Amethyst (28 page)
Authors: Lauraine Snelling
During his years in Arizona Territory, Jeremiah had forgotten what spring was like in the badlands.
Even with snowbanks still covering most of the gullies and north faces, blades of green reached for the sun, and water gurgled from under the snow in a pell-mell race to the lowlands and the river. But as the snow melted, the horrible truth became known. The gullies were full of even more dead cattle that had sought shelter and been covered with snow.
He’d planned on stopping to see Cora Robertson but rode out to the Harrison ranch instead, feeling heavier by the minute.
“Welcome. Come on in.” Rand stood in the open doorway before Jeremiah could dismount.
McHenry flipped the horse’s reins over the hitching rail and followed his friend inside, kicking the mud off his boots before he crossed the threshold. He’d not ridden Kentucky yet but had led him around the Hegland place to loosen him up. He figured the mud could cause problems for his horse’s shoulder so was grateful when Carl offered the loan of one of his team.
“Your horse still laid up?” Rand motioned his friend to one of the chairs at the table.
“Gettin’ better. Have to admit, though, he might never be able to ride out again. But then, long hours in the saddle aren’t too appealing to me either. Your men out on the range?”
“Somewhat, but it’s pretty wet and muddy yet. The few animals we’ve seen alive are racks of bones. Never thought to see critters lookin’ so bad. Where you headed?”
“Thought to go upriver a piece to Pinewood Creek, see how that bottom lays to build on. But the river is so high, I’d have to ride up on the buttes, so guess I’ll wait a bit.”
“We’re adding on to the corral if you want to come on out and help. Ruby and Opal went over to Cora’s for some gab and quilting.”
“Opal is quilting? Now, that’s a hard one to believe.”
“Ruby hoped getting her out of the house would help. She’s having a right hard time of all this.”
“I figured something was wrong when she wouldn’t sing at church.”
“She says there’s no music left.” Rand rubbed his chin. “I wish it wasn’t this bad too, but…” His sigh brought Ghost to his side. “Like Ruby says, ‘The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.’ The land will come back, and we’ll grow more steers. It just takes time.”
“And money. I’d thought to buy a few cows once I get the house underway.”
“Some of the ranchers are selling out. You might attend the Cattlemen’s Association meeting and talk to a few of them. Probably get stock cheap.”
McHenry nodded. “Thanks for the information. Carl’s holed up in his shop, Charlie and Jed took off, and I thought maybe you’d like to go hunting.”
“Ducks and geese are flying but haven’t seen any deer. The antelope must have headed south before the wind. Elk are getting scarce. Beans said the snow buried the rabbits and grouse. Found birds frozen in the trees. Going to take some time for the land to come back after this winter.”
“Let’s go on over to those beaver ponds on Wolf Creek. Waterfowl always land there.”
Rand slapped his hands on the table. “Good idea.” The two headed out the door to mount up.
McHenry turned to say something to Rand, and his foot missed the stirrup. He muttered as the horse spooked and shifted several feet away from him.
“You all right?”
“Yeah, I will be. This eye has—” He cut himself off.
Stop whining and just pay attention
. How he missed Kentucky.
Within minutes the two men rode off, Rand ordering Ghost to stay home. The mottled cow dog sank down on the porch, resting her muzzle on her front paws, a perfect picture of dejection.
The sun was sliding toward the horizon when they returned, feather blankets nearly hiding their mounts. They’d tied duck and geese feet together and draped the strings of fowl over the horses’ withers and haunches.
“Should have taken a wagon along,” Rand said as he dismounted in front of his house.
“Or made a travois.” McHenry shook his head at the sheer volume of their hunt. “Good thing we have lots of friends to give these to. Take what you want, and I’ll deliver the rest.”
“I’ll have one of the men take some over to Robertsons’. You can’t carry them all.” He grinned up at Jeremiah. “You always were the lucky one, hunting or fishing.”
“Luck. Come on, man, admit it. I didn’t waste a shell.”
“Not hard when they’re that close together.” Rand pulled several strings of birds off his horse and laid them on the porch, where Ghost gave them a thorough sniff test.
“Thanks, Rand, I needed this.”
“Come on out anytime. I can always put you to work here.”
“Thanks, but I better start felling trees. Thinking on going upriver to the pines and when the water drops, float the trees down. You want to come?”
“Hate to leave right now, but one of the men could go with you.”
“I’d only be gone a couple of days.”
“Anytime.”
Jeremiah rode on back to the boardinghouse and dropped off four geese and four ducks before going on to give away the others.
“Thank you, McHenry,” Cimarron said with a wide smile. “You come bearing gifts just like you always did.”
“Haven’t been hunting like that since I left here. You don’t see migrating flocks like that in Arizona Territory. But the jackrabbits were big enough to feed a whole platoon.”
“Bring me more of the geese, and I’ll start a feather bed for your new house.”
“What a fine idea. Here I’ve been thinking on building materials and not given a thought to furnishings, other than have Carl build me a table and a rocking chair. Going to put me a rocking chair on the porch and while away the days.”
Cimarron nearly choked on her laugh. “If you can’t find enough to keep busy, I can guarantee that Rand or Opal or someone will find plenty for you to do.”
“Not to change the subject, but you ever heard from Belle?”
“No. After Dove House burned and she realized she lost her investment, she hotfooted it back to Deadwood and crossed us all off her list. Opal asks after her sometimes.”
“Might go on down to Deadwood and see how she fares.” He nodded slowly.
Now would be a good time, before I get to building my house. If I can stand to ride that long
.
“Oh, knowing Belle, she’s faring just fine. Come on over for supper one of these nights, and we can catch up on old times.” She hoisted the strings of geese. “Thanks.” She smiled up at him. “Be sure to greet her from all of us when you go.”
Jeremiah rode on back to Heglands’ and put his horse away. Kentucky nickered a welcome. “Well, I didn’t get to the Robertsons’, but I sure had a most pleasant day.” He stroked Kentucky’s nose and rubbed his ears. “Old son, I sure hope we can get you back in shape for riding.” He kneaded his own back and rubbed his leg. “You ride a heap more easily than that one.”
He headed for the house, forcing his bad leg to match stride with the good one. “Evening, Miss O’Shaunasy.” He stopped to watch her plucking the goose feathers and stuffing them in a bag.
“Mr. McHenry.” Her nod scarcely moved her head.
He waited a moment, then asked a question that had been nagging at the back of his mind. “Did I do something to offend you?”
She glanced up, her eyes wide. “No. Why?” The shake of her head caused the knot of russet hair to loosen.
Because I watch you smile, and even though you aren’t a chatterer, you carry on a conversation with others yet clam right up when I come around
. He couldn’t tell her that. “Oh, nothing. Just wondered.”
“Supper will be ready soon.”
“Good. I better go on and wash up then.” He touched the brim of his hat with one finger and made sure he didn’t flinch as he climbed the three treads to the porch. Bum leg.
After they filled their supper plates, the conversation resumed.
“That Jake Maunders came by again,” Pearl said.
McHenry wiped his mouth with his napkin. “He’s come before?”
“I think he’s hoping to impress Miss O’Shaunasy.”
Amethyst shook her head, a shudder saying all he needed to know.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Carl asked, his tone firm.
“Please, I don’t want to cause trouble.”
“No trouble, Miss O’Shaunasy. We’ll take care of him,” McHenry promised.
Carl nodded. “You had quite a hunt.”
“We did. If you want more let me know.” McHenry turned to Pearl. “I’ve decided to ride down to Deadwood. Should be gone a week or so.”
“De Mores had a stagecoach and hauling route down that way for a short time. He might have made it if he’d gotten the mail contract.” Carl took another bite of meat. “Nothing worked right for him. Downright shame.”
“Would you like to take food supplies along?” Pearl asked. “I can pack some things.”
“Thank you.” Jeremiah glanced at Amethyst, waiting until she looked up. “Thank you both for such a delicious meal. I’ll miss your cooking.”
The quilters’ conversation chattered around her like a creek tumbling over rocks, sometimes music, sometimes a torrent. Opal heard none of it. While she felt Ruby’s gaze linger on her every so often, she ignored it. She left off her stitching and sat on the floor to play with Per.
“Opa?” He stood next to her and patted her cheek.
Opal nodded, then reached into her pocket to pull out a rag to wipe his nose. “Wait.”
He jerked back and stared at her out of wounded eyes.
“Come on, Per, blow.” He turned his face away, whimpering like an abused puppy.
You look like I feel
. Opal wished she could whimper and have someone wrap his arms around her as she did Per. Atticus. But with each day his face faded like a stain washed out of a garment. His voice, too, seemed to be receding to the point that at times she wondered if she had made him up. He’d never returned to Medora at Christmastime. She’d dreamed it all.
“Mr. Chandler will be in to eat dinner with us. It’s a shame we didn’t invite Rand too.” Cora Robertson pushed her chair back from the quilting frame that took up a corner of the room. “Virginia wanted to stay home and help us today, but they have so much work to make up at school after all those days they missed this winter.” She opened her oven door, and the fragrance of baking pie, of cinnamon and apples, filled the room. “Used the last of the apples. They still cook up good even if they’re shriveled to nubbins.”