“Oh yeah? Where is he?”
“Riding around, talking to folks, asking about you. Of course, nobody’ll tell a thing, sir. Except maybe for…”
The boy nodded across the creek in the direction of Will’s former home and the Yankee carpetbagger, Mr. Braintree.
Will hadn’t talked to the man since their unpleasant introduction, but he’d seen Braintree puttering around the property and stared him down more than once.
A foolish thing to do, giving in to anger like that. He’d known it was a foolish thing when he’d done it, but he’d done it anywayout of spite. He didn’t like the man and would get his property back someday.
But Denny was right. Braintree would give him up in a heartbeat.
“All right, Denny, I appreciate you riding all the way over here to warn me. And for riding in a hurry.”
The boy stood up a little straighter. “Yes, sir, Mr. Bentley. We’re neighbors, sir. You can always count on us.”
“Likewise,” Will said and reached up to shake hands, which pleased the boy immensely.
“Where was Rickert last you knew?”
“Just leaving our place, sir. He was heading toward the Edsel farm.”
“How many men in the posse?”
“Just Sheriff Rickert and two other men. I don’t know their names.”
“All right, son. I appreciate the warning.”
He cut the kid loose and headed for the stable. Rufus stuck with him.
“I’d best ride over there and intercept the sheriff before he keeps poking around and figures out where I live,” Will said.
He grabbed the mule saddle.
“Ain’t you taking Honey?” Rufus asked.
“Nah, there could be trouble, and if Honey got hurt, I wouldn’t want to face Mrs. Bentley.”
Rufus grabbed his saddle. “Makes sense. Let’s go, then.”
“This is my trouble, not yours.”
“If it’s your trouble, Will, it’s my trouble, too.”
“I can handle it.”
“I have no doubt. But I’m riding along anyway.”
“Rickert won’t like it.”
“He doesn’t have to like it.”
Will chuckled. “All right, my friend. We’ll ride together. I appreciate it.”
Will fetched his Spencer, his new shotgun, and his bandolier of shells, briefly told the women what was happening, then grabbed Mama’s shotgun and walked out.
There wasn’t time for discussion. If Rickert found out where he lived, he’d tell Pew, and Pew might tell the Weatherspoons.
Outside, he handed the shotgun to Rufus.
