Justice for Jasper_A Western Novella by A. T. Butler

Author:A. T. Butler [Butler, A. T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 40217796
Published: 2018-05-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The dirt wall behind Jacob exploded where the bullet hit, just inches to his left but fortunately missing him. The shot had been fired from relatively close by—his ears rang from the blast. The ringing began to fade, and the first noise Jacob could identify was footsteps running deeper into the mine, away from him.

That was too close. And if Jacob had been shot, he would never have made it out of here. Trying to capture Daly while inside the mine was too big of a risk. Jacob kicked the rock wall in frustration and made his way back up to the surface, leaving Daly to his dark hidey-hole.

As he returned to the daylight, Jacob did his best to avoid running into any miners. He had been deep underground, but that didn’t mean the sound of a gunshot had gone unnoticed.

When he emerged back into the light, he noticed Santos and the group still waiting for him. The marshal sat atop his horse, eyes scanning the horizon in all directions. When his gaze fell on Jacob, the other man’s shoulders visibly relaxed.

“Payne!”

He dismounted and hurried over to where Jacob was exiting the mine. As he got closer, Jacob realized how much he must have worried Santos. The man was frowning and reaching out to grab Jacob as soon as he was close enough.

“What happened? Where did you go? I thought I heard a gunshot, but I wasn’t sure. I don’t like the idea of us splitting up.” Santos began brushing dirt off Jacob’s sleeve. He hadn’t realized how much the exploding wall had hit him in the dark.

“He almost shot me,” Jacob said. “In the dark. Daly shot at me. I didn’t even know he was there. We’ve got to come up with a better plan.”

Santos nodded soberly. “Let’s head back to Jasper and reassess.”

Jacob started toward the horses, but the marshal stopped him.

“It’ll be easier to do this once we no longer have the whole gang with us,” Santos said in a whisper.

Jacob nodded and made his way to where Yellow stood, patiently waiting for him.

“You okay?” Abby asked cautiously.

“Fit as a fiddle,” he said. “The man surprised me in the dark, but it takes more than a shock to take down Jacob Payne.”

Abby laughed at his bravado. “All right, Mr. Payne. Just don’t you go dying on me before we get justice, ya hear?”

“Wouldn’t think of it.” He climbed on his horse, taking the reins from the miner who had untied Yellow for him.

“We all ready?” Santos asked the group.

Among a chorus of yeses, the marshal led them back up the road to town. He rode ahead, listening to Gentle Jack rant and rave angrily about all the injustices done him. Jacob didn’t hear everything he said, but caught the general idea. He was happy to trail in the back of the group, making sure no one got separated but also able to have a private conversation with Abby.

“How long have you lived in Jasper?” he asked her.

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