6' Chapter
Good night Hillary!"
" Come, doctor I will accompany you.
You know, I have a feeling that poor fellow won't be seeing any sunlight anytime soon, except that which enters the room!"
" Yeah Orville, I think so too! But I also think he loves her very much!"
" Yes, and I'm glad, he's really a good guy!"
Hillary entered the room.
As the doctor had said, she found him asleep; He was sleeping peacefully, though still a little sweaty, and a lock of hair was stuck to his face, almost covering one eye.
She approached him slowly, stroked him and brushed the lock away from his face.
" Oh Luke, honey!" I love you so much...Dad told me what you did.-she deposited a kiss on his forehead and sitting beside him held his left hand tightly to her chest. - Oh Luke, I will forever be your blackberry jam...no one can ever separate us again, I love you so much!"
Orville, meanwhile, after dismissing the doctor, standing in the doorway, watched the scene and let slip a sweet smile of approval after which, holding his pipe, he went out, closing the door behind him.
--
Meanwhile...many miles further north...
Near Teton.
Frank had now arrived at the Macahan farm.
He stopped at the edge of the property and looked around; there was no movement outside. It was now dinner time and smoke was coming from the chimney.
He spurred his horse and came to the front of the house.
The young Appaloosa, newly caught, stirred in the corral.
"Auntie, someone must have arrived..the horses are nervous, I'm going out to check!"
" No, wait Josh...better check from here!" Jessie looked over the window
"But...it's Mr. Grayson."
" Frank! - said Laura smiling and blushing slightly-what a nice surprise!"
Jessie turned to her and let slip
a small smile, shaking her head.
" Are you sure he's just a friend, sis?!"
" Oh sure. Ah...what would you know!!!"
" Come on, girls add a cover to the table, it's dinner time, he'll be hungry! Come on Laura, don't just stand there gawking!"
"Yes, Aunt!"
Josh opened the door even before Frank could knock and in fact found him standing in front of it with his fist raised ready to knock.
" Good evening Frank, welcome back!"
" Hi Josh, may I?"
" Sure Frank, come on in, you are always welcome, you know that! We were just setting the table..have you had dinner yet?"
"Well actually no..ma...!"
" But nothing..come on!"
He sat down with them and, after Jessie's prayer, they ate.
Frank sat next to Laura and, from time to time, in between jokes, Frank would turn to her and compliment her with a smile and she, in return, reciprocated, blushing until Josh asked the fateful question.
"what brings you around here, Frank? any work for the Texas Ranger?"
"Actually, no...I broke off relations with them...just with the 'last job just finished!
I was craving some serenity but...!"
" But? Has something happened Frank?"
" We need to talk!" He pulled out the telegram and showed it to them.
" Gee, in you know something Frank!"
" No more than what is written in it.
I passed through the village and Charlie saw me and gave me the telegram, telling me he had not seen you for a few days. I came at once, fearing ..well! that you were already in trouble!"
" No, Frank, we had a lot to do here; we were going to go tomorrow morning. But why this? how come?"
" Have you read the papers Laura?"
" Yes, the sheriff warned us and we got the copy of the paper that talked about Luke's acquittal and that they convicted that guy... Britten!"
" And then that's it?"
" Yes, why, is there more?"
" Britten was broken out by the gang of Judge Rensen's murderer, and now it seems they want revenge on Luke and the whole family."
" O my God...does anyone know anything about Luke ...about where he is?"
" No, I think the 'last message from him is this from San Antonio ... that's all I know!"
" At least you're here with us, oh Frank I'm afraid!"
" I won't let them hurt you!"
" I guess as soon as they find out you're here they'll run like rabbits!"
" Don't be so optimistic Josh, they are not people from here. They are Mexican gringos...they don't give a damn who I am! They too, you know, are very skilled with guns...and they are...well there should be three of them, from what is written."
" And what do you think we should do, stay locked up here?"
"I have to go feed the beasts and check on the little foal that was born the 'other day!"
" No, Laura, this is not the time!"
" But you can accompany me!"
" Alright, let's go, you lock yourselves in.
Wait Laura, I'll go out first."
He looked around; everything seemed quiet, the horses were also 'quiet...
They were about to get to the barn when a flock of birds flew up, from a tree behind the barn.
" Tell me Laura...is there another entrance from behind, perchance?"
"No, doors no, there is only one window but it won't open, the shutter is broken."
" Ok, stay behind me!" entered first!"
She did not have time to open that a man, with his face covered, from the left side grabbed Laura by the arm and drew her to him.
" Frank help!"
The man put his other hand to her mouth to shush her.
" If you don't want me to kill her drop the gun on the ground man!"
" What if I don't?"
" You might regret it later! Come on move!"
Laura, taking advantage of the excited moment struggled and bit Manolo on the hand.
" You bitch!" he recoiled .
Laura broke free from his grip as Frank, swiftly, reached for his gun but, as he was about to pull the trigger a stick struck him in the head and he fell to the ground unconscious.
The shot, equally gone, hit Manolo in the leg.
" Come on Eusebio, get the girl now!"
Josh, with the Macahan family, hearing the shot, poured out into the yard, rifle in hand.
" I advise you not to move, or your little sister, I guess, will pay the consequences, quick drop that rifle, I said drop it!"
" Josh do what he told you!"
" You, boy, get that in the house!"
" Oh my God Frank!" said Laura, terrified, with a edge in her voice.
Manolo got back up on all fours and reached Grayson and landed two violent punches on him.
" Stop, Manolo...let's think about him later, now as you see he is harmless...quick you, take him inside...everyone inside!"
They dragged Frank, still unconscious, and laid him on the ground.
" Well ladies gentlemen...I'm in charge here now.
We've been hired to knock you out...all of you...but...since we have a couple of pretty girls here...I think we'll have some fun first...in turn...come on everybody down there in the 'corner!-
They obeyed the command! - No, not you sweetheart - addressing Laura - I'm hungry, give me something to eat, quick!"
"We've just finished - there's not much left!"
" I'll make do with it ... it means I'll eat only me!"
Meanwhile, unnoticed, keeping his eyes half closed, Frank was waking up.
" Come on Manolo, you hold them at gunpoint. Eusebio . if you want there's some for you too!"
" Thank you Fernando!" he seated himself.
Upon hearing this Manolo rebelled.
Manolo turned to Fernando, with his back to them.
" Hey, what's this, I have fa... too!"
He did not have time to finish the sentence.
Frank took the pistol from his holster on his left, carelessly left for him, thinking he was still unconscious, and fired two shots, hitting Manolo and Eusebio squarely, who achieved peace six senses.
Fernando managed, flipping over the table, to gain the 'exit.
Frank fired a couple of shots in his direction, but by then the door was closed, behind him.
" Oh Frank...are you okay?"
" Yes, Laura. I just have a slight headache and pain in my ribs, It will pass!" - he said as he struggled to get up, smiling at her - Stay here...I'll go fix it!"
" Be careful, Frank!"
" Josh, get the rifle and come with me!"
" I'm coming!"
They were not in time to reach the door;
with a heavy thud it opened and Fernando reappeared, long and drawn to the floor, unconscious!"
"Luke?"
" No, I'm not Luke!"
" Uncle Zeb!!!" Jessie ran up to him
"All right here! Did he hurt you?"
" No, Uncle, but we were so scared!"
Zeb looked around the room and then at the floor in front of him.
" So you wanted to get away ... And leave your cronies here!"
Fernando opened his eyes.
"You don't try to move," Zeb said, pointing the barrel of his rifle almost into his mouth, "this thing makes huge holes!
Quick turn around on your stomach! Josh get a rope and tie it tight !"
"Yes uncle!"
" Frank! I guess you had a hand in this ... massacre, I guess!"
' Yes... although it was more complicated than expected!" He said massaging his head and wiping the blood from his lip!
They told Uncle Zeb the facts.
" Thank you Frank! Well..- . raised ungently Fernando-now, may I know the name of this thug who wanted to have a good time scaring a woman and three defenseless boys, before cutting your guts open!"
" I don't think they were so helpless!!! there was Grayson and now you!!! But why
are you here?
I imagined you were elsewhere... a little further away!?"
"I quickly dealt with the Britten file and here I am. Ah if you must know, your boss is now on his way to Las Mesas, nicely packed...and maybe now you will join them.
What's your name?"
" What does it matter !?"
" I said what's your name?" he said, taking his dagger out of its sheath and pointing it at her throat.
" Here we go again! Zebbb!" said Molly agitatedly.
" Stay out of this Molly!"
" Ok, ok man, don't get agitated, with that thing there...my name is Ortega, Fernando Ortega. There you are happy!"
" Well now I'm taking you to town to the sheriff; He'll decide what to do with you!"
The sheriff came up behind him.
" It won't be necessary to come to town...I'm here!"
Here sheriff, he's all yours.
" Big hunt today Zeb ha ha!"
" I got him...the other two Grayson fixed!"
" Thanks to you too then Mr.Grayson!"
"It's up to you whether to hang him here or send him to Las Mesas with his partner!"
" I don't know if he's got pending with New Mexico, but from what Charlie told me and what I see here, I've got enough reason to have a nice gallows built here in Teton!
Well - Addressed to his men - take him into town and lock him up... I'll be there shortly!
" Yes, Marshall!"
" So you got our telegram, Frank!"
" You see Zeb, to tell you the truth, I only saw this addressed to you...I was here to...well...I was in the area! I was feeling nostalgic for a certain blackberry cobbler--he said looking at Laura, smiling at her--otherwise I wouldn't have been here by now!"
Laura approached Frank and he took her hand, while she, bowing her head, blushed.
" Well...all's well that ends well!"
Molly said with a sigh!"
" Eh it's not over yet...there's still the question of how things turned out for Luke!"
" Luke?...why Zeb, what's going on?"
" See Frank, I don't know if you heard about Britten's trial..."
" Well something but...what are you getting at?"
"Besides these three, and Britten who I have already taken care of, the most dangerous group is after Luke and Hillary!"
" Hillary-or mamma mia no!"
Sheriff Burk caught up with the Macahans after turning Ortega and the two dead bodies over to his men.
" Who is this Hillary, Zeb?"
" She is the daughter of Sheriff Gant of Jimson's Break!"
" It's not by any chance related to what happened in Colorado yesterday ?"
"What are you talking about ?"
" I got a telegram a few hours ago from Gant ! Gruner is dead, while Tomaz took two bullets from Luke but is alive and has been arrested...in the next few days he will be extradited to Las Mesas and hanged !"
" But...is there any word on my nephew and Hillary?"
" Yes, they are safe, although Luke took a bullet in the shoulder, but nothing serious.
So Gant wrote me!"
" Well, I thank you for the news!"
" You're welcome...now I guess you want to celebrate...I'm going back to the village, bye Zeb! goodbye to you all!"
" Goodbye and thank you! oh how nice! what a relief!!! Zeb do you think it's really over?"
"Eh I think so...come on here needs
a toast!"
" It goes great I would say with blackberry pie! What do you say Frank?"
" You can't say no to your blackberry pie - .he said taking her under his arm - But that's not the only reason I'd stay!"
" Mmhh! sneered Jessie and Josh.
" Guys, come on let's go inside. Jessie, Josh ahead!!!!" They all went inside, leaving Laura and Frank outside.
Frank reached out and pulled her close to him.
" There's no other place in the world I'd rather be, Laura!" he kissed her.
Laura broke away for a second...
" Ma...!"
"Don't add any more...I know...you're referring to Luke!"
"Eh!"
" He'll get over it!, with your consent, of course!"
She hugged him and they kissed very softly.
" Should I consider that a yes!"
" Oh, yes . I missed you so much!"
" You too Laura." He held her close by lifting her face with two fingers, directed a beautiful smile and kissed her again.
They stood there, so united, in the courtyard for a few minutes.
Jessie, from the window, delighted, spied them smiling.
" What are you doing there, Jessie?"
" Nothing, aunt, nothing hi hi!"
" Come on, away, leave them alone!"
" They are so cute...I'm glad you know Auntie...
Laura deserves some joy...she has suffered so much these last years! She was used to being courted! Besides, Frank is so cuteoooo!"
" What about you?"
" Me what?"
" Don't you deserve something good?"
" Ah I'm young though..."
" Although...what?"
" The other day, in the village I saw an old friend of mine again...oh you should know...I haven't seen him for a long time..."
" When? You didn't tell me anything!"
" Ah yes, maybe ... well you were at the club with the ladies.
and while I was waiting for you..!"
" I guess he's a beautiful boy...right?"
" Oh yes, Auntie!"
" Do I know him?"
" Yes, I think so, he's Greg, Sheriff Burk's son.
Oh how nice he is. Now he's finished his law studies and next week he's leaving for Wellington, unfortunately he'll be away for a couple of years to practice... but he said we'll spend these days together and when he can he'll come back here home to see me again... He is so handsome, and so sweet, if you knew!"
" Ah though! Well guys...not all together... I have to slowly get used to the idea of seeing you all settled down!"
" Don't worry aunt...we've seen each other a couple of times and we're not that pressed for time!"
" Ah well.. Well call your sister...if we have to make this toast!"
" You know...I think it's going to take them a while...I saw them going toward the barn... he'll want to show them the little foal!"
" Yes, of course, the little foal!" said Josh scoffing.
" Guys ... I mean ... whatever! let's wait for them to come back!"
--
At the Gant house
The crowing of the rooster decreed the 'beginning of a new day.
The mood a Gant house was as serene as it had ever been in recent years.
Orville was making coffee and, for the occasion, the sheriff, had sent Tommy to the sweet emporium to get some pastries ... and some strawberry cakes, which Tommy liked so much.
He laid them on a saucer and put them on the tray with the coffee and reached Luke's room.
They still had not spoken to each other since the day of the duel challenge; when she had woken up, he was at work, and when she had returned, he was already asleep. He knocked softly and entered.
" Sshh, easy pop, still asleep.
" Still? Ah though! Well let him rest.
Here I brought some coffee, milk and pastries--with blackberry jam!"
" Mmhh dad! Something tells me you were eavesdropping the other night!"
"Actually I was inside the room, at the door...but you were so busy you didn't notice me!"
" Oh sorry!"
Luke opened his eyes.
" Good morning Luke!"
" Good morning! - looked at Orville and then turned to Hillary -... what was it you were going to say the 'other night?"
" Are you okay today, honey?"
" Hillary!!! I'm fine, thank you..but...don't play dumb...did I ask you a question?"
She smiled mischievously at him then with her eyes gestured to the pastries on the tray!
He looked at them and burst out laughing, trying on his own, to relieve himself.
" Ouch, ouch!" he said bringing his hand to his shoulder, in pain.
" Well it serves you well snooping!"
" Is that how you say good morning to me?"
" Oh, excuse me!" She leaned over him and gave him a chaste kiss on the mouth.
At that moment Tommy walked in.
" Bleh, gross!"
" Get out of here, you meddling brat!"
"Hillary, please! Hi Tommy!"
" Hi Luke...now that everything is settled, will you stay with us, forever and marry..that one?"
" Like that one there...I swear if I catch you..."
" Calm down Hillary...! Let's say we need to discuss a few things but...yeah, I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other from now on!"
"Yay...how nice... well I just stopped by to say hi, now I have to go to school...bye...see you when I get back?"
" I think so... I have an idea that your sister won't let me move from here for quite a while!"
" You can say that again! Any objections?"
" For goodness sake...and then it's not that bad!"
" Well I'm off, bye!"
" Bye Tommy!"
" What were you saying before Luke...should I be worried?"
" About what?"
" That we need to discuss some things!"
' No, nothing much... just that we have to think about it...the wedding...where we are going to live etc.!"
" Ah yeah, yeah...I was already ...!"
" Getting nervous...I guess! No, nothing will stand in our way now, I promise!"
" Oh Luke!" she hugged him impetuously, without much consideration.
" Ouch ouch , easy, it hurts.
" Oh sorry honey!"
" Is something wrong guys?" Orville came, having heard Luke's moaning.
"No, pops, it's my fault--I got carried away and couldn't remember his shoulder!"
" Would you help me up a little, just to be able to eat breakfast!"
" Sure...easy eh Hillary, take it from underneath!"
"Ouch ouch ouch! That's it, that's enough! Phew!"-she gasped from the effort.
" Does it hurt that much?"
" A little!"
" Well, I'll leave you guys, I'm going to the office, I've got a mountain of paperwork to fill out for the extradition request and the 'Bounty Collection!"
" The Collection of Bounties?"
"Sure guys, between Gruner and Tomaz we've made quite a collection! It will be a nice little treasure for your future!"
" Yeah, I didn't think of that! how much is that, $15,000 each if I'm not mistaken! Although we'll have to give maybe something to Hutch and Thorne. How are you doing by the way ?"
" About the same as you. He's in the hotel, he didn't want me to bring him here."
"When are they leaving? I should go and thank them.-he tried to get up - Ouch ouch!"
" Hey hey stop right there!
" No, I think it's still a little early to get up Luke...!"
" Sure Orville, but I also have to send a telegram home to tell them I'm okay...well sort of!"
" Don't worry, I've notified the sheriff in Teton. I told him to notify your family members.
Well I'm going, I'll leave you two alone." He went out.
" May I know how long you plan to keep me in this bed?"
" Don't tell me you're already in a hurry to get up!
The doctor said one week of complete rest and this is only the second day!"
" okay, okay, all right, you're right! "
" What--unheard?"
" You want me to scream...YOU ARE RIGHT!"
" Sshhh, ok I heard" She walked up to him and kissed him on the cheek.
She went back to the coffee table and poured him coffee and gave him some. She took a jam pastry and.
" Now open your mouth...come on, come on you have to eat if you want to get your strength back and get out of bed."
" Blackberry jam... is that what I think it is?"
"What if it is?"
"As if it were-isn't it already established?"!
" Do you know what I mean?"
" Yes ... okay fine, you win ... I must have said something like that the 'other night, are you happy?"
He smiled.. " Yes, very, Thank you ... also for your thoughtfulness!"
" No, thanks to you, Luke...Dad told me how things went and for the second time I have to thank you that if it wasn't for you, he would be dead... twice already!"
" Did he tell you this?"
"Yes!
You think now we could really...!"
" Hmm what?"
" Come on, you get it!"
"Yes I got it! "
" So what? I hope you haven't ...!"
" I didn't reconsider ... you mean?
"mmh?"
" Sshh say no more ... that's a yes, of course!"
" Oh Luke, I'm so happy!"
" Tell me about it, I didn't get my hopes up...I was afraid I'd be an outlaw for life, you know!"
" I told you ... it could be in a day..."
" ... a week, a month, a lifetime ... I will wait for you! I thank God that moment is coming." He caressed her, lifted her chin with two fingers and kissed her, a long, sweet kiss.
" Now I'm going to go over there and settle down...you get some rest."
" At your orders!"
" Silly ... but ... I like you already, like this!"
" Don't get your hopes up too high honey!"
" And you be on your guard!"