The Charlotte Series: Book 3: The Pretender's Gold

SECTION VII-HANK'S LETTERS 16

Chapter 16

Summer Marshton

Humble Cottage

July 10, 1877

Hello Summer.

I know it's been a long time but I haven't had much to say lately. There's only so much a cowboy can say about work. I get up before the sun and I'm out working the ranch until after the sun goes down. Most days I've been camping out and only coming back to the ranch every week or so. It's only me now, officially. But Buck Taylor and Skip Haswell wouldn't leave.

You remember them? They said they were here with pa from the beginning and they'd stick around to the end. I told them the end came years ago when that lying cheat took all of pa's money. Or even before that when ma left. Buck said that pa started this place alone and that he didn't have two coins to rub together.

Skip said he went almost two years with no actual pay. But he knew that Marston was good for it. The land was good and the cattle did well here. He says the land is still there and it's still mine so I'm good for it. I told them that I'd end up owing them more than the ranch was worth. That was a month ago. They didn't talk on it anymore, but they didn't leave either.

This morning they told me they had them a pow-wow. They decided that if it comes down to me not having enough cash-money to pay them the back wages, they would settle for a cabin out on the range. Somewhere nice and quiet where they could live out the last of their days. They said they have no family and have been riding range since they was twelve and they don't need that much cash money anyhow.

I tell you, I damn near cried. Pa made himself some real friends when he took those two on. I'm still shaking my head and smiling to myself. I moved them from the bunk house into the big house with me. We got us a house keeper and cook now. Same arrangement, sort of. You remember Patsy Fitzgerald?

Oh, she would have been Patsy Drake then. Maybe not. She was a few grades ahead of you, I reckon. Well she married Scott Fitzgerald and then he went and got hisself kilt. She lost everything and needed somewhere to go. Folks don't like none that she's here with three bachelors but she said she doesn't care. She knows the truth. We know the truth. And she's got nowhere else to go.

I got to run now. I won't write for a while since I'm sure I'll be busy punching cows! But you can write to me! I always look forward to hearing about what Mrs. Roberts, the elder is up to. And the rest of the village. I swear, the way you tell about them, I feel like I know them personal like.

Love Hank.

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Summer Marshton

Humble Cottage

August 1, 1877

Hello Sister.

Thanks for your letter. I loved reading about the village boys putting on Robin Hood. But I don't think Mrs. Roberts, the elder should have been Maid Marion. She should have played Maid Marion's lady's maid and let one of the girls in the village be Marion...or you for that matter. You always had a flair for the dramatic.

There isn't much to say about me or the ranch. Same old story. Just working. But there's something else to talk to you about.

Patsy sends her love and says to tell you that she remembers you from school. She says if you don't mind, she'd like to write to you. It would be nice if you would. See, Patsy doesn't get out much and there's nothing here but us three cowboys for company and we're gone most days so she's mostly alone here. I know you'll say: Why doesn't she just go to town, or write to family?