Mike and a couple of the Lost Lake ranch hands had arrived in town, shortly after nine that morning. It was the weekly supply run and considering how much supplies they had to get, those coming into usually stayed overnight, leaving early the next day. Since his job as foreman required him to stay at the ranch, he usually made this mid-week trip every two or three weeks.
His initial plan was to spend the day visiting his various family members around as well as a few friends before spending the night at his parents' house but that was waylaid when he went to see his father at the bank. After a few minutes of catching up, his father had told him that Sarah Thornton-Carlton wanted to see him.
When he got to the newspaper office, Sarah told him that there was a Tyrell Thornton in town, who was apparently a cousin of hers and his boss, Shade. After getting some information about the man, he headed over to the hotel, where he asked Walter Simpson, the desk clerk about the man. Walter was a fount of knowledge where most of the guests staying at the hotel were concerned but he didn't have much to relate about this Tyrell fellow. Thankfully, he knew what he man looked and pointed Mike to the direction of the restaurant.
Scanning the room, Mike could see only one man sitting by himself as by now most people had had their breakfast and moved on. Cautiously, Mike approached him and said, "Morning, I'm Mike Wentworth. You wanted to see me."
"Well, mornin' Mister Wentworth, seems there's a number of you Wentworths in town here. Have a seat." Ty said as friendly as he could." He set down his fork and fished out the telegram from his vest pocket. "Got this here message from Shade, been a while back now, but it took near a year to get here from New Mexico Territory." He passed over the missive for the man to read.
"So, I can see it would be hard to prove who I am, an' I 'spose anyone wanting to rig up a telegram could get it done easy enough. I come a far piece to answer Shade's call, but I'd not fault you for any doubts you might have. Fact is, wouldn't fault you fer runnin' me outta town with no more proof than I got. But that's from Shade or I been horns waggled."
"Well, mornin' Mister Wentworth, seems there's a number of you Wentworths in town here. Have a seat."
"Yeah, there is," Mike replied as he took his seat. Talking about his family to a complete stranger was the last thing he wanted to do.
"Got this here message from Shade, been a while back now, but it took near a year to get here from New Mexico Territory." He passed over the missive for the man to read.
Mike read the telegram and handed it back to Tyrell.
"So, I can see it would be hard to prove who I am, an' I 'spose anyone wanting to rig up a telegram could get it done easy enough. I come a far piece to answer Shade's call, but I'd not fault you for any doubts you might have. Fact is, wouldn't fault you fer runnin' me outta town with no more proof than I got. But that's from Shade or I been horns waggled."
"Well, Sar...Missus Thornton-Carlton is convinced that you are telling the truth. She also mentioned that she said that it would be wise for you not to rush out the ranch straight away and I'm glad you took her advice. The way things stand between Lost Lake and Evergreen can change at any time. In fact, it's already started to. The other day we found one of our hands dead not far from the border between the two ranches. And before you ask, he was shot."
That don't sound too good, but how can you be sure it was them other fellas what done it. I mean I don't know how things are shapin' up here, and I can't say as I have any other answers, like someone else. I did come knowin' this was gun trouble, 'er worse. So you know my story and I'm ready for whatever you boys are lookin' at doin'."
Ty was of the mind that it well could have been an Evergreen man that killed their hand, and there was always the possibility that it was someone else, but it sure looked to be what it was, a prod in the direction of a range war.
"Well then, I 'spose I should meet this Cantrell fella and we can get on with the business at hand, whatever that is." Ty suggested.
"That don't sound too good, but how can you be sure it was them other fellas what done it. I mean I don't know how things are shapin' up here, and I can't say as I have any other answers, like someone else. I did come knowin' this was gun trouble, 'er worse. So you know my story and I'm ready for whatever you boys are lookin' at doin'."
"You're right...we can't be sure but it's more than likely. Not many strangers go wandering through Lost Lake due to the terrain and its location. It's not called Lost Lake for nothing,"
A slight smile crossed his face briefly. What he was really was doing was to try and work out what sort of man he was dealing with. Before he offered to take him back to the ranch, Mike needed to learn a lot more.
Schooling his features again, he continued, "You'll have to be more than ready. Elias Steelgrave is one of the most ruthless men in the territory and he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants and what he wants the most is revenge. Considering that Mr. Thornton sent for you over a year ago probably meant that he expected something to happen back then. Thankfully, it didn't and I think with Shade being gone for the last few months, Steelgrave is taking this an opportunity to start something up now."
"Well then, I 'spose I should meet this Cantrell fella and we can get on with the business at hand, whatever that is."
"We'll be leaving early tomorrow morning since it will take most of the day to get the supplies we need. As for Cantrell, it will be him that you will have to convince the most and prove who you really are."
"I 'spose if'n the telegram don't work, I'll just ride on." Ty said. "Rode a ways ta git here, but there's a ways futher I could ride if I ain't needed here. Someone waitin' on me over Oregon way when I'm finished here. Don't aim to keep 'er waitin' any longer than I gotta."
"Folks sure don't wanna believe I'm a Thornton, or they 're makin' threats aginst me cuz of the name. Odd place this Kalispell. But I'll be ready come first light. You can count on it." He added, and he intended to be ready an waiting on the Lost Lake foreman and his men. He was more than ready to get this over with one way or another.