Taking a long trip

A notice for anyone who reads from this blog, I am heading for Israel this week with my wife for two months. 

I will begin posting excerpts for the final chapters beginning mid-March.

I hope you as readers enjoyed what you read.

Chapter Sixty Circle J Trouble

Frank and Jessie have been keeping an eye on everything that Matt does when they’re not out on the range.  Tonight they figure they will make their move.  When the other men are asleep in the bunkhouse; they dress quietly and carry their boots outside so as not to make any noise. 

Frank heads to the barn to saddle both of their horses and Jessie slowly moves towards the house.  Two weeks ago, they saw where the safe was located in the office.  One day, Jessie watched Matt place a card underneath the desk cover after closing the safe.  Yesterday, he got into the office and found what Matt placed under the desk cover; the combination to the safe. 

Frank met up with Jessie at the front door carrying an unlit oil lantern from the barn.  The two of them slide inside the front door and moved towards the office.  Inside of the office Jessie strikes a match to light the lantern and removes the combination numbers from the desk.  He begins to turn the combination dial.

For whatever reason he didn’t understand, Matt’s six sense tells him to check around the house that night, he decides to walk barefooted so he doesn’t make undue noise.  He walks around the upper level finding nothing unusual then heads downstairs.

Chapter Fifty-Nine Next Morning

Joan and Tyler awaken as the sun appears on the horizon.  She is not used to sleeping on cots and finds her body is stiffer than if she had been riding for hours.  Tyler located the tents near the stream which runs through the property it is easier for everyone to freshen in the morning or clean up at night.

She is amazed at how he seems to have all of the details laid out in his head.

He starts a fire before she rises and while she is getting herself together he offers to make breakfast.   Oh this is really different, she thinks.

As they eat, Tyler explains his plans to start.  “Today, we are going to build a corral, so the horses have room to move around and aren’t stuck in one place.  After the corral, we start on the barn.”

“Why, why not the house, I can understand the corral but you want the barn next?”

“Yes, I don’t know how much building experience these young men have that I’ve hired.  By building the corral and the barn it will give them some time to learn to use the tools and to think and plan.  I figure by the time the barn is finished they will have a good idea on how to tackle the house plans.  Besides, I have a wagon load of hay coming in four days and I don’t want it wet should the weather decide to change.”

“I would have never thought of it that way.  What do you want me to do today?”

Chapter Fifty-Eight Three Days Later

As he anticipated Randy and four wagons from the mill are making their way to the property.  Tyler notices Randy has a full wagon load too.  He is carrying the supplies ordered from the list Carla delivered.

Randy’s wagon arrives first.  “They’re not far behind me.  Where do you want me to unload these supplies?”

“I want everything you have unloaded under that shady area to the right of my horse.   I’ll walk over there and help you.”

They unload the three tents, cots, cooking equipment, stores for a week and various necessities.  When they finished, Tyler says, “I want you to send the second list I gave to Carla next week.  I want to change the menu so we don’t get tired of eating the same thing all the time.  I will give you a new list every time you deliver for the next week’s requirements.”

“Sounds like you’ve got this all figured out.  How long do you think it will take you to build?”

“I’m hoping to have most of it done in two months time.”