Xenia’s Renegade (19 page)

“Yes, sir. The cook had to warm it up.”

“Well, put the bucket down over there. My wife will fill the pitcher.”

The boy put the water down and hurried out of the room.

Clara moved to the dresser and dipped the water into the bowl. “You can wash up first if you like, dear. I’d like to sit and rest a bit. That stagecoach was a little rocky.”

He began to unbutton his coat. “I won’t be long. I’m getting hungry. And then, I intend to go to Seymour Longstreet’s establishment. If he isn’t out of bed by then, I’ll get him out.”

****

Wilt came out on the porch as Ty rode his horse into the yard. He was leading another mount with a man lying across the saddle.

“I caught up with him.”

“I see you did. Is he dead?”

“No, but I hoped he’d pull a gun on me so I could kill him.”

Wilt stepped off the porch and pushed his hat back. Lifting the man’s head, he looked at his swollen face. “By his clothes, I’d say he’s the peddler. Of course, his face is so swollen his mother probably wouldn’t recognize him.”

“Your instinct is right. It’s Bullins.”

“Looks like you worked him over pretty good.”

“Had to. He put up a fight.” Ty dismounted. “Is Mea Ann alright?”

“She’ll be fine. She wanted to talk to Xenia and feed Johnny. Said the quicker things got back to normal, the better she’d feel. My Mea Ann is stronger than I realized. She’s going to be a great ranch wife.” He nodded toward Lou Bullins with a menacing look in his eyes. “What are you planning to do with him?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“You’ll find out if you’ll go in the house and leave me alone with him for just a few minutes.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Wilt. You don’t want to have to go to jail before you marry that little gal, do you?”

“I guess I don’t, but I’d sure like a piece of his hide.”

“Then to protect you, I intend to tie him up in the barn then go in the house and eat breakfast. Afterward, if I’m so inclined, I’ll take him into Deer Meadow and have him locked up.” Ty grabbed the reins and led the horses toward the barn.

Wilt followed him. “Did he do any talking?”

“Not much. He was too busy trying to knock my teeth out.” Ty pulled him off the horse and sat him beside one of the poles holding up the loft.

He was regaining consciousness. “What the hell are you doing to me, Eldridge?”

“Just be glad it was me who caught up with you. If it’d been my cousin, here, he’d have killed you on the spot.”

Bullins gave him an evil look, but said nothing as Ty squatted to tie him to the post.

Kerry came through the barn door. “What’s going on, Boss?”

Wilt turned to him. “This sonofabitch attacked Miss Mea Ann when she went to gather eggs.”

Kerry frowned. “Wonder how he got into the yard? Someone was supposed to be watching the place.”

Ty raised up from his squatting position. “Who?”

“Vester went on duty after midnight. He ain’t come back to the bunkhouse yet.”

Ty shot Wilt a look, then said to Kerry, “Send somebody to look for Vester. He may have fallen asleep, and if he has, bring him to me. He has some questions to answer before I fire him.”

Wilt nodded his agreement.

“I’ll go look myself.” Kerry said.

“You won’t find him,” Bullins blurted.

Ty whirled toward him. “Why not?”

“Do you think I’m going to tell you?”

Wilt dropped down and untied the rope holding Bullins’s hands to the pole. He then jerked the man up by his shoulder. “You
will
tell me, and you’ll tell me right now, or you won’t live to tell anybody anything ever again.”

Fright filled the peddler’s eyes. He looked at Ty. “You’re not going to let him kill me, are you?”

“I’ve never been very good at controlling my cousin.”

“But, there’s a witness.” He nodded toward Kerry.

“I don’t see too good. I couldn’t swear you weren’t already dead when I come in the barn. Probably killed yourself, and these here cousins were trying to help you.”

Wilt shook the man. “It’s decided. You’ll tell me or you—”

“Alright. Alright. Vester told me I could find the woman at the chicken coop, and none of you would be around when she went for eggs.” He looked at Ty. “I didn’t count on you being in the barn.”

“When did he tell you this?” Wilt asked.

“He came to the saloon a little after midnight and told me.”

“How’d he know to tell you?”

“Seymour had already arranged that he would contact me when he was the one watching the place.”

“Why you?”

“I told Seymour I wanted to try again to get one of them gals for him. He’d promised me five hundred dollars apiece for them, and I need the money.”

“Well, Bullins, it don’t look like you’re going to get the money, but you sure are going to jail for your actions. As soon as I eat, I’ll take you into town. Now, sit back down and let me tie you up again.” Ty motioned toward the barn floor.

“But I told you everything. Can’t you let me go?”

Ty looked at Wilt and Kerry. “Is this man stupid? It’s all I can do to keep myself from killing him for what he did to Xenia, and now Mea Ann. Hell, I may kill him yet.”

“I know a good place to bury him and nobody will ever know he’s there,” Kerry said.

“No. No, please don’t do that.” Bullins dropped to the ground.

“Thanks, Kerry. We’ll keep it in mind. In the meantime, why don’t you see if you can find out where Vester is?”

“Will do.” Kerry turned and left the barn.

Ty tied Bullins again, then stood. “We need to go check on the women, then get something to eat. I can think better about what we need to do next on a full stomach.”

Wilt hesitated, but finally nodded, and the two of them went to the house together.

“Did you get him, Ty?” Chapa asked as they stepped inside.

“I did.”

“I wanted to kill him, but Ty tied him up in the barn.” Wilt hung his hat on the peg beside the door.

“That’s better than having you in jail for murder.” She turned back to Ty. “Did he tell you how—”

“We found out what we needed to know, Aunt Chapa.” Ty pulled out a chair at the kitchen table. “Breakfast about ready?”

The sisters came through the door. Mea Ann, carrying Johnny, went directly to Wilt’s waiting arms while Xenia stood back. “Did you catch him?”

“Ty did.”

“Good.”

Chapa moved toward them. “Come on, girls, and sit down. Let’s all have breakfast and the boys can tell us what they plan to do.”

After they gathered at the table, Chapa started passing the bowls, and surprisingly, they all began to eat. It was as if nobody wanted to discuss the man tied up in the barn.

The meal was just beginning when there was a knock on the door. Chapa stood and went to open it. “What’s going on, Kerry?”

“I need to see the bosses.”

Ty and Wilt simultaneously stood and went to the door. Kerry backed up and they stepped onto the porch.”

“What’s going on?” Wilt asked.

“Vester must have come back after seeing that peddler in town.”

Ty frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Tony said he came in sometime in the wee hours and got his duster. He told Tony he was getting it because it was beginning to rain. Tony said he must have gone back to sleep because he didn’t remember nothing else.”

Ty’s brow wrinkled. “Are you saying Vester lit out during the night?”

“I can’t prove it, but it looks that way.”

“Damn.” Wilt stepped off the porch. “I’m going to get Bullins to town and into jail as soon as I can, and if I run into Vester, his life isn’t going to be worth spit.”

“Wait, Wilt. At least let’s go tell the women where we’re going. You don’t want Mea Ann to worry, do you?”

Wilt calmed down. “You’re right. Bullins isn’t going anywhere, and we have plenty of time to inform the women.”

The three men looked at each other. Wilt was still fuming. “It still galls me that Seymour offered Bullins five hundred dollars for either of the women.” He rammed his hand against the porch post.

“It galls me, too, but there’s no need to hurt yourself, cousin. He didn’t get Mea Ann.”

“No, but he tried. I should kill him.”

“You know I’m not going to let you do that. Besides, look what he did to Xenia. Don’t you think I wanted to kill him? I still do, but I’m not willing to hang. Xenia convinced me to let the law handle it.”

Wilt looked contrite. “You’re right, Ty. I should have remembered Xenia and the shape he left her in. I know you understand how I feel.”

“That’s why I’m going with you to take him to the sheriff. I’m not sure he’d get there alive with you.”

“Look, fellows.” Kelly pushed his hat back. “Why don’t you let me take him into town? I’m not sure he’s safe with either of you.”

“Maybe he’s right, Ty. I’m not sure I can control myself. Besides, you should be here in case Seymour sends another broke cowboy to try to get one of the women.”

“Tony’s already guarding the front of the house. I’ll get Newt or Henry to check out the back.”

“There’s no need since Wilt and I will be here. Send all the men out to continue the roundup. We’ll take care of things around here. Chapa will cook some grub for the men to take with them so you can go into town and not worry about cooking until supper.”

Kerry nodded and headed to the bunkhouse. “I’ll go get them on their way, then I’ll come back and get the outlaw trussed up.”

Ty put his hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “Come on, Wilt. Let’s go finish our breakfast.”

On the porch, they turned in unison at the sound of a buggy pulling up the road. They saw Tony hurry out and take hold of the reins.

“That’s Hiram,” Ty said, “and it looks like Little Lil is with him.”

“Wonder what they want?”

“Don’t know, but I’ll find out.” Ty headed toward the edge of the yard.

“Is this somebody you know?” Tony asked, as Ty approached.

Ty nodded. “You go ahead and join Kerry and the others, Tony. I’ll take care of this.”

“Yes, sir.” Tony headed toward the bunkhouse.

****

“Hello, Mr. Eldridge,” Hiram said.

“Hello.” Ty nodded to Lily then turned back to Hiram. “What in the world are you doing here?”

“Lily overheard something at the Golden Door this morning that I think you need to know about right away.”

“Oh?”

Wilt walked up to them. “What’s going on?”

“Hiram and Little Lil—”

“Pardon me, Mr. Eldridge, but there ain’t no
Little Lil
any longer. Her name is Lily.”

Ty lifted an eyebrow. “Sorry. As I was saying, Hiram and Lily have something to tell us. Something she overheard at the Golden Door.”

Chapa came out on the porch. “Are you all going to invite those folks in? You need to finish your breakfast before it’s time to eat dinner, and I bet those people would like something to eat, too.”

He watched Ty hesitate for only a minute. “Sure. Let’s go in the house. It’ll be easier to talk there.”

Chapa led the group to the kitchen where introductions were made. Hiram noticed how uncomfortable Lily was, but he knew she had to be there, because she was the one who had overheard the conversation between Sassy Sue and Seymour. He took hold of her arm and led her to the chair the woman indicated, then took the one beside her. He felt her relax beside him, and decided he should speak first.

“I’m sorry to come bursting into your home like this, and I wouldn’t do it, but I think this is important.”

“Sit down, boys,” Chapa commanded. “I’ll get these folks a plate, and then you can talk.”

Hiram glanced at the baby in the one called Mea Ann’s arm. He couldn’t help smiling. He’d always liked babies.

“He’s a handsome baby,” Lily said, almost in a whisper.

Mea Ann grinned. “His name is Johnny.”

“Is he your son?” Hiram asked.

“Yes…well…I feel like he is, but Wilt and I talked about it last night and he feels we should legally adopt him as soon as we’re married.”

“That’s a wonderful idea, Mea Ann,” Xenia said. “But I’m like you. I already feel like Johnny’s part of the family.”

Chapa passed the bowl of eggs to Lily. She took it and spooned out a small amount. Hiram knew she was too nervous, or maybe scared, to take more.

“So,” Ty said as he buttered a biscuit, “what was it you wanted to talk to us about, Lil…y?”

Lily glanced at Hiram. He nodded at her.

She bit her lip and said, “When I was trying to slip away this morning, I heard Seymour and Sassy Sue talking. He said he was paying one of the hands on this ranch to let him know when it would be a good time to take one of his nieces.”

Ty looked at her. “Did he say his name?”