Just One Kiss (The Dream Catcher Series-Book Two) (22 page)

He studied Harold Jeffries with a new light. He was a rotund man in his late fifties, with bushy brows and graying hair and a scowl on his face that naturally blended with the man himself. He came into the room dressed ready to ride, his hat in hand, commanding an authority that was seldom refused.

His eyes narrowed on Lee with nothing short of arrogance.

“Well now, Lee, I heard you were back.” Although from the sound of his voice he was truly surprised to see him. He went to the counter of the bar behind the big cowhide couch and poured himself a brandy.

Lee wondered how fast Frank had told everyone he’d killed him.

“Yeah, no thanks to your son.” Lee frowned.

“Yes, well, what exactly can I do for you?” he asked, changing the subject.

“I want to sell my land…” Lee admitted uncomfortably, twirling his hat in his hand and not looking at Jeffries any longer.

“Sell it? Are you serious?” Jeffries came to stand directly in front of him, his jowls hanging like a heavy weight against his cheeks and chin. They actually shook when he talked, reminding Lee more of a bull dog than a human. “Why, I was told you just paid the taxes on the place. Why would you want to sell it now?” Jeffries asked, gulping down the first brandy.

“I’m leavin’ Alabama,” Lee announced.

“Leavin’?” Again, Jeffries was shocked.

“I really do surprise you, don’t I?”

“Well.” Jeffries scratched his chin. “Yeah, you do. I don’t understand. After all this time, you are leavin’? You jest got back from the war. I don’t understand. Your folks lived there. I’d figure you’d die there.” Jeffries stood there staring straight at him. “Unless Frank scared you a little. I could understand that…”

Lee sat back in the chair and relaxed now, feeling he had taken the edge off this meeting. He refused to talk about Frank with his father.

“Nevertheless, I want to sell. Are you interested in buying it?”

Jeffries laughed aloud. “I’ve never been uninterested. I’ve never made a secret of it either.”

Lee nodded and put his hat on his knee. “I figured as much. I figured thirty-five thousand ought to cover it.”

“Thirty-five thousand?” Jeffries frowned, almost choking as he took a drink of brandy and offered Lee one this time. Lee shook his head no. “For your place? A little steep, don’t you think, for someone with just under twenty-five thousand acres.”

“Take it or leave it,” Lee said, standing up. “It doesn’t much matter to me.”

“Now, hold on there. That’s a big chunk of money. I’d have to have the bank handle the finances of it.”

“I want cash. Like I’ve said, I’m leavin’,” Lee announced, heading for the door.

“But that’s a huge sum of money…” Jeffries moved toward him. “Alright…Lee, you got a deal.” He came up to him and extended his hand on a shake.

Lee shook hands and eyed him. “And just so you know…Frank’s not the reason I’m leavin’.”

“Oh?”

“So, get the money ready; I’ll have the deed ready. Meet me at the bank on Friday.”

“Friday? But that only gives me a couple days to raise the cash,” Jeffries protested.

“I’m in a hurry.” Lee chuckled. He looked over his shoulder at him. “Besides, you got a big enough reputation in town, you can raise it.”

“Yes…of course I can. But why?” Jeffries asked.

“Why what?”

“Why you sellin’ out?” Jeffries asked innocently.

“‘Fraid that’s personal.” Lee smiled and opened the big heavy oak door.

“I guess Frank scared you more than you’ll admit.” Jeffries chuckled.

Lee turned around to stare at the man. “No, that’s where you are wrong. He didn’t. I’ll admit I let my guard down, but I’ll only do that once. I’m a fast learner. And Frank should know it.”

He left Jeffries standing in the middle of the room with a puzzled look on his face.

Walking slowly out the door, Lee stood and admired the beautiful day. The birds sang in the trees. Not a cloud in the sky and he felt more relieved and satisfied than a stuffed cow.

For the first time, the lifting of a real burden on his shoulders told him he’d done the right thing. Jeffries didn’t ask if the water rights were included, that was his loophole. The land would bring him enough money to live on for a long time. Enough money to plant crops and get them to market. Enough money to support his family. He smiled to himself. He’d never felt better in his life. And now, he’d have his Hattie and the life he always wanted surrounded with children and good friends like Chase and Katherine.

He felt a sudden contentment that made him want to run his horse and lift his hand to the sky and thank God it had all come right for him.

But his trip home was cut short when Frank and his men met him just past the ranch gates.

“Again?” Lee shook his head, glancing at Frank closely now. Frank was dressed in his usual silver and black outfit, easily picked out of any crowd. His guns were shiny, his horse a well trained stallion. There was nothing shoddy or cheap about Frank, except his mind perhaps. Lee couldn’t understand why Frank hadn’t done better with his life as he was a great horse trainer. But his talent got hung up with wanting to be the top cowhand on the ranch and the top gun.

“Well Lee, I thought I done took care of you, but looks like you’re tougher than I first thought. However, my daddy just told me you are sellin’ your land to him. Is that right?”

Lee nodded, leaning on the saddle horn as he stared at Frank. “That’s right.”

Frank’s grin turned to a snarl. “Why? Don’t make no sense. You been fightin’ us for years over those water rights. Why you sellin’ to
us
of all people?”

“Didn’t he tell you? I’m leavin’.”

Frank spit his tobacco on the ground, and tied up his tobacco pouch and stashed it in the pocket of his vest. “And why are you leavin’?”

“That’s my business…”

“You takin’ that pretty black gal with you?” Frank asked, his lips curling into a snarl.

“That’s right, I am.” Lee firmed his lips. He hadn’t wanted to tangle with Frank, but the mention of Hattie stopped Lee cold. Never again would Frank have the advantage over Hattie.

“You’re a Negro lover, is that what you’re tellin’ me?” Frank laughed and looked around at his men who snickered too.

“Frank, if you are lookin’ for a fight, you are fixin’ to get one.” Lee gritted through his teeth.

“Whoa now, hear that boys? I wouldn’t be talkin’ so big after I whipped you already. I thought I done learned you who the boss was around here. You willin’ to die for that little black bitch?” Frank chuckled.

“If need be,” Lee said, dismounting and standing squarely in front of Frank and his horse. “And it looks as though we’re gonna have to settle things between you and me, aren’t we?”

Frank looked him up and down. “You gonna have a shootout? You, with one arm, are gonna draw on me, with two? Well now, that ain’t hardly fair.”

“Afraid, Frank?” Lee ground out.

“Jest you and me?” Frank asked, turning his head in question.

“That’s right, just you and me.” Lee nodded.

“Well boys, you heard the man, this is strictly between the two of us. And you also heard I gave him a chance to back down, seein’ as how he’s only got one good arm. That and the fact that he’s nothin’ more than a low down stinkin’ Negro lover.” Frank chuckled.

“That’s right Frank, don’t forget I still have one good arm, and you ought to consider it, before you take me on.” Lee’s voice sounded low and dangerous now.

Frank dismounted, his saddle creaking as he moved away from it. He handed his reins to one of his men and faced Lee. “This won’t take long.”

The others chuckled. Most of Frank’s men looked relaxed and sure that Frank would be the victor.

Lee moved a good distance away. He tied his gun to his leg and stared at Frank. He stood away from the sun and spread his legs. “I’m sorry to have to do this, Frank. I wanted to leave this valley peaceful like. But you’re callin’ me out…”

“Naw…now don’t blame me fer this. You took offense to me callin’ that black whore a bitch. You sweet on her or somethin’, Lee? Women like that can get you in trouble.” Frank laughed once more; again his audience snickered. “She’s been my whore for the last few months now, thought you knew.” Frank twisted to see if the others heard and they had, they were snickering aloud.

“I think you’ve said enough, Frank. You’ve picked your fight, so let’s get to it.” Lee’s hand moved to just above his gun. “Let’s see if we can shut that big ugly mouth of yours up for good.”

“I don’t believe it. You’re in love with that little whore?” Frank laughed again. “Well, I’ll tell her when I bury you.”

There were a few snickers then it was over.

Frank drew. For a few seconds, the dust flew so heavy no one knew what happened. The acrid smell of smoke off their guns permeated the air. The horses scattered some from the shots. But when the smoke cleared, the men behind Frank all began to mumble. Frank lay sprawled in the dust, his gun still in his hand, as Lee holstered his gun, glancing at the others. He glanced down at Frank. “I didn’t want to do that, but sometimes it’s the only way to shut someone up.”

“Boss ain’t gonna like this,” one of the men hollered.

“Boss don’t have a thing to do with this. This was between me and Frank. You heard it from his own mouth. I’ll take Frank to him myself,” Lee muttered.

The dust flew about them as they followed Lee into the yard.

Mr. Jeffries came out onto the porch. He had a cigar in his hand until he saw Frank. Then he dropped it.

Before he came down the porch steps, he eyed Lee closely. “What have you done?” he shouted as he came around the horse to see his son lying across it.

“I’m sorry Mr. Jeffries, but he goaded me into a fight.”

“You killed my son?” he bellowed and turned to Lee.

Lee watched him lift Frank’s head from the saddle. Watched his face turn black with fury.

“I ought to kill you…you miserable piece of trash.” Mr. Jeffries went for his gun. Lee beat him to the draw and held his gun almost at his nose. “Let’s do this a little more peaceable. Frank drew on me. I killed him. It was a fair fight.”

Mr. Jeffries looked at his men. “Is this true?”

The foreman moved forward on his horse. “Well, Frank…he…”

“I don’t want to hear how. I want to know if it was a fair fight,” Jeffries barked.

“Yeah…it was fair,” the foreman admitted. “Frank egged him on.”

“Thank you for bringing my son home, Mr. Nelson. Now get the hell out of here. I’ll have your money for you at the bank. You can pick it up. The banker will take the deed. I don’t ever want to lay eyes on you again. Do you understand?”

“If that’s how you want it.” Lee agreed with a nod.

“That’s how I want it.”

Chapter Fourteen

As they sat around the supper table that night, Lee told them what had happened.

“You’re selling to the Jeffries?” Joe sounded shocked.

“I am.”

“But after all this time…” Joe wailed.

“I offered it to Mr. Harvey first, but he couldn’t take on any more work he said, but we have cooked up a plan that is gonna make this whole valley very happy.” Lee smiled at them.

Lily stared at him. “What’d you do, daddy?”

He glanced at her; the first one to call him daddy and it was Lily. He wanted to reach over and hug her for that, but he merely smiled, not wanting to embarrass her.

“I sold the water rights to Mr. Harvey and he’s giving the water to the valley,” Lee announced, winking at Lily.

“Oh, Lee.” Hattie brought the biscuits to the table and everyone grabbed one. “That’s wonderful.”

“I thought so too. At last, everyone will be happy again and maybe the fighting will stop once and for all.” Lee grabbed two biscuits. “Especially once we are gone.”

“I hate you havin’ to sell though.” Hattie sat beside him now.

“It’s okay. We’re going to a much better place, anyway.” Lee chuckled.

“Tell us about Texas, daddy,” Daisy cried.

Lee glanced at Daisy and then Lily. Violet was waiting for him to say something.

“Well, it’s a big place, full of lots of trees and ponds and places to run and play. That’s what,” Lee answered. “No one will bother us there and we’ll be very happy. We’ll have some very good friends there too. Their names are Chase Rivers and Katherine Rivers.”

“Chase Rivers? That’s a strange name, daddy,” Violet said.

“Yes honey, it’s an Indian name, a Shawnee Indian name. Chase is a very good friend of mine. He saved my life once. I’ll never forget that.”

“I can’t wait to meet them,” Hattie said. She grabbed his hand under the table and squeezed.

Joe smiled from across the table.

Then Lee told them about Frank. He left out the ugly words Frank had used to goad him into fighting.

Joe nodded. “So, it’s over now…”

“Let’s hope so. But I had to kill Frank. Not something I really wanted to do, but there was no choice.” Lee sighed heavily. “
He
left me none.”

Everyone stared at him.

“It came to that, huh?” Joe asked.

“‘Fraid so. I took him back to his father,” Lee told them.

“How’d the old man take it?” Joe asked.

“‘Bout like you’d expect. He don’t want to see me anymore. He’s leavin’ the money at the bank and he wants me out of this town and his life,” Lee said quietly.

“Did you mean to kill him, daddy?” Daisy asked.

“Well darlin’, sometimes it can’t be helped no matter what you do,” Lee tried to explain.

“Was it a fair fight?” Lily asked.

“It was.”

“Then we’ll pray for his soul, daddy.” Violet smiled at him.

Lee reached to hold her hand. “Alright, darlin’.”

Later that night as Lee and Hattie settled into their bed, she reached to hold him to her. “Come here, I think you need another hug…”

He smiled, remembering the hug he’d given her that afternoon long ago. “You give the best hugs in the world.”

She settled into the crook of his arm, as he kissed her on the forehead. “I’m sorry Frank died, but I’m glad it wasn’t you. You took an awful chance, fighting him.”

Lee snuggled with her. “Maybe, but I had to…”