“Ida was engaged to Robert Farley for a brief time. If she says Thomas Farley died in infancy, we can believe her. Now what do we do?”
“Ask her to invite Robert Farley to pay us a visit.”
They reentered the parlor, and Jake spoke to Horatio. “You do realize if what’s in this telegram got out, there could be trouble. And if our reply leaks out, you could endanger your family.”
“I’ll wait until Ma closes the store to send the reply.” He stood by while Evangeline composed the telegram. Jake was watching over her shoulder, and she passed him additional money.
“No charge.” Horatio held up his hand and gave Jake back the twenty. “Farley cheated me on a horse trade. Seeing him get his is payment enough.” Horatio tipped his hat and departed.
“Well, ain’t that somethin’. Never seen a Hanks do anythin’ for free.”
“Is it safe to go on the cattle drive with that imposter?”
“Don’t think I have a choice.” He pulled her close, and she put her head on his chest.
Before he could draw her into a kiss, Tony entered the room.
“What’d you find out, amigo?” Jake signaled for Tony to sit in one of the parlor chairs while he took the other. Evangeline sat on the arm of Jake’s chair.
“I went and saw Miss Amelia. Delilah is the name she goes by there.” Tony fidgeted with his black hat. “It has been a long time since I have been to Rose’s Place. This is the first time I have ever felt sorry for those women. I am ashamed. They keep Amelia locked up because she is not willing to … you know.” Tony coughed. “When I asked to see Delilah, they gave me a key and charged me double. At first, she did not believe me. Just like I did not believe Isabel when she said she was Artie.”
Tony stood and started pacing. “I still cannot believe how Artie—I mean Isabel—fooled me. I was angry at first, and my pride was wounded. But when I saw the frightened Senorita Amelia cowering before me, I understood why Isabel did it. My heart hurt to see all she has suffered, and I asked God to forgive me for taking advantage of such as her in the past.” Tony bowed his head and clenched his fists. “Now I am determined to help her. I left my silver spurs as payment so she is not molested while I am away. When we return from the cattle drive, I will rescue her somehow. It is foolish, I know, but Isabel cannot do it alone. She is still too weak. And Amelia did not trust me enough to rescue her today.”
“Does she believe Isabel is alive?” Evangeline asked.
“Yes, after she read the note. But she trusts no man. And Isabel promised in the note she would come for her after the cattle drive.”
Jake leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. “That gives us more time to plan.”
“Are you sure Amelia will be safe until you return?” Evangeline asked.
“Rose promised me when I handed over my spurs that Delilah would only deal cards.” Tony walked toward the window. He stared outside for a moment before turning toward Jake. “I overheard something in the cantina.”
“About Amelia?” Evangeline looked alarmed.
“No, about Bart. Jim Griggs and a few others were playing poker and whiskey loosened their tongues. I overheard Griggs telling the others Farley hired Bart to rustle cattle and hired my cousin to help. The plan was to connect me to the cattle rustling.”
“Which would connect the Double M. You sure about this?”
“Griggs told his men that Bart was drunk and bragging. But then Griggs said Bart tried to claim the five-hundred-dollar reward for killing the cattle thieves and Farley refused. Claimed because he worked for him, he was not eligible to collect.”
“Go on.” Jake moved to the edge of his seat.
“Farley has some plan that involves Bart taking the fall during the cattle drive.”
“What does that mean?”
“The men never spoke the plan out loud.” Tony flopped back in the chair. “Boss, what you want to do?”
For the first time, Jake was conflicted about going on the drive. It was hard enough leaving his new wife. Now, with the possibility of unknown danger … “We have no idea who or what is the target. We can’t really make a plan. But we can pray.”
A peaceful rest came over Jake after their time of prayer. Tony had asked to stay, and Selena and Cookie had joined them. Evangeline had prayed God would keep Bart from death and the loss of his hand. She even prayed for his salvation.
“It took a lot of faith to pray for that varmint,” Jake said to his wife.
“God spoke those words to my heart. I had no choice.”
When the others left, Jake and Evangeline moved to the porch steps and sat close, gazing at the stars.
“I will miss you more than you know,” she said.
“Makes a husband feel real good. This is the first time I been reluctant to leave.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“You have been so patient and trusting with me. Other than Fiona, everyone else has wanted to control me, tell me what to do and how to act. It cannot have been easy for you letting me discover my own place here.” She looked up at him. “In case I haven’t made it clear, I like your company more every day.”
Jake kissed the top of her head, breathing her in, memorizing the scent and the feel of her for the long nights on the trail. His voice was husky. “Darlin’, you are worth waitin’ for.”
Desire stirred in him as he held her. He stroked her arm and hugged her close. Before he was tempted to break his promise, he released her and stared up at the stars to still his emotions. After a moment of silence, he spoke more casually. “It’s ’bout time for me to get some shut-eye. The sooner I sleep, the sooner I leave, and the sooner I come back to you.” He stood and extended his hand.
Evangeline took it and walked into the house with him. “Jake, I can’t wait for you to come home.” She kissed him gently on the cheek, the first she had initiated. “I will pray every day for your safety.” She released his hand and headed into the bedroom.
Jake went to his chair in the parlor to remove his boots. His promise to read her journal in Abilene kept him from following her into their room and making her his wife in every way. He longed for the cattle drive to be over and any wall between them torn down.
Father, I ain’t sure how much more patience I have. Keep her safe while I’m gone, and don’t let any doubts about my feelin’s enter her heart.
He turned out the lamps and headed to his pallet on the floor.
CHAPTER 28
Jake dismounted Traveler, pausing to stretch all the kinks from his back before heading to the chuck wagon. Cookie was limping more than usual. Jake knew the trail was tough on his friend, but he never heard him complain. He needed Cookie’s powers of observation as well as his calming manner. The man was also the best cook on this cattle drive. Jake admired the precision with which Cookie sliced bacon.
“Got any coffee?” Jake’s words caused Cookie to jump.
“Tarnation, you oughta know better than to sneak up on a man when he’s wieldin’ a knife.” Cookie wiped his hands on his grungy apron and picked up a tin cup. “There’s fresh coffee brewin’ over on the campfire. Any man with eyeballs can see that.” He turned back to his meal preparation with a snort.
Jake poured coffee and returned to stand beside his friend. “Your leg painin’ you? Evangeline put some laudanum in with the medical supplies.”
“I’ll take some afore bed.”
“That’s a long way off. You’re hobblin’ more than usual.”
“Now I’m hobbling, am I?” He scowled in Jake’s direction.
“Might surly there too, my friend.”
Cookie’s scowl remained as he reached into the wagon for the medical supply box. He took the bottle out and stared at it.
“That stuff ’s not gonna take hold of you. You’ve always been careful.”
“That ain’t what I was thinkin’.” Cookie opened the bottle and took a small swig. “Bart stopped by a while ago lookin’ for this for
his pain, and I lied.” He moved to his chair. “I cleaned his wound and put on a fresh bandage.” He stretched his leg and began rubbing it. “I told the Lord a little pain might be good for his soul.”
“So now you figure you deserve to suffer for them words.”
“I know God forgave me, but I still felt guilty.” Cookie rose from his chair. “That sidewinder has no business on this drive. I don’t trust him.”
“It’s probably good you didn’t let him have any laudanum. Knowin’ Bart, he wouldn’t stop at a little, and then he’d be even more useless.” Jake threw the remains of his coffee on the ground. “Can’t figure why Farley let him come.”
The jingle of harnesses interrupted them as Javier Morales pulled the second chuck wagon up beside Cookie’s. “Señor Marcum.” He tipped his chin forward in greeting as he dismounted. “Señor Cookie, I am sorry for being late. The patron is very slow, and I must wait before breaking camp.”
“Washing fine dishes and putting away that prissy little table takes time,” Cookie said.
Jake felt sorry for Morales. He came along as second cook and received the extra job of Farley’s personal servant.
Cookie pointed his knife at the prep table. “We still got lots to do before the men arrive.”
“Si.” Morales put on his apron and pulled out a bag of flour. “I will make biscuits just like you showed me.”
“You might make a decent trail cook yet.” Cookie snickered and went back to slicing bacon.
***
Lunch on the trail was always quick. Jake sat with the other ranch owners while Farley’s men grabbed their grub and sat apart from the other ranch hands, gathered under a lone shade tree. They shoveled their food, guzzled their coffee, and headed out in short order.
“Lookee there.” Abernathy, a red-headed Irishman, pointed his fork toward the departing crowd of men.
“Yep. Seems they remember how to work a cattle drive when Griggs ain’t around.” Cookie carried over a pot of beans.
“I think they are up to bad.” Morales had just finished pouring coffee for the other cowhands and held the pot for the ranch owners. Jake lifted his empty cup.
“What do you know, Morales?”
“You can speak freely,” Abernathy added. “We’re all friends with a common enemy.”
“Griggs, he tell the fat one, Danby, it won’t be long.” Morales placed the now-empty pot on the ground.
Skywater grunted as he finished his beans. “What does that mean?”
“I do not know. But I see Griggs caress his gun like a beautiful woman he must wait to possess. His eyes full of passion. This is not good.”
“Do you think he’s of a mind to shoot someone?” Abernathy asked.
Cookie grunted. “Bart might be the target. He can’t do much with that lame hand. Farley’s men have been goadin’ him. You know how easy Bart gets riled.”
“Maybe it has somethin’ to do with all these trips to town.” Jake placed his dirty dishes near the empty pots. “He never brings back supplies. I figure he’s stayin’ overnight in a hotel.”
“Yeah. Too delicate for sleepin’ outdoors without a bath.” Cookie’s remark brought laughter from the group.
Abernathy finished his coffee in one gulp. “I, for one, have had enough of Farley’s bossy ways and his men treating me like I’m garbage. I left New York to get away from the likes of men like them. Me temper’s just about ready to explode.”
“If they’re not careful, a raidin’ party could capture ‘em.” Joseph smiled, apparently pleased at the prospect. “Farley’s too foolish to realize what could happen to him.”
“As much as he baits all our tempers with his arrogance, we don’t want any convenient accidents to happen,” Jake said. “We got our hands full as it is.”
“You go speak to him for all of us.” Joseph’s suggestion elicited agreement from the others.
“You’re the only one who won’t bloody his nose,” Abernathy added.
Jake knew that wasn’t true. But he also knew the conversation with the haughty snake had to take place, and he was the least likely to shoot him for a misplaced word. “I’ll speak to him if you’ll back me up.”
If the others were there, it would present a united front and perhaps keep Farley—and for that matter himself—from doing something stupid.
***
Dusk was hovering on the horizon when Jake returned to camp. Farley’s men were playing cards while Farley reclined in a chair before his campfire with a brandy and a book. It got in Jake’s craw how he set himself apart from everyone else.
Jake dismounted from the trail horse. Being covered in dust with a parched throat put him in a churlish disposition. He slapped his hat against his thigh, removed his kerchief from his neck, and wiped his face and the inside of his Stetson before shoving it in his back pocket. The action reminded him of all the kerchiefs Evangeline had packed for him. Never had he had so many changes of clothes for a cattle drive. He hadn’t the heart to argue with her. He’d refrained from changing his clothes too often lest he be accused of being like Farley.
Pleasant thoughts of Evangeline faded with the prospect of confronting the rancher.
Cookie handed Jake a warm plate of stew and biscuits. His wink told Jake he had his friend’s support, along with the other ranchers.
The coffee washed the dust out of his throat, and the food put him in a better frame of mind. Savoring a second helping of stew helped him think through the best way to confront Farley. The stares of the others made him uncomfortable.
Best get this over with. Lord, go before me.
Jake wiped his mouth with his sleeve and handed the empty plate to Cookie before he turned to Farley. “A word?”
Farley finished his brandy and closed the book. “Come, sit. Morales, bring another chair for the gentleman.”
The Mexican drew another wooden folding chair from the wagon and set it up where his boss indicated.
“Take a load off, Marcum.”
Jake sat down, noticing his chair was in a low spot, causing him to look up at Farley. He sat a little straighter. “I’ll get right to the point.”
“Please do.” Farley casually lit a cigar.
“The other ranchers have asked me to speak for them.” Jake noted a slight flash of irritation flicker in the other man’s eyes before his face became unreadable once again. “I have no idea why you decided to come along on this drive when you usually stay home and let your foreman handle it.”
“Since my old foreman left my employ, I felt it was a good idea to see what the drive entailed. Protect my interests since the cattle rustling incident.”
“Let me put it all out there. We—that bein’ all the ranchers— want to see you start pullin’ your own weight around here. We all take our turn drivin’ the cattle and doin’ whatever needs doin’. You’re not the king here. You have more cattle in this drive than the rest of us, which to my way of thinkin’ means you ought to be more concerned about our success.”
“I am concerned.” Farley puffed a few annoying smoke rings in Jake’s direction. “That is why today I went into Suttersville, or Suttenberg, or whatever that backward town named itself, to send a telegram to New York. I am keeping my buyer abreast of our progress. He will be sending his representative to Abilene.” He stood up abruptly. “Are we done?”
“Not quite.” Jake stood and locked eyes with the man. “We expect you to be up in the mornin’ ridin’ the trail with the rest of us. You’ll not take more breaks than anyone else, and you’ll get no fancy treatment. Frankly, I been at this too long to believe you have some special connection with cattle buyers in New York City.”
The air between the men became thick with unspoken accusations. Jake wanted to say the man was a liar, but it would serve no purpose without proof. A brawl breaking out in the camp would not end well. “If you haven’t noticed, none of us particularly trust you. But our main concern is gettin’ these cattle to market and gettin’ home without mishap. Kn
ow that we’re watchin’ you from here on out.”
The ranchers had gathered around Jake in solidarity. Farley dropped his half-smoked cigar and crushed it under his foot. “Well, gentlemen, I need to retire if I am to greet the sun.” He retreated to his tent.
The ranchers stared at each other in silence. Cookie and Morales began cleaning up the last of the supper dishes. Farley’s men had retired by the time they finished, and Jake’s crew was well into the first watch of the night. Jake stood by the water barrel quenching his thirst. He was on his third dipper when Cookie and the other ranchers joined him.
“Boss, got a minute?” Cookie signaled for him to follow away from camp. Sound carried easily on the night air. Cookie glanced behind him. “That character is fixin’ to start a range war right out here on the drive.”
“I’d bet on it,” Abernathy said loudly, causing Joseph to signal for silence.
“He’s not that foolish, but he’s definitely up to somethin’,” Jake said. “If we cut through Indian territory, we can cut a week off the trip and rid ourselves of Farley sooner.”
“Is that safe, laddie?” Abernathy asked.
“We give Indians cattle, they let us pass,” Joseph said.
Cookie snorted. “Farley won’t pay out any of his cattle for passage.”
“I’m willin’ to give more than my share to get this drive over.” Jake knew it would cut into profits, but that was better than possible gunplay later.
“We make fair trade, have no trouble,” Joseph added.
Abernathy clamped his hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Marcum, you must be anxious to get home to your new bride if you’re willing to give up some of our profit.”
“True, and his highness is gonna make me do somethin’ I’ll regret.”
Cookie scrubbed the stubble on his chin with the heel of his hand. “Persuadin’ him to see things your way might be a challenge.”
“I ain’t askin’. We’re just goin’, and if he wants to divide the herd and go the long way, he can.”
“But he won’t.” Cookie’s smile reflected in his voice.
“He knows he’ll get more per head if we get the cattle in before anyone else,” Abernathy chimed in.
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