Calder Brand - Janet Dailey Page 0,40

were probably drawn to the water there. But this spring, there was no water shortage. The wild horses were free to run wherever their band stallion led them.

Joe had kept his eyes open for the big blue roan, imagining the thrill of catching, breaking, and riding such an animal. But the wily stallion kept his band out of sight—that, or maybe they hadn’t survived the hard winter.

When Joe located a band, he would let Elijah know their general whereabouts. With the help of cowboys from Elijah’s partner’s ranch, they would surround the mustangs and run them into a corral. The choicest horses would be chosen for breaking. The rest would be set free.

Elijah had taught him everything he knew about tracking, catching, and breaking horses. Joe enjoyed the work, and he was good at what he did. But he was coming to realize that his future was limited here. He had nothing of his own. In a sense, he was Elijah’s partner, and he shared in the profits from the sale of the horses. But he had no ownership of land or livestock, no home of his own, no wife, or even a best girl, no friends except the old man. And as long as he stayed here, that wasn’t likely to change.

Now, reining in his horse, he paused to study the ground. Mixed with the grass, he could just make out the prints of unshod hooves. Not fresh, they were maybe a day old. But at least the mustangs had been here. Nudging the bay, he moved forward to follow the trail.

He was riding with his gaze fixed on the ground when he happened to look up. There, on the horizon, coming toward him, was a lone rider.

Joe had a loaded Winchester rifle slung from the saddle. He lifted it free as the rider came closer, but lowered the weapon as the newcomer hailed him with a wave. They were less than fifty yards apart when Joe recognized him.

Even with his black beard grown long, there was no mistaking Clem McCracken.

Joe’s emotions clashed as he waited for Clem to approach. Relief at seeing the likable outlaw alive was mixed with caution and worry. The fact that Clem had tracked him down could only mean trouble.

Clem greeted him with a grin as he brought his horse in close. “I’ll be damned, kid. You’re a grown man!”

“How did you find me, Clem?” Joe asked, still uneasy.

Clem laughed. “It weren’t easy, I can tell you that much. But it came down to askin’ the right people, and then keepin’ my eyes open.”

“The last time I saw you and Slinger, you were riding off with the vigilantes on your tail. What happened? Did Slinger get away, too?”

“Yup. We managed to outrun the bastards and join up with some friends. Slinger got hit, but he’s better now. Say, kid, you’re talkin’ different. You sound like a damned professor.”

“I spent the winter reading a shelf full of books. I guess some of what was in them rubbed off on me. But I can’t say it makes much difference. I’m still poor and single.”

“Well, how’d you like to be rich and single?”

Joe’s instincts prickled in warning. “What happened? Did you find your father’s stash?”

“Never did. We even went back and dug around. We reckon he must’ve hid it in the mattress or somewhere like that, and it got burnt up. No, this is somethin’ different. Me and Slinger figured you’d be interested.”

Joe shook his head. “Stop right there. That vigilante raid cured me of ever wanting to break the law again. Whatever you two are planning, you can count me out.”

“Count you out?” Clem’s eyes narrowed. “Even if it means getting back at Benteen Calder?”

Joe’s pulse slammed. The voice of wisdom whispered that he should turn around and ride off. But the desire to get even with his former boss had been gnawing at his gut for two long years. He could at least listen. “Tell me more,” he said.

Clem leaned closer in the saddle. “Calder’s bringin’ a big herd up from Texas. They passed by Dodge City a few days ago, so they should be up this way afore long.”

“How did you find out about it?”

Clem grinned. “The man that buys our stock pays this madam in Dodge to talk up the cowboys. When she finds out what outfit they’re with and where they’re headed, she telegraphs our buyer in Ogallala. He gets word to us. Beats the old way where we just rode out