Slim awoke early when he smelled food cooking nearby. He quietly stretched and got out of the warm bed. The room was cold, being built of thick stone the floor was especially cold. He stood by the washstand and splashed some water on his face and glanced over at the next bed.
At home, Slim was always the first one up, after Jonesy that is. Jess never got up until he was made to and it was usually Slim who had that job.
Jess was still sleeping heavily. He must have been restless during the night because his quilt was piled on the floor beside the bed. Slim bent to retrieve it and slid it back over him. Jess unconsciously responded to the added warmth by rolling over and snuggling deeper in the covers.
Slim decided to let him alone and go in search of the wonderful food smells. He pulled his boots on, smoothed his hair as best he could with his fingers and opened the door. The large kitchen was just a stone’s throw down the corridor and the dining room just a little beyond that.
The sisters working in the kitchen nodded greetings but did not stop their work. Slim went through to the dining room where he met the Reverend Mother and several of the sisters already eating. The sideboard was laden with dishes of hot food.
“Please do come in, Mister Sherman and help yourself; the food’s already been blessed,” the Reverend Mother beckoned.
Slim nodded and made a beeline for the sideboard. “Thank you, ma’am. Good mornin’ everyone.”
The sisters murmured their greetings and continued eating. The Reverend mother smiled, “Please forgive our single-minded purpose Mister Sherman. We have a lot to do and we start early around here. The sisters and I have already been to vespers. As soon as we finish here begins a long work day.”
Slim slung a long leg over one of the simple wooden chairs and settled at the table with his plate just as one of the nuns set a steaming cup of coffee in front of him. He nodded thanks to her.
“I can appreciate that ma’am. Work on the ranch starts as soon as the sun is up and don’t stop till sometimes long after it’s gone.”
“Then you do understand,” the Reverend Mother agreed. “We have the added responsibility of feeding, clothing and educating over fifty children.”
The Reverend Mother’s blue eyes twinkled as she looked at her guest. “My, it does sound like I’m bragging doesn’t it?” She stabbed her scrambled eggs with a flourish, “Well, I’m sure the good Lord will forgive me. I admit to the sin of pride in my staff and in the children we are raising. There are none more devoted and none more deserving.” She cast her eyes heavenward.
Slim couldn’t help but follow her eyes upward and then smile as he dug in to his heaping plate.
“I do hope you slept well, Mister Sherman,” one of the sisters asked. Slim couldn’t remember her name. Luckily just calling her sister would do.
“I sure did, sister. Like a log.”
“And Mister Harper?”
“He’s still sleepin’, ma’am. Thought I’d give him some more time. Seems he’s still not feelin’ too spry.”
“He was very tired last night at dinner, wasn’t he?” the Reverend Mother contributed. “I’m afraid he is not recovered as yet although I think he tries to pretend he is.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Slim drank some of the strong coffee and had to stop a minute to recover. It was strong enough to stand up a spoon. Jonesy could take lessons. “Uh, ma’am,” he said when he’d recovered. “I wonder if I could speak with you privately sometime this morning?”
“Certainly, Mister Sherman, I’ll be in my office after breakfast.”
“Thank you ma’am.”
They ate the rest of the meal in relative silence. The sisters drifted away one by one leaving Slim sitting alone and helping himself to thirds. As he was relaxing with his final cup of coffee, Jess made an appearance. His hair stood out in all directions and his shirttail hung out.
Slim greeted him cheerily, “’Mornin’ there, pard. How ya feelin’?”
Jess didn’t answer, just made for the coffeepot and poured himself a cup as if he hadn’t heard the question. He gripped it with both hands and sat carefully at the table as if he were afraid he’d shake something loose. He took several long draughts of the hot coffee and then finally looked over at Slim.
Jess scanned the empty room with bleary eyes and then settled them sleepily back on Slim. “We the first ones up?”
Slim almost spit out the coffee he had just drunk. He made a major effort to swallow it first before he burst out laughing.
Jess’ dark eyebrows drew together in a scowl. “What’s so damn funny?”
Slim continued to chuckle. “You, and would you please watch your language?” he looked guiltily around. “We’re in a nunnery in case you hadn’t noticed,” he whispered. Despite the reproof, Slim had not lost his good humor and he couldn’t help but smile.
Jess drank more of the bitter coffee, needing it to clear the cobwebs. Slim wasn’t improving his mood any, either.
Slim finally took pity on him. “I think you must be the last one in the county up today, pard. The sisters have already eaten and are working. The children are already out at the schoolhouse if that was indeed them I heard awhile ago, although I suppose it could have been a herd of cattle upstairs which is what it really sounded like.”
Slim leaned back and hooked his arm over the back of the chair. “Yup, I’d say you’d best hurry up and eat breakfast or you might just bump up against the lunch crowd.”
Jess scowled and looked over at the sideboard. None of it looked appetizing and he was not amused. “I think I’ll just stick with coffee.”
Slim heaved a sigh, “Suit yourself, pard.” He stood and took his cup to the sideboard. “As soon as you finish that letter, I’m off to town. I’m gonna mail it for ya and scout around a little.”
Jess started and began to stand, pushing himself up with both hands, “I’ll be ready in two shakes.”
Slim held up a hand and swung a leg back over his chair and sat it in. “Hold it there, pal. You ain’t goin’ if that’s what you’re thinkin’.”
Jess glared and sunk back into his chair.
“Why you ain’t even strong enough to sit a horse yet.”
“Well, I ain’t never gonna be if you don’t…”
“No arguments, Jess. ‘Sides, if you won’t listen to me, I’d pay money to see you try and get past the Reverend Mother.” Slim’s dimples deepened despite his efforts to keep from smirking.
Jess put his head in his hands and ran one through his thick hair. “Alright, you win this time.”
“Now why don’t you get cleaned up and get that letter done? I wanna get on the road so I can get back here quick.”
Jess groaned and rose again. Slim noted the stiffness and the unsteadiness. Jess’ usually smooth, confident and graceful movements had become a trudge; an obvious effort to put one foot in front of the other. He watched Jess as he left the dining room and slowly headed back down the hall to his room in defeat.
Slim’s efforts to keep a straight face failed and he smiled. His relief at finding Jess alive kept his heart light and relatively untroubled by the upcoming fight.
It was going to be a fight, of that he had no doubt; potentially a bad one. He’d seen land-grabbers before, seen what they were capable of. His father had been murdered by such men. His grin faded as he rose and strode purposefully out to find the Reverend Mother in her office.
Chapter 35
Scott let Johnny sleep until almost ten and then gently nudged him awake with one hand while holding a steaming cup of coffee in the other.
Johnny hadn’t moved all night and he was stiff. A groan escaped involuntarily as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. He sat with his elbows on both knees and scrubbed his hands through his hair, yawning. His head felt thick with cotton; a result of the drug, no doubt.
When he opened his eyes, there was a cup of coffee under his nose. He reached for it without looking up. “What time is it?”
“About ten.” Scott sank down on the bed next to Johnny and examined him closely. His hair stuck out in all directions and his eyes were puffy. Other than that and some bruises, he looked like he might live. “How’s the ear?”
Johnny reached up to his right ear and snapped his fingers. “Still not much. Only hurts when I move though,” he grinned and took another swallow, wincing as the hot liquid slid down.
After a few moments he set the coffee aside, wrapped one arm around his ribs and used the other to push himself up. Scott watched sympathetically and winced when he saw the livid purple bruises around Johnny’s right ear. The bruising extended who knows how far into his long hair and down the side of his neck as well.
Under the watchful eye of his brother, Johnny tried to go through his morning routine. Shaving proved painful, but he hid it well, tilting the mirror so Scott couldn’t see his face.
Finally, the scrutiny got to him. “For God’s sake, Scott, can you go do something instead of sitting there watching me? Go down and get breakfast or somethin’. I’ll be down in a minute!”
Scott dropped his head and grinned. He hadn’t realized how obvious he’d been. “Alright. Pearl’s already got the chef whipping up something special.” He stood up and reached for his hat turning it over in his hands. He paused at the door and turned back towards Johnny. “You’ll come right down?”
Johnny turned carefully to face him. Normally he would have favored his brother with his most smart-mouthed reply, but the look on Scott’s face stopped him. Something was different. His instincts where his brother was concerned were highly tuned. He sensed his moods, as Scott did his. In the instant Johnny saw Scott’s face, he put a name to it- fear.
“I’ll be right there, brother.”
Chapter 36
“Mornin’ sweetie, how’s that little brother of yours?” Pearl asked sweetly as she slid into the chair opposite Scott.
Scott set down his coffee and wiped his mouth with a heavy brocade napkin. “He seems better, slept pretty well. He’ll be down in a minute.” Scott couldn’t help a quick glance towards the staircase.
Pearl scooted her chair closer and lowered her voice. “Kate was here earlier. Said Mister Butts left around four thirty with your letter. She just wanted you to know.”
Scott relaxed in his seat. “Thanks, Pearl. That should put Murdoch here by this afternoon or evening if he doesn’t have any trouble.”
“I’ll have a room all ready for him.” Pearl rose and straightened her pink satin skirt, her hand resting lightly on Scott’s shoulder as she moved off to greet guests.
Scott picked at the breakfast that was served him and couldn’t help glancing at the stairs between bites. Johnny should have been down by now.
Finally he could stand it no longer. He threw down his napkin and headed for the staircase. “Dammit, Johnny, if you’ve gone back to sleep,” he mumbled as he took the stairs two at a time. As he rounded the corner, his heart leaped to his throat. Their room door was wide open. He jogged down the hall and swung into the room, one hand holding the door jam and the other holding a cocked .45 revolver.
The room was much as he’d left it, except his brother was not there. His hat and gun belt were gone too. Scott sat heavily on the edge of his bed as he un-cocked the revolver and shoved it angrily back into its holster.
Scott knew his brother well. Johnny was rash and impetuous sometimes, but he was never ill-considered or stupid. Johnny would not have left willingly without telling Scott. Under these circumstances, where so much was at stake, Scott was sure of it. He trusted Johnny, but that trust did not extend to the people that Johnny was working for.
He had no choice but to wait for Murdoch and keep his ears open around town.
