After returning his Colt to its holster, he set the gunbelt on his slicker with his Winchester and the Sharps, then folded the rubberized cloth over the top to protect them from the morning dew.
He stretched out and wondered if Sara had already had her conversation with her older sister. He grinned as he envisioned Sara’s fiery blue eyes adding an explanation point to the warning she issued to Kay. Then he wondered if Sara would just wait until he returned. Either way, he didn’t doubt that Sara could handle her older and bigger sister.
_____
“How did Kay react?” Priscilla Smith asked her younger daughter.
Sara smiled as she replied, “I think she was shocked at first and briefly considered saying that Jake had made it all up. But when I threatened to stop helping her clean or watch the boys, she not only admitted that she had said every one of those words, but even apologized.”
Her mother laughed lightly before saying, “I wish I’d been there to watch your sister’s face. Do you believe that she’ll behave herself now?”
“I think so. To be honest, I think she just wanted to relive those times she’d spent with Jake. I don’t think she’s satisfied with Homer, and you can interpret that any way you’d like.”
“I know. I thought she’d made an enormous mistake when she married him. I was stunned when you told me that Jake had offered to take her away. But when you said that she made up that lie about my having a fatal disease as an excuse, I was shocked. I knew she was flirty and pretentious, but even I couldn’t imagine she was capable of such deceit. At least she has her own home and family to keep her occupied now.”
“And when Jake returns, I won’t be able to help her any longer. After we’re married, I’ll be living with him on the ranch and taking care of my own home and having our babies.”
Priscilla shook her head as she said, “I am still amazed that you and Jake are already talking marriage when you spent such little time together. Are you certain that he doesn’t see you as a replacement for Kay? They were a couple for almost two years.”
“No, Mama. I’m absolutely sure that Jake loves me as Sara Smith and not Kay’s younger sister. You know how I always felt about him. It wasn’t as if we were strangers, either. My only worry was that my blunt nature would drive him away. But I wasn’t about to hide behind some gentle façade. I wanted him to see me as I am. I was overjoyed when it had the opposite effect than I’d feared it might have. He was happy that I wasn’t a shy, giggly girl who would do anything just to please him. That was also the reason we were able to agree on such a short courtship. We have no doubts, Mama.”
“Then I’m as happy for you as a mother could be. Do you think Jake will be gone as long as he believes?”
“He’d originally expected to be gone for as long as three months, but now I imagine he’ll be back within a couple of weeks. I’m not sure if I want him to find his father, though. I know he couldn’t shoot his father, even if his father was about to shoot him. But if he returns without finding him, then his father could suddenly appear at the door and Jake and I would have to find a new home.”
Priscilla studied her daughter’s face for a few seconds before saying, “All you can do is wait, Sara. I’m sure everything will be all right.”
Sara nodded but was still worried about Jake. He’d be halfway to Helena by now. Even though he said he’d send her a telegram to let her know where he was, she would much rather that his message simply said that he would return in two days.
_____
Jake was already saddling Mars as the sun’s early morning rays glistened off the prairie grass. He had enjoyed Charlie’s second bacon and egg sandwich for breakfast.
He wanted to reach Woman’s Breast by midmorning, then make one quick ride through the town in the slim chance of seeing his father. After his brief, but most likely futile search, he’d ask anyone he found about a recent visitor. He was probably the only newcomer to set foot in the town in quite a while, so if anyone still resided there then the appearance of a stranger would be remembered.
Jake returned to the thin trail just an hour after waking. He was wearing his jacket because of the morning chill that had left a coating of dew over his gear. His Colt was secured by its hammer loop, but he’d release it when he spotted the town. It should be warm enough by then that he’d be able to shed his jacket as well.
As he rode, he tried to understand his father. While Jake wasn’t about to forgive him for killing his mother or having his affair with Mrs. Benton, he had to push those sins aside to try to comprehend his father’s behavior. Jake had admired and respected his father as a strong man when he was a young boy. But before he was even ten years old, he’d lost all of the admiration and most of his respect for his father. If it hadn’t been for his mother’s affection and guidance, and Dave Forrest’s friendship, Jake would probably have run away from the ranch before he was thirteen. But once he had shifted his respect and admiration to Dave, he thought of his father as nothing more than a heartless bully.
As the gulf between father and son grew, Jake spent
