Jimmy Swann #15 - The Wanderers Gather

#88 - the CLR filled up with nomads and snowbirds gathering for the winter. Many of them knew each other from times past.

Welcome! - I’m glad you are here. 

Our Story: Jimmy has just returned from taking Carla home to Florida and then spending a few days in New Orleans. 

Re-united with his son, Robert, and his family, and with Carrie, his granddaughter from deceased son, James, Jimmy has settled in for the winter at the Caballo Loco Ranch. 

Prev. Chap. #14 - Chap. #1 - Contents 

The Wanderers Gather 

“Do you think you’ll see those gals, again,” Robert asked? 

“I don’t know,” Jimmy said.

“Bella’s home is in California, up in Santa Cruz, so she would be close enough for a visit if she had a mind to.  

“I’ll tell you. They were fun. Been a long time since I had fun.”  

“How is Carla?” Robert asked. 

“She was happy to be home. She said she felt the high humidity down in her bones. Like it was hugging her. It felt good. 

”She doesn’t know what the next few months will bring. She’s optimistic but knows what her chances are.  

“She’ll call me regular like. I miss her.”

On the hour-plus ride back to Caballo Loco, Robert filled Jimmy in on what had happened while he was gone. 

“Hey, Dad! My background check came in. Owner Jim said ‘I'm good to go’. I signed the lease and I'm moving over to Carla’s site.“ 

“Terrific!” Jimmy said with much relief and a lighter heart, knowing now, that Robert had avoided trouble with the law. He hoped Robert would one day tell him of his years on the streets.  

“I may have found work! Up outside Robles Junction. I was cruising around, looking for construction sites. I talked to a couple of guys. They’re looking for workers. I might hire on.” 

“They busted those pill runners! Border Patrol Officers called Owner Jim and gave him a ‘heads up’. This was Thursday afternoon.  

“Three officers, from Robles Junction, on ATVs, would be coming down the trail to the place you told them about. They wanted evidence.  

“Get this. It’s the Cartel. The Border Patrol spied ‘em out.

“They set up in a house on the border, just east of Sasabe. There’s a tunnel under the house leading into Mexico.  

“They run the trails up to Robles Junction. That’s over fifty miles. They have two meet points in between. The one below us and another further south. 

“The runners, with five pounds of pills on ‘em, relay the goods to a house on the outskirts of Robles Junction. The first runner leaves the house in Sasabe midafternoon through a nearby arroyo that joins the trail well away from town. 

“The rest of the run continues through the night wanting to arrive in Robles Junction before dawn. 

“After delivering the goods, another guy drives the goods down 86 east to Tucson, or west to Ajo. 

“Runners are stationed at the meet points. They handoff the drugs, and if there is money from a previous run, they run it back to Sasabe on their return leg.  

“I got to hand it to those runners. They are pretty good.” 

“Estimated value is a quarter million each five pounds. They were just getting the operation going.  

“Even with the heavy patrol presence down in Sasabe, they keep finding ways to move the drugs. 

“Jim and I watched them from above with binoculars.  

“They pulled out backpacks, water jugs, and a couple of blankets from the trailside shelter and returned back up the trail. 

“The bust was in the news Friday morning. In both houses they found money, drugs, and guns.” 

“In a follow-up call to Jim, they said they would watch the trail as best they could but would appreciate us keeping an eye out for any more of the same activity.” 

“Good they got ‘em. We’ll keep watch,” said Jimmy.  

“How’s the family? And Carrie and Ben?” 

“We’re all fine. Barbara wheels Jimmy all over the ranch in that stroller you gave us. Jimmy likes the horses.  

“Barbara likes the observatory, and they go up there in the mornings with Carrie and Ben as he does his morning studies. 

“Ben will be leaving for rabbi school in a couple of weeks. 

“Carrie will then move into Ben’s trailer. She’s staying.” 

“What!?” Jimmy almost choked.   

“Yeah. You want to let her tell you?” 

“No. Go ahead. What’s up?” 

“She said she’d been thinking about it for a while. Was looking for something new. 

“She likes it out here. Likes the low humidity. Says it makes her feel light. 

- “You know, that Cajun accent of hers is something else. Makes me smile.” 

“Me, too, Robert.” Jimmy added, smiling. 

“She wants to work outdoors, with livestock. She’s looked into clinics around here looking for a job. She already told her partners back in New Orleans. She’s selling her stake in the clinic. Might set up her own practice here.” 

“Has she told her mother?” Jimmy asked? “I saw Caroline Thursday. She didn’t know then.” 

“I think so. 

“She’ll get something going. She’s been tending Fred’s horses with me.”  

Jimmy looked forward to things settling down. Let things take the course they will. 

He felt like he was home. And it felt real good. 

Ben left for school, still unsure if he was doing the right thing. Going to school pleases his father and sets Ben on course for his future.  

It was all good but for the itch to pursue his own way. And now there is Carrie.  

It would be too much to ask her to adjust to his way of life.  

He smiled. She’s a horse doctor. What a picture they would present.  

He prayed he would find the way through. 

The seasons changed, and the CLR filled up with nomads and snowbirds gathering for the winter. Many of them knew each other from times past. 

Robert and Barbara and little Jimmy and Carrie and Fred came over to Jimmy’s for Thanksgiving dinner. Barbara and Carrie cooked up a feast.  

Not even in his dreams did Jimmy think such a thing like this would happen. Only Carla was missing. 

The results of Carla’s first tests, in Tallahassee, came back. Her cancer had not progressed. She was ecstatic! 

She said she missed Jimmy and Caballo Loco. 

Robert and family were over at Carla’s place. The truck camper shell and his flatbed trailer were set in place.  

Robert’s pickup was now free for work. He’d picked up some work up in Robles Junction. 

Carrie was in Ben’s trailer, now. She was working two days a week for a vet just this side of Tucson. Said it was great experience.  

Between them, they juggled their horse tending and shopping duties. They were glad Jimmy had returned. 

She wanted to start a mobile vet service. She had all of the licensing paperwork in progress.  

She’d sell her car and get a cargo van outfitted with what she needed. She had it all planned out.  

She spoke regularly with Ben. They missed each other. 

Christmas arrived at the ranch.   

There were parties in the community hall, and the Ranch hosted festivities. Games and bingo and poker nights and potlucks.  

A country music band was now a regular thing on Saturday night. They were from Tucson.  

The observatory telescope operated four evenings a week. Weather permitting. It was popular with many making the climb up the hill. 

An astronomy buff operated the telescope and pointed out the ‘must sees’.  

The observatory also served as the Ranch’s Christmas Star, decorated and all lit up when not being used for stargazing.  

A joyous and grateful Christmas led the Swann family into the new year. 

Thank you for reading Before I Forget . . !

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