Marshal Cain stood his ground. “I don’t believe you.”
“Don’t care whether you do or not. Get in a cell.” He grabbed a ring of keys then shoved Oscar ahead of him. “Jeff, you make sure Cain doesn’t have a hideout gun.”
Jeff prodded the marshal with the point of his revolver. “Doing it now. Take off your boots, Marshal. Guess that’s former marshal now.”
When all five men were stripped of their boots, guns, and knives and locked in two cells, Peyton still couldn’t relax. “Two of you need to stay here and one needs to go to the boardinghouse. First, I have to go by the wagons so those two boys can get home to bed before company arrives.”
Jeff nodded at his two friends. “If it’s all right with you two, I’ll go to the boardinghouse.”
Sarge grinned. “Kind of figured you would. Me and Ozzie work real well together and will take care of our friends here.” He unlocked the chain across several rifles.
Ozzie set out the boxes of cartridges. He looked in the back room. “Hey, there’s canned goods in here. Beans and peaches and ….”
Peyton left with Ozzie describing the food he’d found. He jogged to the covered wagons. “Miguel, Antonio, time to go home pronto. There’s trouble on the way and I don’t want you boys caught up in it. Tell your grandfather to make sure everyone in your home is where they won’t get hit by stray bullets.”
He gave each one the money promised and set him on the ground. “Hurry, boys, I hear riders coming.”
Peyton took off running for the boardinghouse. He made it there before the riders pulled up in front. He counted nine riders. Probably one went to tell Lawson and one stayed at the hacienda.
Oslo pounded on the door. “Send out Carlos and McAdams or we’ll burn down this place. We might burn the whole town to show you who’s in power in this end of the county.”
From each side of the porch, Jeff and Peyton stepped out. “They don’t want to see you, Oslo. I don’t think you’re a popular man.”
“What do you know, you stupid greenhorns? We’ve got more men than you can ever beat. You’re a dead man so you might as well give up and save the others inside.”
Peyton cocked his rifle. “I’m a Pinkerton agent and my friend here is a Texas Ranger. Not like the poor defenseless men you’ve ganged up on and beaten to death in the past.”
Carlos and Diego stepped forward enough so their rifles caught the glint of light from the windows.
Diego said, “I never liked bullies. I especially never liked you. I heard you ganged up on my friend Mac. Does it make you feel brave to have others help you when you attack one man? We hear you do it pretty often. The sheriff of Santa Fe County would like to talk to you men.”
“So what, this isn’t Santa Fe County and Sheriff Lopez is a long way from here. You have no one to help you. Lawson is coming and will sweep down on this town like a plague.”
Peyton motioned with his rifle. “Plague is right. Throw down your guns very slowly and with one hand, fingers only. You’ll get to join your brother in jail.”
Oslo’s shock was obvious. “You’re lyin’. Oscar wouldn’t let the likes of you get the drop on him.” .
“The rest of you. Don’t think you can make a break for it.” Jeff motioned for compliance.
One of the gang cussed and reached for his gun.
A shot rang out from above him and one of the crooked men fell off his horse. “Aiyeee, my arm.”
“Did I forget to mention my wife is a Pinkerton agent also and that she and her mama are exceptional shots?”
Peyton chuckled. “My, my, I do beg your pardon, that was lax of me. Anyone else have any funny ideas?”
Looking cowed, Oslo slowly drew his gun and dropped it.
The sound of guns hitting the dirt rippled around him.
“First, Oslo, you get off your horse and stand right here.” Peyton called out, “Can you see him well, my beloved?”
Red replied, “Have him in my sights, dear husband, and next time I’ll aim for the heart. Mama is watching the others for any wrong moves. She thinks I should have shot that man in the heart instead of his arm. Well, there’s always next time.”
Peyton smiled at the men in front of him. “And she can throw a knife with precision as well as track and hunt with a bow. How could I not love a wife like her?”
Chapter Fifteen
She’d spoken with bravado but Judith’s knees threatened to give way. She leaned against the balcony rail until her shaking lessened. Shooting a man was very different from shooting a target or an animal for food.
When she’d realized Peyton had returned with Josiah and that they were both alive, she thanked the Lord for answering her prayers. All of the men had returned. And, she’d been able to help him after all.
Mama patted her shoulder. “You did well to save your husband from having to kill one of those men. Even though they’re evil, we are not God.”
Hoping she didn’t throw up, Judith sank to the balcony floor. She could keep watch over Peyton through the railing. “I hope I never again have cause to shoot anyone. I can’t imagine how horrible I’d feel if I’d killed that man.”
Mama cupped her chin to meet her gaze. “You would carry it with you because you are a good woman. But, if it was to save the life of a good person, you would fire, baby.”
Mama’s voice was firm. “Now, I’m going to check on Josiah even though I
