The rest of the drive went by without much to be remembered. Few beeves were lost, and all cowboys arrived safely in Dodge City, Kansas. The men were paid outside of town. Last in line were Chad and Joe.
"Cooper and Riley…." Favor made a few notes in his book. He counted out coins into two piles. Before handing them over, he looked up at the men. "You boys have come a long way since you were staggering through the plains like a couple of lost sheep." His eyes settled on Joe. "Especially you, Riley. Both of you have turned out to be top hands. If you're looking for work, I'm heading back to Texas for another herd immediately. Still have time for one more this season."
"Ah…," Chad said, looking a Joe. A silent conversation seemed to pass between them. Joe looked back at the trail boss. "We'll talk it over, let you know."
Favor handed over their money. "Well, alright, but you fellas are great hands. Hate to lose you."
"Well, shucks, boss. Flattery! Never thought I'd hear it from you," Chad exclaimed.
"Keep goin', Chad, and we never will again," advised Joe seriously.
Favor nodded, a small smile creeping over his lips. "He might have a point there, Cooper."
"Uh huh," Chad nodded. He held out a hand to shake. "We'll see you in town, Mr. Favor."
They walked companionably toward where the horses were tied. "Care if I ride behind you into town, pard?"
"You really need to get your own horse, and soon."
"Just haven't found the right one yet."
Joe rubbed Buck's neck fondly. "Well, I didn't pick ol' Buck, but we get along real nice, don't we, boy?" The horse leaned into his touch.
Chad shook his head in amazement. "If only I had that touch, only with ladies!"
Joe cocked an eyebrow. Chad didn't have any trouble at all with women. With his fair eyes and curly hair, he looked like a lost orphan waiting to be comforted in a woman's arms.
He led Buck toward the edge of camp, passing the chuck wagon. Wishbone looked as grouchy as usual, so Joe decided to attempt a sneaky break. No such luck, for the older man had the ears of one much younger. "Just where do you think you're off to?"
"Town, Mr. Wishbone. Then after that is up to the wind," Chad said with dramatic flair.
"Wind, my foot. You two ain't thinkin' of leavin' the boss, are you?"
A familiar feeling crept into Joe's stomach. This was the main reason why he wanted to leave camp quietly; he hated goodbyes. "Well, Wish…."
Wish leveled those knowledgeable eyes at him, a troubled expression on his bearded face. "I'll miss you, boy. More'n a man ought to have a right to, seein' as how we ain't kin and all." He paused a moment, then asked, "Talk to you a minute, boy?"
Chad took the hint and stepped away, muttering something about borrowing a horse.
Joe turned back to Wishbone, emotion nearly consuming him. He really would miss Wishbone with his strange sayings he still didn't understand most of the time. Shucks, Joe would even miss his cooking! Joe held out a hand and Wish took it in both of his and shook it vigorously, leaning in close at the same time. "You take care of yourself, boy. If I was you, I'd consider finding yourself a new partner. This one has got trouble written all over him."
Joe nodded, knowing Wishbone was being completely serious. Joe knew that both Mr. Favor and Wish were keeping eagle eyes on Chad and had even gone as far as to ask about him at a local law office. Joe only knew about this investigation because the fact he overheard the two talking about it one night. He didn't know what they had found out, but it must not have been too bad, considering that Favor had offered both of them jobs…but perhaps he had figured that to get Joe to come back, he'd have to invite Chad to stay as well. So far, Chad hadn't gotten into any real trouble, but he enjoyed walking the fine line between life and death, something Joe didn't admire in a man. The way Chad and Rowdy sometimes went at it was enough to make Joe want to give up the drive, and maybe even Chad, for good. Still, they had been through enough together that he was willing to overlook his cavalier attitude…for now. Even with his close ties with the young man, Joe still felt a doubt nagging at the back of his mind. If there was big trouble, what would he do? Would he stand by Chad, who could seem like a complete stranger at times? Despite Joe's confident proclamation to Katy and Wishbone, he really didn't know enough about Chad to feel comfortable about trusting his life to the man.
Wishbone had still not released Joe's hand, and with a start, Joe realized that he had no idea how long he had been standing there thinking. Wishbone's voice drew him back. "Any man who handles a gun the way he does has his days numbered. You're a real nice boy. I honest-to-goodness don't want any trouble to find you. The last thing I need is to hear about the two of you gettin' shot up over some argument on who's dealin' from the bottom of a deck."
Joe felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, the sure sign that something bad was coming, but he tried to ignore it. He pulled his hand away. "Been takin' care of myself for a long time, Wish. I reckon I can carry on for a bit longer without gettin' myself killed."
"Where you gonna go, boy? You are goin', I can tell."
Joe shrugged his large shoulders, feeling a bit defensive. "I feel the need to see some country, Wish. Can't see much of it if I'm slowed down by a bunch of beeves."
"You ain't gonna see much but six feet of it for the rest of eternity if you're not careful."
"Honest, Wish, I will try. I just ain't cut out to be a cowboy forever. I've been cooped up for one reason or another for a long time. I just want to be free for while to do what I want and to go where I want." He shrugged again. "And if it's with Chad, then so be it. If we stick by each other, we'll be alright."
Wishbone rocked back on his heels, his chin in the air, a common habit that meant a lecture was coming. Joe braced himself but Wish merely said, "Well, I can see there's not talking you out of it. Goodbye, son. Hope to see you again sometime." Joe watched the man shuffle back to his wagon, and suddenly, he looked so old. Joe almost lost his resolve. He took a tiny step forward, and the small movement caught Wish's attention, causing his thin shoulders to perk up a touch. But at the same moment, Chad called Joe's name, and Joe turned away, not noticing when Wishbone's shoulders slumped once more. As they rode out of camp, Wishbone shook his head in sadness and disappointment. He knew, deep down, trouble was coming for those two young men, and though he had tried, he could do nothing to stop it. He could only wish that when the showdown occurred that these two really would stand by each other. And somehow, he knew they would.
Chad leaned sat in a saloon across from the blacksmith shop. Too early in the day to find a proper poker game, he was waiting for his pard. Joe was getting Buck his first pair of shoes and had refused to leave his equine friend during such a new and stressful procedure.
The thought of horses reminded Chad of his own need for a good mount. There had to be a good place to buy a horse around here somewhere, so Chad asked the owner of the establishment, an attractive woman with red hair. She directed him to the cattle yards at the edge of town, for there was bound to be someone selling horses down there.
Chad felt restless, so he decided to investigate the information. He exited the saloon and crossed the street to the smithy. Joe came out to meet him. It was strange how the big man could somehow sense Chad's whereabouts at all times, like he could hear him from a mile off or something.
Joe leaned against a post, his thumbs tucked into his gun belt. Strange how somebody who had just acquired a sidearm could look so natural with one, like he had been using one for a long time. That big tan hat that Chad had chosen for his friend was tipped back on the back of Joe's head, giving him a look of relaxed ease. However, Chad knew better. Joe was always wound tight even if he didn't look like it, ready to spring into action at any moment. This was perhaps a reason why they got along so well; Chad was exactly the same way.
Joe nodded at Chad and spat out a piece of straw that he had been chewing on. "Where you off to, Chad?"
Chad pointed ahead of himself. "Thought I might go down to the yards and see about getting a horse. I don't suppose you would want to get some exercise and mosey down there with me."
"Why not? Buck could use an easy walk to get used to them shoes. Hold on, I'll grab him." The muscular man eased back into the dark interior of the shop, disappearing from sight. Chad tapped his fingers against the butt of his pistol; he hated waiting.
Joe came around from behind the smithy, leading Buck, who was walking rather strangely. Chad laughed and patted the buckskin on the shoulder. "Poor fella! Not the idea of a good time, huh?"
Joe gave a small half-smile, fingering the horse's new bridle, his eyes studying the saddle on the horse's back. "Got this tack from the blacksmith. Looks like ol' Buck and I have had a lot of new stuff to get used to."
Chad looked his friend over, admiring the way his cowboy duds fit him. "It's a good change, for sure. Suits you fine."
His pard gave him a grateful if not weary smile. Chad knew how hard these past couple of months had been on the ex-Comanche. It was by no means easy for anyone to learn a new way of life, but Joe had done a real decent job at it. During some of the cooler hours of the day, Chad had shown Joe some finer points of drawing a pistol and how to shoot tin cans off a fence. Though he wasn't the fastest Chad had seen, Joe had real accuracy that was not to be scoffed at. During some of the rockier moments in the training sessions, Joe had thrown his knife in frustration. The knife would perfectly puncture the can and would even carry it on another several yards. It was this skilled knife-throwing that undoubtedly aided in his accuracy with a six gun. Chad could only imagine what Joe's potential talent with a rifle could be.
As they strolled down the main street, Chad couldn't help but wonder what they were going to do with themselves once he did get a horse. They really didn't have a lot of money between the two of them, so they would obviously need to something soon. Chad knew that Joe wouldn't cotton to doing anything beyond the law; Chad didn't exactly want to either, but if an opportunity arose that was too tempting….
They reached the cattle yards in no time. A general din of bawling cattle hung over the place. However, one sound cut through, one that Chad loved to hear: excited voices. It soon became apparent what the noise was about. Some cowboys were breaking some broncs in a nearby corral, and as a cowboy was carried in erratic circles around the pen, the man's friends would cheer raucously. Chad put a hand on Joe's arm, stopping him. "I've got a plan, pard. How're your bronc-bustin' skills? No, never mind, I know how they are…just fine….."
Joe looked at him skeptically. "I don't like the sound of this, Chad. What are—"
"Shh, pal, just follow me."
The two men walked over and leaned against the boards with the other cowboys. The horse they were trying to wear down was a high-spirited black that looked mean enough to stomp a man once he was down. He tried to do just that, but the fallen man was quickly dragged from danger's way by his pards. The man rose, cursing, slapping dust from his chaps. One of the rescuers clapped the man on the shoulder. "Shucks, Jeb, I thought for sure you had him that time."
Jeb, as he was called, nodded angrily. "That horse is a man killer! But I'm startin' to tire him out."
They were interrupted by boisterous laughter. The group of cowboys all turned to behold Chad and Joe. Jeb was instantly furious, at least more than before. "What's so funny?" he demanded harshly.
"Chad…," Joe warned.
Chad ignored him. "You are, friend. I mean, the way you went flying off that Cayuse like you had wings. Ha, ha!"
"Chad," Joe whispered forcibly, but the damage was already done. Jeb didn't look like a kidding type, and if he had been packing iron, Joe was sure the cowboy would have gone for it by now. Jeb looked ready to explode and probably would have in a flurry of fists if they had not been interrupted by another, older cowboy. He placed a hand on Jeb's chest while at the same time pointing a finger at Chad. "You watch it, kid. Jeb here don't take too kindly to that kind of talk. So unless you think you can do any better, you'd better move on."
Chad smiled, that cunning fox-face sending alarm through Joe's mind. "Please, just walk away, please, please, ple—"
"Oh, I know I can't do any better." Joe heaved a small sigh of relief, but was it was cut short when Chad hit Joe on his stomach gently with the back of his hand. "But my pard Joe here sure can."
Joe's backbone snapped straight. All eyes were fixed on him, except for his own of course, for his were silently pleading with Chad. Once again, Chad carefully avoided his friend's eyes.
"Is that right," the older cowboy said. "We'll just have to see about that."
"Sure, but what do say to making it worth my friend's time? Double or nothing?"
Joe wished a hole would open up beneath him and pull him under. Chad was out of control.
"Those seem like fair enough odds. What do you say, Jeb? Want to see if this big mouth's words have anything behind them?"
Jeb grunted. "I'll throw in a week's worth to see this dude fall on his face, even if he's not the one that's ridin'."
Chad grinned mockingly. "You just as well hand it over now! Go show 'em, Joe."
Joe grabbed Chad by his collar, dragging him to the side. "Excuse us, gents."
"Easy on the shirt, Joe," Chad said, more concerned with his clothes than Joe's murderous countenance.
"You been chewing loco weed, Chad?" His voice was a dangerous whisper. "You ain't even seen me ride a bronc before!"
Chad patted Joe on the chest. "I have all the confidence in the world in you, pard. After all, you were raised with the Comanche, the best horse-handlers in the West."
Joe knocked Chad's hand away. "Horse-handlers, maybe, but we don't break our horses. We gentle them easy-like."
Chad looked at him, a paleness creeping over his tan face. "You're saying…."
"Chad, I ain't never busted a bronc in my life."
Joe was given a full view of Chad's teeth in his gaping mouth. Joe poked him under his chin, closing the mouth with a snap. "Don't worry, I'll pull your fat out of the fire…but you're gonna owe me. Again."
Joe unbuckled his gun belt and shoved it into Chad's belly. He pulled his knife out as well and placed it carefully into Chad's hand, who had barely recovered from Joe's less-than gentle handing-over of his gun.
"Lead the way, gents," Joe said with a little confidence. He did know horses very well; he just had never done the rough-and-tumble method of winning their trust. He honestly didn't believe in this technique, but poor Chad would get himself beaten to a pulp if Joe didn't do something. He really didn't fancy rescuing the boy from a full-on brawl, so this way would just have to do.
The black looked vicious and bad tempered. He snorted and pawed the ground when Joe and the others mounted the fence. When some made to get down with him, Joe stopped them. "Thanks, friends, but I'll take it from here," Joe said. The men shrugged and stayed where they were.
Joe eased himself to the ground, trying to move as slowly and carefully as possible. The black's head went high, his nostrils flared, but stood still. Holding his hands out, Joe approached the horse one step at a time. He was about two yards away when suddenly the gelding charged him, teeth bared.