Follow The Wind

by Janelle Taylor

  By the time he returned, Jessie knew she would be showing. It would then become impossible to forget she was pregnant with Navarro’s child. She feared how Matt would react. She wanted him to have her now. She wanted him to know she belonged to him. She also felt it would make the baby seem more like his. How could it if they’d never made love? How could he want her so much and hold off taking her?

  Matt interrupted her obvious worrying. “We’ll ride most of the night. We can catch a nap in camp tomorrow while the boys finish up. Don’t work too hard or take any risks while I’m gone,” he said as he took her hand and walked to the door. He had to leave before she became even more tempting.

  Jessie knew she couldn’t stall him. “Be careful, Matt. You know there are all kinds of dangers on the trail: Indians, rustlers, stampedes…”

  “I’ll be home by Thanksgiving.” He looked Jessie over and smiled. “The chuckwagons pulled out this morning. They’ll load up and join us at Fort Stockton.”

  “Don’t you go visiting those naughty saloons in Dodge, Mr. Cordell. You’re a married man now. You need a ring to show my claim on you, like yours on me.”

  “This lasso around my heart is strong and tight enough to hold me true.”

  Jessie shook her finger at him and jested, “You try loosening it any to play around and I’ll treat you like a male calf at spring branding.”

  “Ouch!” he yelped and grimaced playfully. “I best shout for Miguel and hightail it before you try something foolish, woman.”

  “That was sweet of you to bring him along. I think he and Annie have picked up that love chigger you mentioned to Tom.”

  “I think you’re right. I’m glad.”

  “Me, too. Everybody should be in love.”

  “Yep.” Matt kissed her, took a last look, and left. He and Miguel rode off with Jessie and Annie watching their retreat until they were out of sight.

  “Well, Annie,” Jessie said with a sigh, “it’ll be a long and lonely wait for them.”

  A week later, Jessie was answering Annie’s questions about the long drive to Dodge City. “There’s about ten thousand steers, two hundred horses, two chuckwagons and cooks, and over sixty men. They spread out for miles across the terrain, Annie; you can’t let them bump horns and hooves. It’s an awesome sight. But it’s loud, dusty, and tiring. At times, the journey seems endless. It’s eighteen-hour days and short, chilly nights. By the time you make camp, you swallow your grub and hot coffee, then fall onto your bedroll, to start it all again in a few hours. They won’t be back for two and a half to three months.”

  “It takes that long?” Annie murmured.

  “I’m afraid so. They have to cross dangerous rivers and harsh country. In the Oklahoma Territory, you have to pay Indians to keep them from scaring off stock just so they can charge you to round them up again. White men try to pull that same trick sometimes. Storms or thirst can spark a herd into stampedes along the way. If you don’t stop them fast, the steers can be injured, lose valuable weight, or get killed. A few times, we had trouble with irate farmers and other ranchers not wanting us to cross their land. If you’re used to stopping for water and grazing there and have to circle a wide path, it can be bad. Of course, I can’t blame them; several large herds during a season can do a lot of eating and trampling. And you always have rustlers trying to pick off a thousand or two. It’s exciting, Annie, but exhausting and hazardous.” Jessie took a deep breath. “Mercy, it’s a slow pace. You almost get rocked to sleep in the saddle, unless you’re one of the drag riders responsible for strays and sluggards. Then you eat dust and stay busy.”

  “You’ve been with them?”

  Jessie grinned. “Many times. Papa was teaching me what I needed to know to take over for him one day.”

  “But you’re such a…I was going to say ‘delicate woman,’ but you aren’t.”

  “I was raised as Jed’s son, as one of the boys. Papa and the hands always forgot I was a girl. Sometimes they said and did things they shouldn’t because they were so used to having me around.” Jessie laughed.

  “How could they forget? You’re so beautiful and feminine.”

  “In boy’s clothes, a pigtail, and dirty face, I looked the role I had to play.”

  “Had to play?”

  Jessie exhaled loudly in the ensuing silence. “I was Papa’s heir. I grew up on our ranch doing anything and everything the hands do. Until this year, I almost forgot I was a woman. I opened everyone’s eyes when I started wearing girl’s clothes, leaving my hair down, and acting like a lady.”

  “Because of Matt—and love?” Annie hinted with a smile.

  “Yes, because of love. It’s surprising how first love affects a female.”

  “I’m learning that more and more every day. When you’ve been independent like me and you, it’s scary seeing how much you can lean on another person, how much you want them to share everything with you.”

  Jessie nodded and agreed. She left the painful area of first love by saying, “We’ll be safe while the men are gone. Matt left plenty of hands for chores and protection. And we won’t have wasted milk; they took two cows with them. But we’d better get busy with the hands’ supper before they’re moody with hunger.”

  The following Tuesday, Jessie dropped a bottle of cologne. It struck the shelf in her private water closet and shattered. Fragrant liquid and glass shot in all directions. “Tarnation,” she muttered.

  With caution, she gathered the broken pieces. She poured water from a pitcher into a basin and set it on the floor. She wiped up the cologne, then removed the items in the cabinet and placed them atop it. With a bathing cloth, she worked to clean up the mess. As she leaned inside to reach the back and corners, she noticed a packet tucked beneath a support board.

  Jessie tossed the cloth into the basin. She worked the packet free from its snug and secret hiding place and leaned against the wall and opened it. She withdrew a map, several papers, and a few letters. Unfolding the map first, she gazed at it.

  Jessie’s eyes widened in confusion, then narrowed in understanding and anger. The map revealed a proposed rail line right through the Lane ranch, past Fort Leaton, and into Mexico. There was a spur to Fort Davis that traveled onward to Fort Quitman and El Paso, and a spur into the Chinati Mountains that were southwest of them. She saw an X marked in the last area. She read the papers. One related the profitability of shipping cattle and supplies to the posts and across the border, and of transporting Mexican precious metals and goods into America. The other exposed that rich silver mines in the Chinati region were owned by the Fletchers! Now she knew why Wilbur Fletcher had craved the Box L Ranch. His motive had been greed, as his railroad and mine could earn him enormous wealth and power. The Lane property was the best route because of easy terrain and ample water and wood for the engines, and proposed stops were marked on the map.

  Jessie studied the map and papers. No company names were listed so she assumed it was a private venture by the Fletchers. That was a relief, else any partners might try to finish what Wilbur had failed to accomplish. Worry nipped at her as she realized Fletcher could have accomplices somewhere, waiting until the Lanes were lulled into complacency before starting new attacks. With Matt and most of the hands away for months, she prayed that wasn’t true.

  Jessie opened the letters to read them, seeking clues as to any future threat. They were from his brothers back East. Dread filled the redhead as she realized they had been in on the plot.

  Mary Louise was there now. Jessie had written her late last month to tell her about her marriage to Mathew Cordell, the fire, and their move here. She had mentioned they were in the midst of broncbusting, and that the men were leaving soon for roundup and market. The blonde must have received it about the time Matt left for Dodge. Had her sister shared that news with Fletcher’s wicked brothers? If Mary Louise had responded immediately, a letter could arrive with the twice-monthly mail this Saturday.

  Jessie wondered how the Fletcher men had taken the
news of their brother’s marriage, his death, then his widow’s arrival to claim her husband’s possessions from them. Jessie owned this entire area now, so what destructive action could they take against her? With this evidence in her grasp, they had better not try anything! Yet she had little help and protection available with the others gone, and Mary Louise might have told them she’d be vulnerable now. It would be wise to warn the remaining hands to stay alert, and she would do so today. If nothing more, the villains might want to make certain any evidence against them was destroyed.

  Jessie asked herself if she should write Mary Louise again and warn her sister about the Fletchers. No, she decided, as the men might get their hands on the revealing letter and harm Mary Louise. It was best to keep this evidence a secret in case she needed it to stop the Fletchers. She needed to find a good hiding place for it. She also needed to alert Sheriff Toby Cooper of possible danger and a need of assistance. She would send one of the men in the morning. She must do all in her power to prevent another siege.

  “I wish you were here, Navarro. I’m scared, and I might need your help again,” she murmured to herself.

  The moment she spoke these words, Jessie grimaced. She prayed he wouldn’t return. She couldn’t work with him again; it was too dangerous for him and for them, particularly with her husband away for so long.

  Jessie met with their new foreman Rusty Jones when he returned from the range. She showed him the papers, map, and letters. “This could be big trouble, Rusty. I want you to take this evidence to the line shack and conceal it under the floor. Then I want you to ride into Davis and explain matters to Sheriff Cooper. Bring him to the old house. I’ll meet him there and go over the situation. I don’t want Gran, Tom, and Annie to know about this. I don’t want them to worry. I trust you, Rusty, so I need you to handle it personally. Put the men on alert, but tell them to keep quiet. At least Matt took all of Fletcher’s old hands with him, so we don’t have to worry about traitors if his brothers should arrive. I want this information safe. After that trick Fletcher pulled with the bankers, I don’t dare risk letting them lock them up for me. Hopefully I’ll get a letter from Mary Louise this week.”

  Jessie told Rusty about the letter she’d sent to her sister. “By now they all know what’s happened here. Hopefully they won’t take over where Fletcher failed.”

  “If they do, Jessie, we’ll be waiting for ’em. I got a notion they won’t try anything soon. They won’t know how many men Matt left behind to guard the place. Let’s take every precaution we can. We don’t want ’em trying to force this proof out of your hands. You women best stay close to the house. Be ready to lock ’er up and have guns nearby. I’ll keep one of the men around all day and I’ll leave at first light. After I hide this packet on the way, I’ll ride into town. Me and Toby should be back Thursday afternoon afore three.”

  “I’ll be waiting over there for you. Be careful, Rusty.”

  Jessie was apprehensive for two nights and the next day. She managed to conceal the reason for her strange mood by pretending it was loneliness and worry over Matt. While Gran was napping Thursday after their midday meal, Jessie saddled Ben and rode several hours to the burned-out site of her old home. She had told Annie she was going for a leisurely ride and would return later. She had also sent Tom out with one of the men to keep him in the dark about her actions.

  Jessie dismounted, dropped Ben’s reins to the ground, and strolled around the blackened ruins. She hadn’t been there since the devastating fire almost six weeks ago. Her heart ached at seeing the tormenting reminder of her home.

  Her parents had died here, as had two brothers and her grandfather. She had loved and lost Navarro here. She had battled Fletcher here. She had discovered her pregnancy here. She had watched her sister walk out the door.

  But there had been happy and special times, too. She had to forget the painful memories and only remember the good ones. She was making a new life in a new place. As with the house and loved ones, the past was dead.

  Ben’s whinny and movement alerted Jessie to riders approaching. She shielded her eyes from the sun to check their identity. She was holding a rifle, her piebald was alert and protective, and she was a skilled horseman, so she hadn’t been afraid to come here alone.

  She waved to Rusty and Toby as they joined her. “Good to see you back safe.”

  Toby Cooper removed his hat and said, “Rusty explained everything, Mrs. Cordell. We’ll stay on watch until Matt and the boys return. Then, you should turn that evidence over to the law and let them handle the matter. I always say, head off trouble before it strikes if you can. Once they’re unmasked, they won’t be a threat to you again. Unless you want to go ahead with it now.”

  Jessie wanted to wait for her husband’s return. She wanted to let Matt take care of the problem. That would increase his pride and confidence. She wanted to use the situation to show she needed him. She was strong, smart, and brave. She could handle the matter, but she wanted Matt to believe she leaned on him for protection and strength and courage. With the sheriff involved, there shouldn’t be any danger for a while.

  “I’ll let my husband settle it, Sheriff, unless there’s trouble before his return. I simply wanted you informed in case Fletcher’s brothers arrive to cause problems. The Fletchers are rich and powerful. It would be dangerous to challenge them while Matt and the boys are away. We can’t even prove they were involved with the fight here; we can only prove they knew what Fletcher was doing to us and why. I’m not sure that makes for a strong case against them. They have plenty of money for smart lawyers and for bribes. I wouldn’t want to challenge them alone. It’s best to keep quiet for now.”

  “I agree,” Toby said. “If you see anything suspicious, send word. I’ll keep my eyes open for strangers in town. I can bring soldiers if you need help.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff Cooper.”

  Rusty and Jessie watched the lawman mount and head back toward town.

  “I hope we can trust him, Rusty. You know what a rail line could do for Davis and the fort. I only hope none of the men there were involved with Fletcher’s plot to bring it in. Big contracts offer big money to businessmen and posts. I didn’t want to tell him that I didn’t know whom we can trust. I just keep remembering how sluggish he and the Army were about exposing. Fletcher.”

  “Toby’s a good man, Jessie. So is Captain Graham. I wouldn’t worry about them betraying you and siding with that snake’s brothers.”

  “I’m sure you’re right, but I don’t want to take any chances. When Matt and the hands get back, we’ll have plenty of guns and men. He’ll know what to do.”

  Jessie received another shock on Saturday in the mail. There were two letters. One was from Wilbur’s brothers. She went to her room, closed the door, and ripped open the envelope. Her eyes widened as she read it. She tore open Mary Louise’s, and had the same stunned reaction.

  Jessie realized she had to share this news with her grandmother. She called down the steps for the woman to join her for privacy. She and Martha sat on the small couch in the bedroom sitting area. Jessie related how she had found the packet of evidence, what she had done about it, and the gist of today’s letters.

  “Can they take the house and ranch back?” Before Jessie could respond, Martha asked, “Where will we go till Matt returns? We’ll have to separate everything that’s been mixed, and put up that boundary fence again.”

  “Don’t be worried, Gran. It’s just a bluff. Mary Louise claims her husband’s will left everything to his brothers and she had no legal right to sell it to us. She warns us to leave pronto. The Fletchers have threatened to recover this ranch in court if we refuse to get out and turn it over to them. They say they don’t want to sell, and we know why, thanks to Wilbur’s carelessness. They don’t care about this spread; they just want to recover their foothold here. Naturally they offered to buy the Box L again. They’re awaiting my answer before starting legal action against us. They’re in for a fat surprise.”
r />   “What are we going to do, Jessie?” Martha asked in alarm.

  Irate, the flushed redhead declared, “Give them an answer, but not one they expect! Will or no will, this land is ours. I don’t care if a wife can’t inherit without one. That’s a stupid law! It isn’t right that a man’s family can walk in and take over after the husband dies! We aren’t in the dark ages any more. Women work as hard on spreads as men do, sometimes harder. If anything happens, she should get the land and home, not his kin. Matt insisted our deed remain in my name, and I see why. He wanted me protected from such injustice. I’ll bet my best boots Mary Louise is in the saddle with them!”

  “How could she do this to us, Jessie?”

  “Because she’s just as wicked and greedy as they are! She claims she invested the money I paid her and lost it, so she can’t return it. That’s a lie! She says she’s living off their charity and support, so she has to take their side. More lies, Gran. The deceitful witch even apologized for her mistake! She said she didn’t get any of Wilbur’s holdings and money back there. That could be true or his brothers’ trick, but it’s the only part of her letter I’m inclined to believe.”

  “Didn’t she tell them about the sale when she got there? Why did they wait so long to threaten us?”

  “I’m sure she did. They waited until Matt and the boys were gone. They think I’ll panic and run. When they learned we’d moved here, they must have panicked. This means her last letter was nothing but more lies. I should have suspected something was up when she didn’t send a boastful one every week!”