Range War (9781101559215) by C. J. Cherryh Page B

over it. He boldly rode up and leaned on his saddle horn and said pleasantly, “Mornin’, folks.”
    â€œ Buenos días , senor,” Porfiro said.
    â€œYou speak English, hoss?” Shorty said. “My Spanish lingo is a mite rusty.”
    â€œI speak good English, yes. What may we do for you?”
    â€œI believe this is yours,” Shorty said, and turning, he tugged the other horse up next to his.
    The body was Alejandro’s.
    â€œWe thank you,” Porfiro said. “We were afraid the coyotes and vultures would have been at it by now.”
    Carlos took a step, his face livid, his mouth working with suppressed fury. “ Bastardo! You brought him back to rub our noses in his death.”
    â€œCarlos, no,” Porfiro said.
    Whirling, Carlos shook his rifle at him. “Why are you being so civil to this pig? He and his kind are out to kill us or drive us off and you talk to him as if you are the best of friends.”
    Constanza moved between them and placed a hand on Carlos’ chest. “Let your grandfather handle this, for now. The cowboy did not come all this way just to return the body.”
    â€œNo, ma’am,” Shorty said. “I surely didn’t. Mr. Trask sent me with a message.”
    â€œYour employer?” Porfiro said. “He has come at last?”
    Shorty nodded. “And he aims to set things right. He sent the body as a token of good will, as he called it. And he wants me to extend an invite to him.” Shorty pointed at Fargo. “He’d like for you to come for supper. About sundown will do.”
    Fargo was as surprised as the sheepherders. “Why me?”
    â€œWe told him how you took their side. He wants to make everything plain to you and you can make it plain to these sheepers.”
    â€œWhy not just invite some of them?”
    â€œMr. Trask wants you. What do I tell him? Will you be there or not?”
    Before Fargo could answer, Porfiro turned to him.
    â€œWe would be grateful if you went on our behalf. If there is a chance we can work out our differences, we must try.”
    â€œI only stuck around to hunt the Hound,” Fargo said. And to make love to Delicia, but he kept that to himself.
    â€œThat damn thing killed six more of our cows last night,” Shorty remarked.
    â€œWhat?” Porfiro was startled. “It killed over fifty of our sheep just yesterday.”
    â€œFifty?” Shorty cocked his head. “For real?”
    â€œHe’s telling the truth,” Fargo confirmed.
    â€œWell, now. This will interest Mr. Trask. It can’t hardly be your critter if it’s killin’ your woollies.” Shorty raised his reins. “Will you come or not?”
    â€œI’ll be there,” Fargo said.
    Shorty grunted and rode off.
    â€œNo,” Carlos snarled, and tried to raise his rifle but Constanza gripped the barrel and shook her head.
    â€œNow is not the time.”
    Porfiro was smiling. “I am encouraged. It was considerate of this Trask to give us Alejandro so we can bury him. Perhaps he is not the heartless brute some of us believed him to be.”
    â€œDon’t count your chickens before they’re hatched,” Fargo said.
    â€œChickens, senor? We raise sheep.”
    â€œIt’s a saying.” Fargo didn’t elaborate. He was watching Shorty, and wondering.
    Delicia had been quiet the whole time but now she stepped forward and announced, “I am going for a ride. Would someone like to go with me?” She looked at Fargo.
    â€œI would,” Lorenzo offered.
    â€œI suppose I could go,” Carlos said, not sounding happy about the idea.
    Some of the other young men smiled hopefully.
    â€œHow about you, senor?” Delicia bluntly asked Fargo.
    â€œWhere are you riding to?”
    â€œTo check on the sheep,” Delicia said.
    â€œThat is man’s work,” Carlos told her.
    Delicia ignored him. “Will you come or not? If