One More Sunrise

by Al Lacy

  Doke Veatch clenched his jaw. I don’t believe you, Logan, he thought. You let Gib die because he was an outlaw, just like you let Darryl die that day at your office. The anger in him grew hotter. I owe it to Tag to see that he knows the truth about it. Tag and Gib were very close. And besides that, Kathryn needs to know that her husband is dead.

  The borrowed wagon was drawn up close to the spot where Deputy U.S. Marshal Clint Haymes and the lifeless body of Gib Tully lay next to the stagecoach. Haymes was picked up by the deputies and placed in the wagon bed. Dr. Dane Logan grasped his medical bag and hopped in beside Haymes. The owner of the wagon waited for the deputies to climb up on the seat beside him, then snapped the reins and put the team to a gallop in the direction of Larimer County Hospital.

  Moments later, the passengers were boarding the stage, with the Fargo agent apologizing to them for the delay in their departure.

  Doke Veatch had one desire at the moment: to get to Tag Moran and Gib Tully’s widow and let them know what had happened to Gib. He was aware that there was a retired older man named Clem Dobbins in town, who used to be a shotgunner with Wells Fargo. Clem still filled in now and then when needed.

  Putting a sick look on his face and placing a hand over his stomach, Doke said to the driver, “Buck, seeing all that blood on Tully’s shirt has upset my stomach. I really don’t feel good. Could you get Clem Dobbins to take my place on this run?”

  Buck nodded. “Sure, Doke. You’d better go on home.”

  “I’ll go get Clem,” said the agent, and hurried down the street.

  “Thanks, Buck,” said Doke, and walked away as if he were very sick to his stomach.

  As soon as Doke got to his boardinghouse a few blocks from the Wells Fargo office, he saddled his horse and rode into the mountains.

  The sun was lowering in the west as the Moran gang sat on the porch of the old cabin. A soft breeze brought the fragrance of pine across the porch.

  “Well, boys,” said Tag, “I’m glad we were able to repair the wagon. Saves us having to steal one.” He glanced down the mountain to the east. “I’m really concerned about Gib. He should have been back by this time yesterday. I know we all agreed that he must have run into trouble, and had to hole up somewhere in these mountains for the night. But this has gone on too long.”

  Bart said, “Maybe we should take a ride toward town and see if we can find him. We can’t go into town, but could be he’s had a problem between there and here.”

  Tag rose from his chair. “I agree, Bart. Let’s all take a ride. I’ll go in and tell the gals.”

  While the other four waited on the porch, Tag opened the door and said to Lucinda and Kathryn, “We’re gonna take a ride and see if we can find Gib.”

  Kathryn left her chair and headed toward him. She was wringing her hands, and worry was etched on her face. “We were just talking about Gib, Tag. I knew it wasn’t safe for him to show his face in town. I should have talked him out of going!”

  By this time, Lucinda was beside her.

  Tag shook his head. “Kathryn, I’m sure he’s all right. Gib’s a resourceful guy. He’s got to be getting close to home by now. The boys and I just decided to ride out and meet him. You and Lucinda go ahead and start supper. We’ll be back with Gib before you know it.”

  “Hey, Tag!” came Bart’s voice from the porch. “Gib’s here now!”

  Kathryn let out a sigh.

  Tag hurried out the door with the women on his heels.

  A lone rider was making his way toward the cabin in the deep shadows of the forest.

  Tony Chacone squinted at horse and rider. “Gib must have gotten another horse. That ain’t his gray.”

  “Right,” said Bart, his gaze fixed on them. “But that ain’t Gib.”

  Kathryn’s eyes widened and her hand went to her mouth, a sting of fear piercing her heart.

  “Who can that be?” Tag said in a low voice, his brow furrowing.

  “It’s Doke Veatch!” exclaimed Bart.

  Doke put his horse to a trot, and as he drew up seconds later, all could see the dismal look on his face.

  While he was dismounting, Tag said, “What’s wrong, Doke?”

  Doke sighed as he started up the steps. “I’ve got bad news.” His eyes went to Kathryn. “Gib’s dead.”

  Kathryn’s knees buckled, and Lucinda caught her before she fell. Kathryn’s lips were moving, but she couldn’t get any words to come out.

  “Let’s take her inside,” said Doke. “I’ll tell you all about it.”

  Lucinda kept a tight hold on Kathryn as they moved into the parlor and helped her sit down on the sofa. She then sat down beside her and held both of her hands.

  The men stood in a tight cluster close to the sofa as Doke told the story of Gib’s arrest by Deputy Sheriff Doug Pritchard in Fort Collins yesterday, and of his attempt to escape this morning when he was about to be taken by stagecoach to Rawlins by Deputy U.S. Marshal Clint Haymes. He went on to give the details of how Gib tried to escape by grabbing Buck Cummons’s gun, and how Gib shot Haymes in his side, but got shot in the chest by Haymes.

  At this point, Kathryn wailed in anguish, tears flowing. She set her wild eyes on Tag and screamed, “I tried to get you to stop the robbing so we could all go to California with less money than you had planned! I told you something like this would happen! But you wouldn’t listen to me! Now my Gib is dead!”

  Tag bristled and met her teary glance with one as cold and hard as agate. “Shut up, Kathryn! Don’t be giving me that ‘I told you so’ stuff!”

  Kathryn drew in a ragged breath. “Well, I did tell you so! I begged you to—”

  “I told you to shut up!”

  Lucinda caressed Kathryn’s tear-soaked face. “Honey, calm down now. You and Tag yelling at each other isn’t going to make things any better.”

  Kathryn looked at Lucinda and buried her face against her shoulder, sniffling.

  “Something else,” said Doke. “Tag, you remember the doctor I took Darryl to in Cheyenne.”

  Tag’s features hardened. “Yeah. Dane Logan. What about him?”

  “Well, he happened to be in Fort Collins, walking right by the Fargo office when Gib and the deputy shot each other. It was him who dashed to them when they both went down.”

  A look of virulence leaped into Tag’s eyes. His voice came out like the flick of a whip. “He saved the deputy’s life, didn’t he?”

  Doke nodded silently, then told Tag about Gib’s final words to Dr. Dane Logan, asking if he was tending to the deputy first because he was a lawman. “Tag, I think Logan purposely let Gib die when he might have been able to save him.”

  Tag’s face was suddenly mottled with rage. He uttered a sound that sounded like a wild animal’s growl. “You remember when Darryl was shot, Doke, I suspicioned that Logan had let him die because he was an outlaw.”

  Doke closed his eyes, then opened them. “Yeah. I told you it wasn’t so. But now I believe you were right.”

  “Well, this confirms it! Logan did the same thing to Gib!” Wrath flamed in Tag’s eyes. “I owe Logan double! I’ll get him if it’s the last thing I do! He’s gonna die!”

  Doke bit his lips.

  Bart looked at Tag. “You gonna kill this doctor before or after we rob those two banks in Cheyenne?”

  “After. We’re gonna go ahead and leave for Cheyenne on Tuesday, May 10, as planned so we can hold up both those Cheyenne banks on Thursday afternoon, May 12.”

  Doke bit his lips again. “Uh, Tag …”

  “Yeah?”

  “Could I talk to you alone for a minute?”

  Tag frowned. “I don’t have to keep any secrets from my boys, here.”

  “Well, this is just something between you and me, as old friends.”

  “Oh, all right. Let’s go outside.”

  Kathryn was sobbing heavily, soaking the shoulder of Lucinda’s dress as Tag and Doke moved out onto the front porch.

  The old friends crossed the porch, m
oved down the steps, and walked slowly toward the dense forest.

  “Okay, what is it?”

  “Uh, I know Dr. Logan did wrong concerning Darryl and Gib, but—but—”

  “But what?”

  “Well, do you have to kill him? Couldn’t you just find out where he lives and burn his house down, or something like that? I felt I should let you know what happened with Gib, but I don’t want to be responsible for the doctor’s death.”

  They drew up under a towering pine tree. Tag looked down and shoved a few pine cones around with the toe of his boot for a long moment, then looked at his old friend. “I appreciate you telling me about what the doc did with both Darryl and Gib, Doke. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t know it. I really want vengeance on him. But since you’re squeamish about being responsible for his death by what you’ve told me, I’ll find a way to get even with Logan without killing him.”

  Doke started to say something, but before he could get it out, Tag said, “I will find a way, though, to make him suffer severely for what he did to Darryl and Gib.”

  Doke let out a shaky breath and touched Tag’s arm. “Thank you. I couldn’t stand to have the doctor’s death on my conscience.”

  Tag nodded and smiled thinly. “Well, let’s get back to the cabin. Lucinda will be fixing supper with whatever food is left. You want to stay the night with us, don’t you?”

  “Sure do,” said Doke, feeling like a thousand pounds had been lifted from his chest.

  When they drew near the cabin in the dying light of day, they saw Kathryn sitting in the old rocking chair near the door. The air was getting chilly, and Lucinda came out carrying a shawl. She was placing it on Kathryn’s shoulders as the two men made their way up the steps.

  Tag frowned. “What’s this?”

  “She wants some time alone,” explained Lucinda. “I brought the shawl out to keep her warm. Supper’s about ready. Go on in and get washed up. I’ll be there shortly.”

  When Tag and Doke had gone inside, Lucinda leaned over and took both of Kathryn’s hands in her own. Tears choked her voice. “I’m so sorry, Kathryn.”

  Kathryn raised her swollen eyes and looked at her friend. “Lucinda, I knew in my heart this was going to happen. From the very beginning of this outlaw life, something just told me it would end this way.”

  Lucinda didn’t know what to say.

  A fresh wave of bitter tears coursed down Kathryn’s cheeks. “Go on in now and give the men their supper. I’ll be all right here. I just need some time alone.”

  Lucinda gave Kathryn’s hands a squeeze. “I’ll check on you later.”

  With that, she headed toward the cabin door. When she stepped inside, she held the door open and looked back over her shoulder. She saw Kathryn lower her head and put her hands to her face. Tears were trickling between her fingers.

  After giving way to her anguish, Kathryn wept for a long time. Then wiping her face and eyes, she rocked the chair slowly and stared out into the forest in the gathering twilight. “What will I do now? Will the gang give me the money that would have gone to Gib?”

  She took a short breath and frowned. “Or do I even want it? It was taken at gunpoint. But—but if I don’t take it, how will I live? Then again, if I do take it, I’ll be just as guilty as these men are.”

  Her thoughts on the subject went round and round until darkness and a penetrating chill filled the night. Pulling the shawl up tight around her neck, Kathryn glanced toward the cabin windows. Lantern light shone through them and splashed a warm glow on the porch floor.

  At that moment, footsteps were heard and the door came open.

  Lucinda moved to Kathryn. “Honey, it’s freezing out here. Come on in now and let me get some hot coffee and some potato soup in you. It’ll help you feel better.”

  Kathryn nodded and let Lucinda help her out of the rocking chair.

  A bit reluctantly, she allowed her friend to lead her into the warmth of the cabin and the presence of the gang.

  At the federal building in Denver, Chief U.S. Marshal John Brockman was about to leave his office for the day when Deputy Charlie Wesson tapped on the door. “Chief, Dr. Dane Logan is here to see you.”

  John closed the desk drawer into which he had just placed some papers. “Send him in.”

  When Dr. Dane stepped into the office, he thanked Charlie, then moved to the desk while Charlie closed the door.

  John stood up behind his desk and offered his hand. “Good to see you, Doc. How’d it go in Fort Collins?”

  “The hip replacement went fine, Chief, but something else happened while I was there that I need to tell you about. I just got in on the late afternoon train.”

  “Well, sit down and tell me.”

  When both men were seated, Dr. Dane told John about the shooting incident on the Wells Fargo property in Fort Collins earlier that day; that Deputy Clint Haymes was wounded; and that Gib Tully was killed.

  Brockman called for Deputy Charlie Wesson and had him send another deputy immediately to both of Denver’s newspapers with orders to bring reporters so Dr. Logan could tell the story of the Fort Collins shooting to them.

  Very little time had passed when the deputy returned with a reporter from each paper. Both were very glad to see Dr. Logan, and they told him that just today they were given information on his upcoming marriage to bank president David Tabor’s daughter on May 21. They congratulated him and assured him that both papers would carry the story of the forthcoming wedding in tomorrow’s edition.

  Dr. Dane thanked them, then gave them the details of the shooting in Fort Collins when outlaw Gib Tully was killed. He told them of treating the wounded Deputy Marshal Clint Haymes and assured them he would recover.

  When the reporters were gone, John said, “Well, Doc, you’ve had quite a day. Are you heading for Central City right away?”

  Dane grinned. “I plan to stay over and spend some time with Tharyn this evening. I’ll ride to Central City in the morning.”

  “Good. May I remind you that you have a standing invitation to stay in our guest room?”

  Dane nodded. “I’ll take you up on it, sir. I’ll show up at your place by ten o’clock, if that’s all right.”

  “That will be fine.”

  “Okay. Well, I guess I’d better go get my horse at the stable and head for the Tabor house.”

  When Tharyn greeted Dane at the front door in response to his knock, she opened her arms and gave him her brightest smile. “Here’s the man of my dreams!”

  “Hello, sweetheart.” He gathered her in his arms.

  She cuddled close. “We saw you coming, so Mama and Papa went to the kitchen to give us a private moment together. Mama and I have supper cooking. We started it after I got home from work. You will eat with us, won’t you?”

  “Oh, of course!”

  He kissed her soundly, then while he held her, Tharyn sensed a tenseness in him. When they let go of each other, she took his hand, and while leading him into the parlor, looked deeply into his eyes. “Darling, you seem a bit on edge. Is something wrong?”

  Dane spied the flames dancing in the ornate fireplace. “Ah, the fire looks good on this chilly spring evening.”

  Tharyn batted her eyelids at him. “Darling, you are not quite yourself. What’s wrong?”

  Before Dane could answer, Kitty and David came in, smiling. Kitty was carrying a tray with cups of fragrant tea.

  Both warmly greeted Dane, then as Kitty placed the tray on an inlaid oak table, she said, “I thought we could all use this on such a cool evening. Dane, you are going to have supper with us, aren’t you?”

  Dane smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it. And this tea sure looks good to me, Mrs. Tabor. This has been quite a day.”

  Tharyn poured a cup for Dane and handed it to him in a saucer. “So what happened today that has you not quite yourself?”

  David and Kitty looked at each other, then at Dane.

  “What happened, Dane?” asked David, accepting a cup and sauce
r from Kitty. “Anything you are at liberty to share with us?”

  Dane took a sip of tea. “Oh yes, sir. I can tell you. It will be in both of Denver’s newspapers tomorrow, anyway.” He took another sip of tea. “You know, the British may have something here. A cup of this bracing brew really is therapeutic.”

  Kitty smiled. “Tell you what—supper will be ready in about twenty minutes. Let’s all sit down here and Dane can tell us about his day.”

  When they were seated, Dane told them about the shooting incident in Fort Collins which left Deputy U.S. Marshal Clint Haymes wounded and in the Larimer County Hospital and resulted in the death of Gib Tully, a member of the Tag Moran gang.

  David shook his head. “Well, my boy, indeed you have had quite a day. Praise the Lord you were able to save the deputy’s life. Now how about some of Mrs. Tabor’s good cooking?”

  “Sounds wonderful to me! I didn’t even have a bite of lunch today, and I am ravenous!”

  During supper, Tharyn asked about the hip replacement Dane had done in Fort Collins that morning and was pleased to hear that it went well.

  After supper, Dane and Tharyn spent some time alone, talking about their wedding and their future together.

  The next morning, after Breanna Brockman had fed her family and their guest a good breakfast, Dr. Dane rode into the mountains, heading for Central City.

  At the Moran gang’s hideout in the mountains west of Fort Collins, Doke Veatch rode away after a slim breakfast while the men and women watched and waved.

  When Doke vanished from view, Lucinda turned to the men. “Well, since the wagon has been repaired, Kathryn and I will head for Fort Collins to buy groceries and supplies as soon as we get the dishes done.”

  When the dishes were done and the kitchen was cleaned up, Kathryn told Lucinda she needed a few minutes in her room before they headed for Fort Collins. Lucinda told her she would work on the grocery list and they would leave as soon as Kathryn was ready.

  In her room, Kathryn quickly wrote a note on a piece of paper that she would slip to someone at the general store while they were in Fort Collins:

  To Larimer County Sheriff James Hoffman—