Charlotte's Challenge

by Caroline Clemmons

  Moose sat in the chair. “Don’t see how they could get to anythin’ without chokin’ in the attempt.”

  “I’ll get a meal started and fix enough for the sheriff and his deputy. Do you think he’ll bring a posse?”

  Bret shook his head. “He didn’t say but I wouldn’t be surprised. He plans to arrest Winfield and any of his men still there.”

  Davie tapped Moose on the shoulder. “I’ll watch those men so you and Bret can stretch out on the pallets or go find a bed. You can send Jimmy in here. I figure you two are plenty tired.”

  Bret lay on the quilts. “Sure feels good. Hope I won’t be too stiff to get up when the sheriff arrives.”

  “I ain’t stupid enough to look a gift horse in the mouth.” Moose followed Bret’s example. “Ah-h-h, this is much better.”

  ***

  Charlotte started coffee boiling in her largest coffeepot. When she checked on the men, both were sound asleep. Davie caught her gaze and stuck his fingers in his ears at Moose’s snoring. She couldn’t keep from laughing.

  After taking ten steaks from the cool space, she started them frying. Those were all she had available without going to the smokehouse and cutting more. She didn’t want to do that this morning. She’d cut these the previous afternoon. If there were many men, she and the children would skip eating until the men had left.

  She also started potatoes and onions frying together. Making biscuits didn’t take long so she had those in the oven in only a few minutes. She was grateful for her modern range with the warming shelf above it.

  After lining up eggs to fry, she set the table with butter, syrup, jam, as well as milk and sugar for those who used it in their coffee. She mixed flapjack batter and started turning out flapjacks and stacking them on a plate resting on the warming shelf.

  The sheriff arrived with Rick and two other men.

  When she heard the horses, she woke Bret and Moose then went to the door. “I have a meal ready, Sheriff. You and your men please come in.”

  Sheriff Haney wiped his feet before he entered. “Looks like Bret and Moose came back just in time.”

  Bret called, “That’s what we found waiting for us. Davie and Ch… Mrs. Dunn had those two tied up.”

  The sheriff chortled. “If that don’t beat all. Those the two who made the mess yesterday?”

  She fried eggs. “They are. Brought two rattlesnakes this time but we took care of those, too. I shot them, Davie buried the heads.”

  “Mrs. Dunn, you know my chief deputy, Rick McNabb. This two are Reginald Gilbert and Mark Hickham, who are deputies when I need extra help.”

  Charlotte glanced over her shoulder. “You’ll excuse me if I keep cooking eggs. I know you men are in a hurry.”

  While she fried eggs Bret poured coffee and Moose helped move food to the table then both joined the other four seated men.

  The men passed the food around, not saying much as they ate.

  She took a cup of coffee to the parlor. “I’ll watch while you go eat with the men. You earned a good meal.”

  “Thanks, Mama.” Davie headed for the kitchen.

  Sheriff Haney waited until her son was seated. “Well, Davie, since you’re the one who found the wanted poster on the man we knew as Arp, I reckon you’re due the reward.”

  “Really? Thank you, Sheriff Haney! I never expected a reward but that’s great.”

  Bret glanced around the table. “Could you men help Moose and me get those two hogtied polecats into the wagon in the barn? Then I can lock the barn and they’ll be safe.”

  Sheriff Haney cut the last of his steak from the bone. “Sure, good idea. No point Mrs. Dunn losing sleep watching them.”

  Charlotte was happy Bret had that idea. She sure was tired. “Maybe you could put their horses in there, too.”

  Bret smiled at her. “We’ll get all signs of them locked in the barn. You won’t have to even think about them.”

  “I was thinking if someone came looking for them there shouldn’t be any sign of them to give away the fact they’d been caught. Maybe you should gag them while you’re at it.”

  Bret nodded. “I think you’re right.”

  Sheriff Haney grinned at her. “Mrs. Dunn, I sure hope you don’t ever take to crime. You’re too thorough and clever to ever be caught.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff Haney, but I’m staying on the right side of the law. I’ll sure be relieved when this whole mess is resolved.”

  Thirty minutes later, the men rode toward Winfield’s ranch to arrest the man and any other people working for him. Charlotte set the dishes in the sink and hurried to get them clean. Then she set the three steaks left on the warming shelf along with the few biscuits remaining. Those men definitely had been hungry.

  Even though it was full daylight now, she’d rather sleep than eat. After extracting the children’s promise to remain inside the house, she went to her room. She snuggled in bed, confident that the dogs would alert them if they had more prowlers.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Bret’s nap and a good meal had helped revive him. The sun was well above the horizon as they rode to Winfield’s ranch. Bret had to admit he was curious about how and where the man lived.

  The large house was made of stone. Not quarried blocks of stone like the jail, but those that littered the landscape. In spite of the unusual appearance, the house was appealing. He guessed it would have at least five or six bedrooms.

  As they rode closer, Winfield strode onto the front porch. “Stop right there. You’re trespassing. My men have you covered so you’d better turn around and go elsewhere. In fact, you can go to the devil.”

  Sheriff Haney didn’t move. “Elwood Winfield, you’re under arrest for rustling and attempted murder.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Sheriff. You have no evidence and no jury would convict me on speculation.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Winfield. We have plenty of evidence. Five of your men are in jail right now, including Arp.”

  Winfield couldn’t hide his surprise but he quickly recovered. “Why, what have those men done?”

  Sheriff Haney rode closer. “You know very well so come peacefully. Nothing to be gained by resisting and getting men killed. I am taking you in today.”

  Suddenly, Winfield fired two quick shots at the sheriff, missing by a long ways, as he dropped behind a long planter that was almost three feet high and filled with pale purple flowers.

  Winfield yelled, “No one is taking me to jail.”

  Bret and his companions dismounted and took cover where they could find it. Bret zig-zagged to drop behind a water trough.

  In addition to Winfield, Bret counted four men shooting at them. One was popping out from the barn, another from what looked like a bunkhouse, one from a corner of the house, and one from another corner of the house.

  The sheriff repeated, “I’m coming after you, Winfield. You are under arrest.”

  Moose looked at Bret and gestured toward the house. “I’ll take the one on this corner and you take the one on the other corner.”

  “We’ll see who gets his man first. I’m ready to be through with this adventure.” Bret dashed to take cover behind a wagon.

  The men from the posse concentrated on the barn and bunkhouse. The sheriff focused on Winfield. Bret winged the man he was trying to capture.

  The man threw down his gun and raised his hands. “Don’t shoot.”

  In a frantic rush, the sheriff came around the side of the house. “He’s disappeared.”

  Moose appeared with the man he’d captured. “Winfield probably went inside.”

  Sheriff Haney was adamant, “No, I was watching the door carefully. He didn’t go through the front door or get off the porch. He just disappeared.”

  “Sheriff, would you take charge of this prisoner? I’ll go look for Winfield.” Bret feared Winfield would escape and go harm Charlotte.

  By this time, Winfield’s men had been shot or had given up. The deputies had them in handcuff
s.

  Cautiously, Bret approached the spot he’d last seen Winfield. On the porch, he found a trap door ajar. He called to the sheriff then opened the door wide. Did he dare go into the tunnel? He had to get Winfield. The sheriff stopped beside Bret.

  Bret stared into the dark underground passage. He needed a source of light. “Winfield must have a lantern or torch with him. Do you see anything like that we can use?”

  The sheriff strode to the front door. “I’ll try the house.”

  In a short time he returned with two lanterns. “Spunky little lady inside said she’s the cook and housekeeper. Listen, I think I ought to take this route while you ride to check on Mrs. Dunn. I figure that’s where he’ll go.”

  “I know you’re right. All right if I take Moose with me?”

  “Sure, you can’t go wrong if the Kid is with you.”

  Bret called to Moose, “Let’s go check on the Dunn family. Winfield is likely going there for revenge against Charlotte.”

  “Reckon you’re right—let’s ride.”

  ***

  Charlotte stood guard with the rifle while the boys did the morning chores—milked the cows, fed the stock, and collected eggs. When animals were involved, some chores had to be done every day regardless of the circumstances. Otherwise she would never have let them leave the house.

  Accompanied by the two dogs, Davie carried two buckets of milk to the house. Jimmy toted a basket of eggs. As soon as they were inside, Charlotte locked the door. She leaned against the cool wood with relief. She prayed Bret and Moose were unharmed and successful.

  “Children, I’ll make cookies to cheer you.”

  Jimmy set the eggs on the counter. “Hooray! I love cookies.”

  Davie transferred the milk to the containers they used in the cool space. Next he scrubbed the milk buckets to have them ready for the next milking time.

  Susie looked cute in her little pinafore apron. “I’ve finished dusting the parlor.”

  “Now you can bring a toy or book to the parlor or kitchen so we’re all together.”

  Jimmy came back with his toy soldiers. “It’s hot in here. Can I open the shutters and raise a window?”

  She was hot, too, and regretted promising cookies. With the windows shuttered, it was dark in the house. Lamps and lanterns added to the heat.

  “No, son, think about what you asked. We need to be as secure as we can until all the rustlers are in jail. That includes Mr. Winfield. When Bret and Moose return and we know there’s no threat, then we can open the windows.”

  Susie had arranged two of her dolls and their clothes on the couch. Davie had the stack of Missouri Kid novels and reread them while he sat in the overstuffed armchair his father had used. Jimmy arranged his toy soldiers on the floor at the edge of the braided rug that lay in front of the fireplace.

  “Thank you for being such obedient children. I’m proud of you and I know your Papa would be, too.”

  Susie asked, “Do you really think he’s in heaven watching us?”

  Charlotte arranged ingredients for the cookies. “Yes, dear, I believe that. I’m sure he’s pleased with each of you.”

  Her daughter tilted her head. “Do you think he’ll mind when you marry Bret?”

  Charlotte almost stumbled. “Susie! Why would you say such a thing? Have you forgotten Bret is going to San Francisco?” Secretly, she hoped he’d changed his mind and planned to stay here.

  “He looks at you the way Mr. Quinlan looks at Mrs. Quinlan. I think he’s in love with you. I’ll bet he asks you to marry him.”

  Jimmy paused while setting up his soldiers. “I hope so. I miss having a Papa.”

  “Dears, please don’t mention this subject again. You don’t understand how complicated it is to be an adult.”

  Davie looked up and smiled as if he knew a secret. Fine. All she needed was three children campaigning for her to marry Bret. They didn’t realize she hadn’t been invited to become Mrs. Bret Craig.

  What would she say if she was asked? That depended on how he asked. She was more than halfway in love with him but wanted love in return. One loveless marriage was enough.

  She mixed up the children’s favorite oatmeal cookie recipe and dropped the dough by spoonsful onto the cookie sheet. She had just taken the first tray from the oven when she heard a step in the hall. In alarm, she put her hand into her pocket and gripped the revolver.

  Elwood Winfield walked into the room, gun drawn. “Hello, my dear. How sweet of you to bake cookies for my visit.” He motioned to Davie. “I saw you look at the rifle over the fireplace but don’t even try it. Shooting you would give me pleasure.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Charlotte grasped at anything to distract Winfield from her children. “How did you get in?”

  “My knife worked wonders on your shutters and window locks. Why don’t we sit down and I’ll have a few cookies while we wait for your two friends to arrive.”

  He sat at the table so he had a view of both doors and the parlor. “Join me at the table, my dear.”

  “What makes you think they’re on their way here?” She sat as far from him as possible.

  “They called on me earlier. As most do, they underestimated me and I escaped. They won’t be so lucky. I’ll take pleasure in eliminating them. Then, when you sign over the deed to this property, I’ll have what I’ve wanted all along.”

  “What makes you so sure I’d sign over the deed to you?” As soon as he was distracted she’d fire through her skirt fabric.

  “You’re too attached to these three brats to refuse.”

  “You’re obsessed with this ranch. You’re mad if you think the law would allow you to keep it after all the people you’ve murdered and talk about killing.”

  “Oh, I expect there’ll be some trouble justifying my actions but I’ll have the bodies to prove how you sold the ranch to me and how it angered your friends and they shot you. Of course, I’ll have to shoot them to defend myself, alas too late to save you.”

  “No one will believe you. The children….” Her eyes widened. “You fiend, you plan to murder the children regardless, don’t you? Have you no conscience?”

  She had to be sure her first shot counted. He was too close for her to have a second shot. From her periphery, she noted the children had moved close together.

  “A conscience is for fools. I go after what I want. A lot of people have learned that over the years.”

  “Including Ike.”

  His expression left no doubt he thought her stupid. “He had his chance to sell and so did you. What a shame neither of you saw an opportunity when it was presented to you.”

  She heard galloping horses come into the yard.

  Winfield smiled. “Now things are about to get interesting.”

  She took careful aim and fired. Her hands shook so she missed his heart but hit the hand holding the gun.

  He shrieked and dropped the revolver.

  Bret burst through the kitchen door and Moose came in the front door. Each man had his revolver aimed at Winfield.

  “Charlotte, are you and the children all right?”

  “Now we are.” She backed away and opened her arms to the children. They rushed to her.

  Winfield cursed.

  Bret backhanded him. “Don’t use that language around women and children.”

  “Fool woman’s crippled me.”

  Moose laughed. “Won’t matter where you’re going.” He used his neckerchief to tie Winfield’s hands behind him.

  A horse galloped into the yard. Seconds later the sheriff rushed inside with his revolver drawn. “I figured he was on his way here. That fancy tunnel came out inside the barn. Nice to see you took care of him for me.” He holstered his gun and took out his handcuffs.

  Davie broke away from Charlotte. “Sheriff, he was gonna kill all of us and try to make it look like Bret and Moose killed Mama and us kids and then Mr. Winfield killed Bret and Moose in defense. He figured people would believe him.”
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br />   Charlotte had to sit down again. “First he planned to make me sign over the ranch deed to him.” She examined the hole in her dress. “I fired through the pocket.”

  Bret laid his hands on her shoulders. “We’ll get you new dresses, Charlotte, as many as you want.” He knelt in front of her. “Are you sure you’re all right? You’re awfully pale.”

  Tears ran down her cheeks. “I-I missed. I aimed for his heart and only hit his hand. If I’d missed completely, he would have killed me and either you or one of the children. He almost won.” She couldn’t stop crying.

  Bret stood and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. You knocked the gun from his hand. Sheriff Haney will take him to jail for trial. Everything will be all right now.”

  Moose stood behind Bret. “I reckon we’ll find the rest of your cattle on Winfield’s ranch. One or two of his men will tell the sheriff all he needs to know.”

  The sheriff jerked Winfield to his feet. “Those two fellas still in the barn?”

  Davie nodded. “They were when I milked the cows.” He looked at the floor. “I should have given them something to drink but I was still too mad at them.”

  Moose clapped Davie on the shoulder. “Don’t blame you, Davie.” He nodded to the sheriff. “I’ll hitch the team to the wagon and you can load Winfield in with his buddies.”

  Davie wrapped some cookies in a napkin. “You can eat these on the way to town, Sheriff Haney. I’ll carry them to the wagon for you.”

  “Thanks, Davie. I never leave here hungry.”

  Charlotte pulled away from Bret. “Let me cook breakfast, sheriff. It won’t take long.”

  “Thanks, but Mabel will be worrying about me. She’ll be nervous with all those prisoners in the jail.” He pushed Winfield ahead of him.

  “Mama, can I go with the sheriff and drive the wagon back home?”

  She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. “Not this time, son. I’m still too nervous to let any of you out of my sight.”