“He must have been annoyed because we got along. It wasn’t important, Jake. Whenever I needed to buy something for the ranch, I’d just ask him for the cash.”
“Do you want me to give you the combination now? If I can’t trust you, then I may as well reenlist.”
Dave snickered as he shook his head then replied, “No, that’s okay, Jake. I have a desk in my house with a drawer I can lock, and I trust that none of the boys will go inside if I’m not there.”
“That’s fine. But I’ll need any receipts or just a written note for any expenses, so I can put them in the ledger. My mother used to keep the books, so it’ll fall to me now.”
Dave must have wanted to mention his mother, so he just nodded and slipped the envelope into his jacket pocket.
“So, you’re still planning on leaving Tuesday morning?”
“Yup. I’ll visit Mister Wright on Monday, then pack that afternoon. I want to be riding west shortly after sunrise. I’ll share breakfast with everyone before I head out.”
“When you reach a town, send a wire so I’ll know where you are and what you find. Okay?”
“Sure thing. Hopefully, it won’t take as long as I expected.”
“I still think you oughta let it go, Jake. We need you here and you’ll be a better boss than your father was. He was a hard man but needed to be that way to build this place. Once it was up and running, he didn’t have to be so tough on everybody anymore, especially you.”
“I know, but you made up for a lot of that, Dave. I had my mother to teach me, but I learned almost as much from you, and I appreciate it.”
Dave replied, “Thanks for the words, Jake. But I just enjoyed spending time with you and watching you grow up. I know you probably hate your father for what he did, and I don’t blame you for feeling that way. But I don’t think you should hunt him down for the only really bad thing he ever did. Your mother would want you to stay, Jake.”
Jake looked across the desktop at the man who had become his second father and understood why he wanted him to stay. He was sure that Dave was worried that his father might kill him. But he was a bit annoyed that Dave had used his love for his mother as an argument. If anyone else had tried to make him change his mind by invoking his mother, Jake would have been much more than annoyed. But he’d never shout at Dave. He was too good a man and an even better friend.
“I know that my mother would tell me that, just like almost everyone else has. But I have to go, Dave. Maybe I’ll change my mind and return after a few days, but I can’t stay.”
Dave nodded then asked, “Who told you it was a good idea to chase down your father?”
Jake smiled as he replied, “Sara Smith, Kay’s younger sister. We talked for a while after I left the bank and she agreed with my decision to find him.”
“You talked to Kay’s sister? Is she interested in taking her older sister’s place?”
Jake snickered then replied, “I hope not. She’s not Homer’s type. But she did mention that I should visit her when I return, and I intend to do just that.”
Dave disregarded Jake’s attempt at humor before he said, “If she’s already got that much influence over you, then maybe I oughta go and talk to that girl and get her to order you to stay on the ranch.”
“I don’t think you could convince Sara to sit down, much less tell me what to do, Dave. But I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell the boys of my intentions to court her when I get back. A lot could happen before then.”
“I already figured it was pretty private, Jake. I’m just glad you already found a lady to help you run the place. I’m sure your mother would be really happy.”
Jake nodded but didn’t reply and wanted to change the subject away from his mother and Sara.
“I’ve got to clean and load my guns. Can you think of anything else we need to talk about?”
“Not if I can’t get you to change your mind. But I’ll keep trying until you get in the saddle on Tuesday morning.”
“That’s alright, Dave. I don’t mind.”
Dave grinned, then stood and left the office.
Jake watched as Dave passed through the open front door before he left the chair and headed to his room to collect his Colt and Winchester to begin their restoration to functional weapons. He reminded himself to pick up some more cartridges for both guns at S.D. Bannister Firearms on Monday. His long and unexpected conversation with Sara had made that necessary visit slip from his mind. He’d visit the gunsmith before he talked to the lawyer, so he wouldn’t forget a second time. He suspected it would be highly likely to happen again after having lunch with Sara. She was certainly distracting, but he couldn’t afford any distractions when he started west on Tuesday morning.
_____
Jake had his guns cleaned and loaded before he’d had supper with the few hands who had remained on the ranch. Even Dave had gone to town, but one of the few men who had remained was Big Tom McCallister.
After he sat down with his supper which consisted of leftovers from lunch as Charlie was in town with the others, Big Tom said, “I found a good horse to wear the pack saddle and reshod him and Mars. I left him in the stall beside your red boy.”
“Thanks,
