Shuffle of Angel’s Feet copyright c. 2014 T.A. Chase
Part Twenty-
Ansel tilted his head in acknowledgement, but he didn’t say anything. Job could tell he didn’t really believe him. He couldn’t blame the man. It didn’t seem like Ansel’s own family wanted him around. Well, Job would do the best he could to convince Ansel that Job wanted him, not just to warm his bed for a little while.
They passed a trail leading from the road and Ansel gestured toward it. “That leads to Calbert’s main compound. The moment you step off the road, you’re on his land.”
“Have you ever gone to talk to him? Let him know that your family actually owns what he’s trying to claim?” Job wasn’t interested in going to visit Calbert at the moment.
“Bloody hell no.” Ansel glared at Job. “Why would I do that when I have no one to back me up? Run the risk that your uncle will kill me then hide my body where no one will ever find it? He would be able to do that and take the land.”
“Aren’t you in touch with your family? Wouldn’t he miss you after a while?” Job couldn’t imagine his family ignoring him. He always made sure to send a message to his brothers or parents, letting them know he was still alive. If he didn’t, someone would come looking for him.
Ansel lifted one shoulder. “I’m not entirely sure he would. I know my brother wouldn’t come looking for me. I’m getting the feeling that your family, though scattered to the wind, is much closer than mine would ever dream of being.”
He was most likely right. Job didn’t bother moving in the direction of Calbert’s land. He wanted to talk to the herders, even with knowing Ansel actually owned the land.
“Do the sheepherders know you own the land they’re squatting on?”
“No. I’ve been out talking to them from time to time, but I’ve never told them anything about me. They think I’m some strange Englishman and humor me by allowing me to wander with them.” Ansel smiled. “In many ways, the life of a sheepherder is hard and solitary. Yet I found I enjoyed it.”
Job chuckled. “Are you going to leave your comfortable bed and well cooked meals for sleeping on the ground and eating beans cooked over a fire?”
Ansel shuddered. “Oh heaven’s no. I don’t like it that much.”
“I didn’t think so,” Job said with a rather smug tone to his voice.
“Bloody jackass,” Ansel muttered as they continued down the road.
Job pretended not to hear that. “How much land does your father own?”
“From the stream that separates our land from Calbert’s all the way to the foothills to the west and the river to the north.” Ansel tapped his fingers on his thigh as he thought. “I’m pretty sure part of the reason Calbert wants the land is we have a large amount of water on it. Spring fed and it doesn’t go dry during the summer. The livestock can always drink.”
“Water means life or death here in the West. You’re probably right about that being an issue.” Job paused then said, “I looked at a map of Calbert’s land. I thought he had plenty of water.”
Ansel shook his head. “He only has two sources that don’t dry out during the hottest days. It’s not enough for the amount of cattle he’s running on his land. Of course, I think his herd is far too big for the acreage he’s claimed. He’s overgrazing the land.”
“I thought you didn’t know anything about cattle and ranching,” Job questioned, smiling slightly.
“I made it my business to know who my neighbors are and what kind of men they are. Unfortunately, I haven’t been impressed by a majority of them. The herders are fine. I will allow them to stay and might even give them some land of their own in return for some of the wool they gather from their sheep.” Ansel gestured in front of them. “You can talk to them yourself.”
Job looked ahead and saw a man standing in the middle of the road. He wore a flat brimmed straw hat on top of his dark curly hair. Job saw the suspicious glare disappear into a bright smile when the herder spotted Ansel.
“Senor Woolstem, you have come back to visit us.” The man waited for them to reach him before holding out his hand for Ansel to shake. “I was not sure if you would after the snake scared you.”
Ansel groaned and Job laughed. “I can’t wait to hear that story.”
“It’s not nearly as interesting as it might sound,” Ansle assured him. “Pascal, this is Job Ramsey.”
He saw the flash of fear in Pascal’s eyes and rushed to reassure him. “Don’t worry, Pascal. I’m not here to cause you trouble or anything. I’m simply looking for some information.”
“Calbert Ramsey is some relation to you, yes?” Pascal motioned for them to follow him off the road onto a faint trail.
“Yes, he’s family,” Job admitted, not seeing any reason to lie to the man.
“If he is family, then why are you not here to run me off the land my family and I have settled on fair and square? Calbert Ramsey has threatened many times to chase us off and kill our animals.” Pascal shook his head. “I do not understand his hatred of our sheep. They do nothing to him or his land.”
“Some people are greedy and want what they can’t have,” Ansel commented.
Pascal nodded. “That is true, Senor Woolstem. I am often amazed at what men consider important to them. Apparently more land will make Ramsey happier than he is now.”
Ansel snorted. “God, I wish it worked like that. I’d be buying up land and signing it over to him if it would get him to leave you alone.”
“We appreciate your concern.” Pascal patted Ansel’s knee when they stopped at the top of a small hill.