Chapter Twenty-Five

Two weeks later

Late March, 1885

‘Ethan,’ Joe called, hurrying across to Ethan, who was brushing his saddle blanket. ‘I’ve gotta go back to Carter, and I’ve gotta go real soon.’

Ethan stood still, brush in hand, and stared at Joe in surprise. ‘How come? I thought we were gonna head to San Antonio as soon as the snows had melted, and then ride the Chisholm Trail to Caldwell. We’ve already been taken on for the drive.’

‘And that would still be my plan if I hadn’t just gotten this letter.’ He held up the piece of paper in his hand. ‘I reckon it’s the shortest letter Charity’s ever written. They’re askin’ me to get back home as fast as I can. You remember the man I told you about, Seth Culpepper, the man who owns the livery stable where I used to work?’

‘The one who gave you your first horse and saddle?’

‘Yup; that’s the one. Well, he’s laid up and will be a while. He was always real good to me, and now it’s my turn to help him by runnin’ the stable till he’s back on his feet and able to work again. That won’t be till the fall, they reckon.’

‘It’s nice of you to be willin’ to go back just like that.’

‘Not really, it isn’t. He’s been a good friend to me. And to tell you the truth, I’ve been thinkin’ for some time now that I oughta go home. It’s seven years since I left.’ He paused a moment. ‘And I’ve also been thinkin’ that maybe my next drive oughta be my last.’

Ethan stared ruefully at him. ‘Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. You’ve bin seemin’ restless recently. Seven years atop a horse from the time the sun comes up till it goes down at night, and workin’ through all the winter months on one ranch after another – I guess that’s about long enough for most men.’

Joe nodded. ‘You’re right about me feelin’ restless. I reckon I’m about ready to settle down.’

Ethan nodded slowly. ‘That’s good thinkin’, Joe. You’ve always said you wanted a ranch, but a drover’s life’s a real hard life, and if you let it, it’ll use up all your strength, and you won’t be left with enough to set up on your own. You’re stoppin’ at the right time.’

‘That’s my way of lookin’ at it, too.’

‘And, of course, with your brother married and him a pa now, it’s not surprisin’ you’re thinkin’ about gettin’ yourself a wife, too,’ Ethan added with a wry smile.

‘Who’s said anythin’ about a wife?’ Joe exclaimed.

Ethan grinned at him. ‘You didn’t need to. I seen the way the gals in town look at you, and the way you look back at them. But you ain’t gonna find the right gal for you if you’re always on the move. I didn’t, and you won’t.’ He paused. ‘So when are you settin’ off?’

‘Right now, if you’ll oblige me by explainin’ what’s happened to the ranch foreman. I’ve over a month of hard riding ahead of me, and it’s not gonna be an easy journey.’

Ethan nodded. ‘I’ll tell him,’ he said, ‘and I’ll get you an extra blanket for the nights. You’ll need it – it’ll be real cold sleepin’ beneath the stars when the sun’s gone down.’ He started to turn away.

‘Wait a minute, Ethan,’ Joe said quickly.

Ethan turned back to him. ‘What’s up?’

‘I know I’m gonna see you again, but I just wanna say how grateful I am that I had you for a trail partner when I started out, and that we’ve always been able to work together since then. Luck was on my side the day I met you. You’ve been a good friend: you’ve taught me what I needed to know; you’ve seen that we’ve had interestin’ drives led by foremen who knew what they were doin’ and you’ve always found us somewhere to work over winter that was real congenial. I appreciate that.’

Ethan gestured for Joe to stop.

‘Not till I’ve finished,’ Joe said, smiling. ‘I owe you a lot, Ethan. I’ve now seen enough and listened to enough people to know there are a lot of drovers who aren’t as lucky as I’ve been and who’ve had it mighty hard. Many have had to work long hours for little more than food and clothin’. I’ve had a better experience than that, and that’s thanks to you.’

Ethan shrugged. ‘There’s a lot of men drivin’ cows who haven’t got your skill or education, and I guess many of those are the ones who’re linin’ the bottom of the barrel. Same can be said of any job.’

‘True, but my greenness of youth has long since passed and I can see that this is a more difficult job than many. That I’ve had such a swell time of it is thanks to you.’ He smiled at Ethan. ‘That’s what I wanted to say, and now I’ve said it.’

‘You sure did,’ Ethan drawled. ‘And I thank you.’ He paused. ‘But to go back to now, I’ll not expect to see you till after winter, and if you don’t make it back for the spring round-up, or for any other, you be sure to keep in touch.’

‘You bet I will.’

‘Drop a line to me in Caldwell, and I’ll let you know where I’ll be after that. After all, one day you might need someone who knows about horses and cattle to help you out on that ranch of yours.’ He grinned at Joe, raised his hand in a slight wave, and turned away.

‘You’re gonna have to learn to sleep real quiet then,’ Joe called after him, laughing. ‘I don’t wanna have to deal nightly with a stampede of frightened cows.’

Ethan stopped walking and turned back to Joe. He gave him a slow smile. ‘Stay safe, my friend,’ he said, and he turned away again and continued walking.