The Saints of Swallow Hill(46)

He said, “It’s gonna take some time to get to know you, and vice versa. I don’t expect nothing from any one of you more than an honest day’s work. I’m fair-minded, and you’ll come to see that in short order. Long as you do the work, we’ll be all right. Any questions?”

Crow said, “I got one.”

Del said, “I ain’t directing that to you.”

Crow ignored him. “Wonder what you’ll find in Ballard’s tally log? Reckon there’s a problem noted anywhere?”

The man was like a dog with a bone, once he got ahold of something, he didn’t want to let it go.

Del said, “I know what you’re getting at, Sweeney.”

“Do you?”

Del faced his workers again, refusing to let Crow get under his skin. He made eye contact with Cobb deliberately, an attempt to reassure him. The kid remained wide-eyed and uncertain. Del left the men, leading the mare, and he and Peewee went along the path back toward the camp.

Peewee said, “Crow’s bound to test you.”

“It’ll be over the kid and his counts.”

Peewee grunted. “I been thinking of telling young Cobb he’s got to move on ’fore something happens to him.”

Del said, “I feel kind a bad for him. Got to be here for a reason.”

“Could be, but he’d be better off doing something else.”

One solitary yell came from behind them, almost like a scream, and Peewee said, “Now what.”

They stopped to listen, but nothing else was heard except the rapid fire tapping of a distant woodpecker.

Del said, “Reckon we ought to go back and see?”

Peewee didn’t seem concerned. “Probably someone shouting at the mule.”

Ballard’s place, which was next door to Crow, was whitewashed with flowers planted and chickens clucking and pecking quietly in the yard. There were a couple well-fed hogs and a milk cow penned in the back area. Mrs. Ballard was hanging out the wash, but her eyes quickly flitted to Peewee and then Del, a stranger leading her husband’s horse, and her face crumpled like she’d already heard the bad news. Del waited while Peewee spoke quietly, confirming what she’d already guessed. Del noticed Ballard’s children, a gangly boy of about twelve and two girls, twins, about four years if he was to guess. The girls huddled together, solemn-faced, while the boy stood by his mother’s side.

Mrs. Ballard hugged him and said, “Lord, help us. You got to be man of the house now, Jimmy.”

Jimmy pulled away from his mama and turned to Del, his face red with anger, his grief spilling out with it.

He said, “Give me them reins. That’s my Daddy’s horse.”

Del felt bad for the boy and carefully said, “I come to buy her. What’ll you take?”

Jimmy squared his shoulders, defiant.

He said, “She ain’t for sale.”

Peewee spoke to Mrs. Ballard. “Best not be too hasty about any decisions. I’d recommend you consider taking what you can for the horse, to tide you over. It’ll give you enough ’til you find you a new place.”

Jimmy looked at his mama. She gave him a single nod, and he faced Del again.

The boy glared at him, and with a tremble in his voice, he said, “Fifteen dollars.”

Peewee said, “Seems fair. I’ll pay’em and add it to what you owe at the commissary.”

Del said, “Fine.”

What else could he do but accept? He wanted the extra pay, and he needed the horse in order to get it. The slow clop of hooves came above the soft crying of Mrs. Ballard as the wagon approached, bringing her husband to his family. Del and Peewee removed their hats as Gus brought the wagon close to the house. Mrs. Ballard put her hand to her mouth as she went to the wagon, reaching out to touch Ballard’s head, her voice quavering with emotion.

“I knew something was wrong with him. It was the fever. He got it and it didn’t never let up.”

Del said, “I’m sorry.”

Peewee said, “He was a good man.”

They helped get Ballard off the wagon and inside. They took him to the small bedroom and laid him on the bed.

She said, “I’ll sit with him tonight. Bury him tomorrow.”

Peewee said, “I’ll be sure to send a couple men by to dig the grave at first light.”

“Thankee kindly.”

They stayed a bit longer, letting Mrs. Ballard talk about “her Jim” long as she wanted.

When they finally left, they made their way back through the camp, and Peewee said, “It’s gonna be rough trying to raise them young’uns alone.”

Del said, “It’s a damn shame. Ballard was a good man.”

Peewee said, “True that.” He pointed back the way they’d come. “Once she figures out where she’s going, that’s where the woods riders stay. I’m afraid the Ballard place is the only one available. It’s beside you know who.”

Del said, “She can take her time. I ain’t in no hurry to be his neighbor.”

They walked a bit farther and saw Crow coming their way, his expression sly, like he knew something they didn’t. It was how he stared down his nose as he swaggered by, staring at them with a little snarl of a smile curling one side of his mouth.

After they were by him, Peewee said, “I seen that look before.”