Between Hell and Texas by Dusty Richards

Author:Dusty Richards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2011-10-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Chet woke before dawn on the hard floor in his bedroll. He planned to take over one of those beds to sleep in after he ant-hilled the bedding on it to get rid of any bed bugs. The cooler night air soon reached him. Hands on his hips, he stretched his sore back muscles and then pulled up his pants and sat down to get his boots on. A bath and shave wouldn’t hurt him, but his clean clothes were back in the hotel.

During the night, Hoot had arrived with the rented wagon full of supplies that the crew unloaded late the night before. But Chet could hear him opening the lids on the cast-iron stovetop downstairs and building a fire in the range. Things would turn around soon in this ranch’s operation—but things never went as fast as Chet wanted them to.

The sleepy-looking Hoot shook his head at him in the candlelight. “I forgot how much work this was.”

“You can handle it?”

“Sure, but you ever had a camp cook before that didn’t complain?”

“Only my sister. We’ll find you some help when I’m in Preskit.”

“Thanks, I’ll get by till then.”

“You have any idea where Ryan might have gone?”

Hoot shook his head. “All I’ve known about him was he was here running this ranch.”

“Since he became my enemy, I need to know all I can about him.”

“Talk to Hampt. He worked for Ryan for some time. He might know more than I do.”

“Now, how can I help you?” Chet asked.

“Crack me enough eggs to make some flapjacks.” Hoot turned up his lip. “Some may be fertile. Watch them.”

“I will. How many good ones do you need?”

“Six will do.”

“I can do that.”

“What can I do?” Heck asked, sweeping his hair back and looking like he’d been dragged through a knothole.

“Chop more firewood,” Hoot said.

“I’ll get it.”

“Don’t chop a finger off,” Chet teased as he went out in the first glow of dawn.

“I won’t.” He forced a smile and went on.

“Arizona’s a tough place,” Hoot said.

Chet agreed. “I had no idea we’d get into a tough war out here trying to buy a ranch.”

“He’s a tough kid.”

“Yes. Last year he must have rode five-six hundred miles by himself to get me when they shot his father.”

“Damn, that was a man’s job.”

“And it worries me. I never had a boyhood myself. I’ve always felt cheated and I hope he doesn’t miss his, too.” Chet shook his head at the thoughts of that happening to Heck.

“Aw, you get this ranch straightened out, he’ll have a great time making pack trips to hunt elk and bear. There’s lot of pretty girls to dance with on Saturday night in Camp Verde. He won’t miss a thing.”

“I hope you’re right. Here’s the good eggs you needed.” Chet put the bowl of cracked ones down on the table.

“Thanks, better get the crew up. This food is coming together. Coffee’s made.”

With a hot holder on the handle, Chet raised the pot to get some for himself. It steamed up as he poured it.

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