A Good Day To Kill

by Dusty Richards

  “You want breakfast before dawn?” Monica asked in her motherly manner.

  “I hate to bother you.”

  “Just tell me and I will have it ready.”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Now eat supper. The rest can wait.”

  He had a hard time holding down his laughter at her reaction. Bless her, she was the boss of the house. His wife might think she was the boss, but the fortyish Hispanic woman had command over the house and kitchen. He knew she always burned candles in the Catholic church for his safe return. Some time back, a widowed rancher had courted her, but his daughters made him break it off out of prejudice, he was sure, against a brown-skinned woman marrying their father.

  That man missed a lot. Monica was a treasure.

  He and Marge went to bed early. The baby’s nanny said she’d take him to her room and Marge could sleep for a full night.

  He went to bed holding Marge and, despite his concerns about things needed done the next day, he fell asleep.

  Before dawn he woke, dressed, and went downstairs. The aroma of Monica’s coffee in the air led him to the kitchen. She smiled at him.

  “Good morning.”

  “Yes, it is. I hope you can come in and enjoy the festivities tomorrow night.”

  “I will see.”

  “We would like you to join us. This man and his daughter have lived in a shack and had little business. When I saw his work, I knew he needed a shop and some help. His daughter is a treasure.”

  “He is on crutches?”

  “Yes. My agreement with him is for him to teach some ranch boys how to make saddles. They would be his apprentices and do the work he can’t handle.”

  Monica smiled. “I know your plans. Everyone on the ranch crew is excited.”

  “It will take time. But it can be a good thing, and everyone from close by is coming in for the party.”

  “If I can find a way—”

  “We have buckboards. A boy will be assigned to take you in and back.”

  “I would be a bother then.”

  “No, you wouldn’t. You’re part of this outfit.”

  “I will go in for it then.”

  “Good.”

  She smiled and then shook her head. “What would this empire do without you?”

  “Get bigger. Get better at making money.”

  He leaned back and sipped her coffee until she slid his platter of breakfast in front of him. With a nod of approval, he caught her wrist. “What would this house do without you?”

  “Hire a real cook.”

  “I need to find someone good to take Victor’s place. He’s going to be Sarge’s Segundo.”

  “He’s such a fine young man. They will miss his cooking.”

  “There’s a cook somewhere. But he needs to be tough, too. They make a cattle drive every month in heat and snow up there.”

  “You will find someone.”

  “Glad you have such trust in me.”

  “Your sister is up there at the Windmill, she won’t be able to come down here.”

  “They say Susie has had some scares.”

  “I know; we correspond. We have been blessed with so many babies and no real problems this far.”

  “I better eat. They’ll leave without me.”

  She laughed. “They are all like kids. Excited to be included in this fandango.”

  “I’ll speak to Raphael about your transportation.”

  He finished his food and soon joined the ones leaving. Jimenez brought him a saddled horse and smiled.

  “Good morning. Lots of things are happening.”

  “Oh, si, señor. They are really excited.”

  “Good.”

  He mounted, checked the horse they called Sam Brown, and started for the gate. Sam walked on eggs for a hundred feet, like he wanted an excuse to buck in the cooler morning. His mind-set at last changed, and he single-footed to keep up with the loaded wagons. Some were packed with excited women who waved, laughed, and talked nonstop to each other.

  He caught Raphael on his good horse in a few miles and they rode side by side. He told him about Monica wanting to go, and his man said it would be no problem. That cared for, they rode on making small talk and his foreman told him his plans. They didn’t need his directions to paint and get ready, so he stopped by Jenn’s and had coffee. The early morning café crowd was gone to work, so she slid in the booth.

  “How are things going?”

  “We’ll have a big time tomorrow.”

  “It’s a shame Cole and his wife are up at Oak Creek.”

  “They needed the time together.”

  “I agree. But they may come back for it.”

  “They may. Marge sent word up there to Robert as well, I’m sure.”

  “I better get to work. I am so glad you are doing this for those two. A lifesaver, that’s what you are.”

  “I better get up there. They may need a flunky.”

  She laughed. “Don’t work too hard. Your shoulder may go to hurting again.”

  He nodded and went outside, swung in the saddle, and rode over to the busy yard and house.

  Carpenters had the new room walled in and the siding was up and ready to paint. The two new windows were being installed. The contractor had found newspaper to roll up and put in between the two-by-four studs. It made good insulation, and then he planned to lath and plaster over it.

  “I may be next week getting it plastered.”

  “If that’s all you lack, don’t worry.”

  “Thanks, we’ve worked hard to get all the surfaces ready for your wife to paint tomorrow.”

  “That’s what counts.”

  “I want to tell you, I heard the story—why you are doing this, and I’m impressed with your generosity.”

  “No, I’m fortunate to be able to help him. I have several young men at the ranch that will learn the saddle making business under his tutelage. That will help them and help me.”

  Rhineheart shook his hand. “I also know what else you’ve done to hold down crime. If I can ever help, you call on me.”

  “Thanks. I will.” He slipped out of the house to give the workers better access.

  Raphael met him outside. “We are cooking. That John, the spit he made us for the pig is great. The steer will be good, but that pig he will be mucho bueno.”

  “I bet you’re right. Have fun doing this.”

  “Oh, we will all have fun.”

  He agreed. Things under good control, he rode back to the ranch.

  “Everything alright?” Monica asked.

  “You got a good Mexican in charge, no hay problema, huh?”

  “Yes, you crazy man. No problem.” She went off laughing.

  “What has her laughing?” Marge asked, getting up from the couch, holding the baby.

  “Not much, I’m picking on her.”

  “You two are a mess, but the laughter always sounds good.”

  “Hello, little man.” He peeked at Adam, enveloped in the folds of the blanket. “Great work we did, making him.”

  “It dang sure was fun, too.”

  He put his arm around her and kissed her cheek. “I need to catch up my reading in the older Miner newspapers.”

  “Fine, he’s getting sleepy for his nap.”

  “You over being sore?”

  “Pretty well. I’ll be fine. I’ve been spilled before.”

  “But you didn’t have a baby then, or me to worry about you.”

  “I know. I’ll be back to normal soon. You leaving for the north Sunday?”

  “Yes.”

  “I better not leave Adam. Maybe next spring I can go up there. I love Lucie and Reg.”

  “Don’t we all.”

  He began reading the newspapers. Sam Kincaid was suing William Kimes for alienation of affection with his wife, Connie Mae Kincaid. He was asking for a thousand dollars and her wedding ring back. Poor Sam must not want his wife back. John Chrisman was suing Able Carter for letting his hogs loose in Chris
man’s potato patch and ruining a crop valued at a thousand dollars. That would be a whole lot of spuds.

  Rufus Campbell wanted a lying horse thief named Carlos McClure to bring back his driving mare he swindled him out of. He offered a ten-dollar reward for McClure’s whereabouts.

  The sheriff’s office had arrested several men for public intoxication. One Lighty Mae was arrested for indecent exposure of her body to a policeman. She had been arrested and fined two dollars and was told by municipal judge Simmons to not come back in his court again. He fined her a dollar more for contempt after her yelling at him, “You dumbbell, he brought me here. I’d never come here on my own, stupid.”

  Chet, amused by the whole thing, decided his problems were small compared to dealing with others.

  Saturday morning started with the sunrise. He was already up checking on things. Jimenez was preparing to drive Monica to the fandango after lunch and bring her back home. Raphael’s guards loafed at the barn and welcomed him.

  “It’s a shame someone has to stay at home,” he said to them.

  “No, señor. This place is all of our jobs. No one needs to damage it. We are pleased to sit around today and keep an eye on things.”

  The others nodded their agreement.

  Raphael had really explained the problem to them. “I thank you, and I will dance some for you.”

  “Oh, good, señor.”

  “I guess I’ll need a team and buckboard in a few hours.”

  “We will have it ready.”

  “Gracias.” He went back to the kitchen.

  “This place is nearly abandoned,” Monica said.

  “Most of the crew is in town cooking, painting, and getting ready.”

  “I know that. They were excited about their chance to show off to you and also have a good time.”

  “That was my plan. Have some fun, and show folks in town we’re part of the community.”

  “Good idea. I know the ranch people are proud.”

  Monica had his breakfast ready and Marge joined him.

  “Nice to have you here,” Marge said.

  “Nice to be here.” He laid his palm on top of her hand. “They’ll have a buckboard ready when you are.”

  “I won’t be long.”

  “No rush. Things are in good hands in town.”

  It was midafternoon when they drove into town. The paint Marge had picked out had already been applied, and she looked in wonder at it. One of the ranch hands took their buckboard and parked it. He and Marge strolled the very busy grounds. Sawhorse-supported board tables were set up. Smoke from the cooking fires swept his nose, and he winked at Marge who shook her head. “He has it all painted,” she said.

  “That’s his way. Things are moving along. They’ve got water barrels set up to get a drink.”

  Raphael joined them, taking his sombrero off for her. “The beer is cold. We ended up with kegs. The man at the Palace said it would cheaper and we have a pump and it is covered in ice. When we run out, they can drink coffee or water. We have lots of frijoles cooked, the women will make tortillas and biscuits in the Dutch ovens. So many are coming, I hope that some will bring their own plates. We have a lot of them, but otherwise we will wash them to feed someone else, huh?”

  “That’s all we can do. You have it planned well.”

  “Thank you. When we get started eating, we will make peach pie in the Dutch ovens. The women have the peaches ready. Leroy sent us plenty.”

  “That sounds good.”

  “Next year, we could grow about ten acres of frijoles at our ranch. There is enough water in that one windmill to water it. And have them for all the ranches, huh?”

  “You’re in charge, amigo.”

  “Gracias. Some of the men and women thought about that. Leroy is growing lots of our food. We can do that for the rest of the outfits.”

  When they were alone, Marge said, “He’s a real foreman.”

  “A real good one. Nothing those men of his can’t do and do it right.”

  Lupe, one of the men’s wives, brought some roasted beef over for them to taste. Chet took a piece off the plate with his fingers. In his mouth, the saliva flowed. He nodded and chewed. “Wonderful.”

  “They said you needed the first bite.”

  “You tell them I hated it.”

  “I should do that?”

  “Then tell them I said it was so good I wanted it all for myself.”

  She left them the plate and, skirt in hand and laughing, she went back.

  “We are going to have lots of company tonight,” Marge said. “They look prepared for all of it.”

  “No problem.”

  “Raphael has a shade up and chairs for the ladies. If you, or anyone else, gets tired, go over there.”

  “I may do that until folks arrive,” she said.

  “Good.”

  Hampt, May, and the new baby, Miles, arrived with the three bigger kids on their horses. The boys gathered their smaller sister and came on the run.

  “Uncle Chet, we sure appreciate today.”

  “What for?” he asked the youngest one.

  “So we can get to make some new friends.”

  “That’s a powerful idea. How are things at the ranch?”

  “Going good,” the oldest spoke up, and about then Hampt showed up.

  “Marge took May and the baby over in the shade. You can see him later. Where’s McCully?” Hampt asked.

  “I think Petal will bring him. Raphael has him fixed up with a tame horse and buggy.”

  “Good. My cowboys are coming. We left Troy to watch the place. Damn shame you have to leave anyone out, but times have sure changed. Used to be no one bothered a thing wasn’t theirs. Today, they’d rob you blind.”

  Chet shrugged. “Different times and different folks. Lots of desperate people are out prowling for something to rob.”

  “A good sheriff would have them kind moved on.”

  Chet nodded.

  “My Bailey mare had a colt out of your yellar stud this week. Boy, he is a proud looking devil.”

  “What color?”

  “I think he’ll be a buckskin.”

  “Good luck. We’ll have some more on the Verde after the first of the year.”

  “I’ll take her down there on the tenth day and see if I can get her bred back.”

  “It works a lot of the time.”

  “Man, he sure gets powerful colts.”

  About then, Chet got busy meeting others arriving and the party getting under way. Tom, Millie, and their kids arrived. Chet sent her to the tent shade, and Tom joined him and Hampt. Then Roamer’s wife and kids came.

  Hampt shook his head. “Things are really going on here, Chet Byrnes style. Raphael has handled things well. He’s a good man and sincere about everything.”

  “Yes, I know. When he turns his men loose on raiders, you can bet they won’t come back.”

  “He’s a damn good man to have on our side,” Hampt said, then wandered off.

  Bo Evans drove up in a buggy with a handsome woman seated beside him. Chet didn’t know her, but supposed it was the lady friend Bo had mentioned. Bo reined up.

  “Shelly Newcum, I want you to meet the man that put me to work.”

  Chet shed his hat. “Shelly, nice to meet you.”

  “I’ve heard so much about you. I’m so glad you are having this party.”

  “This is Tom, my ranch foreman. My wife, Marge, is over under that shade. I’m certain she would like to meet you, too.”

  “Nice to meet you, sir. I’ll find her.”

  “Have a good time, both of you.”

  “We will,” Bo said, and they drove on.

  He turned to Tom. “You know her?”

  “No, but she’s sure a looker.”

  “Leave it to Bo to find her. Maybe someone knows something. I bet Marge finds out.”

  Tom shook his head. “I believe she must have recently moved here, or else I’d have noticed her before today.”

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p; “I agree. He could meet anyone, out looking for property. I want to talk to the crew here and thank them. They’ve been working hard since yesterday.”

  “I’ll go find Hampt and see what he’s up to.”

  “See you later.”

  He hugged a few ranch women, all busy working. Several he knew by their name and they laughed at his attention.

  “You all making it okay?”

  “Si, señor,” Lupe said. “It is a wonderful thing. We are having fun.” Then she used her apron to dry her wet face. She came out of it smiling. “We love it.”

  He patted her on the shoulder. “Oh, Lupe, maybe you lie a little.”

  “No. No,” she protested. “This is not work. We are proud to work for you and have fun, too.”

  The banker and his wife arrived. Several of the ranch cowboys rode in. Ben from the mercantile and his wife, Kathrin, came. The liveryman, Frey, and his wife Gloria, and several town folks. A couple of drunk cowboys showed up, and some of Hampt’s hands showed them where to leave and not come back. The Quarter Circle Verde bunch backed them. There was music all the time and the food was eaten as soon as it was ready. About the time the McCullys arrived, Chinese lanterns were lit.

  Chet introduced them and everyone gave them a round of applause. Tears streamed down the old man’s face as he stood on his crutches and shook his head.

  “Petal and I came up here yesterday and I saw this house. Now you have it all painted. In a week, I’ll be set up to fix and make harnesses and then build saddles. Me and Petal thank Chet and Marge Byrnes for all they have done for both of us. Have fun tonight, and God bless you all.”

  Chet showed him to a bench at a table and sent Petal to get him some food. He clapped him on the back and told him, “It’s all going to be okay.”

  “I know it will now. Thanks to you.”

  Chet got a plate and took it to stand by Marge’s chair. He refused a chair offer and asked if she’d eaten.

  “I have, with May. Bo brought by his lady friend, Shelly Newcum. She’s new here. Very nice lady. A widow woman.”

  “Tom and I met her earlier.”

  “She must have money.”

  “Must.” He was busy eating beans with a flour tortilla for a scoop and using his jackknife to stab the beef and eating off it. “You worn out?”

  “It has been a busy day. Our help sure painted all of the house, inside and out. I saw McCully made it and his daughter brought him.”