Love Child Read online

  He headed to Cotulla hoping to make it by nightfall. His headaches were so great that he realized he needed to break from traveling. John camped for the night and on his second day out of Encinal made it to Cotulla. Arriving at the ranch just after noon, John found Joe and Mo deep in conversation.

  John swung down and went into the dining hall. “What on earth has happened to you?” asked Joe. “Looks like you got shot up.” John carefully took off his hat and hobbled over to a chair and sat down.

  “I found Holloway and his gang. They shot me and left me for dead.”

  “It looks like they came close to killin’ you,” said Mo, as he scampered back to the kitchen to get John something to eat.

  “John, they been through here,” said Joseph. “It was nearly two weeks ago they rode past here. They didn’t come on to the ranch. They knew I wouldn’t take kindly to ’em bein’ here. One of the hands spotted them. He doesn’t think they saw him. They were headed north.”

  Mo arrived with a bowl of beef stew and several pieces of cornbread. “Thanks Mo,” said John as he took a bite of the stew. “This is wonderful. I hate to hurry on but I need to eat and get out of here. I’ve got to catch up to Holloway.”

  “That don’t make sense, John,” said Joe. “They’re two weeks ahead of you. Stay the night and rest a spell. You can leave out in the morning.”

  John continued to shovel the stew into his mouth and mop his bowl with the cornbread. “I ’preciate that, Joe. I know that would be the smart thing to do. But I just can’t take any more time out. I’ve already been layin’ up for the past two weeks. I’ve got to get back on the trail.”

  Joe nodded in agreement. “I know you do. Just take care of yourself, John. You’re not gonna do any good at all if you catch them again and can’t survive the encounter.

  John shook hands with his two friends and gently placed his hat on his wounded head as he walked out of the dining hall. Swinging up onto Midnight was still very painful. Slowly, he made his way into the saddle. He touched the brim of his hat as he saluted the two men and turned north toward Darlington.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  The ride to Darlington was uneventful except for the tremendous pain John felt each time Midnight’s hoofs touched the ground. His head pounded with each step. His arm and leg throbbed but so far he hadn’t reopened any of the wounds.

  As nightfall approached, he could see the general store ahead. That store was the only business in town. There were only two houses on the only road through town. John supposed there were other farms and ranches around that supported the need for the store.

  John went on past the store and to a grove of trees just off the road. It was just beginning to rain so John knew he was in for a wet night. He unsaddled Midnight and gave him a good brushing and then gathered enough branches to make a small fire. Fortunately the wood he gathered was still dry enough that he was able to light it easily. He was just getting his coffee makings ready when he heard a voice behind him.

  “Howdy,” shouted a man. John jumped. He was startled he had not heard the approaching man. He couldn’t see the man’s face, but he was wearing a long yellow slicker coat that went down past the tops of the man’s boots.

  “Howdy back to ‘ya.”

  “Stranger, you’re gonna get mighty wet before the night’s over.”

  By then, the rain had started in earnest. John watched as his fledgling fire flickered and went out. He realized with all his travels, this was the first time he had to contend with more than just a light, short-lived shower.

  “Grab your saddle and horse and follow me to the barn behind my house.” The stranger turned and walked away. John wasted no time in following the man down the road a few yards and around to his barn. The stranger in the yellow slicker lit a lamp and pointed to the back corner of the barn. By the time he got to the barn, John was soaked to the bone. Still he was grateful for having a dry place to spend the night.

  “You can put your horse in the stall back there. There’s plenty of hay. Sorry but I don’t have any oats.”

  “A little hay will be fine,” John replied. “Thanks mister. I certainly ’preciate your hospitality. That would have been a miserable night out in the rain.”

  “Get your horse settled and come on in the house. My wife has supper ready. She told me to bring you in for a hot meal. It’s just beans and cornbread but its good food.”

  Without waiting for an answer, the man turned and walked back into the rain. John put Midnight into the stall, gave him some hay and water and turned out the lamp. He pulled his collar up and ran for the house. As his boots connected with the porch, the front door of the house opened.

  “Come in this house. You’re going to catch your death out there.” The little lady held a lamp high in one hand and held the door with the other. John checked his boots for mud and then wiped them on the mat at the door. As he entered the house he took his hat from his head.

  “My goodness, child! What happened to you?” As she looked at the bandage on John’s head, she came close and her fingers traced the outline of the blood-tinged pad that covered his wound.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, I’m so unpresentable. I can only guess how I look. Actually, that’s just a little place that has a few stitches in it.” John winced as he tried to raise his right arm to his head.

  “Hubert, get his shirt off of him. He’s hurt. And I saw him limping. What’s happened to you, son?”

  “I don’t mean to be any trouble ma’am. I got shot a few times but I’m much better now. It’s been more than two weeks since it happened so I’m mostly healed up.”

  “Poppycock! You’re definitely not healed up. Hubert, get his shirt off so I can see his arm.”

  “All right Etta Mae. I’m doin’ it.”

  As John pulled his shirt off, he saw the shock on their faces as they looked at the scabbard with the dagger on his right forearm. When his shirt was completely off, Etta Mae sucked in a loud breath and quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. John realized she was looking at the double scabbard on his back that held matching daggers.

  “Are you an outlaw, son?”

  “No ma’am. In fact, I used to be a lawman. I got used to wearing these when I was the marshal in Bandera. I guess I’ve never felt fully dressed without them ever sense.”

  Etta Mae looked at John as though she was trying to see into his soul. After a full minute of staring at John, she said, “Hubert, there’s no use staring at the boy. I think he’s a good man. If he feels better having those knives on him, that’s none of our business. What’s your name, son?”

  “My name is John, ma’am. I didn’t mean for my knives to startle you. And really, I’m doin’ much better. There’s no need to bother. Like I said, I think I’m about healed up.”

  Crudder waited awkwardly as Etta Mae took the old bandages off his head and his arm. “These are infected! When is the last time you changed the bandages?”

  “I don’t reckon I’ve changed ’em since I left Encinal two or three days ago.”

  “These need to be changed every day if you don’t want to get blood poisoning.”

  “Yes ma’am. I recall bein’ told that. I just hadn’t thought of it since then.”

  “Hubert, go get him some dry clothes. He can’t wear these wet things.”

  “That’s all right, ma’am. I have some dry clothes in my saddlebags.”

  “You heard him, Hubert. Go get his saddlebags and bring them in here.”

  Hubert put his slicker back on and headed out to the barn. He was back in a few minutes with the saddlebags. Etta Mae continued cleaning the arm and leg wounds and applying new bandages.

  “John, you need to get your pants off now,” said Etta Mae.

  “Ma’am, my leg is fine, really.”

  “I’m sure it’s doing just as well your scalp and arm.”

  John realized he was on the losing end of the argument so he didn’t reply.

  “I can see you’re modest, so I’ll turn my back
until you get your pants off and can get yourself covered. Hubert, pull the boy’s boots off. He can’t do it himself with all those bullet holes in him.”

  Hubert knew better than to argue so he did as instructed. John slipped out of his trousers and gratefully accepted the blanket Hubert offered. He barely himself covered when Etta Mae turned back around and started working on his thigh wound.

  “You’re lucky. Your leg is healing fine. Let me get you bandaged up and then you can put your pants back on.” Etta Mae gently tended the wound and wrapped a fresh bandage around it. She backed up and admired her work. “There, you’re all fixed up. I’m going back to finishing up supper while you get dressed. Hubert, you set the table and then get a pallet out for John. I’m not having him going back to that old barn tonight and mess up my doctoring. John, you’ll sleep in here by the fire. I hope that works all right for you. We don’t have another bed.”

  “That’ll be just fine, ma’am. I shor ’preciate all you’re doin’ for me. I didn’t mean to be so much trouble.”

  “You hush now. It’s just the right thing to do.”

  Etta Mae took off her apron and set a big cast iron pot of beans on the table. Next she pulled the pan of cornbread from the oven and placed a plate of butter beside it. “Take a seat right there.” John did as he was told and watched her as she took a cloth and placed it in her lap. Hubert did the same so John followed suit. “Hubert say grace, please.”

  Hubert bowed his head and did as his wife instructed. “Lord, we thank thee for the food and for our guest. A-men.”

  Etta Mae filled a bowl with beans and passed it to John. She then filled Hubert’s and her bowls. “John would you like a piece of cornbread?”

  “Yes ma’am, please.” She used a spatula to serve John and her husband and then passed the plate of butter. John buttered his cornbread and took a bite of it to chase the beans he had just put in his mouth.

  “Ma’am, this is wonderful. I’ve never tasted beans so good. And the cornbread is delicious.”

  Etta Mae beamed with delight. Not wanting to be outdone, Hubert added. “You shor haven’t lost your touch, Etta Mae. You’re the best cook in Darlington.”

  “You old fool. You know there’s less than ten women around these parts. That’s not much of a compliment.”

  Hubert was opening his mouth to try to repair any damage he had done, when he saw Etta Mae wink at him. It was obvious to John she was engaging in a bit of good-natured ribbing.

  John laughed in spite of his effort not to. Etta Mae and Hubert joined and they all laughed with gusto.

  “John, we needed a good laugh. Thanks for helping us to lighten things up a bit. I didn’t catch your last name.”

  “It’s Crudder, ma’am. John Crudder.”

  “Pleased to meet you Mr. Crudder. I’m Etta Mae and this is Hubert Holloway.”

  John was shocked as the heard the name Holloway.

  “What’s wrong, son?” asked Etta Mae. “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence but the man who shot me was named Holloway.”

  Etta Mae put her hand to her mouth and said, “Hubert. Do you think that was your brother?”

  “What’s the man’s full name,” asked Hubert.

  “Jasper Holloway but people call him Percy.”

  “Oh, Hubert! This is terrible. I’m so sorry John. Percy has always been the black sheep of the family.”

  Hubert got up from the table and walked to the door and hung his head. John was stunned by what he and heard. How could a couple that was so good and generous be related to such a lowlife as Jasper Holloway?

  John stared at his plate as he wondered what he should say or do. Hubert came back to the table, took a seat and turned to John.

  “My brother is no good. He was just by here just over a week ago. He wanted supplies from the store. I told him he was not welcome and I wouldn’t sell him anything. He just laughed at me and then he and the two men with him got off of their horses and proceeded to take what they wanted from the store. They just rode off without even offerin’ to pay. It doesn’t surprise me that he was the one that shot you. I’m just sorry he hurt you. Why do you suppose he shot you?”

  “He did it because he knows I’m tracking him for murdering a woman in Laredo.”

  Etta Mae once again covered her mouth with both of her hands. She let out a little cry and shook her head in disbelief. She turned to John and asked, “Who is the woman he killed?”

  “She was the mother of my wife’s brother. He was lookin’ to rob her and shot her in front of her fifteen-year-old son.”

  Hubert spoke up. “John, it don’t surprise me none. Percy never did think like other people. What I know about him is that he don’t have no conscious. Never did. If he wants somethin’, he takes it. And if someone takes exception to that, he’ll hurt them—or worse. That’s why I didn’t do anything when he and his men stole from my store. I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to kill me or even Etta Mae. John, I hope you catch him and that he pays for his crimes.”

  “I’m gonna do my best, Hubert. I never figured on someone like him havin’ family, especially a family as kind as you. I hate that I’m goin’ after your kinfolk. Somehow it doesn’t seem right to me.”

  “John, what you’re doing is the right thing. Who are the men that are ridin’ with Percy?

  “The one with the fancy hatband is Gomez. The man with the limp is Adkins. I don’t know much about them except that they have been ridin’ with Percy for a while. They are all wanted for bank robbery. They killed several guards. No tellin’ what else they’ve done.”

  Hubert continued questioning John. “What are you plannin’ on doin’ when you catch ’em?”

  John stopped and considered his answer. “I have always been convinced the right thing to do is to take them down to Laredo to stand trial. I’m still plannin’ on doin’ that. But I’m not gonna let my guard down and get surprised by them again. What I know is I’ll defend myself and I’ll not hesitate to do so. I’m only sorry Percy is your brother.”

  “Don’t be, John. Until Percy is in prison or dead, he is gonna keep hurtin’ and killin’ and robbin’ folks. He’s a bad one. You do whatever you need to do to stop him.

  “All right,” said Etta Mae. “That’s enough conversation about these unsavory things. It’s time to eat. John finish up that bowl so I can get you some more. You know it will hurt my feelings if you don’t have at least two more bowlfuls.”

  John laughed. “I’ll do my best not to hurt your feelings. May I have some more cornbread?”

  Hubert smiled for he knew his wife got great joy in having other people enjoy her cooking. He dug into his bowl of beans, delighted not to have to focus on his brother. Etta Mae refilled the bowls of both men and replenished their cornbread. John did as instructed and ate three bowlfuls.

  “I hope you men have some room left. I have a peach cobbler in the oven. Now don’t get excited. You know this is not peach season. It’s made with canned peaches but I think it will still be good.”

  John licked his lips in anticipation and finished up the last of his beans and cornbread.

  “I’ll get you some clean bowls for the cobbler.”

  “Honey, I don’t need one. And look at John’s bowl. It looks like it just came out of the cupboard.”

  All three laughed at Hubert’s comment. John looked at his bowl and knew it was true. He had used his cornbread to clean up every bit of bean residue.

  The peach cobbler was wonderful. John reflected on how different the night had turned out from how it started. After dinner, Hubert went out on the porch and rolled a smoke. John helped clean the table and insisted on washing dishes. Etta Mae relented and allowed their new friend to help out.

  “This has been hard on Hubert.”

  “Ma’am?”

  “This talk about his brother. Hubert has always been ashamed of him and has tried to be a good influence on Percy. The
truth is Percy doesn’t want to change. It took Hubert a long time to accept that. But he’s finally realized there is nothing he can do to make Percy change the way he lives. I hope you catch him. The sooner he pays for his crimes, the sooner Hubert can go on with his life.”

  John listened as he washed the dishes. He added some more hot water to the pan and tried to concentrate on the task at hand. There was nothing he could say that seemed appropriate. He just nodded his head as Etta Mae told of the sadness Hubert’s brother had brought on the family.

  When it was bedtime, Etta Mae put down a pallet near the fire and insisted that John allow her to pull off his boots. John was grateful for the warmth of the fire and of having dry clothes. Etta May hung up his wet clothes so they would dry by morning.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  John was still sleeping when he became aware of the smell of bacon frying. He got up and rolled his pallet.

  “Wake up sleepy head,” said Etta Mae. “Hubert went out to check on your horse. He knew you would want to get an early start. The rain has stopped and it looks like it will be a good day. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. Feel free to use the washstand on the back porch. And you’ll see the outhouse out back.”

  John pulled his boots on and followed Etta Mae’s directions. When he got outside he saw Hubert. “Mornin’, Hubert.”

  “Mornin’, John. I got your horse saddled. I know it can’t be easy to do with that bullet hole in your arm.”

  “Thanks. You’re shor right. I never knew how difficult things could be with my messed-up arm. When we finish breakfast, would you mind opening your store so I could get a few things?”

  “I can do that now. Etta Mae won’t have breakfast done for a few minutes. What are you lookin’ for?”

  “Well, I’d like to buy a slicker like yours if you have one. I also need a couple of blankets and a few cans of beans.”

  “I’ve got all that. Come on in and let’s get you fixed up.”