“Maybe we’ll meet later, when we’re in a more agreeable setting.” He turned back to Diehl and said, “Licorice, and make it quick.” He tossed a nickel onto the counter.
Diehl picked up the licorice and put it into a sack. Without a word, he handed it to Pierce. Pierce turned, doffed his hat to the ladies, and strode out of the store.
“Mr. Diehl, don’t antagonize that man. He’s dangerous.”
“Mrs. Diehl, I don’t like him, and I don’t want him in this store. Furthermore, I have a feeling the only reason he came over here is to see Fianna.”
“Whatever your feelings, we run a store, and most people are welcome. Just remember that, please.”
Diehl nodded and repositioned the .44 Colt in his belt. “You’re right, my dear. But like I said, I don’t like the man. By the way, Fianna, I’d say you handled yourself very well.”
“Thank you, sir. I must admit to being a little frightened of him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with eyes that cold, and he’s dressed in black. What a sinister combination.”
“He’s a killer if I’ve ever seen one,” Diehl said, as he turned back to the shelves.
Victoria and Fianna moved back into the kitchen and continued to prepare dinner. “When they have time, the officers sometimes come over for dinner. They’re all such gentlemen, even though they are Yankees.” Victoria realized what she said the moment the words left her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry, my dear; I meant no offense to you.”
Fianna smiled and placed her hand on Victoria’s arm. “No offense taken. The war was so hard on everyone. I can’t imagine what it must have been like here.”
Victoria patted Fianna’s hand. “Yes, it was hard. So many friends died and some went to the North. It created a lot of hard feelings. It’s a wonder Mr. Diehl and Mr. Nance remained friends. But they had been through so much together, a bond formed that couldn’t be broken. Fortunately they both were too old to go to war this time.”
Fianna thought about Pat. It was good he wasn’t here today. I love the way he’s protective of me, but if he had been here today, Pierce might have killed him. She felt sure Pierce had killed men, and she feared what might have happened to Pat. She knew that her brother had killed men during the war, but that was war. Pierce was so cold and confident.
Her thoughts drifted back to South Hadley. She had grown to a woman there. She felt fortunate and thankful for her brother and aunt. They had taken care of her so well. Pat had insisted that she attend Mount Holyoke Seminary, and Aunt Kathleen supported him. Her grades had been superior, and she had graduated with honors. Now she was in the Wild West. She couldn’t believe she was here. It was so exciting—frightening at times, but raw and exciting. Life was lived to the fullest here.
It was so hard leaving Aunt Kathleen. She was growing older and would be alone. They had talked about her joining Fianna and Pat in California. Aunt Kathleen had an adventuresome spirit, and Fianna sincerely hoped she would come to live with them. She had been so strong when Fianna left, insisting that this was an opportunity for Fianna to learn and grow in the western country. She did miss her sweet aunt, though she was finding that she loved the wildness of this land and couldn’t wait to begin making a home for her and her brother—and maybe someone else. Oh, I hope Josh is alive and well.
“Let’s get the food on the table, missy; the men will be arriving soon,” Victoria said, as she picked up the bowl of mashed potatoes and headed for the dining room.
Pierce walked back to the King 7. From all outward appearances he was unruffled and calm. Inside, he was seething. He was going to enjoy killing that old man. He’d put up with him since starting his saloon. It was obvious that Diehl thought him lower than dirt. He knew his time would come, and it was going to be a pleasure. He entered the King 7; it was empty except for Bartholf, and walked back to his table. “Give me a whiskey, Bartholf, and bring the bottle. Make it the good stuff.”
“Everything okay, boss?” Bartholf asked.
“Not by a long shot. I’m tired of these high and mighty Texans. It’s going to be a pleasure to put lead into that old man across the street. I’ve had a gut full of him and his ranger buddy, Nance.”
Bartholf said nothing. He brought the glass and whiskey bottle over to the table, set them down, and turned to walk back to the bar.
“Why don’t you sit down and take a load off.”
Bartholf turned back, pulled out a chair and lowered his massive body into the chair. What’s up, boss?”
Pierce poured a shot of whiskey, drank it, and poured another. “How do you like it here?”
“It’s fine with me. Little hot in the summer, but I’ve got more liking for the heat than that bone-chilling Minnesota cold. That’s the reason I left the logging trade up there for New Orleans. Cold just don’t suit me. I’d like to be down in those islands off Florida. Now that would be the life. But that takes money.”
“You know we’re going to have a lot of money, don’t you?”
“Well boss, that would be mighty nice. But I wasn’t real sure that I was included in the big money.”
“Bartholf, you’re the only man I have felt I could trust. You know, you’re definitely included in the money. I’m thinking about a sixty-forty split between you and me.”
“What about Ruffcarn?”
“I’ve been thinking more and more about what you said and I think you hit the nail on the head. When we get the gold, Ruffcarn will be more of a liability than an asset. So we’ll just have to figure a way for him to conveniently disappear.”
“That shouldn’t be hard, boss. There’s a lot of ways for a man to die in this country. He don’t worry me. The only one in that bunch who concerns me is Grizzard Bankes. He’s supposed to be real good with that gun on his hip, and he strikes me as a real curly wolf. If he backs Ruffcarn, we could have a problem.”
Pierce showed his teeth in what was supposed to be a smile, “I’ll take care of Bankes. I don’t think he’s anywhere as good as he thinks he is. We’ll pay off the rest of Ruffcarn’s hands, and they’ll never be the wiser. They work for a wage, and that’s all they expect.”
“You really think that soldier boy was telling the truth? He could of been lying.”
“He was telling the truth. We also took his map. Not that he was any great shakes as a cartographer. …”
“What’s a cartographer, boss?”
Pierce took a sip from his whiskey glass. “Map maker. As I was saying, his map isn’t that great, but I think I’ve got it figured pretty close where that gold has to be. As far as his telling the truth, I checked with our contact. He confirmed that a gold shipment from New Mexico Territory was lost somewhere in west central Texas. All the men were thought to be killed, but the army never found any sign of the soldier boys or the two wagons of gold.”
“You think it’s close around here?” Bartholf’s eyes gleamed with avarice as Pierce talked about the gold.
“It’s not close. It lies on Nance’s land. I haven’t looked, and I’ve forbidden Ruffcarn from looking. I want to wait until we own the ranch. Then there will be no chance of anyone seeing us with the gold. It’ll take a few months to get it all out and over to Ft. Worth, where I have a buyer who will buy all we find. Once that’s done, we’ll sell the ranch, and you’ll be on your way to the Caribbean to live like a gentleman for the rest of your life.”
“Boss, you’re a genius. The time you spent getting an education weren’t wasted. Why those addled-headed fools at Georgia Military Institute would be plumb jealous.”
Pierce threw back his head and laughed. He loved praise, and the picture in his mind of his fellow GMI students being jealous pleased him immensely. “Get a glass, Bartholf, and we’ll drink to our good fortune.”
Pierce’s mind wandered to Logan. I hope Bull is right, and Logan is really dead.
Chapter 18
Scott Penny and Juan Alvarez topped the ridge south of the ranch the next day at noon. Their trip to Brownwood had been a comple
te success. Accompanying them were the new hands Jack Swindell, Byron Whistal, and Jimmy Leads. Scott had found the three of them at the Happy Jack Saloon, and it had been a fine reunion. He also found them raring to go. Their money had just about run out, and they were doing odd jobs around town—not something to a cowboy’s liking. If a job couldn’t be done on horseback, it couldn’t be done by a cowhand. Scott explained they were looking for hands for the Rocking N, and about Josh being bushwhacked. They were ready to sign up immediately.
Juan pointed to the ranch yard. “That does not look good, amigo.” There were six men on horses talking to Bill Nance. Pat and the other two hands were standing at his side.
“Let’s join the party,” Scott said as he slipped the leather thong off his Colt. The others followed suit. If Bull Westin is down there, This time I’m gonna kill him.
They rode down the hill at a gallup and pulled up in a cloud of dust behind Nance. “Howdy, Mr. Nance,” Scott said. Here we are back from Brownwood and loaded for bear.”
“Si, Señor Bill, it’s our pleasure to be here,” Juan Alvarez said.
“Well, boys, I’m glad you made it back. Mr. Ruffcarn here was just explaining how it would be to my benefit to sell the ranch to him. Isn’t that right, Mr. Ruffcarn?”
Ruffcarn had trouble hiding his look of dismay at the arrival of the additional men, all with their belt guns handy. He looked at Bull on his left and Grizzard Bankes on his right. Bankes hadn’t moved from his relaxed position, with his right arm hanging loosely over his Colt. Ruffcarn regained his composure. “Mr. Nance, as I said, with the loss of much of your herd, you would be smart to take advantage of my offer. I find it extremely fair, under the circumstances.”
“Mr. Ruffcarn, how long did it take for you to ride over here?”
“About six hours I imagine. Why do you ask?
“By the time you get back, you’ll have wasted a total of 12 hours. It’s a shame to see that much time wasted.”
“Now look, Nance. I’ve made you an honest offer. If you’re smart, you’ll take it.”
“And if I don’t?”
“You’ll be making a big mistake. You’ve got your daughter to think about.”
Nance’s face clouded with anger. “You just stepped over the line, Mister. You mention my daughter again, and you won’t make it back to your ranch. In fact, get down off that horse. I’ll give you a chance to beat an old man to the draw. Age has slowed me some, so you just might make it.”
Ruffcarn’s eyes grew large. “I didn’t come here to fight you, Nance. I—”
“No, you came here to steal my ranch just like you’re stealing my cattle. So why don’t we just go ahead and settle this between the two of us.”
Ruffcarn was holding the reins in his right hand, and his gun was on his right hip. “I have no desire for gunplay here, Nance. We can settle our differences peaceably. I meant no threat to your daughter. If you don’t want to sell, that’s your choice, but I want you to know that I’m no rustler. I only wanted to make you an honest offer.”
“Get off my property, Ruffcarn. If I catch you or any of your men on my land, I’ll assume you’re here to rustle my cattle, and I’ll hang you to the nearest tree.”
Scott spoke up as he angled toward Bull, “Mr. Nance, just so you know, I”m choosing Bull and choosing him now. He’s a no-good, yellow, back shooter, and it’s time he was stopped.”
Bull lifted both hands into the air. “I’m not going to gunfight you, Penny. I’ve heard about your reputation down south, and it just wouldn’t be fair.”
Scott gave a harsh laugh. “You mean like it was fair for you to bushwhack Josh? Bull, I’m tired of talking. If you don’t draw, I’ll shoot you where you sit.”
“Señor Scott, maybe this isn’t the time. Señorita Nance and Teresa are in the house. We don’t want any stray bullets finding the wrong person.”
Realizing he would be endangering the ladies, Scott took a deep breath and slowly relaxed. “Alright, Juan, I reckon you’re right,” Scott replied. “Bull, it’s your lucky day. But I swear, the next time I see you, you’d better be ready.”
“Now git, Ruffcarn, and take your rowdies with you,” Nance said.
“This is the last chance you’ll have, Nance,” Ruffcarn said. He and his crew turned their horses north and galloped out of the ranch yard.
Nance turned to the new arrivals. “You boys showed up at the right time. I thought for sure we were in for it until you came over the hill. Sweetest thing I’ve seen in a while.”
“Mr. Nance,” Scott said, “we’re pleased it turned out so well. But It’s a crying shame Bull got away again. He’s been all fired lucky someone hasn’t killed him by now. He’s a real problem. Bull’s about one of the best shots I’ve seen with a Sharps. I’d feel a whole lot more comfortable if he’d been taken out of here over his saddle.”
Mary Louise walked out onto the veranda with a rifle in her hand. “Papa, you had me worried when you started getting mad. I know what you’re like when you get mad. I just knew we’d have a gunfight right here in the front yard. And you, Mr. ‘I’m choosing Bull’ Penny. What do you think would have happened if you’d drawn that gun? I swear, you men are all alike. It seems you’re always itching for a fight.” She turned, tossed her blonde hair, and marched back into the house.
“Whew. Mr. Nance, you’ve got a real firebrand for a daughter,” Scott said, but he was grinning from ear to ear. “She’s quite a lady.”
“You’re right, son. It’ll take a real man to tame her,” Nance said. “Now who are these folks a riding with you?”
“Mr. Nance, this tall drink of water is Jack Swindell, the feller wearing the sombrero is Byron Whistal, and the young feller on the buckskin is Jimmy Leads,” Scott said. “Jimmy may look a mite young, but he started working cattle when he was fifteen and you won’t find a better hand. He also knows his way around a Colt.”
“Juan, did you or Scott tell these men what they’d be paid?”
“No, Señor, we told them they’d be paid a fair wage from a fair man and that was good enough for them.”
“Then a fair wage it’ll be—fifty a month. I know that’s above average, but this is a dangerous place to work. So welcome, boys. These three with me are Pat O’Reilly, Frank Milman, and Leander Stanton. Leander here prefers Lee and I wouldn’t tease him about his name. That would be terribly unprofitable. Isn’t that right Lee?”
Lee took off his hat and wiped the brim. “I just don’t like Leander. You know that, Mr. Nance.”
“Alright, why don’t you boys unload your gear in the bunkhouse and take care of your horses. When that’s done, come on in. I think Teresa probably has dinner ready.”
The men unloaded their gear, gave the horses a good rubdown, tossed some corn into the bins, and went to the house.
Teresa and Mary Louise had the biscuits, steaks, and beans on the table. Nance introduced the new men to Mary Louise and Teresa. “Howdy, ma’am,” was heard around the table.
Teresa asked, “Señor Nance, have you heard anything about Señor Logan?”
“Not a word nor sign, Teresa. I think I’ll send some of the boys out in the morning to scout around. Now that we have some additional hands, we can spare a few and still keep the ranch protected. But we have no idea how bad he’s hurt or even if he’s alive.”
“I feel so bad, Papa,” Mary Louise said. “I flew off the handle at you and him when he told us about Rory. I blamed you both. But I know it was no one’s fault. It was just the war.”
“Honey, Josh understood. He didn’t blame you, and I know he held no grudge. Pat, were you at the Battle of Cedar Creek with Josh and Rory?”
“Aye, that I was, Mr. Nance. T’was a fearsome battle. Many men died on both sides that day.”
“Were you there when my son died?”
“It’s a fact. A brave man, he was. If he hadn’t intervened, Josh himself would have died. We three were good friends. It wasn’t often officers and non-coms became fr
iends. But your son and Josh were special men. We hit it off right at the first. It’s my honor to have been able to call your son my friend.”
“Thank you, Pat,” Nance said. “Now let’s put this food away so that we can get to work. We’ve a lot to do if we’re going to find those rustled cattle and save this ranch.”
Scott looked over at Mary Nance, sitting across the table. His heart went out to her. He knew that she must be hurting bad, having just recently found out about the death of her brother. She looked up and saw the concern in Scott’s eyes, a soft smile spread across her lips. It was returned from Scott.
Scott turned to look at Nance. “What’s the plan, Mr. Nance?”
“In the morning, we’ll get three men riding north looking for Josh. Teresa, pack them up enough supplies for four days. Juan pick yourself two men, and while you’re looking for Josh, keep an eye open for those rustled cattle. If you see any of the Ruffcarn crew, treat them as rustlers. I expect them to make a move soon.”
“Si, Señor, that’s understood. Pat, why don’t you, Scott, Lee, and Jimmy stay here at the ranch. I’ll take Jack and Frank with me. If it’s possible, we’ll find Señor Josh.”
“Good,” Nance said. “We need to get Josh back. That horse of his is getting restless. He needs to get the edge run off him.”
“That gray horse is quite a horse,” Pat said. “Josh rode him throughout the war. Chancy can run like the wind, and I’ll be promising you, that horse likes a fight. If you look him over, you’ll see he’s got war wounds himself. Josh spoke of taking him out to the Colorado Territory and starting a horse ranch, breeding him with some of the mustangs.”
“Why Colorado, Pat?” Nance asked. “There’s plenty of good ranching country around here.”
“Well, Mr. Nance, it’s like this. Josh spoke of it many times around the campfire. It’s an uncle he has who traveled all over the western country. This uncle, he found a place in a Colorado valley with water and grass. He bought it. He came back to the Logan home-place and filled the heads of the family with the West and with this valley. Josh told us, the whole family was infected. Josh also said that the Logan clan had always had the wanderlust. The war kept them from making the move. But after the war, Josh and his older brother, Callum, left for the Colorado Territory. Only they split up in Nashville; Josh headed here to fulfill his promise to Rory, and Callum headed straight for the Territory.”
Logan's Word: A Logan Family Western - Book 1 (Logan Family Western Series) Page 14