Lee (The Landon Saga Book 6) (16 page)

Chapter fifty-six

It was early in the morning when Ross Stewart rode up to Ike’s headquarters. He looked around curiously as he walked his horse up to the main house, and Butch Nelson met him at the porch.

Ross delivered his message, and then he left, going back towards town.

Butch went inside and entered the study. Ike was seated at his desk, eating breakfast and studying a map.

“Morning, Ike.”

“Butch,” Ike nodded, and he gestured at the map spread out before him. “Come look at this.”

Butch walked over to the desk and peered down.

There were little circles drawn all over the map, representing the ranches that Ike owned. Ike placed his finger on one of these circles that was to the west.

“I just bought this ranch last month,” Ike reminded.

“The Johnson’s place,” Butch nodded.

Ike moved his finger north and tapped his finger on another circle.

“I bought this ranch last year.”

“I remember,” Butch said. “He didn’t want to sell at first.”

“Most of them don’t.”

Butch nodded, and Ike moved his finger back to the south and tapped again between the two circles.

“If I owned this ranch, then all three ranches would be connected.”

“That would be a big spread,” Butch agreed.

“Go talk to the owner, and see if he’s willing to sell,” Ike said as he leaned back in his chair. “Leave a few men here, but take the rest. Seeing all our men might help convince him to sell.”

“I’ll leave soon as the boys finish their breakfast,” Butch said.

Ike nodded, satisfied. A few seconds passed, and Butch cleared his throat.

“There’s news from town.”

“Oh?”

“That politician friend of yours. He’s at the hotel.”

“Good!” Ike said, pleased. “Have somebody saddle my horse. I’ll ride in and see him after breakfast.”

Butch nodded and started towards the door.

Ike watched him leave, and he grunted in satisfaction. He took a swig of coffee and returned to his map.

Chapter fifty-seven

Ross was curious and concerned as he rode into Empty-lake. He dismounted at the jail, tied his horse to the railing, and hurried inside.

Rondo Landon sat at his desk, going over some papers. He looked up and was surprised to see Ross.

“Back so soon?”

“I got here quick as I could.”

“You found Brock and Amos?” Rondo looked hopeful.

“No, but you’re going to be surprised when I tell you who I
did
see.”

“Who?”

“Lee Mattingly and Brian Clark,” Ross announced, and Rondo jumped in surprise.

“Where are they?”

“They were headed towards Ike’s headquarters,” Ross said, and then he explained about their meeting.

Rondo frowned in thought and asked, “I wonder what happened to them?”

“I don’t know, but they looked horrible. They hadn’t shaved in weeks. In fact, the only thing that looked good was their horse,” Ross said, and asked, “Why would they go to Ike’s headquarters?”

“I don’t know, but we’d better find out,” Rondo said somberly as he stood. “Let’s go.”

Ross nodded and followed him out the door.

Chapter fifty-eight

We rode up on a hilltop that overlooked Ike’s ranch headquarters. We pulled up and studied the layout.

Things were busy. There were around twenty men a-horseback, and they were leaving headquarters in a brisk trot, going west.

I squinted my eyes at them. I wasn’t sure, but it looked like Butch was leading them.

We watched as they disappeared over the skyline, and then we turned our attention back to headquarters.

I spotted a saddled horse, tied to the hitching rail at the main house, and there were also at least four men down at the barn.

“You know we could get killed down there,” Brian spoke up.

“It’s possible,” I agreed. I sighed and added, “The sad truth of it, Brian, is that it just doesn’t matter much to me anymore.”

“It matters to me,” Brian objected. It was silent, and then he sighed. “Well, nothing lasts forever.”

“We’ve had our ups and downs, but I’ve enjoyed it,” I said, and I turned in the saddle and offered my hand.

Brian shook my hand firmly and nodded.

“You ready?” I asked.

“I’m as ready as I’m going to get,” he said.

I smiled faintly. We checked our weapons, and then I nudged No-see-ums forward.

***

The men at the barn spotted us as we trotted down the hill. They grabbed their rifles and walked towards the main house.

Ike Nash appeared from the porch. He was headed towards the saddled horse, but he stopped abruptly when he spotted us. His four men joined him, and they spread out into a line as we rode up.

“Stop right there,” Ike said gruffly.

“I’m stopped,” I replied, and I pulled up No-see-ums.

Ike’s eyes grew wide when he recognized us.

“What happened to you two?” He asked.

“Oh, a little of this, and a little of that,” I replied.

“What are you doing here?” Ike wanted to know.

I didn’t reply as we dismounted. I dropped my reins and stepped forward, and Brian stood by my side, holding his rifle with the barrel pointed down at the ground.

I heard a soft click as he pulled the hammer back, and my hand hovered over my Colt’s handle.

No-see-ums didn’t move. Instead, he dropped his head and snipped at the grass.

“We came here to see you,” I finally said.

“What about?”

“You made a mistake, taking our hotel.”

Ike frowned thoughtfully, and several seconds passed.

“You rode all the way out here just to tell me that?”

“No. We came here to get it back.”

Surprise showed in Ike’s face.

“I see,” he said thoughtfully. “Did you bring any money with you?”

“No, you already have all our money.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I think you know,” I replied.

Ike nodded slowly and asked, “What if I don’t want to give the hotel back?”

“That would be another mistake.”

“No,” Ike smiled wolfishly. “You’re the one who made the mistake.”

“How’s that?”

“You didn’t bring any men with you.”

I smiled at that.

“That’s the difference between you and me.”

“What’s that?” Ike looked curious.

“I don’t hire my killing done.”

Ike grunted, and a pleased look crossed his face.

“Is that all you think I am?” He asked.

“Pretty much.”

“I don’t wear this Colt just for looks,” he said. “I know how to use it.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

Suddenly, Ike’s face turned dark.

“You were there when my son Tanner was killed.”

“I sure was.”

“Well then, I should be thanking you.”

“For what?”

“I’m a patient man, and I’ve been waiting for a chance to get back at you, Ross, and Rondo. And now here you are, trespassing on my land.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

It was silent then, and every second seemed like an hour. I stared into Ike’s eyes, and my nerves, muscles, and guts inside me were bunched up tight in anticipation.

Ike’s face was pale and tight-drawn, but controlled. He stood rigid, and a harsh coldness was coming over him.

His eyes suddenly blinked, and we grabbed for our Colts.

Ike was fast. We brought our six-shooters up at the same time, and our shots blended together.

I heard a loud thump as my bullet hit flesh, and Ike flew backwards and landed on his back. 

I also felt a wicked blow hit me somewhere below, and I staggered backwards but managed to stay on my feet.

Gunshots erupted around me, and in the corner of my eye I saw Brian stagger as he took lead. But he was also firing his Henry furiously, and I heard a scream of pain.

Ike was trying to raise himself up, so I fired again. My bullet caught him in the chest, and he was flipped over backwards.

I started to turn to the others, but before I could another bullet slammed into my shoulder and threw me backwards. I landed hard on my back, but I managed to keep ahold of my Colt.

Brian was down on one knee beside me. He had dropped his rifle, but now he held his Colt and was still firing away.

Two of Ike’s men were still standing, and they were firing at us. While lying there I fired twice at the closest one, and his body jerked backwards. Meanwhile, Brian took care of the other one, and they fell at the same time. 

I turned my attention to the other two, but they were down for good.

I heard a grimace beside me. I looked sideways and saw Brian fall over onto his back.

I was about to say something when I heard a noise. I looked and spotted a man running out of the bunkhouse. He disappeared around the corner, and a few seconds later he reappeared. He was a-horseback, and he was riding out in a dead run.

With pain everywhere, I managed to get up on one knee. Breathing hard, I lifted my Colt and aimed. I emptied my six-shooter at the fleeing man, but his horse never broke stride as he rode up the hill and disappeared.

I grimaced as I lowered the Colt. I was dizzy, so I allowed myself to fall gently onto my back. With my elbows on the ground and my hands pointed upward, I stared up at the blue sky and breathed.

“Brian?” I gasped.

“I’m here,” came the abrupt answer.

“Hit bad?”

“I think so. You?”

“Not sure yet.”

“They all dead?”

I glanced sideways at them.

“They ain’t moving.”

“Good.”

“Let me catch my breath,” I gasped. “Then I’ll see what I can do.”

“All right,” Brian sounded tired. “Don’t die on me.”

“I’ll try. You don’t die either.”

Brian grunted, and then it was silent.

I’m not sure when it happened, but I must have passed out after that because I don’t remember anything else.

Chapter fifty-nine

I woke up to pain. My head hurt, my ribs hurt; it even hurt to breath.

I also heard a familiar snoring, and I was relieved to hear it.

My eyes were dry and matted, but I forced them open anyhow. I blinked a few times before I spotted a ceiling above me.

I was in a bunk. I turned my head and spotted Brian Clark sleeping in another bunk.

Moving slowly, I felt at my right hip, and a wave of panic came over me when I realized that I wasn’t wearing my Colt.

With considerable pain, I swung my feet out and sat up. The movement caused my head to swirl, and I had to close my eyes as I gathered myself.

Several minutes passed, and I opened my eyes again and looked around.

I was in a bunkhouse. The room looked familiar, but I couldn’t place where I was.

I spotted my gun-belt and Colt on another bunk, and there was also a new shirt and pants folded beside them.

There was a noise at the door. A young man walked in, and he was small, lean, and had red hair. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him.

“You’re awake!” He said loudly, and I winced as a sharp pain exploded in my head.

“Not so loud,” I managed to say.

“Sorry,” he said, and asked, “How do you feel?”

I grunted in response.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“You don’t know?” He looked at me with an amused look.

“No.”

“You’re at Mr. Tomlin’s ranch headquarters,” he informed. “Rondo Landon brought you here.”

“Rondo?”

“Sure, him and Ross. You were in bad shape. You had a bullet in your shoulder and another one stuck between two ribs. Mrs. Tomlin dug ’em out though.”

“How ’bout Brian?”

“He got hit in the leg, hip, and arm. You boys were sure lucky.”

I grunted at that.

“What happened to my horse?” I asked suddenly.

“Is he the blind one?”

“That’s him.”

“He’s fine. He’s down at the barn.”

I nodded and asked, “Where’s Rondo?”

“In town. He should be here tonight.”

I was confused about a lot of things. I shook my head to clear the cobwebs, and I winced as sharp pains shot through my body.

“Who are you?” I asked as I tried to ignore the pain.

“You don’t recognize me?”

“I do, I just can’t think straight right now.”

“I’m Rory. Rory Wheeler.”

I nodded slowly as my memory came back.

“You work for Mr. Tomlin.”

“That’s right.”

“Is Mr. Tomlin here?”

“No. He’s out.”

I frowned as I tried to force myself to think. But I was just too tired, and with a sigh I leaned back on my bunk.

“You don’t look so good,” Rory said. “Why don’t you get some more rest? Rondo can explain everything later.”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

Rory nodded and left the bunkhouse. Meanwhile, I closed my eyes and drifted off.