Page 85 - Homestead By Ann Newhouse

Back in Truth, the hotel was starting to buzz. We had bookings for fifty percent of our available rooms. Two rooms were booked on a long-term basis by some land developers from Texas. With money starting to come in, it wouldn’t be long before we could pay off Mr. Choo. After meeting with him to hand over the bulk of the outstanding payment, from the money Margarete received for the sale of her cabin, he seemed in no hurry for the remainder. He said he regarded us as his family and was delighted to have a comfortable room and Margarete looking after him. Josh was recovering well and was now able to manage the hotel, with Margarete doing all the cleaning and organising. Mitch had called in to let us know how well he was doing in his new job and had been given a few chores to do around the hotel, so that he’d still feel involved.
Johanna had sent a message to Mitch to say she would be moving to the hospital in the next couple of weeks. Mitch was obviously delighted, and he found it hard to supress a huge grin when he told us. He was now seriously thinking of going to see his biological mother with Margarete’s approval. Josh said he would accompany him if he needed some backup. Any excuse to see Liz, I thought smiling.
I was not sure if I should go see Shelley myself and let her know how I seemed connected to the situation. Perhaps I hoped that it would clear the slate for me.
One evening, I was enjoying a pre-dinner drink in the bar, when I noticed two men sitting chatting. From the way they were dressed they appeared to be from out of town, on a cattle drive...maybe? Perhaps having a drink to clear the dust of the desert from their throats. I overheard them comment about two bodies found in a ramshackle hut on the outskirts of Taos. I nearly fell off the bar stool and I splashed my drink over the bar as my hands were shaking. I needed to know more but I couldn’t really ask, straight out. I may have to take a trip back there, to find out more. Later, back in my room, I knew I would have a restless night, with these thoughts going around in my head, as I closed my eyes.
Back at the Homestead as we prepared for our cattle drive, many of the folk were still sleeping, as the sun had not yet come up. There was an eerie stillness around, even the animals were resting. It was like the stillness before the storm. I would like to have spoken to Sofie, but I dared not call so early, just in case I was confronted by John Tirrell. I would be three days away, so on my return I would call on Sofie.
I decided to ask my new-found friend, Tom, if he had heard any gossip from around the area.