Los Piños

By L. E. Thissell

Randy Trent and Blaine Creswell thought that they had ridden into Heaven. They ate better, and were better paid, than on any other spread they had ever worked. Yes, the Spear-L was a cowboy's Paradise. And, when Randy fell in love with Sandra, both men knew that they would make this their home.

But when evil came to Paradise, only blood would answer. Justice must be done, even if you are the last man standing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. E. Thissell
• Release date: Feb 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224684397

Book preview

This book is dedicated to my father, the owner of the real Spear-L.

Richard. L. Thissell

You have been my inspiration in more ways than you can ever imagine.

1

Mark Lintol stood on the edge of his porch, just under the awning. He studied the clear dawn sky that held only a few sparse clouds, drifting by far overhead. The morning had a crisp feel that presaged the coming first frost but promised to be pleasantly warm, typical for an early-Fall day in the Los Piños country.

He spied a thin plume of dust rising up just over the hill, perhaps three hundred yards distant, from the road toward Gunnison. As he watched two riders appeared, their horses jogging along lightly.

Barry, he called out, we’ve got company.

A younger man joined him from inside of the house, settling his hat onto his brow. Probably wanting to hire on for the winter.

The two stood side by side, father and son. The elder was tall and thin, with a mane of silver hair and a full mustache on a weathered tan face. The younger was shorter and sturdier, with smile crinkles already forming at the corners of his blue eyes.

Two hands wandered out of the bunkhouse and laved their faces in a basin beside the door. One said something low, and they both turned to look at the incoming riders.

Well, said Mark, with humor in his voice, this will be your first hire decision. Think you can handle it?

Yeah, Dad, chuckled Barry, I think I can deal with this.

Mark clapped his son on the shoulder. They stood in silence, waiting. The two riders pulled up in front of the house. One was a bit older, more weathered and of slight build, while the younger one was more muscular and smoother faced.

Good morning, spoke the heavier man. If this is the Lintol spread, we heard in Gunnison that you could use some hands for the fall roundup.

Barry immediately felt an affinity for these two and had learned, under Mark’s upbringing, to consider his gut feeling. Well, he said, we can use some more hands if you’re steady.

Both Barry and Mark noted the well-worn but also well-maintained equipment that these two newcomers had. The saddles and bridles were in top shape and the lassos showed signs of being frequently used, but not frayed. The horses, one a bay and the other sorrel, were obviously solid mounts and cared for with an attentive eye.

The two riders smiled at each other, and then the thinner man spoke. We came out of a spread on the Verde, near Jerome. We got a hankerin’ to see some new country, to see what was over the next hill. We headed off this spring, after the cows were turned out. We were there about a year. He smiled. If you can use us, we know our business.

Barry studied them for a moment, and then nodded. All right. He laid his hand on his father’s shoulder. This is my Dad, Mark Lintol. He owns this place. I’m Barry Lintol, and I ramrod it. His face took on a serious cast. You need to know; we pay more than double of anybody else around, but we only keep the best. If you’re good hands, you’ll be welcome. If not... he shrugged, I won’t hesitate to let you go.

The two riders nodded at each other. Sounds fair, said one. They dismounted and dropped the reins. The thinner man thrust out his hand to Barry. I’m Blaine Creswell, and my partner is Randy Trent.

The four shook hands and then Barry turned to Mark. Well, unless you got something else, I’ll go introduce them and show them the bunkhouse.

Mark shook his head. Nope, I’m good. He turned a twinkling eye toward the new hands. Breakfast will be on in about twenty minutes. Good timing, boys. He turned and re-entered the house.

C’mon, said Barry, stepping off the porch. You want to see to your horses? We have a good remuda if you want to let them have a day off.

Both shook their heads. Naw, said Blaine, we’ll just water ‘em up. They need the exercise. Especially mine – Joe is a bit green and needs the extra attention.

They quickly loosened the cinches and led their mounts to the water tank next to a windmill. The horses drank deeply and then blew soft snorts of contentment. The cowboys tied them off to the corral close by, and took their bedrolls.

A couple more men had joined the two already outside by the time Barry approached with Blaine and Randy. Morning, boys, he said cheerfully. we got a couple of new hands.

Introductions were made and then Barry escorted the two newcomers into the bunkhouse. He introduced them to several more hands inside, seven in all. Afterwards, he told them that he would see them in a few minutes, and left. Randy and Blaine quickly chose two empty bunks and dropped their rolls onto them.

Time for chuck, called out one of the crew, as the men left the bunkhouse.

Blaine grinned at Randy. Now we’ll see if we made a wise decision or not.

Randy chuckled. I know; remember that place about three years ago? I could barely gag that stuff down.

They trailed after the rest of the crew, into a large lean-to off of one side of the main house. Once inside, tantalizing smells greeted them. They nodded at each other in appreciation. The men were sitting down at two long tables. Mark and Barry were already seated at the end of one.

Mounds of fried meat and a large pot of beans on each table wafted aromatic steam. To the new riders’ delight, there were several loaves of hot bread and, wonders of wonders, butter. To their further amazement, a small Ute woman came in, bearing two large platters of fried eggs. She put one on each table.

Tom, said Mark to a Ute hand sitting next to him, I never get tired of telling you how lucky we are that your wife can feed us like this.

Tom smiled, his teeth gleaming in his dark face. Tavi can make a rock taste good. He patted Mark’s arm. It really helps that you have milk cows and chickens. Kind of rare for ranchers in these parts. He twitched his eyebrows and smacked his lips. And sometimes she makes some of our special stuff, just for me.

The men tackled the feast with gusto, knowing that their next meal would be many hours later, after long hard miles riding and doing all the work required on this large ranch. Blaine and Randy were more than happy to join them, and each considered this to be about the best-fed crew that they had ever seen. As the meal wound down, the men leaned back and exchanged small talk for a couple of minutes, most nursing one last cup of coffee.

Eric, spoke up Barry to a man sitting next to Randy, take these new hands with you and Tom up Rattle Ridge, and check the water. I imagine it will be starting to dry up one of these days. It’s your call if the beeves need moved or not.

Eric nodded. He was an average-looking man, with a shock of unruly red hair. Alright, he replied. He looked at Randy and Blaine. We’ll head out in about ten minutes.

Minutes later Tom, several hands getting ready and the two new hands on their horses, all watched with amusement as Eric fought his crow-hopping mount, feisty in the still-cool morning. The horse didn’t try very hard, but kept Eric busy for about thirty seconds.

After a couple of trots around the corral, Eric brought the horse to the gate. OK, boys, I think he’s warmed up. Randy opened the gate for him.

Tom leaned forward and patted his mount on the neck. I keep telling you, Eric, you just gotta know horses.

Yeah, yeah, replied Eric with a sarcastic snort. Is that what happened the other day? If I remember, he piled you before you even got a mile.

Well, laughed Tom, sometimes the horse knows me better than I know him.

The day warmed up quickly as the sun rose. The four rode up a gentle sloping hillside for about a half mile before the terrain steepened and turned rugged. After about a mile, they were riding up a narrow ravine.

When they broke out on top of a high rim, the valley spread before them. They let the horses blow for a minute and gazed down at the ranch buildings and at the mesa they were about to ride over.

We’ll spread out from here, said Eric. Randy, come with me; Blaine, go with Tom. We’re not at Rattle yet, but we’ll start checking things out here. Tom, we’ll meet up at Trail Springs.

The pairs separated and rode off. Eric and Tom pointed out landmarks and terrain features as they rode along. Once they had crossed the plateau, they entered a tree-covered expanse. Each pair checked waterholes and springs and increasing numbers of fat cows, calves and bulls until just before noon, when they all met at Trail Springs.

Tom and Blaine arrived first, and loosened their cinches as the horses drank deeply. The riders tied long lead-ropes to each mount, and pulled their bridles off to let them graze.

This is a nice spot, Tom, said Blaine, as they plopped down onto a shaded grassy area. Those cows all look good. There’s going to be some real work here in a few weeks; those calves are pretty solid.

Yeah, said Tom, Mark really knows what he’s doing, and Barry learned from him. He smiled. It’s a good place to work, if you’re a good hand.

Blaine nodded. I can see that. He started to roll a cigarette. So, Tavi’s your wife, huh?

Yep, answered Tom, we’ve been together about five years now. Mark really stood up for us, or we could’ve never left the res. He eased himself onto his back, and stared up at the blue sky, through the branches that spread above them. I owe him more than I can ever repay.

Well, drawled Blaine, She’s a mighty fine cook. That’s about the best food me and Randy have had, in all our movin’ around.

Eric and Randy showed up about fifteen minutes later, and did the same with their horses. The four sat in the shade, enjoying the day. They discussed the water and condition of the cows they had seen, as they relaxed and the horses grazed.

Finally, after about thirty minutes, Eric stood up. I don’t see any reason to move any of ‘em for now, he declared. The water’s good, and there’s still plenty of feed. He smiled down on the other three. I guess we’ll have a short day for once.

From where he was on his back, Tom smiled up at his friend. We need to enjoy it; in a few weeks we’ll be right at it. He let out a long contented sigh, and then scrambled to his feet. Well, let’s get going.

Randy and Blaine joined them. They all offered another drink to their horses and then tightened cinches and put the bridles back on their horses.

We need to go by Choke Creek on the way back, said Eric, after they had all swung up into their saddles. After that, we’ll head back. He eyed Tom. Now I expect you to sweet-talk Tavi into something good, maybe some pie or something, what with me getting you back so early and all.

Tom laughed. I will do my best. He glanced sideways at Blaine and Randy. She makes some bear sign that is better than anything you’ve ever had.

Randy stared at Blaine with wide eyes. Partner, we done hit the mother-lode.

2

As promised, the next few weeks brought longer and longer hours to the hard-working crew. The hands began to move herds into the lower country as the grass became sparse and the water started drying up.

Finally came the day when Barry sent all available hands out for several days of hard riding. Tavi set up a chuck wagon in a central spot, miles from the ranch. She had two hard-working boys as assistants that Barry had hired from Gunnison for the roundup. They kept her well-supplied with wood, and made trips to the ranch for supplies as needed. He also had hired two other young men to tend the remuda.

More than a week after they had started, the last of the far-flung cattle had been moved into the main valley for the last part of the roundup. They were separated into four large herds, awaiting the cutting and branding soon to come.

Mark and Barry worked right alongside their hands, each showing a deep understanding of their stock and dexterity with their ropes. For several days they sorted and branded, and tended sick and injured stock. The Lintol brand was the <-L, spoken as the Spear-L, and the irons were kept hot and busy.

On the second day, during the noon meal, Randy was squatting on his heels and finishing a plate of stew. Blaine was off with Eric, Barry and two other hands, pushing a bunch of yearlings back to where they belonged.

Randy and several more hands watched a buggy pull up, with two pretty young women in it. Who’s that? he asked Bill, sitting next to him.

That’s Clarisse and Sandra, from Gunnison, Bill replied. Barry’s sparkin’ Clarisse and Sandra comes along to keep an eye on ‘em, I suppose. He popped the last of his biscuit into his mouth. They usually stay three or four days, he mumbled past his mouthful.

Clarisse, Sandra! Tavi’s squeal of delight brought a low rumble of laughter from the hands gathered about, as she quickly trotted to the buggy, wiping her hands. No one expected you for at least another week. She grinned slyly. And you know I mean Barry.

Both of the women jumped out of their carriage before any of the hands could move to help them. Tavi, said Clarisse while she hugged her. We – well, I – thought we would come surprise him.

Hi, Sweetie, said Sandra, as she also hugged the cook. I didn’t need much persuasion.

Randy felt a stirring inside, something he had never felt before. He studied this Sandra, taken with her poise, looks and voice. He forced himself to stop staring, but kept sending furtive glances at this beautiful young woman.

Where is he, anyway? asked Clarisse, as she peered about.

He and some hands are pushing some strays back into the herd, answered Tavi. They should be here pretty soon.

Where’s Mark? asked Sandra.

Him and Tom are setting up the second herd, with a couple of men, Tavi replied. We won’t see them until tonight.

Well, said Clarisse emphatically, we will just have to wait until they show up. She pushed her sleeves up. In the meantime, we will just have to give you a hand.

And, interjected Sandra, we brought some special things just for you. She reached into the buggy and pulled out a small satchel. Here you go, she said, as she handed the bag to Tavi.

Tavi peeked inside, and gasped. Oh, they’re beautiful. She hugged the two women. Thank you! She pulled out a roll of ribbon and held it up. Look what they brought me, she said to the crew with delight in her voice, and there’s more.

Clarisse followed Tavi back to the chuckwagon, both chattering away about the happenings of the last several weeks. Sandra stood by the buggy, gazing about with pleasure on her face. She eyed the dust rising in the distance from the cattle spread out over the valley. She looked up at the clear sky and then looked around at the hands, each furtively trying to not be caught staring at her.

Sandra walked over to the men. Hi, guys. Is Tavi still fattening you up? She looked at Bill, next to Randy. I swear, Bill, you’re going to enjoy her cooking so much, one day your horse is going to collapse.

The men laughed, knowing that Bill’s appetite was legendary. Now, Sandra, drawled Bill, you know I’m loading up for the winter.

Sandra joined the laughter and then her eyes rested on Randy. You’re new here.

Randy hastily swallowed his last mouthful of stew, put his plate down and jumped to his feet. Yes, Ma’am, I am. My partner and I started about a month ago. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond and then pulled his hat off of his head.