Bounty Man & Doe by Dusty Richards

Author:Dusty Richards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oghma Creative Media

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

SAM AND DOE RODE BACK to the ranch the next day. Two wagons of goods were to be delivered to the end of the road in one week. Sam decided Miguel and his train would surely be back by then. There was barley to seed in the fields—once they could be irrigated, that is—farming tools, rope, nails, wire, and carpenter tools.

A wild wind swept dust across the desert floor around them. Dark high clouds that promised rain forced them to pull their rain gear loose from behind their saddles as they leaned into the freshening breeze. Soon muddy drops pelted them and slowed their progress along the dim little road, skirting the erosive ditches from previous downpours. The air, cleaned of the dirt, had the strong smell of greasewood.

Frequent, distant thunder rolled across Iron Mountain as they crossed over the pass and started down the long canyon trailing the gray rain. Reaching the gate, Sam heard the burros bray, and General Crook answer.

Doe searched Sam’s face in the rivers of rain streaming off the brim of his hat. “Our family is here!”

“I reckon so!”

When they reached the corrals, Sam started to unsaddle the horse and mule, but two men rushed out and took them, instead, tying them to the hitch rail and showing them to the security of the porch.

On the wide veranda, in a faded gold vest under a giant tasseled sombrero, his boots oiled bright, stood Miguel. He hugged Sam and swept the giant hat off to the polished tile floor for Doe. “Señor, the burros told us you were coming.”

Sam turned to see the large line of assembled people. The entire group bowed and smiled as Miguel introduced each one, including the children and did a good job with the names. Sam decided he would learn them with time.

When the vaquero finished his introductions, Sam smiled. “Welcome back home. Your home and our home. We will raise our families and fix this great hacienda into the place you remember. There is not much money, but we will eat good, and there will be a school, and we will be happy.”

A roar went up from the small crowd. With a flourish, Miguel escorted them into a completely clean house. Sam hugged Doe under his arm as he propelled her along with him.

A giant feast had been laid on, and a great new table, polished smooth by talented hands, filled the dining room. An ancient chair with a high back was at the end, and a lesser carved oak one sat at the table head. Benches were lined along the table, cruder than the rest but no doubt hastily made for the occasion.

“I hope you do not dislike our work, but we wanted to surprise you.” Miguel looked proudly for approval from the waiting crowd.

Doe hugged him and, taking off the wet Stetson with deliberate grace, raised her head and smiled. “Welcome to our hacienda. All of you.”

“We are very pleased.” Sam nodded and hugged her as she finished her short speech.

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