“He will be missed. He seems like a nice guy. Well, I better be going. I’ve got a lot to get done before tonight.”
Adam went back inside and Nate was walking around.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better, but whatever the doctor gave me has worn off.”
“You do seem to be getting around a little better.”
“I’m bruised, but I’ll mend.”
Adam saw Nate rub his neck and wrist.
“I’m sorry this happened to you, Nate.”
“Not your fault. What time are you going to get ready for the dance?”
“Abagail sent some clothes for us. We can get dressed now if you want to.”
“Abagail has good taste in women’s clothing. Bad taste in men’s clothes. Laughing. “I’m just joking. I’m happy you two found each other.”
“How did you know about us?”
“Everyone knows. “You can see it in the way you look at each other. You both light up when you’re together. I’m very happy for you.”
“Thanks Man. We better get going. Owen left his buggy for us. It’ll be easier for you.”
“Sounds good. Let’s get going.”
Adam held the door for Nate, then helped him into the buggy. He climbed up in the buggy beside Nate and they started down the road. Adam did his best to make the ride as comfortable as possible, trying to miss every bump. When they arrived, he stopped the horses and put on the brake. Nate slowly climbed down from the buggy and they walked inside. The barn was filled with all kinds of homemade decorations. There were tables with white table clothes filled with tasty looking food. There was a group of musicians playing fiddles and guitars. Everyone was having a nice time.
As soon as Abagail saw Nate and Adam enter, she came over to meet them.
“I’m glad to see you, Nate. I hope you are feeling better?”
“I’m doing better. Thank you for asking.”
Owen came up and said, “Let me get you a seat Nate.”
“Thank you, but it actually feels better if I stand.”
Abagail said, looking both of them up and down, “You two look very handsome tonight.”
“Thank you,” Adam said, smiling at her. “You look beautiful.”
The Band started to play a slow tune. “Abagail, would you care to dance? I’m not very good, but if you like to give it a try, I’d love to dance with you?”
“I’d love to and don’t worry about it. Let’s just have fun.”
“Will you be okay, Nate?”
“I’ll keep him company,” Owen said. “Go and dance with my daughter.”
“Yeah,” Nate said. Get out there before someone else steals her away.”
Adam took Abagail in his arms and the two began to dance. After a few seconds they were lost in each other’s eyes. Adam’s heart was beating fast and Abagail laid her head on Adam’s shoulder. When the song ended, they kissed.
“It’s about time you two finally admitted you like each other,” Owen said to them. “We all knew already.”
Abagail exclaimed, “You knew Father?”
“My daughter. I’ve known since the first moment you two sat down together and talked. You were instantly connected. I couldn’t be happier for both of you.”
“We’re so happy you approve.”
Nate said, “Me and Owen were talking while you were dancing and wondered when you admit you’re a couple.”
“While you two laugh at us, Abagail and I are going to dance again.”
They began to dance and Adam felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Liam standing there.
“It’s about time the lady danced with a real man.”
Adam’s face turned red. Abagail said, No, Adam. Don’t. Let’s go.”
“That’s right, boy you better let your woman tell you what to do. It’s the only thing saving you from the embarrassment of me beating your brains out here in front of everybody.”
“Just ignore him,” begged Abagail. “Come on. You’re better than him.”
Abagail took Adam’s arm and they turned and walked away. Adam took Abagail to her wagon to make sure she got out of there safe. Owen went with Nate to the buggy, but Liam caught up with them before they got there.
Liam looked at Nate and smirked, “Hello Deputy. Are you more of a man than your coward friend, Adam?”
“Why don’t you back off?” Nate said calmly.
“Why don’t you make me, Deputy or are you going to let a woman do your talking too?”
Owen spoke to Liam, “Can’t you see he’s not in shape to fight? Thanks to your goons.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Old Man. I did hear about it though. I was playing cards with friends at the saloon. If you would like to step in for Nate and take a shot at me, I’d love to knock you down a peg or two.”
Nate said, “Leave him alone. Your fight isn’t with him.”
“Since you’re hurting so bad, I’ll give you the first shot. Go ahead. Right here. Liam stuck his chin out and closed his eyes.
Owen said, “Don’t do it, Nate.”
“So, you’re a coward just like your friend. I guess there ain’t no real men left in this town.”
Nate through a right cross at Liam hitting him as hard as he could. Liam took a step back, turned his head, rubbed his jaw and laughed.
“That all you got? You’re in for a world of hurt, little man.”
Liam hit Nate’s bruised ribs. Nate gasped for air and leaned over in pain. Liam hit him with a jab and a right cross sending Nate to the ground.
Nate tried to get up, but his ribs were killing him. Owen stepped in and said, “Stop! Liam, he’s had enough.”
Liam grabbed Owen by his collar and tossed him aside.
Nate lying on the ground spitting blood said, “Liam, don’t touch him. Your fight is with me.”
Nate forces himself to get to his feet.
“Now that’s more like it,” sneered Liam.
Nate took a swing at Liam, but Liam sidestepped and elbowed him in the side. Then he grabbed Nate’s hair and kneed him in the gut, hit him with an uppercut sending Nate sailing to the ground again. He stood over Nate laughing.
“Get up,” yelled Liam. “I ain’t even broke a sweat yet.”
Adam returned and saw Liam standing over Nate, laughing.
“Enough, Liam,” he said. “I’m the one you want.”
“Don’t worry, Sheriff, as soon as I’m done here I’ll be right with you.”
“You’re done now. I’m waiting.”
Liam took a swing at Adam, but he blocked it and hit Liam with a left cross and followed it up with two body shots to the ribs which left Liam gasping for air. Then Adam kneed Liam in the face, knocking him to the ground. No one had ever knocked Liam down before.
“What’s the matter, Liam? Does it hurt to breath? See what happens when you mess with someone who isn’t hurt or afraid of you.”
Owen helped Nate to his feet.
Liam got slowly to his feet, then charged Adam, tackling him. He started throwing punches left and right at Adam’s head. Adam blocked most of them with his arms, then he caught Liam’s wrist and jerked hard to the side throwing him off balance. Adam quickly jumped on Liam and threw a flurry of punches to Liam’s face.
Liam was stunned by the barrage of punches. He grabbed a handful of dirt, throwing it in Adam’s eyes. This blinded Adam for a second, giving Liam time to recover.
Adam wiped the dirt from his eyes in time to see Liam trying to kick him. He blocked Liam’s kick and punched him with a left cross. Liam went staggered back a few steps. Everyone at the dance had gathered around to witness the fight.
Liam looked around and saw everyone was watching and he was losing this fight. He needed to do something quick to swing the tide his way. He reached behind him and pulled a knife.
Nate yelled, “Adam! Watch out!” Adam saw the knife and jumped back. The blade narrowly missing him. Adam grabbed Liam’s wrist when he lun
ged again. Adam twisted the knife from of Liam’s hand. Adam hit him with a flurry of punches to the body and head and Liam went down hard. Adam got on top of him and punched him until Liam passed out.
Jeffrey and Victor were waiting like Liam had told them to, in case he got in trouble. When they saw Liam losing the fight, dove into Adam, knocking him off Liam. Jeffrey grabbed Adam from behind holding his arms, while Victor unleashed a brutal attack on Adam’s body. Nate stepped in, grabbed Victor spinning him around.
“You were the ones who attacked me last night,” Nate said.
“And I’m gonna finish that little job right now,” shouted Victor.
Victor grab Nate by the shoulder and head butted him. Nate fell to the ground.
Adam recovering from the attack heard Victor admit he was the one who attacked Nate, it lit a fire inside. He broke loose from Jeffrey’s grip and hit him, sending him flying backwards into the wagon and hitting his head knocking him out.
Adam lounged into Victor knocking him off his feet.
Adam didn’t see Liam had recovered and had grabbed his pistol and hit Adam in the back of his head.
Adam fell to the ground like a bag of feed. He was out cold. People in the crowd wanted to help, but everyone was afraid. Liam had told everybody if anyone made a move he would kill them.
Jeffrey got back to his feet and helped Victor up. Nate was unconscious, unable to help his friend.
Liam told Jeffrey, “Tie his arms behind his back. Now! Do it!”
Jeffrey grabbed a rope off his horse, came back and tied Adam’s hands behind his back.
“Now you and Victor put him on your horse and take him over to that old Elm tree. Do it now.”
The people in the crowd started to say, “No. You’ve got to stop this.” The mayor stepped out from the crowd, got in Liam’s face and said, “You can’t do this. Stop now.” Liam shot the mayor in the leg the he fell to the ground clutching his leg.
“Anybody else want to play hero? Speak up and you’ll meet the same fate.”
Victor and Jeffrey loaded Adam on Jeffrey’s horse and led him to the tree. Adam began to regain consciousness. All he was seeing were blurs, but his eyes finally focused and he realized where he was and what was happening. He tried to free his arms, but the rope was too tight.
“Struggle all you want, Sheriff, but there ain’t no escape for you. Victor, make a noose and throw it over that limb.”
Victor yells at Liam, “Liam, he’s the law. If we do this, there’s no turning back?”
“You didn’t have no problem going after the deputy.”
“Liam, there’s witnesses. Look around?”
“Shut up! Are you a coward. Nobody here will dare say a word about tonight. If they do, I’ll burn the whole damn town to the ground. Now, get that rope hung around that limb.”
Victor tied a noose and threw the rope over the limb and placed it around Adam’s neck. Nate came to, climbed into the buggy and even though he was hurting badly, he knew Adam was in real trouble. Nate reached under the seat and pulled out his rifle. He was having a hard time seeing because his vision was blurred, but he knew he had to shake it off.
“Any last words, Sheriff?’” Liam asked. “You want to say anything before your sentence is handed down?”
“Go to hell.” Adam shouted to him.
“Do it, Jeffrey!” Liam ordered.
Jeffrey slapped the horse it took off. Adam felt the noose tighten around his neck as he slid from the saddle. Adam was dangling in the air. He couldn’t breathe. The rope was strangling him. Nate knew he had to act now. His friend’s life was in his hands. He pulled the rifle into his shoulder, cocked the hammer, shook his head, trying to clear his blurred vision. He squeezed the trigger and the shot hit the rope, but didn’t break it. Nate raised the rifle again and squeezed off another shot, this time splitting the rope and Adam dropped to the ground.
Liam, Jeffrey and Victor were stunned by the shots from Nate’s rifle. Liam raised his pistol to shoot Adam, but his gun was knocked from his hand by a shot from Nate’s rifle.
Jeffrey yelled to Victor, “Let’s get the hell out of here, now.”
The two men jumped on their horses and took off. While everyone was concerned with Adam, Liam slipped away.
Owen ran to Adam, loosened the noose and took it from around Adam’s neck. He untied his arms and Adam took some deep breaths.
“Are you okay, Adam?”
“Yeah, I’ll be alright. I thought I was a done for.”
Owen told him, “You would have been if it Nate hadn’t helped. He’s quite a good shot with that rifle.”
“Yeah, he’s quite the shot,” Adam said. “Where is he?”
“He was on the back of the buggy, last time I saw him.”
“I’m here,” they heard Nate say.
Adam and Owen turned and saw Nate limping, but he made it and sat down next to them on the ground.
“The Doc is taking the mayor back to town to fix him up. He said it was only a flesh wound.”
“Thank God,” Adam said, then asked, “How are you doing man?”
“I got my ass kicked, how do you think I’m doing? I’m more worried about you?”
“I’ll be fine. My neck is hurting, but thanks to you, I’ll be okay. Nice shot by the way.”
Owen asked Nate, “How did you see to take that shot with it being so dark?”
“Years of practicing as a kid on the shooting range. My dad wanted me to be a marksman, but I decided to become a stock broker instead.”
“Thank God for your dad or I wouldn’t be here. Sad thing is, it took you two shots to do it.”
“Sorry, my head was kind of spinning and my vison was a little blurry. Didn’t have time to focus.”
“Excuses. Excuses,” replied Adam.
“Go easy on him,” Owen said. “Nate, it wouldn’t hurt if you learned to duck every now and then instead of using your head as a punching bag.”
Nate asked Adam, “What next?”
“I’m going back to town, climb into bed and get some rest. I’m beat and sore.”
“That sounds good, but what about Liam and his boys?” Asked Nate.
“Not your worry anymore,” Adam said looking around. “Where is Liam? Never mind, Let’s go to the jail so you can get some rest, then tomorrow you go home. I’ll figure out the rest.”
“I don’t want to leave you to face them alone.”
“Didn’t you say you had to leave at two to get on course?”
“Yeah, that’s when the tide will be just right.” Nate said.
“I wish you safe travel and don’t worry about Adam,” Owen told him. “He isn’t alone. Me and Abagail have his back. It’s getting late and I seem to have missed my ride home.”
“Come on Owen. We’ll drop you at your place and head back to town.”
Stopping at Owen place, he got down from the buggy and so did Adam. Abagail came out of her house and ran up to them. “I was beginning to worry. Thank God you’re all okay.”
Owen hugged her and said, “I’m okay. I’m heading to bed, it’s been a long day and my old bones can’t take this like they used to. Good night, Adam. I would say good night to Nate, but he’s passed out, snoring away.”
“I’ll tell him you said good night,” Adam told him. “Get some rest.”
Abagail said, “I’ll be in shortly.”
Abagail saw the red marks on Adam’s neck when he turned to wave good night to Owen.
“What happened to you? She reached and gently touched his neck and face.
Adam took her hands, held them and told her what had happened. Abagail began to cry. “Don’t cry, Darling,” and wiped away her tears.
“You almost died,” she cried. “I could have lost you.”
“I’m still here and I’m alright.”
“What about Liam? Did you lock him up?”
“Don’t worry about Liam. I’ll deal with him. One way or another this ends very soon. He broke the law, so tomor
row I’ll send out a wire to the Marshall’s office and get charges brought against him and his men. He will find out there nowhere for him to hide. The day of the outlaw is coming to an end. A new age is coming and such wondrous things, I promise you.”
“How can you be so certain about these things?” she asked.
“Trust me. Things are changing. Everything will be okay. Go inside and take care of your dad and make sure you lock up tonight.”
Abagail smiled and kissed him and said good night.
Adam got the buggy, turned the horses around and headed back to town. Once there, He woke Nate and said, “Come on, let’s get to bed. Nate went inside while Adam took care of the team, then he went inside with Nate.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Abagail woke early and decided to surprise Adam and Nate with a big breakfast. She knew Nate would be leaving today and after the night the two men had, they needed something to start the day off right. So she left a note for her dad and headed to the barn to saddle her horse. On her way to town she saw a rider in the distance. However, she didn’t think anything of it until she noticed every time she changed her path the rider changed also. She became nervous even though she was only minutes from town. She decided to go on a full out run because she wanted to get to town as fast as she could. She looked over her shoulder and the rider was gone. She didn’t slow down though until she reached town. Once in town, she stopped in front of the Wagon Wheel Restaurant. She tied the horse’s reins to the hitch rail, let him catch his breath and get something to drink. She thought to herself, “That was silly, getting nervous over nothing. She unlocked the door and entered the restaurant. She walked to the windows to open the shades, when she heard a voice that chilled her to the bone. Seated at one of the tables was none other than Liam.
“Good morning Abagail. I knew you had to show up eventually.”
Abagail glanced at the door, thinking she could make a run for it before Liam could reach her.
“You can try it, but I might not be able to catch you before you reach the door, but Jeffrey can.”
Jeffrey stepped out from behind the counter by the door. Abagail grabbed a pitcher off of the table next to her and slammed it against Jeffrey’s head. He slumped to the floor. Abagail ran for the door, opened it and started through only to run into the arms of Victor, who put his hand over her mouth and dragged her back inside.
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