Wildfire Creek by Shirleen Davies Read Free Book Online Page A

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    “It is. I figure no matter where I build, if the Indians want to find me, they will.”
    His home would sit about a mile from the main ranch house. Distant enough for privacy, yet close enough to go back and forth with ease.
    Dax looked over the materials Luke listed, some of which would need to be ordered, including a cook stove. “Are you planning to stay there this winter?”
    “If I can. I’ll travel to Big Pine next week to get some of the supplies. I figure it’ll take less time.” Luke glanced at the other men peering down at the rough sketch he’d drawn. “What do you think?”
    “If we start today, there’s a chance it’ll be ready in a month. Three weeks is pushing it. It just depends on how much time we can take away from the herd.” Out of all of them, Bull had the most experience in construction. His father had owned several businesses in Cincinnati, one of which built many of the buildings in the city and along the river bordering the large town. He’d grown up working alongside the men.
    “How many men are needed to get it done within three weeks?” Dax asked.
    “You give me five men, plus Luke and me, we’ll have it ready in three weeks.” Bull’s eyes never left the drawing as his mind worked through what needed to be accomplished.
    “Ellis and Rude, I need you with the herd. Bull, you tell me which five men you want and I’ll speak with them.” Dax picked up the supply list and handed it to Luke. “I guess you plan to head into town tomorrow to get what you need?”
    “I do.”
    “Have Hank go with you. He’s become friends with Jenks at the lumber mill.”
    Luke nodded. Any help with supplies was welcome. “Appears we’ll be ready to start tomorrow then.”
    “Hell no. If you want it ready in three weeks, we start today.” Bull started for the door. “I’ll grab the other men. No use wasting any more time.”
    Other than the few men already with the herd, everyone else volunteered to ride the short distance to the site and help lay out the foundation. Stakes and rope were used to identify exterior walls, location of the porch, and a stable large enough for Prince and his tack. The house would be two stories, with just the bottom floor finished. Come spring, Luke would build a barn, dig a well, and finish as much as he could of the second floor. For now, his horse would be fine in the three-sided stable, and he’d haul water from the creek, storing it in large barrels.
    The men worked until the sun shone bright overhead, taking a break when Rachel and Bernice arrived with food.
    “We can’t do much more on the house until we get the wood.” Bull took a drink from his canteen. “There are a few hours left. If you men are still up for it, I think it’d be best to clear a path to the creek from the back of the house.”
    “Count me in,” Tat Whalen said as he finished off his fried chicken. He and Johnny Grove had almost died during a stampede the previous spring. They’d become close friends during their recuperation at the ranch.
    “Same here.” Johnny stood and stretched his stiff muscles.
    No one left, not even Rachel and Bernice. They were as curious as the men about Luke’s plans. Truth was, even though it appeared to be work, helping someone erect a new home brought a satisfaction they didn’t get herding cattle.
    Although the front of the house would face the creek, the meandering water would come close to the back walls at one point, making it a short distance for hauling water until Luke dug a well. They finished clearing a wide path to the creek, a spot where the shoreline widened, creating a calm pool a few feet deep, perfect for hauling water or dropping in a fishing line. When done, everyone except Luke and Bull walked toward their horses.
    “I almost forgot to tell you. Miss Ginny was looking for you last night.” Bull straightened, holding the sickle he’d been using to cut the brush. “She was not a happy woman.”
    This got Luke’s full