Ride for Rule Cordell

Ranch, that she wouldn’t take Meade’s word for his death. He thought they would move on Emmett’s ranch and take control of it.

“Meade? Eleven Meade? The New Mexico gunman?”

“Yes, that’s the one. He even came to Mrs. Peale’s ranch and delivered a letter from Lady Holt. An offer to buy her place. An insulting one, of course,” Fiss said. “He also wanted to know about you.”

Checker asked, “He’s the one…who got behind me…isn’t he?”

“Yes. He’s the one. Quite proud of telling people in Caisson that he killed you. Sheriff Hangar backed him up, saying you were wanted dead or alive.”

Checker tucked his shirttails into his waistband. “Where are my guns?”

Fiss pointed at them.

Stepping toward his weapons, the Ranger stopped. “Instead of asking questions, I should be thanking you— and Mrs. Peale. You saved my life.”

Morgan turned toward him and smiled. “That’s not necessary. You Rangers are trying to save all of us from that awful woman.”

“I’m not a Ranger. I’m an outlaw.”

Her mouth opened, but she didn’t know how to respond.

Checker buckled on his gun belt, shoved his second gun into his back waistband and looked over at Rule Cordell, who was standing quietly, with his arms crossed, in the doorway.

“You must be Rule Cordell,” Checker said.

“I am, John Checker. Been looking forward to meeting you.”

Rule held out his hand and Checker shook it.

After putting on his Comanche tunic and grabbing his hat, Checker turned to the exasperated ranch woman. “Mrs. Peale, I can’t thank you—and London—enough for what you did. You made yourselves a big enemy in Lady Holt. But I reckon you know that—and that you already were.” Removing the bandage tied around his forehead, he returned his hat to his head.

“Only a fool wouldn’t want to stay here and be waited on by such a beautiful woman,” he continued, “but I’ve got work to do.”

He patted Rule on the shoulder and they walked together into the next room. As they did, Rule touched the medicine pouch under Checker’s shirt and then his own medicine pouch under his shirt. He said something no one understood. Strange words.

Bartlett thought it was a Comanche blessing, but the only two words he knew for sure were muea, Comanche for “moon” and rami, Comanche for “brother.” He heard Checker repeat the message.

As he followed the two gunfighters to the doorway, Rikor turned toward Bartlett and, through a mouth of donut, asked him what they had just said to each other. The Ranger explained it was a Comanche warrior blessing he had heard a long time ago. It connects the power of the moon to a man’s heart and makes it strong, he said.

Rikor stared at the gunfighters as if not believing, but not daring to challenge the statement.

Fiss watched him and shook his head. “I don’t think that En glishwoman has any idea of what she’s stirred up. John Checker and Rule Cordell.”

Chapter Twenty-five

Lady Holt had just finished her phoenix ritual when Sheriff Hangar and Eleven Meade arrived at her ranch house. She was strolling from the red ceremonial room when she heard the knocking at the front door.

“Ill get it, Elliott,” she yelled, and strode to the heavy wood entrance. Looking away, she said softly, “Iva Lee, do you think it’s Emmett Gardner giving me his ranch? Or that foolish Peale woman?” Her laugh followed her approach.

“Well, good afternoon, Sheriff, what brings you to my land today?” She glanced at Meade holding his white cat. “I’m sure you’re here to collect your money—or advise me of the status of your assignment.”

Meade managed to say, “Checker’s dead” before Hangar declared, “Got some bad news. Somethin’ nobody expected.”

“You mean you didn’t expect,” Lady Holt said. “Come in. I was just about to have my afternoon tea.” She looked again at Meade. “Or do you need to be traveling? Elliott has your payment. I’ll call him.”

Eleven Meade bit his lower lip and smiled, more of a thin grin. “I’ll stay if you don’t mind, m’lady. You might have another assignment for me.”

“I see.”

He leaned over and let the cat loose. “Discover the world, my precious.”

Sitting around the elegant mahogany coffee table in the main room of the house, the threesome enjoyed hot tea and dainty cookies made by her chef. Elliott served them on fine Italian china. Hangar asked for three spoons of sugar, Meade a squeeze of fresh lemon. Lady Holt’s tea was laced with a spoon of sugar and a touch of cream, before presenting it to her; Elliott didn’t ask.

In the center of the table was a fresh display of prairie lackspur, rain lilies, scarlet pimpernel, Mexican gold poppies and wisteria. She loved the mixture of color and insisted on her considerable garden being harvested for the best blooms each day.

The quiet black man said something to her in Latin; she nodded and he left. She studied both men before finally asking what the problem was.

“Rule Cordell.”

“Rule Cordell?” she repeated. “If memory serves me right, he’s dead. One of those wild pistoleros who popped up in Texas after the war. What’s that got to do with me?”

Sipping the tea, Hangar explained about Cordell and his appearance in Caisson. Her lack of reaction surprised him. He was expecting a vicious outburst.

“So, Rule Cordell now owns Emmett Gardner’s ranch,” she said, more to herself than to either man. “And Gardner has left the region.”

“Looks that way.” Hangar reached for another cookie.

“And you were afraid to kill him. This Rule Cordell.” Her cold words stopped his advance on the plate.

Meade snickered. “No, he tried. Cordell was ready—and too good. For three of your men. That other Ranger…Bartlett…he was with him.”

“I see. And you?” She stared at Meade.

The hired killer’s face was taut. “Actually I was going to kill him. For you. But I wasn’t going up against two guns.”

“That isn’t how it happened, Meade,” Hangar said. “Cordell knocked your gun away and hit you to the floor. It was something to see. Slammed him silly.”

“I didn’t see you trying anything.” Meade stared at the lawman.

“Gentlemen, I really don’t care—or have time for this,” Lady Holt said, waving her hands for emphasis. “Do you know where this Rule Cordell was going? You said he left town. Was he headed for Gardner’s ranch? I assume you checked on the validity of his claim.”

“Yes to both. Hires said it was all legal and buttoned up. He left town with that other Ranger, but I don’t know where they were going.”

“And you didn’t follow him.” Lady Holt’s eyes tightened around Hangar’s face.

“I…ah, I…no, I didn’t,” Hangar said. “Thought I’d better come out here to make sure you knew about him.”

Lady Holt sipped her tea. “And you thought I’d rather hear about him coming, than hear you took care of him.”

Meade smiled.