Stem of the Wildflower

STEM OF THE

Wildflower

LOIS SLATER

Gotham Books

30 N Gould St.

Ste. 20820, Sheridan, WY 82801

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Phone: 1 (307) 464-7800

© 2023 Lois Slater. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by Gotham Books (November 22, 2023)

ISBN: 979-8-88775-569-4 (H)

ISBN: 979-8-88775-567-0 (P)

ISBN: 979-8-88775-568-7 (E)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The saga of a western family

whose only enemy

was life

itself

I dedicate this book to my lovely daughter Chanda

She inspired Liza and Lizzie and through her

Inspiration they came to life on paper

Prologue

Everything around her was a total blur. In a complete state of confusion, Sarah closed her wildflower eyes for a brief moment against the blinding sun. In the very next fragment of time, she swore she saw her father. She could see every sprinkle of grey hair on his dark head. She knew he would come; she knew he would find her. Relief flooded through her tortured body as she stared lovingly into his kind brown eyes. The large brown circles pulled her to him like a powerful magnet. She could see him running hard to reach her, but he was too far away. Her conscious mind was surprised when she saw his dark eyes were filled with chocolate tears and she wondered why he was so sad, after all he had found her. And, that’s all that really mattered.

I

There were more people finding their way into this amazingly green valley every day. The Lazy AB ranch sat at the mouth of the luscious hillside. There was fine green pastureland as far as the eyes could see. Emerald rolling hills full of heavy thick grasses and acres upon acres of virgin timber that slumbered within the waiting arms of two large icy blue lakes. The twin bodies of water provided sanctity for those that were thirsty for miles.

The Lazy AB ranch was well known for their fine choice horseflesh as well as the quality breeding of their hearty cattle. Buyers would ride for miles just to purchase a Baxter animal.

Abe Baxter had done what many men tried to do and failed. He’d succeeded in such a wide manner that few men could touch his grand existence. An empire would be an underestimation for the many completed tasks that he’d accomplished over the last fifteen years.

He’d done it at a time when no one else would attempt to do it. He’d literally built a dynasty out of nothing more than soft black dirt just waiting to be harvested and dynamically honed animal flesh. Cold frozen winters, blistering hot summers and miasmatic autumns only made him love this mesmerizing valley even more. The day he lay eyes on the luscious ground it became his home. It settled like a festered boil in his heart and became the essence of his destiny.

Being a man driven beyond his years, Abe had been wise enough to make peace with the Great Father of this valley, Chief Mad Dog, and his youngest son, Flying Eagle. They were a small band of peaceful rouge Indians that settled on the far end of the Baxter ranch. They had been here some time before him, and their days were numbered from eviction from the U.S. Calvary. Abe had no intentions of casting them out. Instead he’d made the great Chief a blood promise that as long as they could live in unison and harmony on this great piece of land he would allow no man to cause the Chief any harm. That is as long as the same respect was returned to his family. The two men both proud within their own perimeters kept the promises they made to each other.

In looking back, all but one of Abe’s dreams had come true. He’d married the woman he’d loved from the time he was a long-legged slip of a boy, and she was a skinny strawberry-headed girl. Much like the hallowed ground he stood on, she was his from the moment he’d laid eyes on her and she his. She was his chimera, his vision of life, his heart’s desire and he was hers. And with the strong everlasting support that a dedicated woman gives to a good man, they built an empire. An unforeseen empire, out of well-bred cattle and highbred horses. And they built a family out of an unconditional love and admiration for each other. Together their boundaries were limitless.

The Lazy AB ranch had miles of lush bottomland that spread across the vast ground like an endless carpet of green. And at the edge of that endless carpet laid acres of priceless mountain land that would support that dream. But, the one thing he most desired was out of his hands now. He buried the reality of that dream with his adoring wife one ancient, stormy, summer day. Fate played a poker face that lay hidden in the dark turbulent clouds above him as he watched his world crumble like quicksand beneath his feet.

Abe Baxter made this Ranch what it was today. Long hours of backbreaking work that had a way of sweating through the very pores of a man’s soul. The Baxter’s loved here, lived here and died here in this God-forsaken land. The black rich dirt that surrounded this ménage ran like a raging river through their veins. It pounded like a shrill battle cry from a crazed soldier as he hungered for the ominous battle of death. It sifted through the hot blood of their beings like powder from a scalding bullet, ready to explode for a righteous cause. But most of all, it was the nucleus of their being. A sanctuary of safety for all that lived here. It was their home.

Abe remembered a time when he couldn’t afford to put new boots on his feet and couldn’t provide for himself let alone provide for a family. But that is just exactly what he intended to do. Becky deserved that much. It was a challenge worth taking bringing his small family out into the savageness of this vast Western wilderness. Destiny was a word that he long ago proved to himself.

There was no denying the hard cold fact that their families thought the two of them were too young to take on such an undertaking. Abe smiled when he remembered how both parents wasted no time in telling them that they were out of their minds! He knew the journey would be a hardship on his beautiful young wife, who at the time was heavy with his third child. And on more than one occasion, he knew he had pushed both of their determined dispositions past the breaking point trying to take care of a matched set of blue-eyed twins that were hard to control in any normal circumstance. But taking them alone onto a ranch out in the middle of nowhere; well, that was suicidal.

But his Becky was a headstrong, sturdy built woman with a solid determination of survival. He shook his gray peppered head and sighed; he must have been crazy to take such a chance. But they were young, deeply in love and determined. And that headstrong determination paid off.

But before they could enjoy much of their good fortune, a freak accident ripped her from his loving arms and surrounded her gentle body within the dark blanket of death. It was something that should have never happened. Mechanically, he closed his damming eyes as that fateful day unfolded before him. They were riding together the four of them when the droplets of water gently started to fall. But then out of nowhere each droplet became larger and fell harder, so they pounded the sides of their wet horses and headed the short distance to the barn. Faster and faster, they rode trying to beat the fury of the storm. He shuddered when his tortured mind dredged up the battleground of the past and recaptured the horrible picture.

Their horses were running at breakneck speed, hurrying to their instructed destination. There was no stopping the inevitable. No time for turning back. He heard Becky’s shrill terrified scream. Broken-heartedly, he lowered his peppered gray head his accusing heart just couldn’t settle on the fact that Sarah shouldn’t have been alone out in the meadow. Why was she there? How did she get there? Where were the others?

There wasn’t a day that went by that something didn’t remind him of how much he missed his faithful wife’s gentle ways and soft velvet touch. He ran his trembling fingers across the clear glass pane as he remembered back to a time in his life when he could promise no woman a warm comfortable home, let alone security. But she believed in him, a man that had little or nothing and built an empire.

Bang!

The large oak doors to the main house opened and closed in a rush as Abe jumped back from his haunting vision to a phase of reality.

Daddy? Are you in here? asked a young womanly voice. Where are you?

In here, Sarah, in the study, Abe answered in an annoyed tone.

Sarah stuck her round, sunburned face around the worn old oak door. Her long strawberry colored hair hung well past her waist in a disheveled heap concealing the fullness of her body. She felt like she had intruded on something very private. Her wildflower eyes stared compassionately into those of her fathers. There was no denying the underlying accusations that those brown orbs harbored for her.

Come in child! Abe said gruffly. You’d scare a man out of ten year’s growth, sneaking around like that!

Sorry, Daddy, she said timidly. Without hesitation she walked over and put her small, manicured fingers through his large, callused hands. She knew she had intruded on something that her father did a lot. Think about her dead mother. Even though she couldn’t remember much about the lovely woman whose portrait hung above their fireplace in a golden frame, he always made it a point to let her know how much she reminded him of her. There were so many resemblances that it startled many a guest.

She let out a soft sigh. Daddy, Sarah said in a concerned voice, we have a problem in the Old Willow pasture. Her eyes were wide with fear, and it made them look like a million little wildflowers were dancing within the colorful orbs. Liza and Lizzie sent me to get you.

Abe could feel the color start to drain from his stern face. If the twins were involved, there was trouble for sure. Sarah’s voice turned anxious, Daddy, Willie’s out there and he’s hurt. Sarah tugged at Abe’s sturdy elbow. Her wildflower eyes were as wide as two painted dancing saucers. They won’t hurt him will they? She questioned. I wanted to stay and be with him, but they made me come! Her full bottom lip quivered as she turned her innocent face to his.

Not if we hurry, he sighed.

Well, I’m afraid for Willie. You know what terrible tempers the twins have daddy.

I seem to recall that, yes, he half mumbled to himself. He could feel the anger start to swell within him as he wondered what the rebellious duo had done this time.

Sarah released her grasp from Abe’s heavy fingers and put her long slender arms around his muscled waist. Sometimes, daddy, I just get so scared.

Abe put his strong arms around Sarah’s sturdy shoulders, let out a long deep sigh, and in his deep baritone voice he said, Sarah, as long as you are with me, you will always be safe. I would never let anything happen to you. You know that, right? His kind face absorbed hers. Besides, I’m getting too old for this nonsense with your two sisters.

Oh, you are not, daddy! she stated with pride in her young voice. Then with the grace of a female cat, she walked out of the old wooden door and waited for his company on the wooded porch. Like smoothly spun silk, she quietly mounted her gentle horse, and anticipated her father’s action to do the same. Her long berry colored hair danced like floating feathers at the hands of the hot summer breeze which allowed the silken strands to sway back and forth in the wind. Mechanically, she handed the waiting horse’s reins to her father.

Regretting the ride, Abe mumbled to himself, Here we go again. Nonchalantly, they gently nudged their horses into a soft lope. Together they headed for the Old Willow Pasture.

The warm summer wind felt like tiny caressing fingers as it brushed across Abe’s weather-beaten face. Being out here on horseback was much more relaxing than being stuck in that stuffy old study as it brought back memories from a time long past. Some of those images still haunted his dreams late at night. It always seemed to be the same disturbing vision that would float across his subconscious and leave him exhausted lying alone in a dark room his aching body wrapped in the covers of a cold sweat.

It was a warm day, much like this one. There they were -- the two of them riding side by side, just like now. He remembered the twins racing each other to the barn as though they’d been caught at some devious deed and the devil himself was hot on their tail. He’d just yelled at them to slow down, but they didn’t hear him. Becky looked at him and laughed. Oh, how he loved her laugh. It echoed like a lullaby through his broken heart. Sarah had a laugh just like that. The look of compassion that showed in her lovely face had just expressed her undying love for him. There was no mistaking that look. When out of nowhere dark-threatening clouds appeared. They loomed and hung over them like a black blanket, suffocating every breath and haunting their every move. They had kicked their horses into a full out run trying hard to get back to the barn before the dark clouds cut loose with their raging waters. Abe shook his head and tried to drown out the memory of it.

Daddy, Sarah said as she stared at her father. Daddy, she whispered timidly.

Abe looked into Sarah’s innocent face with little or no expression. How could he blame her? She was so young at the time. Besides, he couldn’t be sure it was even her fault. The whole disastrous nightmare was still a horrible mystery.

Yes, Sarah.

You seem so far away today. Are you all right?

He looked at her small fragile face and smiled.

Daddy, you look kind of funny, she said.

Not as funny as you are going to look with a sunburned nose, Abe laughed out loud as he looked into those haunting eyes.

I don’t want to wear that stinky stuff the twins gave me! She wrinkled her tiny pink nose. Her voice was defiant, I am nearly grown now daddy and I can decide if I want that disgusting salve on my face. Nervously she messed with her auburn hair.

Abe looked at her bottom lip quiver and then said gently, Which is worse Sarah, putting it on yourself or having one of them do it for you?

The expression of defeat ran across her face like a hot dark night. She knew it was useless to argue with her father when he put it like that. She didn’t want to look into the matched set of those dark accusing eyes of her sisters. Defeated, Sarah silently reached into her leather saddlebag, took out a small tin of salve and meticulously rubbed it on her soft pink nose and heart shaped lips. Then, with an indignant air she stated matter-of-factly, It still stinks!

Abe smiled to himself, knowing full well that it probably did. Silently, Abe studied his youngest daughter carefully as she moved gracefully with every rhythm of her gentle horse. To him she didn’t seem to be as adapted to this rugged country as the twins were. Sitting there on the back of his swaying animal he watched as she pulled every unruly strand of her berry hair neatly back into a long braid and tied it back within the boundary of the large satin yellow bow. Her face, aside from the shiny salve, had a magical glow about it. A womanly glow he’d never seen or maybe noticed before. The tiny brown freckles that turned up from the bottom of her lip then scattered in all directions across her cotton-like cheeks complimented her pink face. Her long slender fingers were meticulously painted with a soft pink color. He couldn’t count how many nights that he’d sat and watched in total amazement as those long slender fingers turned darkness into day as they drew magical images that looked like they could come to life on a board of white canvass or paper.

But Abe had more promising plans for Sarah. He would see to it in the next few months that she would be placed with the best teachers, and she would learn the poise and etiquette of a real lady. That she herself would become one of the finest teachers in these parts. After all, there would come a day when this savage, open range, would need teachers. The plans for her to leave this rugged western land had already been set into motion. He would send her back east with Becky’s family for proper schooling. They were excitedly anticipating her arrival. He was dreading her departure. But the plans were done and there was no changing them now.

Abe gripped the top of the saddle horn, maybe if he’d never brought Becky out to this God-forsaken place he would still have her by his side. Maybe, this untamed country hadn’t been the place for a lady like her. Maybe, he’d been wrong. Shaking that thought from his brow-beat head, he knew deep down that Becky would be comforted in the thought that one of her daughters had stepped into her image. She’d been an intelligent teacher herself. Yes, his mind was made up, Sarah would be a teacher and that would be the end of it despite the invidious attitudes of the twins. He was yet to satisfy those two dark-eyed hellions anyway. He’d made a lot of mistakes with those two hellcats that he’d been careful not make with Sarah.

Abe had pretty much accepted the hard-core fact that it was pretty much too late for his first-born twins, Liza and Lizzie, to ever become proper young ladies. He had no choice at the time but to teach them in the ways of men. They in turn had taken to the position with ease. Together they had learned the hard way how to blend like a blade of grass within the confines of this ruthless valley. The two of them could ride the raunchiest horses at breakneck speed. That was a necessity on this ranch. They could rope the orneriest type of snot-blowing, horn digging beasts that lived on the open range, drag them to a searing branding iron with little or no difficulty on any given day, heat, rain or snow it didn’t matter the two of them simply loved the battle. The harder the task, the more they reveled in it. They could outshoot any man on the ranch and were accepted hands when they showed up. They’d never been afraid of a hard day’s work and Abe would never have accepted it anyway. He’d taught them never to back down from a good fight but to be wise enough to stand on the right side of what they were defending. To his knowledge they had never disgraced his school of hard knocks teachings.

They could play a good game of chess or cheat with the best of them at a fist pounding game of poker. One twin standing alone facing trouble was like a coiled rattler fearless in its quest, taking its time, patiently waiting to strike. But standing together, side by side, all bets were off, the odds magically changed. It was as though they became one entity, and their demeanor became dark and threatening like two deadly vipers, coiled and ready to penetrate the skin of anyone they considered to be their enemy. They were strong, not just in strength but they didn’t know how to back down. Liza and Lizzie took no prisoners. What was right, was right. To them, there was no other option. Ultimately, no one stood a fighting chance against them.

Even Abe wasn’t immune to that situation. You just didn’t cross Liza and Lizzie and expect to come out on the high end of things. It didn’t happen that way. You just didn’t do it. And for most people, men in particular, it took only one bad decision to figure that out. He did regret one thing in their wild upbringing though, men, for some unknown reason they never seemed to figure into their lives. Well, at least not for more than one dance.

They had joked to Abe on more than one occasion that the reasoning behind their lack of male companionship was because they couldn’t find anyone like him. He knew it was because they couldn’t find anyone that would put up with them like he did. The men in the valley were all too afraid of the twins to ask either one for a moonlight stroll for fear they’d be missing a particular part of their treasured anatomy or worse yet be hung by their feet from some tree just hoping someone would come along and rescue them. So, in turn the twins called most of them sissies. Abe chuckled to himself. Poor Willie stuck out there all alone in the hands of his two dark-eyed vipers. He could only hope there would be enough of the old scoundrel to pack home. He let out a lighthearted chuckle, serves him right.

Sarah looked at her father with a puzzled face. Something funny, daddy? she asked.

I was thinking of poor Willie stuck out there alone with the twins.

They won’t hurt him will they? Sarah questioned in a concerned voice. Abe could see the worry for her Uncle wash over her innocent features.

Not if we hurry, he answered.

They urged their horses back into a soft lope, as the urgency to hurry became apparent. When the twosome bridged the crest of the long grassy hill, there was no way to miss the waiting party. Even from this distance he could see the twin’s black hair dancing in the summer breeze. And even though they were his own flesh and blood, it never ceased to amaze him how much they looked alike and how difficult it was to tell one from the other. Of course, that wasn’t anything new for the members of the Baxter family. They had been mixing up these two black-eyed devils since birth. That’s why it was impossible to effectively know which one was the oldest. A subject that was rarely discussed at the Baxter house without causing a volcanic eruption. As if it wasn’t hard enough to have one Tasmanian devil, he’d been blessed with two. From the top of their black raven hair, to the bottom of their brown leather boots, to the inner source of their rattlesnake dispositions, these identical siblings put the word identical to the test. Poor Willie.

Liza’s eyes were liquid black when the accusing words rolled off of her viperous tongue like melted honey, How could you just lay there and let some low-down sneaking maggot steal our cattle, Willie?

Before Willie had a chance to answer, Lizzie jumped in the middle of him, Do you know how much time we’ve spent getting a perfect blood line on those bulls!

A darn long time! Liza jumped in as she interrupted her sister.

Lizzie gave her a dirty look. Would you let me finish? she snarled at her identical sibling.

Silently, they stared at each other then in unison they stated angrily. Six years!

Darn you, Willie! Liza hollered. If you could leave that rye whiskey alone for a few hours, maybe you would have heard someone coming!

I bet you’d of seen that bullet if it blew up your ass! Lizzie said sarcastically.

Yeah, maybe it would have let some common sense in there! laughed Liza.

I doubt it, chided Lizzie, there ain’t nothing up there to catch it!

Both women laughed before their voices became menacing, It ain’t just some ole walking stick ya know, they hissed in unison.

Missy’s, Willie started in his own defense. I swear they were here and gone afore I could catch me feet under me! He glanced at the accusing looks on each twin’s angered face hoping to find the slightest form of compassion. As usual there was none. I ad no reason ta bring any undue harm ta neither of you lassies. I wone do it.

Oh please spare me, snarled Lizzie. You’re just trying to cover your own butt on this one Willie, and we ain’t bailing you out, not this time. No sir’ree!

I ain’t askin’! he snapped his pride wounded.

Father is going to be madder than a wet hornet! accused Liza.

Sides, whispered Lizzie, you might want to hide that there whiskey bottle in your pocket.

Willie gave her a dirty look before he spoke, That’s for medicinal purposes!

Well it certainly cleaned something out, snipped Liza, and it wasn’t you!

I wasn’t drunk I tell ya! he argued. If’n that’s what you’re getting at!

Yeah, tell that one to father! continued Lizzie. He might believe you, cuz I sure as a snakes belly don’t!

You’re just trying to cover you own butt, Liza accused again as close to his ear as she could get, just in case he didn’t hear the accusation the first time, and guess what, it ain’t working.

With the sting of the last statement, Willie’s flaring temper combined with the pain in his head had just about met its limit. He had had enough of their accusing dispositions and completely fed up with the both of them. In a flat monotone voice Willie stated matter-of-factly, My blood, sweat and tears run deeper into this soil than be known. His temper had got the best of him. Aye ad me some rye whiskey. He looked into the accusing pair of dark black pools. But never at the expense of your safety or the ranch! Now be given me some room here ya two she devils!

The twins backed off for a few minutes and gave Willie some room to breathe. It was plain to see they had taken his calescent temper and pushed it to the limit, something they had an art at doing. Willie could feel the warm sticky ooze drip through his gray hair and down his aching skull.

The stream-like droplets made a tiny red-river like pattern at the bottom of his shoulder. Perfect! he grumbled.

The baffled dark eyed duo saw it at the same time. Knowingly, they looked at each other with a half smirk on their devilish faces. Without a second thought Liza walked to where the horses stood, took a can of salve out of her leather pouch and walked back to where Willie sat. Without a word the twins went to work on his superficial wound. By this time Abe and Sarah had descended upon the threesome.

Not bothering to acknowledge the full presence of the arriving party the twins spoke in unison, Hello, father. Their tone was curt and direct.

Sarah, what took you so long? Lizzie snapped at her younger sister.

Neither twin bothered to look up. We expected you a little sooner than last week’s mail! Did you get lost? Liza questioned.

Why, no, she answered flustered at the accusation. I went straight away just like you said!

Well, we’ve had a bit of trouble here in case no one else has noticed, they stated matter-of-factly. We’ve got dead cattle over there, Liza pointed to the place where their precious animals lay, and a deadbeat over here! The two exchanged a quick smirk.

Willie tried unsuccessfully to pull free of the two she devils that had him imprisoned by his own wounded flesh. Together they looked directly at their father. He could tell by their accusing faces, that they were waiting for a justified answer. Then they looked in unison at their younger sibling. Where’s your salve? they questioned at the same time within the same breath.

Sarah ignored their inquisitive statement until one dark eyebrow became two arched warnings so in an indignant manner and a high-handed fashion she stated, It’s on!

Lizzie stared at the young woman sitting on the back of the quiet sorrel mare with a simple question in her dark pools of black. Without saying a word those haunting dark eyes said they would not condone any disrespect. That they had asked a simple question and they expected a simple answer. Nothing less would be tolerated. Certainly no smart remark like that.

Honestly, Sarah stated in a softer tone. I put it on while we were riding here.

That’s better, stated Liza matter-of-factly. There’s no need for that nasty tone.

Abe just sat there on the back of his horse and stared at the startling images in front of him. Everything about them matched. They were like two kindred diamonds bonded together by the very grains that made them rare. It was a phenomenal illusion.

Their braided waist length hair was as black as a raven’s feather. Every fibrous strand shone like the shining glow of clear glistening water. Their intimidating blue eyes were as mesmerizing as the crystal translucent water on a lost forgotten lake. The dark pools were deep and forbidding. Their enchanting features were pulchritudinous. Clear of any mars or marks that took away from their enchantedness. Their womanly frames were long, lean and fully inviting in all the places that would invite the affections of any man.

He often wondered how anything so outstandingly beautiful could be so villainous. In their years here on this earth they’d made more enemies than friends. He was sure of that. But then their natural God-given beauty set them up to be deadly targets. And their unruly dispositions were like two coiled rattlers on a hot summer day wrapped securely one within the other waiting for that unsuspecting intruder that dared disturb their safe haven.

He’d heard on more than one occasion how well they could handle themselves. Neither one of these blue-eyed devils would be swayed enough to be anyone’s fool. It was hard to say how many men had found out the hard way on that score. They were beautiful and they knew it. They were as wily as a cornered fox and smart enough to get out the very trap that was set for them. They knew that, too. But mostly, they were cunning and each and every day they used that ability to their utmost advantage and very rarely lost. They knew that best of all.

Abe’s heart was heavy as he dismounted from his horse and squatted next to Willie, ignoring the twin’s accusing looks. Sarah all but flew from her saddle to join him as she held Willie’s hand in her soft gentle palm. The twins continued to tend the wound on Willie’s head as if Sarah and Abe weren’t there.

Well? Abe questioned as he looked into Willie’s pain-stricken face. What happened? Did you get a look at them?

No, sir! Willie tried to shake his pounding head. I didn’t even hear em comin. Willie winced.

Hurts, huh? Abe stated.

Hold still you big baby, demanded Lizzie.

I’ve got few brains as tis, but I sure as the sun is yellow din’t need what I do have splattered all over this God-forsaken place! In outraged protest he tried to move. Or at the hands of these two! Willie winced again. What ya got in that snake venom? he hollered.

I said sit still, Lizzie hissed as she tweaked the injured area.

Ow! winced Willie.

The twins never looked up as one sewed, one wiped, one applied the salve. It was all done quickly, mechanically and precisely right. Abe was always amazed at their mystical ability. Chief Mad Dog had taught them the ways of medicine. Actually, Chief Mad Dog had taught them many Indian ways while Abe was in his time of grieving. He’d said they were naturals, and their minds were as quick as hummingbird’s wings and their minds were like the thirsty green grasses that absorbed water within their buried stems. After watching their skill today, there was no reason to doubt that statement.

When the twins were finished intentionally tormenting their imprisoned prey, they stood up and walked back to their patiently waiting horses. Liza placed the tin can of sacred salve back into the safety of the leather saddlebags.

Liza, said Lizzie, this is bad.

Who do you think we got to this time? her sister asked.

I think this was a warning, more than anything, answered Lizzie.

Together the twins walked to where one of their prize bulls laid in a pool of blood. Lizzie pulled her sharp bladed knife from its leather sheath. I guess there’s no sense in letting this meat go to waste. Together they proceeded to take care of the first slain animal.

Liza looked back at Lizzie and said, "Why kill our bulls, why not just take them?

Surely they would bring a lot more money than just leaving them here to let their meat rot."

Lizzie looked at her identical sibling, and shook her head in disbelief, Because everyone in six states would know whose they were!

Well don’t turn dog on me! I was just sayin’.

You weren’t sayin nothin that made a lick of sense!

Oh, so you’re the only one that makes any sense around here!

I didn’t say that!

Then what did you say? Liza demanded.

I said you’re a damn idiot! Lizzie yelled. That’s what I said!

Liza looked up into her sister’s dark liquid pools. You take that back, or you’ll regret it.

Like a stubborn old oak, Lizzie stood her ground, I will not!

But before anything physical could transpire between the two irate siblings, Abe’s loud voice echoed like thunder, Enough! I’ve heard enough!

As expected they looked at their father’s red irritated face and in unison said, Yes, father. Without hesitation they continued to work on the slain bull.

Damn brats! Willie mumbled under his breath. A man could die a slow death just listenin’ to them two she-devils arguin’ all the time. Don’t know how you stand it! I swear I don’t! he grumbled.

Abe half smiled to himself as he helped Willie onto his horse, I’m not taking all the credit for their raisin. Willie gave him a weak knowing look as he waited for Abe to get mounted.

I’ll send back some help for you two to bring those dead bulls in ya hear? He looked from one twin to the other. Let’s hope we can save most of the meat.

It won’t go to waste father. Liza stated. We plan on taking part of it to Mad Dog’s camp.

Sides, stated Lizzie, he ain’t been himself lately and we need to look in on him. Heard about some white man messin’ round up there with some kind of new fang dangled medicine. The interrogating twin looked into her father’s face and then at Willie. Know anything about that?

Willie gave the two interrogating women a look of disbelief, How would I know anything bout that?

Right, Liza stated in a doubting tone, how would you? Intentionally, she turned her gaze toward her father. Well, I don’t like it and that’s why we’ll be paying him a visit.

I hadn’t heard that, Abe answered honestly, but we’ll be lookin’ into it. Abe knew from years of experience that it would do no earthly good to argue with the angry duo, so he nodded his approval. He knew the twins would head for home when they were justifiably finished with their distasteful job at hand. If there were any rustlers left out here, they’d pay a mighty big price if they tried to capture the likes of these two dark eyed rattlers. No, Abe wouldn’t wish that kind of bad medicine on anyone. He started to mount his horse as he said, You two watch your backs, here? It was a solemn ride back to the ranch.

The twins worked in a rhythmic motion as they gutted the slain animals. It’s not that they