by Anna Zogg
As they stood together on the porch, she shielded her eyes from the early-morning sun. Though dressed for the day, she had not yet pinned up her hair. It hung in long, burnished waves—because she’d just been brushing it? Light wove through the strands, the gentle curls cradling the liquid gold.
He dragged his gaze from its silkiness.
“How long will you be gone?”
“Couple hours.” He scratched his chin with his knuckles. “Doesn’t take me all day to herd cows till noon.”
When she laughed at his father’s saying, Cole’s gaze lingered on her lips.
He brought himself up short. This was not the time to be distracted. “I’ll let Toby ride one of my geldings. He’s more predictable than your horse.”
“I’d feel better about that. Thanks.”
“If you want us back at the ranch—for any reason—fire your rifle into the air twice. We’ll be here faster than you can say ‘jackrabbit.’”
She chuckled, the sound easy on his ears. “Let me pack a breakfast before you go. Won’t take long.”
“And you’re sure it’s okay that Toby comes along?” Though Cole didn’t expect any trouble, he wanted to assure Lenora he would protect the boy with his own life.
“He wants to learn about ranch operations. I think you’ll be a grand teacher.”
Educating Toby might be Cole’s excuse to take off early, but he had another agenda, as well. He wanted to investigate the light he’d seen on the hill. It had been several nights since a campfire had twinkled in the distance. Time to check it out.
Toby leaped down from the ladder rungs that led to his loft. “I’m ready.” When he brushed his hair back from his face, the goose egg he’d gotten the day before showed. Though it had reduced in size, a colorful bruise spread toward his eye.
“The weather can change in an instant,” his mother warned. “So don’t forget your hat and coat.”
“I won’t. Bye, Ma.” He grabbed the items off the pegs by the door before vaulting off the porch.
With a bundle of food and filled canteens, they were on their way. After they crested one hill, Cole looked back to see Lenora still standing on the porch. He pulled up short and waved his hat before they traveled out of sight.
As they rode, Toby chatted about a deer he once shot over thataway. One time an antelope had startled his pa, appearing to leap out of the ground and going straight up in the air, like it had wings. Half listening, Cole kept one eye on the horizon and the other in their immediate vicinity as they followed a ridge.
Besides checking out the landscape, he also wanted to see how many cattle Lenora had. When asked, she had been unable to give him an accurate number. Because Amos never really cared? The way Cole figured it, the ranch was only a front for the gang’s other, more lucrative business.
He and Toby had ridden about thirty minutes when they came to a stream. Sure enough, evidence existed that someone had camped out along the water. But this spot was too low to view from the ranch. Was there another location?
After cautioning the youngster to stay in the saddle, Cole dismounted. He dropped his gelding’s reins to check the burned-out remains of the fire. All the while, he kept a sharp lookout. The coals were cold to the touch and crumbling. Probably not used in three days or more. Still squatting, he glanced around. It appeared as though two men had shared the camp. Loud buzzing rose over the sound of the trickling stream.
“Stay here, Toby. Be right back.” After grabbing his rifle, he followed the noise. Peering through the brush, he saw the corpse of a bovine.
It obviously had been shot—the skull shattered by a bullet. No doubt the best portions of meat had been carved out and the rest left to rot. Coyotes and vultures had gotten their share. Now flies and ants swarmed over the bones and pieces of flesh.
Not only were Hackett’s men watching Lenora’s ranch, but they thought nothing of helping themselves to her beef.
“Did you find something, Cole?” Toby called from a distance.
He walked back. “Someone’s been poaching. They’re gone now.” He stashed his rifle, and they moved on.
After traveling a little farther, he stopped atop a mound. More evidence remained of someone’s camp, but they’d been more careful about covering their tracks. Small burned pieces of wood had been scattered. Apparently they’d used some scrub brush to sweep away the evidence of how many had camped there.
This had to be the source of the light Cole had seen a couple times. As he squinted at the ranch below, the buildings looked like toy blocks. But anyone with binoculars would be able to see all that was happening in the yard.
“Let’s eat our breakfast here.” He dismounted.
The ten-year-old frowned, perhaps sensing the tension.
“Just drop the reins. Rowdy won’t wander far.”
Toby did as instructed, watching the two horses begin to graze.
After sitting, he took the bread Cole offered. “Is someone stealing from my ma?”
He took a swig of water from his canteen. “Appears so. Don’t know who or how many cattle though. Best to not jump to conclusions.”
The youngster’s fist bunched. “It ain’t right.”
“I agree.” Cole kept a lookout while they consumed bread and strips of dried beef. He’d be a fool to assume one of the gang wasn’t watching them right now. Doubtful they would do anything in the light of day. Their cowardly sort always worked in the dark.
Toby studied the crust in his hand. “Do you think it was Jeb Hackett? The man who came over the other day?”
“No way to know for sure.”
“I don’t like him.” His young face scrunched up. “Once when my pa was gone, he came over. I saw him touch Ma’s cheek.”
Stunned, Cole stopped chewing. “So what happened?”
“She slapped his hand away. But he just laughed.” The bruise on the side of Toby’s head pulsed to a deep red. “I think he wanted to steal her away from my pa.”
Surprised at the youngster’s perception, Cole said nothing.
Toby’s chest heaved. “I don’t like the way he treats my mother.”
“I don’t either.” Cole’s mind flashed to the day the three riders had shown up at the ranch. All of them had treated Lenora like she was a loose woman. But Jeb was the worst. “A man ought never to talk to a woman that way.”
The youngster’s face hardened. “When I grow up, I’m gonna kill him.”
“Whoa. Now hold on.” Cole inserted a stern note to his voice. “Defending a woman is one thing. Going out and picking a fight is another. You’d end up on the wrong side of the law.” Since his words seemed to have little effect in softening Toby’s inflexible jaw, Cole added, “And how would your ma feel about you swinging from a rope? Her son, the murderer?”
The boy’s mouth worked as he apparently absorbed the warning. “So I should do nothing?” His voice cracked as it rose.
Cole leaned his forearms on his knees as he considered how to answer. “If Hackett brings the fight to you, then do something about it. However, be prepared to win or lose. Both will have consequences.”
The boy’s frown deepened as he appeared to think about it.
“Want more?” He offered Toby another piece of jerky.
“No, thanks.”
Cole drank from his canteen, then rose. After he fished out his binoculars from the saddlebags, Toby’s face brightened. “Is that a telescope?”
“Nope. Binoculars, because they have double lenses.” He panned the area and studied the ranch below. “Here. Take a gander.”
With eagerness, the boy put them up to his eyes. “Fearsome.” He looked across the landscape, at the sky, the ground and even Cole, who couldn’t stop grinning at the youngster’s enthusiasm. While he packed up their things, the boy wandered to stu
dy rock formations and plants.
Not having the heart to tell him it was time to go, Cole let him explore. Out of habit, he checked the cinch straps of the geldings. As usual, Rowdy’s needed to be tightened. His sorrel always held his breath when Cole saddled him. Consequently, the strap loosened as they rode. Nips’s cinch was fine.
“Cole?”
The edge of panic in Toby’s voice brought him up short. He immediately drew his pistol and crouched.
Several yards ahead, the boy stood facing away from him, frozen. It didn’t take long for Cole to see why he had cried out. A huge rattlesnake rose up, head swaying and black tongue flicking. They were perhaps two feet from each other. Though Toby didn’t move, the snake’s tail began its ominous shake.
“Stay still.” Cole crept closer. Normally he would tell the youngster to just back off, but apparently Toby hadn’t seen the snake until he was right up on it. Likely the rattler was sunning himself on the boulder. “I’m going to shoot it. Don’t move.”
The boy whimpered.
“It’ll be okay.” Cole spoke with calm assurance.
After taking careful aim, he squeezed the trigger, then leaped toward Toby to yank him out of the way. The next moment Cole stomped hard on the snake. He cut the head off and grabbed the body by the tail.
Toby’s eyes were huge saucers as he looked first at him, then the snake.
“Stay away from the head.” Cole pointed to the spasming jaws. “You could still get bit.” He led the boy away. By the time they got back to the horses, the boy still wasn’t talking.
Cole lifted the lifeless three-foot body. Rowdy was the first to rear his head and snort in fear. Both geldings shied from the pale corpse.
“It’s okay, boys. Deader’n a doornail.” Since Toby still seemed in shock, he added, “Hey, what d’ya think of having this for dinner?”
The boy managed a tremulous grin. “I reckon that’d be okay.”
“I’ll cut the rattle off first. Would you like it?”
Toby gulped, but nodded.
“Your ma ever cook up a snake?”
“Oh, yeah. She knows. Pa brought home a few last year.”
Cole retrieved a sack from his saddlebags and shoved the snake into it. Without a word, Toby handed him the binoculars.
The boy was too quiet. Because he had been more frightened than Cole first thought?
“Maybe we should get a couple jackrabbits for dinner in case your ma doesn’t feel like fixing a rattler. What’d you think? I’ll let you use my rifle if you want to shoot them.”
“Okay.” Color slowly returned to Toby’s face.
Soon, they mounted their horses and headed back toward the ranch. On the way, Cole scratched his chin. “You know I was thinking. About the snake.”
“Yeah?” Toby met his gaze.
“How about we don’t tell your ma everything that happened, okay?”
“You mean lie?”
“No, no,” Cole hastened to assure him. “If she asks for details, then by all means we’ll tell her. But I recommend we don’t volunteer the whole story.”
“Because she might get scared?”
“Exactly. You remember what happened in the corral, right?” After the boy nodded, Cole continued. “Well, God made women delicate. Some get frightened more easily, especially when it comes to their children. I just don’t want your ma to be upset about the snake.”
Brow furrowing, the youngster seemed to think about that. After a moment, he nodded. “Okay, Cole.”
He grinned, pleased that Toby believed him.
However, the boy surprised him by saying, “I’m glad you care how Ma feels.”
Did he? The observation put a funny sensation in the pit of Cole’s stomach.
Chapter Eleven
“They look...lovely.” Lenora eyed the two jackrabbits Cole held by their back feet. Though she was pleased that he had already gutted and skinned them, they looked none too inviting. “You don’t want these for supper, do you?”
Dinner was prepared and waiting. Since she had already cleaned the kitchen and stove, she didn’t relish the idea of making another mess.
“Nah. Maybe tomorrow.” Cole grinned. “Let them season a bit first.”
She tried not to wrinkle her nose. One of Amos’s favorite things to do was let meat “season.” Once he had forgotten about a deer that he left hanging too long. Maggots had filled the carcass by the time he thought to check on it.
“So where are you going to put those?” Lenora pointed. “And for how long?”
“I’ll string ’em up in the barn where I can keep an eye on them. And I think one day of seasoning will be plenty long.”
Crossing her arms, she tried to hide her disgust. “Just keep in mind that a bear might want to visit with those hanging inside.”
He laughed as he patted his Colt. “I’ll be ready. And if necessary, I have my Spencer repeating rifle. It’s old, but reliable.”
Her frown must have betrayed her skepticism, because he added, “It can fire up to twenty rounds per minute.”
She tried to act impressed. “Let’s hope that’s enough to stop a bear.”
“If one doesn’t come a’calling, I’ll hunt one. A bearskin rug in here would look nice.”
“Mine are good enough.” She pointed to her hand-braided ones. “Thanks all the same.”
He dipped his head once, but seemed to want to say something else. When Toby stomped into the room, Cole added, “Also, we brought you a little something extra for tomorrow. Or dessert tonight.” After he shot her son a look, Toby went back outside. In a moment, he brought a slightly bloody, burlap bag.
Lenora backed up a step. “What is that?”
“A little rattler.”
She jumped. “Dead, I hope.”
Toby giggled. “O’course.”
“Is its head still attached?”
“No, Ma. Cole cut it clean off.”
She glanced between the two of them, wondering at the mischievous grins they exchanged.
Cole stepped closer. “I skinned it already. If you’d prefer, I can fry it up. Outside.”
“No. I know how to cook up a rattlesnake.”
Again a look passed between them.
Before she could say anything more, Cole spoke. “I’d like to make Toby a hatband out of the skin and maybe a belt—should only take a few days. But I’ll need a couple eggs to tan it. You won’t mind, will you?”
“Of course not.”
“Kind of a trophy.”
She had the oddest feeling they withheld something.
“Ma,” Toby said, now stepping forward to speak, “you shoulda seen Cole—shot its head pert near off.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but again felt there was some hidden story.
Her son surprised her, though, when he turned to Cole. “Did you know Ma could’ve shot off the head faster’n you? And from twice as far?”
His eyebrows rose as he looked at her. “Is that so?”
“Toby,” she chided, “don’t brag.”
“It ain’t bragging if it’s not about me, right, Ma?”
Her cheeks grew warmer.
Cole’s eyes held a glint of challenge. “You can shoot?”
“Of course.” She lifted her chin.
“Who taught you?”
“Amos. Thought I should know how to handle a gun.”
“Based on Toby’s assessment, Amos was either an incredible teacher or you’re a more than apt student.” Cole tilted his head. “With your cooking skills as a guide, I’d settle on the latter.”
She smoothed back her hair from her face. “It’s nothing special.”
“That remains to be seen.”
Aware tha
t Toby watched them both with a keenness that belied his age, she held out her hand for the bag. “Give it here. Let me see if I can whip up something edible.” Soup would be the easiest after she marinated the meat.
She might as well make a mess of her kitchen again if it pleased them.
Cole nodded. “I’ll go start the tanning process. Be back after a bit.” He turned. “C’mon, Toby.”
Together they went out the door.
On a whim, Lenora stepped to the porch and watched the two—one tall, sandy-haired and blue-eyed and the other with dark brown hair and green eyes. Cole patted her boy on the shoulder and said something that only Toby could hear. They both laughed.
What a pair they made. The thought drew her up short—like father and son.
* * *
Cole tucked in the shirt Lenora had given him the night before. Had it once belonged to Amos? Though he felt a little odd taking her husband’s clothing, it solved the problem of his needing to wear something while she washed his things.
From the barn he watched as Lenora stood before a steaming cauldron, stirring the clothing in boiling water and soft soap with a large, wooden paddle. This was her second batch—the rest of the scrubbed items was already hanging on the line. Toby helped, staying close so she could direct him when she needed something.
Since they were busy, this would be the perfect time to scout around and see if he could find what Hackett missed. If Amos had dropped the money off at the ranch, Cole would be sure to find evidence.
He did a careful search of the barn. Keeping in mind that Amos was a master craftsman, Cole checked all surfaces in case of a false wall. He left Lenora’s shotgun where it was, but noted nothing unusual about the building.
What about the unfinished cabin across the yard? The one Toby said was for hired help?
When Lenora and her son weren’t looking, he sauntered to the building and stepped inside. Again, he took care to check the walls and floor. Nothing hidden there. Only the house remained. However, he couldn’t just saunter inside with Lenora and Toby nearby. Not without some reason anyway. Perhaps the direct approach was best.