Author's Note: Due to an amusing but unfortunate series of events I was bereft of internet this whole time, please forgive me the long wait! This chapter isn't as polished or as long as I would like, but I wanted to post something. I hope you all are still enjoying the story, and I look forward to hearing from you all as usual!
Adam shot a worried glance at the dark clouds above the riders. It was the heart of storm season, and it appeared a bad tempest would be overtaking the Cartwrights shortly.
He spared a glance at Joe. His younger brother was still fuming over their unsuccessful discussion with the Sheriff; the man had expressed concern over Joe's story, but said without proof he could do nothing. Adam had the feeling the man was scared of Bill Harvess and wanted nothing to do with him. Adam wished that all Sheriffs could be like Sheriff Coffee; the tough as nails lawman would have pursued the truth at all costs. But this lawman had given the boys a brush-off, filling out a report that undoubtedly was destroyed the instant the Cartwrights left.
"You doing alright?" He asked, watching the way Joe tensed his shoulders. His own body was beginning to show signs of fatigue, but he knew it had to be even worse for his brother. "It is about time for another one of those tablets, if you want it."
"No, I'm fine." Joe said, shaking his head emphatically. "Just frustrated at that-"
"I know."Adam broke in, stopping a ten minutes rant Joe had repeated several times since they had started riding. Before he could say anything more, he felt a cold drop of rain hit his hand. He privately wondered what else could possibly go wrong with this trip as the rain began to come down hard, and he could feel from the pressure in the air that lightening would not be far away.
He and Joe instantly began looking for shelter, but the roads before and behind them were dismally flat; with a flat prairie on either side. The horses needed no urging to quicken their pace; neither animal was keen on thunderstorms.
Suddenly Joe reigned in sharply, pointing at a trail leading off to their left. Adam saw a small weather beaten sign that proclaimed the town of Rusty Springs was one half mile away. He vaguely remembered visiting Rusty Springs once, many years ago. He sharply turned Sport and nodded at his brother, the heavy wind tearing his voice away when he tried to answer. The two rode hard down the trail and arrived in the town quickly, but not quick enough to avoid being drenched by the rain. Adam pulled up sharply, realizing there was no evidence of human life; all the buildings looked deserted and had the air of a dead town. Adam wasn't surprised; Rusty Springs had been under populated even in its glory days. But the Hotel seemed to be intact and safe to bunk in. The stables were in relatively good repair as well, and Joe and Adam wasted no time in taking refuge in the barn.
"That storm could rival Noah's." Joe said wearily as he rubbed Cochise down.
Adam stuffed a battered blanket he had found in the cracks in the doors; patching the drafts to make the barn livable for the animals for the night. There was a little straw, and old and musty though it was, it would have to do.
"At least Noah had an ark." Adam pointed out as he picked up his saddle bags. "Unless we prefer to bunk here, we are going to have to make a run for the Hotel."
Joe made a face and picked up his own bags. The two watched the sky through the door a moment, then ran as soon as the rain looked like it was slacking off. The Hotel door slammed behind them as the wind howled angrily.
Adam dropped the bags by the door and headed straight for the fireplace. He was relieved to find it was clean and in working order, and there was a stacked bundle of wood. He set about building a fire.
"This place is still furnished." Joe sounded confused. "But the town is obviously abandoned…why would they leave all this stuff?" He held up a blanket to prove his point.
"Often, towns like this will leave their Hotels furnished for wayward travelers." Adam explained. "For such a situation like this." He held his breath, relieved when a blaze began to heat the room. "It was the town's way of saying goodbye, I believe. I'm not too sure."
"Well, I'm just glad they do." Joe joked as he dropped the blanket by Adam. Adam agreed, and the two set about eating and settling down for the night; the storm slowly slacking off until by three in the morning it was nothing more than a drizzle.
But while the storm moved away from the boys, four drenched and angry riders grew nearer and nearer, following tracks before the rain could obliterate them. Four riders drew close to the abandoned town, four riders spotted the two boys through the window of the Hotel, and four riders laid in wait for their quarry.
Adam sat up, smelling coffee. Joe was already up and had a plate of food ready for him. His brother seemed restless and edgy about something Adam kept an eye on him as he ate; watching Joe take one of the tablets the doctor had given him, then begin pacing.
"What is wrong?" Adam finally asked. Joe started. "What makes you think anything is wrong?" He asked, giving a shaky smile. Adam rolled his eyes.
"You pace any faster you will set the floor on fire. What is it?" He pressed.
Joe shrugged. "I just have a funny feeling, that is all. I just want to get home."
"You and me both." Adam agreed. "I'll go get the horses ready if you will clean up in here." Joe made no protest and Adam headed out to the stable. He led out the horses after saddling them, tightening the saddle bags on Sport.
Suddenly, Adam got the strangest feeling he was being watched. He swung his glance to the saloon across from the Hotel and frowned. He distinctly remembered all the windows and doors being boarded in the saloon, but the boards were gone from across the main door. The mud in front of the bar was churned up and he would bet that there were horses in back.
The Cartwrights had company.
"Joe!" He shouted in alarm as he pushed into the Hotel. Joe looked up quickly from where he was dousing the fireplace.
"What is it?" He said in concern.
"I think Bill's gang followed us." He indicated the saloon over his shoulder. "I don't know how, but I am sure of it."
Joe went red, then white, then red; anger and fear battling each other. "What do we do?"
At that moment, a shout could be heard from the middle of the street.
"I see we keep running into each other!" Bill's voice was almost jovial. Adam motioned for Joe to stay away from the windows and drew his own gun, crouching lower by the door. "Why don't you invite me and the boys in?" Bill was almost taunting.
"Why did you follow us, Harvess?" Adam shouted back. There was no use in pretending they were not there; Bill knew they were.
"Sadly, your brother and you have been spreading some nasty rumors about us." Bill's voice got slightly louder, as if he had walked closer to the Hotel. "I want an apology."
Adam didn't respond, just peeked out through a window. Bill was indeed standing in the street, flanked by the large scarred man and the young kid. Fredricks was hanging back nervously. Adam suddenly sensed Joe moving toward him, crouching beside him. He wanted to motion his brother back behind the desk where he would be safe, but he knew Joe wouldn't allow that. The whole situation had the same feeling of the air before the storm; the knowledge something was going to break loose but not knowing when.
Adam felt something knot in his stomach as he saw the malice in Harvess and Pines eyes. Their odds were not good.
BNZ BNZ BNZ
Bill cocked his head at the Hotel. The boys were smart, staying away from the windows and not replying each time to allow them to pinpoint their voices. But they didn't have enough manpower to completely fortify their hiding place. He jerked his head at Pines, and the large man started circling to the back of the Hotel, hoping to find an open door. Bill spoke again.
"You know; our only complaint is really with the kid. You don't have to play the hero…we'll let you go if you turn him over to us. What do you think about that?"
He had to keep the two distracted long enough for Pines to get around back.
"I am a reasonable guy. You are outnumbered. Even if you get one of us, we will kill you before you could aim again. Think about it; why should you die protecting that snot-nosed kid, Cartwright? I know of your family, Cartwright…I know he's only your half brother. You don't owe him any obligation, truly. You really want to die for a brat that isn't even full-blood to you? Like I said, give us the kid and we let you go. What do you say?"
An unexpected report of gunfire causing Bill to jump slightly, and hear a shout as Fredricks' hat flew off his head.
"Boss! He shot my hat off!" The small man gasped in terror.
"I guess that answers my question." Bill commented quietly, ignoring his henchman. "Love…such a deadly emotion. Well boys…it looks like we're going to a gunfight."