Winterborn Ch. 04

About 2 AM, Oso quietly opened the door of the bunkhouse; he was going to wake Dillon for his watch. Oso knew that Dillon slept with a pistol close at hand and didn't want to spook his friend. He noticed the lamp was still giving out a lot of light and looked at the bed. When he saw Elizabeth and Dillon sleeping, he smiled, shook his head and went back outside. I guess I can spend one sleepless night for those two, he said to himself.

Dillon woke about 6 AM, Elizabeth had already gone. He smiled as he shaved and cleaned up. Guess last night pretty well tells me my future, he thought. Dillon joined the rest of the crew at the breakfast table. After eating he asked Ethan to feed and water the horses and asked Oso to give him a hand. That left Eleanor, Elizabeth, and Dillon at the table.

He took a deep breath and with a nervous tone in his voice said, "Eleanor I'd, I mean we'd, like your blessing to get married. I respect and admire Elizabeth but mostly I love her. Don't want you to think I'm a penniless drifter, I've got about two thousand in at the bank in town." Dillon stopped not knowing what else to say.

Eleanor had to smile at the nervous young man. Finally she replied, "I wondered how long it would take for you realize that you two were meant to be together." She held open her arms as Elizabeth came to her and said, "Of course you have my blessing. The sooner the better so Elizabeth doesn't have to sneak down to the bunkhouse in the cold."

Two days later, Eleanor, Elizabeth, and Dillon went to Prescott; Oso and Ethan stayed at the ranch. They would get some supplies and Dillon wanted to mail a letter to his mother telling her of his upcoming marriage. The main purpose of the trip was to talk to the pastor of the church about holding the wedding there.

The wedding was scheduled for the first Saturday of the next month; about three weeks away. After meeting the pastor the three went to the general store for the supplies. Dillon posted the letter to his mother and as they started to leave a clerk from the bank asked Dillon to come and see the manager.

As Dillon walked to the bank, Charley Jackson caught up with him. "Thought you'd like to know, someone broke Riley and Marsh out of jail. I was over to the other side of the county investigating a rustling yesterday; when I got back those boys were gone. Can't prove it but I know Cassidy broke em out."

"Well at least that's two less I've got to worry about," Dillon responded.

The ladies stayed in the store looking and shopping as women will do while Dillon went to the bank. The bank manager greeted him and explained that he held a bank draft for Dillon from the First Mercantile Bank in Boston. "I just need you signature and we can deposit the money into your account Mr. Gallagher," he said handing Dillon the bank draft.

Dillon's jaw almost dropped when he saw the amount of money his father had left him. "Am I reading this right?" He asked the manager. "It says ten thousand dollars."

The manager assured him that it was right and Dillon signed the draft. Wait until I tell Elizabeth he thought as he left the bank. As he got to the store he saw Cassidy go into the saloon. He usually doesn't travel without several men Dillon said to himself. This might be a good time to talk to him.

As he turned to go to the saloon Elizabeth and Eleanor came out to meet him. "Elizabeth go back into the store. I have to go see someone in the saloon," he ordered. The tone in his voice left no room for debate.

Elizabeth started to argue but Eleanor took her arm and led her back into the store. "There are times to argue with your man and times to obey," she explained to her daughter. "This is one of those times to obey."

Dillon entered the saloon and saw Cassidy standing near one end of the bar. He walked over to where the bar turned to join the wall and stood there waiting for Cassidy to notice him. Cassidy hadn't seen him as he was staring down into the whiskey glass in front of him.

The bartender came over and Dillon ordered a whiskey and motioned for him to give Cassidy another. When the drink was put in front of him, Cassidy looked up and saw Dillon. His face got pale and he looked around as if looking for some of his men.

Dillon walked down the bar to him. "Cassidy I warned you once. You sent men to rustler our cattle and you had your men slap around a young woman. Leave the Edwards and the Triple E alone."

"I never ............" Cassidy began but Dillon cut him off.

"You're a liar Cassidy. Those were your men following your orders. If the Sheriff could prove it you'd be in jail. I'll say it just one last time...leave us alone."

"Or what?" Cassidy asked with false bravado.

"I'll kill you," Dillon answered. "That's not a threat, that's a cold hard fact."

Cassidy heard the suppressed anger in the young man's voice and could see a death stare directed toward him.

"Make no mistake Mr. Carpetbagger, I won't warn you, I won't call you out, I'll just shoot you down like the mangy cur dog you are." Dillon turned his back and walked out of the saloon to rejoin Elizabeth and Eleanor.

"Who'd you go see?" Elizabeth asked still a little upset at being ordered around.

"I had a talk with Cassidy and suggested he leave us alone, is all. C'mon let's get back home."

On the ride back to the ranch, first Elizabeth and then Eleanor tried to get Dillon to tell them exactly what he said to Cassidy. Finally Dillon said, "I told him he couldn't run us off and to leave us alone. I also told him if he wanted to buy the ranch to make a decent offer for it. That's all. Now please, let it be."

Neither of them believed Dillon's explanation. They believed there was more to the meeting with Cassidy than Dillon said but decided to stop questioning him about it.

I'll get him to tell me later, Elizabeth thought with a little smile. Later that evening on the porch after supper, she leaned against Dillon and reach up to kiss him. Elizabeth tried to coax the truth of Dillon's meeting from him. He responded to her kiss and hug but refused to say anything more about Cassidy.

"You can be an exasperating man Mr. Gallagher," Elizabeth said as she held on to his arm.

"And you are a temptress Miss Edwards," he answered. "But I've said all I'm going to say about that meeting."

******************

The next three weeks were a whirlwind of activity for the Triple E and its crew. Eleanor and Elizabeth had to make several trips into Prescott for many errands pertaining to the wedding; either Oso or Dillon went with them every time. The plans were finalized with the pastor and invitations to a few friends were delivered. Elizabeth decided she would wear her mother's wedding dress but did buy a new veil.

Dillon's frock coat, collared shirts, and wool pants from when he was a deputy would do fine for his wedding day. Ethan wanted to dress in a frock coat like Dillon so Eleanor had the seamstress in town make one for him. She also had the lady make a collared dress shirt for Oso; it was next to impossible to buy readymade clothes for the big man.

The wedding was on a Saturday at 2 PM with a private reception at the hotel for a few close friends. Oso did double duty by walking Elizabeth down the aisle and standing as Dillon's best man. Ethan escorted his mother to her seat in the front of the church looking proud in his new clothes.

Dillon, Elizabeth, Eleanor, and Ethan were driven by Oso to the hotel in a surrey decorated for the occasion. As Dillon helped his bride down from the coach, Cassidy and five of his men were riding by. They stopped their horses and stared. Then Cassidy rode closer to Dillon, motioning for one of his men to follow him.

"Gallagher," Cassidy called loudly and when Dillon turned toward him he said. "I had a friend of mine do some checking up on you. There's warrants on you from San Antonio and Laredo. He also said you were friends with Creed Taylor and John Wesley Hardin. You a gun fighter like Hardin?"

Dillon fixed a cold eye on Cassidy but didn't say anything. He was very aware that he was unarmed. Cassidy had his hand on his gun butt.

"What'd you have to say about that gun fighter?" Cassidy asked sarcastically.

"Could be, but I've never seen those warrants." Dillon continued to stare at Cassidy and then added, "What'da want Cassidy?"

"I just wanted to introduce you to Bill Wilson here, he's my new hand." Wilson slowly raised one hand and touched the brim of his hat toward Elizabeth.

"From over Abilene way?" Dillon asked. Wilson nodded and Dillon said, "I've heard of you."

Elizabeth saw the way Dillon's eyes turn cold and felt his body tense. She pulled gently on his arm trying to get him to come inside the hotel. He didn't turn his head but said, "Elizabeth go inside please." She realized that this was another one of those times that she should do as he told her.

Wilson watched Elizabeth and Eleanor enter the hotel. "Right nice little filly you got there," he said. "Be a shame to make her a widow so soon after her wedding day." Wilson returned his attention to Dillon. "What did you hear Gallagher? Did you hear how fast I am with this?" He asked patting the pistol on his hip.

Dillon with a small grin replied, "No that wasn't it. I heard Bill Hickok ran you out of Abilene about a year ago."

Wilson's hand went to his gun but before he could draw he heard a voice from slightly behind him. "You pull that hog leg and I'll arrest you Mr. Wilson. You too Cassidy." The two men looked over their shoulders at Sheriff Jackson holding a scattergun pointed at them.

Cassidy said, "Just serving some arrest warrants Sheriff."

"First of all Cassidy, you're not the law; you don't have the right to arrest anyone. And second, those Texas wants aren't any good here in Arizona." Jackson paused and then said, "I suggest you go and attend to your business Cassidy."

The whole time he was talking, Jackson never lowered the shotgun, keeping it aimed at Cassidy and Wilson. Cassidy sawed at his reins, pulling his horse around and rode out of town.

Before he followed his boss, Wilson looked at Dillon and said, "I'll see you again Reb."

Dillon nodded and replied, "Be looking forward to it Blue Belly."

When the men had ridden away Dillon turned to Jackson as he lowered his shotgun. "Thanks Charley. It could have got right interesting if you hadn't come along.

"Didn't want to see a good party break up before it even got started," Charley said with a smile. "Let's get a drink."

Dillon entered the hotel and Elizabeth ran to him as he held out his arms to her. "Who is Wilson? You said you heard of him."

"Not today honey. This day is all about us," he replied.

The party was about four hours of good food, drinks, and jokes told at the newlywed's expense. Eleanor, Ethan, and Oso had arranged rooms at one of the boarding houses for the night. Elizabeth and Dillon stayed at the hotel; it was as close to a honeymoon as they were going to get.

It was after midday before the Triple E group could get started back to the ranch. The ride was slow as most everyone was still tired from the reception. Even Dillon was a little under the weather. It's been a lot of years since I've had that much to drink, he said to himself. Good thing I don't plan on getting married again; don't know if I could stand the party.

Elizabeth waited until they had turned off the main trail and started the last mile to the ranch house before asking, "Okay Dillon, who is this Wilson?"

"He's a hired gun. It doesn't matter to him what the job is; he'll work for whoever pays the most."

"What was that about Bill Hickok running him out of Abilene?"

Dillon smiled a little. "Wilson was in Abilene and put the word out that his gun was for hire. Hickok didn't like it and confronted Wilson in the saloon. Wild Bill told him to get out of town or go pay the undertaker for his upcoming funeral. Not many want to face Hickok so Wilson left town that afternoon." Dillon chuckled and added, "I guess it's a sore spot with Wilson."

As they rode up to the ranch house, Dillon felt that something wasn't right. The after effects of the party the previous night dropped away. He told the ladies and Ethan to stay mounted. He got off his horse and drew his pistol and Oso climbed down holding his rifle. The two men scouted around trying to see what was wrong or out of place. After checking the house they went to the barn.

They saw their milk cow lying in the corral; her throat had been cut. The blood hadn't had time to dry so she'd been killed sometime that morning. Inside the barn someone had led Dillon's horse Buddy out of his stall and shot him in the head.

"Who could have done this?" Elizabeth asked. She had tears running down her cheeks. Eleanor was shocked at the brutality to the animals. Ethan had a grim look on his face; a look much too old for a boy his age. He had raised the cow from a calf.

Dillon and Oso looked at each other knowing that Cassidy was involved. They used the two mules, which surprisingly hadn't been harmed, to drag the dead animals away. That night for the first time everyone slept in the big house. The next morning Dillon made sure that all the defenses were ready in case Cassidy or some of his men came back.

One of Cassidy's men rode up to the ranch house alone around 10 AM. "Cassidy said to tell you he'll be waiting for you at the saloon. He said that he'll burn the house next if y'all don't leave." His message delivered, the man turned and rode back toward town.

Elizabeth watched as Dillon saddled Buck and got ready to return to Prescott. "You're going to talk the Sheriff aren't you? Please let him handle this Dillon," she said. She was confident that Dillon could take care of himself but Cassidy had several hands working for him. Not to mention the hired gun, Bill Wilson.

"Cassidy will swear that all his men were working and weren't involved in killing our stock. The Sheriff can't do anything without proof," Dillon said. "Cassidy's tired of waiting and won't stop until he's forced you off the Triple E. It's time to put an end to this."

"Momma, Oso, stop him. He can't face Cassidy by himself," Elizabeth pleaded.

"You don't have to do this Dillon," Eleanor said. "I'll sell Cassidy the ranch and we can go someplace else."

Dillon smiled at his mother-in-law. "What kind of man would I be if I let Cassidy force us out of our home, Eleanor?"

Eleanor returned Dillon's smile and nodded. She turned to Elizabeth and said, "He has to go. No man can back away from this type of trouble."

"Oso and I are coming with you then," Elizabeth said firmly.

"No. I know you can shoot as good as any man but if you're there I'll worry about you instead of what I need to do. About an hour after I leave, y'all get to Sheriff Jackson. If something happens to me he can protect you and help you get out of town," Dillon told them.

Dillon could see that Oso was planning on coming with him. "Oso, I need you to stay with them." He started to argue but Dillon cut him off. "Amigo, take care of my family for me."

Oso nodded and went to the corral to saddle the horses. Eleanor and Ethan went into the house to pack some clothes and personal things to take with them, leaving Elizabeth and Dillon alone on the porch.

Elizabeth put her arms around Dillon's waist, put her head on his chest, and just held on. She knew she couldn't stop him from facing Cassidy but she had to try. "You could be killed, you know? Where would that leave me?"

Dillon ran his hand over her hair and down her back. "When I left Virginia the last time, my father asked me what I was looking for; I couldn't tell him. Now I know, because I've found it. A woman to love and be my partner, a family, and a home. I can't let some carpetbagger son of a bitch take it from me."

"But Momma and I don't even like this place. You heard what she said, she wanted to live in town and teach school. Do you want to die over a piece of land that we don't care about?"

"I also heard her say that the Triple E is your father's legacy and she wouldn't be forced off this ranch. I won't be forced off either; it's my home too. When I stop Cassidy we can sell out and move on if you like; but not because he ran us off." Dillon kissed her and mounted Buck. He sat and looked down at Elizabeth for ten seconds or so and then turned and rode toward Prescott.

Elizabeth watched him ride away and then returned to the house. Eleanor handed her an envelope with Elizabeth's name on it. "Dillon left this for you," her mother said.

She opened it and read the letter inside. After reading it the tears that she had held back while talking to Dillon flowed down her cheeks.

"What does it say child?" Eleanor asked seeing the tears. She put her arm around her daughter.

"It says that if he doesn't come back for us to take the money in his account at the bank and find a new place to live," Elizabeth answered. "Oh Momma," she said as she slumped down onto a chair.

Oso entered the kitchen and walked over to Elizabeth and handed her a Winchester. "Niña, come we must hurry. I have the horses saddled."

Confused, she looked up at the big man. "But Dillon said to wait an hour and then go to Sheriff Jackson's."

Eleanor looked at Oso and nodded. "Elizabeth I told you there are times that you have to obey your man. Well this is one of the times that you have to disobey. Ethan and I can make it to Charley's just fine. You and Oso go help Dillon."

Oso saw Elizabeth gather herself and stand up with a purpose. "If we ride hard and take the old trail we can get to town before Dillon." She hugged her mother and Ethan and walked quickly to the horses. Elizabeth waited for Oso to mount up and then put the spurs to her horse.

***************

Dillon was less than a mile from the outskirts of Prescott when he saw Cassidy's hired gun Wilson sitting on his horse in the middle of the trail.

When Wilson saw him he sat up straighter in his saddle and waited for Dillon to get closer. "Thought I'd meet you out here Gallagher, away from Cassidy and the others."

"Why's that Wilson?" Dillon asked.

"I wanted you all for myself. You insulted me that day in front of the hotel. No man insults me and lives," Wilson explained. As he finished speaking he pulled his gun.

Wilson fired first but a split second later Dillon's shot rang out. The gun fighter dropped his pistol and looked down at his chest; surprised at the pain and the blood starting to seep out of the hole in his shirt. He looked in disbelief at Dillon and fell off his horse.

Dillon rode closer and looked down. "Guess you weren't as fast as you thought Wilson," he said as the man on the ground shook once and laid still. Dillon continued into the town; ignoring for the moment the wound in his left side.

As he rode Dillon thought, maybe there's something to the poem and ledge. First I'm willing to sacrifice myself in a war that was lost the day it started for a cause I didn't believe in. Then in San Antonio and later in Laredo I was willing to sacrifice myself fighting the bastards that tried to kill me, instead of walking away. And now, I put myself between Cassidy and people I love even though I'm outnumbered. Maybe I am Winterborn.

Dillon was losing a lot of blood and almost passed out once. He pulled Buck up in front of the bank, slowly dismounted, and tied him to the rail. As he tied the horse he softly quoted to himself:

"And in the fury of this darkest hour
I will be your light
You've asked me for my sacrifice
And I am Winterborn"

He saw one of Cassidy's men leaning against the hitching rail in front of the saloon. When the man saw Dillon he hurried inside. As Dillon walked toward the saloon, Cassidy and two men stepped out to meet him. Cassidy looked around for a moment, confused.