Free Dark Journey Home by Cherie Shaw Page A

afternoon of sloshing through the rainy walkways from one New York boutique
to another, though happy and content, as she watched Ricardo juggle the many
packages he was carrying for her, while at the same time trying to retrieve the
key to their hotel room. 
     
    As Logan read the telegram, a slow grin spread across
his face, and he said to Ricardo, “It seems my pa has been one busy man, the
last few years.”
     
    Ricardo asked, “Why is that, Señor?” 
     
    Logan said, “Well, it seems that instead of using the
money I had put in the account in Seattle, with my pa’s name on it too, that pa
has been steadily adding to it, with monthly deposits, so with that, and the
interest it has accumulated, the amount has more than doubled all these
years.”  Logan shook his head in fond memories of his generous father.  “It’s
just like the old goat, and he’ll never change.  Always generous to a fault. 
He just knew that someday I would return.  Otherwise he would have closed that
account long before now, and I don’t know many folks who wouldn’t have. 
     
    “Pa’s the best there is, but I still wish he would
have used some of that money, and I can’t believe he hasn’t.  I sure wish you
could meet him, Ricardo my friend.  If you get tired of Mexico City, you and
Maria be sure to head up Wyoming way, as there will always be a place for you,
unless of course Lord Beckford wants you to work for the lines again.  It’s up
to you.”
     
    “Amigo, I will give it some serious thought.  That’s
good country up there in the territory, as I have been through there in my
younger days, and there is much to see.  And all that land just waiting to be
worked.”  Ricardo grinned, and slapped Logan on the back, then remembered Logan’s injured shoulder, “Sorry amigo,” he said, “does it still give you trouble?” 
     
    Logan said, “No,
amigo, it’s all healed now, and yes, that offer will stand.” 
     
    “Well, Logan, I am happy for you that your father has
been so good to you.  Now, will you wire him that you are back, or just let him
worry some more?”
     
    “I guess Pa’s had enough worry for the last eight
years now, so I guess I’ll wire him in the morning, to at least let him know
that I will be home as soon as possible, but as I told him eight years ago, ‘Just
expect me when I get there’.  I can’t begin to tell him everything in the wire,
so I’ll just wait until I get home, to let him know what happened.  Also I need
to get to a bank in the morning anyway, as the bank in Seattle is wiring me
funds that I requested, and I can pick it up in the morning.”
     
    “That is good, mi amigo, your father; he must love you
very much.  Your mother too, let them know you are still around.”
     
    Logan was glad that he
could begin paying his own way now, and he would have money to buy supplies for
the long journey home too, and for his travel expenses.  Things were looking
up.  Maybe at some point in his life he would run into the two thugs from the Seattle docks that had shanghaied him and stolen the bag of gold dust he had on him at
that time.  They owed him plenty, and Logan intended to see to it that they
paid for their crime.  He would be prepared next time he ran into them. 
Although that was way down on the list now, there was a lot of traveling to do,
and he had to keep his mind on the present.
     
    The first thing he would do the next day, after
picking up his money at the bank, would be to buy a weapon.  It had been a long
time since he had worn a gun belt, but he knew he’d need one on the long trip. 
He figured that everything he had left in that Seattle hotel so many years ago
was long gone.  His saddlebags, twin gun belts, and two 45’s, along with some
other personal items.  Well, that was long ago, and this was now.  He wondered
if he could even still shoot.  He’d soon find out. 
     
    Logan, Ricardo and Maria had been invited to dine with
Beckford and his