Ambush Valley (14 page)

“He will find out if this is a real threat, don't you think?”

“I'm hoping so.”

“Will we need to postpone our camping trip?”

“I don't think so. Cattle move at ten or so miles a day. We're far enough into summertime, most of the easy water will be dried up. I don't think they can move them until fall.”

“Good.”

He kissed her and they went to sit on the porch swing.

He had lots to think about as the cricket chorus began in the twilight. Comfortable in her company, he wondered where they'd live if they did marry. On the ranch or at her place? No matter, he felt they'd be happy wherever they settled down. He needed to settle down and make some better plans for him and her. Then the Hartley brothers left lots of questions on what they really planned to do next.

Livery owner Frye sent two three-year-old roan geldings and a light dun mare to the ranch. A boy about fifteen delivered them. Chet was taking a siesta when Susie woke him.

“You have horses here. Luther Frye sent them. He said you knew about them.”

Moving his legs off the edge of the bed, he took a boot from her to pull on. “Must be the horses I ordered.”

“He's a nice polite young man.”

“I don't think he has a son that old.”

“The boy didn't say.”

He pulled on the last one and then stood up. “Tell him to come up and I'll write him a check for the pair of horses. I need Rio to breed that dun mare to the Barbarousa horse for him.”

“I can do that. What horses did you buy?”

“I had a great mountain pony and that damn Ryan shot him. Frye's been looking for me some. I sure loved that other one, and Tom rode him up over the mountain to Preskit one night when we were surrounded here.”

She returned with the young man and introduced him as Roy.

“Did Frye say how much I owed him for the horses?”

“No sir, he said you'd pay him when you came to town. They are sure good horses. I rode one of them up here and led the other three. One's for me to ride back on.”

“Stay for supper and spend the night. It's a long ways back in the dark. You can tell him I made you stay.”

“You have your choice,” Susie said. “You can eat here at the house or up at Hoot's chuck wagon with the crew.”

“Reckon I belong at the crew. You sure have a pretty place up here. I've never been to this place before. Those young boys yours that are fishing?”

“That's our nephews, Ray and Ty. Did they have a mess of fish today?”

“Oh, yes and they told me that a man was going to take all their carp. Bones and all, he liked them.”

“Good,” Susie said. “They would hardly speak to me over them. I made them feed a big one to the cats. They have so many bones in them.”

“Yes ma'am. They are boney. You and Mr. Byrnes ever fish?”

“Oh, no. I am his sister not his wife.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Those boys have a stepmother. Their mother died and their father was shot.”

“Gosh, that's bad. They're polite enough. I'll go speak to the camp cook. Thanks for letting me stay over. I was dreading the trip back.”

“Thank you,” Chet said, and rose from the desk.

When he left, Susie turned to him. “Tom Hanager was by today”

“I guess he came by to see you.”

“He started off telling me he thought you might be home. He had the excuse of wanting to talk to you about the Hartley brothers. Then he drank some coffee and we visited. I asked him to bring his daughter and come join us for supper next Sunday.”

“That's good,” he said, pleased that Tom had noticed his sister who she had shown some interest in.

“Now just hold everything.” She spread her hands out in front of her. “I like him but I am not at this time really thinking about a man for myself.”

“Did I say one thing?”

“No, but you thought it. I can tell by the look on your face.”

“Which reminds me. Would you think Marge would want a big wedding or something simple?”

“If it was me, I'd take a simple one, but I didn't go to finishing school either.”

“She's not a snob.”

“No, but if it weren't for wanting you so bad, she could become one.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“She's wanted you since you came here, hasn't she?”

“I guess, but I didn't consider her a snob.”

“She is just Margaret and she has that finishing school . . . air about her.”

“When her father gets back from California, we're going on a look-see trip. I want a ranch for JD up on the rim.”

“Are you going to get married or are you simply going to drag her around and have everyone talking about it?”

“It's not easy to decide. Lots of things to consider. Where should we live? Decisions I don't know the answer to.”

“I would think you'd do the respectable thing. Get married. But you've had some good affairs with some nice ladies.”

“I am spoiled, aren't I?”

“Yes, you have been. But if I wasn't your sister, I'd want you. You kept Marla Price a big secret for a long time. I sure didn't know you were seeing her and I'm not digging up things. And Kathren, I hoped you two'd make it. Then all that fell through. Do what you need to do, but yes, you asked me. I'd marry her.”

“Thanks.”

“You know after all that has happened, we don't act or feel like a family anymore, do we.”

“What do I need to do to restore that?”

She shook her head. “I fear it is like water under the bridge, gone downstream.”

“You want to feed them all is what you're saying?”

“No, you knew it wouldn't be family like before and now I see it. Reg is even gone. Our brother, plus Heck, Mom and Dad. I hate to even consider leaving May here. I thought she'd find someone. But she's not looking.”

“Is she my responsibility?” he asked.

“No, I don't think that. She would marry you in a minute, but she's not at your speed. Margaret is.”

He nodded in agreement.

“Do you think I'd make a good stepmother to Caylin?”

“If she wanted one. Does that worry you?”

“I know about family ties. She hasn't had to share her father growing up.”

“I bet you'd win her.” Susie must be thinking serious. He excused himself and went to saddle a horse. He was about to go see Marge. No need vexing about it all week.

“I won't be here for supper,” he said to her, leaving the house.

“Tell her hi from me,” Susie said from the doorway.

He waved that he heard her and went down to the chuck wagon and spoke to Hoot.

“Everything is fine. Best damn outfit I ever worked at. Every man here works hard to do a day's work and we all want this ranch to work for you.”

“Good. I need to go check on some things.”

“Them Hartley brothers ain't done nothing else have they?”

“No, not yet.”

“Good.” He went off to check on his cooking. “Ride easy, boss man.”

 

 

It was past dark when he arrived at her place. Her boy came to take care of his horse and Marge came out on the porch.

“Put him up, Jesus. He'll stay, I am certain.”

She came on down and hugged him. “I won't ask why, but I am so pleased you came.”

“We need to talk, I guess.”

“Good, let's sit on the swing. It's not too hot now.”

“I've been thinking I was very brazen to ask you to go on this trip. I realize that it will smudge your reputation and it was selfish of me to ask you.”

She kissed him and laughed. “I was not afraid of that.”

“Do you want to have a big wedding?”

“I don't have to have one.”

“Be truthful.”

“I am. I don't care.”

He chewed on his lower lip for a second or two. “Will you marry me?”

“Oh, yes, Chet Byrnes. Anywhere, anytime that you want me to.” She sucked in her breath like it had caught.

“Will your father be back by Saturday night?”

“I am certain he will be back by then.”

“Let's get married at the Camp Verde dance.”

She threw her arms around his neck and smothered him with kisses. “Oh, Chet you have made my day.”

“Now wait. We have lots to settle. Where will we live?”

“Wherever you want to live.”

That let him down a little and he about slumped in the swing. “No, we need to settle lots of things.”

She shook her head. “I will be your wife, not some law judge. I'd go live in a tent or tepee—wherever you want to live.”

He squeezed his forehead and shook his head. “You aren't any help.”

“Excuse me,” Monica said coming out on the porch. “Supper is ready to serve.”

“Come.” She pulled him up. “Monica, we are going to celebrate my engagement to this lovely cowboy.”

“Oh,
Señora
, congratulations! I have some wine,” her cook said.

“Good, break it out,” he said. “I am going to need something.”

She pulled him to her and kissed him. “I don't want one thing from you, Chet Byrnes, except you to keep loving me. I'll help work, do whatever I need to as your mate—” She closed her eyes. “I simply want your love, big man.”

“I'll be there for you, Marge.”

“Good. Will you find a preacher or should I?”

“You know who you want. I know it ain't a church wedding but I won't treat it any way but the best I can do to please you.”

“And we will go on this camping honeymoon?”

“That's why, and the fact that I want to share my life with you, we're getting married.”

She threw her arms around him and kissed him hard. Then out of breath between huffs, she said, “I am the happiest woman in the world.”

“Good. Some day don't tell me we needed to have straightened all that out years ago.”

“I won't. What dress should I wear?” she asked as he seated her at the table.

“Heavens, you look good in anything.” Then he leaned over. “And without anything too.”

She blushed and shook her head. “I can see now I am in for it.”

He hugged and kissed her, sitting side by side.

“I'll send word for JD to be sure to come down.” Then he looked at her fingers. “What size are they?”

“I don't know. Do I get a ring?”

“It's not the biggest or prettiest, but my mother wore it.”

Her eyes flew open in shock. “Do you have it with you?”

“I do, but it better not be bad luck to show it to you.”

“Silly, that's not bad luck.” Then she sucked in her breath at the sight of it. “That's gorgeous.”

“That stone's real. First trip we made to Kansas with cattle my father brought that back for her after we sold a thousand steers. She fussed about him spending the money. She didn't know he had over seventy thousand dollars on him.”

“That was sweet of him.”

“For an old Arkansas hillbilly years ago, he was a neat man.”

“He must have been.”

“Them Comanches killed him. He wouldn't quit chasing them looking for those kids they'd kidnapped. Never found them. He and my mother both slipped out of their minds looking for them and pining for them. Bad deal.”

They ate their engagement celebration meal and then danced to the music box waltz. He didn't figure you could have got any more excitement out of a woman than he got from her. Her cook and housekeeper left them after the dishes were done with a soft “good night” from the door.

“I don't know how to tell you how happy you've made me,” she whispered in his ear.

“I hope you stay that way for the rest of our lives.”

“Oh, Chet, I will.”

“Good, 'cause our life will have some crooks and turns along the way.” There he stood face to face with a woman tall as he was and as easy to kiss as to move four inches. But he did believe her. She was as thrilled as he was about the deal. Then no one could complain about their living together before they were married. He hoped that worked for her sake. He'd better go home and tell Susie. Marge wasn't her choice, but he didn't think he'd ever be happy with a chubby, German-accented bride. He kissed her again thinking about it. No, Marge was more to his liking.

JD came down from the log camp for the wedding and so did his crew. The ranch was crowded with folks. Hampt came back and had a conference meeting with Tom and Chet. Hampt had learned that a few rustlers, who had been out there earlier, probably stole some of the ranch cattle and drove them to a butcher over on the Williams River in a mining camp, and had later pulled stakes from there. So there was no one else operating in the western country at the time. Chet felt he had the best information they could get from out there.

Millie and Susie sewed him a new white shirt to wear for the wedding wingding. They made a good team, and things were settled down. The cowboys' cook shack food was going up, and the bunkhouse as well. Things were taking shape. Tom was going, the next week, to look at some shorthorn bulls for sale down at Hayden's Mill. There weren't enough Hereford bulls around there that were old enough to breed cows for sale.

Chet had four packhorses and his two new mountain horses for him and her to ride. Marge said she'd even ride a mule as long as she got to go along. He'd ridden both new horses and was pleased with them. Packhorses were selected, the gear was all laid out. The Mexican boy Victor, about sixteen, who served as the horse wrangler, was the choice for handling the packhorses and the others. Rio said he was a hard worker and a loyal guy.

They sent him up on top on Saturday morning to make camp near the sawmill. Chet and his new missus were to join him Sunday evening up there. They'd spend the first night in a borrowed cabin near Camp Verde. Sunday, they'd ride up on the rim to Victor's camp setup.

The crowd at the dance was double the usual numbers. Susie had fussed at him all morning about what he needed to do before, at, and after the wedding. Like she was his mother, and it amused him.

Finally she said, “Margaret really wanted you mighty bad to put up with this honeymoon on a pack train. Mercy, she went to finishing school. Aren't you worried she will quit you and go home in the midst of it all?”

“We have talked about it a lot. She's serious.”

“I can't imagine how.”

May laughed at the two of them fussing about it. “Why I'd go with him if he was going to be my husband.”

“See there, May would go,” he said and shared a wink with May.

Susie shook her head. “I sure hope it works.”

“It will. I'm going to town and I'll check to be sure she ain't run off. She'll be worried that I'm off on another wild goose chase.”

Susie agreed. “I'd be concerned too.”

He left on the gray horse. The ranch hands were bringing the roan ones with them. Their “honeymoon horses,” he called them, and the men laughed. They were all shined up for the event and he knew he'd get lots of kidding when he got back. But he really looked forward to what lay ahead. His tall bride and he were going to enjoy their lives together. After so many false starts in his life, he counted on them having a good union.

He found her at noon with a large tent set up and her cook along as well. Her father still wasn't back and that niggled him. He hoped it didn't upset her too much. She rushed out and kissed him. They stood under the fluttering leaved cottonwoods and savored each other's mouths for a while. Her foreman took his gray horse and they walked down by the river.

“All's going all right for you?”

“I am as edgy as sixteen-year-old. I feel so giddy inside and even on my skin. I guess this is number three and I really want it to be so much better than my others. But let me tell you, I am so proud I know you so well. I have truly enjoyed our, well—
cheating
being together. You are a generous, patient man with me, and I so appreciate that. Some day I'll tell you more about things like that. But you know me well enough for now.”

They kissed. He saw some boys wearing cutoff britches splashing in the river as they strolled on the higher ground. His nephews would have enjoyed that. Then she led him behind a tree and they kissed again.

She rested her backside against the bark and her eyes sparkled in the sunlight filtering down. “It is hard for me not to say, We're married already, let's go be by ourselves.”

“Oh, today will teach us to be patient.”

“Whatever you say, big man. I will be good.”

He hugged her tall form and savored her body against his own. “You are always good.”

“I have you fooled completely.”

They both laughed.

“Has JD said anything about Kay to you?” she asked.

“No. Should he have?”

“I'm not certain. But I think she is going to take the children and leave her husband.”

“How does my nephew fit in that deal?”

“Maybe I have said too much.”

“I'll take you back and go find him. I better know what he plans if she's made some plans.”

“I hate that. But I agree. You may need to know.”

“I'll be back before suppertime.” They kissed and parted not fifty feet from her camp.

He caught Susie. “You seen JD?”

“Not since this morning. What's wrong?”

He looked around to be certain they were alone enough to tell her. “Marge is afraid Kay and him are going to elope, with her kids as well.”

Susie frowned. “Really? Oh, his mother will have a fit.”

“Not much she can do about it. Kay's husband is not a happy man anyway, and I don't know how he'll take it either. She still is his wife.”

“I'll go look for him and tell the boys to do the same,” Susie said.

“That will be good. He may be head-over-heels in love with her, but I worry more about her husband's reaction.”

“Here you go worrying about the outfit on your own wedding day. We can handle it.”

“Wedding or not some things need to be settled.”

Susie agreed and hurried off. He went and spoke to some ranchers he knew. About then a buckboard arrived and a crop of little kids lined the sides. A red-haired woman who held a baby in her arms sat on the spring seat. His buddy Roamer had just arrived. He went to shake his hand and meet the small woman with the baby who wanted to populate the territory.

“Word was out you were getting married. We didn't want to miss the occasion. So I got some time off to come over. How have you been?”

“Good. Take your wife up to our camp and they'll help watch the kids.”

“Darling, this is Chet Byrnes, the Texan I told you about.”

She smiled big and Roamer starting unloading his crew. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Byrnes. He's spoken a lot about you.”

“Good to meet you too, ma'am. He's got a right to be proud of these young'uns. They sure look neat to me.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Roamer headed them up to the ranch camp. Meanwhile, Chet found Tom and Hampt. He drew them aside. “Marge told me that Kay Kent is planning on leaving her husband at this dance and she thinks JD is also involved. Don't let anything happen to either her or him. I fear her husband might be mad about it and I don't want either one of them hurt.”

“Get married, boss man,” Hampt said. “Us boys can manage the rest.”

Tom agreed with a grim nod. “Her husband don't treat that woman right, anyway.”

“I just hate to leave you all with my problems.”

“Naw, we're all proud to be working for a man who cares.”

“Look who's arrived,” Tom said. “Henry McClure.”

His father-in-law-to-be drew up his team and smiled big at the three men. “I hear my daughter is marrying some Texan today. Any of you know him?”

“No,” Hampt said. “But if he's any one of them Texans I know I'm sure feeling sorry for you.” Then he laughed.

“Well, Chet, I've been coming all the time. Figured she wouldn't miss me if I didn't make it here today, but you might never forgive me.”

Chet shook his hand.

McClure clapped him on the shoulder. “Good to have you coming into the family. I know it pleased her. I am grateful to have you in the family circle. I owe you for recovering my horses, too.”

Chet shook his head. “We're glad to have you back. She's up at your tent.”

Roamer joined them and he shook McClure's hand. Hampt went to see about JD and the rest went up to Marge's tent, talking about everything from the government to outlaws.

In a little while, Hampt located JD and brought him to Chet. The two spoke outside of the McClure camp.

“I'm sorry, Chet, that you had to hear about this from others. I told Kay some time ago that if she needed to leave him, she could come to our ranch and Susie would be the one to keep her straight if she wished to file for a divorce.”

“Have you told Susie that story?”

“Yes sir, a little late there, too.”

“What did she say?”

“Told me to bring her on, we never turned strays away at our place.”

“I reckon you're serious about her?”

“I am, but I don't want her reputation turned into some dirty deal.”

“What about your mother?”

He shook his head. “Who knows about her?”

“She'll have a lot of screaming to do. So you better tell her, too.”

“I can do that. Kay Kent is a nice lady. I think when she gets shed of him she can do what she wants to do.”

“Good. Simply avoid any gunplay with him.”

“I will. And Chet, thanks for looking out for all of us.”

Six p.m. Chet was in place, standing where the preacher had set up his stand with JD, who had the ring. They played the wedding march and here came Marge on the arm of her smiling father. The blue dress she wore was gorgeous and flattered her trim figure. Excitement danced in her eyes and she looked perfect standing there with him at the preacher's position.

He didn't recall much about the whirlwind ceremony, except, “I do.” Then he kissed the bride and they were swept off to the food table in a dream flight to cut their cake. He wasn't sure he could eat anything on his butterfly stomach, but she helped fill his plate and they went off to eat some and to be congratulated.

One of the first to come by was Kay to hug both of them. She bent him over to do that and whispered, “Thanks so much.”

Before he remembered what for she was gone in the crowd. Why did she feel the need? There was no asking Marge. In the uproar around them, they were covered with well-wishers. Later, the bride went back to their camp and changed out of her wedding dress and came back in a riding skirt, blouse, and jacket, plus a hat; and the two roan horses stood saddled and ready for when they showed up.

He boosted his bride in the saddle and swung up with one hand on the horn on his own. They waved and galloped away in the bloody sundown. The borrowed cabin was only a short distance from the school grounds and she held the horses' leads while he unsaddled them, then put them in the pen with water and hay for the night. At the rough wooden door, he swept her up in his arms, carried her through the opening, and set her down inside. Both were laughing at his efforts.

In the middle of the room was a bed made for them with a Texas Star quilt on top. He stood admiring it.

“It's a wedding present from my lady friends. They made it and it was a surprise.”

He kissed her and then they began to undress. For a long moment they stood there holding each other skin to skin. She was finally his wife and his heart pounded with the news.

“This is too damn much to be real,” he whispered in her ear.

“Damn it, Chet Byrnes, this is as right as it will ever get. Things are going uphill from here.”

He still wished he knew why Kay had said thanks for everything. But by then he and Marge were on the bed in each other's arms. Everything else could wait for another day.