SMALL TOWN BIG CATCH 6

the next morning del rolled into jakes yard a horse in his trailer just before sun up. he was going to make a big circle back up country whre jake had been found. maybe get a handle on what had happened at the very worse check jakes cows. when he got stopped in the yard he could see the door to jakes house standing open. trash scattered in the yard.his temper took over, muttering curses on vandles he started walking to jakes house. "poor old man isnt cold in his grave and the scum are going through his belongings." just as del got to the yard gate a big brindle cataoula cow dog came bounceing out the door his tounge hanging out and slobbering all over everything. a short peice of chain was hooked to his coller. del stopped dead in his tracks. " now where the heck did you come from?" the dog ran up to him and sat at his feet panting. del stepped around the dog and went in the house. all that had been destroyed was the garbage can. everything was un touched. the dog sat in one spot out side while del cleaned up the mess. he couldnt remember jake haveing a dog. he was sure he didnt have one.when the mess was cleaned up del pulled the door shut firmly and as he started to his trailer and passed the dog he simply said" come on". the dog stood up and trotted along next to him.del unloaded his horse and started buckling on his chaps all the while looking at the big dog. finally he reached down and unsnapped the chain the dog was dragging and when he did he saw a brass name plate on his coller. BROTHER wa all it said. del stepped up on his horse and turned to go looking back he simply said" well come on brother lets see what you know." brother fell in at dels horses heels and strotted along like he belonged there. a hour later they wer comming up on the spot where del had found jake. he circled the area looking for any sighn at all. a few cattle grazed just a couple hundred yards away. when del started to them they turnned to trot away. brother shot past del and in just a few moments was circling the cows , nipping at any thing that tried to run off. as del rode up he praised the dog then rode around the cattle looking them over. when he was satisfyed he started to turn the cattle loose but stopped at the sight of a young calf with a fresh brand and it wasnt jakes brand. this changed things. he needed to take these cattle back to the headquarters corral for a brand inspecter to see. turning the cattle around he started them down slope. when the cattle tried to run brother was right there to slow them down. "darn dog is better than another cowhaand." del mirmered under his breath. back at the corral he determined the mother of the fresh branded calf. she had jakes brand. del cut them off into a seperate corral and turned all the rest loose. del hadnt accomplished what he set out to do but this was something needed doing also. he needed to get to a phone. when he loaded his horse in the trailer brother ran and jumped into the back of his truck. " just like he is mine" del said. del pulled up in front of the little grociery store and got out. inside he asked for the loan of the phone. when he got the brand d epartment on the phone he explained what he found. they said a inspecter would be there the next day. he went back to his truck to find the pretty young girl stokeing and petting the dog. he turned and went back in the store and bought a sack of dry dog food. takeing it back out side he put it in the bed of the truck and cut ahole in the side of it. brother buried his head into eating. the girl without saying a word went back in the store. del started for home.

SMALL TOWN BIG CATCH 5

a couple of days after jakes funeral del was rakeing up the loose hay in front of his barn when a county sherrif rolled over the cattle guard and stopped i front of the barn a chunky deputy got out and strolled over to del. " you del?" the deputy asked as he pulled his sun glasses off. " thats me, what have i done now?" del grinned at the law man. "nothing yet. ime comming from the court tho. it seems the old rancher jake had no will or family to speak of. maybe a brother but we havent run him down yet. the judge wants to know if you will take care of jakes outfit until they can decide how to dispose of it.the court will pay wagws and expenses."the deputy laid it out. sharon was walking from the house. the deputy glanced her way then spun his head for a second look. " thats my sister sharon, you got paper work on her?"del giggled. "no but i wish i did. " as sharon steped up the deputy took his straw hat off and extended his hand. "ime jerry holloway" your a sweet sight on this morning." the deputy gushed. sharon smiled a toothy smile at him" talk like that could get you a cup of coffee and a peice of pie." "ime short on time but can i come back later for that?"jerry stated then turned to del" go to the court house and see judge weber. he will give you the details. but between you and me i dont believe that ole man fell off his horse. something out there stinks in my book." " ive had that feeling myself but when i found him there was no plain tracks just the ground was tore up by his horse. but ill help all i can."del explained. jerry tiped his hat to sharon and turned to his car. sharon was beaming.del stood there shakeing his head as jerry drove out of the yar. " i better go bake a pie, ime thinking,"sharon turned to the house. del watched her walk away with just a hint of a sway in her hips. later that day del stepped into the court house then into judge webers chambers and introduced himself. "i have been studying this case, and i dont have a good feeling about it. but, we need to find jakes relative and in the mean time we need someone to watch over that ranch. the damned ole cow theives will strip it clean if we dont."weber while not a old man had a old mans attitude. del nodded" ime like you all, i dont feel good about that whole deal jake rode like a horse was a extension of himit had to be a surprise to him and the horse and then the chances of unseating him would be slim.ill look after the ranch like it was my own. just let me know what the court wants and needs. if anything comes up ill bring it here." " you do that, you come well recomended so ime putting my faith in you while we investigate this deal just keep it quiet. tell folks we are looking for a releative."the judge advised.