by Nancy Howard
19
During this time, Bailey Hogg and his band of murdering thugs have decided to ride some way to west of Folsom, and it's law. They know that they are being sought by every lawman it the territory, just as they were in Texas. They're aware of the hefty reward on their heads, too. That's why they've decided to lay low and stay out of towns, where there are men who wear badges. Today is no different for them, as they search the land looking for someone to kill and something to destroy.
Today is no different, they've come upon a small group of old men, women, and children of the Zuni Nation. It is the type of situation that Hogg relishes. There are no braves around the very small village. The Zuni are a peaceful tribe. They are a building and gathering people, who chose to live in peace. But today this small village of fifteen or so people is in grave danger and about to come to an end, at the hands of Hogg. But Hogg has a problem this time his four coharts decide to stay out of the carnage he wants to bring on these people.
Doak Walker has tried to persuade Hogg to go into Folsom and rob the bank there. Bailey has said that they'll do that, but in do time. Today he has come upon a situation that he can't resist. Innocent people waiting to be slaughtered.
“They's lookin' ripe for the pickin', boys,” Hogg says. Referring to the small group of people, he sees in the valley below.
“Ya, this is gonna be to easy Bailey, let's go rob the bank in Folsom, like Doak has been suggestin' to ya,” Charlie Demp says.
“And I said, we's gonna do it, but we ain't gonna do it, until I'm goddamn good and ready. Understand? Now, what y'all say to killin’ them savages down thar. How bout you Injun? You ready to kill some of your own kind.” Hogg says, to the half-breed Billy Brokenfeather. Then he laughs, evilly, with a wild look in his eyes.
“I ain't never done that, and I ain't gonna start doin' it now, Bailey,” he says. “I ain't, killin' my own kind.”
“Chicken shit," Hogg says. Sneering at him.
“I ain't killin' anymore defenseless people either, Bailey,” Charlie says.
“You know he's got a point Bailey. It's one thing to kill men. But hell you kill everybody, men, women, kids. Seems to make no difference to ya at all. We seen ya do it a dozen times or more. How the fuck do you sleep at night,” Doak Walker asks?
“I sleep fuckin’ good, Doak. Now you assholes with me or not?”
“Count us out Bailey,” Charlies says. “I done enough killin' uh innocent people to last me a lifetime. I don't want to do this again.”
“Fuck you all, then,” Hogg says. Then he cuts out lickity-split and heads down into the valley below with his guns drawn. Once he gets to where the people are in his range, he opens fire and begins to shoot every living soul. Out of ammo in his two guns, he proceeds to chase the other three people down, killing all of them with his two scatter guns. Then he stabs and slits the remaining ones throats with his Bowie knife. His co-hearts in crime just set up on the hill and watch, shaking their heads, not wanting to kill innocents again. But they're also unwilling to stop him, because they're not willing to be killed by Hogg. Something that they know that he's very capable of doing to all of them, in an instant.
20
Saturday afternoon has come to Sanderson's Hill, where guests are arriving to feast on fresh beef cooked over an open fire. The meat of the carcass has been cooking for several hours in order for it to be ready for John and Catherine's big shindig. The kitchen crew has rustled up fresh vegetables, potatoes, gravy and roles, not to mention three kinds of pie, and all the whiskey one cares to drink.
The people who have arrived are the most influential people in and around Folsom. The Chatfields, the sheriff, other ranchers, the preacher, the mayor. Everyone who has to do with making this area a good place to live. They look forward to this every year, it's an annual happening at Sanderson's Hill as John and Catherine kick off the summer season. This year though, they have only come to see John and Catherine, socially. They're all here to get to know Logan better, as she's now is in charge of Sanderson's Hill. They already know her and who she is, she's been here at John and Catherine's ranch for sometime now. Word spread rapidly sometime ago, that John had stepped down and had decided that Logan is the one to take over the reigns of running Sanderson's Hill.
Logan has made her appearance, looking as beautiful as ever. She is dressed in a pure white dress with with soft pink trim around ruffled short sleeves. The dress has a v-neck, and the pink trim also encircles the bottom of the dress. Part of her hair is pulled back and is held by a large pink bow, the rest of it falling softly on her strong shoulders. As soon as she comes out the door, all eyes are on her. She is quickly greeted with handshakes from the men and hugs from all the ladies.
“Hey you.”
Logan hears a voice, and out of the corner of her eye she sees Gavin approaching her. He has on a clean shirt and trousers. She looks at him and smiles broadly, shaking her head. She is glad to see him, as he walks up to and around behind her. He wraps his strong arms around her, and hugs and kisses her on the cheek. Everyone it town also knows about Logan and Gavin, they are the number one gossip item in Folsom and everyone present is watching them.
“God, you look so beautiful, and you smell so good. Um,” he whispers into her ear, squeezing her tight up against him. Causing her to blush.
She smiles, “You don't look so bad yourself Gavin. You shaved, and put on a clean shirt.”
“And bathed, just for you my dear,” he says. Then he turns his attention back to all the people still arriving at the party, “God, have you ever seen so many people, Logan? And they just keep comin'.”
“Yeah, they do this every year. What can I say, John and Catherine are very influential people around here. You and I both know that now.”
“I agree. But it's you all these people want to see and get closer to. You're the boss here now,” he says. Still holding her tightly up against him.
“And you're my assistant boss,” she says. Turning around in his arms to look at him with a smile on her face.
“Yeah I am, and you love that don't you?” He says, as he kisses her gently.
“You do know, that everybody's watching us, don't you,” she asks?
“Yeah, I know it, let em watch.” He says smiling, unable to take his eyes off of her.
“You know, I was just thinking about how much our lives have changed—just in just the past few months, Gavin. I mean look at us.”
“Yeah, I know, it's been crazy. Hasn't it?"
“When we rode into this town that day, we never in our wildest dreams envisioned any of this. I'm running this huge ranch and you're the foreman. And you and I. Wow," she exclaims! Looking up at him.
He smiles back and kisses her again, still holding her in front of him. “Wow's right. Are you happy with all of this, Logan?”
“You bet I am. Why, aren't you?”
“Yeah, I am. I'm happier than I've ever been. Besides, I get to be with you and make love to you, whenever I want.”
She laughs at his remark. “See, isn't it nice to not have to go out and hunt some badasses down, that might kill us?'
“Yeah, it is. Which makes me think. I wonder where Hogg, is? He was our reason for showing up here in Folsom in the first place. Remember?”
“Who cares where they are. Dead, I hope,” she said sarcastically. “But, if not, and he and his thugs come back around here we'll take care of them. But our lives are too good now to go off chasin' them, and getting ourselves killed.”
“You're right about that. What about the commitment you made to the Johnson girls?”
“I still plan to keep it. But only if Hogg comes here and threatens this ranch, and the Sandersons. I won't let anything happen to John and Catherine. Ever.”
“Spoken like a daughter,” he says to her.
She smiles at his comment, and raises her eyebrows.
Across from them, John is visiting with the Chatfield's, and they like everyone present are watching Logan and Gavin.
“She's really a beautiful girl, John.” Bill Chatfield comments about Logan.
“Yes John, I agree with Bill. She's absolutely adorable.” His wife, Jane concurs. “You've got to be proud of all the things you and Catherine are doing for her.”
“It's not that at all. We—Catherine and myself, we are so proud of her. Look at her up there on the porch with, Gavin, with his arms around her. Those two kids love each other. You'd never know that either of them used to be bounty hunters, and she had a reputation.”
“Yes, it seems that everyone here wants to talk to her and be seen with her,” Bill observes.
“And they all should. Especially, if they have any influence at all around here, like you do. After all, she's the one who runs this operation now, not me.”
“But you still have the final say on things don't you, John,” Jane asks?
John looks at both of them shaking his head. “Nope. She's in charge of everything. She's smart as a whip. And no one, I mean no one's gonna jerk that girl around,” he says, emphatically.
“So, you don't feel like it's a mistake at all, putting her in charge like you have,” Bill questions?
“Absolutely not. And neither should you or anyone else that lives around here.”
They're quiet, as they listen to John’s strong affirmation about his decision to put Logan in charge of operating the ranch.
Then Jane observes, “is that one of Jennifer's dresses that Logan is wearing.”
“Yes, yes, it is. Catherine and I thought she should have them. We didn't—couldn't, get rid of them after Jenny passed. They were just hanging in her closet, not doing anybody any good. So we discussed it and decided to give them to Logan, since the two girls are almost the same size.”
Then he pauses, then says. “You both have to know and understand that Logan has never, I mean never, had the opportunity before now to just be an ordinary girl like Jennifer was. She never had, or gave herself the chance to have and wear nice things, until now. That's why Catherine and I gave her Jenny's stuff.” He says, looking at the both of them. Then he gets up from where he's been setting next to the Chatfields, and motions to Logan to come and help him and Catherine welcome more guests to the party.
As John leaves them, they look at each other, still questioning in their minds if John has made the right decision, though it's none of their business, really. They like many in the area wonder why he decided to all of a sudden to have Logan learn the ranching business. They all thought that Jay Canter would have been a much more logical choice. But that didn't happen, as Jay has left and has gone to work for Henry Baker. And now, they like everyone present today knows that Logan is in complete control of Sanderson's Hill.
Of course the Chatfields, and everyone else around the area is aware of the strong special bond that has developed during this time between Logan and the Sandersons. She is already fiercely loyal to them, and will not allow anything to happen to this ranch. And as she just told Gavin—or to the Sandersons.
Logan has never had anyone believe in her like this before. She has always had to fend for herself, taking one blow during her life, right after another. Then having to recover from her often bad experience. She has spent the last nine years doing nothing but that off and on, since she ran away from home. Even when she rode with Gavin, it was a lot like that. They just had each other to take those life blows together, rather than alone.
And now, yesterday after her conversation with Catherine, where she opened up to her about her dad's abuse of her growing up. She heard plainly again that she is wanted here, as well as she was told by Catherine that they love her.
“Would, you, me let go? Please.” She says laughing, trying to squirm away from Gavin's grasp. “He's motioning for me to go and greet more guests, with him and Catherine.”
“I don't want to let go, can I come along?”
“Yes, silly, of course,” she says. “Come on.” She takes his hand and they walk toward two more buggies and two horseman that have arrived.
They greet and welcome the guests in the buggies first, then the two men on horseback. They recognize Henry Baker, but don’t know the man he’s brought with him.
“Henry,” John says. “Glad you could make it.”
“John,” Baker says sternly, as he dismounts his horse.
John notices the tone in his voice, then asks, “no Brittany?”
“No, she decided to stay behind, especially with the situation as it exists between you and Jay. She thought it would be better staying at the Running 'B', rather than create a ruckus with him here.”
John shook his head. Logan is standing between him and Catherine. Gavin is behind her, holding onto her.
“I don't believe, I know you sir,” John asks? Looking up at Jones, who has not dismounted.
“Oh, John, this is my new security man. Tass Jones.”
“Jones,” John says, as the two men nod, acknowledging each other.
Then Jones locks his gaze firmly onto Logan and Gavin. He has a smirking grin on his face. John looks down at Logan and realizes she's looking back at him. Her eyes locked in a glaring war with Jones. Gavin is doing the same thing.
“Henry, I don't believe you've met Logan Kincaid,. She's my ranch manager, and this is Gavin Sloan, our ranch foreman.”
Henry tips his hat, “Logan Kincaid. Oh, yes, you're one of John's bounty hunters that he hired sometime ago to run off rustlers. And mister Sloan, here, is the other one.” He emphasizes the words bounty hunters, in an attempt to intimidate both of them.
“Yeah, that's how it started out, but it's funny things have changed since then. You know how it is? Mr... Baker is it?” Logan says slowly to him. Using the sound of questioning indignation in her voice, trying not to embarrass the Sandersons in anyway. But she is trying to intimidate Henry with her comment.
Baker is completely taken aback by her cocky attitude and brash comment toward him—questioning who he is. If circumstances were different he thinks, he would teach her some respect and slap her silly for a comment like that. Henry thinks Logan is an arrogant brat, who needs to be put in her place. But this is not the right time for that, and he notices how closely Gavin is holding onto her.
Henry is not here to cause trouble today, instead he wants to place doubt in the minds of those present at the party. He wants to put the question in their minds, that Logan really has no business running a ranch the size of Sanderson's Hill. And he wants to make sure the Sanderson's, along with Logan, and Gavin see his new hire. Tass Jones.
“Didn't you hire them for security, John?”
“Yes, at first, but as she said, things have turned out differently,” he says, firmly. “So, tell me Henry. You said you've hired Mr. Jones here for security, too?”
“Yes, yes, I did. I figured, that with all of the trouble you're having with rustlers, that maybe it was time for me to have my own security man, too. You can never be to careful you know.” Then Baker turns his attention back to Logan again. “So your managing Sanderson's Hill is that right?” He says loudly, in a disbelieving tone. Making sure that everyone hears him, as he does his best to sow the seeds of doubt in the minds of everyone present about Logan's ability.
And everyone who is present at this party has gathered around, and is listening to this conversation.
“That's, what he said,” she declares. Her blue eyes flashing and glaring at him. She knows what he's doing, he's trying to get inside her head. He's trying to get her to say something stupid, that she might be sorry for in front of all these people. At the same time embarrassing herself in front of the Sanderson's. Thus proving him right, that she has no business being in charge of Sanderson's Hill.
Henry notices her glare at him, then says, “So, John, tell me why on earth did you put her in charge here? She's a bounty hunter, for God's sake. I thought Jay would have been a much more logical choice. He said he didn't want to work for a female bounty hunter, so that's why he came to work for me.” Baker is looking square
ly at Logan, then at Gavin, still doing his best to intimidate them both. Still trying to build doubts in the minds of the good people of Folsom, that Logan has no business at all running the biggest ranch in the territory.
John has had enough of Baker’s impudence, then speaks up and defends his decision to have Logan run Sanderson's Hill.
“Well, Henry, I look at it this way, I don't see that it's any of your damn business, or anyone else around here, for that matter. Who I chose to run my ranch. She is the logical choice for me. My choice. Now, if you and Mr. Jones have come here to enjoy yourselves, then do so. If not, then you can get back on your horse and ride out of here.”
“Well John, I had no intention of staying or being social.”
“Then what did you come for, Henry?”
Baker doesn't answer directly, and says, “I can imagine John that you're a little sore about me beating you to draw, and buying up that property out by the mesa.”
John is in his face, “well, from what I've heard Henry ya ain't paid for it, either.”
“I don't see that's any of your concern, John.” Baker states, as the conversation grows more heated.
“Well, it is, if you're buyin' up all that land to hem us in Henry. And if you’re doing it for that reason then Bye-God it becomes our concern.”
“It's business, John, just business.” Baker states, firmly. As the two men's faces get closer to each other.
“Leave, Henry, you're not welcome here. And take your so called security man, with you.”
“Okay, John, I'll leave you with your bounty hunters. You're right, I really came here because I wanted you and everyone in attendance to meet Mr. Jones, here. He will be protecting my interests from here on, just like your lady bounty hunter here is protecting yours.”
Henry mounts his horse, then nods to a still smirking Jones and they turn and ride away.
John is fuming at Bakers arrogance. Then he turns to everyone present, and speaks, pulling Logan to his side, his hand holding her arm. “This is Logan Kincaid folks. You met her when you arrived here today, because she's helped Catherine and me greet all of you. You also know she's been here for sometime now, and she's in charge of this ranch. Period. And if any of you has a problem with that, like Baker, then you can leave right now. I chose this girl for a lot of reasons, none of which are any of your concern. Nothing has changed at Sanderson's Hill Ranch, and nothing will. Now let's get back to having a good time. Shall we?”