THE WILL 16

when tobey got back to his yard he saw roberto was already hard at work loading a trailer with hay. tobey went back to his corral and caught the stocking legged horse and started saddling him. just as he finished roberto walked up. " boss juanita wont come to work any more.. she has been threatened with death if she does" " who did that?" tobey was incredilous. "i dont know it was a letter left at her house. it wasnt sighned."roberto was being stand offish. " how do you know what it said?" tobey asked. " because i got one too. it said i would end up like blake if i kept working here."roberto held his head up." but ime not afraid i wont quit or run." " are you sure? your a good man. i dont want to be responsible for your death. but i do appreciate that you came in to tell me these things. do you have any suspicons as to wrote the letters or even of who killed blake?" tobey asked. " ime not sure, it could be two or three people who want this business and ranch. the real estate man, or maybe tubbs or his foreman. they all want this place. you better watch your back because they will shoot you too."roberto warned. " if i were you i would call the law and show them the letters. and if your going to keep working for me stay out of site as much as possible. ime going to be rideing as much as possible gathering more cattle. call the law." tobey stepped up on the horse. roberto waved and said he would call the deputy out. tobey turned north, h was going to try and gather some cattle to brand and some big ones to sell. he knew he should keep his mind on the trouble back on the yard, or gathering these cattle , but alexis kept comming back. he didnt know why. some thing wasnt right.. every thing seemed to be just as he wanted it, but why did it feel wrong?as he rode along he kept running everyone and everything through his mind. if given enough time he had always been able to solve any puzzle..but he knew this puzzle could be deadly if he didnt find the solution. his job back up north was looking better every day.

THE WILL 15

when tobey reached the hospital alexis was comming out the door. she was crying. tobey stopped her and took her arm. "is it hi " he whispered alexis nodded. " he is gone, he died talking to me. that real estate crook caused too much stress when he was here. he made me promise, PROMISE to not sell the ranch to any one but a cowman." " what can i do?" tobey asked. " i dont know yet. the hospital will have him moved to the mortuary. but i need to make the rest of the preperations. plus i dont know what his business was doing, but i can do that later." alexis was talking slow and in circles. " want me to drive you home?" tobey asked. alexis nodded then said" will you do that?" they walked over to alexis car and got in . she told him how to get to her house. when he pulled into her drive way he was surprised to see a substantial house with rose bushes along the front and a large lawn.tobey took her inside. she went to a small side bar and poured a substantial amount of whiskey into a glass then put two shots in a second glass and handed it to tobey.she held her glass up and said" to hi !" tobey raised his and said the same thing. " tobey emptied his glass and said" i better go. ill check on you in the morning unless you call."he took his hat and turned to the door. " wont you stay with me? i dont want to be alone,"alexis started toward tobey. he stopped with his hand on the door, " it might not look good, me here right after hi passes." " ime a widow, and i could care less what any one thinks." alexis took him by the arm and drew him back in. he didnt resist very much. a hour before day lite the next day alexis dropped tobey off at his truck parked in the hospital lot. a long parting kiss and he pulled away " ill tend to business then be back." alexis nodded and smilled " ill have supper ready at seven tonite, dont be late."she told him. he turned too his truck and got in and watched her drive away. he started his truck then sat there thinking to himself"i been wanting just that, then why does it feel wrong?" he drove out of the lot and headed to the hay yard.