CHAPTER 15
The toughest two-day ride of his life was leading his dead brother-in-law’s mount, laden with his body wrapped in a blanket, back to Camp Verde. Leif must have broken his neck when his horse went down head over tail from the bullet intended for him. No one but Chet saw it happen.
Solemn-faced, they reached the sawmill and Robert Brown rushed out to see what was wrong. “Who is it?”
“Leif Times,” Chet said. “We were after some rustlers.” He swallowed hard. “They shot his horse and he broke his neck in the fall.”
“When did it happen?”
“Yesterday. Up at a place called Wade’s on the Marcy Road.”
“What can I do?”
Chet dropped heavily from the saddle. “I don’t know, Robert. I might have planned our raid on those rustlers better. Leif is dead. Nothing we can do for him, now.”
“Oh, hell. Your poor sister.”
“It will break her heart and it’s all my fault.”
“I want to ride down with you and give everyone some support. I wouldn’t have this job, if it wasn’t for you. I came to you from Jenn and if you had not given me the chance, I’d be starving back in Preskitt. I’m going back to support you and Susie. She’s a great lady.”
Chet nodded. He was short on words, bearing the weight of Leif’s death heavy on his heart.
Cole and Jesus had tried to tell him it wasn’t his fault. No tears ran down his cheeks. Only his heart pained him. But he had no answers, no way to speak about it more than a few sentences. Leif dead.
Chet didn’t sleep—just lay in the bunkhouse bed with heavy eyelids that hardly stayed closed. He recalled burying his own brother on the prairie and going after his killers. How dark his days had been, how hard to keep centered on his mission to settle that matter. The three rustlers were dead, but he had to go back to the family and Susie and explain that an accident killed her newfound mate. Damn. At periods of this mad experience, he wanted to fade away.
The only woman in the world he held as high as his wife was his sister Susie. And in the next twenty hours he had to face her. God—he hated to do that. It would be worse than picking up Leif’s limp body and getting no response.
Morning came. At breakfast the mill men offered their condolences to him. He thanked them quietly, mostly with nods of his head.
Chet, Cole, and Jesus saddled up in the cold air and rode for Camp Verde with the body tied over a good horse. Late afternoon, they rode up to the headquarters and the crew came hurrying to see who was dead.
Chet dismounted quickly and got around the men to head off his distraught sister. He caught her.
“It’s Leif?” she cried out and then fainted.
He swept her up in his arms, calling to Cole. “Go tell the rest of the ranch Leif Times is dead.”
Chet carried her toward the house. “Tom, will you go tell my wife? Don’t let her panic. I am staying with Susie.”
“We’ll tell Hampt and May, also.”
“Go tell Sarge as well.”
“What about Reg?”
“I’ll go tell him in time. Put Leif’s body some place safe, first. We will decide the place to bury him. His father needs to know, too.”
“Damn shame,” Tom said. “He was making a real leader of men.”
“Put me down.” Susie struggled to her feet. “I want to see what they are going to do with his body.”
“Easy. You fainted,” Chet said.
She straightened her dress. “I want him in the living room. Not in some shed.”
Tom’s wife Millie came on the run and took her arm. “What can I do?”
“I am having his body taken into the house.”
Millie looked up at the open front door. “I will fix a place for it.” She bolted for the entrance to set things up.
His arm around her, Chet headed Susie up the steps and inside. He didn’t want to hurry her, but felt the sooner Leif’s body was in the grave, the sooner he’d recover from the horrible burden of bringing him home.
Millie had a sheet to spread on the main table. A cowboy helped her and then stepped back.
With care the four men carried Leif’s body inside and laid it out on the table. Millie began to herd everyone outside. She stopped Chet. “Stay. Susie needs you. Tom has gone for Marge. He’s sent the rest to tell others. Leif needs to buried today. That is not much notice, but we must do it that way.”
“Thanks.” Chet let Susie go back into the kitchen, sobbing.
Cole stood at the door. “Tom put me in charge. Should we start a grave next to that boy’s?”
“Yes. If she wants him elsewhere we can change. Thanks, Cole.”
“We have a fat steer hanging in the cooler, so we will start a fire and barbecue him. We are cutting the carcass up now so we can have him done by afternoon. The men are working hard to have lots of food ready ’cause when the word gets out we will have plenty of folks coming in. They are even baking bread. What else do I need to do?”
“Set up some rough tables. Rewash all the tin dishes we have so they’re clean. How is Hoot?”
“He’s sitting down and directing things. He says he’s fine, but he’s weak. I’ll watch him. John is making a casket for the body.”
“Good. We will need a row of chairs for the family to sit. Oh, a minister, we need one.”
“I am not sure about that. The men want you to do it.”
“Are you serious? Why?”
“They know that you and him were close. He rode with you on posses and you’ve prayed with us. If our request is too hard, we can get the minister who married Susie and Leif.”
“Stay here. I need to ask her.”
“Sure.”
Chet went back into the kitchen. Susie looked up and met his gaze.
“What?” she asked.
“The cowboys have asked me to give the graveside services at the funeral.”
Numb, she nodded. “You were his hero. Yes, he would have liked that. I know that is a burden to put on your shoulders after all you have been through, but I would be pleased, too.”
“I will do it. We have many things taking place. The whole crew is cooking food for the guests they expect today. They are really pitching in to get things done and they will be ready. I will ask May to sing a hymn if she can do it.”
“Good. Millie and I will dress him in his best clothes.”
“Fine. I am going to try to sleep a few hours.”
“Its near midnight now. Get some rest.”
“If I can sleep.”
“Chet. Thanks. You always get things done. We all appreciate you. Good night, brother.”
He went back and told Cole he would handle the services.
A soft smile crossed his mouth and then a nod. “Good. I will tell the men.”
“Aren’t you shorthanded?” Chet asked, concerned.
“The women and men from the wagon train came, as soon as they heard, to help us.”
“Good. I am going to try to sleep a few hours.”
“Yes, you will need it. Things are moving. We will be ready. We’ll dig the grave after daylight.”
“Good. We can talk in the morning.”
“Yes sir.”
“Thanks.” Chet clapped Cole on the shoulder. Tom had picked a good man to put in charge. Upstairs, Chet fell into bed and was soon asleep. Some time in the night his wife quietly joined him.
When he awoke and sat up, she caught and hugged him from behind. “I am so sorry I wasn’t there. I know you have had two hard days.”
“Nothing anyone could do. I feel more sorry for Susie. I didn’t take him along to get him killed.”
“It will be hard, but I survived it. Hurts like someone kicked you in the guts, but you survive. We talked last night. She’s a strong person. Married only a few months and he’s already been taken away from her.”
“First Heck, now Leif. What am I?” Chet took in a deep breath, letting it out in a sigh.
“A strong family man. What now? I brought some good clothes. Tom and his wife are so nice and this cowboy Cole Emerson, he’s a good one. Things look in place to me.”
“I need to write a script.”
“You want a bath and shave?”
“Yes, I better have that.”
“I’ll arrange for it. Anything else?” Marge asked.
“Coffee and some breakfast when someone gets time.”
“They will. You can write up here. I’ll arrange the rest.”
Chet kissed her. Then she got up and dressed.
At the desk, he began scribbling ideas on paper. He’d need a prayer to start. Then he must write about the young man who’d come and asked to ride with him. Leif wanted to help and rode with the posse who went after the killers of the old couple. He went along to find Roamer’s shooters and holdup men. He’d proved himself and became part of the Quarter Circle Z crew. He courted Susie and they married a short while before this tragic accident occurred, running down three worthless rustlers.
Hampt came upstairs and stood in the doorway holding his hat.
“Come in, Hampt, and sit down,” Chet said, looking up for moment.
“I didn’t come to trouble you.”
“You aren’t.”
“May will sing ‘How Great Thou Art.’ She cried some coming over, but when she heard you were doing the services, she straightened up and said, ‘Oh, I have to do it.’”
“She’s a lovely lady and you have done more good for her than any of us.”
“Aw, hell, boss, I’m so lucky to have her. She’s such a bright light in my life. I won’t know what to do without her.”
“Great. Hug and kiss her for me. We did get those three thieves that caused Leif’s death. They were rustling cattle, butchering them, and selling the meat to freighters on the road.”
“I didn’t know there was a way up the mountain to March Road. Cole said it was steep going in lots of places.”
“Hard. How are things?”
“John and I talked some about making our own barbed wire this winter.”
“He says he knows how, but getting the stuff from the end of the tracks to here would be a helluva big job.”
“Hell, boss we can do that.”
Chet chuckled. “Oh, well go on. You say we can, then we can do it.”
“Good. We’re going to find out how and how much.”
“Do it. I need to take a bath and shave. How cold is it outside today?”
“Warm enough. It will be fine by the time you have services.”
“Thanks and thank May for me.”
Hampt looked around. “I never knew before, but Sarge has a big crush on your sister. He knows it is way too early, but he told me he was not going miss getting her this time.”
Chet agreed. “He’s a solid man.”
“Yeah, hardworking, too. I thought I’d share his intentions with you.”
Chet heard steps on the stairs. “I think my wife is coming up to tell me she has bathwater ready.”
“Hampt, how are you?” Marge asked, stepping into the room.
“Sad that we lost him, but I’ll be fine.”
“Good.” She looked at Chet. “The water’s hot.”
“Hampt and I were just talking. May will sing this afternoon.”
She nodded that she knew. “She will be the icing on the cake.”
“See you, Chet. Ma’am.” Hampt said and started out.
“You call me Marge. We’re all family. I’m not someone special.”
“Yes, Marge. I will do that.”
She reached over, caught him, and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Marge is who I am.”
Hampt was embarrassed, but he was laughing. “I won’t forget.”
Equally amused, Chet knew Hampt would not forget it.
They went downstairs—he to be bathed, shaved, and to eat an early lunch, Marge to welcome the people who were coming from everywhere, and Hampt to find his wife. The south wind swept the dust of churning wheels across the open land between the house and the road.
Dressed at last, Chet passed the coffin, noticing that the women had cleaned up the body and dressed it in a suit. Leif’s father was in the kitchen and they shook hands, shared a few words, hugged, and patted each other on the back.
Chet’s Aunt Louise and her man came to the house. Dressed in black, she looked straight-backed, but Chet could feel she was very devoted to the man. He could hardly believe how much she’d changed since they’d left Texas.
He made his way over to them. “Aunt Louise, I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Chet, I know how this has stabbed you, but you are so important to this family. Keep your head high. You lead these people. I only wish JD would come back and be a part of us again. He sent me one sparse letter, but I guess I should be grateful for that. Reg’s woman Lucy sends me short ones, but quite often. I do enjoy them. Lean down. I want to kiss you for all you’ve done for us and poor Susie.”
He did and her kiss burned a hole in his cheek. “Thanks,” he managed.
Two o’clock, six cowboys including Tom carried the coffin from the house to place it on the sawhorses at the gravesite beside Heck’s monument. The family was seated in the front row chairs. Chet took his place before the crowd he estimated at over a hundred and fifty folks.
May sang the hymn. Her voice sounded so strong and he was moved as he thanked her.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we come before you today to lay to rest a fine husband, a fellow worker, Leif Times. His time here was cut short by a horse wreck as he bravely fought outlaws who had shot a cowboy while they were rustling cattle. This young man came to me wanting to help bring the lawless ones to justice. He never asked for any special treatment other than what the rest of us had on those days spent in the saddle. He never complained.
“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.