“I asked around town for a job and ended up on my first of many farms. I worked myself all the way to El Paso, and after that fateful day, on to Kansas. I asked around Hays and someone led me to the Stones’ farm. End of story.”
“Jack,” Thea began slowly, “would you write to me when you get back to Hays? I’d love to hear from you.”
Jack looked surprised. “Why, sure I could. I’d like that.”
Thea stood. “Good. I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Good night.”
Thea went up to bed feeling blessed. She’d become frustrated with the work involved in running the household so many times, just as Vera had, but they were blessed by having a home and loved ones. Sometimes, it took a man like Jack to walk into your life to show you how truly fortunate your life was. She liked Jack, and she hoped he would keep his word and write to her.
Chapter Eleven
The ride home was tedious, cold, and long. They were all eager to get home, especially Wyatt who was worried about the farm.
“I wonder how much snow we got in Hays.” he said. “Will Clay be able to tend to the animals?”
“If he missed caring for them for a day it wouldn’t hurt them none,” Jack said.
“Wyatt,” Vera drawled, “how does the train get through all the snow? Will we get stuck somewhere? It’s cold enough in here.”
“The cow catchers,” Wyatt answered. “They not only shove the cows off the tracks, but they also push away the snow.”
“I’ve read,” Jack said, “that in the mountains out west they have to build sheds on mountain sides to keep the snow off the tracks.”
“I don’t think you need to worry, sweetheart,” Wyatt said, hugging her to him. “We’ll make it home safe.”
They changed trains in Kansas City. This one was even colder than the one they’d been on. The car had a stove, but it was small and the car was long. It wasn’t enough. Vera wished they could have afforded first-class seating as those cars had the bigger stoves.
The things they viewed out the windows finally started to look familiar. “Look, Wyatt, we’re crossing the Smoky Hill River. We’re nearly home!”
“It looks like we didn’t get as much snow as Oakville,” he said.
Minutes later, they pulled to a stop in front of the Hays depot. Wyatt had wired from Kansas City to let Clay know the time they’d be arriving. He spotted Clay’s buggy as soon as he stepped off the train.
Instead of waiting patiently for them to get their luggage and walk to the buggy, Clay came running to meet them. “Hurry. Get into the carriage.” Clay pulled on Wyatt’s arm.
Wyatt pulled free of his brother. “What’s going on?”
“We need to get Jack out of sight … now.”
They all ran to the buggy, but before they could get inside, a tall man with a sly mustache stepped in front of them.
They looked up at him in surprise, not knowing who he might be or why Clay didn’t want him to see Jack.
The man’s eyes passed over them but stopped on Jack. “You killed my brother,” he yelled.
Jack didn’t shy away from the man, but he said boldly, “He drew first, and you know it.”
The man spit on the ground. “Let’s see how fast on the draw you are against me.”
Vera overheard Clay whisper to Wyatt, “That’s Beau Masters.”
Jack said, “You name the time and I’ll oblige, but I’ll warn you: I might clip you, but I won’t kill you. Your brother’s death has caused me enough guilt and shame. I will never kill again.”
Beau walked closer to Jack and said, “Well, I ain’t so nice. I will shoot to kill. Tomorrow at nine in the morning. Behind the livery.”
“Excuse me,” Wyatt said, “I believe shoot-outs are no longer allowed here, in Hays.”
The man turned to Wyatt and sneered, “That so? Well, who’ll run and tell the sheriff—you?”
Jack moved to stand in front of Wyatt. “Your gripe is with me, not my friend. No one will tell the sheriff. I’m not afraid to die, either. I’ll be there.”
They got their luggage, and Clay drove them home. “I’ll accompany you tomorrow, Jack, to make sure things are fair.”
“No need, Clay. Thank you, though. This is something I need to do myself. If I die, I’d rather not have an audience.”
Vera gasped.
Clay turned the buggy around after helping with the luggage, and rode away.
Jack headed for the barn, but Wyatt pulled him back. “You’re coming inside with us. There’s no heat in the barn. Besides, I could use your help to start up the coal stoves.”
Once inside, Vera lit the stove in the kitchen while Jack and Wyatt lit the heaters. The house was cold, and it took a few hours for them to finally feel the heat. Hot tea helped while they waited.
They sat at the kitchen table, warming their hands on the hot tea cups.
“Where have you been living?” Wyatt asked Jack. “Surely, not in our cold barn all these months.”
“No, the widow Henderson rented me a room. Actually, I pay for the room, doing odd jobs for her. She’s near eighty and can’t do a whole lot on her own. It’s only a mile down the road. I’ll head over there
