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Cade thought a couple moments about what Amos said. He was a smart man. He turned to go in the house, but saw Wyatt and a couple of the men headed for the barn on the run. He went out to meet them and quickly relayed the story. All three men were just as shocked as he was, he could tell. "Wyatt, I haven't talked to Elsie yet. I'm sure she's rather shaken up. Would you and the men go retrieve the mountain lion and bury it? I sure don't want any dead animal attracting any other unwanted visitors."

  "Sure thing, boss." He told the two men with him to get some shovels, and walked up closer to Cade and talked softly. "I thought Miss Elsie was staying off her ankle yet."

  "Yes, so did I," Cade said. "That's one thing we'll be talking about this afternoon."

  Wyatt nodded, but had a smile on his face. "You go take care of your wife. We'll take care of the lion, then I'll get the men back to work. You take whatever time you need. Just remember one thing."

  "What's that?"

  "There's no denying that your feisty little wife sure keeps you busy and on your toes, but I don't think you could have found a better little lady."

  Cade stopped walking, and seemed to relax as he considered his foreman's words. He looked over at him and nodded. "You're absolutely right about that, Wyatt, but thank you for reminding me."

  Wyatt nodded. "Sometimes a man starts worrying about the little things and forgets the most important."

  He thought about that as he headed for the door. When he went into the house he yelled, "Elsie?"

  "I'm in your office."

  He found her in a chair next to the window, and he could tell she was trembling. Maria was sitting in the chair next to her, patting her hand, obviously trying to calm her. "Thank you, Maria. I'm going to take her to the couch to hold her. Would you please close the door as you leave?"

  Maria gave him a bit of a warning look. "Of course, Cade. She's shook up, and she needs a hug from you right now."

  Cade hadn't missed the look she gave him, and he understood. "And she will certainly be getting a hug. I need to hold her right now, as well, to assure myself my precious wife is okay."

  Maria smiled at him now, relieved. "I'll leave now and shut the door so you two have privacy."

  "Thank you." He made sure he caught her eye, to reassure her. He knew Maria had grown to love Elsie, too, and worried about her.

  He sat down on the couch, settling Elsie on his lap. His arms never left her, but pulled her closer, so she was resting on his chest. He could feel her trembling. "Are you all right, honey?"

  "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just a little shaky. Was that a cougar, and is he dead?"

  "Yes. That was quite a shot."

  "Why was he this close to the house and barn?"

  "I'm not sure, but he shouldn't have been."

  She explained to him about the one time she'd seen one, and about the reading she'd done about them afterward. "According to that, it shouldn't have been this close to the buildings, so I thought I better shoot it before it kills one of the animals at the barn."

  "I agree, it shouldn't have been nearly this close to the house and barn, and it was dangerous that it was. I'm glad you shot it."

  "You are? Good. I was afraid you'd be upset with me."

  "Why did you think I'd be upset?"

  "Because I got up off the couch."

  "I am upset about that, but that doesn't mean I'm not proud of you and glad you shot the mountain lion."

  "You're glad I did?"

  "I'm very glad you shot it."

  "But you're still upset that I got off the couch?"

  He kissed her forehead and kept his arms around her. "I am upset that you put weight on your ankle. You knew you weren't to be on it yet. But once you were up, I'm glad you shot it. Why did you get up in the first place?"

  "I heard a noise outside and I didn't know what it was. I called for Maria, but she didn't hear me and didn't answer. So when I heard it again I hobbled over to the window, holding on to things so I didn't have to put any weight on my ankle. When I saw the cougar I was scared. I was afraid Maria was out back at the garden, and that was too close for comfort. I didn't want it going to the barn, either, because the little foals wouldn't stand a chance if it attacked while their mothers were out working during the day. I couldn't let that happen."

  "Let me try to explain my feelings, honey. I agree, the calves and foals are much safer now, and I thank you for that. I'm not just saying that; I am genuinely thankful to you for that. And I'm glad you're safe. I hate to think of a mountain lion roaming this area and you and Maria being outside working in the garden. I shiver every time I think of that. Again, I am truly thankful to you for shooting it so I don't have to worry about that."

  "But you're still upset?"

  "I am. You were supposed to stay off your ankle until you saw Doc Wallace again. I understand you heard a noise and didn't know what it was, and Maria didn't answer your call, but that's not an excuse for you to get up on your ankle."

  "But if I wouldn't have gotten up and looked, the cougar may have been able to get to one of the foals in the barn."

  "May have been. But animals will normally make lots of noise if a predator approaches, so if it had made it to the barn there's a good chance the rest of the animals would have made enough noise that Amos would have heard it and taken his rifle to check it out."

  "Has that happened in the past?"

  "Not with a mountain lion, but a coyote made his way into the barn once and Amos went to see what all the noise was about. He shot the coyote. He also shot a wolf that was outside stalking some heifers in a pasture close to the barn."

  "So he may have been able to shoot it before it got any animals?"

  "He may have. But honey, I don't think you understand. Even if he wouldn't have heard the noise and shot it in time, as much as I'd hate to lose a foal or a calf, I'd rather lose one of them than to have you hurt your ankle worse and be laid up longer."

  "You would?"

  He frowned when he looked at her. "You really have to ask me that? Of course I would. I don't want to see you hurt at all. Seeing you suffering with your ankle has been very hard."

  She was quiet for several moments. When she eventually looked up at him, she had a bit of an ornery grin on her face. "I'm glad to hear that. If you don't want to see me hurt at all, that means you won't be giving me a spanking; right, because let me assure you, they definitely make me hurt."

  "Spankings are the exception," he said with a smile of his own. "They're a hurt you've asked for, and I know it's a temporary thing and will hopefully pay off in the future, with you being safer in the long run."

  Her eyes were rather large as she looked at him. "If you say spankings are a hurt I've asked for, then I'm sure I won't be getting one, because I can guarantee you I have not asked for one."

  "Oh, but you did, my dear wife. You've asked for every spanking I've given you. When you got up off that couch and put weight on your ankle, you were asking me to spank you to let you know I'm still here watching and protecting you, and remind you that I won't let you get away with doing things that are not safe. Believe me, you were asking, and I hear you loud and clear, and I don't intend to let you down."

  "Not even this one time?"

  "Not ever."

  Chapter Eleven

  Cade picked Elsie up and had her lying over his lap in no time. She had to smile as he took special care to make sure her ankle was elevated on a soft cushion. He took such care to be sure her ankle wasn't hurt, while he annihilated her bottom. So ironic, but also part of why she loved him so much. He did truly care about her, and there was no way she could deny that.

  The cool air on her bare bottom brought her back to the present, as he lowered her pantaloons. He started the spanking, without the usual little chat he had to be sure she knew why she was being spanked. It startled her, and she was quickly gasping for breath. He paused to give her a chance to catch her breath, but started in again. "I think we've already talked about this and you're clear as to why you're gettin
g spanked, so we don't need to go over it again, do we?"

  "No."

  He continued the spanking, but soon started reminding her what they'd talked about, wanting to be sure she was indeed concentrating on the right thing. As he was nearing the end, he made one final point. "I love you, Elsie, and you are more important to me than any calf or foal could ever be. You need to listen to me and allow me to keep you safe. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, sir," she said quietly between sobs.

  "Good." He picked her up and let her settle herself on his lap, burying her face in his chest as she did. He held her tight while leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "Ssshhh, honey, it's over now. You're forgiven and we're good again. Is your ankle all right, or can I do something to help it feel better?"

  As sore as her bottom was, she couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped. No one but her husband would ask such a thing right after a spanking that left her bottom feeling like it was in flames. "It's all right," she assured him.

  "Are you sure? You were on it quite a bit this afternoon. Is it sore, throbbing?"

  She was still trying to get her tears under control, but through them she managed to assure him. "No, my ankle is not sore or throbbing. My bottom is extremely sore, and throbbing a great deal, though."

  "Then you should stop asking for spankings, because they will always have that result. I'm glad to hear your ankle isn't sore and throbbing, though."

  She tried to refrain from chuckling, not wanting to give him the satisfaction, but what erupted from her was a cross between a chuckle and a cry, and sounded so funny, it caused her to giggle, and him to laugh out loud. He pulled her tight against him as he laughed. "Care to repeat that?" They both laughed again, and cuddled in a little closer to each other.

  * * *

  The next afternoon Cade again carried her to the couch after dinner. "Just two more days, maybe three until Doc Wallace should be coming back to check on your ankle. Do me a favor and behave yourself until then, all right? Stay off your ankle. My hand's getting sore, and I've got work I need to get done."

  He smiled and caught her fist just before it would have connected with his arm. As they were laughing, someone knocked on the front door. "I'll be right back," he said, heading for the door.

  He came back a minute later with Sheriff Fitch. Once everyone was seated, the sheriff began. "I have a fair amount to report. Miss Elsie, I got to thinking about what you suggested, that maybe he could have gone both places the same day, thinking even if someone suspected him of sending the telegram canceling the order, if he visited his friend it would be a sort of alibi. I wanted to see if it would be possible, and how hard a ride that would be, since he's ill."

  Elsie was excited. "What did you find?"

  "Yesterday I went to Springdale in the morning. I talked to the telegraph operator. He again said the man that sent it he remembered as being pretty tall, but he thought about it after Deputy Tillman left, and he said he was thin and had gray hair. I asked if he was muscular, but he said no, he looked rather thin and weak."

  "Just like Ralph Wilson," Cade commented.

  "Yes. I asked him what time of day he was in, and he said in the morning, around the time I was in. We talked about half an hour, which is longer than it would take to send a telegram. Then I rode to Ironton. I was a little surprised. It's not quite as far as I thought it was, and it's a pretty easy ride. There's a good path, and not much in the way of hills or valleys. I was at Ironton about eleven o'clock."

  "Interesting," Cade said.

  "It was very interesting. When I was in Ironton, I went to talk to George Preston again. I showed him my letter, where my friend gave his father's name. George knew his dad, and we had a nice conversation. While we were getting along so well, I asked him a little bit about Ralph. I told him I hadn't been aware he'd been ill, and I was concerned with how thin and pale he looks. George said he's been ill for several years. He said he was improving for almost a year, but now is going downhill again."

  "I didn't even know he'd been ill," Elsie said. "I never heard anyone mention anything about it."

  "George said he tried to hide it, which is why he didn't go out much. He's concerned about him, also. He said the day he visited he got there before dinner, so they ate together, but he ate very little because he said food doesn't taste good to him any more. He said he didn't stay long because he doesn't have much energy these days. He was surprised he rode over for the visit, considering his lack of energy."

  "So he got there about the time you would expect, if he went to Springdale first," Cade said.

  "Yes. I have to wonder why he went to visit him. George was surprised by the visit, as well, because of how tired he gets."

  "So it wasn't a planned visit?"

  "No. George said he showed up unexpectedly. He was glad to see him and thought he must be feeling better, but was surprised when Ralph told him he seems to be getting weaker all the time."

  Cade was shaking his head. "That doesn't make sense. Why was he there? And what are you going to do now?"

  "I'm not sure. I talked to Tom at the livery, and he said Ralph doesn't get out much any more, but he went out one day last week. He thought about it a bit and said it was Monday, he was sure of it. Monday was the day the telegram was sent. George said it was the first of the week, but wasn't sure if it was Monday or Tuesday. Tom said he only got his horse and went out the one day."

  "So everything seems to point to Ralph canceling the order and then going to visit George." Sheriff Fitch nodded in agreement. "So what happens next? Did you talk to Ralph again?"

  "I wanted to talk to you two first, see if either of you have any thoughts on this, and then I'm going to talk to Ralph after I leave here today."

  Elsie shook her head. "It sounds like it's got to be him, but it doesn't make sense. I assume if he canceled their order it was to try to make sure they don't make a go of the store, and he and Theodore must have been the ones spreading the rumor. If he's weak, though, why would he go visit George?"

  "That part doesn't make any sense," Cade agreed, "but I don't think Ralph is the one who spread the rumor. He never went anywhere, so how could he have?"

  "Theodore could have, though, and he certainly had an incentive. We're back to proof, though. I think I have the incentive and proof that Ralph canceled the order, but I don't have any real proof that Theodore spread the rumor. I think they were working together to make the store fail, but I don't have proof of Theodore's involvement."

  Cade tightened his arms around Elsie. "And what about Henry and Velma? Do you think the Wilsons are involved there, as well?"

  "I don't know. There's nothing that says they are."

  Elsie shook her head. "Not necessarily true. I think they were trying to close down my store or get it for next to nothing. Maybe the rumor and canceling the order was their second attempt. Maybe they thought killing my parents would close the store. When it didn't, then they tried the rumor, and when that didn't work, either, they tried canceling an order right after the new people took over, when money would be tight, hoping it would put them out of business."

  "I considered that, as well," the sheriff said. "But without any evidence it's just a theory."

  "I see what you're saying," Cade said. "So what now? I assume Ralph canceling that order is against the law, especially since he gave Harold's name as the author of the telegram."

  "Exactly right," the sheriff confirmed.

  "So are you going to arrest Ralph," Cade asked, "or watch them and try to get more evidence?"

  "I've thought of both options. I'm afraid if I sit back and watch them, they'll hurt someone else or do something to hurt the Stones. I don't want that to happen, so I think I will arrest Ralph, and we'll see if either of them say anything to help us."

  "I hate the thought of him hurting my parents," Elsie said, "but until we know for sure he did, I hate the thought of an older man who's been sick being locked up in jail."

  "I know," the sheriff agr
eed. "I hate the thought of him spending his remaining years sick and in prison, but he brought it on himself when he canceled that order."

  "That's true," Cade agreed, "but I agree with both of you. I hate to even think of that. And you are right, Dan, when you said you don't want him to do anything else to hurt the Stones. This is the best way to be sure that doesn't happen." He sighed. "Let us know how it goes."

  "I will, Cade."

  * * *

  An hour later, Sheriff Fitch knocked on the door of the Wilson home. He decided it might be better to approach Ralph and arrest him during the day, while Theodore would be at the store. Once he was in jail, he would meet up with Theodore at closing time and tell him Ralph had been arrested, and ask him questions, as well.

  He needed to watch his expression, or his reaction when he asked if he knew his father was going to Springdale to cancel Harold and Loretta's order before going to visit George Preston. He couldn't imagine Ralph doing it without his son knowing about it, but his years as a lawman had taught him not to assume anything. It was possible—not likely, but possible that Ralph canceled the order on his own. He could also have started the rumor, by going out enough to speak to one or two people in town who are known for gossiping. That probably would have been enough to get it started through town. If he stretched his imagination a little further yet, he supposed Ralph could have been responsible for the rock through the window at Wintock's Mercantile, either directly or by paying someone to do it. It was possible Theodore had no part in any of it, so he had to watch his expression carefully as he told him what he suspected.

  There was no answer at the Wilsons' door, so the sheriff knocked again, louder. When he still got no response, he went to their store. He waited while Theodore finished with the only customer in the store at the time, before approaching him. "Good afternoon, Mr. Wilson."

  "Sheriff Fitch. What can I do for you?"

  "I stopped by your house to see how your father is doing, but he didn't answer. Is he out somewhere?"

  Theodore frowned. "Not that I know of. He wasn't feeling well again last night, so I thought he was going to be staying home today. Was there something I can help you with, or did you want to see him?"