Free A Good Day To Kill by Dusty Richards Page B

hundred mother cows on it, but they didn’t make a dent in it.”
    â€œYou getting it straightened out?” Reg asked.
    â€œLaw grinds slow, but I figure we’re closer by the day. I have a good lawyer in Tucson. There are over forty-eight thousand deeded acres in the place. By the way, Bo bought about ten homesteads around here that were deeded to join this place.”
    â€œWhere are they?” Lucie asked, pushing in to pour coffee.
    â€œJesus, the papers are in my saddlebags. If you’ll go get them, we can go over them. Bo also has about that many he bought over by the Windmill Ranch. That usually means there’s a well and cabin. We’ll have to see what they are.”
    â€œBack to Diablo,” Reg said. “What needs to be done?”
    â€œMore water developed, like all these places. Headquarters built and get going. We do have some squatters dumped on us.”
    â€œWhat?” Lucie asked.
    He told them about the women and children abandoned on the ranch. They shook their heads, and Willy arrived back from his heifer search to shake hands.
    â€œShe had a big bull calf,” he said proudly. “Doing great. Sure good to meet you at last, sir.”
    Chet smiled at him. “Me, too.”
    Jesus arrived with the deed copies and descriptions.
    â€œLucie,” Reg asked, “you recall the place we called Cornfield, for the old stalks there?” At her nod, he said, “Yes, well we own it now.”
    â€œThere’s squatters on this one,” Haze said. “Reg, that’s north of Hatter’s Hill.”
    Reg nodded. “They look like a rag-tag army, too.”
    â€œDidn’t you and him have words?” Lucie asked with a knowing grin.
    â€œYeah, he had a hide nailed on a shed that I recognized. Told him not to eat any more of our branded stock or I’d brand his backside. He’ll be packed and gone tomorrow.”
    â€œWhat was his name?” she asked, refilling cups.
    â€œCrowley, Jasper Crowley. Said he was buying the place.”
    â€œMaybe we need to be there at daybreak, like the Texas Rangers did?” Chet asked.
    â€œHalf-asleep, you ain’t got half the wits to put up a fight,” Cole agreed. “It damn sure worked down on the border for the Force.”
    â€œWe can be there then,” Reg said with a laugh. “Guys, we’ve got help this time.”
    â€œWe’ve had a few others tried to set roots here,” Lucie said. “They finally went on to California.”
    The next morning when they rode into the yard, dawn was a soft flannel glow over their shoulders. They came in from three sides with their rifles balanced on their horns. A rooster crowed at the set of dark buildings and pens.
    Chet fired his gun in the air and the shot woke up hogs, dogs, and a cow. “Jasper Crowley, this is Chet Byrnes. Get up and get out here. Any show of a weapon and you’re dead. Hear me?”
    â€œYeah, I hear, whoever you are.” He struggled to get his last galluses up and sleepy-eyed, plus barefooted, stood on the porch and eyed the posse. “What are you boys up to?”
    â€œThis land is Byrnes’s land. You’re trespassing. I want you and yours out of here in twenty-four hours. If this place is burned or damaged, or the well soured, we will be on your trail and hang you. Keep moving at least west of Hackberry. We have no qualms about hanging you, either—remember that.”
    â€œI savvy. I’ll be gone.”
    â€œFor your life and safety, I suggest you do just as I’ve instructed. We’re through here for the day, boys. Let’s ride.”
    Reg booted his big horse in close. “I’m still learning, Uncle Chet. I’d never have guessed anyone would do that to a place—damage it.”
    â€œThey will. Don’t ever cut them any slack.”
    Reg looked back. “Where do you reckon he’ll go?”
    â€œWest, and look for