A Good Day To Kill (25 page)

Rhineheart shook his hand. “I also know what else you've done to hold down crime. If I can ever help, you call on me.”

“Thanks. I will.” He slipped out of the house to give the workers better access.

Raphael met him outside. “We are cooking. That John, the spit he made us for the pig is great. The steer will be good, but that pig he will be
mucho bueno
.”

“I bet you're right. Have fun doing this.”

“Oh, we will all have fun.”

He agreed. Things under good control, he rode back to the ranch.

“Everything alright?” Monica asked.

“You got a good Mexican in charge,
no hay problema
, huh?”

“Yes, you crazy man. No problem.” She went off laughing.

“What has her laughing?” Marge asked, getting up from the couch, holding the baby.

“Not much, I'm picking on her.”

“You two are a mess, but the laughter always sounds good.”

“Hello, little man.” He peeked at Adam, enveloped in the folds of the blanket. “Great work we did, making him.”

“It dang sure was fun, too.”

He put his arm around her and kissed her cheek. “I need to catch up my reading in the older Miner newspapers.”

“Fine, he's getting sleepy for his nap.”

“You over being sore?”

“Pretty well. I'll be fine. I've been spilled before.”

“But you didn't have a baby then, or me to worry about you.”

“I know. I'll be back to normal soon. You leaving for the north Sunday?”

“Yes.”

“I better not leave Adam. Maybe next spring I can go up there. I love Lucie and Reg.”

“Don't we all.”

He began reading the newspapers. Sam Kincaid was suing William Kimes for alienation of affection with his wife, Connie Mae Kincaid. He was asking for a thousand dollars and her wedding ring back. Poor Sam must not want his wife back. John Chrisman was suing Able Carter for letting his hogs loose in Chrisman's potato patch and ruining a crop valued at a thousand dollars. That would be a whole lot of spuds.

Rufus Campbell wanted a lying horse thief named Carlos McClure to bring back his driving mare he swindled him out of. He offered a ten-dollar reward for McClure's whereabouts.

The sheriff's office had arrested several men for public intoxication. One Lighty Mae was arrested for indecent exposure of her body to a policeman. She had been arrested and fined two dollars and was told by municipal judge Simmons to not come back in his court again. He fined her a dollar more for contempt after her yelling at him, “You dumbbell, he brought me here. I'd never come here on my own, stupid.”

Chet, amused by the whole thing, decided his problems were small compared to dealing with others.

 

 

Saturday morning started with the sunrise. He was already up checking on things. Jimenez was preparing to drive Monica to the
fandango
after lunch and bring her back home. Raphael's guards loafed at the barn and welcomed him.

“It's a shame someone has to stay at home,” he said to them.

“No, señor. This place is all of our jobs. No one needs to damage it. We are pleased to sit around today and keep an eye on things.”

The others nodded their agreement.

Raphael had really explained the problem to them. “I thank you, and I will dance some for you.”

“Oh, good, señor.”

“I guess I'll need a team and buckboard in a few hours.”

“We will have it ready.”

“
Gracias
.” He went back to the kitchen.

“This place is nearly abandoned,” Monica said.

“Most of the crew is in town cooking, painting, and getting ready.”

“I know that. They were excited about their chance to show off to you and also have a good time.”

“That was my plan. Have some fun, and show folks in town we're part of the community.”

“Good idea. I know the ranch people are proud.”

Monica had his breakfast ready and Marge joined him.

“Nice to have you here,” Marge said.

“Nice to be here.” He laid his palm on top of her hand. “They'll have a buckboard ready when you are.”

“I won't be long.”

“No rush. Things are in good hands in town.”

It was midafternoon when they drove into town. The paint Marge had picked out had already been applied, and she looked in wonder at it. One of the ranch hands took their buckboard and parked it. He and Marge strolled the very busy grounds. Sawhorse-supported board tables were set up. Smoke from the cooking fires swept his nose, and he winked at Marge who shook her head. “He has it all painted,” she said.

“That's his way. Things are moving along. They've got water barrels set up to get a drink.”

Raphael joined them, taking his
sombrero
off for her. “The beer is cold. We ended up with kegs. The man at the Palace said it would cheaper and we have a pump and it is covered in ice. When we run out, they can drink coffee or water. We have lots of frijoles cooked, the women will make tortillas and biscuits in the Dutch ovens. So many are coming, I hope that some will bring their own plates. We have a lot of them, but otherwise we will wash them to feed someone else, huh?”

“That's all we can do. You have it planned well.”

“Thank you. When we get started eating, we will make peach pie in the Dutch ovens. The women have the peaches ready. Leroy sent us plenty.”

“That sounds good.”

“Next year, we could grow about ten acres of frijoles at our ranch. There is enough water in that one windmill to water it. And have them for all the ranches, huh?”

“You're in charge, amigo.”

“
Gracias
. Some of the men and women thought about that. Leroy is growing lots of our food. We can do that for the rest of the outfits.”

When they were alone, Marge said, “He's a real foreman.”

“A real good one. Nothing those men of his can't do and do it right.”

Lupe, one of the men's wives, brought some roasted beef over for them to taste. Chet took a piece off the plate with his fingers. In his mouth, the saliva flowed. He nodded and chewed. “Wonderful.”

“They said you needed the first bite.”

“You tell them I hated it.”

“I should do that?”

“Then tell them I said it was so good I wanted it all for myself.”

She left them the plate and, skirt in hand and laughing, she went back.

“We are going to have lots of company tonight,” Marge said. “They look prepared for all of it.”

“No problem.”

“Raphael has a shade up and chairs for the ladies. If you, or anyone else, gets tired, go over there.”

“I may do that until folks arrive,” she said.

“Good.”

Hampt, May, and the new baby, Miles, arrived with the three bigger kids on their horses. The boys gathered their smaller sister and came on the run.

“Uncle Chet, we sure appreciate today.”

“What for?” he asked the youngest one.

“So we can get to make some new friends.”

“That's a powerful idea. How are things at the ranch?”

“Going good,” the oldest spoke up, and about then Hampt showed up.

“Marge took May and the baby over in the shade. You can see him later. Where's McCully?” Hampt asked.

“I think Petal will bring him. Raphael has him fixed up with a tame horse and buggy.”

“Good. My cowboys are coming. We left Troy to watch the place. Damn shame you have to leave anyone out, but times have sure changed. Used to be no one bothered a thing wasn't theirs. Today, they'd rob you blind.”

Chet shrugged. “Different times and different folks. Lots of desperate people are out prowling for something to rob.”

“A good sheriff would have them kind moved on.”

Chet nodded.

“My Bailey mare had a colt out of your yellar stud this week. Boy, he is a proud looking devil.”

“What color?”

“I think he'll be a buckskin.”

“Good luck. We'll have some more on the Verde after the first of the year.”

“I'll take her down there on the tenth day and see if I can get her bred back.”

“It works a lot of the time.”

“Man, he sure gets powerful colts.”

About then, Chet got busy meeting others arriving and the party getting under way. Tom, Millie, and their kids arrived. Chet sent her to the tent shade, and Tom joined him and Hampt. Then Roamer's wife and kids came.

Hampt shook his head. “Things are really going on here, Chet Byrnes style. Raphael has handled things well. He's a good man and sincere about everything.”

“Yes, I know. When he turns his men loose on raiders, you can bet they won't come back.”

“He's a damn good man to have on our side,” Hampt said, then wandered off.

Bo Evans drove up in a buggy with a handsome woman seated beside him. Chet didn't know her, but supposed it was the lady friend Bo had mentioned. Bo reined up.

“Shelly Newcum, I want you to meet the man that put me to work.”

Chet shed his hat. “Shelly, nice to meet you.”

“I've heard so much about you. I'm so glad you are having this party.”

“This is Tom, my ranch foreman. My wife, Marge, is over under that shade. I'm certain she would like to meet you, too.”

“Nice to meet you, sir. I'll find her.”

“Have a good time, both of you.”

“We will,” Bo said, and they drove on.

He turned to Tom. “You know her?”

“No, but she's sure a looker.”

“Leave it to Bo to find her. Maybe someone knows something. I bet Marge finds out.”

Tom shook his head. “I believe she must have recently moved here, or else I'd have noticed her before today.”

“I agree. He could meet anyone, out looking for property. I want to talk to the crew here and thank them. They've been working hard since yesterday.”

“I'll go find Hampt and see what he's up to.”

“See you later.”

He hugged a few ranch women, all busy working. Several he knew by their name and they laughed at his attention.

“You all making it okay?”

“
Si, señor
,” Lupe said. “It is a wonderful thing. We are having fun.” Then she used her apron to dry her wet face. She came out of it smiling. “We love it.”

He patted her on the shoulder. “Oh, Lupe, maybe you lie a little.”

“No. No,” she protested. “This is not work. We are proud to work for you and have fun, too.”

The banker and his wife arrived. Several of the ranch cowboys rode in. Ben from the mercantile and his wife, Kathrin, came. The liveryman, Frey, and his wife Gloria, and several town folks. A couple of drunk cowboys showed up, and some of Hampt's hands showed them where to leave and not come back. The Quarter Circle Verde bunch backed them. There was music all the time and the food was eaten as soon as it was ready. About the time the McCullys arrived, Chinese lanterns were lit.

Chet introduced them and everyone gave them a round of applause. Tears streamed down the old man's face as he stood on his crutches and shook his head.

“Petal and I came up here yesterday and I saw this house. Now you have it all painted. In a week, I'll be set up to fix and make harnesses and then build saddles. Me and Petal thank Chet and Marge Byrnes for all they have done for both of us. Have fun tonight, and God bless you all.”

Chet showed him to a bench at a table and sent Petal to get him some food. He clapped him on the back and told him, “It's all going to be okay.”

“I know it will now. Thanks to you.”

Chet got a plate and took it to stand by Marge's chair. He refused a chair offer and asked if she'd eaten.

“I have, with May. Bo brought by his lady friend, Shelly Newcum. She's new here. Very nice lady. A widow woman.”

“Tom and I met her earlier.”

“She must have money.”

“Must.” He was busy eating beans with a flour tortilla for a scoop and using his jackknife to stab the beef and eating off it. “You worn out?”

“It has been a busy day. Our help sure painted all of the house, inside and out. I saw McCully made it and his daughter brought him.”

“That dress you bought her looked very nice.”

“I hope she's not carrying that man's child.”

“That would be a concern. I hope not, too.” He ate some more of his meat.

“If you're going north tomorrow, do you have a partner to ride with you?”

“No. I'll ask Raphael to appoint one.”

“Kinda late, isn't it?”

“No, he'll have someone.” He finished his food and went to drop his plate in the washtub set up where they could be washed and reused to feed others.

He caught his foreman eating. “I'm going to ride up north tomorrow; I'll need a pack horse, supplies, a bedroll. One or two men to ride with me. Be gone about five days.”

“I will have you covered. Go have fun.”

“I may take Marge home. She's tired.”

“No problem. It is a great party.”

He told the others he was leaving, then hugged May and her baby. Shook some more hands, and Hampt had his buckboard waiting.

“When you see Reg, tell him hi. You two don't wreck going home. It'll be dark shortly,” said Hampt.

“You do the same. See you when I get back.” Chet helped Marge in the seat and drove the team around rigs until they were going downhill for the city.