Brides of the West-Part One

by Hestand, Rita

  David stood erect now and let the tensions drain from him, and nodded. "You know…this means Callie could be in a lot of trouble. More than any of us suspected. We need to get word to Gil."

  "Yeah…but it sure isn't pleasant news. They don't even know Mrs. Boggs died, much less all this. And if they could kill Sally, they could kill Callie too." Saul looked worried again

  "Goodbye Sally…see ya in heaven." David murmured and rushed his horse out of the yard.

  Chapter Fourteen

  It was dark when they rode into town, but the light was on in the Sheriff's office and Saul and David went in.

  Lou was talking to Walter trying to find out what had been going on.

  "No one told me anything." Walter began hesitantly.

  "We can tell you…" David said aloud as they came inside.

  "Sit down boys. I'll be glad to listen." Lou nodded to Walter. "Thanks Walter and goodnight."

  "Sure thing." Walter nodded to the boys and left.

  "Okay first we gotta know if Sam got the money to you?" Saul asked.

  "Sam…why no, what money? What are you talking about?" Lou looked perplexed.

  "The bank money. We know who robbed the bank, all of us. Callie, Sam, Gil, and me and David." Saul explained.

  "Boggs?" Lou narrowed his gaze on them.

  "Yeah. But there's a lot more to tell you." Saul went on. "First of all, Mrs. Boggs is dead. She died from the consumption. Mr. Boggs was the ringleader of the gang. The one none of us could figure out who it was."

  "No kidding?" Lou's eyes rounded on them. "Well go on, I can tell you got a lot to fill me in on."

  "Mrs. Boggs had asked for Callie before she died. Callie didn't want to go back out there, but she knew Joe had robbed the bank. She was scared, but she couldn't let Mrs. Boggs die alone in that house. So she went. Mrs. Boggs told her where the money was. She asked Callie to go get it and see that it was returned to the bank."

  "Of course, that was sweet of Virginia. It's like her to die good like that. Trying to save her family."

  "It was her dying wish. And Callie promised."

  "Sam was with Callie. Callie sent Sam into town to get Gil to meet him at the old Dugan mine. That's where they hid the money. Mrs. Boggs had heard that much herself."

  "The Dugan mine. That's a good spot to do it, that mine has been closed off for years." Lou nodded.

  " Right. Sam came to town, but we didn't know you weren't here. We thought he'd turned it over to you. And you haven't seen him?"

  "No…I wonder where he is?" Lou looked about, fretting. "That kid could be in real danger if they find out he's got the money."

  "Where do you think he would go?" Saul asked Lou.

  "He'd come here like Callie told him to. But I don't think he trusts Walter too much. I don't think he'd give it to him."

  "Who would he trust?" Saul asked.

  Lou scratched his chin. "Sam's a clever kid. He'd think on that, but fast. I think he'd take it straight to the bank, himself. If I weren't here." Lou nodded. "I'd bet on it."

  "David, check with Mr. Phelps and see if he knows anything. Hurry. If Sam is with him, bring him here."

  "Okay. I won't be long." David ran out the door.

  "Go on, finish the story." Lou prodded.

  "Okay, old man Boggs was going to take all the money and run out on the boys, until Gil and Sam got to the mine. Gil had to shoot him. He gave Sam the money to bring to town."

  "That was good thinking." Lou nodded. "No one would ever suspicion Sam."

  "His intention was to send Callie home, but someone was coming, so he took Callie with him in the wagon to his place."

  "Yeah, northwest of here. Sure."

  "That's right. We got them some food and clothes and they went up to the old line shack in the hills to hide out. We suppose they are still there." Saul said.

  "That's a good place, not many know about that place." Lou agreed. "Just a few cowpokes."

  "But Lou, that's not all to the story."

  Lou braced himself. "I was afraid there might be more. The look on your brother's face when he came in told me that. What happened?"

  "Gil didn't have time to bury Mr. Boggs, so he shoved him in a dark corner in the mine. Joe must have not discovered him until the next day. When he did, he had to assume that Mr. Dugan had killed Boggs for trespassing and took the money with him."

  "What? That stupid idiot has no mind. Dugan doesn't need that money…then what happened?"

  "We told Gil what we knew, and he wanted us to check on Dugan and warn him then get back with you on where he was and what the situation was."

  "So now Dugan's in trouble and so is Callie and Gil?" Lou touched the back of his head and shook himself.

  "No…not exactly. Joe suspicioned Dugan and went after him. We got there too late. He killed Dugan, his daughter and the foreman. We found them. Gil doesn't know about this, but it looks bad for him and Callie now, even Sam."

  "Well, I'll take care of Sam alright, me and Jo. I'll probably have her hide him out, they wouldn't think of checking there. You headed to see Gil?"

  "Yeah…I gotta tell him and Callie about all this."

  "I don't envy that job. Well, tell me, do you know for sure where Joe is?"

  "By now he knows it isn't Dugan…and he's probably after Callie. Callie was taking care of his Ma the day they robbed the bank. She heard what happened. They know it. They buried his mom today, so whatever happened after is all the head start they got on us. Problem is I need to know how to get to the cabin without being spotted, because if they spot me, they'll know what's going on."

  Lou shook his head. "I can't believe all this. It's a nightmare. And what Joe doesn't know is that it is a bigger nightmare than he could imagine."

  "What do you mean?" Saul asked.

  "Dugan was his real father."

  Saul's mouth dropped open. "Dugan?"

  "Yeah, only a few people in this town know that. Joe never knew it. Virginia came to me when Dugan refused to honor their engagement. She was already pregnant. She was hysterical and didn't know where to turn. I gave her some real bad advice that day. She wanted my advice. Which…turned out it was some sorry advice. I told her to find a husband fast. She did. Boggs."

  "And Joe don't even know he killed his father?"

  "Nope, and his sister."

  "My God, what a mess this is." Saul slumped in the chair.

  "Look, I'll draw you a map how to get to the line shack the long way around, it might take you an extra day or two to get there, but at least no one will see you from this direction."

  "That would be great." Saul looked relieved. "Look, don't say too much about Sally in front of David, he was in love with her, and he saw her…."

  "Oh my God. I'm so sorry. I should never have left town, but my own mother was ailing. I had to check on her. I got back as soon as I could."

  "No one's to blame. Just get Joe and his gang put away as fast as you can."

  "He's probably looking for Callie now." Lou seemed to be figuring.

  "Relax Lou, it's dark, he won't go after her now, and if he is anywhere, it's her cabin." Saul said.

  "Then that's where I will start. Tonight…after I see to Sam."

  Saul nodded. "Want us to go with you?"

  "If you'd like, I'd enjoy the company." Lou smiled sadly. "You know, up until now, Joe was just a kid with a gang. Now…he's got armed robbery and murder hanging over his head, and when a guy like him gets cornered, he's like a rabid animal.

  David walked in with Sam and Precious.

  "Lou," Sam yelled and ran up to him. "I'm sure glad to see you."

  "You have had some time lately, haven't you?"

  "Yes sir. I'm sorry I didn't trust Walter enough." Sam apologized.

  "That's okay; sometimes I don't trust him either. Now, the money is returned?" Lou asked.

  "Yes sir, I gave it to Mr. Phelps." Sam answered.

  "Did he count it?"

  "Yes sir, in front of me. Said he
would deposit it. I'm been staying at his house. Do you want me to go back there or is my sister back yet?" Sam asked anxious to hear something.

  "No son, she's not back yet. Gil is with her and taking good care of her. But you young man will need to come with me. Boys, if you'll wait here, I'll be back in about an hour. There's some home-made vegetable soup on the stove back in the back if you want some and coffee too."

  "Thanks Lou, we'll be here." David smiled.

  ~*~

  Lou knocked on Jo's door that evening with Sam by his side. "Precious, you're going to have to learn to camp here for a while."

  "Lou…Sam, what are you two doing here?" Jo let them in. "Precious," she nodded to the dog. "Aw…come on in."

  "We got some trouble Jo and I need someone I can trust to take care of Sam and hide him out until I return or his sister does one." Lou explained.

  Jo's face turned white. However, because of Sam, she didn't ask any questions. "Alright, Sam I have an extra room, it's yours as long as you need it."

  Sam was familiar with Jo and not shy. "Can I work in the back of the café during the day?" He asked. "I want to earn my keep while I'm here."

  "Work? You are asking me for work? Why honey, I haven't met a more ambitious man than you. You are going to be a rich man someday. Of course you can. You ever washed dishes?" Jo laughed.

  "Sure, nothing to it." Sam smiled.

  "Oh we are going to be great buddies, I can see that now. Let me show him to the room and I'll be right back. You look a little tired." Jo studied the boy for a moment.

  "I miss my sister. We haven't been apart much." Sam shrugged. "It feels strange, her not being around."

  "I can understand that, but don't you worry. I'm sure things will be fine and you'll see her soon. Meanwhile you are gonna learn the business." She chuckled.

  "Great, I'm good at math too." He offered.

  "Are you now? Well, that might be invaluable to me." Jo showed him the room. It was plain, but Sam seemed to like it. He sat on the bed. "I already had a bath over at Mr. Phelps house. His wife thinks fellas should have a bath twice a day. So I'm squeaky clean."

  Jo laughed. "Well, you won't hear that from me. Just once a week will do. Now there are clean sheets on the bed, and there are books on the shelf if you like to read."

  Precious was at the door, looking forlorn and lost.

  "Okay boy, you cuddle up in here with Sam. And don't be getting into anything or I'll put you out myself."

  "Books, great. Thanks Miss Jo. Thanks a lot."

  "Your welcome son…you certainly are. Let me know if you need anything. My room is right across the hall. I'll be going to bed as soon as Lou leaves."

  "Thanks. I may read a while, then go to sleep. What time do you get up?"

  "Oh four-thirty or five. But you don’t have to get up that early."

  "I don't mind, but you might have to wake me. I want to see how you do things, it's interesting." Sam smiled at her.

  "You charmer. Get some rest. See you in the morning."

  Precious curled up at the side of the bed and laid his head on his paws.

  "Night." Sam called.

  ~*~

  Jo returned to the parlor where she left Lou. Lou was munching on some nuts she had in a bowl on the little table.

  "So what is going on?" She asked. "This must be serious."

  "It is. And I'm afraid Sam is in as much danger as his sister. So keep him well hid."

  "Danger from whom?"

  "Joe Boggs and his gang. They robbed the bank."

  Jo's mouth flew open. "But…how does this involve Callie and Sam. They weren't involved were they?"

  "No…but Callie heard a lot of what went on there. You know she visited Mrs. Boggs all the time. She knew they robbed the bank, actually, Mr. Boggs was the leader."

  "No kidding?" Jo shook her head in disbelief. "That explains the older man. But who would have thought he'd be sober enough to do something like that."

  "Honey, Mrs. Boggs is dead."

  "I heard about that. I didn't go to the funeral I was running the café, and couldn't leave." Jo explained.

  Lou put a hand on her lap. "Don't fret about that. Mr. Boggs is dead too."

  "Oh my goodness…"

  "He was trying to run out on Joe and his gang." Lou explained.

  Lou related the whole story to Jo and her face turned white with fear. "My God, is Callie in a safe place?"

  "Thanks to Gil. And now Sam is too."

  "Oh God…Lou…Mr. Dugan…didn't Joe know?"

  "Nope, hadn't a clue…"

  "His own father?"

  "Virginia preferred it that way since Dugan wouldn't do the honorable thing and marry her. It's the only selfish thing she ever did. And I don't much blame her."

  "And poor little Sally…such a sweet little thing." Jo cried.

  "I've got to try to catch Joe, but I got a get a posse up soon there are four of them, and I want every one of them in my jail, as soon as possible. I want to see their hanging personally."

  "Does Sam know all of this?" Jo asked with concern.

  "Not all of it. Not about Dugan and Sally. He was there when Mr. Boggs was killed. But Gil and Callie were with him then. I'd appreciate you not saying any more. I don't want him to worry about Callie any more than he is now. He's a great kid, to take on the responsibility of returning that money especially when I was gone." Lou shook his head. "He is a brave young man."

  "Exactly, I think this puts him in the category of being a young man, not a kid."

  Lou nodded sadly.

  "Will you be alright?"

  "You betcha. I've got lots of friends to help me out. You just take care of yourself." She looked at him with worry in her eyes.

  "I will…you said you'd marry me, if I put my guns away. Well, when this is over…I'll put them away for good. If you'll have me?"

  Jo jumped up, grabbed him, pulled him up in her arms, and kissed him silly.

  "You really mean it, Lou?" She gasped.

  "I sure do. And you can keep me fat and sassy the rest of my life." He kissed her now and then she walked him slowly to the door.

  "Be careful…"

  "Don't you fret. I will. I still got a lot of livin' to look forward to, don't I?"

  "You bet." She closed the door and leaned on it while tears came to her eyes. Joy and sadness filled her heart.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Saul, David, and Lou headed out to Callie's place. From the looks of it, someone had already been there. That someone was Joe, and maybe the others with him, Lou decided grimly as he watched the front door open with the wind.

  They knew this because the door to the cabin was wide open.

  They all three pulled their guns, even though it looked as though Joe was gone, they couldn't be sure of it.

  As they walked in, they shook their head. There was little to save, the house had been ransacked. The beds were ruined, feathers everywhere. The kitchen stuff all scattered on the floor with broken dishes. What little Callie and Sam had was gone. The curtains Gil had told Lou about now lay in a mess on the bed by the window. The flowers she had on the table were on the floor, and the table was broken. The screen door was half on half off.

  As they walked outside, they all took a deep breath. "The poor kids. They didn't have much to start with, now this…" Lou shook his head in dismay.

  "Let's check out the barn." Saul pointed.

  "But as they went to the barn, the smell of death was there too. A horse lay dead in the stall, blood all over the barn floor.

  "I never expected Joe to sink so low." Emotion filled Lou's voice.

  "Where do we go from here, Lou?" David asked.

  Lou stared at them for a moment. "You boys looking to get involved in this?"

  "Yes sir," they both answered at the same time without hesitation. "I'd say we're already involved."

  Lou smiled sadly. "Hard Knocks has gone a long time without any trouble. Now this. We all knew Joe was headed for trouble. I g
uess Callie probably tried more than any of us, and she couldn't change him. Now her life is at risk, and so is Sam's. And Gil's. If they find them at the line shack, they won't survive it alone. I can tell you that. What we need to do is get a posse together. I don't know if there is time to get word to Gil or not. I'm not even sure we should. He's got his hands full now. If he knew everything, Callie might fall apart on him. You know he's sweet on her, don't you?"

  "We kinda thought that, yeah." Saul smiled.

  "If he don't marry that girl when we get back, I'll have to have a serious talk with him. Her reputation will be mud around Hard Knocks if he doesn't."

  "I think he's got that in mind, already. He just doesn't know how to tell her." David said.

  "Alright boys. Let's get some sleep tonight and tomorrow we'll head out."

  "Sounds good, but can we stay at the jail tonight. It's a long ride into town and it would save us some time."

  "Sure, that would be fine if you don't mind a jail bed." Lou laughed.

  "We don't mind." Saul laughed.

  "Was Sam okay with staying with Jo for a while?" David asked.

  "Yeah, he likes the idea, says he can learn the business." Lou laughed.

  "We're definitely going to have to get him out to the ranch to help us, then…" Saul laughed.

  "If we get them back here in one piece, we're going to have to find them somewhere to live…" Lou fretted.

  Saul shook his head. "I don't think we have to worry about that. Maybe we should concentrate on finishing my brother's place that should take care of all their problems." Saul winked at them.

  They laughed.

  "Let's get back to town." Lou smiled.

  ~*~

  Meanwhile Gil and Callie had developed a routine to some degree, and Gil couldn't help but wonder if Callie realized how easily she managed to live normally around him without the slightest effort.

  He knew exactly what he wanted now, but now wasn't the time to tell her. He had to get her through this first, and then he could think about their relationship.