A hard decision burned in his eyes like banked coals. The next time we finish it. The storm had already reached the ranch. The real fight had yet to begin. The following morning brought no peace.
The sky hung low and gray, the color of old iron. The air felt thick, almost charged, as if the land itself knew something violent was coming. Cal stood on the porch with the rifle in his hands, watching the ridge. Inside the cabin, Tala checked the revolver he had given her. Her jaw was set.
Her eyes were steady. They did not have to wait long. At noon, hoofbeats thundered between the pines again. This time they came faster, harder, more urgent. Three riders burst into the clearing kicking dust behind them like smoke.
Boone Kersey rode in front. His smile was gone. In its place was something colder, something far more dangerous. Gus Talbott gripped a shotgun. Cade Varner kept one restless hand above his revolver as though he had been waiting since their last visit for an excuse to draw it.
Boone hauled hard on the reins. His horse stopped sharply. His eyes burned with anger. This ends here, Ransom. He pointed toward Tala.
Give her to us or we take her after stepping over your body. Cal raised the rifle. His stance never moved. Try it. The cabin door opened.
Tala stepped out beside him. She held the revolver with both hands. Her voice carried across the yard strong and clear. We fight. The clearing went still.
Then everything exploded. Gus fired first. The shotgun blast tore into the porch post sending splinters flying through the air. Cal dropped to one knee and fired back. His rifle cracked across the clearing like thunder.
Cade drew his revolver and fired almost immediately. The shot struck the dirt near the porch steps. Tala held her ground. Her hands trembled. Her eyes did not.
She pulled the trigger. The revolver roared. Cade's hat flew from his head as he jerked backward in the saddle with a curse. Boone kicked his horse forward. The animal charged across the yard toward the cabin.
Cal rolled from the porch and fired again. The bullet tore across Boone's arm. The outlaw twisted sideways in the saddle with a shout, grabbing at the wound as rage flooded his face. Gus brought the shotgun up again. Tala was faster.