of the earlier settlers. There are more women than men, and the average income has been listed as thirty-four thousand a year. The Salish Kootenal College attracts a lot of people because of its great rating.”
“It seems as if the place as taken off into the wild blue yonder while I was away. I’m proud to be part of this community.”
“Me, too. Juanita’s mother actually raised me. Juanita and I grew up together even though she’s six years older. Her mother died three years ago and Juanita, thankfully, decided to stay on. Hank and the men have been my guardian angels and I’m so blessed to have all of them.”
“I know. I’m thankful, too, for your sake. Well, if I can’t help, I’ll go.”
Chapter Three
The following Friday, Ginger and Hank attended the bimonthly meeting of The Cattlemen’s Association at the north end of Third Avenue near Airport Road.
Alan Barker, owner of the Double B cattle ranch, had been elected president of the Association. He called the meeting to order and then welcomed everyone. He called attention to Ginger and gave her a warm welcome as representative of her beloved grandfather. Hank reminded them that she was now the only owner.
Alan then asked Lisa Swift, Secretary and Treasurer, to read the minutes of the last meeting. Ginger was shocked to hear of the number of cattle missing and mustangs stolen from various properties. She knew Lisa was the wife of Dave Swift and they owned the Circle S Guest Ranch (Dude Ranch). They had reported their guests being shot at while on trail rides through the mustang areas.
Belinda Mercer, wife of Sheriff Brandon Mercer, had reported that her husband had contacted the Reservation Police and the National Park Rangers for cooperation. It wasn’t just in their area. There were thieves in many surrounding states. Belinda assisted Lisa when necessary.
Barry Morton and his wife, Glenda, owners of the Rocking M, had expressed appreciation for the Sheriff and all the law officers. They pointed out that this was a large area and the officers could not cover everything at once. Ranchers would have to do their part and patrol their own property.
There were no corrections to the minutes, so Alan asked for new business.
Daniel Grey Wolfe stood with his arm and shoulder bandaged and his arm in a sling. He reported that during the week, some men had gotten bolder and came in closer to his house where his wife and children were. He and his men had fired at them only after the intruders opened fire on Daniel and his men. His horse had been shot dead and fell on him.
Roy Service, owner of the Elk Run Ranch, Vice President of the Association, suggested that everyone hire more hands and patrol better. Several talked at once stating they could not afford to hire more hands. Ginger sat quietly, knowing she couldn’t afford to hire more.
James stood, and was warmly welcomed. He said a list of ranchers, phone numbers, addresses, and how to get in touch should be distributed to everyone. Then if a rancher had trouble, the nearest neighbor could be called for help or alerted to trouble. His suggestion was approved and Lisa and Belinda promised to get that done as quickly as possible.
There was no more business, so the meeting was adjourned. There were refreshments for those who wanted to stay and socialize. It was difficult for the ranchers, and their families, to get together much, so they enjoyed this time together.
Ginger was pensive on the way home. Hank was quiet because he wanted to think. They could not afford to hire more hands and the men they now had were working overtime. The human body could stand just so much. What could be done?
Juanita had waited up anxiously for Ginger, wanting to hear about what had been discussed. She was heart sick knowing that Ginger didn’t have much ready cash. All ranchers had land, machinery and animals, but very little actual money. They would just have to keep praying and keep their minds on what was going on around them so that a law breaker could not sneak up on them.
* * * * *
Hank was worried because Ginger was working shoulder to shoulder with the men and doing far too much. His heart ached for her. She is young and should be having a good time with others her age. She’ll make a top notch wife and excellent mother, but she won’t stand a chance if she continues to work so hard here on the ranch.
The Proudfoot and the Deerhunters had about the same number of hands. They each trusted all their workers but the men could just do so much without breaking down. James was afraid the younger hands would get discouraged and leave to find work in other areas, and he could not afford to neglect his parents’ property to help Ginger.
For the first time Ginger noticed how white Hank’s hair had gotten. I don’t know how old he is. I do know he’s worked for the Proudfoot for at least twenty-five years or more. I’m very fond of Hank and just accepted him as part of the family. I need to find time to go over the papers for all the hands and learn more about them.
“Hank, how long have you been foreman here?”
“I started out as a hand and your grandfather asked me to be his foreman thirty-two years ago. Frank Royce has been here about twenty-five years and will step in if something happens to me.”
Ginger reached up to the six-three man who had been a handsome man in his youth and still was. She hugged him and said, “Hank, don’t, please don’t talk about anything happening to you. I couldn’t stand it. I know you were married. Don’t you have children?”
“My precious wife died very young with breast cancer. Our three children grew up and left here. My oldest, a girl, married an attorney who has now entered politics and they don’t have time for anything or anyone else. They live in California and I rarely hear from them. My two youngest, boys, were both killed in service. You’re the only child I have.”
Ginger fought the tears and hugged him again. She ran to the barn and got her equipment to work the horses. She was pleased with a rangy fifteen hand buckskin and thought he was going to make an excellent cutting horse. He could spin on a dime and give change, as the old saying went.
* * * * *
Hank could not say why, but he had a feeling that they would have unwelcome visitors that night. He and five men rode out to watch over the mustangs. They would take turns sleeping on a bedrolls near the gate.
Around two that morning, the horses began to get up and snorting in fright, ran one direction then another.
Hank got his men together and rode out to where the biggest commotion seemed to be. He discovered that a group of men had indeed invaded the property and brought their own Judas horse.
Billy Carson got excited and, without permission from Hank, started yelling and running in the direction of the intruders. The trespassers opened fire and ran toward them instead of away. Hank knew Billy was twenty one and just now starting the work, so he was understanding of the immature young man. Hank and his men rode to meet the intruders.
Even though Hank’s men were armed, he had instructed them not to shoot except to defend themselves. His men were angry at the situation and fired back. The horses were frightened and running in all directions. Hank heard one of his men make a sound of hurt and a saw a horse with no rider streak by him. Gunfire from both directions, in the dark, meant that anything could happen.
Finally the intruders turned and left. Juan called for Hank. No answer. The men hunted frantically. Arturo Rodriguez yelled that Hank was on the ground and had been hit. The men gathered anxiously around him. Where was Buster Mitchell? He was found dead near the gate. It looked as if he was either going for more help or leaving them. They didn’t care which. A buddy was gone and they were angry enough to have a pitched battle.
Jimbo Boyd rode back to the house to tell Ginger and to call the sheriff and paramedics. Ginger was heartbroken to think of Hank being hurt and Buster dead. She first gritted her teeth to keep from crying in front of her men and then was too angry to hold it in. The hands, in