A FRESH START 14

bill hadnt heard a word from slughter about finding the brand inspecters body and now he had this young cowboy laid up at his ranch. he knew he needed to get word to harveys wife but didnt feel good about leaveing him alone. just because no one had come by didnt mean some one wouldnt. the kearneys were still a item , out and about and bill had a strong feeling one of them were responsable for the inspecters death. . would he be next? they had made it pretty plain they didnt want him here. harvey seemed innocent enough, a young rancher just married trying to make his way in the world. but leaveing him to the mercy of the kearny s wasnt a fair thing to do either. bill and harvey were sitting on the porch nurseing coffee cups when slaughters buggy rolled into sight. the team at a long ground eating trott. viola sat up right with the lines run through her fingers of her right hand and a long lash buggy whip ih her left. beside her slaughter sat holding that long tom shot gun with one hand and his hat with the other. viola pulled the team to a stop in the yard in front of the house. " i say, i say ime glad i caught you to home i have a few things to discuss with you." slaighter expounded. " well get down and get in the shade and lets get on with it." bill laughed. bill introduced harvey and explained about the circumstances of him being there. slaughter listened and then waved viola over." let the good woman look at the leg harvey she has nursed many a injury over the past few years and never lost a patient." while viola was inspecting harveys bad leg slaughter explained abouit the investigation into bryces death" the body was so far gone when the coronor got there all they could do was determine cause of death and then buried him right there in that prospect hole. yes he was shot from behind, with what appears to be a rifle slug that they did recover. ambushed by the cowards. he was a good man." " no idea as to who the shooter was?" bill asked. i have my suspicions but no hard eveidence. i wanted to let you know because i think you think as i do."slaughter looked bill right in the eye." i know you came here for a peaceful life, but that family isnt going to allow it i fear. and now i see we need to get word to this young mans wife as to his where abouts and condition." slaughter was watching viola rewrap harveys leg. she looked over at john then bill and nodded" it was a good job. it will heal well." " i need to word to my wife or get home if i can. i bet she is worried sick" harvey blurted. " rideing in the buggy will be a bit crowded but we can take you home. i dont think bill needs to leave here for a while." slaughter explained. a hour later viola cracked a sharp whip over the teams backs and pointed them toward pinery canyon. harvey was sandwiched between slaughter and viola but waved good by as they left the yard. bill had belted on his pistol .