The Valerons: Double Ante: A Western Adventure (The Valeron Western Adventure Series Book 7) by Terrell L. Bowers

Author:Terrell L. Bowers [Bowers, Terrell L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DS Productions
Published: 2022-04-04T04:00:00+00:00

7

The Valeron meeting had the three elder statesmen brothers and many other family members, plus several of those who had known Wyatt for several years. Udal, being Wyatt's father, took charge of the gathering.

'Nash sent a wire this morning,' he began. It caused the twenty or so people outside of the Locke house to grow attentive. 'Nash gives credit to Doggie for saving Wyatt's life. Having been in the war, he'd been around when the treatment for a sucking chest wound was discovered. Nash says Wyatt suffered a wound to the head too, but thinks my boy will pull through.'

A cheer of relief went up from the group.

'The wire goes on to say that Wyatt killed the man who faced him, but a second shooter is not yet known.'

Locke moved over to stand alongside his youngest brother. 'I sent word to Jared,' he announced. 'He and Shane are Solitary bound on the train. They should arrive in a couple of days.'

'What are we up against?' Brett Valeron was the one to ask. 'I still have U S Marshal authority. What can I do to help?'

'You might want to deputize Jared, son,' Locke said. 'We don't want any married men risking their lives, but we are going to send a couple of men to help. From what Wyatt said when he asked for Doggie and Tiny, there is a big cattle outfit causing most of the trouble. It could mean dealing with a dozen to fifty men.'

'I'll go!' July volunteered.

'Count me in,' Cliff also voiced his offer. 'The nanny can tend Nessy.'

Several others began to call out, so Locke held up his hands to silence the group. 'Takoda and Chayton ... Cliff,' he named off, 'you three will go.' Then he looked at Reese. 'Who all did you teach to use the gun Nash gave you?'

'Just Landau,' Reese replied. 'I wasn't figuring on ever...'

'I'm pretty good with it,' Landau interrupted. 'I'd like to tag along.'

Locke grimaced. 'But you're married to my daughter.'

'Scarlet loves her cousin Wyatt, but her brother, Jared has always watched over her,' Landau explained. 'If something happened to him because I wasn't there...' He shrugged. 'I've got her blessing to go.'

Locke sought out his eldest daughter. 'Is that right, Scarlet?'

She smiled. 'You have both my and Wendy's blessing, Father. Wyatt and Jared have been there for us when we needed them. We want to help.'

Wendy piped up with, 'Plus Landau is next to Jared when it comes to using a gun. I'm still trying to teach July how to shoot.'

July raised a hand. 'On the positive side, I've learned a whole lot about numbers and bookkeeping!'

The jest removed some seriousness and allowed everyone to smile.

'You're doing fine where you are,' Locke praised the young man. 'If we need to audit someone to force a confession, we'll send either you or Wendy.'

'I'd send Wendy,' Cliff replied. 'At least she can shoot if it comes to a fight.'

After another short laugh, Locke, Temple and Udal took the volunteers aside and the rest of the family and employees broke up to return to their chores or business.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.