Ambush Valley by Dusty Richards Page A

C and my boyhood was gone. I never rode over the hill and found a woman of my own. Never went on any wild goose chases. I spent my time building a ranch. And I built one. I looked around and I was twenty-five, still no time for myself. I wanted to let go, but there was no way. The feud only made it worse. The woman I loved wouldn’t leave her husband who treated her like dirt. And when she decided to, my enemies murdered her, and her husband never read the letter she wrote him that she was leaving him. I tore it up and burned it.”
    â€œI’m listening,” she whispered, sounding very somber.
    â€œThe feud got worse. They shot my brother in Kansas. Took me weeks to gather the cattle herd and take them on. We got the rustlers and killers. What I am trying to say is, I have this ranch to run and all these people count on me making it work. This is a long ways from being what fed us in Texas. I’ll need to do lots to make it a real big one that I need. . . .”
    â€œAll right, I can wait. I know I simply want to separate you off to myself. I’ve had such lousy luck with men.”
    â€œWelcome to my world.” His arm around her neck, he kissed her. “We can take a break and go see the moon once I get all this tied down.”
    â€œI will hold you to that. What did it look like up there?” she asked.
    â€œA wonderful country.”
    â€œI’ve never been up there.”
    â€œNever? One day, if your reputation can stand it, we’ll make a trip up there.”
    She gave him a push. “My reputation is no worry to me. If I can go with you, I’d ride to hell and back.”
    He nodded that he’d heard her.
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    The dance started on time, right after they had slow barbequed beef, beans, and fry bread, plus cherry cobbler at Marge’s tent. Susie, his aunt, Tom’s wife Millie, and a big share of the ranch crew all had greasy lips and were ready to stomp. It was Saturday night in Camp Verde and the fiddles were tuned.
    Kay, Floyd Kent’s wife, came by and gossiped with everyone. The short blond woman whose husband ignored her spoke to him. “Where’s JD tonight? Did he not come?”
    â€œHe’s up on the rim running our crew, who are hauling logs to the sawmill. All his teamsters and loggers left him for better pay in Tombstone. We weren’t getting any lumber we needed from up there.”
    â€œHe’s a wonderful dancer. I’ll miss him. Tell him I said hi.”
    â€œI will, Kay. He likes to dance.”
    When she went off, he wondered about his nephew who was close to eighteen or had turned that, and the thirty-year-old rancher’s wife. Well he’d have to see. She was a cute, nice lady, and a good friend of Marge’s. He couldn’t even imagine her husband ignoring her.
    â€œThat’s our waltz,” Marge said, and took him out on the floor. They whirled around the room and he was grateful he had her in his arms.
    â€œKay ask you about your nephew?”
    He nodded and guided them past a slower couple. “They must have struck up a friendship?”
    â€œI think so. He really can dance.”
    â€œShould I be concerned?”
    She shook her head. “They simply danced. They did it very well and he danced with others. Why?”
    â€œShe’s unhappy in her current life, I know that. Any time you aren’t wanted, change is an option.”
    â€œOh, he’s how old?”
    â€œEighteen. But a grown-up eighteen. He’s seen enough hell in his life.”
    â€œHas he ever had a serious girlfriend?”
    â€œYou know I don’t know. His older brother Reg married a girl named Juanita who worked for my sister and lived on the ranch. I never knew about them either until they announced their plans. His mother had a fit because Juanita was Catholic and Mexican, but she calmed down. I really miss having Reg to help me. He was a tough young man.”
    â€œAren’t all