“No it doesn’t. Take for instance that Kirkland kid. He just didn’t look like the type of boy to try and assault a girl, right out in plain sight. I think there is more to this story than meets the eye.”

  “Well those two guys that were with him were the type. But they sure weren’t expecting the likes of Janie and Melinda.”

  “Yeah,” I said, “it was almost like they brought that kid to town to get him killed.”

  “My thought also. I think I seen the one who got shot, whisper something to the kid just before he reached for Janie’s tit.” Brie said.

  “I didn’t see that, you have sharp eyes.” I said. Then we both fell silent, riding with our thoughts.

  We came up on the place right where Nate said it would be. It was noon and it looked like everyone was inside chowing down.

  We dropped our horses to a walk and circled around to come in on their blind side. There were about ten horses in their corral. Also two big European type rich people’s wagon’s. Big and gaudy.

  We stopped just outside of the door to the cook shack. And still no one came out. We stepped out of our saddles and called out: “Hello in there.” That got their attention.

  Two men came out, “Who the hell are you?” One of them said.

  “We’re the law, there has been a complaint made against your outfit, rustling and attempted murder. Is the owner here?” Brie said.

  “The law? You don’t look much like the law. You look more like a whore.” He said.

  I stepped forward, “now you went and done it, you pissed me off, calling my Deputy a whore. What you should of done was invite us in for lunch. But no you went and insulted us.” I looked at Brie, “So what should I do Deputy, should I kill him or do you want to?”

  Just then an older woman with red hair stepped out. “Mahan, you apologize this instant, I won’t have talk like that on our place.” Then she looked at us, “I’m sorry, won’t you come in and have some food, we have plenty?”

  “Well Mam, we certainly can, that is as soon as my Deputy accepts his apology, that is, if she wants too, I expect she just might kill him though, cause he looks like he don’t want to apologize.” As I was speaking I was watching the two of them, they had spread out about ten feet apart. I could tell that they thought they were dealing with local clowns. They both fit the description of what Billy said they looked like.

  An older man came out of the door and grabbed the woman pulling her back inside. I guess that was their signal to start the ball rolling. They both made their play, I didn’t even pay any attention to them, I was watching the cook shack windows.

  Being as it was hot, those cook shack windows were open, I seen a rifle poke out just as Brie was blowing those two full of holes. I shot just above the barrel, the rifle fell out of the window. I bullet whizzed by my ear, I threw another shot at the other window, the same thing happened, a rifle fell out in the dust of the ground. Then it was quiet. Two big steps took me through the cook shack door.

  A bullet hit the right door jamb. I fell to my left, just getting ready to lay another shot my way was that same guy that Melinda had planted her foot in his gonads yesterday. I gave him a third eye in his forehead.

  I looked around, two dead bodies by the windows, the older man was holding the woman in his arms, Frankie was setting at the table, his right hand was bandaged. He was looking mighty pale, looked like he might pass out.

  “Well, you must be Rath Kirkland, am I right?”

  “Yes Marshal you are, we are very glad to see you. This bunch has been holding us captive for the last six weeks. They kept us separate, when we went to town for supply’s they kept my wife or my son. They tried to get my son killed last night, but as you see he was only wounded.”

  “Yeah, I know. I was there, he tried to grab one of my daughters tits. She didn’t kill him, I think she felt sorry for him.” Brie came in,

  “Well, I see you got three of them, while I only got two. Are these the Kirkland’s?”

  “Yes, sweetheart, they are.” I asked, “How did you get mixed up with this bunch?”

  “We hired them at Denver to work and guide us. They said they knew a place where we could get free land. But it wasn’t long till they tied us up and were looking for our money. When they couldn’t find it, they had us wire England for money, of course I knew it would do no good, no one back there would give us anything. That’s why they didn’t just kill us, they still thought the money was on its way.”

  “So you’re out here with no money?” I said.

  “I didn’t say we didn’t have any money, I said they couldn’t find it. There is a false wall in one of the wagons.”

  “How come folks in England don’t like you?”

  “I didn’t say they didn’t, I simply said they wouldn’t give us any money. Before we left England, we agreed on a password on any request for more money.”

  “So who tried to kill Billy?”

  “Who’s Billy?” Kirkland said.

  “Billy Bledso, the youngest boy of the Bledsoe’s.”

  “I don’t know. They said they wanted to start a ranch and needed money to stock it. Why would they shoot Billy?” Kirkland said, with a straight face.

  “Because he caught them rustling some of their stock.” Brie said, with an exasperating look on her face. “So you claim you know nothing about the rustling?”

  “No, of course not, we’re honest people.” He said.

  “How far did you get in school, the third grade?” I asked.

  “Huh? What are you implying, that I’m stupid.” He huffed.

  “Well, that or you are just a bit retarded, hooking up with this bunch in the first place, any fool can see just by looking that their a bunch of Jay Hawkers. Either you’re a bit retarded and stupid, or you have a little bit of larceny in your soul. I’m tired of talking to you. The three of you bury this bunch, then hook up your wagon’s and get your butt’s to some town, that’s where you belong. Ask the Marshal in Twin Bridges to recommend a guide for you, if left to your own devices you’d probably go around in circles.”

  As we were mounting up, we heard the woman; “Didn’t I tell you they were no good the first time I saw them? Look what happened to our son, he’s missing two fingers, he’ll have to go through all of his life as a cripple and it’s all your fault.” Her voice faded as we spurred away. Ahh, hell comes in many forms and a contentious wife is one of the worst forms.

  Brie said, “That woman ought to be thankful she’s not burying both her son and husband, some posse’s would of hung both of them.”

  Chapter Twelve

  It was about two in the afternoon when we got back to the ranch and filled everyone in on what happened. We had a quick bite, then Brie and I took our bedrolls and went down by the river under a large Fir tree and spread them out, we took a quick bath in the river then laid down with nothing on to get some sleep. Of course we covered up with mosquito netting, which was more than enough due to the heat of the day.

  We woke up when the sun was just one thumb from sinking behind the mountains. Janie and Melinda was setting cross legged on a blanket close by us, playing poker.

  “Thought you two was going to sleep the night away.” Melinda said. “Yeah, Alice is keeping some food warm for you, but don’t forget to put some clothes on, I think Alice is funny that way.” Janie said.

  Brie stretched, kicking the netting away, it landed on top of Jake’s head, he shook and threw it off. She stood up, fluffing her hair, she said, “One of you girls have a comb on you?”

  Surprisingly, Melinda reached in her hip pocket and handed her one. Brie stood there combing her hair, still naked as a Jay Bird. How in the world did I get so fortunate to find a wife like her? I was so busy watching her that I didn’t notice that the girls were taking their clothes off to take a bath, till they were walking into the water.

  Brie looked at me, “Honey, you had better do something with that before the girls get out of the river.” I looked down, crap, it had a mind of its own, I jumped up and ran for the river. Even then it tried to argue with the cold mountain water.

  Dusk was biting at our heels as the four of us walked back to the ranch house and the friendly light from the coal oil lamps in the kitchen. All three of the girls were fully dressed, including their crossed pistol belts on their lovely hips.

  All of the family was seated around the table, including Billy. Hank asked, “So are the three of them moving out.” Meaning the Kirkland’s.

  “Yep, I reckon they are. I think that Cabin they built would make a good line shack. There’s even some corrals there. I noticed they had even dug a well, which was nice of them.” I looked around the table at all of them, then added, “have you ever heard of Barbwire?”

  “No, can’t say that we have. What is it?” Nate said.

  “Well, it comes in rolls and has barbs every foot or so, sharp ones, the cattle don’t like it, but that’s not surprising, neither do I. I think you should fence your range. I happen to know that the store in Dillon has a supply of it. It’s not going to make you very popular with the rest of the ranch’s around here. But I have seen the hand writing on the wall, it won’t be long and every ranch will be fenced in. Including farms and town pastures, it’ll be every where.”

  “Well, that don’t matter much, because we don’t have the money to do it.” Alice said.

  “Brie and I will stand the cost, you all provide the labor. You might have to hire some help to get it all done. But the biggest job will be that you’ll have to ride your fence line for awhile to make sure no one cuts it. But they’ll get used to it, when they see how practical it is.”

  “And oh yeah, build two more houses. Brona and Caitie will need houses of their own. No daughter in law wants to live with their mother in law, no matter how nice she is.”

  “What about a house for you four?” Alice said.

  “We won’t be here that much, if you build a big bunk house, we can stay in that when we visit.” Brie said.

  “Where will you be?” Billy asked.

  “That’s a good question Billy,” Brie answered, “We have to go back to Coolidge. We have business interests there. Plus Trego is still the Marshal. Really we haven’t thought that far ahead. We also have interest in the Fox Cattle Company, which Janie and Melinda own. I am afraid we’re getting ourselves fenced in by responsibilities.”

  I was sipping my cup of coffee, as I was listening to Brie. I hadn’t stopped to fully realize just how many things we were getting mixed up in. I don’t think I liked it. Last summer at this time I was footloose and fancy free. Now, now, what?

  What? All I knew is, I loved my wife, I guess all the rest I’d get used to. But really would I? My Dad always said that the simpler the better. But of course things have changed. The more I thought about it, the more confused I got. The solution? Don’t think.

  Brie refilled my cup. I patted her behind. Alice gave me a dirty look. Brie didn’t mind it though, in fact she came back and sat in my lap. After more discussion about business. Janie and Melinda got their bedrolls and we all went back down by the river under that fir tree. I was sort of hoping that they would sleep in the house, but heck, I guess we could wait.

  We stayed two more days, then repacked our wagon and gathered up our horses and headed west, toward the Pioneer Mountains and Coolidge. We Camped beside Lake Agnes that night. The same spot we did last time. Only thing, this time the snow was gone, but the water was still ice cold.

  It didn’t take us long the next day to get to Coolidge. The town was bustling. Looked like more people now than when we left. Klaas Bleecker was working at his Blacksmith shop, he was the first to see us.

  “Am I ever glad to see you two. Things have been crazy here, they hit a new vein of high grade ore, people have been poring in here, thinking that they can strike it rich.” He said.

  “Much trouble?” I asked.

  “Some, the jail is full, mostly drunks. But a few gamblers and the like have showed up also. Over there,” he pointed, “is a new saloon. I’m afraid this town is about ready to bust wide open.”

  “Is Sam Benbow back yet?”

  “No, but he sent a letter, he’s on his way. Where’s Brona and Caitie? And who are these two girls?”

  “Brona and Caitie got married, their on a ranch over by Twin Bridges. These two are Janie and Melinda Fox, we’ve sort of adopted them, or them us, whichever. We need to unload our wagon at my place, then bring the empty wagon and extra horses to the Livery, is Henry around?” Brie said.

  “Yep, he should be there. When you get done, we need to go over a few things at the Jail, I need to fill you in on the details.” Klaas said.

  We pulled through town, getting happy greetings from those we knew, stares from those we didn’t. Oh well, it wouldn’t take them long to know who we were. We unloaded the wagon, with Margaret and Jane and Mary helping us. Both sets of twins were eyeing each other, taking each others measure.

  Jane and Mary were dressed in homespun dresses, which were fine for working around the boarding house, but I could tell they were a little jealous of Janie’s and Melinda’s outfits.

  Brie had noticed the looks, she whispered to me, “We are going to have to get Jane and Mary different clothes, we don’t want any rivalry going on between them.”

  Margaret said, “Oh my, I just remembered, our place is full up, even your old room, Jane and Mary had to move in there, I rented their old room out. But don’t worry, Old Lady McBeth died, she left her place to the two of you. We just finished cleaning it up. There are three bedrooms, it’s all ready to move into, food and everything, we had a hunch you would be coming home pretty soon.”

  We had everything unloaded that we were going to leave here. When Melinda looked at Jane and Mary and said, “Do you two want to help us take the wagon and extra horses to the livery?”

  Jane and Mary nodded slowly. “Good, after we get done, how would you both like to go shopping with us?” Janie said.

  “Why?” Mary asked.

  “Well, I know I need a few things and I bet you two would like some different clothes, you both have cute figures, no sense hiding them in those dresses.” Melinda said.

  Brie spoke up, “Good, but first there a few personal things left in the wagon that needs to be put in our new place, Jane and Mary knows where it is, unload the wagon and then you can do whatever you want. But don’t kill anybody, you haven’t been deputized yet.” Brie said with a laugh.

  Margaret watched them go, she turned to Brie, “Can those girls use those guns?”

  “Yes, they can. I’ll have to tell you all about our trip when I get time, but right now we have to meet Klaas at the Jail, I guess all hell has been popping here.”

  We had unloaded the money into the barn with Jim, I had also told Jake and Wolf to stay there, Margaret would feed them. No one would disturb the money.

  Klaas was setting at the desk waiting for us. He was right, every cell was full.

  “So Klaas, who are the ones that are just minor offenses, like drunk and disorderly? I asked.

  “Those three cells there, I was going to release them today,

  but have been so busy I forgot.”

  “Have they been fed?” I asked.

  “Golly, no, they haven’t, I sorry.”

  “Alright, bring them out, one by one, I’ll give them some money to eat on and give them a lecture.” I said. Most of them knew who we were, I didn’t have to tell them not to let me catch them drunk again. A few were new ones, those I took a little extra time with. Finally there were only two cells left with prisoner’s in them.

  The first one was a gambler, Klaas said, he had been caught cheating in that new saloon. He said the proprietor was the one who made the complaint against him. He was a young fellow, not more than twenty I would bet. Clean and well groomed.

  “So son, what do you have to say for yourself?” I asked him, he was staring at Brie, who was setting on the corner of my desk.

  “Uh, well Sir, I didn’t do it.” He said, still looking at Brie.

  “Look at me son, not at my Deputy. And for your information, she’s my wife. Why do you say you didn’t cheat?”

  He looked at me, rather sheepishly. Not because he was guilty, but for the way he was looking at Brie.

  “I’m sorry Sir, I didn’t know she was your wife. I didn’t cheat Sir, just the opposite. The house was cheating, when I called them on it, they claimed it was me. And Klaas there, took their word for it.” He said, glaring at Klaas.

  “It’s not his fault son, he was just doing his best. What’s your name boy?” I asked, while I studied him.

  “Lafayette Marseau, I’m from New Orleans Sir. My friends call me Lafe.”

  “What are you doing here in Coolidge? Are you a gambler?”

  “No sir, I’m not a gambler, I know cards sir, but I don’t make my living at it. I’m a teacher. I was on my way to Helena, when I heard about this strike here in Coolidge. I had never been in a boom town before, I thought it might be interesting.”

  Klaas spoke up, “We need another teacher, the young School Marm is way overloaded.” I looked at Lafe, “What about it son, would you be willing to teach school here and forgo the high life in Helena?”

  “Do I get a choice?” He asked.

  “Sure, everyone gets a choice, but sometimes they make the wrong choice.”

  Brie spoke up, “That young woman that teaches here is very good looking and she’s not married. She’s about your age, I think you two would hit it off.”

  “Alright, I’ll give it a try. Can I have my guns back?”

  “Sure, which ones are yours?” I said.

  “That double barrel derringer and that twelve shot .36 caliber hanging there.” I got up and got them out of the gun locker. I checked their loads. He put the derringer in his vest pocket, the .36 he stuck in his belt. I could tell he knew how to use them. I said, “Just have a seat over in the corner there, after we talk to this next guy, Klaas will take you over to the school.”

  Klaas said, “Before I bring this next guy out, I’ll tell you a little about him. Here’s a flyer on him. I seen him ride into town and recognized him from the flyer. As he was unsaddling his horse I snuck up behind him and knocked him out, I didn’t want any trouble. The flyer says he’s wanted for murder over at Coulson. You know that little town on the Yellowstone.”

 

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