Part 22 (1/2)

Greg was leaning against Winn's leg; he bent down and lifted the child.

Winft was surprised at how attentive the boy seemed to be. At four, Winn wa.s.sure he would have been easily distracted. Perhaps Greg reflected the moodhe saw around him without understanding what was going on. Winn wondered if the child could remember his father's funeral or if they had sent him awayuntil it was over.

' ”And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep HisCommandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His Commandment, that we should believe in the name of His Son JesusChrist, and love one another....”

Winn was almost convinced that the pastor had chosen the longest chapter inthe Bible. At last he concluded, ”And hereby we know that He abide th in us,by the Spirit which He hath given us. First John, chapter three.”

Cynthie watched the pastor gently close the leather- bound volume, but shewas more aware of Winn across from her. She wondered what her neighborsthought of Greg clinging so tightly to him. She would have liked to be beside them both but Greg didn't want to be with Kyle and she was beginningto wonder if it was mutual. Kyle had his hand possessively on her back andshe couldn't shake it off discreetly.

The pastor began to sing ”Rock of Ages” and the mourners joined in.

Cynthie meant to keep her eyes on the casket and remember why she was here,but a strong, deep voice rose above the others and made her lift her eyes.

Winn's voice had caught the attention of a few others in the gathering, aswell. By the time they began the third verse, several voices were droppingoff, unsure of the words, but Winn sang as if a hymnal were in front of him.By the final verse he was nearly singing a solo. Cynthie wondered if theothers hadn't quit singing to listen.

While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyelids close in death, When Isoar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleftfor me, Let me hide myself in Thee.

Everyone joined again for a very firm amen. If Winn knew he had become the center of attention he didn't show it. He held Greg in his arms, rockinghim gently, while the boy rested his head on his shoulder, ready to fallasleep.

Kyle was aware of it, though. She could feel his body tense beside her.

She didn't have to look into his face to know he was angry. She didn't want to. She wanted to watch Winn.

As the mourners started to leave the cemetery, Cynthie took a step towardWinn, but Kyle grabbed her arm to hold her back. She saw Louie and Peter appear on either side of Winn to walk with him out of the cemetery. She wanted to jerk her arm out of Kyle's hand, but the pastor was beside her andshe wouldn't make a scene.

Louie and Peter helped Winn put Greg to bed in the bunkhouse. Jeremiah was there ahead of them and Winn wondered if he had stayed near the ranch yardduring the service. Peter and Jeremiah had slipped away, but Louie stayedbeside him.

”Want something to eat?” Louie asked. Winn shook his head.

Louie seemed nervous, as if he was uncertain of something. Winn had noticed it last night, as well. Around two in the morning Louie had joined Winn inCynthie's front room, but hadn't said anything more about Emery's death.Winn had waited for Louie to mention what he had found, what he hadn't toldthe sheriff. Instead, the older man had finally said, ”You best get some rest,” and Winn had followed his advice.

Now they stood in the shade of the bunkhouse where Louie could watch thepeople gathered near the house. The sounds of the crowd were distant and subdued.

”I found cigar b.u.t.ts out there,” Louie said suddenly.

Winn thought immediately of Dempsey, but a lot of other men smoked cigars.

He knew his mistrust of Dempsey might be purely personal.

Louie went on in a quiet voice.

”I tried to like Dempsey 'cause Mrs. Franklin does but I can't do it.

There's things I haven't told her on account o' not being sure. Some things, too, I guess I decided didn't matter anymore. ”

Winn waited for him to continue, hoping he would go back and explain about the things he'd kept to himself. Instead Louie changed the subject.

”Do you have any influence over Mrs. Franklin?”

Winn was startled into a laugh.

”I don't think so.”Louie sighed. He watched the crowd for a moment, found Cynthie and notedDempsey beside her. He had hoped there was something between his boss andyoung Sutton.

”Well,” he started again.

”I'm not sure I did right, but I just wanted to protect Mrs. Franklin.

Maybe it don't make any difference now, but I just can't be sure. ”

Winn didn't speak, and after a moment Louie went on, lowering his voice still

more.

”I know that Franklin was selling guns down in the Nation.

Sometimes the wagons was kept here before going' south. Dempsey was his

driver. I don't see how he couldn't know. Well, I didn't think I could gosquealing on my boss, and he wasn't asking me to take part in no thing il legal, so I tried to forget it. Anyway, Franklin died and it was over.”Except it wasn't over 'cause somebody killed Franklin and we never found outwho. Now Dempsey's here all the time and I find myself keeping quiet again to protect Mrs. Franklin. But I got to figure a way to protect her fromDempsey, too.””Do you think Dempsey's been stealing her cattle?” Winn asked.”Why?””It don't figure, I know. Seems like if he wants her cattle all he has to do is marry her, unless maybe she don't want to marry him.”

There was a hopeful note in Louie's voice that seemed to ask Winn if he knew

the woman's heart. Winn wished he could give him the answer he wanted.Instead he remembered something she had said.”Dempsey's been telling Cynthie that it's Ott who took her cattle.””Well, that don't surprise me. He's pl ayin' on a feud that her husband started. Goes back to that loan Franklin made. Dempsey was mixed up inthat, too, I'd just about bet on it.”Winn thought of something else.”Did you know Peter's father borrowed money from Franklin?””No,” Louie said quickly.”Borrowed money and died. Are you sure?””It's in Franklin's ledgers,” Winn said.”Merlin's debt was nearly paid off. His land now belongs to Mrs. Franklin.”

”I guess there's been a lot of things I just didn't pay attention to.”They were quiet for a time. A young couple bid Cynthie goodbye and headedtoward the barn. Louie knew Peter would help them hitch their buggy. Bythe way Winn turned his head, Louie guessed he was listening to them leave.When they were well past, Winn asked, ”What are you going to do?”

Louie sighed.

”The sheriff and I are to go out to that camp today. He ought to see thecigar b.u.t.ts the same as me. Tomorrow, I'll take the boys and we'll round upwhat cattle's left and bring them in close. We can keep 'em here till thegra.s.s runs out. I hope the sheriff ends this before then.”

Several people seemed to have decided to leave at once. Their voices grewnearer and pa.s.sed on.

”I better help the boys with the hit chin',” Louie said.

Winn stood alone, listening to horses, harnesses and voices. He was afraid to go very far from the bunkhouse without his little guide who was stillsleeping inside.

Cynthie's gaze kept returning to Winn. As the mourners left, she could seethem glance in his direction, obviously curious about his blindness orperhaps his presence at the ranch. Only Ott and the pastor bothered to turnaside and greet him.

How she longed to leave the last remaining guests and run to his side.

She wanted to tell him how glad she was that he had held her little boy inhis strong arms and comforted him. She wanted to say that his singing hadbeen wonderful and she wanted to hear it again. She wanted to tell him that she loved him.