Ambush Valley (22 page)

Chet nodded. “Pick you out some horses up at the ranch. Victor can set you up with camping gear. Visit our boys at the sawmill. Robert runs that for us up there. Take whatever you need and when you get back we can go over the plans.”

“Sounds great.”

“It's wonderful to have you here with us. I'll figure out a way to help them two if I can.”

“I think this trip to the new ranch will clear my head. I'm counting on it doing that. I hate to linger in the past, but I guess it's part of healing.”

“You probably won't ever forget it, but you will get so you can live with it.”

Marge squeezed Chet's arm. “You over it?”

“Most of the time. I don't think about it often. But it comes and reminds me that it happened.”

She chewed on her lower lip before she spoke, “My first husband was killed in the war. I thought I'd never live again. But he faded, and number two rode out one morning and never came home. A horse threw him and broke his neck. Then your uncle came back from Texas at last to see me, and someone had stolen some of our horses. I had waited so long for him coming, and then he rode off to catch them. I thought oh, my God, I have lost him too.”

Reg looked straight at her. “If they stole your horses, I know how he feels about that. I've been on those wild goose chases. But stealing horses really gets to him.”

“But I had waited a year, maybe longer. His interest in Texas couldn't wait. I was so high and zoom he runs off to get them. I was white knuckled until he came back.”

“He's been bad about that since I was a boy.”

Marge kissed him. They all three laughed.

Chet was glad that Reg could talk about things. The new ranch might be just what Reg needed. What he could do for JD and Kay he had no idea. Time would work out things like that.

 

 

Late that night in bed, Chet and his bride talked about things.

“I don't want to pry, but I am concerned about your business,” she began. “I mean I don't need to know everything, but how can you afford all this?”

“Kansas cattle drives. I made some big money driving the right cattle to Kansas. I planned to expand the Bar C for years, but never did it. I have a large war chest of money the family has saved. I don't trust all my money to banks. They fail from time to time. Both Susie and May know all about them. I have never told Louise.”

“I understand.” She smiled in the moonlight flooding the bedroom. “I won't bother you again about it.”

“We've never spent it and we have plenty.”

“Good. My father, as you can imagine, had investments all over but he's been trying to close them out. That was what he did in California. Sold some things he held over there. He asked me if you needed any money; that is why I asked.”

“I borrowed money from him last year because I didn't have the money on me. But I paid him back.”

“Oh, he said you did. He simply thought all this ranch building might be hurting you.”

He kissed her. “No problem.”

“Good, I won't mention it again.”

“Hey, we're partners.”

She sighed and then hugged him “I know and love it.”

After breakfast, he saddled a horse and rode with Reg down to the Quarter Circle Z. They talked about his buying the Hereford cows and plans to improve the herd in the valley.

“Where would we get the cattle for the new place?”

“Maybe buy yearlings and stock it with them.”

As they rode off Mingus Mountain, Reg nodded like he was considering such a change. “That would be different. But might be what we need and not winter them.”

“I see it that way. But time will tell. I'm looking to provide beef to the Navajos.”

“Is that a bribery deal?”

“I have no idea. Indian agents have a bad reputation. Our lawyer is trying to find another in Gallup to tell us the way to do it.”

“You never run down, do you?” Reg asked.

“Hey, we have a big family and I want us all to have the best life we can have.”

“This valley and that far rim is impressive,” Reg said, admiring the vast scenery spread out before them.

“Wait till you see the Grand Canyon. I was impressed.”

“I can't hardly wait.”

“Good. This cattle selling, settling the purchase of the ranch and the rest, make me stay here.”

“I know. I miss the ranch life we all had in Texas. But that part is gone. Aunt Susie missed it too.”

“I know, but we all have our lives to lead. The Reynolds stopped that.”

“I still liked it then.”

“Maybe you'll like this new place as well.”

“I hope so.”

They found him two saddle horses and two packhorses that suited him. Reg said he wanted to explore the entire country. Chet felt that was encouraging. He wondered how the Wright sisters and he would get along. They obviously did not have many suitors up there, from what he and Marge observed when they went to the dance with them. Reg would have fun, perhaps.

Susie put together food and supplies that he'd need. Victor drew him maps and told him all about the things he'd find.

Chet's foreman Tom dropped by and told them about a rancher who lived downstream, Jack Greene, who had two beeves shot and the hindquarters taken from both with the rest left to buzzards. They called it slow-elking.

“He have any ideas?” Chet asked.

“No. He figured the first one was done by someone drifting through. But number two made him think about someone who lived around here. We have no evidence they have struck us.”

“Reg is going up on the rim and check out the new ranch site.”

“I understood that.” Tom said. “He get what he wanted to ride?”

“Yes. Victor helped him and drew him maps.”

“Is Victor going along?”

“No, I hadn't planned on that. I can ask him. Victor would make a good guide.”

At lunch, Reg said, “I'd rather discover it myself. I need some room to simply think.”

Chet accepted that as his answer. Susie fussed about her special guest and took some ribbing about her own situation.

“This Tom, what's his name?” Reg pointed his fork at her.

“Hanager.”

“Do I get to approve of him?”

“You can stay and meet him.” Susie acted busy with her food. “He'll be at the dance Saturday night.”

“Oh, I want to ask him lots of questions.”

“I have no idea what he'd say to that.”

Reg laughed. “I wish for the best things to happen with him.”

“Thanks,” she said quietly.

After lunch, Chet asked Reg if he could use some money.

“I guess I could.”

He gave him fifty dollars and Reg thanked him. With a few words to encourage him, Chet went back to Marge's and then drove her into Preskit. He stopped at Bo's office and the sober agent explained that the deed was coming and the ranch was his.

He thanked him and his bodyguard, then he left and crossed the street. Marge was shopping for something and he was going to check with Jane.

When she saw him she came over. “How is your man?”

“Still sober. What do you know?”

“Word is that your friend Roamer was shot last night and they're bringing him here from Crown King.”

Chet felt cold chills on his cheeks. “You know who shot him?”

“I have no idea. They said he was alive.”

“Where will they bring him to?”

“Doc Melton is the best surgeon. He has a practice two blocks north.”

“I can find him. No story to go with his shooting?”

“It is all sketchy. There was some kind of holdup going on.”

“That's enough. I'll go see if he's up there by now.”

“Be careful.”

“I will.”

He took the buckboard in that direction and found the sign of Dr. Melton. He entered the office, which smelled of ether and disinfectants.

“May I help you?” a gray-headed lady asked.

“Is the deputy Roamer here?”

“Yes, but he cannot have any visitors.”

“Who ordered that?”

“Sheriff Sims.”

“I am a close friend of his. The sheriff can't keep me out of seeing him.”

“He said—”

“I must see him.”

“I can't—”

“I'll find him.” He moved her aside.

“Doctor!” she shouted.

Taking off his glasses, a man came out in the room. “What is wrong?”

“I'm here to see Roamer.”

“He was shot.”

“That is why I'm here.”

“He may be groggy.”

“I trust your concern. But the man or men who did this are riding away.”

“The sheriff said—”

“Doctor. I need to speak to him.”

“I really think you're disrespectful.”

“Is he dying?”

“I hope not.”

“Then let me get what he knows about the shooter.”

“Follow me, and lower your voice.”

He opened the door and let Chet in the room. He went to the bedside and waited for Roamer to open his eyes. Then he dropped on his knees. “Who did this?”

“They tried to rob the store—I tried to stop them—Blake Ryder and some guy, name's . . . Bender—were the—ones—sorry I can't do more—”

“Get well. I'll find them.”

Roamer nodded his blanched face at him.

Chet turned to the doctor and they left the room.

Outside, the doctor nodded. “You satisfied?”

“He's a good friend. I'll find who shot him.”

“Sheriff Sims said the shooters would be apprehended.”

“I hope he does. But if he don't, I will.”

“Isn't it best to leave this to the law?”

“I have no argument with Sims. I disagree with his methods, let's say.”

“Did you bring in those men that murdered the old couple?”

“I was with the men that brought them in.”

Doc shook his head. “May you safely find them.”

He wanted to tell the man safety was not an issue. Those men needed to be apprehended. That was the most important thing. They'd have a good head start by the time he got his feet planted down there.

When he reached the dress shop, Marge came out flush-faced. “Have you heard about Roamer?”

He loaded her on the seat, then got in behind her. “I spoke to him about it.”

“Is he all right?”

He turned the team around and headed for her place. “Doc Melton said he should survive. Roamer looked tough to me.”

“I expect you will go down there where he was shot.”

“I need to get a horse, some supplies, and try to find out where they went.”

She nodded. “I understood that. Will anyone go with you?”

“I have no idea. Those killers'll have a good head start by the time I get there.”

She agreed. Holding his arm she asked, “Does this really require you?”

“If I thought Sims had this under control, I wouldn't bother. But in both cases, those men would have escaped his grasp.”

“Would you take Jesus along with you? I know Reg is gone.”

“I could send Jesus to go to the ranch this afternoon and get Hampt Tate. He's a powerful man.”

“I would like that. I don't doubt you'll be taking care of yourself, but a good man with you would make me feel better.”

“I'll write Tom and him a note.”

“I'll go get Jesus ready to deliver it.”

“Wait.” He reined up the team, seeing they were alone on the road. Then he turned her toward him and kissed her. “You are my life, Marge. But you know that.”

She hugged him. “Oh, I have loved our lifestyle. I am not a housewife wife, and you're including me in so much has thrilled me.”

“I won't quit until you are too tired to go.”

“I love it. Thanks.” She clapped his leg and shook her head.

They drove on.

Jesus rode off with his letter for Tom and Hampt. The trip would require four hours or more but he expected Hampt to be up there later that night. They were eating supper when Leif Times arrived, and Chet invited him in.

Out of breath when he arrived, he'd asked Chet if he had talked to Roamer. Chet said he had, and hustled him off to wash up. Monica brought a plate and he joined them.

“Are you going to Crown King?” he asked.

“In the morning.”

“Excuse me ma'am,” he said to Marge. “I would like to go along with your husband. And I know I am hogging this conversation, but I also want to know what Chet thinks.”