The Red River Ring by Randy D. Smith Page B

image of you when he was a toddler.”
    Temple decided to ask about the day his father returned from the war. He was burning to know what happened. “I was digging fence post holes on the hill when you came back. It took me a while to make it down. By the time I got there, you were already riding away.”
    Pommel nodded, uncomfortable with the memory. “Yeah.”
    â€œI went to check on Mom. I was afraid you might have killed her.”
    There was a long pause.
    â€œNo, I’d have never harmed her that way,” Pommel said quietly.
    â€œShe was crying. I asked her if she was all right…”
    â€œI figured it was over and I didn’t have anything to say,” Pommel said.
    â€œYou never asked?”
    â€œI guess it didn’t matter much.”
    â€œI wish you would have said something to me. I wish…”
    â€œThe war took a lot out of me. We like to starved those last few months. Twenty of us joined in ‘62. Nine of them died during those last months. I was the only one to go home. When I saw your mother, I guess I just lost it. I joined a trail herd and after that, time sort of got lost. The years passed and I figured it was just too late.”
    â€œReese and Pac think you’re dead. They don’t know what happened. Mom never told them about the money you sent.”
    â€œIt was probably easier for her that way.”
    â€œI suppose. She worked hard during those years. We all did.”
    â€œYeah, I imagine it was tough,” Pommel answered staring into the fire. He wanted to change the subject but realized that Temple had a lot to get off his chest. Better to do it now and get it out of the way.
    â€œShe married John Fellows when Reese turned twenty. After that she lived in town with him.”
    â€œWhat’s he like?” Pommel asked.
    â€œHe’s a good enough guy for a dude. He’s a storekeeper and bookkeeper for Blomberg. Doesn’t know upside out about cattle. He was after her for years to marry him. I think she waited until Reese and I were old enough to take care of ourselves.”
    â€œI ran into Pac the other day. He tried to put the rush on me. I sent his pinto home and put him afoot.”
    Temple laughed. “Is that what happened? He told us his horse run off while he was taking a shit.”
    Pommel poured himself and Temple another cup of coffee. “He shit all right. He’s lucky I didn’t blow him out of his saddle. If he hadn’t let slip his name I might have.”
    Temple nodded. “Pac marches to a different drummer. He always has. Most of the time I wonder if he’s playing with a full deck. Mom can control him some. He and Reese get along like hot coals and spring water.”
    â€œAnd you?”
    â€œI get along with him alright. Most of the time I can keep him from going off. Mom’s pretty protective so I watch how I handle him.”
    â€œMaybe you need to send him packing. Make him grow up,” Pommel suggested.
    â€œHe’s my brother. It would kill Mom if I did that. I couldn’t do that without hurting her.”
    â€œWell, we wouldn’t want to hurt your mother.” Pommel regretted the statement the instant he made it.
    â€œNo, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t want to see her hurt,” Temple said defensively.
    Pommel shook his head and stared into the fire. “I wouldn’t want you to either. I was out of line.”
    â€œSo why did you come?”
    â€œBecause she asked me,” Pommel said softly.
    â€œIs that all it took?”
    â€œYes, I guess it was. It was time I tried to work things out with you and Reese.”
    â€œNothing to work out,” Temple said. “You made your choice and she made hers. I sort of wished you’d come back when I was younger. I didn’t like hiding the truth from Reese. After a while, it became the truth for all of us. Then, well, I guess you were dead as far as all of us were