Chapter Three 1st Draft
The Cabin
With the Deed and hand scrawled note in his hand Michael thought
“This time will be different”
He and Sheol will head out after he finishes up here.
“Michael, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but if you need to head out, we can take care of Ben and make sure the fire is out” Tom said
Michael looked off into the distance as his mind raced through all the scenarios in his head, finally turning he said
“I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done Tom”
“No Michael it’s us who owe you, now don’t you worry about anything here, you just get to Ben’s wife”
Michael nodded, and whistled for Sheol
The White Stallion walked up to them as if it knew what had happened, it’s head hung low..
“Well if that ain’t the darnest thing” Tom said
“Yea Sheol, seems to understand things” Michael said
Setting in the saddle Michael turned to Tom
“I’ll be back in a week or so”
“Don’t worry we’ll take care of everything”
Turning Sheol he rode away.
Michael knew he didn’t need to worry, but there was a storm coming and he felt the darkness edging closer.
Michael’s first instinct was to ride into town, find the men that were accountable for this and kill them.
But he couldn’t, he wasn’t that man anymore, he had left that life long ago, this was his new life.
So he would go to Ben’s wife, give her the Deed and that would be that, he would get back and rebuild.
Michael knew this would be best, Ben’s wife could get the local Sheriff to help with the Deed and land, and he wouldn’t be needed.
Ride in and Ride out…Simple.
But first he needed, to get to the Cabin for some supplies for the ten mile track to Horse Shoe Bend and he wanted to see Hedi before he left, Then he would get an early start.
Sam Smith was a hired hand, he did what he was told without a second thought, Thats the way he liked it.
He was told to keep an eye on the Saloon Whore and thats what he did, following her out of town and into the woods.
He kept back out of sight, giving her room so that she didn’t see him..
He saw her head for a Cabin that was up the draw between two large Blue Spruces.
“Nice little spot “ he said
He was tired of watching her hips sway as the horse took each step and it was getting to him.
Sam was a likable guy but wasn’t a looker, so he had to pay for a womans attention.
And it had been awhile since he had enough coin to do that, since he was saving up to buy his own stock in horses.
So Sam watched her with a growing interest, that was unwaivering even as he watch from afar.
Smoke started to lift out of the chimney as the morning sun came up over the mountain peaks.
Sam shivered from the morning dew that lay across his camp that he had made in haste.
His coffee started to boil as he watched from a distance, he had found a place up above the cabin, nestled among some pines and huckleberry bushes.
His papa had always told him…”High ground Sam, Always get to High ground, it gives you the advantage”
Sam ate some huckleberries with coffee for breakfast as he watched for any sign of that saloon girl.
Finally the front door opened and there she stood with a shawl around her shoulder, looking pretty as can be.
Sam licked his lips as he savoried the moment…Yea she was pretty he thought.
Sam had enough, she was itching to be had, he knew women and how they teased and this woman was just like the rest.
Standing up he had already make his decision
Sam made his way down the mountain picking his route carefully so as not to cause to much noise, he wanted the element of surprise on his side.
Hedi felt the crispness of the morning air as she let the sun warm her
She was worried about Michael, She didn’t like the way he left last night.
Something was wrong she felt it in her bones, she leaned up against the door, someone was watching her, she felt it.
She went to fireplace and pulled the shotgun down from where is hung on the wall.
As he drew close, he noticed she had gone back inside, perfect he thought.
Sam felt more than heard the movement to his right, he swung his horse around and pulled is 45 colt in one fluid motion .
That will be far enough Mister.
Sam was looking down the barrel of a 12ga shotgun.
She sure was more pretty up close he thought .
Spitting out his tobacco and wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve.
He stared at her.
Finally smiling he said l am just a drifter looking for a warm cup of coffee.
No, your not you've been following me since yesterday.
Well, ain't we the smart one, Sam slightly adjusted his gun hand.
Move another inch and I'll blow that hand clean off.
Sam, felt his upper hand he thought he had with this female start to unravel.
In fact Mister drop that colt into the dirt.
Now Missy, I haven't done anything wrong, following someone isn't against any law I've heard of.
Maybe, but I know your low life type and there is no good to come of it.
Sam, had avoided dropping the colt by sidelining her with talk but that same talk was pissing him off.
I'm no low life you saloon Whore
Noticed she hadn't cocked the shotgun, that would give him a few precious seconds that he could use to his advantage.
Sam was judging his chances when heard a horse behind him.
Turning he saw a beautiful Pale horse with a rider that chilled him to bone with his stare.
Hedi do we problem? Michael asked
Nope, this drifter just was just passing through she said
Why the shotgun Michael asked
Just letting him know I mean business she replied
Michael turned back to Sam
“Drifter, I'm not sure why you have your Colt out but I'd slid it back into your hoslter and ride out”.
Sam saw the Winchester laying across Michael's saddle horn, pointing right at his stomach.
Sam hadn't noticed it before but the morning was a crisp with a cold that cuts through your clothes like knife through butter.
Pulling his coat closed with his free hand.
“Sounds like like a good idea” Sam muttered.
Slowly dropping his Colt back into his holster.
Sam tipped his hat at Hedi and said "Another Time Miss"
He reined his brown mare around and high tailed it back down the mountain.
“Shit, Big John isn't going to be happy”, Sam thought.
Micahael looked at Hedi "You ok?"
"Yes, Michael thankyou I didn't want to have to shoot that man"
"Well he is gone and I'll stick around for a bit just in case he wants to think about coming back"
Hedi looked at the black smudges on Michaels face and his blackened clothes.
"Michael is everything ok?"
Michael swung down from Sheol and said "I've got something to tell Hedi"
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