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Guns and Dreamers
Chapter Three: Bad Feelings
Scott A. Gese
Chapter 3
Bad feelings
Jason, Teddy, Owen, Bret and Pat rode out of Wichita and headed south. “It took us two months to deliver our cattle and we're a thousand miles from home,” stated Owen. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't plan on taking another two months to get back to the Square D, I'm setting a pace of forty miles a day. You all need to keep up.”
No one objected as they were all anxious to get back home, and Jason was looking forward to putting Kansas behind him.
The first week went by without a hitch. Everyone was in high spirits, joking and carrying on. Quite often a cloud of dust could be seen off in the distance as herds of Texas longhorns made their way north. No one in the group envied the men who pushed those cattle to market. As the days went by, the angst to get home was beginning to show on a couple of the boys. Owen continued to push the pace and they continued to make good time. Pat had taken a good-natured liking to Jason, and he had openly welcomed her friendship. They rode side-by-side most days and in the evening, stayed up later than the others, talking by the firelight.
Early one afternoon, during the second week of their journey, the sky began to quickly darken as billowing storm clouds began to gather. “Storm’s a comin',” shouted Owen. “We need to find cover.”
“Let's try for that stand of trees over yonder,” suggested Teddy as he pointed off to their right. The sky was growing darker by the minute as they raced for the trees. The wind had ceased to blow and the air felt almost electric. They had all been through this before. Texas had its own storms and this one was no different. They were fortunate not to have run into one on their way to Wichita. It could have easily spooked the cattle into a stampede. The lightening alone can kill cattle, horses and men, and it could take days to gather what was left of the scattered herd. This storm looked nasty by any measure.
Jason had been through these storms as well and he knew that a bolt of lightening would be attracted to the highest point. Out in the open as they were, he wanted that to be his horse and not him. Thunder began to rumble and lightening flashed just in front of them. “No time to run.,” shouted Jason. “Spread out, get off your horse and tie it to a bush. Keep away from your horse and crouch down low.” he continued.
Jason, Pat and Owen knew the drill and agreed with Jason without a second thought. They quickly dismounted. Bret and Teddy paid little attention. Come hell or high water, they were going to make it to the stand of trees before them.
In an instant, big drops of rain began to fall by the bucketful. A loud clap of thunder boomed so close it almost knocked Jason to the ground. In the same instant, a bolt of lightening lit up the darkened sky. Another one followed right behind the first. Thunder was crashing and lightening was flashing all around them. Jason, Pat and Owen held their position until the storm and the danger had passed. When they felt it was safe, the three stood up and assured each other that they were okay. In the distance they heard what sounded like rolling thunder, but soon realized it was the sound of a thousand or more cows, spooked and running for their lives. Not a word needed to be spoken. No one envied the drovers that belonged to that herd.
A once dry gully close to where they stood was now a raging river. Although spooked, the three horses were still tied down and alive. They walked them until they settled down and then mounted up and headed toward the trees hoping Teddy and Bret had made it safely. Luck was with them as they had made it and were patiently waiting for the others.
“We thought you guys were goners, “ exclaimed Teddy.
“Us?” questioned Jason. “Running for cover like that was a really stupid thing to do. You could have gotten yourselves killed.”
Teddy’s temperament was already spread thin, so the comment didn't sit well with him. “What the hell do you know,” he remarked. “We made it just fine.”
“I know plenty about these storms and I'll stick to what I just said. That was a stupid thing to do. You should have gotten off your horse. You can't outrun lightening.”
“Well we did, and more than one at that. You don't know shit,” replied Teddy.
“OK you two, let it go,” interjected Owen. “Let's get moving.”
Teddy refused let it go, and for the next couple of days he continued to pick at Jason every chance he got. He made fun of the way he rode, his midwest accent, even the color of his hair. Finally Jason had had enough. Teddy was making some wisecrack statement about his hat as Jason rode up next to him and without warning, shoved him off his horse. Teddy's boot caught in the stirrup and his horse began to drag him. Luckily Bret was close enough to grab the horse and bring it to a halt. Teddy worked his boot free and made a beeline for Jason who jumped from his horse toward Teddy and took him to the ground. Teddy put a move on Jason and managed to get in a good lick to the side of his head.
Jason didn't take kindly to that and came back at Teddy with two strong punches to Teddies stomach and one crushing blow to his nose. But that didn't stop Teddy. He grabbed Jason and the two were back on the ground. Owen finally stepped in and pulled them apart.
“What in the hell is the matter with the two of you?” he yelled.
“I've had more than my share of his teasing. I put up with it for awhile, but no more,” replied Jason as he began to brush himself off.
“If you can't handle it, why don't you just go your own way? We don't need your kind in Texas anyway.” shouted Teddy as he grabbed up his hat from the ground.
“My kind? What do you mean by that?”
“You know damn well what I mean,” replied Teddy. “You're a no good Northerner. Why don't you stay in Kansas? We don't want you down in Texas.”
Jason was stunned. He wasn't expecting to hear that from Teddy. “Fine,” replied Jason. “I'll go my own way.” He grabbed up his hat, mounted his horse and started to ride off.
“Wait” came the cry from behind him. He turned to see Pat riding his way. “I'm going with you,” she stated.
Bret objected. “No way in hell are you going with him, Pat. I told your pa I'd watch after you. If I don't bring you back, I'm as good as dead.”
“You tell him I'll be along shortly,” replied Pat. “He might whup you, but he won't kill you.”
“No, you're coming with me.” Bret dismounted and started toward her. Jason put a quick stop to his advance as he drew his gun on him. Bret stopped in his tracks. Teddy and Owen set their hands on their revolvers, ready to draw if it came down to it.
Pat drew her gun and pointed it at Bret. “Don't come any closer, Bret. I'm going with Jason. Tell my pa what I just told you. I'll be along shortly.”
Owen interjected. “Now hold on here just a minute. This is getting way out of hand. Put those guns away. That isn't necessary here. Patricia O'Donnell, your father allowed you to be part of this outfit with the express stipulation that you abide by what we determine to be in your best interest, and by God, this is not it. We need you now, more than ever, so quit this foolishness and get back over here. And Jason, there's no need for you to be running off like this. So you got into a scuffle with Teddy. He ain't a bad kid, just a little abrasive at times. We've all learned to have thick skin around him. Just let it go and I'll make sure he keeps his mouth shut.”
Owen looked over at Teddy and with a tone that sounded more like an order, he asked, “Ain't that right, Teddy?”
Teddy didn't say a word, he just turned his horse and rode off.
Bret threw up his hands in disgust. “I'm done babysitting you. I'll shoot your pa before I let him lay a hand on me on account of you.” He mounted up and rode off to catch up with Teddy.
Owen continued to try and talk some sense into both Jason and Pat, but neither of them wanted to hear any part of it. Finally he gave up trying as well. “OK, have it your way. I'll tell your pa you'll be along shortly. I'll make sure Bret won't have to shoot him. You just make damn sure you show up...and I mean shortly,” he insisted.
With that he turned and rode after Teddy and Bret.
Jason and Pat watched as they rode out of site.
“Now what?” Asked Pat.
“Now we head to Texas,” replied Jason.
The two rode on keeping a wide distance from any cattle coming their way.
“I've never seen so many cows,” exclaimed Jason. “We see a herd or two every single day. Are they all coming out of Texas?” he asked.
“Most are,” replied Pat. “Cattle are pretty much worthless down south. You can raise them cheap. Then walk them up the road to Kansas where they're worth ten times more, and make a big profit for your trouble. This is the second time my pa has sent cattle up to Wichita.”
“So what's the thing with Owen. How did he end up in charge of you all, and why did he say he needs you more than ever?” Asked Jason.
“Owen,? Owen is my pa's segundo back home. He was put in charge of the drive and he's the one carrying the money from the sale of the herd.”
Jason gave Pat a sideways glance as if trying to figure her out. “You had the responsibility of helping protect that money and you walked away from it?” he questioned.
“I'm not needed as much as Owen thinks I am. He was just trying to get me to go with them,” replied Pat.
Jason thought he had Pat figured out, but the fact that she was not honor bound disturbed him, especially when there was so much at stake.
That evening Jason and Pat made camp in a grassy area under a grove of cottonwood trees. The night air was cool and they talked for a time next to the fire, but soon the conversation died down along with the fire. Suddenly without warning, Pat straddled Jason's legs and sat on his lap facing him. She took off her hat and let her long hair fall around her shoulders. She then brushed back Jason's hat and ran her thin fingers through his hair, then laid her wet lips on his.
“I've thought about this moment for days,” she whispered.
Jason gave no resistance as she pushed him onto his back.
****
Owen, Teddy and Bret continued on. Teddy nursed his wounds as Bret fumed and fretted about Pat and what her pa was going to do to him when he found out she didn't come back with them. Owen tried to console him. “Don't worry about it, Bret. I'll take the responsibility. I'm the one in charge. Let's just make sure we get this money home safe. If we lose it, we're all dead men.”
“This whole mess could have been avoided if we had just put a bullet in Jason. I would much rather shoot him as Pat's pa,” remarked Bret.
Teddy chimed in. “I'll agree to that. I'm all for turning around and finding the little runt.”
“Little runt?” questioned Owen. “That little runt sure bloodied your nose good.”
“Lucky punch,” replied Teddy. “It would never happen again.”
“Well just the same, let's have no more talk about killin' someone. It ain't right.”
“He's a no good Yank,” scoffed Teddy.
“That was your daddy's war, not yours,” replied Owen.
“It was your war too, Owen. Don't you feel the same?” asked Teddy.
“I don't hold no grudges. It ain't my way. I've seen way too much hate in the eyes of men. More than enough to last me the rest of my life. It's a worthless emotion and the cause of most of the troubles in this world. I would suggest you get over it while you're still young and healthy.”
Owen moved up ahead of the two boys. He had said his piece and now wanted to reset the pace.
Teddy and Bret talked among themselves. They liked Owen, but didn't necessarily share his point of view when it came to Northerners, or Jason McKinney for that matter.
“There has got to be a way to get Pat away from Jason. I don't understand why she went with him in the first place?” questioned Bret.
“I guess she got tired of us,” replied Teddy with a wide grin.
Bret glanced over at Teddy and smiled. “I think you may be right,” he remarked. “And by the way, your nose looks like hell.”
“It feels like hell too,” grimaced Teddy.
As they rode along, Bret suggested to Teddy that they have a little fun with Owen. “Follow my lead,” he said to Teddy.
The two boys rode up along side of Owen. “Say, Owen,” stated Bret inquisitively. “You know what we should do to keep that money you're carrying even more safe than it is right now?”
“And what might that be?” Inquired Owen.
“I think you should divide it up into three parts and give Teddy and I each a part.”
“That's a very good idea,” added Teddy. “If something happens to one of us at least two thirds of the money would be safe. If something were to happen to you, all the money could be lost.”
“This money belongs to the Square D, and I'm in charge of it, besides, there ain't nothing going to happen to me...unless one of you plan to make it happen,” answered Owen with a slight hint of concern.
“We ain't planning on doing anything, Owen. But it's like what Teddy said, we just want to make sure all the money doesn't get lost,” answered Bret.
“OK, ok,” replied Owen. “I get it. You two are foolin' with me...right?”
Teddy and Bret couldn't hold back their laughter any longer. “Of course we are, Owen. You should know that. It's a long ride home and we're just having some fun.”
“You had me worried there for a second,” admitted Owen. “But only for a second.”
The three men rode on. It was still early and it had already been one hell of a day.
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