Good Man - Bad Enemy

by Gary Church

  Arriving at the ranch, B.R. found himself the center of attention as soon as word got around that he had been on the trail drive. Everyone wanted to know if Mr. Christie was well and when he would return.

  B.R. didn’t mention that Mr. Christie had been shot. He simply told everyone that everything went well, and the boss was riding back with Herbert in the wagons and should arrive before too long. The ranch foreman looked at the letter, welcomed B.R., and told him he was glad he was there—he could use the help. Then he told B.R. to find Miss Betty and show her the letter. She would add him to the rolls. Afterward, he would take B.R. out to the bunkhouse and help him get settled. Then he would show him around.

  B.R. walked up on the porch, and using his kerchief, wiped at the dust on his boots and knocked his hat against his leg. He knocked at the door and was invited in by one of the housekeepers. Stepping in, he asked for Miss Betty. Directed to Mr. Christie’s study, he knocked on the frame of the open door as he looked in to see a woman at the desk working on documents. She looked up and said, “Can I help you?”

  B.R. didn’t speak for a minute. For some reason, the woman behind the desk didn’t fit his expectations. As he stood staring at her, she stared back, unsmiling.

  She saw a tall, lean, brown-haired, clean-shaven man, who wore his hair unfashionably short. His clothes were clean, and he had dusted his boots and hat before entering the house. She appreciated his respect for the house, and for a second, it occurred to her that he cut a striking figure.

  Betty herself was dark-haired and had high cheekbones, which gave her a natural beauty. She’s young, close to my age. Confused, he wondered who this girl was.

  Finally, B.R. understood she was waiting on his response. “Yes ma’am. Mr. Christie hired me.” He held out the letter. “I got a letter.”

  She held out her hand. B.R. stepped in and handed the letter to her and then stood in front of the desk, waiting. She read it and said, “Oh, my, were you on the trail drive?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” said B.R.

  “Is Grandfather—Mr. Christie, all right?” she asked.

  “Yes, ma’am,” responded B.R. “He’s riding back with the wagons. Should be here afore too long.”

  She smiled. B.R. smiled. Then she took his name and told him she would add him to the ranch roster and asked if he had met the foreman.

  Soon, B.R. had stowed his gear in the large bunkhouse, which served as sleeping quarters, dining hall, and relaxation area for the cowboys and farm hands. He tended to his horse and went to find the foreman.

  THIRTY-SIX

  Johnny had been gone three months, and now, five months pregnant, Rosalinda watched the road every day in anticipation. She waddled about the house, happy and content, but missing Johnny so much that it sometimes felt like a physical pain. Her mother was still staying with Rosalinda. Margarita laughed at her husband’s frustrations at living alone. Margarita had hired a cook for Lupe and his hands, and she returned home every ten days or so, to clean and check on Lupe.

  One day, in the early afternoon, Rosalinda heard the three dogs barking. She knew their barks by now, and excitement flooded her. She looked out the window and saw the dogs running down the road. “Mamá!” she called out, “I think it’s Johnny!”

  She walked quickly to the bedroom to check her face and hair in the mirror, then she joined her mother on the front porch to watch the road.

  Johnny came riding into view on Loco, a second horse on a lead behind him, the three dogs, Flop, Perro and Princesa running in circles around the horses. Seeing Rosalinda and Margarita, Johnny raised his hat and waved. As Johnny walked Loco close to the house, he eased him to a halt and dismounted, a huge smile on his stubbled, dust-covered face. Rosalinda stepped down from the porch and started toward him, smiling, tears streaming down her face.

  Seeing her tears, Johnny exclaimed, “Is something wrong?”

  Falling into Johnny’s outstretched arms, Rosalinda said, “No, I’m happy is all.”

  Johnny hugged her carefully as though she might break, thinking yet again, women were strange creatures. Would he ever get a handle on women and marriage?

  Rosalinda kissed him passionately, and he responded in kind. Then, noticing Margarita on the porch, he looked up over Rosalinda’s shoulder and said, “Buenas tardes!”

  Margarita was also crying. Unable to speak, she waved her hands in the air before turning and disappearing into the house.

  “I don’t know how, but you’ve grown more beautiful while I was gone,” said Johnny, holding Rosalinda at arm’s length.

  After assurances from each other that all was well, and that the baby was fine, Rosalinda told Johnny she was going to heat water so he could shave and bathe. He laughed, gave her one last hug, spoke to the dogs and petted them, and then took the horses to the barn to attend to them.

  After cleaning up, Johnny sat at the table and told Rosalinda and Margarita about the trip. He told them a bit about the hardships and the river crossings and described the countryside, but he didn’t mention the attempted poisoning, and he downplayed the stampede.

  It wouldn’t serve any purpose, and he thought upsetting Rosalinda might upset the baby she was carrying.

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  Jace reviewed his plan to win back Elizabeth. He had practiced his speech all the way from Abilene. After breakfast, he went for a haircut, shave, and bath, and then shopping for new clothes. He knew from experience not to call on Elizabeth before noon. She had explained to him that she often stayed up late playing the piano, discussing politics with her father, sewing, and reading.

  Only three days prior to Jace calling on Elizabeth, she was eating the evening meal with her parents when her father asked her a strange question.

  Elizabeth, dear, by any chance have you seen that cowboy who courted you for a spell?”

  “Why, no, Father. You know I’m engaged to Edward.”

  “I just meant you might have seen him around, in the last few days perhaps.”

  “No. Might I inquire as to your interest?”

  “Well, it’s banking business is all. I was told he’s on a trail drive but should be back soon, that is, if he comes back. Someone is often killed making those trips, and a lot of cowboys are drifters.”

  “Does he bank with you?” asked Mrs. Duncan.

  “Yes, dear, and well, you mustn’t mention it to anyone, but the lad has inherited a rather large amount of money, and he needs to sign for it before it can be deposited, so I am interested in locating him, if he returns to San Antonio.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “Father, I broke the boy’s heart, but I have no doubt he’ll make one last try when he returns.”

  “Well, if you see him, don’t mention the inheritance, as I said, but do ask him to see me as soon possible. Just tell him I told you I need to talk to him.”

  “Yes, Father,” said Elizabeth, her mind racing.

  ***

  Just before noon, Jace presented himself at the Duncan house. The maid didn’t have any reaction after seeing him for the first time in months. She simply invited him in, took his hat, and told him she would inform Miss Elizabeth he was calling. He was nervous and was going over his speech in his head when he heard a noise on the stairs. Elizabeth came running down and flung herself into his arms.

  “Jace! I have been so worried ever since I heard you were on a dangerous trail drive!”

  He hugged her and tried to step back, but she clung to him. Finally, he extricated himself and said, “Hello, Elizabeth. Gosh, it’s good to see you. I know you’ve been seeing someone else, but I thought maybe we could talk and catch up. I was hoping you would be free for supper this evening.” There—it was out, pretty much the way he had planned it.

  ***

  Jace called for Elizabeth in a rented buggy, but he had to pick her up at her female friend and confidant’s house. She came down the stairs in a bright yellow dress, looking glamorous.

  “I can’t have the maids seeing you calling on me until
I’ve told Mother and Father and well, Edward, of course.”

  She took his arm, and they walked down the steps to the waiting buggy. Two dogs, exploring, walked close, and Elizabeth kicked at them with her shoe. “Get away, you filthy beasts,” she snarled.

  Jace turned his head to look at her, surprise on his face. “Aww, they don’t mean no harm,” he said as the dogs backed away and he helped Elizabeth into the buggy.

  “I can’t stand animals,” said Elizabeth. “They stink, and they poop in the street.” She made a face expressing disgust. She squeezed his arm and pressed against him as he took the reins and urged the horses forward.

  As they ate, Elizabeth spent most of the time talking about herself. She had found some beautiful material for a new dress; her maid was late with her breakfast almost every morning, and she hated Texas. Thinking of her father’s news of the inheritance, she said, “So, Jace, I’m so sorry we parted ways on a sour note before you left. It was my parents. They so want me to move to San Francisco or New York and to be frank, they just don’t see you taking me there.” She smiled. “But a woman can’t help who she falls in love with.” She reached over and stroked his hand.

  Jace smiled.

  “You already know, I’m sure,” Elizabeth said, “my parents arranged things between Edward and me. I was so distraught, and then you left.”

  “Well, I was pretty miserable,” said Jace.

  “Now, Jace, you and I are, obviously, together again, but I need some time to let… well, I have to be careful. I don’t want to upset my parents, so I need to speak to them before I tell Edward. We’re engaged, by the way,” she said, trying to project a sad face that struck Jace as sort of a twisted frown. Continuing, she said, “I know you understand. The best thing I can do is let down Edward slowly. Why don’t you call on me in a week, no, two weeks? Call at the same time of day, and we’ll make more plans.” She smiled and added, “I love you.”

  Jace smiled, but he didn’t respond. Elizabeth was used to men following her orders, and she took no notice. After finishing supper, the conversation centered around Elizabeth’s parents forcing her to attend church for appearance’s sake, and the poor choice of quality clothing in San Antonio. Jace walked Elizabeth to her friend’s door. She stopped, paused, and turned her cheek for a kiss, only to discover him walking away. Of course. Someone might see us.

  She had not told Jace that her father wanted to see him. It would be better, she thought, to make sure of him before he discovered he had inherited money. But if she had to, she would say she was so happy to see him that she had forgotten to tell him. Putting him off for a couple of weeks would give her time to try and find out how much money was at stake. There was a young clerk at the bank. Perhaps he could take a look at the account for her—just to satisfy her curiosity. She didn’t want to lose Edward, only to find out that what her father considered a considerable sum wasn’t enough to support her as she should be supported.

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  Two days later, Johnny, Rosalinda, and Margarita rode the buggy to Lupe and Margarita’s horse ranch. Johnny drove the buggy so slowly, terribly afraid something might happen to the baby, that both Rosalinda and Margarita laughed at him.

  Over supper, Johnny told Lupe about the trip and handed him his share of the money for the cattle he had purchased and sent on the drive. He explained that there were deductions for expenses, and that the lost cattle were charged on a percentage basis to everyone. Johnny noticed that Lupe didn’t seem to be listening.

  “Everything seem right to you?” asked Johnny, concerned.

  “What?” responded Lupe.

  “I was explaining the payment,” said Johnny.

  “Es maravilloso!” said Lupe, reverting to Spanish. Then he nodded to his wife, and she went to a drawer and returned with a wooden box. Lupe presented it to Johnny. “A small thing, for you,” he said.

  Opening the box, Johnny was surprised and thrilled to find a brand new revolver. It was a Remington-Rider, a double-action, produced from 1863-1865, and this one had a fluted cylinder.

  Smiling, Lupe said, “A man wanted to trade it for a horse. I thought of you, and it seemed perfect. His father purchased it in ’65 and never fired it.”

  Holding it and looking it over, Johnny said, “I saw many of these during the war, but as I recall, only a few had fluted cylinders. It’s handsome—muchas gracias.”

  Lupe studied Johnny a moment, then he asked, “Can you still shoot with both hands?”

  Johnny smiled, “Sí. I’ve always been that way. I wear a right-hand rig, but my left works just as well.”

  Later, on the porch, smoking and sipping whiskies, Lupe said quietly, “Johnny, I know, better than the women, how hard, dangerous, and risky was your trip.” He paused. “I began to fret like an old woman after you left, wondering should something happen to you, what would happen to my daughter.” He sipped his whiskey and continued, “Muchas gracias.”

  “You’re welcome, Lupe,” said Johnny. “Rosalinda and I discussed it before I accepted. Sometimes in life, as you know, you must take chances.”

  Lupe held up his glass, and Johnny touched his to it. They drank.

  At breakfast, Johnny asked Lupe about mares. Rosalinda and Johnny had made no plans for the future, other than to prepare for the baby, but it was mating season, and Loco was a fine stallion.

  “I have four or five,” said Lupe. “Are you going to be my competition in the horse business? If so, I don’t know if I want to sell you any mares.”

  “Lupe!” said Margarita.

  “I was only making a joke,” said Lupe, looking hurt.

  Johnny laughed.

  Johnny made a deal for three fine mares, and he and Rosalinda said their goodbyes. On the way home, Johnny mentioned that he was thinking to plant some winter wheat this year, and he wanted to expand the cornfield.

  Rosalinda said, “Well, the Browns will do anything for you, but I think we’ve been using their boys a little more than they can really spare them. They would never say anything, but the boys mentioned the family is planning to work some additional acreage this year.”

  “Okay,” said Johnny. “I’ll need to hire some help, for sure.”

  “Johnny,” said Rosalinda, “remember the black man I told you about? Henry Bear?”

  “Yes, the gentle giant,” he responded, smiling.

  “Would you be comfortable if we hired him? We could fix a place in the barn for him to stay. I mean, if he was interested. He may not be. He said he had some land and a cabin. It’s just, well, judging by his clothes and his wagon, I wonder how well he’s doing.”

  “Well, I reckon we can ask him, and if he’s interested, give it a try.”

  THIRTY-NINE

  It took some searching, but Johnny found Bear. Sitting on Loco, Johnny took out a cigarillo and lit it as he gazed at what had to be Bear’s cabin, which in fact, was little more than a shack. A good wind will blow it down, thought Johnny, who saw a small garden and an area that must have been used to grow the cabbages he had been taking to market. A mule, trailing a long rope, was grazing, and an old wagon stood nearby.

  “I’m guessing he’s squatting on this little spot of land,” Johnny said to Loco. “Well, come on, let’s have a word.”

  Johnny liked Bear almost at once. The man had an inner strength that manifested itself in a calmness that radiated from him. Johnny introduced himself and thanked Bear for helping Rosalinda and Margarita.

  The two men visited a little. Johnny asked Bear about his cabbage patch and told him that he and Rosalinda were planning to raise a few horses and plant some winter wheat to go along with a small corn patch.

  Bear volunteered that he had lived on a farm his entire life and knew a bit about horses as well.

  “I reckon you know my life,” said Bear. “Born into slavery in Alabama. Traded to a man and ended up in Texas. Free man after the war, but without resources. I wasn’t treated badly these last years. In fact, I was friends of a sort with
my master, but didn’t want no part of sharecropping.”

  Johnny had made up his mind. “Well, truth be told, I had another reason to come up here, other than to thank you. We need a man who knows farming, and some horse knowledge would be handy. A place to stay in the barn for now, I can pay, say, ten dollars a week, and Rosalinda’s cooking is worth it by itself.”

  Bear stared at him. “Are you offering me a job, Mr. Black?”

  “If you’re willing, I thought we’d see if we suit each other,” said Johnny. “And call me Johnny.”

  Arriving back home, Johnny entered the kitchen to find his very pregnant wife, her face aglow, sitting at the table sewing a tiny blanket.

  ***

  Bear drove his old wagon onto Johnny and Rosalinda’s homestead the following day. Pulled by his mule, his few belongings were in the wagon, where his prize possession, a John Deere plow, was tied in place by ropes. It had been a gift when he was freed, he explained to Johnny, who had greeted him and introduced him to Flop, Perro, and Princesa, all taking to him instantly. They situated the mule, and Johnny took Bear on a tour of the place, showing him where he was thinking to put a wheat patch. Returning to the barn, which featured a room that had housed a worker when Johnny’s parents were alive, the two discussed what improvements could be made to make the room more comfortable for Bear.

  The two men ate their noon meal in the house, Rosalinda greeting Bear as an old friend. Over their meal, Johnny and Bear discussed the work that needed doing and how to prioritize it. When Johnny told Bear he thought they would call it a day on Saturdays at noon, unless there was pressing business, and of course, Sunday would be a non-work day, Bear stared at him.