Ten days later Scar entered the livery and pounded another horseshoe nail in the livery’s door. When Eli heard the pounding, he came from a stall in the back, poured coffee, and after handing a cup to Scar, sat down beside him. Both men studied the map they had created on the eight-foot barn door. They had used whitewash symbols for towns, roads, mountain passes, and the like. From the governor’s telegrams, which indicated the date, time, and location of each hold up over the past three months, they had marked the sites by driving nails on the map.
“It looks to me like a weekly, see-saw pattern is starting to take place,” Eli said. “One week they’re robbing a stagecoach and two weeks later a bank.” Eli paused for coffee. “I’ve noticed another thing, Scar.”
“What’s that?”
“According to the governor’s telegrams, the bank robberies always take place around three o’clock. Might be a coincidence but it might be part of their plan. Banks are normally quiet in mid-afternoon.” Scar nodded at Eli’s insight.
Time passed as the men looked at their map and considered the possibilities. Eli started. “There are only five banks in the entire Midwest section of Colorado that I know of, and four have already been robbed.”
“It leaves the bank at Council Bluff,” Scar interjected.
“You’re right, and it’s a big one. There are several silver mines in the mountains north of Council Bluff, and they all use the bank to hold their payroll and operating money. If the thieves keep to their pattern, they’ll be hitting it week after next.”
“How far away is Council Bluff, Eli? How long will it take me to get there?”
“It’s about seventy-five miles west of here…two long days of riding. The prairie road takes you most of the way, but at Eagle Pass, you turn north through the mountains for ten miles or so.” The men spent the next hour discussing the various robbery alternatives available to the bandits and the best way to capture them. By the time they had explored all of the possibilities, it was time for their noon meal.
“It’s time to eat, Eli. Wanna go to Jenny’s with me?”
“I’ll be staying here. I’ve got some leftover sausage patties from breakfast that needs to be eaten. Tell the women I said hello.” When Scar entered the café, he was surprised to see Jake and Rebecca at a corner table. He ambled back. “What are you doing here, Jake? Aren’t you needed at the ranch?” Both Jake and Rebecca looked sheepish.
“We’re fairly well caught up,” Jake said. “I wanted to talk with Rebecca for a while. It gets lonesome at the ranch.”
“And I left the classroom a little early. Liz said she could handle things.” Scar smiled and then headed to the fire for coffee. As he was pouring, Mrs. Kaiser whispered to him as she walked past holding filled plates. “They’ve met in here to eat every day for the last two weeks. I believe things are getting serious.” Scar sat with the couple but ate quickly, not wanting to hamper their courting.
At home that evening, Scar asked his wife, “Liz, what’s going on between Rebecca and Jake?”
Liz seemed not prepared for his question. She looked guiltily at him. “What do you mean, dear?”
Scar smiled. “You know what I’m talking about, Liz. I know it’s a woman thing between you and Rebecca, but it’s time you’re filling me in on the matter. I saw Jake with Rebecca at Jenny’s today, and Mrs. Kaiser told me they’ve met for lunch every day for the last two weeks.”
“I believe things are getting serious between them, Bart,” she said.
“Are marriage plans in the making?”
“I don’t know about Jake, but Rebecca certainly has an agenda. She’s thinking he’ll ask her to marry him after the busy time at the ranch…maybe in August or September.” Scar smiled. “What are you smiling at, Bart?”
“A man doesn’t stand a chance once a woman sets her mind on him.” They both laughed. A minute or two passed before he said, “You’ll miss Rebecca’s help at school when they marry, and she moves to the Double D.” Liz’s face took on a strange expression. “What is it, Liz? There’s something you’re not telling me.”
“Bart, would Jake be missed if he didn’t work for the Double D? Could the ranch get along without him?”
“He’d be missed, but your pa could get along without him. He could hire a replacement. What makes you ask that, Liz?”
“The bank president has contacted Jake and said the board of directors voted to employ him if he’s available. They want to train him over the next few years to become one of its managers.”
“You’re full of surprises today, Liz. What was Jake’s response to the bank’s offer?”
“He said he’d think about it but wouldn’t leave the ranch until the spring and summer work was over and his replacement was hired. Rebecca believes he wants to accept the job.”
A short time later they rose to do the evening chores. Liz started on the dirty dishes, and Scar went to the barn to feed and water the stock. When he started back to the house, he paused and looked skyward at the Colorado heavens. He saw the thousands of stars and a full moon shining brightly through the crystal clear air. He felt at peace and considered his changing world. I married a wonderful woman, Colorado has become a state, and I’ll soon become a member of its cabinet. As he paused more changes came to mind. Jake will be getting married and leaving the ranch, and the Double D is no longer a struggling, start-up ranch but one with roots, accepted by other ranchers. He smiled.
A cold gust of wind brought him back to the present. It’s extra cold for the middle of April, and nearly time for the Double D’s roundup to begin. They’ll have to start without me this year since I’ll be chasing the Abernathy brothers. He pushed the thought aside and opened the door.
Liz was in the sitting room holding coffee when Scar came in. She had placed his cup on the table by his chair. When he got settled, she started. “I have something else to tell you, Bart.”
“There’s more?” he asked with a raised brow.
“I told Rebecca we would move and they could live here if they got married and Jake took the bank job. That is if you’re agreeable.”
“Where would we live, Liz?”
“At the ranch,” she responded.
“What about your teaching?”
“Rebecca will take over. I’m sure the town board will agree.”
Scar looked puzzled.
“Bart,” Liz said, “if you remember, we agreed to make plans concerning our life’s goals while you were in Denver meeting with the governor.” Scar nodded. “I studied on the matter every day you were gone. I even made a list, and what it all comes down to is I want you to work at whatever makes you happy. Whatever fulfills your dreams, and I want to be at your side helping in the endeavor.”
“But, honey,” Scar said, scooting to the edge of his chair, “what about you? You love to teach and be around children. I want you to be happy, too.”
Liz wiped her eyes. “I’ll admit, it’ll be hard giving up my teaching career, but if that’s what it takes to be at your side, I’ll gladly make the sacrifice. It’s what I want to do.”
The silence was deafening for several minutes. Finally, Liz spoke. “If you’re working with the Indians, sweetheart, perhaps I can teach their children.”
“That’s a good idea, Liz,” he said as he sat in deep thought, “Or, maybe your time will be spent teaching ours.” They both had wide grins.