Mort Cory cocked his head, tightened his grip on the reins and looked up at the sky. This was his second time riding out to the Sherman ranch. He didn't like to play favorites but… He sighed and shook his head. If those boys only understood how much they meant to him. Sure they could be a pain in the neck and Jess could be a sorehead, but he had never known persons more loyal, ready to have your back, than Slim Sherman and Jess Harper. He was going to be hanged before he would let two of them just disappear up into the hills, gone for good.
Daisy was worried sick, but she had tried to hide it away behind a light voice and friendly smile. But Mort knew, you could see it around the edges of her eyes, and anytime anyone came up to the house her head turned and wistfully she looked for her boys.
She was actually heading back to the house when he rode up, a basket of eggs under her arms and she paused when she heard him coming. She smiled at his familiar figure and continued on her walk until she was about on the porch.
"Hello Mort," she greeted in a less formally manner that morning, watching as he got down.
"Daisy." His head bobbed and he came to face her, a soft smile spreading across his face. "Heard from Slim or Jess yet?" He didn't want it to come out so hurriedly yet he couldn't stop himself from asking.
Daisy smiled a sad brave smile and looked at her eggs. "Not yet."
Mort's head dropped some but for her he lifted it again quickly and smiled. "I'm sure they'll be back soon."
Daisy nodded but her eyes drifted off in the direction the two had set off in, some days ago.
Mort flicked a looked and sighed inwardly. "I was thinking…" He started slowly and paused a moment to consider what he had to say.
A wind was picking up and Daisy pulled her coat a bit closer.
"I was thinking about taking a ride up myself…"
"In this weather?" Daisy demanded. "Why Mort Cory I wouldn't hear of such a thing! They'll be back soon. No sense in you going up into the high country and getting yourself lost as well." Again Daisy looked off, and Mort's smile faded to a wince.
Daisy had been trying to reassure him as much as herself. However, Mort knew, he could tell that she had pricked up at his idea to go and have a look.
"Now Daisy," He started with another smile, becoming resolved at his own decision. "I'm not going up to get lost. I just thought I'd ride up and have a look. Jess told me where him and Slim where thinking about camping out, and I think I'll ride up and have a look."
Daisy could sense the finality in his voice as he turn and mounted and it settled her nerves some.
"Be careful Mort." She took a step for him, putting down her basket, as he mounted. "I wouldn't want to have to worry about you too."
The sheriff smile. "Now Daisy, I'll be back soon, don't you worry non about me."
He smiled tipped his hat and turned hurrying off as Daisy stood and watched him go.
"God's speed." She whispered softly then turned took up her basket once more and went into the house.
Mort cantered his horse for a bit until he hit the bottom of the foot hills, then slowly walked it up. If those two would take better care of themselves… He shook his head. If only they wouldn't get into so much mischief or trouble, he wouldn't worry so. Well not as much… and he probably wouldn't have been doing anything so rash.
The trail was heavier the further up he got and soon he was walking his horse fighting with snow. It didn't look too promising on finding anything and if the two of them were still up here… Mort shook his head, he was also in a bowl and the wind couldn't reach it as well. With luck the trails further up would be brushed clean and he could find his way better.
They were indeed clearer, as Slim had found. In fact in some places the wind had blown it so clean you could see the ground and pass without trouble. It also meant drifts, but as they had yet to prove a problem Slim cared nothing for them.
His fogged head was finding it harder and harder to concentrate on what he needed. The headache had never gotten better only worse and with each foot fall he grew colder and more ready to just lay down. The faint whiff of smoke that had perked his spirts before seemed to twang as he stumbled on.
But then suddenly he broke a clearing and there it was. A cabin with a small barn and shed. Smoke rose from the chimney and a horse whinnied in the barn. Slim stopped taking it all in. He couldn't believe it! He had actually made it and it was so close. Just through a slight valley and over a hill and he was there!
His head dipped and he sighed so very heavily. He was pasted tired and done with walking. Whatever trouble lay ahead of him needed to happen and needed to happen soon, before he was no use to anyone.
His hand slipped around his Colt, and fingered the weapon but a moment. His eyes then slipped to the Winchester before pulling himself onto Alamo with a groan and a hand that shot to his head. He wouldn't have been admitted it to the world, but he was starting to not see so good…
….
Tilbit pushed Jess into the dirt with one very firm hand and his other peeled away the blood soaked shirt. Jess groaned at the same time Jefferson muttered an oath and reached for a rag. Again Harper groaned, his fevered eyes opening only slightly and Tilbet brought the dull pain to a numbing throb.