For our mother, she said simply, and pulled the trigger. Morrison's horse screamed and fell, pinning the man beneath it. He lay there cursing, leg clearly broken, as Sheriff Thompson's men surrounded him. Harrison Morrison," the sheriff announced formally. "You're under arrest for murder, conspiracy, and about a dozen other charges I'll think of later. " As the sun set on the bloodstained ranch, Jake surveyed the aftermath.
They'd lost one of the Coulson brothers, and several others bore wounds, but they'd survived. More than that, they'd won. "It's over," Margaret said wonderingly. as if she couldn't quite believe it. "No," Jake corrected, pulling Rose closer despite her wounded arm. "It's just beginning. " He looked at the three sisters, brave, beautiful, battered, but unbroken.
His family now, forged in fire, and sealed in blood. The ranch would need rebuilding. The future remained uncertain. But none of that mattered. They were home.
The ranch bore its scars like badges of honor. Bullet holes in the walls. Blood darkened earth. the barn door hanging crooked on its hinges. Jake stood surveying the damage as Doc Harmon finished bandaging Rose's arm. She'd taken a bullet defending the barn, though she'd hidden the wound until the fighting was done.
You'll need to keep it clean, Doc warned. No heavy lifting for at least 2 weeks. 2 weeks? Rose protested. We've got repairs to make, stock to tend, which can all wait until you're healed, Jake said firmly.
Margaret and Catherine nodded agreement, forming a united front that made Rose scowl. Sheriff Thompson approached, notebook in hand. I'll need statements from all of you for the trial. Morrison's already trying to twist the story, claiming he was just trying to recover stolen property. Let him claim whatever he wants, Margaret said coldly.
We'll tell the truth, and this time people will listen. The sheriff had set up temporary headquarters in Milfield's courthouse where Morrison sat chained in a cell. His broken leg splinted. Jake accompanied the sisters to town the next day, their wagon escorted by armed deputies. Word had spread quickly, and the streets were lined with curious onlookers.
"Murderers," someone hissed as they passed. "Heroes," another countered loudly. About time someone stood up to Morrison. The town was split. Jake realized Morrison's money and influence ran deep and not everyone was ready to accept that their longtime benefactor was a monster.
At the courthouse, they found a crowd gathered, some supporting Morrison, others calling for justice. This will get ugly. Judge Watson warned as they entered. Morrison's hired the best lawyers money can buy. They'll try to tear you ladies apart on the stand.
Let them try, Rose said, chin raised despite her pallor from the wound. The preliminary hearing was set for the following week. Jake insisted the sisters stay at the ranch rather than in town, where Morrison's remaining supporters might cause trouble. They spent the days preparing their testimony and nights keeping watch, though the immediate danger had passed. It was during one of these quiet evenings that Catherine made her revelation.
They were sitting around the table after supper. Oil lamps casting warm light when she suddenly said, "I kept a journal. Everything Morrison did, every threat, every visit. I hid it when we ran. " Her sisters stared at her. "Katie, why didn't you say something before? " Margaret asked.