Chapter Twenty-nine

As Jess and Will rode back toward the small ranch house the previous owners had constructed on the homestead, Will's curiosity drew deep lines in his forehead.

"You know, Jess, I just can't figure it."

"What's that?"

"Why Howard Wilkie has it in for you like he does."

"Ain't it obvious? He's got in for both of us. 'Cause of the ranch we're trying to git goin'."

Will shook his head. "Huh uh. There's more to it than that. The homestead is actually in my name, my down payment. You've bought into a share of the cattle, and you bought that buckskin for us to use for breeding… but mainly you're working as a hand till you get to the place of buying into a share of the land too." Will frowned as he thought through the situation aloud. "But I got here first, I took out the loan for the land four months ago. You didn't come here until a month later. Howard knows that. So he should be mostly upset with me. But it's more you that riles him."

Jess shrugged.

"Besides, I don't think Howard gives a hoot about whether we have a little ranch next to his father's. Blake is the one who wants us gone. Howard just goes along with his old man on that because Blake makes him. Nah, it's gotta be something else about you that gets under his skin."

"For some men, it don't take much," Jess replied mildly.

"You don't seem too worried about this. But I'm tellin' ya, maybe you should be. Think on this… between the two of us, you're the real gunhand. You're the best with a gun in the whole territory and beyond. When he's not spouting off because he's drunk, Howard knows your reputation is one hundred percent bonafide. Just like every man in that saloon knows it. So you'd think ol' Howie would be more afraid of coming after you, and would target me instead. But it ain't like that. He's all about you. He's got a pure hatred for you, my friend."

Jess thought about that. "Yeah, seems so."

"Any idea why?"

"Nope."

Will eyed him carefully. "A girl maybe? That red-haired girl that works in the café? Karina. Somebody told me she used to be Howie's girl."

Jess glanced at him. "I never knew that. So what if she was?"

"So, maybe Howie's jealous."

"Don't know why he would be. There ain't nothin' 'tween us 'cept friendship."

Tibbs chuckled. "I swear, Harper, you wouldn't know a fox if it bit ya."

Jess' eyebrows hiked up. "I don't git it. What's that s'posed to mean?"

"I mean… that pretty Karina's got it bad for you. And you can't even tell."

"Aw, you're full of it, Will. She's just a sweet girl. Likes to talk. Probably just workin' an angle for a good tip."

"I suppose all those other girls that get all moon-eyed when you walk by… they just like to talk too? That's all they want from you? Some conversation?"

Jess looked over at him and grinned wickedly.

Will laughed. "Oh! So you can tell when they're coming after ya!"

Jess' expression suddenly turned into a severe frown.

Will noticed. "What's the matter?"

Jess was turning in his saddle, looking all around. "Smoke. Don't ya smell it?"

Will sniffed. "No. Campfire?"

Without answering, Jess scanned the sky. Off into the distance, he could see wafts of smoke rising above the hills. Immediately, he tapped his spurs to Traveller, setting the bay to a run. It took Will a moment to react; then he did likewise.

By the time they topped the hill ahead, the smoke had thickened and they could see the blaze in the distance, engulfing their barn and the small house. Then the shots began, as their cattle grazing in the nearby field were stampeded, some even dropping from bullets directly aimed at them by five or six men on horses.

Jess charged forward, pulling his forty-five. Will was right behind him, also with gun in hand.

As they neared the homestead buildings, the men saw them coming and took off to the northwest. Jess recognized them all. Ranch hands from the Wilkie spread. Furious, he raced after them.

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Traveller followed his rider's directions and seemed to be flying as Jess headed the horse at an angle that would take them past the house, to intercept the raiders. But as they came nearer the ranch yard, Jess heard a sound that sent icy chills down his spine. A terrible neighing scream from within the barn. He slowed Trav and turned him, just as Will caught up to them.

"Will, I thought you turned all three of the horses loose to the south pasture before we went to town."

"Except Buck. His hoof needs more healin' time." Will looked to the burning barn. But Jess had already holstered his gun and spurred Trav to a run back in that direction. "Wait, Jess! It's too late!"

Ignoring him, Jess galloped straight ahead. Will followed, still yelling. "Harper, stay away from it!"

Jess had reached the fenced paddock some ways back from the barn and corral. The fire wasn't close to the paddock area, and he threw himself from Traveller before the horse had even come to a stop. After tying Trav's lead to the fence where the bay would stay safe, Jess ran the rest of the way. Out by the corral next to the barn, he plunged into the water trough. After drenching himself, he climbed out and headed straight toward the barn.

Will arrived at the paddock and secured his horse next to Traveller, as he kept hollering for Jess not to go into the burning building.

His words were useless. Will stared in horror as he saw Jess barge through the barn's entrance while flames licked at the door, engulfed the sides of the structure, and shot through the roof.

Saving Buck was a lost cause, and charging into those flames to try to get that horse out was a danged fool's errand. Will's concern for Jess came with frustration and anger at his reckless actions.

Will looked around desperately for a bucket to at least try to douse the fire at the door and somewhat inward from there, to make a path out for Jess. He found one bucket near the pump and another in the middle of the ranch yard, both with holes shot through them. And there was nothing else to haul water in.

He ran back to the horses. He and Jess had talked about camping halfway home from town for the night rather than riding the whole way home. They had decided against it, but both had added bedrolls to their gear before they left home. Will pulled the blankets from Traveller and his own mount, then rushed to the water trough and dunked himself and the blankets into it. He rushed to the barn and swatted at the flames on the door with the wet blankets, all the while calling for Jess. If Jess could follow his voice through the smoke and at least make his way back to the entrance, Will could meet him and help get him completely away from the barn.

But actually run into the burning building? No. Will Tibbs wasn't about to risk his life for any horse. Or any man.

The heat and flames intensified. Tibbs began to choke on the smoke pouring from the building, so he backed away from the barn and returned to the water trough. Again, he dropped the blankets into the water, but left them there this time. There he stood, defeated, watching as the fire consumed his house and his barn. And, most likely, his friend.