Chapter 6

Prior to coming back to Dodge and talking to Matt…

I don't claim to know anything about horses or the art of the lasso. It sounded good… so, I went with it. 😊

After meeting with the redhead, Mitch decided to finish his drink and head back to his camp. He smiled as Matt and Kitty left The Long Branch that morning. Though it wasn't morning anymore, it was still too early for whiskey. He stood and walked over to the bar. Placing the glass in front of Sam, he asked, "How much do I owe you, barkeep?"

Sam looked at the glass and then up at him, "It's on house." He reminded as he dried the glass in his hand.

"I don't mind paying, sir." Mitch smiled kindly.

Sam shook his head, "I don't go against Miss Kitty."

Mitch chuckled, "Yeah… guess not." He sighed, "Well, thanks. I appreciate it." Sam nodded. Mitch tipped his hat, "Have a nice day."

"You do the same." Sam grinned.

Mitch walked out of the front doors and stretched a bit. He looked around the town and took in the air. He gathered his reins and climbed on his horse. He was about fifteen minutes out of town. He could see his camp just over the hill. He smiled to himself. He hoped the boys would enjoy themselves tonight. They had worked so hard these past few weeks, and he knew they needed to unwind a bit before hitting the trails again. He patted his horse on the neck, "Just a few more days, little brother." The horse neighed in response, "I know. I'm missin' my girl too."

He thought about her long blonde hair. Her piercing green eyes. No match for his of course. He chuckled at her telling him her eyes were not green, they're a more blue than green. He didn't care. He did however, miss her smile… and her uncanny way of making him miss her. He's never missed a girl in his whole life. Before he left…

"Miss Childers, I'm gonna marry you when I get back." Mitch said as they made their way down a busy mail street.

A young girl snorts, "Don't go makin' any threats, Mr. Malone."

"That's a promise." Mitch countered.

"Mitch," Katie eyed him from under her parasol, "You ain't never gonna settle down. I know that better than anyone." She reminded him with her southern drawl.

Mitch stopped. Walking in front of her, he took her hand and knelt on one knee, "Kathryn Childers, will you…"

"Get up!" She closed her parasol and popped him on the shoulder, "You're going to be the talk of this town."

Still knelt, "I don't care, Katie." He smiled and looked her straight in the eye, "I love you."

"Don't say that, you fool." Katie placed a hand on her hip. She widened her eyes and whispers, "Mitch Malone, get up." She emphasized.

"What do you want me to do, Katie?" He jumped up and ran from person to person that had started to collect around them. He grabbed the closest, "I love her! I love Katie Childers! I want to spend the rest of my life with…"

She grabbed him by the collar of the shirt, "Okay." She looked around, "People are starring."

He wrapped his arms around her and brought her in close, "Let 'em stare." A moment passed. He smiled, his eye shinning, "Will you?"

Katie sighed, "On one condition."

"Anything." Mitch quickly answered.

"You meet me at the church the day you get back." She smiled sweetly.

"Is that a yes?" She nodded. Mitch picked her up, "She said YES!" He twirled her around.

"Put me down, you crazy fool!" She laughed. He placed her gently on the ground and kissed her softly. She opened her parasol back up, "Now, it was lunch we were after… wasn't it, Mr. Malone." Mitch smiled and laced her arm in his…

Mitch was a million miles away when a young horse ran by his gelding, "Whoa!" He called out and pulled his reins back. Seconds later, two cowboys galloped by. Mitch watched them as they made their way across the prairie, failing two times to lasso the yearling. He rolled his eyes and turned his horse, "Come on, let's show 'em how it's done." The horse kicked up and took off, ready to work. Mitch passed the two cowboys, at a full gallop, as he readied his rope. When he was in the perfect position, he released the lasso, and the noose landed perfectly around the yearling's neck. The minute his trusty steed felt the rope tighten around the saddle horn, the gelding came to a sliding halt. Mitch jumped off in one swift motion and threw another rope around the young horse's neck. He walked up to the yearling to calm it. He smiled, "That's a good girl." He stroked the mare's forelock, "Easy. It's okay."

"Get away from that horse!" One of the cowboys rode up, gun drawn as he jumped off his horse.

Still holding the lead rope, Mitch held his other hand up, "Hey, now! Calm down, mister."

"Seth!" The other cowboy yelled as he pulled his horse to a stop. He jumped off and ran over to his partner. He pushed the gun down, "That's no way to treat a complete stranger that just saved our asses."

"But, Sydney" Seth waved his gun at Mitch, "He's gonna steal our horse."

"Ha." Mitch scoffed, "That's the pot." He whispered under his breath.

"What choo say, mister!" Seth pointed his gun at Mitch's face this time.

"I said, 'Thanks a lot.'" Mitch looked him straight in the eye.

Once more the other cowboy walked over and lowered Seth's gun, "He's right." Sydney looked at Mitch, "We owe you some thanks, mister." He offered his hand, "Name's Sydney. Sydney Anderson."

About his age, Sydney seemed early thirties. He was average. Dark hair, brown eyes. Nasty cut on his left check. Walked with a slight limp; old gun wound or horse accident. Mitch guess. The other cowboy, Seth, was much taller than his friend, about 6'2" … He was stout, but you could see the beginning stages of a beer gut. He didn't seem as intelligent, one too many falls or kicks to the head. Mitch eyed Seth again and shook Sydney's hand, "Malone. Mitch Malone."

"Well, it's nice to meet ya, Malone." Sydney placed his hands on his gun belt, "You just passing through?"

"You could say that." Mitch turned to the horse, "This your horse?"

Sydney took his own personal rope and made a makeshift halter. He placed it around the horse's face, "You could say that." He smiled wickedly at Seth.

Seth chuckled, "Yeah, you could say that."

Mitch knew better but wasn't going to push the issue. He removed his ropes from the horse, "Well, she's nice." He packed his things back on his saddle, "Will make a good horse for the right person." He climbed back on his gelding. He tipped his hat, "You boys have a good day."

Sydney nodded, "Thanks again." Mitch took another good look at their faces and rode back over the hill. He stopped when he reached the top. He didn't like these two. He knew their kind. He looked down the road and knew his boys would be okay for another minute or two. He watched the cowboys go back in the direction they came… Mitch patted his horse on the neck, "How 'bout boy?" The horse chomped at the bit, ready to go again. Mitch laughed, "Easy, boy." He looked up as they disappeared over a hill, "Slow and steady, remember?" The horse neighed. Mitch asked him forward and headed to follow the cowboys.

Mitch tracked the men to a camp near a small creek. There was a good many of them. He counted at least ten. The leader, he presumed, came out of a tent as Mitch and his horse hid behind some nearby brush. He seemed a little weathered by his appearance. Mitch tied his horse to a tree and moved in a bit closer… He listened.

"Did the Marshal order eggs, like always." The bearded man asked as he sat on a log.

"Yessir, Mr. Ford." A younger cowboy answered.

"Good job." Mr. Ford answered and took a sip of coffee.

"It's a pity that cook of theirs got sick, isn't it, Boomer?" Another middle-aged cowboy spoke up.

The group laughed together.

"Too bad the same is going to happen to their marshal." Sydney commented as he poured a cup of coffee. He turned to the bearded man, "Sorry, Mr. Ford about the horse. Won't happen again."

"Make sure it doesn't, Sydney. If I have to explain to Mr. Harrison how this herd lost some numbers…" He motioned toward the horses, "It's going to be your head."

Sydney nodded, "I understand." He turned to Boomer who was stirring a pot of chilly, "Make sure you wash your hands, Boomer… I don't want any of that food poison you dreamt up for the marshal."

Everyone laughed again. Boomer smiled, "You all said be creative."

Seth chuckled, "Yeah, but sticking your hands in manure?" He made a face, "Hell, I wouldn't even do that."

Boomer handed the large cowboy a bowl, "You do what you have to with what cha got."

Sydney shook his head, "Now, you're probably gonna end up with worms."

"Will not!" The young cowboy defended himself, "I washed my hands real good." He smiled proudly.

"Yeah, well, you better hope it works." Mr. Ford reminded him, "We need the marshal sick enough that we can control him. We have to get Paul out of jail, and Matt Dillon is the only person who knows where he is…" He stood, "I'm going to rest a bit before tonight. I suggest you all do the same. We're all going to need every bit of strength.

"Plan still the same, Boss?" Another cowboy asked.

"Yes." He pointed to the herd of yearlings tired to the trees, "I want you all to get those horses out of here. Get 'em back home and start working on that brand so we can start sellin'…" He turned to Sydney, Seth, and Boomer, "You boys are coming with me to Dodge tonight." All in agreement, Ford stood and made his way into a tent.

Mitch stepped back for a moment. He thought about just going back to his camp and letting Dodge deal with Dodge… but he couldn't. He hated horse thieves and he didn't want any trouble for the redhead and her lover. He sighed and headed back to his horse. He climbed on and headed back to the saloon.

TBC