Whispering Pines

by Scarlett Dunn

  “I already told her I am going to hang him.”

  Jack knew he was getting to the bottom of what was really on Morgan’s mind. “If it wasn’t for the small matter of hanging her brother, would you be interested in being husband material?”

  Morgan stared at him for a long time before he expelled a loud sigh. “I would have found a preacher before we ever got back to Whispering Pines.”

  Just as he suspected, Rose Langtry was what was really on Morgan’s mind. Jack thought he’d never see the day when Morgan would have his tail tied in a knot by a woman. Through the years, Jack had seen all the single women in town tempt Morgan with their flirtations and fine meals, but he had never taken the bait. Morgan was a man who had a lot to offer a woman. He was a hard worker with a beautiful ranch to show for it. And he was a man of integrity, a man who stood for something. After Jack took one look at Rose yesterday, he understood why his friend was smitten. No woman in town could compare to her beauty.

  Even though Morgan was in an untenable situation, Jack couldn’t help ribbing him just a little. “Seeing as how it couldn’t work out between you two, I guess I can ask Rose to dinner on occasion.”

  Morgan didn’t like the sound of that. He’d been told by some of the ladies that they considered Jack quite handsome. And he knew Jack received as many dinner invitations as he did. On the other hand, Rose would be getting a good man if Jack was really interested. At least, she’d have a man who could protect her, and that was important given Rose would always draw unwanted advances simply because she was beautiful.

  When Morgan didn’t respond, Jack said, “Morgan?”

  “Yeah, I guess you could invite her to dinner.”

  Jack was not expecting that response. “You know Granny said she thought Rose was perfect for you.”

  Morgan’s head snapped up. “What? She told you that? I hadn’t even seen Rose in five years, and when she left Whispering Pines she was a young girl.”

  “While Granny nursed me along, she talked to me about the girls. She said Rose was perfect for you, and Adelaide was meant for me. I just wonder if Adelaide turned out as pretty as Rose.”

  Morgan didn’t say it, but he didn’t think any woman would be as pretty as Rose. “The way you’re talking, you sound ready to get hitched.”

  “I’m not opposed to the idea. We aren’t getting any younger, and I’d like some boys. If you grew up like I did, then you’d understand what having a family of your own means.”

  Morgan remembered Jack telling him he’d spent time in an orphanage, and had never met his real family. His life in the orphanage hadn’t been an easy one. He was subjected to routine beatings for small infractions of the rules. At twelve years of age, he had decided there had to be a better way of life, so he ran away. He’d lived by his own wits from that day on. For Jack to have made something of himself, and become a lawman instead of an outlaw, was a tribute to his strong character. “You’d make a fine father.”

  “Thanks.” He waited a beat, then said, “I’d say it’d be a real pleasure to have kids with Rose.” Jack half expected Morgan to throw something at him for the way he was baiting him.

  That did it. Morgan jumped up and started pacing again. Morgan felt like pounding his friend’s face for even thinking of having kids with Rose. If Jack was thinking about that, then he knew what else he was thinking. “You got any whiskey in the place?”

  “Nope, I drank it all. For the pain.”

  “Dang it, Jack!”

  “You can run down to the saloon if you want a drink of whiskey that badly.”

  Morgan stalked to the stove and tossed some beans in Jack’s coffeepot. “You know it’s not that.”

  “Then what is it?” Jack was beginning to take pity on his friend.

  “This is driving me crazy.”

  Jack wanted to laugh. “What’s driving you crazy?”

  “Rose.”

  “Why don’t you compromise and bring Frank in if you’re all-fired set to go find him now? That way, Rose wouldn’t hold it against you when the judge sentences him to the gallows.”

  Morgan couldn’t say that alternative hadn’t entered his mind. But he’d lived his life by his code of right and wrong. Frank had been a thorn in his side for too long. “I just can’t do it, Jack. I made my mind up a long time ago what I was going to do to Frank if he ever harmed anyone I care about. Trying to kill Joseph was the last straw. I’m not changing now. He’s going to get what he deserves. I owe him for . . . well, let’s just say, I should have taken care of him before he shot Joseph. I don’t think Rose would think much better of me, knowing I had a hand in his demise one way or the other.”

  The coffee started bubbling and Morgan poured two cups. He decided to stop thinking about Rose once and for all because he was unwilling to change his mind about Frank. It was best that he just move on. He handed Jack a cup of coffee.

  Jack took a sip and said, “You make good coffee.”

  “I’ve had years of experience.” They sat in silence for a few minutes. Morgan’s mind kept drifting back to Rose, and Jack was giving him time to talk if he wanted. Seeing the pain etched on Morgan’s face, Jack didn’t have the heart to badger him further.

  Finally, Morgan asked, “Have you met the new preacher?” Morgan thought of Rose’s description of Clay Hunt. “Rose traveled with him, and she says he’s a wonderful man.”

  Jack thought he heard a hint of jealousy in Morgan’s voice, but he let that pass. “Yeah, he came here to meet me. Granny was here, so we had a nice talk. I like him.”

  “Yeah.” Morgan hated to admit it, but he liked him too. “His name seems familiar, but I’m certain I’ve never met him before.”

  “I’m not surprised his name is familiar; he used to be an outlaw.” Jack told him about Clay Hunt’s past, but he was convinced the man had changed, and was now the man of faith he claimed to be.

  Morgan agreed with Jack’s opinion. Clay seemed sincere in his beliefs. “He had a gun in his valise, but he told me he never carries one.”

  “I imagine he’d use it if necessary,” Jack said.

  Morgan’s thoughts seemed to be flitting all over the place, but somehow they all revolved around the Langtrys. “What’s going on with Stevie? Granny said she doesn’t see much of him. He told her he doesn’t plan on staying on the farm.”

  “I’m not sure. I haven’t seen him in a long time. Granny told me all he does is target practice. From what she said, he’s going to ride with Frank when he comes back.”

  Morgan hated to hear that news. He’d hoped one of the Langtry boys would turn out to be a good man like Preacher. “He thinks Frank is going to go free?”

  “Sounds like it. Granny said he’s not helping at all on the farm.”

  “I’m planning on doing some work over there tonight after dinner. It’s really run-down.”

  “I’m sure she’ll appreciate that. I think Granny is a lot more worried than she’s letting on. It seems like she’s come to terms with Frank’s fate, but she was hoping it wasn’t too late for Stevie.”

  * * *

  Morgan had tied Faithful to the back of the buckboard on the way to town, so he was happy to be back in the saddle again. He couldn’t remember a time in his entire life he’d gone so long without being on horseback. Riding Faithful felt like home to him. It seemed to him that he did his best thinking on horseback. He’d allowed plenty of time to ride to Granny’s, and it gave him time to think about finding Frank.

  After what Jack said about Stevie, Morgan wondered if Stevie knew where Frank and his gang were hiding out. Instead of riding on a wild-goose chase, it might prove to be a wiser course to follow Stevie and find out how he was spending his time. Granny said Stevie was often gone for days at a time. Stevie could be riding to Frank’s hideout to see if he’d made it back.

  Morgan was about to take the turnoff on the trail leading to the Langtry farm when he saw a man on horseback about a hundred feet off the trail to Denver. The man on the hors
e was talking to someone inside a buggy. As Morgan rode closer, he recognized the horse and rider. The very man he’d been thinking about: Stevie Langtry. Morgan rode slowly in their direction, and they were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn’t hear him approach.

  When Stevie realized someone was behind him, he drew his pistol and turned to point it at the rider. Immediately recognizing Morgan, he quickly holstered his weapon.

  “LeMasters,” Stevie said.

  Morgan thought Stevie’s target practice was paying off by the speed with which he drew his pistol. A pearl-handled pistol. “Problem?”

  “Nope. I was headed to the farm when I saw this gentleman stopped here. I thought maybe his horse threw a shoe. Turns out he was just out for a ride on a pretty day.”

  Morgan looked inside the buggy at the spectacled man wearing a bowler hat. He didn’t recognize him, so he said, “Morgan LeMasters.”

  The man smiled. “Pleasure. Well, I must be on my way. I’ll say good-day to you gentlemen.”

  As the man rode away, Morgan took note of the horse harnessed to the buggy. It was hot and lathered. The man had pushed him hard for some distance, certainly not out for a leisurely ride. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him before. Who is he?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before either. We were just passing the time.”

  Though Morgan couldn’t prove it, he didn’t think Stevie’s words rang true. The two of them were having a serious conversation. That pearl-handled pistol had his mind racing. Stevie was a little man, and he sounded younger than he was. No way, Morgan thought. Stevie wasn’t smart enough to pull off a robbery like that on his own. He couldn’t judge Stevie by his brother’s criminal ways. “You say you were headed to the farm?”

  “I figure I’ll get there just about suppertime.”

  “Looks like we are going the same way. Granny invited me to dinner.” From the sour look on Stevie’s face, Morgan didn’t think he was too pleased about the invite. That was just too bad. “Have you seen your sister?”

  “Not yet.”

  So Stevie wasn’t home last night. “She was in a nasty accident.”

  “Granny told me. I reckon she’s okay if she made it here.”

  Morgan didn’t care for Stevie’s callous tone. Stevie sounded as ruthless as Frank, and that made Morgan want to knock him off his horse. “She’s better now, but she still has a ways to go.”

  “So how did you end up bringing her home?”

  “I was with her and your brother when the accident happened. You haven’t seen your brother, have you?”

  “Nope. I expect he’s in Mexico by now.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Why should he hang around here in this no-nothing town? I don’t reckon he’s hankering to get hung.”

  Morgan had to give him credit. Not only was Stevie evasive, he was a pretty smooth liar. “I guess you know the sheriff was shot.”

  “That’s what Granny said. Guess he shouldn’t have gone in that canyon. I hear a lot of outlaws hide out in there.”

  “Maybe it’s time someone cleaned it out.” Morgan clicked Faithful into a full gallop. He couldn’t take more of Stevie’s attitude, or he might be inclined to follow through on his instincts and knock him off his horse. He figured that wouldn’t be a wise course if he didn’t want to be disinvited to dinner.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Dinner was an interesting affair with Morgan, Granny, and Rose conversing pleasantly, and Stevie sitting like a sullen child, not uttering a word. Even though Stevie hadn’t seen Rose in years, he’d had very little to say to her. Morgan was relieved when Stevie finished his dinner and left the table.

  “Granny, thank you for dinner. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much,” Morgan said.

  “It’s a pleasure to have you here,” Granny said. His pleasant company aside, Granny planned to make sure Rose and Morgan were together as much as possible until they figured out a way to work out their differences regarding Frank. “I know how much you like fried chicken. I hope you saved room for some of Rose’s cobbler. You were always partial to her blackberry cobblers, and she made one especially for you tonight.”

  Morgan looked at Rose and smiled. “Thank you. I always did like blackberry the best. But if it is okay with you, Rose, I’ll have a piece after I’ve done some work. I want to get some things done before it gets dark.”

  “Of course, but it’s not necessary that you do any work. I’m sure you’ve already had a full day. I’ll be able to help out in a few days.” Rose planned to speak with Stevie tonight to insist he do some work around the farm. She’d already made a list of things that needed to be done.

  “Rose is right, Morgan. You are our guest. I didn’t invite you here to make you work.”

  Morgan winked at Granny. “Granny, if I don’t work off some of this dinner, Faithful will refuse to carry me home. Besides, I want to be able to do justice to that cobbler.” He excused himself from the table and walked out the back door.

  The first thing he did was check on Faithful to make sure he was still grazing. Seeing his horse was enjoying himself, he headed to the stable to get some tools to repair the fence around Granny’s garden. After that, he planned to repair some boards on the stable that were barely hanging on. If he had time tonight, he planned to build Granny a handrail on her porch stairs. He’d noticed she had difficulty negotiating the steps without a rail.

  As soon as he entered the stable he saw Stevie’s horse. He hadn’t removed his saddle when he rode in. Morgan was tempted to go in the house and drag Stevie to the stable to care for his animal properly. The only reason he didn’t was because of Granny and Rose. Morgan removed the saddle and blanket from the horse, and grabbed a brush. The horse hadn’t been groomed in days, maybe even weeks. The poor animal had sores on his back from lack of care. Once Morgan brushed off the grime, he washed and applied ointment on his sores. Seeing the condition of the filthy stalls, Morgan led the horse outside, gave him some fresh water and let him graze with Faithful. He went back inside the stable and mucked out the four stalls. Since Frank was no longer at the farm, Morgan figured they only had the one horse, but at least all of the stalls would be clean. After spreading hay, and pumping fresh water for the stalls, he searched for some grain. The longer he worked, the angrier he became. Stevie was just like his big brother. He didn’t have a care for anyone or anything but himself. Morgan didn’t like the way Stevie spoke to Granny and Rose during dinner, but he didn’t think it was his place to say anything. If Stevie had been as rude at his dinner table, he’d set him straight in a second. And he couldn’t tolerate any man who would abuse an animal.

  Morgan was leaving the stable with a hammer and some nails to work on the fence when Stevie walked toward him. Stevie passed him without saying a word, so Morgan turned around and followed him back inside the stable.

  Stevie reached for his saddle, but Morgan slammed the hammer down so close to his hand that Stevie jerked away. “You’re not taking that horse out tonight.”

  “This ain’t your ranch, you don’t give orders around here,” Stevie said.

  “Maybe not, but you’re still not saddling that animal.” Morgan glared at him, almost hoping Stevie would take a swing at him, or draw that fancy pistol. “You’ve abused that animal and he needs rest.”

  “What I do with my horse ain’t none of your business,” Stevie snarled. With his sore arm, he was in no condition to fight Morgan. And even if he was, Morgan was a big man, and Stevie was smart enough to know he couldn’t take him in a fair fight. He’d never seen Morgan draw, but he’d heard he was fast. Still, Stevie was proud of his quick draw, and he told himself he could take Morgan.

  Morgan could see in Stevie’s eyes he was calculating his next move. Morgan correctly assumed Stevie was trying to figure out if he was faster. “If you are looking for something to do, there’s plenty of work that needs to be done around here. If you’re determined to leave, you can walk wherever y
ou are going. Your choice.” It came as no surprise to Morgan that Stevie decided to walk away. He walked toward the pine trees on the boundary of his ranch. Morgan didn’t think Stevie had a destination in mind, he was just trying to put some distance between them. When Stevie veered away from the pines, Morgan chuckled. Most people avoided the area, either because of firsthand experience with strange incidents they’d encountered, or because of the stories they’d heard. He wondered what Stevie heard in the pines.

  While Rose was washing the dishes, she saw Morgan lead Stevie’s horse from the stable. She’d noticed how good he was with animals, but she didn’t know why he was caring for Stevie’s horse. Then she saw Stevie walking toward the stable. “Do you think Stevie is going to help Morgan?”

  Granny looked out the window. “I hope so.”

  “He shouldn’t have let the place get so run-down.” Rose had been looking forward to seeing her brother, but he’d given her a cool reception tonight. She thought it may have been because Granny invited Morgan to dinner. Stevie knew his brother hated Morgan, so it was possible he felt disloyal, the same way she had felt initially. Judging by the few comments Stevie made tonight, he seemed to resent her for being gone for so many years. She felt as though she no longer knew her two brothers. “Stevie wasn’t happy to see me. He certainly didn’t like having Morgan to dinner, but that doesn’t give him the right to be rude.”

  “I know he didn’t want Morgan here. Don’t let it trouble you, honey. I don’t think anything makes Stevie happy.” Granny had tolerated his surly attitude for a long time. “Frank has filled Stevie’s head with lies about Morgan, but it is still my home, and I invite whom I please.” As soon as Morgan left tonight, Granny planned to have another talk with Stevie. No matter how much she loved him, she wouldn’t allow him to be rude to guests in their home.

  “Do you think Stevie will go to church tomorrow?”

  Granny shook her head. “He has no interest. I don’t even think he’s read his Bible in years.”