Dark Journey Home (46 page)

“Have you given your own feelings for this hombre much
thought, Señorita?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Is it possible that you are in love?”

“Oh…….I never…..oh….I enjoy being with him, more than
any of the men who courted me in England, but after a while I always tired of
those overly amorous chaps.  They could have bored me to tears, but with Logan, well it’s different with him.  I’ve never tired of being around him.  Oh, he makes
me so mad at times, and at other times….well.”  Olivia stood, and walked over
to a rose bush. 

“Let that be, Señorita Olivia.  Come into the kitchen
and talk out your feelings while I wash up the breakfast dishes.”  Maria stood,
and walked towards the hacienda.

“I am so sorry, Maria, my dear friend.  Here I am
wrapped up in my own feelings, and you are doing all the work.  We’ll talk
while we do dishes, and then let’s go walking.  I promise no more self pity.” 
Olivia managed a laugh, and it felt good. 

<><><> 

As Logan Wakefield and Sheriff Paul Denton rode the
trail towards Coyote Springs, Logan spoke, “Paul, just about where did you say
this Henry Adams was camped the last time he was spotted?” 

“Well now, I’d say about halfway between Coyote
Springs and where the Triple-B range begins, off the trail a might though,
somewhere up in them hills.” 

“Why hasn’t he left the territory?  Whatever could he
hope to gain by hanging around here?”  Logan wondered. 

“Not sure, but the folks who spotted ‘im, said he was
actin’ nutty as a wet grizzly, an’ told them folks right off  to beat it.  Got
him a right nice rifle now too.  Them folks high-tailed it outta there right
quick.  They’d recognized him, though, from back in town.”

“Figure the man’s a slow learner.  Suppose we teach
him a bit more?”  Logan questioned. 

The Sheriff answered, “Reckon so.  I figured he’d had
enough learnin’ for one year, in Coyote Springs, what with his time in the town
jail, then Miss Amelia’s umbrella givin’ ‘im a right friendly send-off.  Like
you say, Logan, guess the fella’s a slow learner.  We don’t need his kind
around any part of Texas territory.”

Logan
promised,
“If he bothers Olivia Worthington, even once……..well….that fella hasn’t tangled
with a Wakefield yet.”

“Now you let the law handle this, Logan.  Don’t you go
getting’ yourself in trouble.”  Sheriff Denton instructed.

“We’ll see.”  Logan answered.

When they reached town, they quickly figured where
Henry Adams had gotten his new rifle.  Marshal Rhodes met them on the boardwalk,
in front of the town jail, as the two men rode up.  They dismounted, then tied
their horses with slip knots to the hitching rail. 

“Glad you boys rode in.  I just received a wire from a
Deputy Marshal out Beaver Creek way.  It seems the local Hardware store had
been burglarized during the night and the only things missing were a new Winchester repeating rifle, a couple boxes of shells, and one canteen.”  Rhodes
explained. 

“Sounds like someone wants to start a small war.”  Denton replied.

“Maybe, though a man fitting the description of that
Henry Adams fella was seen high-tailin’ it outta town about that time on a
rented horse.  Folks knew the horse from the livery stable there.”

“Did they get up a posse?”  Logan asked.

“Sure thing, but lost the trail about five miles out
of town up in them hills; didn’t think ole Henry was that smart.  That Deputy Marshal
figured him to be headed this way, though, an’ wanted us to watch out for
him.”  Rhodes finished. 

“We’ll do more than watch for him.”  Logan promised. 
“We’ll go after him and smoke him out, if necessary.

The Sheriff agreed, “You better believe it, boy.  Now
that fella’s broken the law, an’ we have us a reason to haul him in.  Let’s us
have a bite to eat, then load up on supplies for the trail.”  He turned to the Marshal. 
“Much obliged for the information, Rhodes.” 

Logan
loosened
the slip-knot on his horse’s reins, then Denton followed, as they led the
horses to the stable to be watered, fed and groomed.

After fresh horses were saddled, the two men mounted,
and rode to the edge of town, where Sheriff Denton’s office was located.  Once
inside the building, the sheriff pinned a badge on Logan’s shirt pocket, and
swore him in as a deputy.  “Now if you shoot someone, at least it’ll be
legal.”  He told Logan. 

“Hope it doesn’t come to that, Paul.”  Logan answered.  They then headed up the road to the hotel restaurant for a quick meal. 
It was still early in the day, so they figured on heading right out, with lots
of daylight left, to help in locating a possible trail.  Logan was hoping that
Henry Adams’ tracks wouldn’t lead to the Triple-B ranch, but he had a gut
feeling that they would.

Later in the afternoon, after several hours in the
saddle, they still hadn’t picked up any tracks, only a few from unshod ponies. 
“Renegade Comanches, warriors, no family with though.”  Denton spoke quietly. 
“Tracks are several hours old, heading north, so should be no problem.  I’d
ride careful, you can never tell.” 

“I heard they usually avoid towns in this area, too
many armed men.  A Comanche would stand out like a sore thumb; anyway, maybe
they’re just out huntin’.”  Logan offered.

“Yeah, could be they’re huntin’ alright……maybe
scalps.”  Denton replied.  “Don’t trust a Comanche renegade, Logan.  Some of
their kin are friendly, like them injuns up in Wyoming, like you said, or
northeastern Nebraska.  Most renegades around here, well; just don’t you turn
your back on ‘em.” 

“Don’t ever intend to.”  Logan agreed. 

<><><> 

When Ricardo saw that Maria and Olivia had gone
walking out of the ranch yard, and into the forest of Aspens, he decided to
follow.  Not wanting to interfere in their conversation, he only wanted to make
sure the women were protected, so he stayed a ways behind.  And so it went for
several days.  The two women walking, sometimes with Amelia.  Olivia loved
learning about different plants and wildlife.  She enjoyed the scenery and loved
learning about the country.  As always, Ricardo stayed not far behind, watching
from cover, as an Indian stalks, only making sure the ladies were safe from
harm. 

A week passed, and Logan had not returned to the
ranch.  Olivia convinced herself that he had left for good, however, her Uncle
Claude had assured her that Logan would indeed keep his word, and return. 

Claude Beckford awoke every morning invigorated,
wondering why he hadn’t known how exciting life as a rancher could be.  Also
the approaching wedding date for his marriage to Amelia, the love of his life,
was nearing.  The preacher had sent word, in answer to Claude’s message that he
would arrive at the ranch in two days to perform a simple ceremony, and Claude
was hoping that Logan would return in time.  He and Amelia had decided they
would travel to Wyoming territory with Logan, and was sure that Olivia would
agree to go.  He hadn’t told her about Henry Adams still being in the area, as
the Sheriff had informed him of the situation, but Ricardo had assured Lord
Beckford that he was keeping an eye on the ladies. 

Claude didn’t want to worry his niece unnecessarily,
so he had decided to keep quiet about it, however, he had informed the hands to
be on the lookout for any suspicious character hanging around.  He didn’t
believe Henry capable of doing actual harm to anyone, though the chap’s mental
capacity was a bit disarranged, and he had shot off that small handgun in the
direction of Cougar Olson, thinking he was Logan Wakefield.  Yes, they did need
to take care.

The one morning that Ricardo hadn’t followed Olivia
and Maria on their daily walk, as he’d been in the corral helping with an
ornery bronc, and hadn’t seen them leave earlier than usual, it happened. 

A heavily bearded and disheveled Henry Jefferson Adams
rode up from a thick grove of trees, then sat his horse staring with bloodshot
eyes at Olivia.  She jumped, and at first did not recognize the stranger. 
“Henry,” she breathed, as realization hit her, and she backed slowly away from
the rider in front of her.  However, Adams had not heard the hoof beats behind
him, so entranced was he at the sight of his beloved Olivia.

The very capable two-man mounted posse, consisting of
Logan Wakefield, and Sheriff Paul Denton, rode into the clearing right behind
Henry, and the two, very tall in the saddle, strong dependable men made a very
impressive and intimidating appearance as they rode around Henry’s horse, then
pulled up in front of him, cutting off his view of Olivia, then confronting
him.  Exasperated, Henry muttered an oath and attempted to pull his horse
around the two riders, but Logan sidestepped his horse, then grabbed Henry’s
reins, and before Henry realized what was happening, he was pulled forcefully
to the ground, and Logan quickly dismounted at the same time. 

Olivia whispered to Maria, “I suppose I don’t need to
call on Amelia to bring out her umbrella, after all.”  As she drank in the
scene unfolding before her, her eyes settled on the strong handsome features of
Logan’s serious tanned face, and her heart gave a leap.  Then, at that very
moment, she realized that there could never, in all the years to come, ever be
another man for her.  The thought saddened her heart, for she knew that without
a doubt, Logan couldn’t return that love.  She did love him, and forever
would. 

Maria nudged her arm, “Señorita Olivia, Logan and
Sheriff Denton have the situation in hand, so I believe we should return to the
ranch, before you fall into Señor Wakefield’s arms, and declare your undying
love for him.” 

“Oh, Maria, really.”  Olivia blushed, then collected
herself at once.  She turned to retrace her steps in the direction of the ranch
yard.

Maria laughed, as they walked away, “It is written all
over your face, Señorita.”  She said with a grin. 

Logan
tipped his hat,
then turned and walked quickly away, the sheriff, busy putting cuffs on Henry,
only nodded.  Between the two, they managed to put a complaining Henry onto his
horse, Logan retained the reins while the Sheriff walked over and retrieved the
new Winchester rifle from Henry’s scabbard.  They would see that the horse was
returned to the stables at Beaver Creek, along with a prisoner for the town Marshal,
in the form of a one two-legged varmint, to be tried for burglary and theft.  Maybe
someone could do the country a favor, and send the scoundrel back to British
soil.    

As they rode through the forest of Aspens, then toward town, Logan asked, “Will this hombre ever learn?”  He held the reins of
Henry’s horse, but the prisoner only stared straight ahead with a blank
expression, and Logan almost pitied him, or would have, if it hadn’t been for
the man’s obsession with Olivia.      

The Sheriff answered, “I believe he’s beyond learning,
or even hearing, for that matter.” 

Henry wasn’t listening, and, right at the last, had
barely resisted arrest.  All his senses had been directed to the retreating
figure of Olivia, as she and Maria had walked through the tall grass, then
through the Aspens, toward the ranch yard, his hope for a small fortune, along
with a lovely wife, shattered once again.  “Oh well,” he thought, “there will
always be  tomorrow, another day, another meeting.”  His hopes and dreams had
kept him going this far, and “Who knows what the next day will bring?”

<><><> 

After leaving the Marshal’s office, where they had
watched Marshal Rhodes turn the key to lock the cell they had placed Henry
Adams in, Logan unpinned the deputy badge and handed it over to the Sheriff. 
He shook hands with Denton, then decided to check into the hotel for the
night.  He had a lot of thinking to do before returning to the ranch, though
before he could leave, Denton put a hand on his shoulder saying, “I could use a
young capable deputy, full time, but I know you’ve other ‘fish to fry,’ Logan. 
We do make a good team, you and I.  If you get back this way, give it some thought.”

Logan
nodded,
hesitated, then said, “Thanks Paul.  Appreciate that, maybe another time, that
is, if things were different.”