A/N I'm not a hundred percent sure yet but I'm thinking of turning Middlewood into a series. A couple of stories a few oneshots here and there will probably be enough to tell the whole story. Now some of you might say hey, what kind of western is this. There's no action! To those people I say just keep riding with me partner I'll get you where you want to be.
I'd like to thank all you readers out there, I was a little nervous about this story. But that's all over now. And a long overdue shout out to Zaratan for being a beta.
Alright there's going to be a bit of jumping around in this chapter so bear with me. I've got allot of OC's to introduce and story lines to lay down.
A few hours after his averted showdown, as the rest of the bunkhouse slept, Ron tiptoed past the bunkhouse doorway and slowly closed the door behind him. He stared up with admiration at the sparkling stars in the endless night sky, then he let out a deep sigh. When he was a few steps away from the livery barn, he heard a familiar whinnying.
Ron smiled to himself knowingly. "Don't worry pard, I'm coming."
He entered the barn and made his way to his horse. He ran his hand across its muzzle. "Couldn't sleep either, huh buddy?"
Ron grabbed the horse's rein. "I've thought about it and after what happened tonight, plus the rustlers, things are going to be hectic around here." He pulled on the horses rein and attempted to lead him out of the barn, but the horse refused to budge.
"Come on pard." Ron tried pulling harder. "Look, I know I said we'd be happy here but things just aren't working out."
The horse snorted at him and took a step back. Ron patted it on the nose. "Come on boy, I don't want another gunfight. Even if Dub doesn't come after me, I'm gonna have to back Mister Possible's play against the rustlers and… well, if we stay any longer, it might be an awful lot harder for us to leave later than it is now."
The horse seemed to ignore his pleading and leaned over to nimble on some dry hay.
"Come one pard, don't do me like this; a man can't travel without his horse. We're supposed to be partners. Hey, we can drift around from town to town like the old days….we'll find somewhere else to live. I hear California is nice."
It continued to chew on the hay.
He tossed the reins down with a frustrated heave. "If I stay here, I'll have to shoot somebody, and God knows I don't want to. You hear me, you're going to have blood on your hooves. Is that what you want? Now, I say we skedaddle tonight."
It snorted at Ron again but then it nuzzled him with its nose, before licking Ron's open palm
His demeanor instantly softened. "Alright boy, I hear you… I don't really want to leave either. I think you know me more than I know myself. Fine, we'll see how this hand plays out."
He patted his partner on the nose once more before exiting. Instead of heading back to the bunkhouse, he walked over to the nearest oak tree. He sat back, leaned against the bark, and pulled out a folded paper from a pocket in his vest. He laid the letter across his lap and stared at it in the darkness. He couldn't read it now but that didn't matter, he knew what was written on it by heart.
Dear Ronald
Well boy if you are reading this letter then that means your mission is over and you are still alive. But then again if you are reading this letter that means I am dead. Funny how life works out that way, but that is how it is for bold gunmen like you and me. I am writing this letter because this afternoon I was called out by a young saddle tramp in town, it seems that I killed his father in a gunfight a few years back. Now he is out for blood, callin me out like his old man did all those years ago. Unfortunately he caught me at a bad time I was already fall down drunk by then. Should have caught me before noon. So the fight has been put off until today. You might say how's that different from any other day in my life, but on my way back home I saw an owl. A hooting owl boy, critter stared me right in the eye and hooted at me.
Now I do not need a wild scalp raising injun to tell me that is a bad omen. It means death boy every good gunman knows that. But it is not just the owl, I can feel it in my bones, it is my time. I am not angry though there is no profit for me living anymore. I'm getting older everyday, I'm meaner than the hell, and I've got nothing left to prove to myself or to anyone else. I have seen everything I have wanted to see in this life and plenty more, I didn't.
Enough about me, I want to say that I am proud of ya boy and it was pleasure having you around. You are probably wondering what do I do with my life now. I will tell you, you run. Get as far away, from what you did as you can. If you were smart, you did not let your name get out and you did not leave any witnesses. Trust me the last thing you want is a reputation as a big gun. A reputation is like a good bottle of whiskey easy to pick up but hard as hell to put down.
I hope that for you the killing is over, but now comes the hardest part, just living. That was the hardest part for me but I sure hope you have learned from my mistakes. Get away boy, change your name and leave it all behind. Follow your father's advice go find your happiness in this world and hold onto it, and protect it if you have too.
Here is my last few pieces of advice do not fall for the first good-looking rump that shakes its way towards you. I know you boy; try not to hitch yourself to the first rail that smiles at you pretty. If you do, at least make sure, she has enough sense to keep you focused on something important.
Finally, I have no doubt I killed this boy's pappy. He's got as much right to revenge as you do boy, that's how it is, that's how we've lived. But I'm asking you don't' do anything foolish in my name, my story ends here.
Damn it all if this is not the longest letter I have ever written in my life, and I am still writing. In the end though I can't help but wonder if my Rosa is waiting for me. But what's really on my mind is a question I have asked myself all these years. Am I an evil man?
I am still searching for the answer to that question
Yours Truly
Fast Timothy Murdoch
Ron folded the letter and put it back in his vest. "What do I do Murdoch? How do I know when I've found my true happiness?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
The Next Day
"Come on Sheriff," Avery Bronson pleaded, "I need these boys, you of all people know I can't afford to lose two of my best hands."
Sheriff Barkin leaned back in his rocking chair as he cleaned and polished his shotgun. "These boys were causing trouble in my streets and, worst of all, they talk too dang nasty."
He pointed to Trip Harrison. "That one over there was cussing all the way to the cell!"
Avery wiped his damp forehead with a handkerchief. "Come on Sheriff, the boys might have gotten a little too much too drink, and gotten into a fight, no guns were drawn no one really got hurt. I'm sure they've learned their lesson. It's their first offense."
Barkin put down his shotgun. "Avery, I know we've got history together but I can't have these boys disturbing the peace."
"Look Sheriff, I know that, I promise I'll take them out of town quick, so there's no danger. I'll ban them from coming to town for awhile, and cut their pay. Come on sheriff, you know me, I need these men."
Barkin rubbed his cleaned shaven chin. "Alright, I guess they might have learned their lesson. But they're going to stew in the cell for awhile. Come back tonight and pick them up."
Avery smiled. "Thank you, Sheriff." He brought his hand to his hat brim and tipped it to Barkin. "I owe you one." He headed for the door. "I'll be back tonight."
He let out a sigh of relief once outside the sheriff's office and he once again wiped the sweat from his forehead. "How did I get myself into this mess?" he said to himself, before stepping on the boardwalk.
Avery walked on down the street. When he got near Doctor White's office, he spotted a familiar figure standing near the entrance.
"James Possible, what brings you into town?"
James lifted his head slightly. "I'm just visiting the missus. It's been a long, long time Avery."
"It has at that." He smiled. "Visiting the missus huh? I wish I still had my Belle to boss me around, God rest her soul."
"Wives don't call it bossing around Avery, they call it education." They laughed, but then James turned semi serious. "I hear you've fallen on some hard times."
Avery was a little taken aback. "You've heard about that?"
James nodded. "Well it's not that hard to guess, with you walking like a man with a snake up his leg."
Avery closed his eyes. "Well, I won't lie too ya, I'm in danger of losing my ranch, but I'm going to get through it. I can't lose the ranch, it's all I've got left."
James studied Avery's face. "A man will always have his pride Avery, he can't lose that."
Avery gave him a smile and spit out a small stream of tobacco juice. "Yes that's true, a man always has pride."
"We've been neighbors for years, if you need any help, I can always lend you a hand."
"Thank you kindly. But I'll find my own path out of this." He tipped his hat to James and slowly made his way past him.
Anne stepped out from the doctor's office. "I couldn't help overhearing," she said, "what do you think?"
"I'm not sure what I think any more."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"A washing machine?"
"Yes a washing machine, keep your voice down," Wade said.
Kim peeked through the door of the barn to make sure no one was around. "Keep calm Wade, there's nothing around but horses."
Wade grabbed the blueprints from her hand. "This is going to revolutionize the world. All you have to do is put the clothes in this tub and they're snagged by these pegs that swish them around in the soapy water. Now, here's the genius part, the pegs moved back and forth by an arrangement of gears connected to this bicycle." He pointed to the large high wheel mechanism.
"Bicycle?"
"Don't get all balled up on me Kim, try and keep up. Not only will women be getting their clothes clean, they'll be able to stay in shape for their husbands."
"Excuse me?"
Wade corrected himself. "Stay in shape for their health, that's what I meant, for their health."
She looked over the contraption. "Why don't you use that internal combustion thing you were working on last year to power this washing machine."
"Well I haven't gotten that to work properly yet… without exploding anyway. Alright let's move on to your stuff."
He reached into a large carpetbag and pulled out a belt with different sized pouches.
"What's this?" she asked.
"This is your utility belt; it'll hold everything you need for quick and easy access. The smoke bombs, pepper bombs, the super adhesive, boomerang, bullet cartridges, anything you need."
"Great!" She grabbed the belt and put it around her wrist. "And it's quite fashionable too."
"Now don't thank me yet, I don't want to blow, but I've got a few more treats for you. Now here's something I'm particularly proud of, the secret sleeve device."
Kim stared at the wooden device with a spring attached to it.
"You strap this to your arm under your clothes, and when you push the trigger here at the end whatever you've got loaded into the SSD will slide right into your open palm. You can load a blade into it or a small gun, like a derringer, this will definitely catch anyone by surprise."
Then he pulled his left sleeve down revealing what looked like a pocket watch strapped to his wrist. "Keep your eye on this, it's the Pièce de résistance" He placed his arm under a stream of sunlight coming through a hole in the roof of the barn. He flicked the device open and it suddenly created a blinding light.
Kim instinctively placed her hand over her eyes.
"People can't shoot what they can't see," said Wade. "But that's not all." He angled the glass in the watch like device to focus the sun's rays at a piece of timber on the floor. Slowly but surely the piece of timber began to catch fire.
"That's dangerous," Kim cried out as she stomped the fire out. "Be careful, you can light the whole town on fire." She sighed but then a smile came to her face. "Wade, has anyone ever told you that you're a genius?"
"Of course, everyday since I was three."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cala Del Castor Texas
It was the dead of night as Sheriff Paltry led his handcuffed prisoner across the street of the tiny town.
"May I ask where the hell you're leading me Sheriff? It's not polite for a man to be woken up in the middle of the night."
"Now don't go and blow-up on me son, I'm sorry I woke you up. But we're just going to meet a friend of mine."
They walked on towards the general store where a young man was waiting, his head was lowered just enough to hide his face under his hat brim. Suddenly a woman walked up and stood beside him. The young man coolly rolled up a smoke but before he could put it in his mouth, the woman yanked it away from him.
"Didn't I tell you not to smoke these around me, they smell bad"
He glared at her. "Thank you for removing any aspect of intimidation I had managed to create."
"Deputy Marshal Du," said Sheriff Paltry, "I'm glad to finally meet you son, and the widow Director. Barney and I went back awhiles. He saved my life on more than one occasion. I'm proud to lend a hand to any kin of his."
"I'm obliged Sheriff, you're doing us one hell of a favor."
"No problem my boy, no problem." He kicked the prisoner in the back of the legs and knocked him down to his knees.
"What the hell is going on?" cried the prisoner.
"Well, he's jumpier than a squirrel isn't he?" said Betty.
"This here is Handsome Pete Wilson," said Sheriff Paltry.
"Handsome Pete?" Will laughed. "He's handsome alright, to a woman with no real options."
Pete growled at him.
"Handsome Pete and Seth Beechum thought they could hide out in my town after robbing a bank in Amirillo. Unfortunately, Pete here didn't know when to put down the rye, found him wandering the street shooting at the moon. Seth hopped town the second he heard about it."
"Well howdy Pete. I'm Deputy Marshal Will Du."
Pete spat on the floor, "Why should I care?" he said defiantly.
Will ignored his comment. "I want to know where you're emergency hideout is. And don't lie, I know you have one that's close to town, just in case you got run out of here. I've got some important matters to discuss with your partner."
Pete chuckled. "Why would I tell you anything lawdog?"
Will didn't say a word as he stared at Pete under the glow of a gaslight.
"So what, are you going to eyeball me all night? I know I'm handsome but I take exception to men looking at me funny. Ever find yourself feeling extra giddy Marshal."
Will, smiled politely at him.
Pete turned to Betty. "You on the other hand I don't mind. Why don't you follow me back to the cell, I've got a few kinks in my back I've got to work out."
Will, turned to Betty. "You better turn away; this isn't something womenfolk should see."
"I understand," she said, and turned her back to him.
Pete chuckled again, trying to sound unconcerned, but panic soon set in when he saw Will reach for the butt of his gun. "Hey now Sheriff, what's going on?"
"What's going on?" Paltry laughed. "Well boy, you were trying to escape. You would have shot me, if the good Deputy Marshal here hadn't put a bullet in your brain."
"Hey Sheriff, this isn't the law, this is cold blooded murder!"
Will removed his revolver from its holster, placed it on Pete's forehead and pulled the hammer back.
"Wait a minute, I can't defend myself here. Help somebody, they're killing me!"
"Too bad Pete," Will said, "this is a very important case for me. But you seem hell bent on not giving me any information. So that makes you as useless to me as a woman who can't cook… no offense," he called out to Betty.
"You and I are going have a talk when this is all over," she said with her back still turned.
"Alright Pete, take this time to make peace with your creator."
"No wait," he sobbed aloud, "eight miles west from here there's an old trail leading to a small shack. If we got seen here, that's where we were going to hole up until the heat came down a little."
"Is that right, you're not lying to us are you?"
"No, I swear," cried Pete, who was now completely unnerved.
"Good," Will smiled. "Goodbye Pete."
"Oh God!" Pete screamed as Will pulled the trigger
Click
The hammer came down, but nothing happened. Will pulled his revolver away. "Well I'll be I forgot to load my gun."
"You cold blooded son of a bi--- "
Sheriff Paltry smacked him in the back of the head. "Hobble your lip son, I know you're a criminal but there's a lady present."
Betty turned around and strolled over to them. "Sheriff, if you don't mind"
"Go right ahead ma'am."
"Much obliged," then she abruptly kicked Pete in the face, knocking him back onto the street. "Find someone to work those kinks out."
Will whistled. "He ain't Handsome no more."
Paltry grabbed the unconscious Pete by the arms. "I guess we're all done here."
"Thanks again Sheriff."
"Don't be afraid to call on me anytime, it'll be my pleasure." He started to drag Handsome Pete's body away.
"Eight miles to the west, we better get moving."
"Not so fast, we got this today." Betty handed him a telegram. He read through it quickly.
"Goddang Blackthorne wants us to stay here for a few days to meet with some stranger? We have a lead, we don't have time for this!"
"Lead or no lead, we have orders. Good Officers of the law must follow their superior's orders."
"You can't be serious!"
"I'll go set us up at the hotel," she said flatly.
Will angrily crumpled the telegram into a ball and threw into the street.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Four days later Circle C bunkhouse
Ron lay in bed, his hat covering his face as the seven other cowhands of the Circle C crowded around in a circle playing a rousing game of poker.
"Ron, why don't you wake up, and get in this game?" Billy Fry asked as he dealt out the cards.
"Leave him be, he's been moping around the bunkhouse all week. Word is some gunman has him plumb scared to leave the ranch," said Silas Thompson.
"Gunman? I don't blame the boy those loons think they're above the law. Why a sane man would want to be a gunman in the first place I'll never understand."
"You know Antonio you ain't got a lick of sense," said Bo Taggert adding to the conversation. "There are more perks to being a gunslinger than for being a lawman. Trust me, I ran with a few gunmen back in my days."
Ron shifted in his bed slightly to eavesdrop on the conversation.
"No kidding Bo, you ran with gunmen?"
"Well Billy, they sure weren't church deacons. Now I wasn't a gunman myself but I saw how they live. And they live a good life until someone plants a bullet in their chest. I tell you one thing, I never saw a gunman worth his salt that didn't have a beautiful woman on his arm."
"Really?"
"I guran-damn-tee you there isn't one good gunman in this world that hasn't bedded himself a bevy of beautiful women."
Ron coughed.
"I bet none of them was as beautiful as my Amelia."
"What the hell is wrong with you Billy? Every time we start talking about women, you start on about Amelia. I have half a mind to kick your lovesick hide out of here. Now where was I… oh yeah its not just the women either. Gunmen get free drinks, free room and board, and all kinds of things. A real gunman only knows three kinds of people, the ones who fear them, the ones who respect them, and those who want to add another name to their belt."
"I've got to tell you, that life doesn't sound too bad," said John Vertree.
"I thought about being a gunman too," Bo continued, "but thirty days in a cell changed that for me"
A shocked look came to Billy's face. "You went to jail? For what, thieving?"
"Nah," Bo said as he scratched his beard, "let me tell you something boys, never fall in love with another man's wife. It'll only bring you trouble."
Most of his fellow cowhands burst into laughter, Billy looked down onto the ground.
"When I get married if any man looks at my…"
Stanly Colbert jumped to his feet. "So help me Billy, if you say 'my Ameila' again I'll…"
"Damn it all Stanly you're breaking up my thoughts." A sly smile came to Bo's face. "I never thought I'd say spending thirty days was worth it but that schoolmarm would curl your toes. She had the softest…"
"Ahem."
The cowhands turned quickly towards the door.
"Oh Miss Possible," Bo said, "you should have knocked."
Her face had turned a crimson red. "I did knock, for about five minutes, but I guess you guys were caught up in this conversation."
Bo and some of the cowhands cleared their throats. "What brings you here?"
"Right, where's Ron?"
"That lazy good for nothing, he's over yonder, good luck getting him out of bed."
She walked over to his bed. "Ron, how about helping me get some actual work done today? He let out an obviously phony snore.
She snatched the hat off his face. "I know you're awake, so stop playing games."
"Huh, what's going on?" he replied, as he rubbed his eyelids.
"I need your help finding something out on the plains."
"The plains huh, riding out there in the saddle under the hot sun, that's going to be rough. Well good luck with that." He shifted to his side, turning his back on her."
"Two pairs of eyes are better than one. I need a friend's help right now."
He turned back towards her. "Look, at the moment I'm having some kind of life crisis, since I don't drink or smoke; and I don't have a wife so all I have left to deal with it is sleep. You understand don't you?"
They stared at each other, engaging in an unspoken battle of wills.
A moment later she smiled at him. "I'll be waiting outside with the horses," then she walked out of the room.
"Adios." He waved goodbye as she left. "You can wait out in the sun all you want. I'll be in here asleep."
He plopped back down on the bed and let out a deep sigh. After a moment, he shifted to his left side, a second later he shifted to his right side.
"Why's it so hot in here?" he muttered to himself as he flipped onto his stomach. Soon after that, he flipped back onto his back.
About another minute or so, he sat up and let out a breath. "Damn." He slapped his hat on and made his way for the exit.
He stopped at the door though when he realized all of the other cowhands were staring at him. Although not one of them said a word, he could see the laughter in their faces.
"What's so funny?"
"Why don't you think about it for a moment?" Stanly answered.
Ron wanted to say something more, but he just walked out. The cowhands laughed and went on with their game.
"I could have sworn she was seeing someone in town," laughed Bo.
"You know how it is. When women are concerned, there's no predicting."
"Well my Am…"
"Shut up boy, I swear I'll…"
"Too bad though, I was just about set on falling in love with her myself."
"Kip, that's the funniest thing you've said all year."
"Full house boys read em and weep."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Here's the problem," Kim started, "Ever since all of this talk about rustlers started, I've been keeping an extra eye our cattle. I might be wrong but I think we're missing some yearling steers. It might be rustlers but then again maybe they got through the fence.
Ron sighed. "Or maybe they've been eaten by coyotes."
"Coyotes?"
"Yes, wild, vicious coyotes got to them. Too bad there's nothing we can do about coyotes we might as well go home."
Ron gigged his horse to turn away, but Kim cut him off.
"If they were eaten by coyotes where are the bones?"
He shrugged. "The coyotes ate them."
"They're not going to eat the bones too."
"Really hungry coyotes would."
"Enough about the coyotes, let's just keep moving."
Ron sighed and followed her lead. They kept their horses to a slow trot as they searched the area.
"God it's hot!"
"Quit belly aching, what kind of cowboy are you anyway."
"The kind who likes to stay in bed and avoid getting heat stroke." He grabbed a canteen of water from his saddlebag. He brought it to his lips when something about her caught his eye. This afternoon, her hair was wild and her clothes were covered with dust and sweat. He swallowed his mouthful of water with a loud gulp, there was nothing ladylike about her now but she wasn't any less attractive.
He was wondering to himself why every time he looked at her the wind seemed to be blowing through her hair when she turned to him.
"You know it's not polite to stare at someone when they're not looking," she told him.
He pulled himself from his daze. "Sorry uh, the sun is, yeah, ok… so you've got a problem with being stared at."
She cocked an eyebrow at him. "Don't you?"
"Depends on who's doing the staring and why. But as a sign of friendship you can stare at me for as long as you want."
"I'm very much obliged," she said sarcastically.
Ron looked up towards the sky "so did you talk to Josh yet? How did he uh feel about the fighting?"
She smiled "I reckon I was worried for nothing. He was fine with it, but I did ask him to keep a secret."
"Why is that?"
"Let me ask you something" she said changing the subject, as she turned to him "I still can't over that night, the way you moved, the way you acted. I've never seen a gunman before, but if someone told me you were one. I'd have to believe them."
Ron avoided her gaze "I thought we went over that already. That was all just bluff that failed miserably."
"Really than you should be on stage, you'd be a great actor"
He took another swig of water "thank you"
"Have you ever killed a man?" she asked bluntly.
Water sprayed from his mouth Ron did a spit-take "What? Where did that…" he wiped the water from his mouth "N…….No……of course I haven't. It's a hell of a thing killing a man. Anyway even if I have……. and I haven't. That's not something a person would go around confessing."
She nodded "I suppose you're right"
"Really you should warn people before you spring a question like that on them! Oh yeah," he said after a moment of silence, "I forgot to ask, where did you learn to fight so well? That Chinese wusu stuff."
"Wushu," she corrected, "and that is a secret."
"A secret?"
She nodded. "I won't tell you that until you tell me something about your past."
"You devil… why do you think I have any secrets anyway?"
"Oh, you have secrets all right, I can tell. And that's pretty amazing considering how talkative you are."
"Maybe it's all a ploy, woman love secretive men. Maybe you've just fallen into my web of charm. You ever think about that?"
"Oh yes I have, it actually keeps me up at night." She laughed "Anyway that's the deal, I'll trade a secret for a secret."
Secret for a secret huh
Ron grabbed the canteen of water and took another swig, he closed his eyes as he did so.
"Next week is my birthday," he said abruptly.
"That's not much of a secret," she said.
What am I doing? He swallowed back, what felt like a lump of cotton in his throat. "My parents and my sister were killed on my birthday," he said weakly.
"I'm sorry."
"You know what," Ron chuckled lightly as he continued, "you're the only person in this world besides me who knows that now… don't worry about giving me a secret, that one was on the house."
He spurred his horse forward, moving ahead of her. He wanted to ride alone for awhile.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Veronica Walton watched the desert fly by as her carriage rushed towards the town of Cala Del Castor. Four riders on horseback surrounded the carriage; the best protection money could buy.
"Miss Walton, we should be arriving in town by nightfall," said her servant.
"Jenkins, how many times must I say, you have permission to call me Veronica," she said, as she ran a comb through her blond hair.
"But that just wouldn't be prudent, as the servant that is the way I must speak to my employer."
She sighed. "I don't know what I'll do with you Jenkins." She placed her comb back into her bag and, then she snatched a small memento from her past, a small necklace featuring half of an arrowhead.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
El Coyote Ranch
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Louis Wilson said to his brother, who had one foot out of the bunkhouse door.
"Where do you think I'm going?" said Dub. "I'm going after that blond gunman we've got bad blood twixt out."
"You damn fool, I told you not to go and cause trouble, this is why the other boys get to go to town and you don't. You're liable to bring this whole operation down on us."
"I'm not going to cause any trouble in town; I'm going to the Circle C."
Louis slowly walked over to his brother. "To do what, die?"
Dub looked at his brother incredulously. "I don't think you realize how god-awful fast I am brother."
Louis smacked his brother hard in his face.
"Now hold on Louis…"
Louis grabbed Dub by the back of the neck. "Look here brother, being fast don't mean a thing when you're outnumbered seven to one. Now, if you go to Circle C tonight, even if you beef this gunman, his cowhand partners will kill you. Then the sheriff will start asking questions and they'll find out we're rustlers. And I'll get hung; you don't want your brother to get hung now do you?"
Dub shook his head.
"That's good, now you understand. Remember, we need this ranch only until we get this cattle sold. I promise you, when we get them all sold, you can go prove to the world just how god-awful fast you are, okay?" he said to his brother with a cruel grin.
"Okay," Dub repeated.
Virgil Duval rushed into the bunkhouse. "Hey Louis," he said excitedly, "Lin's back with some new merchandise from Tejas."
"Well, good send him in."
Ten minutes later Lin Norris entered the bunkhouse with a large grin on his face. He pulled on his grizzly beard and let out a loud whoop, when he spotted Louis."
"Lin you old bastard, come on in and have a drink. Did everything go well?"
"Of course it did, we've got a prime selection this time. We'll have no problem selling these heifers."
"Fantastic," Louis said, as he poured Lin a glass of whiskey. "That's what I like to hear."
"Lin, have you got any news for me," Dub said excitedly, "I've been stuck in this do-nothing town for too long."
Lin reflected on the question. "Oh, news for the big gunman. You ever hear of a fellow named Scarecrow?"
"Scarecrow?"
"The newest gunman whose story is catching on by wildfire. Talk is he took six men on his own including Rooster Coover. Everybody's talking about it."
Dub scoffed. "I can take down six men if I wanted to."
"Well you don't have The Undertaker gunning for you. He's offering a reward for any information on whatever rock this Scarecrow's hiding under."
"The Undertaker," Dub marveled, "he only goes after the really big gunslingers. If he's after this Scarecrow then he must be the real deal."
"I guess that means he's out of your league, huh Dub," Louis teased.
Dub stared angrily at him. "Any idea on what this Scarecrow looks like?"
Lin took a sip from his glass of whiskey. "They say average height, blond hair, freckles on his face, and two colts on his hip."
The whole room went silent.
Dub chuckled softly. "You're pulling my leg, right Lin?"
'What do you mean?"
"You're serious, ain't ya? Oh dear god, you're serious!" He laughed, he turned to his brother. "Did you hear that brother Louis? I'm going to be famous. I'm going to be a big gunman, just you wait and see."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was almost morning when Curly Thomas, Cray Shaw and Franck Strucker slipped onto Possible property. Cray and curly watched as Frank brought down a yearling steer and proceeded to tie it's hooves together.
Curly adjusted his gas lamp so they could all see clearly. "Now remember, we can't take too many at a time or they'll get suspicious," Frank whispered to his partners. "And don't forge---
"Freeze," Ron shouted, cutting him off
"What the…?" The three figures turned as Ron's figure came towards them in the darkness.
"Don't try to make any wrong moves or they might your last."
"Who the hell are you?" Cray shouted.
"That doesn't really matter."
Frank stood up and put his hands in the air. "Alright, you got the drop on us fair and square, what do you want?"
"Now, I could alert the other cowhands and you three boys would be decorating the bad end of a rope by morning. But it doesn't have to come to that. Now, I'll be happy to keep this between us if you leave now and, for the future, keep away from our cattle."
"What do you mean?" asked Curly.
"Come on guys, you and I know you weren't here to watch the sunrise."
Cray's hands inched towards the butt of his gun but before he could even reach his peacemaker, a shot rang out and a bullet cut the holster from his hip sending it crashing the dirt.
Frank and Curly reached for their weapons only to have a bullet rip through their holsters sending their pistols spinning into the dewy grass.
"Jesus Christ," Frank Strucker muttered under his breath.
"Hey now, don't you know how dangerous it is to drop your guns like that. You boys should really take a look at those holsters, that material might be cheap… now, I don't want to kill you and I'm pretty sure you don't want to be killed. So let's part ways right here."
"Alright, we're sorry, we'll leave and we won't back." The three rustlers began to slowly back away.
"Oh and tell the rest of your group to stay away from Chick Moore's place too. Please don't make me regret letting you live."
They nodded, turned, and ran off to where the had hidden their horses. After he was sure they were gone, Ron let out a deep breath, released the steer and collected their weapons off the ground.
"That was easier than I thought it would be." He hoped it would be enough to keep the rustlers out of their hair for good but deep down, he knew better. But at least it would delay the inevitable. He placed his colt back in his holster and headed for the bunkhouse. When that time comes, he would find a way to deal with it. He had found away to deal with everything else so far.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next morning:
After breakfast, Ron slipped away from the ranch alone and quickly headed towards Middlewood. His horse kicked up a cloud of dust as he booted it forward. Dark clouds filled the sky announcing the oncoming rain.
I'll go to town get some supplies for dinner and then I'll hightail it out of there before I spot any of Avery's boys. That's the plan, and it's a great plan. Well maybe not a great plan but it's a decent pla….ah damn
Ron slowed down when he spotted the group of eight men waiting ahead of him on the road to town.
Damn I should have been paying more attention. They had to have spotted me already. Should I turn back? Yeah I should…….if I want to die with a bullet in my back. We're about five minutes to town, people in town will hear any gunshots. Maybe they don't want to fight.…….God willing.
Ron rode slowly until he was just a few yards away from the men. He didn't recognize any of their, ugly and ornery faces.
This is no welcome wagon.
Louis Wilson gigged his horse forward and took his place at the front of the gang "this is the gunman" he said with a mouthful of tobacco, "I can't say I'm too greatly impressed."
Lin Norris laughed "blondie here looks a dandy to me" The other members of the gang joined in on his laughter.
Louis rode closer to Ron "I hear you had a run in with some of our boys."
"Did I? Wait I do remember running into some people last night. I wonder what would some of Avery's boys be doing on Possible property at that time of night."
Louis turned to the rest of the gang and smiled "well Mr. Scarecrow maybe they got lost?"
A chill went through Ron's spine; it took all he had from gasping in shock "what did you call me?"
"You heard me, I know who you are. Word is you took out Rooster Coover's gang all by your lonesome."
"You've got me mistaken with someone else…….
"Now what I want to know" Louis said as he cut Ron off "is why I big famous gunman like yourself comes to this pit-stain of a town and becomes a cook. Heck according to your reputation you should be running this town, especially a town with a cripple sheriff."
The gang laughed.
"So I reckon you want to start over" Louis opened his arms wide "live a normal life as a honest, law abiding citizen. Live the American Dream, is that it? Maybe even get to know the boss's daughter a bit, and I don't blame you. She's a good looking girl."
"We're just friends----
"I don't really give a damn." He dismounted "I didn't come out here to air out my chewing tobacco. Normally if someone crossed my men, or me, I'd have him killed deader than hell, especially a person who knows too much about our business practices. But I don't think it has to come to that. So I'm calling a temporary truce Mr. Scarecrow; you leave us alone, we'll the Possible ranch alone, and you can go on being, a-nobody cook."
He put out his hand "now can I invite you off your horse to shake on this truce"
Ron thought it over for a moment and then he got off himself "what do you mean temporary truce?"
"I'm sorry but my brother is the gunslinger in the family, when this is all over he's going to come a calling for you. I have no control over it, that just who my brother is."
"Let me guess" Ron smiled weakly "he wants me and him to draw loaded weapons and fill ourselves with wide gaping holes."
"As a gunman that kind of thing, should be natural too you. But you have my word no harm will come to anyone else after that, especially your pretty friend."
"I'm not too worried about her, she can handle herself. I think Trip Harrison and Jack Conner are witnesses to that"
Louis scowled "you're a funny boy, aren't you?"
"Don't mind me, sometimes I talk just to see if I still can." He shook Louis' hand "alright temporary truce."
Suddenly Louis pulled Ron forward and jabbed him hard in the breadbasket, knocking the wind from him.
"It's a deal Mr. Scarecrow" Louis seethed in Ron's ear "just remember if ya mess with a bull you might get the horns."
Ron coughed "that's the first time I've heard that one. My that is so clever, did you think of that just now?"
In a fit of rage Louis head butted him on the nose dropping him onto his back. "Alright boys let's ride out before we get caught in this storm." He looked at Ron on the floor "I don't usually like talking down to people" he chuckled "But the truce stands as long as my men aren't provoked in any way. It wouldn't be right if I didn't allow them to defend themselves."
From the ground, Ron listened to the gang laugh aloud before galloping away. His horse came up to nuzzle at his face as he stared up at the darkened sky. Blood dripped from his nose and down his cheek, as a drop of rain splashed onto his forehead.
"Finding happiness is harder than I thought it would be partner," he sighed as the rain began to pour down on his face.
A/N Well there you go,hopefully I haven't disappointed any of you yet. And yes to all of you who have ever seen the T.V show Wild Wild West. The SSD is the same as that gadget from the show, but please have mercy. It's really hard coming up with cool (and semi realistic) inventions for Wade to come with. Read and Review of course. As always feedback is mandatory :)
