It seemed to Jordy that Rudy had adopted Bram and was looking after the young man like an anxious father. Jordy was glad for that. Despite all his bluster and joshing, Jordy sensed that Rudy was a lonely man, rejected by others over the years for his quirks and blunt ways. That was likely why he had attached to Jack. Outcasts seemed to be drawn to Jack Wills, who was unimpressed by wealth, rank or social status. The village idiot got as much respect from Jack as the Texas governor.
“Wait up, Jordy.”
It was Sierra catching up to him astride that pretty, strawberry roan mare. For some reason, he felt she had been avoiding him since the near tragedy at the Pecos. “Hadn’t seen you for a spell. Wondered where you went.”
“Well, for one thing, I was checking on Buster to make sure the stitches held when he made the swim across the Pecos. He’s fine.” She reined in beside him, and they rode in silence for several minutes before she spoke again. “Do you suppose we could make arrangements for stud service?”
Jordy chuckled and grinned. “What did you have in mind?”
“Well, I . . . what are you laughing about? Oh, no. That didn’t come out right. You are disgusting. You know what I mean. This is awful.”
He could see Sierra was embarrassed and flustered, and he could not help but enjoy her discomfiture. Still, he moved quickly to put her at ease. “I do know what you mean. You are talking about Buster and Dancer, I assume.”
She eyed him with what he thought was feigned contempt. “You assume correctly. Buster is a fine stallion, and Dancer should be bred soon for her first foal. When we recover the herd, I have several other mares I would like to breed to Buster. Two are buckskins, so the mating should produce buckskin foals. They bring a premium.”
“You would need to ask Buster, but I don’t think he would object.”
“You are starting to annoy me. I am wanting to negotiate fees.”
“No charge. But he can’t leave the Lucky Five. You would have to leave the mares or stay around until they are with foal.”
“I insist on paying a stud fee, but I guess we can work that and other details out later.”
“I should think so. We do have a few tasks ahead of us.”
“Sorry. Papa was always chiding me for planning too far ahead. He told me I should quit getting the cart before the horse, but it is hard for me to do.”
“I don’t mind. I find it charming—and funny. I don’t enjoy totally predictable friends, and you certainly aren’t that.”
“I guess I will take that as a compliment of sorts,” Sierra said.
“Then, am I back in your good graces?”
“You were never out. I was just a little embarrassed.”
“Don’t be. Let’s move ahead. I see Mitch heading this way, and he’s kicking up dust. That’s usually not a good sign.”
They reached the front wagon shortly before Mitch Eagle Eyes arrived. Eagle Eyes reined his mount in next to Jack’s perch on the wagon seat.
Jack said, “Tell me you’re bringing good news, Mitch.”
“Remains to be seen, Boss. Comanches ahead of us. They’ve set up camp along the Pecos, about where I figured we’d pull in tonight, not more than two hours away.”
“We’re not supposed to be at war with the Comanches right now. Most are headed for Fort Sill and the reservation,” Jack said. “Quanah and his Kwahadi band were the last holdouts. Supposed to be, anyhow, but there are likely several splinter bands out there. Did you get a count?”
“No more than a dozen.”
“Any sign they were setting up for an ambush?”
“No. I didn’t get in too close. When I saw their sign, I staked my horse and followed on foot a spell. When I saw smoke, I found a rock outcropping not too far out and watched from there with my spy glass. Not much to hide behind in this country, and I ain’t no Apache that can make hisself invisible behind a yucca plant,” Eagle Eyes said. “They had a few guards posted near the remuda, but they didn’t look like they had plans to move any time soon.”
Jack said, “It doesn’t appear they’re hiding out from anybody if they’ve got fires burning.”
“I suppose that’s true enough,” Eagle Eyes said.
Jordy said, “Jack, remember that dust cloud I saw a few days before we got to Castle Gap? We thought it was from riders on the Comanche War Trail. I wonder if it could have been this bunch.”
“Makes sense. With no wagons to slow them down, they would have been through the gap long before us or the Apaches. But why? Long way to come for a hunting party?”
Eagle Eyes said, “From what you say about the location, we ain’t going to get to Lookout Canyon without meeting up with this bunch.”
“No,” Jack said, “Mitch, I’d like to have you stay close by, and you and Jordy ride the perimeter while we pick up the pace some. We’ll be ready for trouble, but if we can get there before dark, we’ll invite those folks for supper.” He looked up at Sierra. “I wonder, Sierra, if you would get the word to Rudy. He won’t kick up a fuss with you if you give him the news about guests for supper.”
“I’ll offer to help him and Bram tonight. Maybe I can recruit somebody else, too, given our cooks are crippled up some.”
Tige said, “Recruit Nick Iverson. He volunteered for cooking more often than not in our Army days. You can’t do much till we see what our welcome is going to be.”
When Sierra turned her mare back and headed for the chuckwagon, Jack, with the trademark crooked grin on his face turned to Jordy and said, “I’m keeping my eye on you, boy. Your flirtations with my granddaughter
