Blood Money
by Holly
Chapter Six
It was five days later that Jess rode back towards the Sherman Ranch and Relay Station.
He was wet, cold, and hungry after trailing Anders into the badlands. He'd finally lost Anders' trail two days back. He had circled around in an ever increasing circuit, but he recognized that he was up against a skilled tracker who knew all the tricks to avoid leaving any trace of his passage. If there was one thing Jess knew, it was that he was wasting his time trying to pick up the trail any longer.
He was angry with himself. He really wanted to help Slim, to try to repay him for his unconditional friendship, something Jess hadn't really known in years.
But all he had done was lose five days. Five days Slim had been without his help repairing the storm damage around the ranch.
Jess felt bad. He had let Slim down, and for what? Nothing.
He cursed as Traveler slithered and slid down the soggy slope leading to the Laramie road. The weather was beginning to deteriorate again. Dark clouds rolled across the sky and although it wasn't yet evening, the light was poor.
It had been the kind of day to be by the fire, sipping coffee, exchanging tall tales, repairing harness, cleaning the guns, even helping Slim do the books. Anything but being out on the trail with a wet shirt sticking to your back, and feet so cold you couldn't feel your toes. Jonesy would be cooking up some wonderful delight for supper, and Andy would be getting in the way trying to be helpful. A smile crossed the tired, lean face. Jess was looking forward to getting home. Home... he savoured the word despite the roasting he would probably get from Slim.
But for how much longer would it actually be his home? Or Slim's for that matter?
If Slim lost the ranch, he'd probably take Andy and go down to Kansas to the relatives he often talked about, and Jess would be back on the drift.
He'd tasted what a family life could be, and now it looked as if that was going to be snatched away. It tore at his guts to think he may never be riding home like this again.
He turned at the bend in the road. Below the twinkling lights of the house glowed to greet him. He pulled Traveler up and sat as rain began to fall, dripping from the brim of his hat. He just stared down at the small ranch house, small by most standards. He had worked much larger spreads, but this was special...this he called home.
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