Arizona Territory Read Online Free Page B

you’re a great organized ranch manager down here.”
    â€œThanks. It’s a lot easier now that Bonnie is here. She makes me get real a lot of the time. And I probably need it. I’m thinking as much like you as I can.”
    â€œYou’re doing a good job and I’m proud.”
    â€œIf I could get five hundred head of stocker cattle out of Mexico worth the money, what would you think about that?” JD asked.
    â€œBuy them and let’s try it.”
    â€œThanks. Who do I contact for the money?”
    â€œI’m going to get a man to do that. Wire Andrew Tanner at the bank in Preskitt. I’ll let him know what you need.”
    â€œGood. I’ll do it.”
    â€œTake care of Bonnie; she’s a treasure.”
    â€œOh, I’ll do that.”
    As they rode back, Cole led the spirited roan, and they arrived back at sundown.
    Maria had a wire waiting for them. Bandits had robbed a bank in Lordsburg in New Mexico, and they headed down that east side of Arizona for the border. They called them the Gimble Gang, a father, three sons, and two cousins. Wanted posters were available. Could he and his outfit head them off before they reached the border?
    â€œWhat is it?” Cole asked.
    â€œSome gang robbed the Lordsburg Bank. Where is Roamer? At the fort?”
    â€œDown that way.”
    â€œI’ll wire him and we can start that way in the morning, but I think by the time any of us get over there they’ll already be in Mexico. Even if Roamer has a day on us. I doubt anyone can head them off.”
    â€œGive one of us the wire and we’ll take it to Tubac and send him one anyhow,” Cole said.
    â€œGood idea. I’ll do that. Jesus, you prepare a couple of packs. We’ll ride out at dawn.”
    He quickly wrote both messages. Cole took off and he was alone at the table with Maria. She reached over and took his hand. “My husband was alright?”
    â€œI never got to speak to him. He’s down on the border, catching and selling mustangs in Mexico. I guess he don’t write?”
    â€œNo, but I am fine. We all have so much going on in our lives. Tell me, did the young lady steal your heart?”
    â€œI would say so. I met her so fast. In just one day, so much happened, and my head is still swimming. But, yes, she’s an angel.”
    â€œYou have any plans?”
    â€œYes, I’m sure we can reach an agreement—someday. She politely told me she only stopped by to see if I was here and to try to buy a horse.”
    â€œYou turned her head that fast?”
    â€œShe turned mine. She said she knew about my loss and she wanted to be a candidate for my next wife.”
    â€œI knew she had turned your head. You two looked good, riding together. She is very rich and her hacienda is huge.”
    â€œWhy she’d want me, I’ll never know.”
    â€œ Hombre , there are lots of women, married and not married, who would take you in a minute.”
    â€œMaria, you’re a mess.”
    â€œI am telling you the truth. There are many I have heard say—that Marge has him, but if I ever caught his eye—I’d steal him.”
    He stood up and kissed her forehead. “I love you, too.”
    The Force left before dawn. The new blue roan bucked under Chet going out the front gate, but once on the road, he finally got him quieted down. But he did pace sideways down the dirt wheel tracks for several miles.
    Jesus was trailing with three packhorses, and Cole rode with him and offered to swap horses with Chet.
    â€œHell, no. I’m fine. I’m going to wear him down today.”
    They both laughed at his words. Damn, he was one big tough horse. He must have come from the line of Barb horses the rich Spaniards brought to Mexico. But the stout gelding proved a handful until he got him rode down enough. He knew some horses never slacked in that power stage. JD and Ortega had chosen him well. He might save his