Fury of the Plains

By Dallas Releford

JENNY REILLY is a beautiful, young schoolteacher who owns a farm in Iowa in the 1870s. She is strong, self-reliant and independent. She is reluctant to give up those attributes for anyone. When ISAAC SIMPSON, an unscrupulous land grabber evicts her parents from their farm, they move in with her. Faced with additional responsibilities, she seeks the help of NATHAN STEWART, a wealthy rancher who is determined to remain single and maintain his independence. His stubbornness and lack of consideration for her feelings leads to constant conflict between the two. However, deep inside they really love each other, but are reluctant to admit it.
Simpson, the antagonist, murders her father, mother and brother because her father is the organizer of a Farmer’s Protection Association, and is working against him. Jenny, Nathan and her two younger sisters are witnesses. On the advice of Nathan’s lawyer, they seek sanctuary at his ranch in Kansas. The lawyer wants them to testify against Simpson, but fears Simpson will kill them if they remain in Bedford, Iowa.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dallas Releford
• Release date: Feb 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465707895

Book preview

Fury of the Plains

By:

DALLAS RELEFORD

Published by

Dallas Releford at Smashwords.com

Fury of the Plains

Copyright (C) 2011 Dallas Releford

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This book is a work of fiction. References to real people, places, events, organizations, areas, or locations are intended to provide a feeling of authenticity and are used in a fictitious manner. All other characters, dialogue and incidents are drawn from the author’s imagination and shouldn’t be accepted as real.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without explicit permission from the author or publisher except in brief quotations used in an article or in a similar way.

Smashwords Edition, License notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. The ebook may not be re-sold or given to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Dedication

I would like to thank my wife Sharon for her understanding while I was writing this book. Her suffering is finally over. Mine goes on. She passed away on August 18, 2010. She is dearly missed.

I would also like to thank my agent and typist, Harriet Smith and Martin Smith, my advisor and typist. Their hard work and dedication has made this book much better than it would have been without them.

Credit is also due to my agent and editor, Dana Reed and my financial advisor Ova Helton, Jr. for their sound advice.

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Fury of the Plains

Chapter 1

The men spoke in hushed whispers as they stood in the shade of the giant tree near the edge of town in Bedford, Iowa. They glanced around occasionally to see if anyone else was nearby. The tall man dressed in a white three-piece suit, white wide-brimmed hat, and a blue flashy tie took a handkerchief from his coat pocket and wiped the sweat from his forehead. The noon sun made it hot, even in the shade. The fact that he was dealing with a ruthless, dangerous man made him perspire. He didn’t leave the office in St. Louis much, however, when he did go into the field, it was on important business. The palms of his hands were wet. As he nervously argued with Simpson, he wiped them on his suit.

When are you going to get that Reilly property for me, Isaac? The smaller man in the black business suit with the bulging stomach asked grimacing as he stared into the cold eyes of the man standing before him like a statue.

Within a few days, Walker, Isaac Simpson replied. Quit your worrying. Don’t I always deliver?

How can I help but worry? Time’s running out for us … and I need that property. It’s in a prime location. The boss said to get it, one way or the other.

Tell the boss to quit worrying, Floyd, Simpson told him.

He doesn’t really worry because he leaves the worrying to us. The boss doesn’t like it when we don’t keep with the timetable. What will you do if they don’t sell the property to you?

Kill them like I did all the rest, I reckon, Isaac said smiling. His thin lips turned up into a small curl at each end then quickly became just a thin straight line beneath his black, narrow moustache. Just kill them … take the property if there isn’t any other way of doing it.

Floyd Walker didn’t particularly like Isaac Simpson. Reluctantly, he had learned to tolerate him because he was a necessary part of the organization. As he walked down the dusty street, he wondered just how much he could trust the man that was willing to kill anyone that got in his way. He put the thoughts into the back of his mind realizing that his only objective was to get the land, and Isaac Simpson was the person that was responsible for getting it for him. He would just have to guard his back and guard it well. The ambitious Isaac Simpson concerned him.

* * *

Sarah Reilly put the last of the food for breakfast on the table in front of her family, and finally sat down herself. Her husband Andrew looked at her with his sapphire blue eyes and smiled at her. She knew that was his way of showing his appreciation for the hard work that she’d done. Mrs. Reilly was grateful that she had such a wonderful family. She missed Jenny, the oldest of the three girls. Her absence from her life couldn’t be helped because Jenny had left home a couple of years ago. Jenny was doing just fine. She owned the farm next to theirs and visited when she could. Mrs. Reilly still missed her. The two girls, Karen and Lisa were busy talking about personal secrets in low whispers. They talked quietly about boys and other girls that they knew. They discussed what they did or didn’t like about them. Those secrets were theirs, and they didn’t want to share them with the rest of the family. Peter, the only son of Sarah and Andrew Reilly was busy watching the girls hoping to catch a little of their conversation. Maybe he could tease them about it later. It was just another way to pass the time.

Jenny was the oldest of the four children. Mrs. Reilly had given birth to Peter two years after Jenny was born. Karen was now sixteen, just old enough to be interested in the things that young girls were interested in. She was mostly interested in finding the right man and raising a family, just like her parents. She had other interests too such as reading. Arbitrarily, the farm life kept her busy and she had little time to do that. Lisa had just celebrated her eleventh birthday and loved to ride her horse, sew and visit her big sister Jenny.

What you got planned for this afternoon Andrew? Sarah asked her ailing husband.

Pete and I are going into Bedford a little later to see the bank … uh … about our account. I’m going to see the doctor this morning, too. He said something about that special medicine was supposed to be coming in. It will help keep my TB from driving me crazy. We should be back by about three.

Sarah thought back to the time a few months ago when they’d learned that Andrew had TB. The doctor had told her and Andrew that he might live for a year, and then again, he might live longer. Regardless, they should be prepared for the inevitable.

Their daughter Jenny had suggested that they sell the farm and move in with her. They’d decided that they wanted to hold onto the farm for as long as possible. Sarah felt proud of her oldest daughter Jenny because she’d gone to school and become a schoolteacher. She had saved her money and bought a nice little farm next to theirs. Jenny had managed to run the farm by herself, and had managed to make a little money doing it.

Are you sure you’re up to that Andrew? she asked as she got up and poured them some more coffee.

I don’t have much choice, Sarah, he said. I need that medicine, and we got to get that payment taken care of. The bank won’t wait forever for their money. I think I can talk Mr. Bentley into helping us out. He seems to be a nice sort of man.

As they talked, they heard horses coming up the road toward the farmhouse. Now who can that be this time of day? Pete asked getting up from the table and going to the window."

Who is it, Peter, Sarah asked sitting back down at the table.

It’s the sheriff, Ma, he said, and I don’t know who the other man is with him.

Peter opened the front door that led into the living room next to the kitchen where they were enjoying their noon meal. The sheriff and another man stood there facing him. They weren’t smiling and that worried Peter. They want to talk to you, Pa, Peter informed him nervously.

Mr. Reilly got painfully, slowly up from the table and walked toward the front door to see what was going on. Come on in and have a little breakfast, sheriff, Andrew invited him. And, bring your friend there with you.

No time for that, Andy, the sheriff said and Andrew noticed that he wasn’t smiling. The sheriff, Moses Hill was always friendly with him, but not on this hot, late summer day. Andrew wondered what was bothering him.

What can I do for you, Moses? Andrew asked as they walked into the kitchen. Andrew didn’t know the tall man with the dark eyes, long peaked nose and the thin moustache who didn’t seem to have a mouth. His mouth was just a curved line where lips should be. Andrew sensed something sinister about the man. He just couldn’t put his finger on it.

Sorry to interrupt your meal. There is a little matter that I need to get taken care of, Andy, the sheriff said shifting his feet and staring at the floor. It seems that you’ve been late on the payments on your farm and this gentlemen, Mr. Isaac Simpson has taken over the mortgage on the property. What that means is that I have to serve this eviction notice on you and your family. You have thirty days to leave the farm or we’ll have to move you off. I’m sorry to have to do this to you, but the law is the law.

Andrew felt the bottom fall out of his world. Wasn’t it bad enough that he was going to die and leave his family? Now he was going to lose his farm as well. What kind of law is it that takes a man’s farm away from him? he asked. Moses Hill didn’t say a word. I was going into town to see the banker today … … and get this straightened out. Isn’t there any way that I can still do that sheriff?

Afraid not, Andy, the sheriff said gruffly not seeming to care about what Andy was going to do. He just wanted to get the business over with, and get on back to town.

The tall man next to him gawked at Andrew with a coldness that he’d never seen in a man. No chance, Mr. Reilly, he told Andrew, and I expect to take possession of the property by the end of the month.

I’ll get a lawyer and fight this thing, Andy promised them. I’m not going to lose something that I’ve worked so hard for. Why, my whole life is tied up in this property.

That’s not my concern, Simpson said, and I’ll be back in thirty days on the nose to take possession. You’d better be out or I’ll throw you all out.

* * *

What are we going to do Andrew? Sarah asked as they sat around the table talking about what had happened. Why does this Simpson want our property?

Oh, I don’t know … … Sarah, Andrew said slowly. I’ve heard some rumors about him. Of course, you know how that goes. I’ve heard that he’s buying all the land he can get and that he’s taking what he can’t buy. I’m going into town with Pete to see what I can find out from the banker, and we’ll pay a visit to the lawyer in town. Mr. Jefferson has always helped us in our time of need, so maybe he can do something about this.

Well, you be careful. I’m going to send the girls over to tell Jenny what’s happened. She’s still part of the family and has a right to know about such things.

* * *

The sheriff said what? Jenny asked as she pulled the saddle from her horse Nature and threw it over the wooden fence by the barn. She’d put it away later when she had more time. For now, she was interested in what the girls were saying.

The sheriff and some man named Isaac Simpson came to the farm about two hours ago. The sheriff said that we have to move out because daddy hasn’t been making the payments on the farm. Simpson said that he had bought the mortgage … or something like that.

I thought they had the farm paid off a long time ago, Jenny said pushing her long, silky brown hair back over her shoulders with both hands as she turned around to face her younger sisters. Her dark brown eyes focused on the two girls as she studied them intently trying to understand what they were talking about.

They did have it paid off, Jenny. When dad got sick they had to borrow more money from the bank. They’ve been making payments on that. Mom said that they’re only one payment behind.

Well, why didn’t they tell me about that and I would have lent them the money? Jenny asked.

I guess they were too proud to ask their oldest daughter, Lisa said shyly. Dad has really been feeling bad and can’t do much. The brisk wind blew her long, blond hair into her face and she had to fight constantly to keep it out of her azure blue eyes. Lisa adored her older sister Jenny because she thought that she was so beautiful. She only hoped that she could be like Jenny when she grew up. She didn’t want her temper because when Jenny was angry, Lisa didn’t like being around her.

Where are they now?

Daddy and Pete have gone to town to talk to the lawyer and the banker, Karen said. Daddy hopes that he can talk the lawyer into doing something.

Fat chance, Jenny said, if what I’ve heard about Isaac Simpson is true. He’s been buying up all the land he can get his hands on. I just can’t figure out why. Well, give me a chance to get my horse saddled, and we’ll go over there, and see what we can do.

As Jenny saddled Nature once again, she was thinking about her family and how lucky she was to have them. She recalled that she’d made her mind up a long time ago that if she was going to make it in the world, she was going to have to get tough and stay that way. So far, that toughness had allowed her to make it where most other women would have failed. Not many woman would even tackle running a farm all by themselves. She’d managed quite well, so far. She wasn’t going to let any slick outlaw take it away from her. Now, she was more worried about her parents losing their property than she was about losing her own farm. A sudden frown developed across her beautiful lips as she tightened the straps on the saddle. The news she’d just heard began to worry her. Her slim body hardly seemed capable of doing all the hard work that she’d done on the farm. Somehow, she always seemed to manage even though it was tough at times.

Jenny glanced at the two girls who were still sitting patiently on their own horses waiting for her to saddle Nature and join them. She hoped they’d never have to experience the rough life that she had been through. Unfortunately, she couldn’t see any way out of it unless they got a good education. She made it a point to talk to them about their future when she got the chance. After all, she was a teacher, and she wanted them to have a better life than she had had so far.

She often worried about them as well as her parents. Karen was old enough to be married and have her own family. Due to the strict principles of her parents, she would have to wait a little longer. They didn’t believe in their daughters marrying at a young age although many young women on the plains were already married by the time they were sixteen. Jenny knew that Karen had most of her father’s features including the sapphire blue eyes and warm brown hair as well as the loving, understanding attitude that made Jenny love him so much.

The thought of her father made her work that much harder and the saddle was finally secured to Nature. As she swung her lean, shapely body up into the saddle, she wondered what kind of future faced them all. Would her toughness, her independent attitude and her common sense be able to get them through the hard times or would her old self, the one that was easily influenced, weak and caring show up again and cause her more grief? She didn’t know, but she did know that whatever she had to do that she was going to do it to protect her family.

* * *

As the three sisters neared the Reilly homestead, they saw that the old black buggy that Mr. Reilly had been using was parked in front of the house. The horses were still hitched to the buggy. Didn’t you say that Pete and Pa were in Bedford? Jenny asked.

They left before we did, Karen said looking worried.

They dismounted in front of the front porch and tied their horses to the hitching rail. I don’t know why they’re back so soon.

Jenny’s heart almost stopped when they entered the dark kitchen that was lit only by the light coming from the front door and the two windows that allowed light to enter. Pete was sitting by the table and Sarah was cleaning several deep cuts on his face. His nose was bleeding. Blood was splattered on his white shirt and on his face. Pete was holding an old rag up to his injured nose trying to stop the bleeding. Mr. Reilly was sitting in a chair nearby his face as pallid as a sheet.

What happened to Pete? Are you okay, Pa? Jenny asked almost out of breath.

Pete will be okay. I’m fine, Jenny, her father said. Jenny could see the stress and the effects of the disease that was slowly killing him.

What happened?

We went to Bedford to get my medicine … and … and to see the lawyer. Things went fine, at first. While I was in the bank, Peter had a little entanglement with Simpson. Simpson beat him up. I filed a charge against Simpson with the sheriff. He didn’t seem to care. Simpson just walks around the town like he owns it.

Well, that takes care of it, Jenny said fuming, and that settles it once and for all. You’re all moving over to my farm. We’re going to see a lawyer about this. I’ll go into town myself and I just dare Simpson or anyone else to bother me. I’ll put a bullet in their legs so they can’t walk anymore.

Just calm down, Jenny, her mother said putting a bandage around Pete’s head. Things will work out. Jenny … … we don’t want to put all that added responsibility on you. You have enough to worry about.

Right, Mother, Jenny said, and I’d have less to worry about if I knew my family was safe.

Yes, but how will you take care of all of us? Your father is sick and I can’t do much except cook and take care of the house. The girls and Pete will be able to help. You need to hire someone to help you out on that farm.

I can’t afford it, Ma, Jenny explained. One of the reasons I’ve been able to make it is because I haven’t hired any hands to help me. I’ve done all the work myself. I can’t really afford to hire anyone else. Maybe I can take on someone part time until things get better. That’s a possibility, I suppose. I can’t afford much more than that.

You need to get married, Karen said. You need to find a good tall, handsome, strong man to help you, she added smiling.

I’ve been trying to tell her that for years, Sarah said, but she doesn’t listen.

Now look, Mother, I’m twenty-four years old and capable of deciding when I need a man, Jenny said angrily managing to keep her voice down remembering that she didn’t want to upset her father any more than he already was. Every man that I’ve ever been interested in hasn’t met with your approval.

Well, you have to find a good one, Sarah advised.

Will you women quit your bickering, Andy said. We have some more important things to consider here, not that Jenny’s love life isn’t important. We have to decide what we can and can’t do. I would suggest that Jenny ride over and see Nathan Stewart. He has a big ranch. Maybe he can help us out until things get better. He helped me one summer. Nathan seems to be a reasonable feller.

Do you mean that man that helped you with the hay that year and nearly burned the barn down with that pipe he smokes? Jenny asked. He was so awkward, shy and stubborn. I recall that he was strong and handsome, or that’s the way I remember him. He seemed like he was independent too. I guess it’s nice that he has some good points.

That’s him, Andrew said ignoring her comments, and I understand that he got rid of the pipe after he burned down his outhouse with it.

They all laughed despite the seriousness of the situation. Oh, I remember that man, Karen said. He was the one that Jenny liked. She never did tell him.

I did not like him, Jenny protested. He’s as stubborn as a mule and smells just about as bad as one.

You’d smell like a mule too if you worked as hard as one, Karen said.

Oh, I wasn’t aware that he worked that hard, Jenny said.

He’s really a good worker and he owns quite a bit of land, Andy informed her enthusiastically. He might just be the person that can help you, Jenny, he added.

Forget it, Pa, Jenny said. I just don’t think that Mr. Stewart and I would get along for very long. He’s just too independent and sure of himself. At least, that was the way he was when he worked for you. I don’t see him changing that much. He probably wouldn’t even listen to me.

At least you can go over and talk to him, Sarah suggested. Nobody says that you have to do anything Jenny. You do need help, and maybe Nathan can help you or maybe he can lend you one of his men to help us.

Okay, if you all insist, Jenny said almost in tears. She knew that all the added responsibility would be more than she could bear. Her father was sick and would need constant care. Were they trying to get her interested in Nathan Stewart? Jenny recalled that when he had worked for her father that the family had constantly teased her about him. She was her own woman now and she was old enough to decide when she was ready to find a man. When she did find one, he would be somebody that would treat her with respect. Nathan had ignored her most of the time he’d worked on the farm. I’ll go over there this afternoon, but first, we have to get Pete all fixed up and taken care of.

He’s fine, Sarah said, just you take care of your own business. Let us worry about Peter.

What about your medicine, Pa? Jenny asked. Did that come in yet?

It’s coming in by stagecoach tomorrow Jenny. One of us will have to get it from the doctor when it gets there. He said to check back about noon.

Fine, I’ll go get it tomorrow. I just want that Isaac Simpson to say one word to me, Jenny said furiously with a fiery look in her eyes.

You better get going, Andy said, "it’ll be dark before you make your mind up to go see Nathan Stewart.

Yes, Pa, Jenny said, I’m going. I don’t know what good it will do to talk to a mule.

* * *

Jenny had never been to Nathan Stewart’s ranch. She’d been by it on her way to Bedford many times. Her Pa was right. The ranch was enormous, beautiful and he had many cattle. Jenny wondered how Nathan managed to take care of so much property. She had struggled just to take care of her small farm, however, she didn’t have the help that Nathan had. Nathan had one of the few ranches in the area since most of the people in that part of Taylor County chose to farm instead. He raised horses that he mostly shipped south to Texas where they were used on the cattle ranches and were sold to private owners. She saw lots of cattle, horses, and even a few hogs as she rode down the long road that led to the ranch house.

It was a large, white frame house with several barns and other buildings behind it. She was impressed with the size of the place and was surprised to see that it was so well kept. She hadn’t expected Nathan Stewart to be one that would keep up anything. Jenny she was willing to give him that much credit. Maybe he had finally grown up?

As she rode up to the front of the house, she didn’t see anyone that looked like Nathan Stewart. Jenny did see a couple of cowboys taking care of some horses in the corral near the barn. She nudged Nature and she responded by walking toward the cowboys. I’m looking for Nathan Stewart, she told them. Do you know where he is?

Yep, sure do, one of them replied.

Well, where is he? Jenny asked impatient to get it over with.

He’s up on the north slope bringing some more cattle down to send to market, he replied. He should be here in a little while if you want to wait.

Just tell me how to find him, Jenny said. I don’t have much time to wait.

She rode north in the direction the smiling cowboy had pointed hoping to catch Nathan Stewart before he left the area. She didn’t want to spend all morning chasing him around the ranch. She had other problems to deal with. Jenny finally found him at the bottom of a range of long hills trying to round up about twenty cows. The livestock seemed to have other intentions. As she rode up to him, he either didn’t see her or ignored her approach.

Jenny sat on her horse watching his erratic efforts at trying to round up the cattle. She couldn’t help smiling at his comic antics. Still the same old Nathan, she thought. He hasn’t changed a bit. He waved his coiled rope at the creatures trying to usher them in one direction while they went the opposite way. Jenny removed her own rope from her saddle and rode past Nathan who still ignored her. It seemed that he was obsessed with driving the cattle down the valley and nothing, not even a beautiful, well formed woman was going to stop him. Jenny waved her rope at the cattle in front of her. They turned back in his direction. Nathan managed to keep the line of wild animals going south, down the valley. Jenny followed her own little group of animals until they had joined in with the ones Nathan was herding.

Are you Nathan Stewart? Jenny asked riding up beside him as he continued to wave the cattle on.

Who wants to know? He queried still riding the horse beside the cattle that were now somewhat calmed down and taking their time.

Jenny, she said, Jenny Reilly. I live on the third farm down the road. I used to live with my father and mother, Sarah and Andrew Reilly. You worked for my father one summer.

Oh, you’re that little girl that laughed at me when I almost burned the barn down, he said laughing.

Yep, that was me. I’m not a little girl anymore, she said managing to ride up beside him as he stopped his horse.

I can see that, Nathan said. It looks like time has been good to you.

In some ways, Jenny said. I have problems that I’m hoping that you can help me with.

I’d be glad to help, Miss Reilly, he said, but as you can see, I have a few problems of my own.

I can see that, Jenny agreed. But, why do you want a ranch in Taylor County, Iowa? It looks like there would be better grazing land in some place like Kansas.

My father owned this land, he said. I watched him work himself into the ground from daylight to dark, six days a week and I thought that there must be a better way of making a living than that. I found a way. I love horses and I raise the best that can be raised. I found a market for them when the cattle drives from Texas to Kansas were really going big. I still get a little business from the ranchers down there. My primary market now is with the stage lines, private owners and people who just want a good horse.

Looks like you’re doing quite well at it, Jenny said.

Pretty good, he agreed. Miss Reilly, I’m sure you didn’t come here to discuss my business with me. What is it that you want of me?

Jenny didn’t really like his attitude and never had. He seemed so cold sometimes, was undeniably determined to be as independent as he possibly could be, and seemed to take pleasure in making her angry. Was that because he liked to see her angry or did he just derive pleasure from her discomfort? She wasn’t sure what it was. Whatever it was, she didn’t particularly like it. She was amused by his awkwardness and sensed that he was still just a little shy.

She told him about her parent’s trouble and how Simpson had bought the mortgage from the bank and had given her parents the eviction notice. He sat quietly on his horse staring into her deep brown eyes as she told him how Simpson had beaten up her brother who was half his size. Jenny had to fight back the tears because she didn’t want Nathan Stewart to see her crying. She could feel his eyes on her and was embarrassed that she was about to cry. She took a deep breath and brushed the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand hoping that he wouldn’t notice. Jenny tried not to show any emotion as she spoke knowing that the slightest quivering of her voice might gave her away.

Well, Jenny, Nathan said, I still don’t know what you want me to do?

I want you to work for me. I can use all the help that I can get and my father suggested that I talk to you, she said. I need help and I’m willing to pay for it. It wouldn’t be forever or full-time, just long enough for me to get this mess straightened out. I’m pretty sure that once a judge hears our side of the story that my parents will get their land back.

Well, I’ll do what I can for you. Well … uh … I’ve met this Simpson a couple of times. He’s tried to get me to sell my ranch, too. I flatly refused. He’s determined, and he’s dangerous. I just want to go into town and take him by the neck and beat him into a piece of bloody meat for what he did to your family. You just say the word and that’s exactly what I’ll do, Jenny.

No, Nathan, Jenny protested, that won’t do any good. I intend to take Simpson to court over what he did to my family. The important thing now is that I can use all the help with the farm that I can get. Jenny sat on Nature studying the tall, slim blond-haired man sitting on his horse facing her. His azure blue eyes were focused on her, and she thought she could detect a hint of determination in those eyes. Jenny thought that he was the type of person that would never stop until he did what he had intended doing.

That’s fine, Jenny, he said. I was just offering to help. I can leave the ranch in the capable hands of Martin Clark. He’s a good manager, and I guess I owe all of my success to him. He used to be an accountant until he got tired of it and decided that he wanted to live in the great outdoors. He takes care of the books and the money matters. I have a good lawyer in Bedford, however, I think that Simpson has the law there in his pocket. I just can’t figure out why Simpson wants all the land. I know that it means trouble for all of us.

I think the trouble has already started, Jenny said, and I don’t think that it’s going to be over for a very long time.

Nathan nodded his head in agreement and they talked some more as they rode toward the ranch. Would you like to stay for supper? Nathan asked.

I have to get back to the farm. The offer is appreciated though. I guess I better get the family ready to move in with me. I hope it’s only temporary, she said. My father is very sick and I have him to be concerned with, too. I’m just happy that I have him where I can be with him in his last days.

That’s sad, Nathan agreed. I’ll be over there the first thing in the morning to help with whatever I can.

Come to my place, Jenny said. I’m taking them with me tonight. I don’t think I trust that Simpson enough to leave them there for even one more night.

* * *

Leaving what property they couldn’t load into the old wagon and pack on the backs of four horses, they made their way down the old wagon road across the Reilly’s property to where Jenny had her farm. The Reilly family used the old road often since it was a shortcut between the two farms. Jenny led the way on Nature with Pete leading the packhorses and the two girls driving the old wagon. Mr. Reilly and Sarah followed the wagon