“Five, remember Coop, those others left yesterday.” Wyatt grins at Don’s surprised look.
“That’s right, we’ve been watching you since you came to town,” Coop says with a glare.
“What do you want?” Don’s eyes narrow as he looks at the two of them.
“We want information and…”
“What’s in it for me, gentlemen? This job has gotten sticky and my men and I haven’t been paid in two weeks. As far as I’m concerned, I work for whoever can pay. The question is, can you afford me?” He slams his empty coffee cup on the table.
Wyatt shakes his head with a chuckle, “You shouldn’t have said that.” Don’s eyebrows raise in surprise.
“Why not?”
“Well, because now we know that you have the information we need and I’ll have that information one way or another,” Coop snarls.
Oz walks in with a shotgun and Don looks at the three of them and considers drawing his pistol.
“Don’t make me shoot you in my wife’s bakery.” Oz cocks his shotgun to emphasize his seriousness.
Don throws up is hands, “Look, I’m a working man trying to get paid.”
Coop reaches out and drags him across the table sending the coffee cup to the floor with a crash. “Work? Is that what you call attacking a defenseless woman and her children? Were you planning on watching as he killed them?” he roars.
“Coop!” Wyatt puts a hand on his trembling friend and attempts to pull him back.
“I didn’t touch anyone! That was Hayden’s son. We are to watch and report, That’s all!” Don squeaks.
“Lies! Ten men to watch a woman and two children!” Coop shoves Wyatt back and drags Don across the top of the table to his knees and pushes his pistol against his temple.
“Cooper!” Stephanie shouts from behind the counter. “Get a hold of yourself!” Oz lets her pass, keeping his shotgun trained on the man.
“I’m sure if we’re reasonable, Don will help us. I have no problem paying for information and neither would Abbilene!” she snaps and points at Cooper. “Release him!”
“I can get the information without paying a dime!” Cooper growls, never taking his eyes from the shaking man. “I can dig a hole so deep they’ll never find him.”
“No!” Don shouts, “I’ll tell you what I know!” he promises but Cooper is beyond hearing him now.
Wyatt plants a hand on his friend’s chest. “Let Him GO!”
Wyatt steps back and puts his pistol away for the moment. “Do you remember the hole, Wyatt?” Coop mumbles as he paces.
Wyatt steps in front of him, “Yes, Coop but we are home now. The War is over.”
“Bad things happen in the dark, Wyatt,” Cooper lifts pain filled eyes to his best friend. Coopers wife and son had been killed during the war, while they were prisoners.
“Even in dark, our hope can be found in the name of Jesus, Cooper, say it with me!” Wyatt orders.
“Hope can be found in the name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior,” Cooper whispers.
“That’s right.”
“Cooper,” Ozwald says softly.
Cooper paces, trying to gain control of his rage and Don decides at that moment, that he is ready to go home. Ozwald pulls his wife behind him.
“I’ll tell you what I know. You people are making the city look tame!”
Chapter 50
“When do we reach your land, Tucker?” Abbie asks, sitting on the seat of a covered wagon.
“We’ve been on it for the past hour,” Tucker answers.
“What? I don’t understand. How much land do you own?” Abbie asks as she peeks in the back of the wagon to check on the children. Coralie is asleep in a makeshift cradle and Mason is asleep.
“Almost a thousand acres.”
Abbie laughs softly, “You are full of surprises.”
She looks around her as the sun paints the brown fields in a golden glow. “I’ve known you for over twenty years, how did I not know this?”
“I don’t talk about the ranch much. Most people know me as the Sheriff. Sun Valley Ranch is located on the North side of the Sun Valley River. We have about a half mile of the river on the land with and incredible view. I had my home built with a view over it.”
“I don’t understand, Tucker. If you have this much land, who works it and why are you working as a Sheriff?”
“I wanted to travel, live in the city and experience life. Instead I found that home was always here. Our ranch is magical, Abbilene with canyons and creeks. We have spring fed creeks that support wildlife as well as grazing cattle. Of course, it’s grown over the past twenty years. We have continued buying up land around it, increasing our holdings.”
“I see.”
“It was a magical place to grow up. My parents still live on the ranch, though they are pressuring me to come home so he can retire.”
“Are you thinking about it?”
“I am. I’ve always wanted a family, Abbilene it just didn’t work out that way.” Until now, he thinks.
“I love that it’s only fifteen miles to town, but It feels secluded,” Abbie says.
“Me too. In fact, I purposely built near the river so I could fish,” Tucker grins at her soft laughter.
“You said your parents live on the ranch. I don’t want to be in your way, Tucker.”
“Abbie, I don’t think you quite understand what I’m saying. My parents run the working part of the ranch. I built on some land. The main house is in a different area.”
Abbie frowns at him. “You have a main house?”
“Our ranch is used for beef cattle. Among other things. It’s better if I just show you.” Tucker grins as he crests a hill and stops the wagon. “Look, Abbilene,” he points.
Abbie turns and gasps at the sight before her. The sun
