“No, but this places you in a bad spot. The only thing for me to do is to get out.”
“I want you to stay, Lefty. Why, I couldn’t run the ranch without you. Sometimes I feel you’re the only person I can entirely trust.”
“I’ve let you in for a heap of trouble, Connie. When old man Grimes hears what I did to that sweetheart son of his, he’ll make things hard for you. If I get out of the way he might not be quite so tough.”
“I’m not afraid of Mr. Grimes, Lefty.”
“Maybe not, but his money comes in mighty useful,” Lefty answered dryly.
Connie knew that the cowboy was entirely right. It was a foregone conclusion that Cecil would give an exaggerated report of the incident to his father. The least she could expect would be that Mr. Grimes and his spoiled brood would depart, taking with them Mr. Postil, his small daughter, and perhaps the two teachers. Nor could she greatly blame anyone for leaving.
Connie came out of her reverie as she heard Cecil, who was far ahead, shout something back.
“Now what’s the matter with him?” muttered Lefty.
“Where are our horses?” called the youth.
Connie and Lefty quickened their pace. When they came within view of the cedars where the ponies had been tied, they stopped short in amazement. The horses were gone.