Davie came into the room carrying a pitcher and pan. “Good morning. Mama is cooking breakfast. Do you need me to get the chamber pot?”
“Please.” How embarrassing to have to depend on a boy to help him pee. When he’d relieved himself he said, “There’s something else you could do. Your mother said I had saddlebags. Could you bring them to me?”
“Yes, sir. First, I’m supposed to give you the bowl and soap and hot water so you can wash your face and hands.”
Davie helped him by holding the bowl while Bret soaped his face and hands and arms and rinsed.
“I do feel better after washing. Thanks.”
“I’ll get the saddlebags now.” He carried the pan of water and empty pitcher with him as he left.
“How do you feel this morning?” Mrs. Dunn glided in, bringing welcome aromas with her. She set down a tray holding fried eggs, bacon, ham, biscuits, and coffee. “There are butter and jam in the small containers and milk in the little pitcher. Davie will bring in your things as soon as he eats.”
“I’m much improved and much obliged. This looks and smells delicious.” He cut into the ham.
“The ham was in your things. You’d already sliced into it, so I thought we’d better use it before it spoiled. We have some in the smokehouse you can use to replace it.”
Surprised, he looked up at her. “I hardly think that’s necessary since you’re taking care of me. Indeed, your family rescued me. Who knows what would have happened to me otherwise?”
She appeared sympathetic. “Unfortunately, the birds and other predators likely would have finished you but that didn’t happen, thank goodness.”
He gulped and swallowed the last bite he’d taken. The picture she painted of him lying as food for predators sent shivers up his spine. He refrained from openly shuddering because that wasn’t manly. He might not remember his name but he sensed that much.
“Life here is harsh but we have compensations. It’s a lovely ranch and we love living here. Most people are kind and help one another. We couldn’t do otherwise when you needed help.”
Davie carried in his saddlebags and set them on the bed. “Mama said I should bring in your other things, too. Not the camping gear but your personal things.”
Jimmy and Susie each carried in packs.
Charlotte smiled at her children. “You’ve met Davie and this is Susie who’s ten and Jimmy who’s seven.”
Bret looked at the two youngest. “Pleased to meet you. I believe Jimmy helped rescue me. Thank you, young man.”
“Davie and I saw you fall. There’s more stuff in the barn.”
Davie said, “It’ll take us two trips.”
Bret met his hostess’ gaze. “How much stuff do I have?”
Mrs. Dunn raised her eyebrows. “A lot. You were leading a pack horse that was loaded heavily. You also had things tied onto your saddle. We think they’d be safer in here than in the barn in case we have prowlers.”
“Do you sometimes have them?”
“Not yet. We have two good dogs. I suspect whoever rustled our cattle will send someone to prowl around, though. Whoever it is probably has someone watching our place.” She rubbed her arms. “I’ve sensed I was being watched several times.”
“He sounds like a nervy fellow and not one I’d like.”
“To make it worse, someone is pressuring the bank to sell our loan to him so he can call in the note.”
“What can you do to fight him?”
She shook her head slowly and crossed her arms. “Absolutely nothing. Mr. Edmondson, the banker, is a nice man. However, his investors have been swayed or bribed by Winfield and are urging the banker to sell our note. Mr. Edmondson is trying to hold off until we can sell our cattle in September and pay our debt.”
“Mrs. Dunn, what month is it now?”
She looked as if she was holding back tears. “Only June I’m afraid. My husband poured his sweat and lifeblood into this ranch for thirteen years. Last fall, a neighboring ranch came up for sale—a once in a lifetime opportunity. Ike mortgaged this ranch in order to buy the other property.”
“Let me guess. Another neighbor wanted to buy it, too.”
“Yes, but Mr. Mills, the owner, didn’t like Winfield and wanted Ike to have the land. That’s when little ‘accidents’ started happening around here. Most everyone in the county thinks our neighbor is a wonderful person but you’ll never convince me Winfield isn’t to blame.”
“You think he’s behind the rustling and death of your husband?”
“I can’t be sure because there’s no proof. The sheriff is a good man but he can’t find the rustlers or the missing cattle. There are a lot of places to hide them in this county and the surrounding ones.” She shook her head and gave a dismissive wave. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to burden you with our troubles.”
The three children filed in, each weighed down with more bags and bundles.
Davie set down his load, which included a rifle he leaned against the wall near the bed. “This is the last of the things we figure you’ll want in here. Camping gear and a tent are outside. They were damp and smelled like mold so we set them in the sun to dry.”
“Thank you. You’ve been very helpful and I appreciate it plus the fact you saved my life. Looks like my things have filled up the room.” Why on earth did he have so much stuff with him?
“Do you care if we play in the tent if we’re real careful and don’t damage it?”
He grinned at them. “Have fun, children.”
The three dashed out and clomped down the hall.
Mrs. Dunn smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Craig. The tent is dry now but still has a bit of an odor to
