Chapter 12 - The Cowboy Who Wouldn’t Draw His Gun
Red Mesa prepared.
Not for war.
For arrest.
Reeves had lost two horses but no men. His deputies were circling east, hoping to intercept Creed.
Harlan had turned back.
Nobody knew why.
Mara did.
“My deed.”
Elias looked at her.
“He still wants the spring?”
“No.”
She touched Thomas's ledger.
“He wants this.”
Reeves placed it inside the jail safe.
Then they waited.
Harlan entered town shortly after midnight.
Alone.
He walked down the center of the street.
Elias stepped onto the boardwalk.
“Harlan.”
The foreman stopped.
“Ward.”
“It's finished.”
“No.”
“Harlan.”
“Where is she?”
Elias didn't answer.
Harlan drew his revolver.
Windows opened.
Rifles appeared.
Nathan.
Samuel.
Reeves.
Even Deputy Miller, now cooperating with authorities.
Harlan laughed.
“Look at you.”
Elias's hand remained away from his gun.
“You don't want this.”
“You took everything.”
“No.”
“You turned them against me.”
“No.”
“You think you're better?”
Elias looked at him.
“No.”
That answer confused Harlan.
Elias continued.
“I think you kept choosing what kind of man you wanted to be.”
Harlan raised the gun.
“So did you.”
“Yes.”
“Draw.”
“No.”
“Draw!”
“No.”
Harlan's hand shook.
He wanted Elias to turn this into a duel.
A story he understood.
Two men.
Two guns.
One winner.
Elias refused.
“This isn't about you and me.”
Harlan looked around.
Mara stepped from the schoolhouse.
Elias's heart dropped.
But she kept walking.
“Harlan.”
He aimed toward her.
Elias moved.
Reeves raised his rifle.
Mara did not stop.
“You wanted me afraid.”
Harlan's jaw clenched.
“You should be.”
“I am.”
Again, the truth disarmed him.
Mara continued.
“But you don't own what I do with that fear.”
Harlan's gun lowered slightly.
Mara stood beside Elias.
Not behind him.
Harlan looked at the townspeople.
All those eyes.
Just like the first day.
Except this time nobody looked away.
His shoulders dropped.
The revolver slipped from his hand.
It struck the dirt.
Reeves moved forward and shackled him.
No shot was fired.
No blood spilled.
The confrontation ended not because Elias was faster with a gun.
It ended because Harlan finally discovered there was nobody left willing to pretend not to see him.
As Reeves led him away, Harlan turned toward Mara.
“Creed will come back.”
May you like
Mara answered calmly.
“Then he'll find us waiting.”
