“Maybe, but he enjoys the work and he’d have to adjust the sizes of the commercial horseshoes anyway.”
She smiled and asked, “It’s not always about doing things the cheapest way; is it?”
He kissed her and replied, “No, ma’am.”
She said, “I thought Jack was going to turn into a giant red rubber ball when you asked him if he was going to make an honest woman out of Maggie.”
“He should have been grateful that I didn’t bring it up in front of all the men. I thought it was very considerate of me to have him come to the office.”
“You were only considerate because your bride suggested that you ask him to come to the office, so she could watch his reaction."
Jake laughed, closed the ledger and replied, “If that was what you called a suggestion, then I hope I never hear you make a demand.”
“When I told you that I had laid claim to you, that was close to being a demand; wasn’t it?”
“No, ma’am. It may have been a stunning announcement, but it wasn’t close to reaching the level of a demand. Regardless of what it was, I’m still immensely happy that you staked your claim."
"So, am I. Now that I know how to keep your books in order, I’ll do my other wifely duty and cook your supper.”
As she rose, Jake said, “And I’ll do my husbandly duty later.”
Sara laughed then waltzed out of the office.
Jake stood and carried the ledger to the desk and returned it to the bottom drawer before sitting in his father’s chair. He wondered how long it would be before he stopped thinking of everything on the Elk as belonging to his father. Maybe he never would, but it probably didn’t matter.
He leaned back in the chair and even though it had been a wonderfully routine day, it was one more day where no one had reported seeing Dave Forrest. He would wait until next Thursday before visiting Arv Zendt to tell him of his plan to search for the man who’d murdered his parents. He’d already decided to start his search following the same route he’d taken when he left the last time. But he hadn’t included Woman’s Breast in his itinerary.
_____
Dave had been checking his backtrail and hadn’t seen anyone behind him. But he had passed some riders heading south. He’d also seen a freight wagon and the stagecoach. He’d waved and smiled at them and even those who’d returned his greeting didn’t seem remotely interested in him. It gave him hope that he’d be able to get his supplies at Fort Shaw without any problems. But to add a bit more protection, he decided to ride south out of Fort Shaw to let anyone think he was going to take the fork just south of town. After sunset, he’d turn back north and head to Woman’s Breast. He’d have to camp out tonight but should reach the ghost town in the morning.
_____
Sheriff Zendt was about to lock up the jail for the night when Jimmy Woodley burst through the door.
He held out a telegram and between his deep gulps of air, he said, “This…just…got here…Sheriff. Mister Topper...said you gotta read it…right away.”
Arv snatched the message from Jimmy’s fingers and quickly read its contents.
“Son of a bitch!” he exclaimed before remembering that the boy was standing three feet away.
Jimmy didn’t even grin but asked, “Do you want to send a message, Sheriff?”
“No, Jimmy. But I apologize for my crude language.”
“It’s okay. I hear it all the time.”
Sheriff didn’t offer a tip but followed Jimmy out of the jail. He didn’t even lock the door before he mounted and turned his horse to the west. He had to give the news to Jake.
_____
Jake was in the kitchen explaining his plans to find R. L. Kemper for Maggie as Sara cooked their supper. When Sheriff Zendt pounded on the front door, they both turned their eyes to the hallway.
Jake said, “I’ll get it,” then popped to his feet and hurried out of the kitchen. He knew all the men were having chow but wondered if someone had learned of Jack’s intentions and now Jack was angry that Jake had spilled the beans.
He was smiling as he opened the door expecting to find a furious, flustered foreman but the moment he saw Sheriff Zendt, he knew it was serious.
He asked, “What’s wrong, Arv? Do you want to come in?”
“No. I’ve gotta get back. But I just got this telegram and I wanted you to know.”
He handed Jake the message and watched his face as the terrible news struck home.
Jake was almost as stunned as he’d been when he’d read the telegram about his mother’s death and then again when he’d uncovered his father’s body. How could he have been friends with a man who was capable of such horrors?
He handed it back to the sheriff and said, “He’s heading this way, Arv.”
“I know. That’s why I needed to warn you. But if he’s coming to the Elk, he won’t get here until late tomorrow at the earliest.”
“I don’t think he’s coming to the ranch. He’d know that we’d be expecting him. I was going to search for him in a week if none of the lawmen found him. But now that we know where he is and what he’s done, I’ll head west tomorrow. Will you join me?”
“I was gonna head that way myself, so I’ll swing by in the morning.”
“Okay. I’ll be ready to go when you show up.”
Arv nodded, turned around and trotted down the porch steps then mounted and rode away.
Jake sighed, then closed the door and walked back to the kitchen to break
