Chapter 10 [Trail's End]

Blue followed Buck down the dusty trail. Night's chill dimpled his skin. The wind rustled his hair. His eyes drifted toward the twinkling stars overhead. Still, even if he didn't mention it to Buck or his father, his heart leapt at the chance to come here…

…especially if it meant bunking down in a certain livery stable….

A dreamy smile spread across his face. His heart beat faster. He knew Buck would make for the saloon like greased lightning. That would allow him to talk with a certain brunette barber/innkeeper. She considers me a good friend. Maybe there's more. She did save me from Keough. Can't believe I called her a kid. She's more than that. As soon as the town's first row of buildings came into sight, he started looking around for the livery.

Buck caught Blue's scouting out of the corner of his eye. He shook his head. "Blue Boy, you're slready distracted. Ain't you? You're as bad as Manolito. You know that?"

Blue shrugged. "I'm just thinking of what place I want in the stable."

"Uh HUH." Buck coughed. "You ain't fooling me. Your Pa'd be giving you an earful right now."

Blue frowned. "Why? Hey! The mercantile don't open until morning. We need a place to sleep. Right?"

"Yeah we need a place to sleep. In the barn," Buck admonished half-seriously.

Blue rolled his eyes. "I'm talking to Penny. Better than going with you to that place. Folks might still be steamed over Keough."

Buck grimaced. "True enough." He pulled out five dollars and handed it to his nephew. "That's for our berths and the horses."

Blue put the money away. "I'll definitely be more careful."

"See that you do, Blue Boy. See that you do." Buck pulled up on the reins. He dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching post. "Get us all set when you done, Romeo."

Blue bit his lip. Then he rebutted, "Just don't go gambling everything away. Then who'd Pa be all over then?"

Buck glared at him. "I know what I'm doing!"

"Uh huh. Just remember we also need to be buying shells for the Comancheros." Buck smirked to further egg his uncle on.

"Just git already!" Buck groused. He stalked up the boardwalk toward the saloon.

"Figures." Blue tied his own horse next to Buck's. Then he headed for the door.

Buck had his purpose. So did he…..

[Inside the Livery's Living Quarters—Ten Minutes Earlier]

The livery remained quiet at that hour. Most of the wagons and riders had passed through during the day. Only a couple of cowboys bunked down in the barn that night. Their horses munched away on oats and hay in their stalls.

In the attached living quarters, Penny Fox stirred some beans on the stove. She frowned. Life had turned downhill over the previous few months. The barber shop barely took in enough business to stay open. Her father's back had finally given out before his liver failed only two weeks earlier. She managed to pay the new livery manager, Mr. Danielsen, some rent for the room and manage the overnight lodgers.

Still Danielsen wanted her out soon.

She sighed. Her hand turned a hard stir in the pot. I work hard. I want to help. It isn't my fault Pa got sick and died. She glanced out the window toward the open trail. It isn't my fault Johnny Keough made that scene and got people to think twice about staying here. She exhaled and frowned at that memory. That snake could've shot Blue dead!

Blue….

She rubbed her forehead. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of the young ranch hand. She knew she had Big John's approval. And Blue took her seriously…not like everyone else around Trail's End. Wish Blue'd come back! Why does that High Chaparral have to be so far away? She glanced toward the empty room where her Pa used to sleep. Pa, you'd want me to make the best of things. I thought I wanted to go to San Francisco. Maybe that was you. Now I just want to go to Tucson.

A knock came from the door.

She almost jumped. A boarder maybe? She hustled over to the door and cracked it open. She stopped cold. Her eyes went wide. A big smile spread across her face. "Blue?"

He grinned at her. "Hey, Penny. Sorry about coming by so late. Me and Uncle Buck just got into town. We needed a place to bunk up. Any spots in the barn?"

"Are you kidding? Sure thing! I have plenty of room! Usual rates too if that's all right?" she supposed.

"I was about to fix some coffee and have supper. You hungry?"

"That'd be great. Thanks! Just let me pay you first." He handed her the five dollars. "There you go. I just have to get the horses into their places. Then we can eat and talk if that's okay?"

"It's more than okay! Let me get these beans off the stove. Then I'll give you a hand," she agreed. She put the pot on a rolled-up towel. She headed out the door to find him untying his own horse. "It is awful late for you both to be coming in. Isn't it?"

He shrugged. "We've got a mess on the ranch and in Sonora to deal with. Comancheros." He took his horse's reins. "They're causing trouble for everyone and robbing our stock."

"Gosh, Blue! That's awful!" she declared. She led Buck's horse into the barn and the stall next to Blue's.

"Yeah. Pa's pretty worked up. There's a lot of country out here where they can hide and strike at us. Manolito's Pa has his problems with them too," he continued. Then he composed himself. "We'll figure it out though." He glanced around the barn. "Not a lot of boarders?"

"Nope. Business has been kind of slow at the shop and here. You were here during a big celebration. It happens like four or five times a year. In between, Trail's End becomes like a ghost town. At least you're not going to have to deal with that Johnny Keough this time," she replied.

"Your Pa okay with me eating there? I know he wasn't so sure about me taking on Keough," he wondered.

She shook her head. "Pa…well…Pa's gone, Blue. His back and liver finally gave out. Folks here helped me to bury him in the town cemetery just east of here. It's not bad really. I just work at the shop, come home and watch the livery for guests like you." She exhaled a deep breath. "I'm just glad you came back."

"Yeah. Me too." He looked around for Buck. He knew it'd be hours before his uncle would be back. Just don't give everything away, Uncle Buck! "Sorry about your Pa. He was really nice."

"Yeah he was. Thanks, Blue. You going to be around for a couple of days again?" she hoped.

"Sorry. Uncle Buck and me have got to be getting right back to deal with that mess. Wish I could though," he let his eyes linger into hers. He really didn't want to leave her in her current straits. "Let's get some of those beans. Then we can talk? All right?"

She nodded. "I'd like that, Blue. Just follow me." Her evening was brightening already.

Then a horse neighed loudly outside.

After that, a female voice outside called, "¡Hola! Hello?"

Plans were about to change…..