Entwined Paths (The Landon Saga Book 2)

by Tell Cotten

  “Sure is,” Jessica shuddered.

  “It’s the wind coming off the snow topped mountains,” Brian explained.

  Jessica started shivering harder. Brian smiled, and he reached into his pack and pulled out an extra blanket.

  “Here,” he tossed the blanket over.

  Jessica grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Brian nodded. It was silent for a while, and then Cliff looked up.

  “We didn’t make it as far as I would have liked today,” he commented.

  “Think we’ll make it to that trading post tomorrow?” Brian asked.

  “No. Slow as we’re going, it’ll probably take us a little over a day to get there.”

  “So that means we’ll have to camp out one more night,” Brian figured.

  “Yep, and I know just the place,” Cliff said. “There’s an underground spring at the opening of the pass. Place is built like a fort.”

  “I hope there’s not any Injuns there.”

  “That’s just what you need, is something else to worry about,” Cliff grinned wolfishly.

  Brian didn’t reply. Instead, he just frowned.

  They finished supper, and then Cliff made a plate for Rusty and woke him up. But Rusty wasn’t feeling very well, and he ate slowly.

  There was also a rasping sound in Rusty’s breathing now.

  While Cliff tried to help Rusty eat, Brian and Jessica stayed warm next to the fire.

  Jessica’s face was pinched in deep thought, and Brian frowned curiously.

  “Something on your mind?” He asked.

  Jessica hesitated, but then replied, “I was thinking about Ben Kinrich.”

  “Oh?” Brian said, surprised.

  “There were a lot of famous outlaws that rode with him, wasn’t there?”

  “I reckon there was.”

  “Lee Mattingly was one of them, wasn’t he?”

  “He was there.”

  “Do you know Lee Mattingly well?”

  Brian frowned thoughtfully as he searched for the right words.

  “I know him, and he knows me,” he finally replied. “But that ain’t exactly what I’m trying to say. What word am I looking for?”

  “Acquaintance?” Jessica offered.

  Brian bobbed his head up and down.

  “Yeah. That’s it. We’re acquaintances. We ain’t bosom buddies, but we ain’t enemies neither.”

  “How come?”

  “That’s just the way it’s always been with Lee. ’Cept for Rondo, he always set himself apart from the rest of us.”

  “Is he trustworthy?”

  “Sure. He’s the most honorable outlaw I know, ’cept for mebbe me.”

  Jessica nodded thoughtfully.

  “How come you’re asking about Lee, ma’am?” Brian asked curiously.

  “I’ve heard my Uncle talk about him, is all,” Jessica lied.

  Brian nodded, and it fell silent again.

  As they sat there Jessica thought it over some more, and she couldn’t help but feel a little better about the situation.

  Will Lee show up? She wondered. And, who was that Indian woman with him?

  Part 2

  New Mexico Territory

  Back To Day One

  Chapter twenty-seven

  Lee Mattingly squatted comfortably on his heels beside his campfire. In one hand he held a cigar. In the other hand, he held a steaming cup of coffee.

  The cool air off the snow topped New Mexico Mountains made it chilly this morning. Lee would be sweating in an hour, but for now the warmth of the coffee was welcome.

  The country around Lee’s camp was mostly flat. In front of him loomed the New Mexico Mountains. Behind him was Texas.

  Lee squinted as he watched four riders in the distance coming towards him.

  Today was the meeting day. However, he had already been here two days.

  Lee was like that. He liked to be early, that way he could get the lay of the land and be prepared for any trouble that might come.

  He hoped there would be no trouble. But, when dealing with the Oltman brothers, a fellow just never knew.

  A few weeks back they had robbed a bank, and they were meeting now to split up the money. Lee had wanted his share right then, but Trent wanted time to count it and split it up evenly. And, they didn’t have much time after the robbery. The operation had not been well planned, and they had barely escaped with their lives.

  Lee smiled as he thought back. His friend Rondo had warned him to quit the outlaw business before he got killed, and this last job had almost made Rondo’s warning come true.

  Trent was the oldest living Oltman brother. After that it was Tyson, Reed, and then Oscar. Yancy Landon had killed Tom, the eldest brother, during the range war at Midway.

  Trent was the leader. He was tall and slim and was also real handy with his Colt six-shooter.

  Tyson was big and pudgy, and his Henry rifle was his weapon of choice.

  Reed and Oscar were slim and lanky; they both preferred their six-shooters.

  They were getting closer, so Lee placed his cup next to the fire.

  That freed his gun hand.

  He kept his cigar in the other hand as he stood.

  The Oltman brothers were riding single file, and Lee’s eyes went down the line as he studied them.

  Lee narrowed his eyes when he got to the fourth rider. It was Oscar, and he was riding double.

  It was a young woman riding behind, and Lee suddenly realized that it was an Indian.

  She wore a tan, Indian dress, and her hands were tied.

  Lee was puzzled, but he didn’t have the time to think on it. They rode up to his camp, and they spread out and faced him.

  Lee had a natural skill for being observant. And, two things stood out immediately.

  The first thing he noticed were the scratch marks on Trent’s face. And second; Lee noticed how all four Oltman brothers were real careful to keep their gun hand free.

  The three oldest looked somber while Oscar just grinned and looked stupid. But, Oscar was usually like that.

  Lee swallowed uneasily.

  It was silent while they stared back and forth. It was only for a second, but it felt longer.

  “Well, we’re here,” Trent finally said.

  “You are,” Lee nodded.

  “Been waiting long?”

  “Couple of days.”

  “We late?” Trent asked, surprised.

  “No, I was early.”

  Trent nodded.

  “I thought we might be late. We ran into a little trouble a few days back.”

  Lee didn’t reply. Instead, he took a long drag on his cigar.

  “We came across some Injuns,” Trent said, almost boastfully.

  “Am I supposed to be impressed?”

  Trent smiled, as did the rest.

  “Well, it was an impressive outcome. We’re still here, and they ain’t.”

  “’Cept for her,” Lee nodded towards the Indian woman.

  “’Cept for her,” Trent grinned.

  “I wonder why a young Injun woman would be traveling with a war party?”

  “I didn’t say we came across a war party. I said we came across some Injuns,” Trent corrected.

  “I see.”

  Trent looked around camp and then looked back at Lee.

  “I reckon you’re wanting your share of the money from that bank job,” he said.

  “That’s why we’re here, ain’t it?” Lee asked warily.

  “’Spose it is,” Trent agreed. “Only thing is; we ain’t got it anymore. We lost it.”

  “Mind explaining that a little?” Lee narrowed his eyes.

  Trent grinned.

  “It’s gonna sound bad, but the truth is I spent it in a poker game.”

  “All of it?”

  “Not at first,” Trent replied. “You see, I had a good hand, but I was outta money. So I borrowed some of yours, but th
at other feller just happened to have a better hand than I did. I still say he was cheating.”

  “What happened to the rest?”

  “Lost it trying to get all your money back,” Trent laughed.

  Lee frowned as he thought on this, and Trent cleared his throat.

  “I figure I’m in debt to you, and I sure don’t want there to be any hard feelings between us.”

  Lee kept silent.

  “So, instead of the money, I reckon we’ll just give you the Injun woman. She’s young and healthy, and she ain’t all that bad to look at neither. With a little work she’d be worth a lot.”

  Lee shook his head slowly.

  “Think I’ll just take my money instead.”

  “No, you’ll take the Injun woman, and then there won’t be any hard feelings between us,” Trent said forcefully, and his eyes were hard and flat. “Understand?”

  Lee eyed the Oltmans thoughtfully, and all four seemed eager to draw.

  “I think I do understand.”

  “Good!” Trent said. “Then there ain’t any hard feelings?”

  “Sure.”

  “I knew you’d see it our way,” Trent nodded happily. “One thing though; I wouldn’t untie that there Injun woman just yet. She can get a little mean tempered.”

  Lee glanced at the scratch marks on Trent’s face.

  “I don’t blame her.”

  Trent looked at Oscar and nodded, but he just stared back with a blank look.

  “Well, what are you waiting for?” Trent shouted at Oscar. “Give her to him!”

  Oscar grinned stupidly and shoved the Indian woman off his horse. The Indian woman wasn’t expecting it, and she hit the ground hard.

  A small, startled cry came from her lips, but that was all. She recovered quickly, and then she just sat there on the ground. Her face was hard and emotionless.

  Trent grumbled something under his breath as he glared at Oscar. Then, he looked back at Lee and smiled.

  “Well, we’ve gotta be going.”

  “Bye.”

  “No hard feelings?”

  “Naw.”

  “That’s what I like to hear,” Trent said. “Well, we’ll be seeing you.”

  Lee nodded as they wheeled their horses around and loped off.

  “Yes, you will be seeing me,” Lee affirmed softly.

  Soon as they were gone, he turned to the Indian woman.

  She hadn’t moved.

  Lee breathed deeply and walked awkwardly over to her. The Indian woman looked up, and Lee got a good look at her face.

  Trent had been right. She was an attractive woman.

  Lee’s eyes suddenly grew wide. He caught his breath and blinked, and then he looked again to be sure.

  Her face was dark like an Indian’s. But, staring back at him were the biggest, bluest eyes he had ever seen.

  “Why, you’re a white girl!” Lee said in astonishment.

  She continued to stare at him, and Lee couldn’t help but stare back.

  It was silent for a long time, but then Lee cleared his throat.

  “My name’s Lee, ma’am. What’s yours?”

  Chapter twenty-eight

  The Oltman brothers rode steadily for an hour.

  They climbed a steep, brushy hill. The top offered a good view behind them, so Trent pulled up. They dismounted, and Trent looked at Oscar.

  “Oscar, lead our horses on down the trail and lay low for a while. We’re going to make sure he ain’t following us.”

  They pulled their rifles out of their scabbards, and then Oscar took their horses.

  “Make sure and keep them horses quiet, you hear?” Trent told him.

  Oscar grinned stupidly.

  “Hoo, hoo, hoo!” He said as he tried to imitate an owl.

  Trent yelled at him, but Oscar just laughed.

  Trent frowned as he reached inside his vest’s pocket and pulled out a plug of tobacco. He watched the departing Oscar as he bit off a chunk and returned what was left to his vest’s pocket.

  “That boy ain’t right in the head,” he complained to his brothers.

  Tyson smiled wryly as he settled down behind some rocks.

  “Mebbe so, but he can sure handle a gun.”

  “He can,” Trent agreed as he settled down behind a log. “Still, sometimes I wonder if he’s worth the trouble.”

  Reed joined Trent behind the log, and for the next few hours they didn’t move as they all watched attentively.

  Trent was finally satisfied.

  “If he was coming he would have been here by now,” he declared as he stood and stretched.

  “I’m sort of surprised he didn’t come after us,” Reed said.

  “He showed good sense,” Trent replied. “He wouldn’t have had a chance against four of us.”

  “I still think it was a mistake to double cross him,” Tyson declared. “He ain’t the sort to mess with.”

  “I didn’t plan on it, but what choice did I have?” Trent asked defensively. “How was I supposed to know that feller had that last ace? Besides, it doesn’t matter. Once we reach California, nobody’ll be able to find us.”

  “I ain’t too happy about going to California neither,” Tyson said stubbornly. “Specially when our brother’s killer is in Texas.”

  “Yancy Landon will get what’s coming to him,” Trent said, and his eyes glared at the thought. “But what we need right now is a change of scenery and a little rest and relaxation. Then, we’ll come back all unexpected like and take care of Yancy.”

  “I say we get him now and then go to California,” Tyson suggested.

  “All of Texas is looking for us,” Trent said forcefully. “Now’s not the time.”

  Tyson was silent as he thought on that.

  “Well, mebbe you’re right,” he finally said. “I still don’t like it though.”

  “Just leave the masterminding to me,” Trent said. “We’ve been doing good so far, ain’t we?”

  “Reckon so,” Tyson admitted.

  “That’s right,” Trent said emphatically. “And I promise you; Yancy will get what’s coming to him.”

  “I don’t understand why we’ve got to get all riled up for,” Reed spoke up. “From what they say it was a fair fight. And, we mess with Yancy and we’ll have to take on his brother. Mebbe even Rondo too.”

  “There’s two or three of them, and four of us,” Trent replied. “When the time comes I won’t be worried none. And the time will come. Nobody kills an Oltman and gets away with it. I don’t care how fair it was.”

  It was silent as Tyson and Reed thought on that, and they nodded in agreement.

  “Wonder how Lee’s getting along with that Injun gal?” Reed grinned.

  Trent chuckled gruffly.

  “If I know Lee he’ll end up feeling sorry for her, and then he’ll try and help her. He’s soft that way.”

  “If she’s given much of a chance she’ll probably try to kill him,” Tyson figured. “That’s one wild female.”

  “Why we got rid of her,” Trent complained as he reached up and felt his scratch marks. “She’ll probably get her chance. Like I said; Lee’s got feelings, and feelings get you killed.”

  Tyson and Reed nodded.

  “So, what’s next?” Tyson asked.

  “Nothing else to tend too, so we’ll head for California,” Trent replied. “Best way to go is to head west through Valverde’s Pass. There’s a little Mexican trading post at the bottom of the mountains where we can get some supplies and whatnot.”

  Trent glanced at the sun.

  “We’ve lost some time, but I know a place at the opening of the pass that’s got an underground spring. Place is built like a fort. We might can make it before it gets dark. That is, unless that fool kid fell asleep and let the horses wander off.”

  Tyson and Reed chuckled, and they hurried down the trail to find Oscar.

  Chapter twenty-nine

  It didn’t take Lee long to figure out that communication with the y
oung woman was going to be difficult.

  They were sitting across the fire from each other, drinking coffee.

  This accomplishment had been no small feat. As soon as Lee tried to guide her over to the fire, she cried out and drew back in fear.

  “Ma’am, I ain’t going to hurt you. Let’s just sit over here by the fire and drink a little coffee while we figure out what to do,” Lee said gently.

  He tried to take her by her arm, but she cried out and started hitting him repeatedly.

  Being as gentle as he could, he grabbed her flailing arms by the wrists. Then, he half led and half dragged her over to the fire.

  Soon as he let go, she sank to the ground.

  Lee sighed as he dug another cup out of his saddlebags. He filled both cups, placed one cup next to her, and sat down across the fire.

  “Ma’am, there’s one thing we need to get established right off. Now, after all you’ve been through I don’t blame you for being a little hostile. But, my intentions are plumb peaceable. Now, it looks like we’ve both been dealt a crooked hand. But I learned a long time ago to play the hand you’re dealt, and that’s what we’re gonna do. So, let’s sit here and drink some coffee while we gather ourselves.”

  The young woman remained silent as she eyed her cup of coffee, and Lee frowned as he studied her.

  “Ma’am, I’m starting to get the feeling that you don’t speak English.”

  Her hands were still tied, so she reached down with both hands and grabbed the cup of coffee.

  Her face was expressionless as she stared at it.

  “No speak-idy English?” Lee asked loudly.

  She remained as she was.

  “You must remember something,” Lee said in desperation. “How long have you been living with Injuns? Were you a captive?”

  Still nothing.

  “Case you’re wondering, I don’t speak any Comanche,” Lee said, and added, “I don’t even know what tribe you came from.”

  The young woman ignored him as she cautiously took a sip of coffee.

  “’Cept for the peace sign, I don’t know much sign language neither,” Lee continued.

  He held his hand high, made the peace sign, and showed it to her.

  She showed no reaction.