A/N: Sorry for the delay, it wasn't work this time, but a horrid case of writer's block. I couldn't figure out just how I wanted this episode to go and tried a couple different options before I settled on this. I hope you all like it.
As usual, I don't own Bonanza.
Tonight: The Real People of Muddy Creek.
Added line breaks 2-19-21
The five of them lounged around the fire with their drovers. Joe leaned forward and poured himself another cup of coffee. Hoss set his cup down. "I tell you, sleeping on the ground ain't no picnic, that's for darned sure." He moved to stand and Annie snickered into her own coffee. "I miss them soft beds back at the Ponderosa, that's a guarantee." Beside her, Candy grinned up at her older brother.
"Cheer up, Hoss. Soon as we reach the high country and round up the herd, drift 'em back down to the winter range, you'll be in a real bed about two weeks from now." Hoss humphed from his spot at the back of the chuck wagon and she grinned again. Joe laughed.
"Hey, got company," Hoss called out, and Annie went for her pistol, thumb on the hammer. Social calls were few and far between out on the trail.
Two horses pulled into view behind the wagon; a silver star glittered in the firelight and she relaxed a hair. But just a hair. Badges didn't always mean the visitor was friendly. "Evening." The man with the star called out and dismounted.
"Evening." Her pa met him beside his horse.
"Carl Walker, sheriff of Muddy Creek." The two men shook hands.
"Ben Cartwright."
"Saw your fire and smelled the coffee." Ben laughed.
"There's plenty more there, Bert, bring some coffee." The other man didn't get off his horse, just sat there watching them all like he felt he was above them. A flicker of recognition hit her, was it –
"Sheriff," Candy spoke before she could. "Isn't that Luke Harper, Cliff Harper's kid brother?" She sensed more than saw Joe and Candy slide a little closer on either side of her.
"Yeah. Coffee would be fine, but what I really need is a couple of fresh horses." Luke Harper sneered down at them and her fingers closed tighter over the smooth, mother-of-pearl grips.
"I think we can help you out with that, we've got some pretty good ones in our remuda." Ben nodded at Joe. "We'll exchange them for yours."
"Fine, if you're ever in Muddy Creek, they'll be waiting for you." The sheriff clapped her pa on the back and accepted his coffee from Bert.
"Hey, what about me? I need some coffee, too." His eyes drifted over all of them to land on her. "I wouldn't mind getting to know this little lady either."
"All you'd get out of that is a bullet," she retorted. Harper laughed without a shred of humor.
"Really, now?"
"Shut your mouth, Harper," the sheriff barked after he finished his coffee. He handed the cup back and stomped over to the horse. "I suppose he can have a cup, just don't get too close to him. Get down on this side." He trailed the cuffed outlaw towards the wagon. "He's crazy enough to try something."
"Sheriff, I'm gonna see you dead, I promise you." His cold gaze skimmed over the sheriff to land on them again. Candy inched closer until his arm bumped hers.
"He wasn't alone when I found him at his girls' place, the other one got away."
"My brother's gonna make you sorry you ever put a gun on me. And that can extend to the rest of you as well." They didn't respond.
"I've wired the Marshal and he should be in Muddy Creek in the morning with half a dozen men. I've got to get Luke in there and keep him in jail until they come. In the meantime, your fresh horses will be help enough."
"Well, let's pick 'em out, Sheriff. Joe, unsaddle these two."
"Right, Pa." He slipped out of line. Hoss ambled over to join their pa and the sheriff, but she wasn't about to take her eyes off Luke Harper. Neither, it seemed, was Candy. They waited, side by side, as Bert brought Harper his coffee. He accepted the cup and brought it to his mouth.
"You two planning to watch me all night?"
"Maybe," she said evenly. He chuckled under his breath.
The next thing she knew, he'd flung the coffee in Bert's face, and the drover staggered back, rubbing at his eyes. Harper snatched the gun from his holster as she drew hers, snapping up into firing position. Their shots rang out withing a split second of each other.
Joe ran up and leaped on the outlaw from behind; Candy shot past her and waded into the fray. Together, they slammed him up against the chuck wagon, blood dripping down his sleeve. She turned, following Joe's line of sight, in time to see their pa look up from checking the sheriff where he lay on the ground in a heap. He shook his head and stood slowly.
"I told him I'd see him dead." Harper spit out a laugh and a mouthful of cuss words. "Maybe you are worth that bandoleer you're packing, girl. If ya'll will just cut me loose, I'll be on my way." Her pa brushed past her and squared off with the outlaw.
"You're still on your way to Muddy Creek."
"Cliff's gonna kill all of you! He'll slaughter you like steers!" Harper struggled against Joe and Candy's hold, but he couldn't break it. Annie cocked her pistol again and he froze. She fixed him with a feral smile.
"That bandoleer belonged to Angel Montana. You think your brother can do what he couldn't?" Her pa reached back and squeezed her arm in warning.
"You killed a lawman, not the law." He nodded at the boys. "Tie him up good, we'll take him to Muddy Creek in the morning."
"I'll see you all dead! You hear me! And that girl will be first!"
"She'd drill you before you made it three feet," Candy scoffed as they hauled the outlaw away. She uncocked her pistol and lowered it to the holster.
"Annie."
"Yes, Pa?"
"I want you, Candy, and Hoss to take the drovers and keep heading for the cattle. Joe and I will take him to Muddy Creek and the marshal should be there by the time we arrive."
"What if he's not?"
"We can handle it."
"You saw what he was willing to do with all of us standing right there. What's he liable to try if it's just the two of you with him?"
"It's not up for discussion. Get some sleep, we'll be switching off on guard duty, two hour shifts." He rubbed the back of his neck. "We'll have to figure out some way to take care of the sheriff. The boys may have to bury him here and Muddy Creek can send someone to retrieve him."
"But, Pa –"
"I said we're not discussing it any more. Now, go and get some sleep. You'll have a long ride come morning."
"Yes, Pa." Annie stormed to her bedroll and threw herself down. It was stupid for just the two of them to escort that killer to Muddy Creek. If he got his hands on a gun again, how would they ever know what had happened? They'd all be too far away to stop it. She pulled her blanket up to her ears and spit out a word that would get her mouth slapped if she was overheard.
No matter what, they wouldn't be going alone, not if she had anything to say about it.
"Candy, you three are to ride straight for that herd and start rounding them up. You, personally, are not to take your eyes off of her for one minute, is that clear?"
"Of course, Mr. Cartwright."
Well, that complicated matters a little, but only a little. Annie sat on Reno, blocked between Candy and Hoss, almost as though their pa didn't trust her.
"We'll drop Harper off with the Marshal and join you as soon as we can." Ben picked up the reins to Harper's horse and turned both animals around. "Anne, don't even think about whatever's running through that head right now. You're not coming and that's final."
"She won't give me the slip, Mr. Cartwright, I promise you that." Candy gave her a sideways glance and she glared back. He had the nerve to grin. "Be careful."
"You be careful," Joe replied as he reined Cochise around. "She's got that look again." The two of them rode off, Harper's mount pinned between theirs. Hoss heaved a sigh and turned Chub.
"Let's get after them steers." He led them off, the chuck wagon rumbling along behind. Annie tossed a glance over her shoulder every so often, measuring the distance and slowly dropping back to trail the wagon. Scout crowded up against Reno's shoulder, causing the grulla to pin his ears in warning.
"You're not very subtle, sweetheart."
"I wasn't trying to be."
"I promised Mr. Cartwright I'd keep an eye on you and I will." He thumbed his hat back off his forehead. "As we ride in the general direction of Muddy Creek." Her head whipped around and he grinned. "You really thought I'd let you have all the fun?" He wheeled Scout. "Let's go." Annie darted a glance up at Hoss and the wagon rolling over the hill ahead. She spun Reno on his hind hooves and spurred him to a lope.
After sighting Ben and Joe a few miles later, they hung back far enough they wouldn't be spotted, but close enough to hear a gunshot if something went wrong, trailing them into town. They pulled up sharp when Ben and Joe halted just past the hotel.
"Now, hold it right there, mister." A crowd had gathered on the street, its leaders toting rifles. Annie bit her lip and touched her rifle in its scabbard. "Right there."
"That's Harper, that's Luke Harper alright," another, nervous, voice called out. Another man demanded to know where the sheriff was.
"This man killed him," Ben announced, and the crowd fell silent for a few seconds. Then, one of the leaders began to walk forward.
"You're not bringing Luke Harper into this town."
"This man's a killer," Ben protested.
"So's his brother, and so's his brother's gang, and we don't want them coming here after Luke." Candy rolled his eyes and eased his own rifle into his lap.
"If I ever doubt you, remind me not to do it." She shook her head on a low snort and slipped her Colt free.
"Alright," another, new, voice, broke in. "I'll handle this. Mister, I don't know what your name is –"
"Cartwright. Ben Cartwright."
"Alright, alright, Mr. Cartwright, we're not going to argue with you, we're gonna tell you. You're gonna let Luke Harper go free! Cliff Harper warned us if we locked Luke in our jail, he was gonna burn the town and we'd all die!"
"What'd I tell you?" Harper sneered. "That's Cliff." They edged closer, far enough past the giant tree across from the hotel they could see what was going on.
"When did he warn you? How?"
"Last night." The loudmouth who'd demanded her pa's name dug into his pocket and produced a piece of paper. "By telegram."
"And he will too, he'll burn the town, take hostages, and kill us all." The crowd behind them was getting noisy. Harper sat his borrowed horse, smugness radiating from the set of his shoulders. Joe gave their pa a sideways glance. "He's done it to other towns and he'll do it here."
"There's a US Marshal coming with six deputies."
"What if Cliff gets here first?"
"What if they do? You've got enough men, enough rifles, to hold them off until the marshals get here."
"Those men are killers, we wouldn't have a chance." Candy shook his head.
"I've about had enough of that one." Annie nodded and checked the cylinder, noting it was full.
"You're going to let an outlaw tell you what to do?" Ben tried again. Harper shook his head.
"You're talking too much, come on, cut me loose!" Silence fell again and the crowd looked at each other. "Come on!" Nervous pushed his way through to the front and they rode up to flank Ben and Joe, guns at the ready. Their move startled the crowd and they backed off a few feet. Annie pointed her pistol at Harper's head.
"What do you think Cliff Harper will do if he finds out his brother got killed in this town?" No one said a word. Verbally that is. Ben's eyes promised dire consequences to both of them if this went sideways. With one last glare, he turned back to the loudmouthed ringleader.
"We're putting Luke Harper in your jail. You can stop us, if you want to, but you'll have to use those rifles to do it." On Ben's other side, Candy raised his rifle, his finger laying next to the trigger, a tiny grin touching his mouth, subtly backing up the warning. Ben nudged Buck into a walk, leading Harper's horse forward. Annie kept her Colt pressed against his skull, ignoring the disgusted look on her brother's face, and the death glare Harper was giving her.
They pushed through the crowd, people backing away without a word. Harper's face darkened when no one moved to stop them. "Come on, shoot them! Put a bullet in her and I'll see that Cliff rewards you!"
"Shut up," Joe hissed.
"What are you waiting for?! Kill them!" Annie flipped the barrel sideways, leaving a scrape across his forehead, drawing blood. "You'll pay for that, little girl, I'll see you dead."
"Angel Montana said the same thing," she remarked calmly.
"You wait till Cliff gets here! He'll burn this town!"
"How about you shut up?" Candy said. "He bawls worse than a cut steer." A deputy stood outside the jail and Ben motioned them to stop.
"Got a prisoner for you."
"Where's the sheriff?"
"Dead. Luke Harper killed him." The deputy eyed Harper, then them, before he glanced back up the street.
"How'd you get him into town?"
"You knew what they were planning?"
"I don't want no part of any Harper." The man yanked off his badge and threw it onto the street. "I ain't in charge. You want him locked up, you do it." He threw the keys at them and bolted for his horse. Harper laughed and they exchanged looks. Ben jerked his chin and they dismounted, Joe and Candy moving to haul Harper off the horse. Annie swapped her pistol for her rifle, keeping a careful watch on the street as they headed inside.
Harper didn't stop laughing even after the cell door clanged shut and Ben locked it. "Ten minutes after you're gone, I'm gonna be out of here. People in this town so scared, they'll beg me to go."
"We'll find someone."
"Nah, ten minutes, that's all. Ten minutes and I'll be gone." They left the cell and went back to the sheriff's desk on the other side of the room.
"I've got a feeling he's right," Joe muttered.
"No, we'll find someone." He turned blazing eyes on Annie. "And as for you two –"
"You won't find anyone here," a woman called from the doorway. "Not in Muddy Creek." She came inside. "I'm Mrs. Walker. Sheriff Walker's wife."
"I'm sorry, ma'am."
"You don't have to say anything. I knew it would happen. I tried to get him not to go, but it was his job. He was sure there'd be help when he needed it. He made the same mistake you're making. He believed in people. Well, there are no people, not in Muddy Creek." Her lips pressed into a thin line, trembling slightly. "Go ahead, see if you can find someone with the guts to help you guard that killer." They exchanged looks. "Find one." She turned and left as suddenly as she'd come.
"We will," Ben announced. His mouth thinned. "Of all the stupid … Candy, what did I tell you not even three hours ago?" Their foreman drew himself up like he was back on an army parade ground.
"You said to keep an eye on her, Mr. Cartwright, and I did."
"I also said to start rounding up the cattle." Candy shrugged.
"You said not to take my eyes off of her even for a minute and I couldn't do that and round up the cattle. I figured you'd prefer I stay with her."
"Why do I even bother?" Ben snatched his handkerchief from his vest pocket and wiped his face. "The only way I could have had it worse was if Marie had given me triplets." Joe cackled. "Don't laugh, I'm including you in this, too."
"But, Pa, I didn't –"
"Not this time." He pinned Annie and Candy with a warning look. "You two had better be here when we get back with some help or so help me Hop Sing's wrath over you invading his kitchen will be a spring shower by the time I'm through." Ben shoved his hat farther down on his head and practically threw Joe out the door in front of him.
Candy whistled softly and sat down in the sheriff's chair, still cradling his rifle. "This time, he's mad, sweetheart."
"You saw what was about to happen, we were right to come after them."
"The only thing you two did was kill yourselves," Harper sneered from the cell. "Cliff is coming for me, and he'll slaughter anyone who gets in his way." Annie fingered the cartridge loops on her bandoleer, drawing his gaze to the heavy belt. "Angel Montana was nothing next to Cliff. You're all gonna die and I'll make sure he knows all about you, little girl, you'll be wishing he'd killed you long before he does by the time he –"
Candy was out of the chair and across the room before she could blink, the rifle abandoned on the desk. He swung once, and Harper crumpled to the floor, out cold, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Candy worked his fingers as he came back to the desk.
"You know, I'm wondering why his brother wants him back." Annie shrugged and Candy sat back down.
"Blood is thicker than water." She studied her pistol, casting a glance out the windows. "But, I'm thinking this whole town has water for blood." She tucked the gun back in its holster and crossed her arms as she perched on the edge of the desk. "They're all scared spitless and over the likes of him." Candy huffed out a laugh.
"They haven't got your spine, sweetheart."
"Or yours." He tossed a quick glance at the heap on the floor that was Luke Harper and swallowed hard, his fingers playing with a book on the desk.
"I guess after you face a slow death, dying quick-like doesn't really scare you anymore, does it?" He looked up. "At least it doesn't bother me." The memory of a parched throat and desert dry mouth invaded the room. Annie swallowed hard and their eyes met.
"No," she said softly. "It doesn't bother me either."
"Just dynamite."
"Yeah." Her fingers twitched on her sleeve. "Maybe." She sighed. "Look at us, what a mess we are, huh?" Candy shrugged.
"We're not doing too bad." The door opened and they shot upright, hands going for guns until Ben walked into the room. "You find any help?"
"No." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I sent Joe to the saloon, but he didn't have any more luck there than anywhere else in this town. And now the marshal's been delayed, he won't be here until sometime tomorrow."
"So it's the four of us." Annie settled back on the edge of the desk.
"We can't leave, the fine people of this town would turn him loose two minutes after we –" Ben blinked and stared over her shoulder. "What happened to him?"
"I got tired of his mouth," Candy replied calmly as he picked up the book and cracked it open to the first page. Her pa looked from their foreman to her, then past them to Harper again, but he didn't ask.
"We'll take turns keeping watch, I'll go first, then Annie, then you, then Joe. I don't trust any of those people any further than I can throw them. And don't think I've forgotten about that little stunt, we just don't have time to discuss it right now." He rubbed his neck again. "I'm going to find Joe." The door slammed behind him and they looked at each other.
Four of them against however many Cliff Harper had if he got to Muddy Creek before the Marshal. It certainly wasn't the worst odds they'd ever faced, but they weren't the best either. Candy heaved a sigh.
"Well, you want to borrow that couch and get some sleep while I dig into this thoroughly exciting book?" He tipped the cover so she could read the title and they both laughed. What had the sheriff needed an etiquette guide for?
"Pa!" Joe's shout woke them all in the morning. Annie looked around, swiping loose hair off her face. Harper was still in the cell, so what was wrong? The three of them exchanged looks and headed outside.
"What?" Ben grouched.
"What time is it?" Annie rolled her eyes. Really? He woke them all up just to ask what time it was? Candy elbowed her in the ribs and she turned. He was staring down the street, just like Joe. Ben dug out his watch and said the time, but she wasn't listening.
Where was everyone?
Muddy Creek was a ghost town. The wind blew clouds of dust down the empty street. Annie shook her head slowly and leaned against a support column. Joe stepped out into the street.
"Hey! Anybody here?"
"I told you," she said. "Water for blood." Candy's arm slipped around her shoulders.
"I'm thinking you were right, sweetheart."
"Joe." Ben joined her brother in the street. "Hoss and the boys should have reached Aspen Meadow by now. Go get them." Joe whipped around the same instant Annie lurched forward.
"Pa!" She wasn't sure who said it first. Ben held up a hand to calm them. Joe's eyes flared.
"The marshal said he'd be here today, but not what time. What if Cliff Harper gets here first? The three of you would be alone."
"I'm aware of that. You're wasting time, Joe. Get the boys."
"But, Annie –"
"Your sister can take care of herself. If worst comes to worst, I'll send her and Candy out."
"Then you'd be completely alone!"
"Joe, if it comes to that, it won't matter how alone I am, so get moving." Joe's throat worked.
"I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Let's go saddle Cochise. Annie, stay here and keep an eye on Harper. We'll be back in a few minutes."
"Right, Pa." They ran down the street to the livery and disappeared inside. She went back to the sheriff's office, greeted by a sneering, wide awake, Luke Harper.
"I told you they'd run."
"We didn't." A board creaked and she turned, but not before something slammed into the back of her head. Stars burst behind her eyes and she dropped to the floor, stunned, but surprisingly, not out cold.
"What are you waiting for, kill her!"
"She's unconscious." Ah. Her ears might be ringing, and the room spinning, but that was unmistakably the fat loudmouth who fancied himself in charge. "Besides, a shot would bring the rest of them down on me."
"Then I'll cut her throat, just get the keys and get me out of here."
"You will tell your brother I helped you?"
"He'll shake your hand, come on, get the keys."
"There's three of them, what if she doesn't have them?"
"Do I have to do everything? If she doesn't have them, we use her to get them!" Footsteps scraped on the floor. "What now?"
"They shouldn't have interfered."
"Will you just get the keys?!" Hands turned her over and Annie kept her eyes closed. The loudmouth dug into her vest pockets. She barely cracked her eyelids, readying herself to move once he was distracted.
"They're not here!"
The door crashed back against the wall and a body hurtled through the air, knocking loudmouth backwards over the sheriff's desk. Annie shot off the floor and scrambled for the gun he'd dropped that Harper was struggling to reach. She got her hands on the Colt and spun around, cocking it with a warning click.
"Hold it." Loudmouth froze, caught in Candy's grip. She jerked the barrel and Candy threw the man into the open cell beside Harper's. He slammed the door and dug the keys out of his vest pocket.
"I'll see you dead, I promise you, I'll see you dead," Harper seethed from his cell.
"You don't understand, I worked all my life for that hotel, if they burn it, I'll have nothing!" The loudmouth stumbled across the cell and clutched the bars. "I'd have to start all over again. And I'm too old to do that, you do understand, don't you?"
"You should have been ready to fight for it then," Harper sneered. Candy turned away without a word and plucked the gun from her hands.
"You okay, sweetheart? Everyone left town, yet there's a saddled roan still at the livery. Saw that and turned right around, think I scared your pa and brother." He glanced over her shoulder at the door. "Surprised they're not right behind me."
"They know you can handle anything." She reached up and cautiously touched the lump behind her right ear. "I'll be fine, guess he couldn't bring himself to hit a woman hard enough to do any real damage."
"You've got all the luck."
"Then how come I'm the one that got hit?" Candy shrugged, then straightened.
"What are you doing here, ma'am?" Annie turned, finding the sheriff's widow standing in the doorway. She heaved a sigh and came the rest of the way inside.
"I'm as big a fool as my husband, I suppose. Honey, you'd better let me clean that cut for you. There's a pump out to the side." She took over without another word, guiding her outside past Candy's amused smirk.
Annie sat on the bench beside the pump and let the woman clean her head. "It's not too deep, bleeding will stop soon."
"Why didn't you run off with the others? You're the one who told us we'd never find any help."
"Yes, that's true. I thought about it, but I couldn't go. This is where I belong."
"Shame no one else felt the same way." She hummed agreement.
"We used to have people like that, but not lately. You Cartwrights just wouldn't listen. Muddy Creek doesn't have people like you anymore." She turned back to the pump and Annie stared down the street, movement catching her attention. Ben walked back up the street, accompanied by two women, an old man, and a little boy.
"You sure about that?" The sheriff's widow turned around and scoffed under her breath.
"Liabilities is all they are. Cliff takes them hostage, he'll force you all to hand over his brother. Your pa should make them leave right now."
"Annie?" Ben broke into a run. He stopped in front of them and cradled her head in his hands. "What happened? Where's Candy?"
"Right here, Mr. Cartwright." Their foreman rounded the building and leaned against the wall. "I was right, but she had it pretty much under control by the time I got there. She just needed an extra set of hands since that loudmouth isn't exactly little."
"Thank you, Candy." Ben squeezed her shoulder. "These ladies have insisted on making us breakfast even after I told them they'd have to leave town anyway so you two wash up and we'll meet over at the saloon. I need to send a few wires first." He and the old man hurried off and the women headed for the saloon with the little boy in tow.
Annie shook her head. "Looks like it's going to be the three of us."
"We've done it before."
"Yeah." She stood. "Let's get the rifles, I don't want to leave them anywhere near those two while we're gone."
"Good idea." They went back inside, immediately greeted by the loud shouts from the hotel owner.
"You've got to let me out of here! He said he'll have his brother kill me for not killing her!"
"Then I'd say you're better off right where you're at," Candy replied as he grabbed his rifle. "Let's go."
"But you can't leave me here with him!"
"We just did," Annie called over her shoulder as they left. They headed down the street and pushed through the saloon doors.
"There you are." The blond woman smiled as she hurried over with two loaded plates. "I'm Casey."
"Annie."
"And I'm Candy." The woman raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. They accepted the food and sat down at the closest table, laying their rifles across the green felt. The blond sat across from them.
"You don't seem too worried."
"It's not the first time we've dealt with trouble."
"Your pa does seem awful confident."
"Oh, he doesn't claim me," Candy said through a mouthful of bacon. "I'm just the foreman." He swallowed and took a drink of the coffee the dark haired woman had brought over. "But even without Joe, the two of us are as good as a handful of horse soldiers."
"I don't know if I'd go that far," Annie said.
"I would. I've seen you shoot, sweetheart."
"Will it be enough if the marshal doesn't get here in time?"
"We'll have to be." Candy leaned back in his chair. "Aspen Meadows is too far, Joe won't get back with the boys until after Harper gets here, though he'll be close. As for the marshal …" he shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."
"Isn't Mr. Cartwright coming to eat?"
"He said he'd be right here." The old man walked into the saloon and sat down beside them. "Name's Simon. He was heading back to the jail last I saw him."
"I'll go get him!" The little boy hopped off his chair and ran out.
"Tommy! You stay right –" The old man sighed. ""Doesn't listen to a word you say."
"He'll learn." The brunette filled his cup with steaming coffee. "I'm Linda, by the way. Do you think we've got a chance?"
"There's always a chance," Candy replied. "But it think you folks need to leave town like Mr. Cartwright said to."
"Here he is! I found him!" Tommy hurried back inside, tugging on Ben's sleeve. He ruffled the boy's hair and sat down at their table.
"Well, I see you two started without me, though I can't say I'm surprised, it smells wonderful." The sheriff's widow brought him a plate and he dug in. "Candy's right, ladies, all of you need to leave as soon as we eat. I can't guarantee my men or the marshals will get here before the Harper gang."
They all ate quickly then harnessed a couple of horses to a wagon they found in the back of the livery stable. Candy and Annie stood back while the five climbed onto the seat. Ben helped the ladies up and stepped back.
"Go on, hurry!" Simon drove the wagon down the street and Ben turned to them. "Let's get to work." He motioned for them to follow as he headed back towards the sheriff's office. "I didn't say anything in front of the ladies, but Lawson cut out."
"Who's that?"
"The hotel owner."
"How'd he get out of jail?" Annie's grip tightened on her rifle. "What about Harper?"
"Still there. I let Lawson out, he said he'd help us and I halfway believed him. But he bolted first chance he got."
"It figures," Candy muttered.
"And then Simon got word, Cliff Harper and two of his men are less than two hours away. Probably an hour by now."
"Only two?" That was far better odds than they could have hoped for. "What are we waiting for?" Ben stopped in his tracks and leveled Annie with a familiar look, complete with raised eyebrow.
"For you to stop asking questions so I can tell you what we're going to do." He drew in a breath. "Take a look around, each of you pick a window and get yourself in position. I'm going back to the jail to collect every rifle I can find. I'll put those in whatever windows you two aren't occupying. I'm hoping we can trick Cliff Harper into thinking he's surrounded."
"Old Army trick, Major." Candy said with a grin. "You want us up there to make him think twice about the other rifles."
"Exactly." Ben scrubbed a hand over his hair. "What are you waiting for? Get to it."
"Yes, sir." Candy snapped a salute and pointed at the hotel. "I think I'll take a second floor window somewhere in there." Annie turned, scanning the windows directly across from Candy's position.
"Right there, Pa." She pointed at a window over the general store. If Harper rode straight up to the jail, they'd have him and his men in a cross-fire.
"Good. Get yourselves up there and be ready. No shooting unless you absolutely have to." They parted ways and Annie scurried up the stairs at the rear of the general store, shouldering through the door and making her way to the window. She shoved the window halfway up its track and settled in to wait.
A quick glance across the way revealed Candy's rifle poking out his chosen window. She watched the street as her pa made his way back and forth with an armload of rifles that diminished in number with every stop.
Three on three. They could do it, they'd faced worse before. Ben disappeared back inside the sheriff's office and she bit her lip, scanning the street for any sign of Cliff Harper.
A gun shot rang out and she jumped, half on her feet to run outside before she realized she'd moved. She was down the stairs and in the middle of the dry goods section before Ben stepped into the street and waved.
Annie skidded to a halt next to a stack of wash tubs and leaned against the shelf behind them, fighting to calm her racing heart. She straightened, flipped her braid over her shoulder, walked forward to flip the lock on the door, and headed back upstairs, collecting a box of cartridges on her way.
She'd just settled back into position when a horse neighed. Her rifle swung up, but she lowered it immediately. Whoever that unlucky fellow was, he didn't look like one of Harper's gang, not unless they'd had some kind of argument.
Ben rushed out and helped the wounded man off his sweaty bay and into the jail. A few minutes later, he stepped back out and shook his head, then went back inside. Annie lowered her head.
Odds were Cliff Harper had shot that man. He couldn't be that far behind. Her head came up and she scanned the street leading into Muddy Creek. Still no sign of the marshals. She steadied her rifle against the window sill and waited, finger laying alongside the trigger, hammer cocked.
It wasn't even ten minutes later she picked up the sound of hoof beats on the road. Three men rounded the corner and started down the street towards the jail. Annie cast a glance a Candy's window, but he wasn't visible. Then Ben walked outside and waited in front of the jail.
What was he doing? And he called them reckless? What kind of plan was this?
And really, Cliff Harper only brought two men with him to burn a town and free his brother? She'd figured Simon's information wasn't accurate, but apparently it was.
The three outlaws kept riding until Ben held up his hands and they stopped less than ten feet away from him.
"Always one who stays."
"Yep."
"Always is." The man on the left sat easily in the saddle, clearly unafraid, and probably enjoying this.
"Maybe more than one this time." She focused on the outlaws as Ben's warning drifted through the window.
"Should have run like the others."
"Maybe they didn't."
"Always do." Was that his favorite saying or something?
"Not always."
"Where's Luke?" The man tipped his head, but she couldn't follow his line of sight with his back to her. Ben waited a few seconds before answering.
"In jail."
"I warned these people what I'd do if they put my brother in jail."
"You're surrounded, Harper. There's a dozen rifles aimed at your backs." Harper's men looked around, but their leader didn't even flinch.
"I'm not falling for that old bluff."
"Unbuckle your belts." Ben stared them down.
"Cliff, look out, two of those rifles are real!" Luke Harper's shout broke the standoff and one of his brother's men went for his gun. Ben drew and fired as he dove behind the horse trough. The outlaw in the middle toppled from his horse and Annie opened fire.
Harper and his last man spurred their mounts, sending the animals wheeling and spinning, kicking up clouds of dust, as they returned fire.
Candy's rifle barked from the hotel, sending heads turning wildly. A bullet lodged in the window frame near her head, but Annie didn't even blink and kept firing.
She whipped around, stunned, when a third rifle fired down the street, then a fourth from the building next to it. A fifth and sixth barked on her side of the street, but she wasn't about to stick her head out and see who was manning the weapons.
The curtain in the first window was pushed aside, revealing Casey as she sent another round towards Harper. "You stubborn …" Annie shook her head. "That's worthy of a Cartwright plan." Heavy fire poured down on Harper; she was shocked he hadn't taken at least one bullet yet.
Then, he spurred his horse and bolted past her pa down the street, his last man hot on his tail, and they disappeared in seconds. Ben stared after them a moment, then made his way to the dead outlaw. Annie breathed a sigh of relief and ran down the stairs, pausing just long enough to deposit the unneeded cartridges back on the shelf.
Candy met her in front of the store with a hug. "Bet they planned to stay this whole time."
"Yeah. Wonder who that other man was?"
"Don't know." He pulled her closer for a second, then let go. "Come on." They joined Ben in front of the jail as he gently rolled the dead man onto his back. Annie saw his hands clench into fists at his sides, before he straightened, watching Linda and Casey approach.
"You never meant to stay away."
"No." They shook their heads.
"But we didn't want you all to worry about us," Casey added. Tommy's shouts preceded the other three up the street.
"We did it! We did it! We got 'em, didn't we, Mr. Cartwright?" The little boy ran up, so focused on her pa, he didn't notice the dead man on the ground. "I bet Grandpa got one, he took real good aim! I bet –" He looked down and froze, mouth hanging open. He whipped around and buried his face in his grandpa's vest. Mrs. Walker laid her hand on his head. The rest of them looked at each other in silence.
Hoof beats brought Annie's head up, her grip tightening on the rifle until she recognized the pinto out front. "Look!" Mrs. Walker spun around, her eyes wide in horror.
"It's alright, Mrs. Walker, those are my boys and some of our drovers. We're safe now." Candy chuckled under his breath and draped his arm over her shoulders.
"Told you Joe would miss it."
"His timing never has been the best," she agreed. "Of course, you'd never know that to hear him tell it." Hoss and Joe brought the group to a halt and dismounted. "Wonder who's going to tell the people of Muddy Creek they've still got a town?"
Annie sat at a table in the saloon with her brothers and Candy, watching the returned citizens toasting to their good fortune. Cowards the lot of them. Her gaze flicked to Linda as she approached Casey, Simon, and Mrs. Walker at the bar.
Except for them.
Ben pushed through the doors and everyone in the room looked up. "Folks, the marshal is going to stay on in town until his men have rounded up the rest of the Harper gang."
"I'm sure everyone will sleep better tonight than they did last night," Hoss said over the rim of his beer.
"I wouldn't bet on it," Casey said. "Their conscience will be working overtime."
"I know a few people who won't have that problem," Joe said. Simon looked down, then back up at Ben.
"I don't know about the rest of them, but I was scared. I didn't want to come back." Ben nodded slowly.
"Well, let me tell you something, I was scared, too, and I want to thank you for everything. We're ready to pull out." He shook Simon's hand, then moved down the line. Joe ruffled Tommy's hair on his way out the door.
"Mr. Cartwright." Mrs. Walker caught his sleeve. "I wish you could have known my husband. You're so much alike." Ben smiled.
"It was an honor just to have met him. Good bye."
"Good bye."
They gathered at the door and Ben looked back. Joe smiled. "The real people of Muddy Creek." Ben nodded.
"The real people. There are always some." They headed outside and mounted up. Ben stopped them about a mile out of town and turned Buck to face the rest of them, finger stabbing the air. "Now, as for you two, if you ever disobey a direct order like that again, you'll think peeling two dozen bushels of potatoes was easy compared to what I'll throw at you next time." He wheeled Buck and pushed the gelding to a lope.
Joe burst out laughing and sent Cochise after their pa. Hoss shook his head and rode off, the drovers following them, giving sideways looks as they rode past. Annie and Candy looked at each other.
"You think he's mad?"
"Look at it this way: he's treating you like one of the family now."
"I think I could have done without this, though."
"All we have to do is wait until Joe does something stupid again and he'll forget all about this." Candy laughed and they spurred their horses into a gallop to catch up.