Death takes No Holiday
NOTE: Character death. A very difficult chapter to write and it took me a while to decide which direction to take the story.
The spring wore on as Jennie and Nick became used to their new home and the sound of two healthy boys babbling for their mother. Ling was constantly in attendance and her help proved invaluable to Jennie. The boys were growing in leaps and bounds, and it was all Jennie and Ling could do to keep up with them.
After much thought, Hester reconsidered her plan for revenge. Upon making a few discreet inquiries, she learned the name of a gunslinger who could do the job without her pretty hands getting dirty. A couple of telegrams and he agreed to meet her in San Francisco to finalize arrangements. She was almost giddy with anticipation at how sweet her revenge would be against the Barkleys – Nick in particular.
On the appointed meeting date, Hester wandered to the train depot and looked around.
Out of the shadows a shady figure approached her. "Miss Converse?" he said in a raspy voice.
"Meet me at the hotel at 6" she whispered in reply, and turning on her heel strode toward the hotel.
Jeff Longers had met quite a few "Hester Converse's" in his day – beautiful women with revenge in their hearts. He was sure this one could pay handsomely for his unique services. Smiling to himself, he watched her swagger away and then he headed toward the saloon.
Once Longers felt he had delayed enough, he flipped a couple of coins on the bar and strode out the door. Looking into the dimly lit deserted street, he slowly made his way toward the hotel. Hester Converse was waiting in the lobby when he walked in. Taking his arm, she guided him back out onto the street.
"It must be done with the utmost care and precision" she murmured.
She continued, "I don't care who dies...as long as Nick Barkley lives and suffers".
"It will take me a few months to scout out and plan. You'll hear when I've finished" he said as he took the envelope of cash she handed him. He melted into the darkness as Hester returned to the hotel.
"Hands for hire" the sign read, as Joshua Watson sat at the table in the rear of the saloon. A couple of weeks had passed since Longers had met with Hester, and he had slowly been forming a plan in his head for how to finalize the contract he made with her. Nick Barkley was hiring hands for his own ranch, and Longers had just enough cattle experience to qualify as the help they were seeking.
"What's the job" he gruffly inquired as he sat down before Joshua at the table.
"Basically, its for stable and ranch work – breaking horses, riding herd, general ranch work" Joshua replied as he added, "standard monthly wage and room and board if you are interested". Longers rattled off some of the ranches he worked at, giving sketchy details, but enough that Joshua was interested.
"Come up to the main Barkley ranch tomorrow morning and meet Nick Barkley" Joshua offered, "If he likes you, he'll hire you on".
Promptly at 8 a.m., Longers arrived at the Barkley ranch and introduced himself to the tall man standing with his foot on the fence.
"Jeff Longers" he said as he extended a grisled hand.
"Nick Barkley" came the reply. "Josh told me about you – can you rope...ride herd...brand?"
"I can do it all" was Longers answer.
"Ok, we'll see what you are made of", Nick replied. With a nod of his head, Nick indicated the bronc in the corral, "give it a try?" he asked. Longers nodded and scaling the rail, walked over to the horse. A couple of rides and throws – and Nick was statisfied the man knew what he was doing.
"Report to Josh at my ranch" he said. "You can start tomorrow".
The next morning, Longers arrived at Oakwood Lake, and Joshua introduced him to the hands and showed him where he could bunk. Once settled, Longers came back out to the corral area and saw a slim redhead walking over to him.
"Good morning", she said extending a hand, "I'm Jennie Barkley". Longers looked down at the petite woman and smiled,
" G'morning, Ma'am" he replied taking her proffered hand.
"Welcome" Jennie continued, "I make a point of greeting each new hand".
"Mighty kind of you, Ma'am" Longers replied as he nodded and turned to take his leave.
Jennie watched him leave and all of a sudden a chill came over her. She couldn't put a name to it, but the feeling was so strong that she stood staring at the back of the man she had just met.
Later, when she was inside, she mentioned the feeling to Ling.
"Very strange, Missy", Ling commented. "Last night I hear dog howling – not a good omen. Missy please be careful". And with that, Ling walked away, leaving Jennie feeling more unsettled than she had been.
Later that evening, once the boys had been settled, Jennie mentioned to Nick about her encounter with Longers, the strange feeling she had, and Ling's reaction and the howling dog. Nick cocked his head and with a smile said, "Now don't get caught up in superstitions. We have a roundup coming and I need every hand we can hire". Giving her a playful kiss on her nose, he went into the den to review some paperwork, leaving Jennie to shrug her shoulders and go back to the kitchen for a cup of tea.
Life at Oakwood Lake continued with its everyday routines. Jennie would bring the boys out to the corral to watch the hands work with the horses, and there were many times she encountered Jeff Longers. He was polite and would nod as she greeted him, but always kept his distance – especially when she had the boys with her.
In his own mind, Longers had formulated a plan to fulfill his contract with Hester. What better way to take revenge on Nick Barkley than to harm a member of his family. It could be carried out so simply, and Longers would be off and away before anyone was the wiser.
The late fall weather reminded Jennie of past picnics and smiling, she called to Ling, "why don't we take the boys out for a picnic and meet up with Nick and Heath – we could even bring them lunch".
"Yes, Missy" Ling replied, "that would be a great surprise."
The ladies worked on packing a basket full of goodies and once the boys were awake, Jennie called for Joshua to bring the buckboard around. "I can ride with you and show you where they are" he said. After helping Ling settle the boys and baskets in the rear, Jennie climbed on board, and followed Josh as she drove the wagon out of the corral area.
Longers came out of the bunk house in time to see Jennie drive the wagon off. Smiling to himself, he entered the barn and saddled his horse. Checking the cartridges in his rifle, he attached his saddle bag and gear to the horse, mounted and rode after Jennie' wagon.
Longers followed them at a respectable distance, keeping to the trees and just far enough away that he could not be seen. After about an hour's drive, Joshua showed Jennie a grove of trees where she could stop and set up for her picnic.
"You settle down here, Miss Jennie" he called, "while I ride on ahead and fetch Mr. Nick and Mr. Heath".
"Don't spoil my surprise" Jennie called after him.
She and Ling proceeded to spread out a blanket on the ground and get the boys settled and occupied by stacking small rocks into piles that they gleefully knocked down.
Meanwhile, Longers stopped and tied his horse on a low rise far enough not to be seen, but close enough to have a good shot at one of them.
"Gotta get this over before Barkley comes" he muttered to himself. He pulled his rifle from its sheath, and leaning against a large pile of stones, took careful aim.
"Now, who shall it be?" he laughed to himself. He took careful aim at the small red haired toddler on the blanket.
Ling saw the bee that was flying around Thomas Jarrod's head, and leaned over to swat it at precisely the same moment that Longers pulled the trigger. Jennie heard the "crack" of the rifle and watched in horror as Ling fell on top of child – blood gushing from the wound in her neck. Immediately, she started screaming as she grabbed her sons and ran for cover under the wagon.
Simultaneously, Joshua head the shot ring out just as he caught up to Nick and Heath. The three men spurred their horses around and galloped toward Jennie's screams.
Looking at the rise, Heath saw the lone horseman riding away. "I've got him" he shouted as he took off after Longers.
By the time Nick and Josh reached Jennie, she had already put the boys into the wagon and was valiantly trying to stop the flow of blood from Ling's neck. The men leaped off their horses, with Josh going to the boys and Nick trying to help Jennie. It was to no avail. Ling had lost too much blood and her eyes stared lifelessly at the sky. Jennie began weeping and violently shaking in Nick's arms.
"What happened?" she cried, "all we wanted was to surprise you". Nick tried comforting her while Josh stayed in the wagon with the boys.
As Jennie finally calmed down, Heath rode up to them, his horse in a lather.
He jumped down and walked over to Nick. "He's dead about a mile from here. He wouldn't stop. I shot him in the head". Looking down at Ling, he somberly picked up the picnic blanket and gently laid it over her.
Nick stood up, still holding Jennie in his arms. "Heath, you go get the sheriff and meet us at Oakwood Lake".
Jennie would never forget the primal scream that came from Wong as he realized that the body lying in the wagon was Ling. As much as they tried, neither she nor Nick could comfort him. He vowed revenge – ranting in a language that neither Nick nor Jennie understood and any attempt at reasoning was lost. He pushed them aside and went to his cabin sobbing.
About an hour later, the Sheriff arrived with Heath.
"The gunman is at the coroner's", Sheriff Johnson commented. "No identification on him – just a wad of $100 bills".
Nick shook his head, "I just don't understand" he muttered, "who would do this?"