Charlotte wanted those cattle returned and the men responsible in jail. “Maybe they would have talked.”
Bret shook his head, his blue eyes held sympathy. “And maybe Winfield would have been into the wind before the sheriff could get to him. You can bet he wouldn’t wait around when that Arp fellow didn’t return.”
She wasn’t convinced. “But maybe the sheriff could arrest him before—”
“Charlotte,” Bret held her shoulders. “I know you’re worried but you’re not being logical. The plan is good and you have the guarantee that it will be carried out very soon.”
He took her hand and led her to the couch in the parlor. “I need to talk to you about something important. Moose, Davie, would you please come, too.”
He guided her to sit on the couch. “We need to talk about the mortgage and this will take decisions on the part of Charlotte and Davie and cooperation from Moose.” He gestured for Moose and Davie to take a seat.
When they had, Bret looked at her. “Please trust me. Tell me, just how much is this note the bank holds?”
After she told him, he said, “I have enough to pay off your mortgage. But the last thing we need is for Winfield to know I have the money and that it’s here.”
She couldn’t breathe for a minute. “What do you mean, you can pay off the mortgage? Then the ranch would belong to you so how does that help Davie or me?”
“Because I would gift it to you. The land would be yours free and clear.”
Davie leaped to his feet. “You mean it, Bret? Would you really do that for us?”
She hated to disappoint her son. “How could we let you do that? It’s too much.”
Davie looked at her with such pain in his eyes. “Mama?”
Bret signaled Davie to wait. “Charlotte, you saved my life. I owe you more than I can ever repay. I’m sure Davie knew I had cash even if he didn’t know how much. You could have taken it and told me it must have been stolen before you rescued me. You could have made sure I didn’t recover and no one would have been the wiser. All I ask is that you let Moose work here as long as he wishes and pay him a decent wage.”
Tears poured down Charlotte’s cheeks. “I would have done that anyway if we kept the ranch. But we’ll lose everything unless the sheriff catches Winfield. You can bet that polecat is already pressuring the bank’s investors to let him buy our note so he can foreclose.”
“I say we beat him at his own game.”
She swiped at her cheeks. “How?”
“Early tomorrow morning, we all go to town. I’ll have enough money with me to pay off the bank. Once that’s done, you can relax and Winfield will be out of luck.”
Moose stood. “Sounds like a good plan. Reckon I’ll go turn in and be up in time for the chores before we leave.”
Charlotte shook her head. “Bret and Moose, I have an uneasy feeling. Do you two mind sharing tonight and staying here in the house? I’ll sleep with Susie again and you can have my room.”
Moose rubbed his jaw. “Don’t mind sleeping in here if it makes you feel easier, Miz Dunn, but I’d as soon roll up in a blanket on the floor.”
Bret pretended to be upset. “What? You think I have fleas?”
Moose grinned. “I think you’ll take up more than half the bed and so will I. That’ll lead to us fighting for cover and space all night and neither of us getting much sleep.”
Davie said, “Moose, you can have our bed and Jimmy and I can sleep on pallets. We’ve done that when we had company come stay and we don’t mind.”
He turned to her. “Mama, maybe we should let Buster and Billy into the house if you’re worried.”
“That’s a good idea, son.” Charlotte rubbed her arms. “I guess I’m being silly, but I have this odd feeling, like I did when we were being watched that time. I’ll get the spare quilts and make up the pallets. ”
Lately, she’d frequently had the feeling of someone watching. She didn’t want anything to happen, especially now that Bret might save the ranch. She couldn’t believe she could be lucky enough to have things work out so well after all the problems they’d had.
She laid out the pallets in the parlor so the boys could have the dogs sleep with them. With luck her sons wouldn’t end up with fleas. They bathed the dogs often and applied herbs to the water to deter insects. If necessary, she’d toss some herbs into the boys’ bath water.
They’d all settled down to sleep when Jimmy slipped into Susie’s room to alert Charlotte of trouble.
Jimmy whispered, “Davie heard the dogs give a low growl. He’s keeping them quiet while I get you.”
“Jimmy, let Bret and Moose know while I slip on my overalls. Susie, stay right where you are.”
By the time she’d fastened her overalls and stepped into the hall, Bret had his rifle in his hands and walked ahead of her.
She tapped Jimmy on the shoulder. “You go wait with your sister until I say different.”
Jimmy nodded although obviously disappointed.
Moose whispered, “Dadburn, I should’ve brought in my rifle.” He carried his revolver.
She leaned toward him. “You can use Ike’s. I keep it cleaned and loaded over the fireplace.”
The three adults crept forward.
Moose said, “Keep the dogs quiet and inside. No need them getting shot.”
The two men slipped out the kitchen door and circled to the bunkhouse. A lantern shone from inside.
Charlotte and Davie watched as the two men signaled to one another. Moose went around toward the back. Bret stood by the front door.
An
