As the Eagle Flies. J. D. Oliver

Rosie said, “only it wasn’t in a dream, it was an actual hill, it was whispering to me, only thing was I couldn’t make out what it was saying, I asked it to repeat what it said, but it wouldn’t.”

      “That’s strange, the hill spoke to me in a whisper first, I thought it was the wind, so I ignored it, but then it shook itself and stood up and called me by name.” I said.

      “You two are getting weird,” Faith said, “go to sleep both of you. Alita is already back to sleep.”

      “Okay, I see you don’t believe us, next time I talk to him you can join me.” I said.

      “Oh yeah, right, I can join you in your dream? I have never known two people to share a dream at the same time, have you?” Faith said.

      Rosie said, “Oh,Oh,Oh, I want to join you both, don’t forget me please, next time take me too?”

      “You got it, Rosie,” I said, “let’s go to sleep, before Mom spanks us both.”

      Faith whispered in my ear, “You wish.”

      Yeah, I did wish, but when you have two children in bed with you, wishing didn’t amount to a hill of beans. But I did cuddle up tight against my wife, that was nice.

      The next morning as we were eating breakfast in the Café, Cort came in and sat down with us. “Boy that was quite a storm last night, the lighting hit a church steeple over on Oak Street. Burnt the whole church down. And Oh yeah, that Dipper Tick and his friend made bail early this morning. So that’s twice they have made bail. But I think they just jumped that bail; I seen them fogging it out of town just now. I didn’t follow them, I could care less. Did put out an APB on them though.”

      “Did you see which way they went?” I asked.

      “Yeah, north, I don’t think they were heading for L.A., but I could be wrong.” Cort said.

      “I think you’re right. They weren’t going back to California; wouldn’t surprise me if they weren’t heading for Montana.” I said.

      “Montana? Why in the world would they go there?” Cort asked.

      “Because that’s where Charles and Edith Hester are from, I think old Dipper is still after those mineral rights to his Spanish Land Grant.”

      “Have the Hesters left for home yet?” Cort asked.

      “Nope, not since I see them setting over there in the corner.” I said.

      “Perhaps one of us should warn them” Cort said.

      “Well, I reckon one of us should. But since I’ve already told them to watch their backs, perhaps you should take on that task?” I said. “And if I were you I would emphasize that Dipper and Delbert aren’t above committing murder to get what they want.” Cort got up and went over to do his duty.

      The Hesters packed and left that day. Now me, I’m a worrier, if there’s nothing to worry about, well I’ll just poke around till I find something. I got to worrying about the Hesters. Damn, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. Now I knew old Dipper wouldn’t be able to get on a plane, not with that APB out on him, but he could just drive. Of course it would take him a couple of days to get there; probably have to detour around some towns and such. So I figured I had about two to three days to get there myself.

      We also left for home that same afternoon. We called and let them know we was coming. Felicia was real glad when she heard about Rosie, said she’d have an extra room made up for her. But I told her that Rosie would bunk in with Alita. Faith was driving while I was on the cell phone, I added, “Would you have Miguel service and check over my plane, I have a flight to make.” Felicia said she would and she didn’t even ask where I was going. But my wife did, as she looked at me sharply and swerved the Durango a little.

      “Where in the hell do you think you’re going? And wherever it is, you’re not going without us!”

      I thought fast and changed one little thing about my plans, “Of course I wouldn’t go anywhere without you, or the children. But as to where, the Hesters. I think they might need a little help, they’re a nice old couple. I would hate to see them murdered.”

      “You didn’t say where, I forgot where they were from?” Faith said.

      “In the middle of Montana; the Judith Basin. I think the nearest airport is in Lewistown.” I said.

      “You know of course, that it is none of your business?” Faith said.

      “Yeah, I know, but what about you, what would you do?” I said.

      She thought about it, I could almost see her gears turning over, “I would do,.. the same as you,… of course.” And she paused at each one of the commas.

      “Good, I have Charles’ cell phone number, I’m going to call him and tell him to meet us. I’m not sure that Lewistown has rental cars or not. I think they do, but I was a little kid the last time I was there.” I called them, they must have been in a dead zone, I got his answer recording. Told him to call me when they got home.

      It was just coming on to supper time when we pulled into the ranch yard. Dad and Felicia were rocking on the front veranda. Jake and Alona were still out doing the evening chores. But Miguel and Ester came out of the house, along with some of their children.

      Rosie’s eyes were sparkling. It didn’t take long before Rosie was running around with the other children. Alita tried to get down to join them.

      My cell phone rang, it was Charles Hester. I told him the whole story and then: “I was planning on flying up there and give you a hand on this.”

      His answer: “We would be glad to see you, but I think we can handle this. But what you could do is send me a picture of those two yahoos. The Sheriff is a friend of mine. Also, the hands on my ranch are always packing, if you know what I mean. If they show up out here we take care of our own problems. Again, if you know what I mean.”

      I did. After I got off the phone with him, I called Cort. Cort e-mailed the Fergus County Sheriff pictures of Dipper and Delbert.

      I hoped Charles knew what he was doing. I also hoped we knew what we were doing; but really does anyone know the right thing to do all of the time? I didn’t think so.

      Most of the time we make decisions and hope for the best.

      After supper that night, the whole family was setting around drinking their coffee and discussing the happenings of the last week or so.

      Jake came up with an idea, that none of us had thought of: “Why don’t we just drill for oil ourselves?” He said.

      That took everyone by surprise a little bit. Alona added. “Yes, you know I learned in school that drilling for oil doesn’t have to harm the environment. If it is done in the proper way and care is taken. And what is disturbed is restored.”