Chapter 8 - Mercer’s Return
Garrett wanted Sarah and Penny sent to Laramie.
Sarah refused.
“I’m beginning to think refusing me is a family tradition,” he said.
“It may become one.”
Mercer arrived before dawn.
Not alone.
Three armed men came with him.
Their goal was simple.
Burn the ledger.
Silence Amos.
Kill Garrett if necessary.
But Garrett had anticipated the attack.
Ranch hands waited in the barns.
The marshal had remained nearby.
Shots shattered the predawn quiet.
Sarah took Penny into the cellar.
“Stay here.”
Penny grabbed her dress.
“Where are you going?”
“To help.”
“No.”
Sarah almost smiled.
“You sound like Garrett.”
Outside, Garrett confronted Mercer near the stable.
“This ends today.”
Mercer laughed.
“You think marrying a widow makes you righteous?”
“No.”
Garrett stepped forward.
“But seeing what you did to desperate families reminded me what power is supposed to be for.”
Mercer fired.
The bullet missed.
Ranch hands returned fire.
Mercer ran toward the house.
Toward Sarah.
He entered through the kitchen.
Sarah stood waiting with a cast-iron skillet.
Mercer barely had time to look surprised.
CLANG.
He collapsed.
Sarah stared down at him.
Garrett rushed inside.
He looked at Mercer.
Then at Sarah.
Then at the skillet.
“I was coming to rescue you.”
Sarah lowered the pan.
“You were taking too long.”
Penny emerged from the cellar.
“Did Mama hit the bad man?”
“Yes.”
“Hard?”
Garrett looked down.
“Very.”
Penny beamed.
The marshal arrested Mercer again.
This time there would be no escape.
Later, Garrett found Sarah washing blood from the skillet.
“Remind me never to make you angry.”
“You already do.”
“Frequently?”
“Daily.”
He wrapped his arms around her.
She leaned against him.
The danger was over.
Truly over.
Or so they believed.
But life did not need villains to create trials.
Sometimes weather was enough.
May you like
And the coming winter would bring a storm unlike anything Wyoming had seen in years.
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