Ride for Rule Cordell by Cotton Smith Read Free Book Online

across the table, as she always insisted. No one knew why. A second waiter presented a china cream and sugar set. The china was hers, not the regular restaurant fare.
    After ordering, she asked the bushy-headed owner with eyebrows to match about the two men on the far side of the room.
    “They’re Rangers, Lady Holt,” he said, swallowed and added, “Ah, they brought in Mr. Jaudon and his men. Some kind of problem at the Gardner Ranch. A misunderstanding, I am certain.”
    “I would like to talk with them, please.”
    “Certainly.”
    Straightening his narrow shoulders, the owner walked to the table where Checker and Bartlett were finishing their breakfasts. He didn’t like being in the middle of this and bit his lower lip to control his anxiety.
    “Rangers, Lady Holt would like a word.” He rubbed his hands together nervously. “Ah, she’s over there. At the green table.” He looked away toward the wall. “Lady Holt is…a very powerful woman around here.”
    “Is she, now?” Checker said, cutting his ham.
    A. J. Bartlett looked at John Checker, smiled and said, “ ‘A daughter of the gods, divinely tall, and most divinely fair.’ ”
    The owner frowned, not understanding Bartlett’s quote from Tennyson’s “A Dream of Fair Women.”
    “Please, sirs. I don’t want any trouble…with her. Please.”
    “I’m sure you don’t. Tell her we’ll come over. After we’re through eating.”
    Checker’s eyes indicated there was no need for further discussion.
    “Ah, certainly. I will tell her. Certainly.”
    Checker took another sip of his coffee. “An’ bring us some more coffee.”
    “Oh, certainly, sir. Certainly.”
    As soon as the excited man left, Bartlett said quietly, “I’m kinda excited about meeting her. What do you think she wants?”
    “To warn us.”
    “Oh yeah. Guess so.”
    Bartlett started to add more, but the owner returned with a fresh pot of coffee. Both Rangers thanked him and completed their meals in silence. Finished, they stood, dropped coins beside the empty plates and headed for Lady Holt’s table.
    Checker’s leg wouldn’t take pressure for a few steps. Finally, he was able to slide it along as he moved the other. He didn’t like the adjustment and quickly forced his wounded leg to walk normally.
    “Ma’am, you asked to see us?” Checker said, holding his hat in his hand.
    “Oh yes, thank you. Please sit down.” She motioned with both hands toward the chairs on either side of her intentionally empty chair across from her. A quick flip of her hand brought fresh coffee cups from a nervous waiter. They were her china.
    Bartlett started to sit.
    “No, thanks, ma’am. We’ll stand. Got work to do,” Checker spat.
    Lady Holt studied Checker appreciatively. “Well, your choice. I was hoping you might be interested in knowing the truth.”
    “Always interested in the truth.” Checker folded his arms.
    She grinned. “Good. Then you should know Emmett Gardner is a rustler. He’s stolen some of my beef. Under my orders, my men went to bring him in for trial. If you ask the sheriff, you will find they acted under his approval.”
    Checker shook his head. “No, ma’am, Emmett Gardner isn’t a rustler—and you know it. Or should. He’s a goodman. Working hard to help his sons grow straight and tall. Working hard to make that small ranch pay.”
    She lifted her coffee cup slowly; her eyes locked on to his.
    “Jaudon has been arrested for attempted murder. He and his men,” Checker spat. “That is the truth.”
    Bartlett cocked his head and added, “ ‘Is it so true that second thoughts are best?’ ”
    “Shakespeare?” she asked without taking her eyes off Checker.
    “Tennyson, m’lady.”
    “Oh. Of course.”
    In an instant, her mouth became a slit; her eyes narrowed. Bartlett thought she looked like a cougar about to pounce. “Have you gentlemen ever heard of a phoenix? It’s a wonderful tale of everlasting life.” Her voice carried the hint of an