Chapter 10

Hunter sat on his horse on the small ranch outside of Durango. He watched the cows mill around. He felt that pit in his stomach eating away at him when he thought of his brother. Maybe he should not have left him. He hoped he wasn't in any trouble because of that girl. He heard a horse and looked over to see Keaton riding up.

"Hunter, we got to run over to another spread. Think you can ride?"

Hunter thought it over. He had started working for this small outfit a few days ago and he felt that something was not right. He felt it that first day in but he really needed the money so he pushed it aside. Now that he had been here a few days, he had started noticing more things that just seemed off. Like how more cows would appear and get moved or sold quickly. They always told him that they came from another field but damn, he had rode most of them by now.

"Depends. What are we doing?"

"Got a couple cows needing to be moved and since Rob got shot over that stupid shit in town, we a fella short."

Hunter looked back at the cows. He didn't think Rob had gotten shot over a dispute in town. He sat thinking.

"Look Hunter, I've been trying to see if I could trust you. I'm beginning to think that I made a bad choice." Keaton said pulling his gun.

Hunter saw the movement but he didn't flinch or make a move. He just sat staring at the herd. He realized that he should have left days ago. He had made yet another dumb mistake. Now he knew the only way that he could leave would be if he was six feet under. He looked slowly back over to Keaton.

"I'll go."

"Can I trust you, though?"

"You can."

"Hunter, Hunter. You see I know by now you've seen some things and the other fellas wanted me to put you to a test. I like you, boy, but the others not so much. If you cross me, it ain't gonna be pretty."

Hunter nodded. He was in deep shit now again because of his stupidity.

"What's it gonna be? Join with us or join with the dirt?"

"You're stealing cows."

Keaton didn't acknowledge his statement just kept his gun aimed at him. Hunter would have to go along until he could find a means out. He wished he had Lucas with him. He could figure this out easy.

"My name isn't McCloud." Said Hunter.

"You lied to me boy?"

Hunter stared ahead.

"It's Hickok."

Jimmy walked along the edge of the ridge from their camp that they had set up. He walked and stared at the terrain. He didn't hear Lucas come up beside him until he spoke. Jimmy spun around.

"Knew you wouldn't hear me." Said Lucas.

"Sorry son, that side you know."

"Ah, you were deep in thought. I needed to talk to you. Away from everyone else."

"Figured as much." Jimmy said trying to smile.

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened at home. I know we can't go back."

"No one said you couldn't go home. The sheriff knows what happened. I'll deal with Duncan."

"Really? Hunter ain't wanted?"

"No. Though he may be once we catch up with his ass. I have to say, I'm worried, Luke."

"Then what I need to tell you ain't gonna make ya feel any better."

"What?"

"Back in Leadville some man thought he recognized Hunter. He started causing trouble. That's why he ran."

"How?"

"He recognized you."

Jimmy shook his head and looked at his feet. He felt like the air was being sucked out of him.

"The man said that Hickok owed him and that he knew that Hunter was your boy. I ain't sure but that man and two of his friends are dead."

"Think Hunter killed them?"

"I'm sorry to say that I do. Dad, he's been acting strange. Like he doesn't know who he is anymore."

"We are gonna find him and get him home."

"I can't help but feel like something is wrong. He's in trouble again."

"I will bring him home or I'll die trying."

"I think Penny's father will try to find her."

"I know that too." Jimmy sighed.

"Shit just gets deeper and deeper."

"When we get to Durango, Cody has a friend there. She will keep her safe until we find Hunter."

"I can't let anything happen to her." Lucas said looking at his Dad.

"I promise you that it won't."

"What am I gonna do? I ain't never felt this way about a girl before."

"First, keep her safe. Second, take care of her. Third, let her meet your Mom and sisters. She might run away from us." Laughed Jimmy.

"Figured you'd beat the hell out of me."

"I'm just glad you finally picked one." Laughed Jimmy.

"I honestly didn't think it was possible." Smirked Lucas.

"No, she seems like a good match for you. I have to say she's smart and with beauty to boot. Sides that, I kind of like her. She'll keep you straight just fine."

Jimmy patted Lucas on his back as they walked back over to camp.

"Come on. We should hit Durango tomorrow."