the best day of my entire life. Up close, she is so real.”

  “Good. I know you’ve helped her through the tough part and I appreciate that.”

  “Me staying don’t bother you?”

  “No, and it will beat the razzing you’d take from the crew in the bunkhouse.”

  “We’re ready. Come on card sharks,” Marge called to them from the dining room.

  Susie, in her style, had fixed a large piece of apple pie for everyone and set it out by their place. Plus, she’d refilled the coffee cups, being sure everyone around the table was fixed up. Sarge moved her chair in when she sat down.

  He damn sure, in Chet’s estimation, was working the whole deal and might win her broken heart before it was over. Chet pulled out his chair and sat down. Of course, he and Marge would beat the pants off them playing rummy.

  In bed upstairs, Marge whispered to Chet, “Sarge does have his heart set on her. Doesn’t he?”

  “I think he’s trying and it is working. I’m pleased.”

  They kissed and fell sleep. The north wind whistling in the eaves was the last thing he recalled.

  CHAPTER 16

  The temperature dropped overnight.

  Breakfast was scrambled eggs. Susie must have hoarded them. Most laying hens molded in the short days and eggs were hard to find on a free-range situation. There was also fried ham, wonderful brown-top biscuits and thick flour gravy, German fried potatoes and onions, and some figs she’d purchased from Hayden Mills in the summer and preserved. And of course, coffee—good strong coffee.

  Replacing his cup in a saucer, Sarge said, “Boss man, do you have a job over here I can do? If I got an occasional chance to eat at your sister’s table once in a while I’d be happy working for twenty a month.”

  Shaking his head and laughing, Chet said, “Hell no. I need you at the Windmill Ranch.” He could have sworn his sister blushed, but they were all laughing. “Besides Sarge, you have my second best cook—Victor.”

  “Oh, yes, and he goes the extra mile, but Susie outdid them all this morning. Thanks, Susie.”

  “I’m glad you know my name,” she said amused. “All day yesterday I wanted to tell you I was not Mrs. Times.”

  “I’m sorry. I was just being polite.”

  She reached over and clapped his hand on the table. “I know, and it was a trying day, but no one knows what tomorrow or the next day will bring any of us. I know you’re a busy man, and serve in an important position for the ranch, but anytime you come over, you can stay here, and I’ll fix you breakfast, lunch or supper.”

  “Can I take you to the dance?”

  “In time. I don’t want to look too indifferent to Leif’s death, but I know two things. He would have wanted me to go on with my life and I do not intend to be the widow dressed in black, forever.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Is that too outspoken for you?”

  “No ma’am. That’s fine. I appreciate you being so open with me. I understand you need time. I’m not—”

  “You are a polite, elegant man. But tell me—you worked here for maybe a year and never spoke to me that I can recall. Why?”

  “I didn’t think I was in your class. I’m a farmer’s son who enlisted in the army and ate beans until I was sick and tired of them and resigned. Jenn introduced me to Chet and he took me on. I am not a roper, though I have learned how, but you were like the boss’s daughter. I was like a peasant in Europe, not allowed to talk to the princess.”

  Susie began to laugh. “I am a tomboy. How did you ever get a princess out of me?”

  “I told your brother I regretted not meeting you personal-like before it was too late.”

  “Is that why you never danced with me before I was married?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sarge, I am so glad you got over your fright of me.” Then she began to cry.

  Marge rose and handed her a napkin.

  “I am sorry—” Sniff. Susie dabbed at her eyes. “Of all the people to think I was a princess—I am so sorry. I simply had to know.”

  “Stand up,” he said softly as he rose. “I want to hug you.”

  She did and he gently held her in his arms. “Susie, I won’t crowd you, but if in the end you still consider me a good man, I will be here for you.”

  “Thanks so much. What did your mother call you?”

  “Raoule Pollaski.”

  “What’s that?”

  “He was a Prussian general. She read about him i
n a book. She was so glad when I enlisted. She said, ‘See you are going to be a military man.’”

  “Where is she now?”

  “She died a few years before I came here.”

  Susie kissed him on the cheek. “I am sorry. Is your father alive?”

  “Yes.”

  “Would he like to join you here in Arizona Territory?”

  “I could write him. He’s in Iowa.”

  “What do you say Chet?” she asked over her tears, but still in Sarge’s arms.

  “Yes. He is welcome to come. We can find a place for him. I’m sorry you two are having to put up with Marge and me in the middle of your private life.”

  “No,” Susie said. “We’re family. I don’t want the world to think I am some impulsive fool and in disrespect of my late husband. You two are my strength and my loved ones. Let’s all hold hands.”

  Sarge looked ready to bust, but he held it well.

  “Chet, pray for all of us, please?” Susie asked.

  “Of course. Heavenly Father, we are trying to find our part in the future of the ranch and the family. Thank you for letting us make this move to Arizona and for all our blessings here. Be with JD wherever he is and give him the guidance and let the things he learned as a youth be his guide. And Lord bring him back to us.

  “Protect all the ranch people, especially Reg and his wife Lucy, Hampt and May and the children, Robert and the crew at the mill, Louise and her man, and Marge’s father and his woman. Lord lead and guide these two, Susie and Sarge. They are good people and need your hand to help them travel the route to their future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  “Amen.”

  “I am not sure if you’d make a better preacher or a sheriff.” Marge elbowed him.

  “Neither one. I am going to harness up the team and we are going home. Sarge, you be careful. This next drive could be a booger.”

  “I will. This has been the greatest morning in my life.” He hugged Susie and she smiled. “If you change your mind, I will know I tried. This was a dream I never thought could come true. We have a long way to go to really understand one another, but I will be patient. Thanks for making me a part of the Byrnes clan.”