Blood on the Verde River (22 page)

“His marriage to Susan Byrnes was a great union for both of them and his loss leaves a great space in her life and heart. But we never know when we will depart this world. I can only suppose God needed Leif's work in heaven. We do know He choose a great man to help Him. All of us who rode with Leif loved him . . . or at least liked him.” Chet smiled and the crowd gave a soft laugh.

“So on this day we say farewell to a good friend. We must support his father who has lost a son he loved and who was proud about his accomplishments, as were all of us.

“Please stand. Let us pray.

“Dear Lord, we are gathered here to intern a friend, a son, a husband, and a great human being, Leif Times. Receive him into your hands and make him welcome in his new home. We will remain here and ask you to heal our loss of him. Be strong in our hearts. Give us the wisdom and ease our way forward. Amen.”

He stepped over to Susie and hugged her then hugged Marge sitting next to her. They nodded their approval and the men lowered the coffin into the grave using ropes.

His hands held high, Chet turned to the crowd. “The service is over, but please stay. We have lots of food fixed and I am certain Leif would want you to be friendly and have a good time. Thanks for coming.”

May joined them and he mused to himself how forward she had become; not brazen, but proud and part of the three-woman team. Her face shone and he swelled with pride at her new appearance.

“Should we help serve them?” she asked her co-hosts.

Marge shook her head. “Those ranch hands are serving it well enough. It is their way of helping.”

“Thanks, brother,” Susie said. “You were long enough. He would not have wanted a longer one.”

“Good. I always get tired most times. That may be why the boys wanted me to do it.”

“No,” Marge said. “They respect you and knew you'd say the right things.”

“Oh well. Now, I'm hungry.”

“Feed him,” Susie said. “I told Sarge he and I could eat together. He has been so nice to me through all this. I am impressed.”

“He's a good man.”

“I don't need a man, thank you, but he has been very thoughtful.”

“Sure.” Chet had better hush up and take his wife to the food line. Walking beside her, he wondered how she felt. Obvious she was growing bigger, but it looked all right to him—that would be their son or daughter some day. “You feeling all right?”

“Fine. Morning sickness is part of this deal. It isn't more than an inconvenience here and there, but greater things will come from it. I am happy about being with child.”

They filled the plates she had brought along and found their fold-up chairs, no doubt set up for her by a ranch hand. The weather was warm from the radiant sun on the front side and cold on the backside. He put a shawl from the back of the chair over her shoulders, then took his plate back. With his fork, he picked at the fine, tasty meat.

“You ever hear any more about those stage robbers? The Marconis?” a rancher stopped and asked him.

“No, but we will. Rewards are posted for up to a hundred dollars for them now. When Wells Fargo raises it to two hundred, that's when they'll turn up. Bounty hunters will find them for that kind of money.”

“It's one more deal Sheriff Sims owes you for.”

Chet shook his head to dismiss the matter, but he knew Sims had no plans to do anything about it.

By late afternoon, most everyone had gone home. Chet and Marge decided to stay at the big house with Susie, rather than go home so late and the days so short. Of course, she was with Sarge who'd been escorting her around all afternoon. Eventually, he brought her back to the house.

Marge had made coffee and the four sat around the living room with the big fireplace heating the house. Plenty of wood had been stacked inside.

“Thanks, brother,” Susie said with a cup in her hand. “You did well. Everyone said that. I am always glad to hear your voice when you speak. Did anyone invite Leif's father to stay?”

Marge shook her head. “I spoke to him about it and he said he needed to get home.”

“I can understand. This would be too big a reminder for him, anyway. He is a sweet man. And Sarge, thanks for looking out for me.”

Straight-faced he shook his head. “You have done so much for everyone Miss Susie, anything I can do to help you—send word. Unless I am on the road with cattle, I'll be right here.”

“Good to know. Thanks.”

“Yes, ma'am. I better go to up to the bunkhouse and find a bed.”

“There are plenty of rooms here and I'll make breakfast early if you need to ride back,” Susie offered.

“How would that look?” Sarge's voice sounded concerned.

“It looks like you don't have to sleep in the bunkhouse tonight,” Chet said.

“Why don't we play rummy awhile,” Marge said. “That could occupy our minds.”

So they agreed. Chet wasn't a great card lover, but he knew it would settle them all down and lower the tension in the room. The fire crackled and burned. He rose and backed up to it as the girls set things up.

Sarge joined him and spoke softly. “I know she's hurt deep, but she's taking it better than I thought. And thanks. This has been the best day of my entire life. Up close, she is so real.”

“Good. I know you've helped her through the tough part and I appreciate that.”

“Me staying don't bother you?”

“No, and it will beat the razzing you'd take from the crew in the bunkhouse.”

“We're ready. Come on card sharks,” Marge called to them from the dining room.

Susie, in her style, had fixed a large piece of apple pie for everyone and set it out by their place. Plus, she'd refilled the coffee cups, being sure everyone around the table was fixed up. Sarge moved her chair in when she sat down.

He damn sure, in Chet's estimation, was working the whole deal and might win her broken heart before it was over. Chet pulled out his chair and sat down. Of course, he and Marge would beat the pants off them playing rummy.

 

 

In bed upstairs, Marge whispered to Chet, “Sarge does have his heart set on her. Doesn't he?”

“I think he's trying and it is working. I'm pleased.”

They kissed and fell sleep. The north wind whistling in the eaves was the last thing he recalled.

The temperature dropped overnight.

Breakfast was scrambled eggs. Susie must have hoarded them. Most laying hens molded in the short days and eggs were hard to find on a free-range situation. There was also fried ham, wonderful brown-top biscuits and thick flour gravy, German fried potatoes and onions, and some figs she'd purchased from Hayden Mills in the summer and preserved. And of course, coffee—good strong coffee.

Replacing his cup in a saucer, Sarge said, “Boss man, do you have a job over here I can do? If I got an occasional chance to eat at your sister's table once in a while I'd be happy working for twenty a month.”

Shaking his head and laughing, Chet said, “Hell no. I need you at the Windmill Ranch.” He could have sworn his sister blushed, but they were all laughing. “Besides Sarge, you have my second best cook—Victor.”

“Oh, yes, and he goes the extra mile, but Susie outdid them all this morning. Thanks, Susie.”

“I'm glad you know my name,” she said amused. “All day yesterday I wanted to tell you I was not Mrs. Times.”

“I'm sorry. I was just being polite.”

She reached over and clapped his hand on the table. “I know, and it was a trying day, but no one knows what tomorrow or the next day will bring any of us. I know you're a busy man, and serve in an important position for the ranch, but anytime you come over, you can stay here, and I'll fix you breakfast, lunch or supper.”

“Can I take you to the dance?”

“In time. I don't want to look too indifferent to Leif's death, but I know two things. He would have wanted me to go on with my life and I do not intend to be the widow dressed in black, forever.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Is that too outspoken for you?”

“No ma'am. That's fine. I appreciate you being so open with me. I understand you need time. I'm not—”

“You are a polite, elegant man. But tell me—you worked here for maybe a year and never spoke to me that I can recall. Why?”

“I didn't think I was in your class. I'm a farmer's son who enlisted in the army and ate beans until I was sick and tired of them and resigned. Jenn introduced me to Chet and he took me on. I am not a roper, though I have learned how, but you were like the boss's daughter. I was like a peasant in Europe, not allowed to talk to the princess.”

Susie began to laugh. “I am a tomboy. How did you ever get a princess out of me?”

“I told your brother I regretted not meeting you personal-like before it was too late.”

“Is that why you never danced with me before I was married?”

“Yes.”

“Sarge, I am so glad you got over your fright of me.” Then she began to cry.

Marge rose and handed her a napkin.

“I am sorry—”
Sniff
. Susie dabbed at her eyes. “Of all the people to think I was a princess—I am so sorry. I simply had to know.”

“Stand up,” he said softly as he rose. “I want to hug you.”

She did and he gently held her in his arms. “Susie, I won't crowd you, but if in the end you still consider me a good man, I will be here for you.”

“Thanks so much. What did your mother call you?”

“Raoule Pollaski.”

“What's that?”

“He was a Prussian general. She read about him in a book. She was so glad when I enlisted. She said, ‘See you are going to be a military man.'”

“Where is she now?”

“She died a few years before I came here.”

Susie kissed him on the cheek. “I am sorry. Is your father alive?”

“Yes.”

“Would he like to join you here in Arizona Territory?”

“I could write him. He's in Iowa.”

“What do you say Chet?” she asked over her tears, but still in Sarge's arms.

“Yes. He is welcome to come. We can find a place for him. I'm sorry you two are having to put up with Marge and me in the middle of your private life.”

“No,” Susie said. “We're family. I don't want the world to think I am some impulsive fool and in disrespect of my late husband. You two are my strength and my loved ones. Let's all hold hands.”

Sarge looked ready to bust, but he held it well.

“Chet, pray for all of us, please?” Susie asked.

“Of course. Heavenly Father, we are trying to find our part in the future of the ranch and the family. Thank you for letting us make this move to Arizona and for all our blessings here. Be with JD wherever he is and give him the guidance and let the things he learned as a youth be his guide. And Lord bring him back to us.

“Protect all the ranch people, especially Reg and his wife Lucy, Hampt and May and the children, Robert and the crew at the mill, Louise and her man, and Marge's father and his woman. Lord lead and guide these two, Susie and Sarge. They are good people and need your hand to help them travel the route to their future. In Jesus' name. Amen.”

“Amen.”

“I am not sure if you'd make a better preacher or a sheriff.” Marge elbowed him.

“Neither one. I am going to harness up the team and we are going home. Sarge, you be careful. This next drive could be a booger.”

“I will. This has been the greatest morning in my life.” He hugged Susie and she smiled. “If you change your mind, I will know I tried. This was a dream I never thought could come true. We have a long way to go to really understand one another, but I will be patient. Thanks for making me a part of the Byrnes clan.”

Chet nodded. “Write your father. Invite him out here. We can pay his way. He might freeze to death coming now, but he's welcome here any time.”

“With him snowbound in Iowa, he may want to come here right away.”

“I'll be hooked up in fifteen minutes,” Chet said to Marge as he put on his heavy coat, scarf, and hat.

“I will be ready then.”

He kissed her and ran outside. The cowboys saw him coming and set in to hitch up the buckboard before he could.

Cole stepped in and stopped him. “We'll get you fixed up. Your last deal was a tough one, but if you need a hand, remember me. Other than losing Leif—it was a helluva good deal to be rid of those rustlers.”

“I'll have you in mind, Cole. I get into more things without even trying, but I guess that is life out here.”

“You've solved lots of them. I am still shocked they rustled cattle and butchered them to sell to the freighters. Oh well, anything to get out of work.”

“That was their work,” Chet said as one of the younger boys drove his team up.

“You are right. I'll see you, Chet, and thanks.”

“Anytime, Cole.”

Chet drove to the house, the sharp wind in his face, tied off the reins, and jumped down to load his wife. She was smiling, despite the wind. “What a morning.”

“A whopper of one.”

“I met the second son of a German family once, before I remarried. He always said ‘Bully, bully' about such days.”

“Was he a rich remittance man? Some of those get large allowances?”

“Large or small, I did not want him.” She wrapped up in the extra blanket she'd brought along. “He was so fussy and such a baby.”

“You could have been rich.” Chet slapped the reins and they were on their way.

“I am rich. I have you. My, my, I never expected what happened back there. But your sister is like you—a spade is a spade. I couldn't believe Sarge ever considered himself a peasant.”

“A farm boy from Iowa joined the army. Worked up to Sergeant in maybe ten years. They don't usually give that rank in less than twenty years even if you were a hero in the Civil War.”

“There is no telling what he has seen, is there?”

“No, ma'am. But thanks to you, Susie found marriage was a good place to reside. And I think we know the story for those two.”

“Yes. Now, if you had JD back and in the fold, you'd be more settled.”

“I would. But I have the places and jobs will be assigned. I must go tell Reg and Lucy what happened to Leif.”

“They probably know already. But do what you must. I will curl up at the fire and sleep. I think being with child is the most work I've ever done. I could curl up and sleep on our way home, right now.”

“You all right?”

“I am fine. Tom's wife Millie agreed that being with child is exhausting. Whew. She never lied about that. Maybe I am a baby. I have seen farm women working in the fields, stop, and deliver right there in the field.”

“My heavens. We don't have to do that.” Chet shook his head, driving the team up the steep grade.

She began laughing. “I am only complaining about myself. Oh, Chet Byrnes, there is never a day without excitement in my life since I married you and I do love it. The brothers and sisters I never had, I have now. The excitement of you chasing down killers and the like. Range wars. Oh my heavens, what a world we live in. And our baby is going to see it all, next spring.”

“It ain't easy,” he said, making the team take the center of the road rather than the edge so he could see the whole road for a good distance before it ducked to the left again. Easier to see if someone was coming down. He didn't want to meet them head-on. The air was not warming, but the front side of his body was heated by the sun. Grateful for the coat to shield his back, he clucked to the horses to move them along.

They reached the ranch and Jesus, who had ridden home after the services the day before, met them.

“A man is waiting to see you at the house. He is a lawman. He wants to see Chet on business. Monica said she would make him comfortable.”

“You did good as usual,” Marge said to Jesus as Chet herded her inside.

“Come back. We'll talk later,” he said to Jesus.

“Ah,
sí
. Thanks.”

“He's going to be a good hand someday.”

“He is now.”

Monica met them and whispered. “A U.S. marshal—Paul Sipes—is here to talk to Chet.” She shook her head like she knew nothing more.

“He can handle it. Help me get out of this blanket and coat, Monica.” Marge turned to Chet. “She can help me. You go see what the marshal wants.”

Chet nodded and went through the kitchen and dining room to see a sharp-eyed man standing by the Morris Chair. Five-eight, frosted black hair, bright blue eyes, he looked like a man who had sat in the saddle for a good part of his life.

“Marshal, I'm Chet Byrnes. What can I do for you?” They shook hands and Chet told him to sit in the chair.

“Oh, I've been hearing about you for months. I decided I needed to look you up today, so I swung over here with a map drawn by your friend Roamer.”

“He's a fine man. He and I are good friends.”

“He tells me you should have a deputy marshal badge, and from the reports I've heard, you do need one. The job has no pay unless you arrest a criminal. We pay ten cents a mile, four dollars for the arrest, and a dollar a day to feed anyone you arrest. The captured must be alive when you deliver him to collect any of this. You may hire deputies to assist you if you feel you need them. We pay them a dollar a day as posse members.”

Chet held up his hand. “Marshal, I don't need another job.”

“I know that well, but with this badge you can demand things of people an ordinary citizen can't. Local law is to aid you when you need help. If they deny it, they face charges of contempt with the Arizona judges. Sheriffs and deputies have to jail your prisoner or prisoners. You can look at their records and files without a warrant. These are all things you needed in the previous case you worked on.”

“I don't have time for this work.”

“But you have been doing it in the past. Say a fugitive goes over a state or territory line, you can run him down wherever he goes.”

“Marshal, I'm a busy man.”

“I know. I didn't come here to put you to work. I want you to have authority when you do go. Put the badge in your pocket and when you need it, tell them who you are. Roamer told me he had to do that at Rye.”

“Yes, and it damn sure worked.” Chet dropped his head and nodded. “I can't always come when you need me, but thanks for dropping by and asking me.”

U.S. Marshal Sipes quickly said, “Thank you. Raise your right hand.”

Chet did.

“Repeat after me. I swear to uphold the laws of the United States of America, to be honest and fair in my judgment, protect the public from their enemies, and be respectful of all laws. So help me God.”

Chet repeated the oath and Sipes handed him the star badge. Chet looked at it in his palm. It was a big honor. He hoped he had the time to serve his country.

“Pin it on.”

Chet did. “Once again, I appreciate your coming out here and accepting me as part of your team. I will do my best to get the job done.”

“That's why I came.”

Marge stepped into the doorway. “Gentlemen. Monica has supper ready. Nice to have you here, sir.” She nodded at the marshal.

“Paul is fine. So nice to meet you, Mrs. Byrnes.”

“My name is Marge.” She took him by the arm to the dining room.

All three laughed and sat down.

“I haven't heard a word about the Marconi trio, have you?” Paul asked.

“No. We've been to the funeral of my brother-in-law,” Chet told him.

“I understood that from your lady Monica. I am so sorry.”

Chet nodded. “A very simple accident. He landed wrong. We tracked down and had a shoot-out with three men who had shot one of my cowboys while they were rustling our cattle.”