Brothers in Blood by Dusty Richards Page A

“I spoke to all the agents we delivered to. They liked the cattle’s condition for this time of the year. I think we’re secure.”
    â€œGood. Tom has the next herd scheduled to take up to you at the Windmill.”
    â€œYes, he told me.”
    â€œGood. Any ideas how we can do it better?”
    â€œWe’re getting along well, I think. I listen to everyone’s comments up there, but I think we’re solid.”
    â€œI’m glad you two get to have a little time together.”
    â€œSo am I,” said Susie, who’d lingered to listen. “I’ll fix some lunch.”
    Over lunch, Chet told them about the breeds and their pitiful condition, along with the arrests they helped Roamer with. Susie said they’d be on the lookout for things the Indians could use or needed.
    â€œMostly food. They’re too damned starved and poor to even think.”
    â€œReg sounds busy,” Sarge said.
    â€œHe must be. He’s building a ranch out of the mavericks that come in for feed.”
    â€œDid you see that many when you were up there looking at it?”
    â€œNo, but there were signs of cattle being there. We really had a lot to look at. But even Lucie said in her letter to Marge that they ranched way west of here and never realized that many mavericks were loose up in that part of the country.”
    â€œWell, it hasn’t hurt us.”
    â€œNo, it’s made a big difference in developing that ranch. Reg and Lucie may have a money-making operation up there. Is JD still here?”
    â€œNo, he went up there to see them. The weather was holding so we told him to go,” Susie said.
    Sarge nodded. “He wanted to see things up there, and see his brother, plus Lucie.”
    â€œI don’t blame him. Lucie is a treasure.”
    â€œMay is, too, and it took Hampt to bring it out of her. I was around her for years and she never showed a sign. Then she marries Hampt and overnight she’s an opera star.”
    Susie laughed. “Good men help.” She clapped Sarge on the shoulder.
    â€œI better get back to home. Good to see you two. Sarge, the construction crew is coming your way. Barring weather setbacks they should be done up there at Reg’s.”
    â€œWe have a lot of lumber already there. Robert sent us several of the loads you ordered.”
    â€œGlad it arrived.”
    â€œI’m ready to move now,” Susie said.
    â€œI know you must be.”
    He reached for his hat. “I’m ready to go home. Sarge, keep your mind on those folks up there at Gallup. We sure need to hold on to that beef contract.”
    â€œDo the best I can.”
    â€œI know you’ve really tried, but it’s important.”
    â€œSee you,” Susie said.
    â€œYou two have a nice visit.”
    â€œGet out of here,” she said, blushing.
    He found his two men at the blacksmith shop watching them twist three-strand barb wire.
    â€œEither of you want this job?” he asked.
    Cole spoke up first. “Hell, no, but it makes impressive fencing.”
    â€œAfter we saw it strung up at Hampt’s, I wondered how they made it,” Jesus said. “They’ll have those fields cowproof, won’t they?”
    â€œIt’s supposed to work that way. We need to get back to the Preskitt Valley ranch.”
    â€œWe’re ready,” Cole said.
    Chet congratulated John on making the wire operation work and told him how much it meant to the ranch. John beamed and bragged on his two helpers.
    They made it home after supper, but Monica fed them. About eight o’clock, someone knocked on the back door and Chet went to see who was there.
    â€œMr. Byrnes?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œMy father said to get you to come help us. They shot him and took four of our horses.”
    â€œWhat’s your name, young man?”
    â€œRaft Boone. My paw’s Henry Boone.”
    â€œHow bad is your dad shot?”
    â€œHe said