“I guess you’re going to tell me they cut the fence that stretches across that rocky canyon.”
They both nodded.
Jake had ridden out with them early this morning. He had seen the cut fence, the faint signs and an occasional track of cows and horses that had passed along that rocky canyon that led away from the little green valley. Horse prints and cut fence were the keys. Cows could sometimes breakthrough barbed wire, but there were no horses with the herd. The soil through that stretch was nothing but gravel and rock, hard to navigate. But someone greedy enough to want prime cows and calves had done it.
Jake had sat back in his saddle and studied the landscape. They would have to move the cows to other pasture or post a watch. Putting a couple of hands here would short him. They were ready for the first cutting of hay, and he needed all three men they employed. He could come up here himself. Maybe invite Fiona to come with him. But that attractive thought didn’t stay with him long. That was wishful thinking. He had a ranch to run for Opal. He called the shots, and he couldn’t be out here for an extended length of time mooning over Fiona. Ranching was a practical business. Hay was the winter lifeblood of cattle ranching, and it was ready to cut.
The only alternative was to move the cattle to pasture closer to the ranch, which meant that he’d have to figure out which pasture that would be. The dry spring weather was causing problems already with where to find water and pasture.
“Okay, boys,” Jake had said. “I doubt they’ll be back tonight but I want you two to spend the night out here. In the morning, I’ll come back with help, and we’ll move the herd.”
They had nodded, already equipped with gear for an overnight stay, anticipating the need before they left the ranch.
Jake sat on the porch for a spell after dinner and watched the play of light over the valley. He had called Rosemary and Esme to help move cows in the morning. They were available and filled in when needed. He went over in his mind again which pasture they could move the herd to when Opal came out to join him.
“How’s Fiona?” Jake asked since she hadn’t come to dinner.
“I just checked. She’s still sleeping. Didn’t touch the food I left on a tray for her.”
“Do you think she’s all right?”
Opal nodded. “She needs the sleep. Best thing for her after what she’s been through.”
They were silent for a time. Then Opal said, “I’ve been thinking about those cows we got to move. Why don’t we sell some off?”
Jake thought that one over. “Prices are decent now but we might get a better price in the fall.”
“You know as well as I that you can never tell in this business. We run a gambling operation.”
“You’re right on that one.” Opal had a good sense of when to hold and when to fold. “It would solve the problem of the shortage of feed and water. How many are you thinking?”
“I’ve been debating that one. Let’s go through the records and see who doesn’t fit our breeding program and who’s on the sell list for the fall. We need some operating capital, and there are bank notes coming due. We’ll total up debt obligations and sale possibilities and see how close they come.”
“There’s a tractor needing major repairs.”
“All the more reason to sell off some of the herd. What do you say?”
“It’s worth a look. I’ll call the broker in the morning to see who’s buying this time of year. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”
Opal was pensive for a spell then said, “I talked to my lawyer today about selling the ranch to you. After we agree on a price, I’d be willing to finance it for you.”
Jake shook his head. “Thanks, but it’ll be a lot cleaner if I go through the bank. I’ll talk to the lady in the lending office, and see what kind of terms I can get. We’ll need to draw up a list of assets and land and exactly what I’m buying. If I can’t get financing for the whole spread, you could maybe sell me the core part, take the cash from the sale and put it in a trust for your nieces and nephews. At least, they’ll be getting something.”
“I hate to do that.”
“Sometimes reality and our wishes don’t coincide.”
“You can say that again.”
“I called Hoover about the missing cows. I can’t figure out how these guys are working this. It has to be an inside job.”
Opal shook her head. “It will be a sad day at the H Bar O, if it is one of our employees.”
“It might not be a full time guy. Might be a part-timer we hired years ago that knows the ranch and the lay out and how we operate.”
“I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking about Cody and those two boys that talked him into helping them.”
Jake nodded. “I’m wondering where those two are now. Nothing was ever proven. Our cattle disappeared and were never found. That was quite a loss we took.”
Opal didn’t say anything for a while. Then quietly she said, “Cody never displayed a lick of sense when it came to the company he kept.”
“He sure could ride and rope though,” said Jake. “I hated to lose him. Have you heard from him lately?”
She shook her head. “Not a word. It’s like he’s dropped off the face of the earth. Then again, he never was much of a correspondent. I don’t expect he’ll bother unless I call the prison.”
The screen door opened, and Fiona walked out on the porch. “May I join you?” she asked, looking like she had just showered. Her hair was wet and slicked back. She wore another sweat suit one of the girls loaned her. It had OSU Beavers blazoned across the front.
“Have a chair,” said Jake. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, much better. What day is this?”
“You slept most of a whole day,” said Opal. “It’s after dinner and we are enjoying the evening. Did you eat anything?”
“Not yet. I saw the food you left and drank some tea.” She held up the glass. “You make the best iced tea I’ve ever had.”
“Go on,” said Opal. “You’re just thirsty. My secret recipe is five tea bags to two quarts boiled water, one cup of sugar and one lemon. I make it up three gallons at a time.”
“Thanks for sharing the secret with me. Maybe someday I’ll learn to cook,” said Fiona. She sat down next to Jake on the juniper loveseat. “Olympia called and left a million messages. She’s still in Portland. She’s found some writer friends, and they’re showing her the town. She gushed over the great restaurants and live music they have. She might not show up for a while.”
“All in good time,” said Opal. “She gets here when she gets here.”
“What’s been going on?” asked Fiona. “I feel like I’ve been to Mars.”
“We’re missing more cows,” said Jake. “There’s no rain in the forecast. We start cutting hay day after tomorrow. In the morning we move cows to another pasture. It’s the usual ranch life.”
“What can I do to help?” asked Fiona.
“That a girl,” said Opal. “You can’t keep a good woman down.”
“You need to rest,” said Jake.
“I feel one hundred percent better,” said Fiona. “If I’m going to stay, I need to help.”
Jake allowed himself an inner smile on that pronouncement. He didn’t want to scare his hope away though.
“We’re moving cows tomorrow,” said Opal. “Rosemary and Esme are coming to help. We’ll have extra meals to prepare. You can help me, if you want.”
“Or you can ride with the herd,” said Jake.
Fiona winced. “I’m not sure I’m ready to get back on a horse. My muscles still remember the experience.”
Opal laughed. “Then help me. We can talk about what’s to be done to spruce up the house.”