Read Online Ralph Compton Death Rides a Chestnut Mare by RALPH COMPTON - Free Book Online

hands.”
    All the men and their sons raised their hands.
    â€œThat’s eleven including me,” Danielle said. “What make?”
    â€œColt,” they all answered at once.
    â€œAll of them may not work,” said Wallace Flagg. “We ain’t been able to afford parts.”
    â€œAnybody with a weapon that doesn’t work,” Danielle said, “give Mrs. Carlyle your name. My pa was a gunsmith, and I learned the trade. We’ll hold off on our trip to Dallas until we know which gun parts we need. Between Indians and outlaws, we need every weapon in perfect condition.”
    Before day’s end, Danielle and Tuck had their list of needed provisions and a second list of necessary gun parts.
    â€œTake my wagon,” Wallace Flagg offered. “The bed’s a little longer than usual.”
    â€œI’ll take my wagon and teams home,” said Enos Chadman, “but we’ll plan on using them for the drive. If nothing else, we can put the canvas up, keepin’ our bedrolls dry.”
    â€œI feel good about this drive,” Mrs. Carlyle said when the last of their visitors had gone.
    â€œSo do I,” said Tuck. “These other ranchers are all older than Daniel or me, yet they have agreed to throw in with us. I think we should head for Dallas in the morning.”
    â€œHow far?” Danielle asked.
    â€œAbout eighty miles,” said Tuck. “Figure three days there with an empty wagon, maybe five days returning with a load.”
    â€œWe could be gone a week or more then,” Danielle said. “As it is, we’ll be until the middle of August starting the drive.”
    â€œNo help for that,” Tuck said. “We’ll need time for the gather. Maybe we can make up some of what we’ve lost after we’re on the trail.”
    When supper was over at the Carlyle place, Mrs. Carlyle spoke.
    â€œTuck, you and Daniel should get to bed early, getting as much rest as you can.”
    â€œI aim to do just that,” said Tuck. “You coming, Daniel?”
    â€œNot yet,” Danielle said. “This is my favorite time of the day, and I think I’ll sit on the porch for a while.”
    Danielle went out, thankful the Carlyles had a large house. What would she have done had Mrs. Carlyle suggested Danielle share a room with Tuck? She sat down on the porch steps as the last rosy glow of the western sun gave way to purple twilight. To her total surprise, Carrie Carlyle came out and sat down beside Danielle. Uncomfortably close.
    â€œMay I sit with you?” Carrie asked.
    â€œIt’s all right with me,” said Danielle.
    â€œWhat will you do when you’ve tracked down the men who murdered your pa?” Carrie asked.
    â€œI haven’t thought much about it,” said Danielle. “It may take me a lifetime.”
    â€œThen you’d never have a home, wife, or family,” Carrie said.
    â€œI reckon not,” replied Danielle. “Is that what you want, a place of your own?”
    Danielle could have kicked herself for asking such a perfectly ridiculous question.
    â€œI want a place of my own, and a man,” Carrie said, moving even closer. “That’s why I was thinking . . . hoping . . . you might come back here. I’ve never been with a man before, and I’d like you to . . . to. . . .” Her voice trailed off.
    â€œCarrie,” said Danielle uncomfortably, “you’re still young. I’ll have to settle somewhere after this search is done. I can’t say I won’t come back here, but I can’t make any promise either.”
    â€œI hope you do,” Carrie said. “There’s nobody around here my age except Dumont’s son, Barney, Baldwin’s sons, Abram and Clement, Chadman’s son, Eric, and the sons of old Wallace Flagg, Floyd and Edward.”
    Danielle laughed. “Hell, Carrie, there’s six of them. Can’t you be comfortable with at