Luke and Bull planned a trip to Big Pine the following day for whatever they could get.
Tat and Johnny built shutters for each window opening until glass ones could be found. At least the shutters would help ward off some of the cold. Luke planned for three stoves. One for each of the rooms they’d been able to lay out—kitchen, front living area, and bedroom. He might decide to remove one later, but for now, he’d rather have too many than not enough.
While Luke and Bull were gone, the men planned to chop wood, finish the front porch, and install counters in the kitchen. The trip would take three days—one day to Big Pine, one to pick up supplies, and a third to return.
Every night after supper Luke fell into bed exhausted, yet feeling better about his decision as each day passed. He could almost envision his future, something he hadn’t been able to do for months. He’d work the ranch each day, then retreat to his place, fish the creek when possible, and take on the occasional Pinkerton job. Dutch had already sent him a telegram about a potential assignment in Big Pine. Luke responded, saying to count him in as long as it happened after a few more weeks. By then, he felt he’d be tucked in at his cabin and ready for another job.
“Are you leaving at first light?” Rachel asked when she poked her head into the study after supper. She took a seat next to Dax, who slid an arm over her shoulders as he nursed a whiskey.
“We are,” Luke said. “Neither of us want to get stuck in Big Pine if a storm comes through. I don’t plan to spend more than three days away. I’m ready to finish the last of it and get back to pulling my weight here.”
“The work is getting done. Don’t worry about it for a couple more weeks. We should be good until then.” Dax had noticed the change in Luke over the past few weeks. He seemed more at peace, as if a load had been lifted from his shoulders. At first Dax hadn’t been comfortable with him moving out, especially with the thefts. Now he believed it would be a good move for him.
“Is there a chance you might have room in the wagon for medical supplies?”
“We’ll make room. What do you need?” Luke asked.
“There isn’t much. I’ll get my list.”
“Have you heard anything from Pinkerton?” Dax waited until Rachel left before asking. He knew she didn’t care for Luke taking off for weeks at a time, more out of worry than the effect his absence had on the ranch.
“Dutch sent a telegram. There’s a chance a citizens committee in Big Pine may hire the agency to check into the theft of gold during transport. I thought I’d talk with Sheriff Sterling while I’m there, find out what he knows.”
“I doubt he’s too supportive of vigilante groups. Most lawmen believe they’re as bad as the people they chase.” Everyone had heard of the group further north in Montana who, a year before, had lynched several men without trial. They hadn’t even taken time to hear the men’s side of the story. As ex-Texas Rangers, neither he nor Luke approved of this type of frontier justice.
“Dutch believes bringing in the Pinkerton agents helps cut down those types of reactions. Usually the town steps back, for a while anyway, and lets us do our job. At least with the agency, the people we arrest get a trial.”
They looked up as Rachel walked back in and handed a slip of paper to Luke. “Here you are. I hope it’s not too much.”
He scanned the few items. “We should be able to find room.” He stood, folded the paper, and shoved it in his pocket. “Guess I’d better get some sleep. See you in the morning.” The stairs to his room seemed steeper tonight, as if he had to lift his legs higher to hit each step. Perhaps a few days away from building would be good for both he and Bull.
“You ready?” Luke asked Bull as he climbed onto the wagon. Bull would ride ahead, keeping watch for intruders and trouble along the trail.
“Ready, boss.”
The sun had yet to
Tat and Johnny built shutters for each window opening until glass ones could be found. At least the shutters would help ward off some of the cold. Luke planned for three stoves. One for each of the rooms they’d been able to lay out—kitchen, front living area, and bedroom. He might decide to remove one later, but for now, he’d rather have too many than not enough.
While Luke and Bull were gone, the men planned to chop wood, finish the front porch, and install counters in the kitchen. The trip would take three days—one day to Big Pine, one to pick up supplies, and a third to return.
Every night after supper Luke fell into bed exhausted, yet feeling better about his decision as each day passed. He could almost envision his future, something he hadn’t been able to do for months. He’d work the ranch each day, then retreat to his place, fish the creek when possible, and take on the occasional Pinkerton job. Dutch had already sent him a telegram about a potential assignment in Big Pine. Luke responded, saying to count him in as long as it happened after a few more weeks. By then, he felt he’d be tucked in at his cabin and ready for another job.
“Are you leaving at first light?” Rachel asked when she poked her head into the study after supper. She took a seat next to Dax, who slid an arm over her shoulders as he nursed a whiskey.
“We are,” Luke said. “Neither of us want to get stuck in Big Pine if a storm comes through. I don’t plan to spend more than three days away. I’m ready to finish the last of it and get back to pulling my weight here.”
“The work is getting done. Don’t worry about it for a couple more weeks. We should be good until then.” Dax had noticed the change in Luke over the past few weeks. He seemed more at peace, as if a load had been lifted from his shoulders. At first Dax hadn’t been comfortable with him moving out, especially with the thefts. Now he believed it would be a good move for him.
“Is there a chance you might have room in the wagon for medical supplies?”
“We’ll make room. What do you need?” Luke asked.
“There isn’t much. I’ll get my list.”
“Have you heard anything from Pinkerton?” Dax waited until Rachel left before asking. He knew she didn’t care for Luke taking off for weeks at a time, more out of worry than the effect his absence had on the ranch.
“Dutch sent a telegram. There’s a chance a citizens committee in Big Pine may hire the agency to check into the theft of gold during transport. I thought I’d talk with Sheriff Sterling while I’m there, find out what he knows.”
“I doubt he’s too supportive of vigilante groups. Most lawmen believe they’re as bad as the people they chase.” Everyone had heard of the group further north in Montana who, a year before, had lynched several men without trial. They hadn’t even taken time to hear the men’s side of the story. As ex-Texas Rangers, neither he nor Luke approved of this type of frontier justice.
“Dutch believes bringing in the Pinkerton agents helps cut down those types of reactions. Usually the town steps back, for a while anyway, and lets us do our job. At least with the agency, the people we arrest get a trial.”
They looked up as Rachel walked back in and handed a slip of paper to Luke. “Here you are. I hope it’s not too much.”
He scanned the few items. “We should be able to find room.” He stood, folded the paper, and shoved it in his pocket. “Guess I’d better get some sleep. See you in the morning.” The stairs to his room seemed steeper tonight, as if he had to lift his legs higher to hit each step. Perhaps a few days away from building would be good for both he and Bull.
“You ready?” Luke asked Bull as he climbed onto the wagon. Bull would ride ahead, keeping watch for intruders and trouble along the trail.
“Ready, boss.”
The sun had yet to
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