Chapter 7

Jimmy and Lucas rode to the first family. It was a no go. The second girl was a dead end. That only left one. Jenny Ware. Luke pulled his horse to a stop. The town they had traced the family to was less than friendly. They claimed that they were an odd family and only the father was ever seen in town. This had to be her.

"This is the one. Has to be." Luke said as he looked ahead.

"If it ain't, then you missed someone."

Jimmy rode ahead. Luke kicked his horse behind. They came to a small house at the end of the road. It looked almost abandoned. Jimmy looked to Lucas and shook his head. He got off his horse and walked through the rickety gate. He knocked on the door. He went to knock again when the door opened, and a rough looking man opened the door.

"Can I help you?"

"Um, yes sir, I was looking for the Ware family."

"Ware family." The man scoffed. "Ain't no Ware family."

"I'm sorry. Did something happen to them?"

"You could say that."

"Did you know them?"

"I can say that I did. I am Tyler Ware."

"You are Mr. Ware?" Jimmy asked.

"Why are you here?"

"I know that this may seem strange and it's not something that gets asked every day but, do you have a daughter? A daughter named Jenny?" Jimmy asked.

"I did."

"I don't understand." Jimmy said glancing back at Luke.

"She died giving birth to a bastard child."

Jimmy grimaced hearing the amount of contempt in his tone.

"I'm sorry to hear."

"The little bastard lived. I gave him away."

"I see. Is Mrs. Ware home?"

"She went mad. Ran off. Look, why are you asking me all this?"

"Well, uh, I don't know how to say this."

"That asshole son standing behind you is the father, ain't he?"

"Possibly. That's what we need to find out…." Jimmy started but the man pushed him back toward the steps cutting him off.

"Get off my land! That son of a bitch killed my daughter and ruined my life!"

"I'm sorry. I was just trying to….." Lucas started forward but stopped.

Jimmy stumbled back farther down the steps as Mr. Ware produced a shot gun from behind the door.

"Get off now!"

Jimmy turned to wave to Lucas to run. Jimmy ran to his horse as pellets flew around him. He jumped on his horse and galloped off behind Lucas. They slid to a stop once they were out of range, and they knew the man wasn't chasing them.

"Wow, that was not what I expected." Luke said.

"This is just wonderful. Just fucking wonderful, Luke. You ruined that family and the girl died. Did you hear her father?! She died!" Jimmy yelled suddenly slumping forward.

"Oh God, Dad, he hit you."

"Just gets better and better, don't it!" Jimmy yelled back.

"How bad?"

"Don't touch me! It ain't bad. Just get me to town then we can get our asses on home."

Luke gathered his Dad's reins to lead his horse into town. He would get him patched up before they headed home.

The doctor's, then home. It would slow them up some. Through the trees, they were watched as they rode toward town.