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in the house which would provide an answer. He began to wonder if Dave might have figured out where his father was holed up and rode to talk to him. But that still didnā€™t explain his decision to leave without paying the men. After he doled out their salaries, heā€™d still have more than enough money left to pay for what he needed.

They were soon on the road again and Jake was no closer to understanding what had motivated Dave to leave. There were now only eighteen miles between them and the Elk.

When they resumed their ride, Jake may have still been wondering about Dave, but he was grateful when Jack changed the topic to Sara. In less than a minute, he forgot about Dave as he began a long monologue starting with their almost disastrous meeting in front of her fatherā€™s store.

The miles passed quickly as Jake came close to repeating most of their conversations almost verbatim. He did leave out some of their more personal comments, but as he rambled, Jack and John just rode quietly alongside with smiles on their faces. They had been relieved to find Jake but were happy to know that he would soon marry Miss Smith and the ranch would become an even better place to work.

_____

Al Pope was just about to turn over his watch to Pack Oliver when he took one last glance down the road and changed his mind.

Al exclaimed, ā€œSomebodyā€™s cominā€™, Pack!ā€

Pack had to shield his eyes against the early evening sun but soon picked up the dust cloud and shouted, ā€œItā€™s gotta be them!ā€

ā€œLetā€™s not get Miss Sara all excited yet. Letā€™s give ā€˜em a minute to get closer just to be sure. It might be somebody else.ā€

ā€œOn a Sunday?ā€ Pack asked.

ā€œItā€™s probably Jake and the boys, but it ainā€™t gonna hurt to wait a minute, Pack. If we see three riders and a packhorse, then weā€™ll let Miss Sara know.ā€

The two men continued to stare at the distant riders until Al said, ā€œItā€™s them alright. Letā€™s go tell Miss Sara and get everybody in the chow house.ā€

As they turned to leave the loft, Pack said, ā€œI sure wish I could see Jakeā€™s face when he walks in that front door.ā€

Before they began climbing down the ladder, Al said, ā€œI wonder how he looked when Jack told him Dave ran off.ā€

ā€œJake will handle it. Itā€™s just kinda odd that he ran off like the boss did.ā€

ā€œYeah, but he didnā€™t murder anybody before he skedaddled.ā€

_____

Sara had been so anxious after Charlie suggested that Jake might return today that she found it difficult to concentrate on anything constructive after dusting and doing some minor rearranging.

Sheā€™d been reduced to thoughtful pacing for the past hour, and much of those thoughts centered on the envelope lying on Jakeā€™s desk. She wasnā€™t about to open it or even try to read it though the envelope. But she was sure that Dave Forrest was its author, and it contained an explanation for his disappearance.

She was evolving a new theory as her circling track carried her into the main room at the same moment that Al Pope knocked loudly on the front door.

She hurried to the door and before she could ask, Al excitedly said, ā€œHeā€™s cominā€™, Miss Sara. He oughta be here in less than thirty minutes.ā€

Sara grinned and said, ā€œThank you!ā€ before Al turned and raced off the porch.

She didnā€™t stay in the open doorway to watch Al disappear, but after a short glance down the access road, closed the door and walked to the couch where she took a seat. She smoothed her dress and tried to calm her excitement. Sheā€™d used some of her spare time to change out of her new riding outfit but wasnā€™t sure if it was an improvement.

_____

Even though Jake didnā€™t have a clue that Sara was waiting for him in the ranch house, he was still excited when he first spotted the Elkā€™s buildings. Heā€™d asked Mars for more speed when they came into view, so after heā€™d been spotted by Al and Pack, the thirty minutes had been reduced to twenty.

What he was hoping and expecting to find in the house was a note from Dave. When Jack had told him that none of them had searched the house, which he understood, he knew that if Dave hadnā€™t left a note, then he might never know what had made him leave. He still wondered if Daveā€™s unexpected departure had something to do with his fatherā€™s earlier escape. If Dave had spotted his father, he might try to do Jakeā€™s job and lost the gunfight.

By the time they turned down the access road, Jakeā€™s mind was occupied by Daveā€™s disappearance. Sara didnā€™t even make a cameo appearance during the last two miles.

Jake soon noticed someone waiting on the porch steps but couldnā€™t see anyone else. It was a Sunday, so that wasnā€™t unusual. He soon identified Bill Jackson, who was now stepping away from the house.

When they pulled up, Bill said, ā€œItā€™s really good to see you back, Jake. You can head into the house and Iā€™ll take care of Mars and Vulcan.ā€

Jake dismounted, pulled his Winchester from its scabbard, then said, ā€œThanks, Bill. Jack and John will tell you and the other boys what happened and what I plan to do.ā€

Bill nodded then looked at Jack and said, ā€œYou two may as well stay in your saddles. Charlie has some hot chow ready.ā€

Jake walked to Vulcan, slipped the Sharps from it scabbard and said, ā€œBill, can you have my personal gear left on the porch?ā€

ā€œSure thing, boss.ā€

Jake smiled then turned to the porch without mentioning Billā€™s use of ā€˜bossā€™ rather than his Christian name.

As he climbed the steps, Bill looked at Jack and motioned for him to follow before he led

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