“Yes, ma’am,” Josh said, a grin slipping across his face.
There he was, that horse had saved his life on several occasions. He stood there, tossing his head up and down, his black mane flying. “You miss me, Chancy?” The big Morgan stretched his neck as far out as he could to get to Josh. Josh walked up and started stroking Chancy’s long nose with one hand while he patted his neck with the other. “Yeah, I’ve missed you, too. Give me a little time to rest up, and we’ll be on our way to Colorado. Can you wait a little longer?” The horse rubbed his head against Josh’s arm. “I’ll see you tomorrow, boy, and you’ll get a chance to stretch those long legs.”
Josh turned and started for the house. He stumbled and almost went down, but Scott on one side and Pat on the other caught him. “’Tis a bit worn out you are, laddie, and, I might add, you look like you’ve been dragged through a keyhole. I’m thinking Teresa was dead on. Get cleaned up and get some rest. We’ll be talking about your adventure later. We have some information for you, too.”
The two men helped Josh up the veranda steps and into the house.
“Bring him back here,” Teresa called.
They took him to the room where his bath was ready. “Now shoo; go make yourself useful. There’s plenty to do on this ranch,” Teresa said, as she ushered the two men from the room.
Josh saw a chair and dropped into it. He was worn to a frazzle. His body ached all over, and he was dead tired. The blood loss was taking its toll.
“Now Señor Josh, you need to get clean. I have a hot bath here for you. The bath will help you feel much better. Do you think you can get yourself undressed and into the tub?”
“Yes, Teresa, I think I can,” Josh said. He was almost too tired to talk. All he really wanted was to put his battered body to bed.
“Good, get your clothes off and toss them out the door. I’ll get them clean for you. I’ve laid out some clean clothes on the dresser for you. They’re yours, taken from the horse that returned. Soap, wash cloth, and towel are right there next to the tub. When you’re ready, call me and I’ll show you where you’re sleeping tonight.”
Josh just nodded. Teresa looked at him with concern and then walked out of the room. Josh stood and slipped the buckskin shirt over his head. He slid the moccasins from his feet, pulled off his pants, opened the door just wide enough, and dropped the pants and shirt outside on the floor. He walked back to the tub and turned to get in. There was the mirror on the dresser. The mirror told a gruesome story. He could see his old wounds; the bullet wound in his left leg, the saber scar on his right side, and the other saber scar across his forehead. He fingered the healing bullet wound on the right side of his head. He grinned. I’ll have to start parting my hair on the right side. He could see the swelling in his left knee was going down. In fact, it was feeling much better. But his upper body looked like what the buzzards would eat. He was swollen all over, with red blotches everywhere on his legs, arms, and chest; he knew his back looked the same way. His face looked like he’d stuck his head in a hornet’s nest, but, he had to admit, he felt better than he had yesterday. The only thing that still worried him was his hands. They were no longer raw, but the palms were covered with scabs from the dried blood, and they were still swollen.
Josh eased down into the tub. The wounds on his body stung and burned from the hot water, but it also felt good. He almost fell asleep. Gingerly he washed his body, careful not to dislodge any of the scabs. Clean, he stepped out of the tub. He dried off, slipped his clothes on, and slid the moccasins back on his feet. I’m for sure gonna need some new boots. I hate that, too. I really liked those cavalry boots. He was exhausted. He could hardly put one foot in front of the other.
He opened the door and found Teresa sitting in a chair next to the door.
“First, I must see to your hands. Please sit.” She had pulled up another chair and had bandages and a can of salve sitting on the side table. Teresa spread the salve over his injured hands and wrapped them with bandages.
“That feels mighty good.”
“It’s a mixture that my mother used. It’ll quickly heal your hands.”
Josh caught himself as his head fell to his chest. “I reckon I’m a little tired.”
“Come, I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping,” she said, as she took him by the arm. “Do you think you can make it up the stairs?” Teresa asked, her concern showing in her eyes and around the corners of her mouth.
“Sure I can,” Josh said. “With a little help from you.”
She smiled and helped him up the stairs to his bedroom. The door was open and the bed turned back. “This was our little Rory’s room. He was always such a good boy. He looked out for his sister all the time. We’ll miss him for a long time,” she said sadly. “But he would like for you to be here. The few letters we received, he always spoke of you.” She guided him over to the bed, bent down and slipped his moccasins off.
Josh slipped his legs under the sheet, looked outside and noticed it was twilight. He could hear the bobwhite’s call in the broomweeds outside the window. A mockingbird sang its stolen notes. “Rory was my best friend, Teresa. We’ll all miss him.” He could barely keep his eyes open. “He loved you like his mother.” He looked up into her face and saw the tears in her eyes, then his eyelids drifted shut, and he was sound asleep.
Teresa tiptoed from the room and quietly closed the door. Descending, she saw Bill Nance standing at the foot of the stairs. “He’ll not awaken until tomorrow morning, Señor Nance. He is hurt and tired, and I think he is a very good man.”
“I hope he heals quickly. We need to find those cattle, and I want him along when we do. And, yes, Teresa, I do believe you’re right. He is a good man. But did you see the look in his eyes when he talked about the bushwhacker? Josh Logan is also a dangerous man.”
Chapter 20
Josh woke to a knock on the door. “Come on in.”
Pat opened the door. “You awake enough to talk, Major?”
“Sure, Pat, pull up a chair.” Josh swung his legs out of bed and sat for a moment. He extended his left leg, and then lowered his foot to the floor. Both his foot and knee felt pretty good.
“Pat, what’d I say about Major? I’m no longer in the cavalry; no need to use the rank.”
“Aye, but habits are hard to break. Josh, I must talk to you about something that’s been weighing on me heart. You know I’m your friend, but I feel this needs a bit of discussion.”
“Go ahead, Pat. We’ve always been straight with each other.”
Pat looked at the floor for a moment, then locked eye contact with Josh, “I’ve got to ask, what are your intentions toward my wee sister Fianna?”
Josh was momentarily speechless. He’d never expected this. “Pat, I like her, but I haven’t thought much about intentions. Is there a problem?”
“Maybe, maybe not. She’s young Josh, just out from the east, and impressionable. I thank you for protecting her from the likes of Bull Westin. But I fear she’s building feelings for you.
“You know our plans. Once in California, we’ll be sending for our Aunt Kathleen. I don’t think Fianna needs to be dragged to some forsaken wilderness like the Colorado Territory to live out her life, which in that country might be short, struggling to survive. I’m just asking you to give her a chance to live a decent life.”
Josh sat silent for a moment. He was stunned that his good friend would be saying this, although he had thought the same thing. Colorado would be hard. It would be no place for a young woman newly arrived from the East. “You’re right, Pat. I have to admit that I like her. It could possibly go farther than that, given time. But my life will be a hard one. I’d not ask any woman to partner up with me for what I’ve ahead … at least not now.”
“Josh, you’re my friend. I feel terrible about saying this. But I just feel it must be said.”
“You’ve got my promise, Pat. Your sister needs to grow where she can laugh and enjoy life. That sure won’t be Colorado.”
“Thank you, Josh. Shall we say this will be the last word on the subject?”
The two men stood. They had known each other for many years and had formed a bond of brotherhood cast in the fire of battle. Josh put out his hand, and Pat grasped it. Without another word, Pat turned, went out the door, and closed it behind him. Josh sat down again on the bed. He’d known what Pat was saying, but put it aside each time he saw Fianna. When they had first looked into one another’s eyes at the stage, something happened. Was it just my imagination? I’ve too many hard times ahead to drag a woman into my life. Anyway, what woman would have a big, rawboned, scarred, ex-cavalry man like myself? He finished getting dressed and headed downstairs.
The first person he saw was Mary Louise. “Major Logan, I must apologize for the way I treated you when you were here last. That was unforgivable. I’m truly sorry.”
“Miss Nance, it was understandable. You’d just received a terrible shock. A person can’t be held responsible for what is said under those circumstances. But I do want you to know that Rory was my best friend, and I, too, miss him. Now, would it be fine with you if we got back to first names?”
“I’d like that, Josh.”
Josh smiled and said, "Good. My stomach thinks my throat’s cut; any chance of rounding up some grub around here?”
Teresa stuck her head out of the dining room. “Señor Josh, breakfast is ready. Come in and join everyone.”
“Teresa, I told Mary Louise that Rory was like a brother. That means you have to call me Josh.”
Teresa’s smile lit up her face, and her brown eyes twinkled like agates in the sun, “Then, Josh, get in here and sit down before it’s all gone.”
Bill Nance and all the crew were at the table. Josh looked around; counting himself and Bill, there were ten men. He would like to have more, but ten could be divided so one group could protect the ranch while the other worked cattle, or did what needed to be done away from the ranch. He knew that Mary Louise and Teresa could shoot if it were needed.
There was a chair next to Scott. He stood and pulled it out. Josh started toward the chair, and Scott’s brow furrowed. Josh stopped as Mary Louise walked by, smiling sweetly, and sat down. “Thank you, Scott.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”
“Josh, sit here.” Bill Nance, seated at the head of the table, pointed to the chair next him. “How’re you feelin’?”
“I think I’m gonna live. Actually I’m feeling good. Head’s still a little sore, but the knee is fine, and the prickly pear is gone except for the itching.”
“How’s your hands?” Bill asked, noting the bandages around his palms and fingers.
“Still stiff. But the salve that Teresa put on last night seems to have helped a bunch. I’m able to move my fingers now, so I’m good.”
“After breakfast, I’ll change the bandages and put more salve on them. But you should leave the bandages on today,” Teresa said as she was putting out a platter of eggs.
Bill picked up a biscuit and passed the plate. “Good, now tell me how the Sam Hill you managed to be saved by Kickapoo. They don’t like white men and can be as bad as the Comanche.”
Josh told his story from the sun glinting off metal and the smoke, to their riding into the ranch. All of those at the table were spellbound and amazed that he had survived. Scott and Pat told about Bull returning to town and their tracking Josh until they lost Travels Far’s trail.
After listening to Josh’s story, Bill Nance said softly, “Son, I’d say you either have a guardian angel looking over your shoulder or you’re just plain lucky. Now, I’ve a little more to add.” He went on to tell of Ruffcarn’s visit, his demanding to buy the ranch, and how Scott called out and backed down Bull. “I think the only one we need to really watch is that Bankes character. He just sat in the saddle the whole time, cool and calm. I’ve done a lot of rangering in my time, and I’ve found those are the ones you have to watch.”
Scott pitched in. “Bankes sizes up to be a tough hombre.”
While Bill Nance was telling his story, Josh was eating: four eggs, gravy, biscuits, even bacon, which he didn’t see much out here, and coffee. He finished his second cup of coffee as Bill was finishing. “Bill, I think you’re right about Bankes. But now we need to find those rustled cattle. I feel certain they haven’t been sold, and I don’t think they’ve been driven far. Ruffcarn knew you didn’t have the men to search for them—now you do. Let’s head out today and don’t come back ‘til we find ‘em. We’ve got ten men. If we left four here, that would give us six. That should be more than enough to handle whatever we find.”
Bill nodded his agreement. “Good. I made some assignments yesterday, but you’re back and you’re the foreman. Pick your men, and let’s move out.”
“Right. Let’s get moving.” Josh slid his chair back from the table. “Bill, I know it’s not likely, but you wouldn’t have an extra hat and boots around here, would you? Lost my hat and my boot when I was dragged. It’s almighty hot in this country, and I don’t hanker to ride without a hat.”
“Just so happens I might.” Bill went into his office and returned with both of Josh’s boots and his hat. “Hat’s a little banged up on the right side, but Teresa cleaned it up, and it’s almost good as new. Scott found both your hat and your boot on the trail. Don’t know why Travels Far didn’t pick them up, but here they are.”
“Thanks, Bill. You have no idea how pleased I am to get these boots back,” Josh said. He slid off the moccasins and pulled on his boots. He’d worn them for so long they were the shape of his feet. His left foot was still tender and sore, but he was able to get his boot on, and it felt good. His hat was another thing. There was a big crease where the bullet cut through the hat and hit his head, but that hat was still functional, and he was glad to have it.
“Señor Josh, your hands,” Teresa said. She had brought the bandages, water, soap, and salve from the kitchen with her. She had him sit down while she removed the bandages and cleaned his hands. They were healing, but they were still stiff. Where the scabs were, the skin was tight when he flexed his fingers. She spread new salve over his palms and, this time, applied a light wrapping around his palms, leaving his fingers free.
Teresa saw the concern in his face, “They will heal perfectly. It will take a little time. But they will heal. Be sure and wear your gloves.”
When she finished, Josh stood. “I hope not too long, Teresa. I feel sure I’m going to be needing them real soon. Thank you.”
“De nada.”
Bill was on the veranda when Josh walked out of the house, slightly favoring his left leg and foot. The men were gathered around the veranda waiting for their assignments. “Bill, are you planning on joining this party?”
“Josh, I need to get out more, and this seems like a perfect time.”
“Alright, we’ll take Scott, Lee, Pat, and Byron. Juan, I’d like you, Jack, Frank, and Jimmy to hang close to the ranch. We don’t know Ruffcarn’s plans, but we’d best be prepared, and I know how handy you are with your Sharps.”
Juan smiled and said, “Si, Señor.”
The men went to the corral and barn to get their horses. Josh walked up to Chancy. Remembering what Teresa had said, he pulled his gloves on over his bandages. His saddle and gear had been brought out to the barn. He pulled out the Winchester. It had been cleaned.
Pat stood next to him. “I knew you always liked clean weapons.”
“Thanks, Pat.” He checked the loads, then set the Winchester down. He led Chancy out of his stall, smoothed the saddle blanket over his horse’s back and tossed up the saddle. Chancy’s muscles quivered with anticipation. Josh reached for the cinch, slipped the latigo through the ring and checked the cinch for debris, pinching, or caught hair before pulling it tight. This horse had taken care of him for years and Josh believed in returning the favor.
He secured the latigo, tied his gear behind the saddle and slipped the Winchester into its scabbard. Josh swung up into the saddle
and rode Chancy out of the barn. Bill and all the other men were mounted and ready to go. He looked at each man. They were riding out to find rustlers. Hopefully all would return. “Let’s ride.”
The big gray wanted to run. Josh let him have his head for a ways. It felt good to be in the saddle again on the horse that he loved. He could feel the muscles extending and contracting and the deep breathing of this magnificent animal. It was as if he were part of this horse. He knew that Chancy felt the same exhilaration he felt. This was life. He let him run for a mile, then pulled him back to a walk.
Bill rode up next to him. “I’d say that big horse wanted to run.”
“Yeah, he’s been cooped up too long. Bill, Scott mentioned a place over on the Pecan. I’d like to ride over there and take a look.”
“You’re the foreman. Whatever you like. But we need to be keeping a sharp lookout for Comanches. They can pop up anytime, anywhere.”
“I know you’re right. I didn’t mention it, but on the way to Camp Wilson, I ran into a scalping party. They gave me a good run. I winged one of them. He said his name was Eyes of Hawk.”
Nance turned to look at Josh. “And you’re still alive? That boy is one mean Injun. The Comanches stole him, after they had butchered his family, when he was about three years old. He’s become pure Comanche and mean as spit. It’s a lucky thing you’re hair’s not hanging on his lance.”
Josh turned in the saddle to see the other boys riding loosely behind them. “I can thank the fact that I saw them from a distance first, and I had Mr. Winchester and Mr. Colt to assist me. I will say, he was mighty interested in my rifle. I figure he would like to have it for his own.”
“You keep an eye out for him, son. He’s a dangerous man.”
“I’ll do that; now I want to find those cattle. Scott, how far you reckon to this holding area on the Pecan?”
“No more than seven or eight miles. We’ll be close to East Caddo Peak when we get there. Just north of East Caddo is West Caddo. There’s a pass between the two that the Comanche use mighty often. We best stay alert.”
Logan's Word: A Logan Family Western - Book 1 (Logan Family Western Series) Page 16