Brothers in Blood by Dusty Richards Page A

about that.”
    â€œHow many colts will we have next year?” Cole asked.
    â€œI hope twenty of our own.”
    Jesus nodded and smiled at the bar girl who served their lunch. “We may be on the way to having many great horses.”
    â€œAt one time in Texas, we produced about that many every year. That damn Reynolds killed several of my best mares for no damn good reason but hatred nd jealousy.”
    â€œThat must have been hard on you.”
    â€œJesus, I hate to even think about it. Those were such bad days in my life.”
    With that, they fell silent and paid attention to their lunch. After eating, they went by to see Bo at his land office.
    â€œStill got those guys that keep you sober, I see,” Bo said, indicating Chet’s sidekicks.
    â€œStill have them.”
    â€œNews all over town is you got your nephew back.”
    â€œWe did. Any information I need to know?”
    â€œThe Atlantic Pacific Railroad has sections of land for sale that go back and forth across the tracks. You know the pattern, like your land east of Hackberry.”
    â€œHow much?”
    â€œCouple million, I guess. They need money now.”
    â€œCould we buy what we want?”
    Bo shook his head. “No, it’s all one big package.”
    â€œWe could never use that much land, or pay for it. Some of it over east isn’t much, and I haven’t been to the border over there on the west.”
    â€œOkay. Oh, I bought a homestead in the canyon north of you. It straddles the Oak Creek stream. Has several fruit trees and a log house.”
    â€œMy young nephews will love you. They fish.”
    â€œThe papers are about through. You want to go look at it?”
    â€œI trust you. After we go check it out, I’ll find a man to run it.”
    â€œIt’ll be yours in thirty days, but you can go look whenever you want.”
    â€œMake me a map. Jesus can wait for it. I need to see Ben Ivor at the mercantile.”
    He and Cole cut across the courthouse yard and soon were inside the large store. The place, heavy with smells of spices and leather, bustled with business. He shook hands with a few familiar ranchers while making his way back to Ben’s office in the rear.
    The door was open and Ben welcomed him.
    â€œI heard you’d settled with them in New Mexico and was back. You are a wide traveler—Grand Canyon one time, the next New Mexico.”
    â€œThrow in Utah, too.”
    â€œYes, there, too. Close that door. I need to talk to you.” He pointed at a chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”
    After Chet was settled, the storekeeper spoke in a confidential way. “You know my fancy wife up and left me a while back. Did Kathrin tell you she’s taking care of my house?”
    â€œShe mentioned it.”
    â€œWill you tell me what you think of her? She speaks very highly of you.”
    â€œKathrin was in a fix-up in Utah. But she was very ladylike. When I heard her story about her husband marrying two sisters, and how she made such a big effort to care for Leroy Sipes when he was their prisoner, I knew she was a good woman.”
    Ben looked at his crowded desk and nodded. “Don’t say a word, but I plan to marry her when my divorce is final.”
    â€œI’d say you did well, Ben.” Chet was pleased she’d have a good place with the storekeeper.
    â€œThanks. Now, I have six mowers and rakes, plus the hardware for several beaverboards. They should be here by March. You want them all?”
    â€œIf you can’t sell them, I do. But I have those two you delivered from Kay’s place. They’re going to Hampt’s. Two are going to the Windmill Ranch, and two are going to Reg and Lucie up on top. So, you have two to sell. My blacksmith has the used ones on the Verde place all fixed to mow next year.”
    â€œGood. I have buyers for them, and some more if I can get them here. But you were first on my