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Wire Marge it was over. Try to stop the lawyer from making the trip from Santa Fe. And then get their asses back to Arizona.
    They left the courthouse in a hurry. With the wires sent, they all headed back to the hotel. Before they got there, Mrs. Carmichael reined up beside them in her fancy two-row surrey.
    â€œHow did the meeting go?”
    Chet smiled. She knew all about it. She may even have been in on encouraging them. The “word” travels fast. “It went very well. JD, meet a great lady, Mrs. Antoinette Carmichael.”
    JD removed his hat. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
    â€œBetter yet, you are out of jail, huh? That uncle of yours is a tough hombre.”
    She looked at Chet. “Get in my buggy. I want to feed your men today at my ranch. Where is that boy who went with Louise?”
    Cole had disappeared. “I think he must have went back to his room to rest.”
    â€œWhat a shame. Should you stop and leave him a message where you’ll be?”
    â€œWe can do that. You are very generous. How did you know JD was released?”
    â€œNews travels fast in a small place. The word was out that those people in charge might be in for a big legal mess over this matter. Even that, if it went on, Governor Betting might take over the county government. He could do that, you know.”
    â€œThey did act upset.”
    â€œFor them to settle it the day before the scheduled meeting meant they were afraid.”
    â€œMaybe someone will investigate them.”
    She nodded, stopped the horses at the hotel, and turned to JD. “I bet you’re glad to be free.”
    â€œOh, ma’am, I really can’t believe it. I’m just sitting back here saying over and over again, ‘I’m free at last.’”
    â€œThat is good. You’re the lucky one. That big man come to your rescue.”
    â€œHe ain’t new at the likes of that, either,” JD said, which made them both laugh.
    Jesus hurried out of the hotel and joined them. “I left Cole a note. He was tired, so when they let JD go he decided to go to the room to sleep.”
    â€œHe will miss all the fun.”
    â€œI don’t think he’s missed much of that,” Chet said.
    The drive to her ranch was short. The large house sat under the tall leafless cottonwoods along the Rio Grande. Mrs. Carmichael had her arm around JD, who acted self-conscious as she herded him through the ornately carved front door into her palatial home.
    Chet excused himself and made a swing around the ranch’s headquarters on foot. He spoke in Spanish to some of her men, and they showed him their remuda. They were a good set of horses, not some bangtail mustangs. When he bragged on their horses, the men’s faces showed pride in their stock.
    When he went into the house, a young lady greeted him at the door and took his hat.
    â€œThank you. You must be a niece of Antoinette’s.”
    â€œOh, sí . My aunt is our favorite. She will have many good things to eat and drink today. She has a reputation as the best hostess in the area.”
    â€œIt must be nice to be a part of it?”
    â€œOh, sí .”
    He moved on through the house toward the voices and music. In the two-story room, a band played and several guests stood around drinking wine. He found JD and Jesus and asked them what they thought.
    â€œFancy,” JD said. “Much better than that damn jail. How’s my brother and Lucie?”
    â€œThey were fine, last we heard. Lucie is going to have a baby, like the rest.”
    â€œNo kidding.”
    â€œThen May and Hampt, Sarge and Susie, and Marge and me as well.”
    â€œI knew Lief had been killed in a horse wreck. Susie married Sarge?”
    â€œWhirlwind courtship. They decided they needed to be man and wife.”
    â€œGood for her. I sure love her. She’s been so great to Reg and me. But I’m glad she married Sarge. He damn sure will appreciate