Page 88 of Final Ride

River Bend Ranch. Lincoln. Texas.

First thing we did when we got home was check on our horses. Just like Annie said, Monroe had been there with Lucy and fed them. They had lots of water and there was nothing to worry about.

“I want to know all the details about how you got Travis away from those bikers,” said Corb.

“Sure,” said Virge. “It will take a while to tell you all of it, Corb. Took us most of yesterday to get ‘er done.”

“Wish I was there to see Virge shooting again.”

“Yeah, he made a big mess in the president’s trailer,” I said, and Lucy made a face.

While Lucy made coffee in our kitchen, I sat at the table and called Billy to tell him about Dad.

“Harlan, I was worried when I didn’t hear from Travis yesterday or the day before.”

“Black Breed kidnapped him, and we had to chase him down, first to Houston and then to Las Vegas. We just got back today and he’s not okay.”

“How bad is he?”

“Been stabbed several times and has hundreds of fuckin’ stitches. Be a long time before he can move around much.”

“How are you and Virge managing with the new ranch? That’s a lot for the two of you to handle on your own.”

“Annie has been helping us get settled in but there is a lot to do. I know there’s no way you can come, but I wanted to tell you anyway.”

“It sounds like you need me there, Harlan. Let me talk to the County Supervisor and see if I can work something out.”

“Thanks, Billy. Travis would never ask you to come and help him, but we could use you here.”

“I’ll call you later, Harlan. I’m going to drive up to Cut Bank right now and talk to Lyndell.”

“Copy that.”

County Supervisor. Cut Bank. Montana.

Billy had a quick chat with Molly and Ted and outlined his spur-of-the-moment plan. He took Ted with him to the supervisor’s office and explained his predicament.

Lyndell Gibson was a reasonable man and had a good grip on Harrison County, holding the welfare of its citizens as his first priority.

After listening to Billy and sorting out a plan that would work, Lyndell said, “Since there is only one month remaining in your term, Billy, and Ted is a shoo-in for the sheriff’s job, I’ll promotehim now and work on your severance. I may be able to round him up a deputy in the next couple of weeks. You go ahead and get to Texas and see if you can help Travis and our good boys.”

Billy let out a sigh of relief as he shook Lyndell Gibson’s hand. “Don’t know how to thank you, sir. Harlan says Travis is in a bad way. Hundreds of stitches and he’ll be sidelined for weeks.”

“And they just bought that huge ranch,” said Ted. “A lot for Harlan and Virge to handle.”

“Indeed it is,” said Lyndell. “Let’s take a minute and we’ll get Ted sworn in.”

Ted beamed a wide smile. “Never expected winning the election would be this easy, Mister Gibson.”

Lyndell laughed. “You caught a break, Ted. I know you’ll make a dandy sheriff. Look at the two men who’ve been teaching you. No better lawmen in Montana than Billy Johnson and Travis Frost.”

“Copy that, sir,” said Ted, as he raised his right hand.

River Bend Ranch. Lincoln. Texas.

Late in the afternoon, Annie brought Travis to our ranch. We got him up the porch steps and inside and he lay on the sofa in the front room to rest. He cheered up a lot when Billy called and told him Lyndell promoted Ted to sheriff, and he was coming to Texas earlier than planned.

“Can’t believe it,” said Travis. “Billy talked to Gibson and talked him into letting him leave Montana early.”

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