Colin's Quest (33 page)

Colin watched as Blaine grabbed his bedroll, placing it under a tall pine. He hoped they hadn’t made a mistake deciding to come on their own. As he told Sarah, there wasn’t anyone else. Everyone, including the law, feared Coffman. Sheltered in the small town, protected by other outlaws, he came and left at will, robbing banks and rustling cattle with no one to stop him. It would take at least thirty lawmen to get close to ridding the town of its outlaws.

“It’ll be all right. We MacLarens are a lucky bunch.” Quinn glanced at him as if he’d read his mind.

“And what about you almost dying in River City?” A slight smirk crossed Colin’s face.

“Lucky shot, nothing more.”

“Well, it has to be done. Caleb’s taking first watch, then I’ll relieve. You okay with the third watch, Quinn?” Colin stood, looking at the surrounding area, spotting nothing through the thick brush.

“I’ve got it. Get some sleep. We’re all going to need it.”

“What can I do for you gents?” The thin, elderly shopkeeper stroked his beard as he looked them up and down.

“Coffee, sugar, and bacon.” Brodie glanced at the shelves behind the man. “And some of those dried apples.”

“Anything else?”

“That’s it.” Brodie pulled out some money as the clerk scratched out the totals on a piece of paper. “You been here long?” He kept his voice casual, as if just making conversation.

“About ten years. Long enough to see it change.”

“Change?”

“Used to be a quiet spot on the way west. Now, most wagons go around us, only sending in a few men to buy supplies.” The old man glanced out the window, as if keeping watch.

“What happened?” Blaine asked, stepping forward.

“You men aren’t from around here, are you?”

“Nae. We’re from down south, heading to see friends in Oregon,” Blaine answered, resting his hands on the counter.

“Well, you boys watch yourselves. We’ve got some bad elements in this town. Me and the missus been talking ‘bout leaving, but don’t know where to go. We got a small house a ways from the north end of town, so nobody much bothers us. Those on the east, well, let’s say they’re living too close to the devil to suit me.”

“Sounds like that’s an area for us to avoid,” Brodie replied, crossing his arms.

“There’s a man who lives out that way—”

“Hey, old man. The boss needs coffee, flour, sugar, and molasses. And make it quick.”

Brodie and Blaine turned at the loud voice coming from just inside the door. A man of average build with a double set of pistols on his hips glared at them, daring them to start something.

“Nice talking to you boys. Have a safe journey.” Turning, the old man got to work putting together the new order.

Taking the hint, Brodie and Blaine picked up their supplies, passing the gunfighter on the way out.

“Let’s talk to the blacksmith before we head back.” Brodie swung up on Hunter, glancing over his shoulder at the man who continued to glower at them. They rode toward the other end of town, dismounted, and walked their horses toward the smithy.

“Do you have time to check my horse?” Brodie asked, coming to a stop several feet from the forge.

The blacksmith looked up, then walked over to the horse, lifting his leg up. “Looks like it’s loose. It’ll take a couple minutes and you’ll be on your way.” The blacksmith set Hunter’s leg down, then searched for the right nail.

“You been here long?” Brodie asked.

“Long enough. Thinking I’ll head toward Conviction after the winter.” Leaning against Hunter, he wrapped a large, brawny hand around his leg, lifting it so he could work on the shoe.

“Not enough business?”

He glanced up, a look Brodie couldn’t decipher passing across his face. “Enough. Just time to move on.”

“We’re looking for a place east of here. Maybe you know where it may be.” Blaine moved up closer, watching the man finish with Hunter.

“Got a name?”

“Coffman. We’ve got a message to deliver to him.”

Not answering his question right away, the blacksmith quoted a price for the shoeing. Swiping a dirty sleeve across his forehead, he looked them over, then shrugged. “Take the road east out of town. When it forks, take the trail to the right. A friendly word of advice, though. Unless you’re looking for trouble, I’d stay far away from there.”

“Thanks for the information.” Brodie paid the smithy, then took Hunter’s reins and walked outside before turning to Blaine. “I think we have what we need. Let’s head back.”

Riding through town, no one seemed to spare them a glance as they disappeared out of sight.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“We agreed?” Colin asked, glancing up at the others, seeing each nod. “We’ll move out late tonight, finding a place to camp close to Coffman’s place. We’ll keep watch until we’re ready to take him.”

Taking a trail around the town, they took the road heading east, Caleb keeping watch behind them, Blaine riding ahead to spot anyone coming their way. They never would’ve found the cutoff if there hadn’t been a clear sky and partial moon. Within a few minutes of the fork, they heard the sounds of laughter, then spotted smoke drifting skyward. Riding closer, they saw a cabin nestled between dense pine trees in the distance.

“Let’s backtrack and leave the horses. We’ll go the rest of the way on foot.” Colin reined Chieftain around, riding until he found a place well off the trail, but only a few hundred yards from the cabin.

Spreading out, they covered the distance in little time, the noise from the house covering their approach.

“I don’t see any guards. Guess they’re pretty certain no one will ever find them.” Quinn hunkered down next to Colin.

“Or they don’t believe anyone would have the guts to come after them.”

“If that’s the case, we’ll have surprise on our side. I’m going to move up close, see if I can get a look in a window.” Quinn moved toward one side of the house. Stretching up, he peered inside, his head shifting as he got a good look. Glancing back at Colin, he held up four fingers.

He flattened himself against the side of the house at the sound of approaching horses. Nodding to Colin, he bent low, dashing to the back where Caleb, Brodie, and Blaine had taken positions.

“I’ll put the horses away, Lon, while you go inside.” Deft grabbed the reins to both horses, walking to the stable along the side opposite Colin.

Glancing toward the back, Colin saw Quinn slip along the side, waiting under a window until Coffman had gone inside, followed by Deft several minutes later.

“You got news, Lon?” one of the men asked.

“We leave day after tomorrow. The boys confirmed there’s enough of a herd to make it worth our while. I’ve heard back from Smith. He’ll be waiting at the same place.” Coffman set his hat on a hook, leaving his gun belt secured around his waist. “No drinking tomorrow night. I need everyone clearheaded.”

“Guess tonight’s our chance to go back to town for drinks. You got objections to that, boss?”

“Not as long as you’re sober tomorrow night.” Lon settled into a chair as all the men, except Deft, started to grab their gear.

Quinn had heard enough. He signaled Brodie, Caleb, and Blaine to circle around to meet Colin. Within minutes, he’d joined them. Waiting until they’d returned to their horses, he kept his voice low.

“Lon Coffman is there. He’s the tall, hulking one that rode up last with the black hat. He told the others they got news about a herd large enough to take. They plan to ride out day after tomorrow.”

“We only have tonight and tomorrow to take him then.” Colin cursed their luck. They didn’t have time to wait for the perfect opportunity, and he refused to ride back home without the outlaw. “Tomorrow night it is.”

“No, Colin. We have to get them tonight,” Quinn insisted. “Most of the men are riding to the saloon. Coffman and one other are staying behind. It will be our best chance to get him.”

The sound of riders had them walking their horses as far off the trail as possible a minute before Coffman’s men passed them on their way to town. Waiting until they were certain there were no stragglers, Colin signaled everyone to follow him. He found a secluded spot a mile from the cabin to discuss their plans.

“They’re both still awake, an almost empty bottle of whiskey sitting between them. Their gun belts are hanging on a wall across the room. If we all rushed in, it would be hard for either to reach them.” Quinn had just returned from checking on the two outlaws once more. “We should move now, before the other men return.”

Colin nodded, glancing at his brother, cousins, and Caleb. “This is it, lads. Are you all ready?”

“Let’s get the sonofabitches and take them to the Conviction jail,” Brodie ground out, echoing the sentiments of everyone around the small circle.

“All right. Everyone get in place. Wait for my signal,” Colin said. “And, lads, take no unnecessary chances. We’ll all be going home—alive.”

It didn’t take long for them to get into place. Positioning himself at the front door, Colin looked at Quinn on his right, then Brodie on his left. Each glanced behind the cabin, then nodded, indicating Blaine and Caleb were ready to come through the back door. Drawing his gun from its holster, he held up one, two, three fingers. With a hardy kick, the door burst open. Colin dashed in, followed by Quinn and Brodie, as Blaine and Caleb did the same at the back.

“Get your hands up and don’t move. There’s nothing more we’d like than a reason to shoot each of you.” Colin braced himself for the slightest move from either man. That’s when he saw the smirk on the face of the one Quinn identified as Coffman. The next moment, his hand dropped, reaching under the table. A shot from behind Colin had Coffman cursing, holding up his now bleeding hand.

“He told you to stay still. Guess you don’t listen too well.” Brodie’s gun still smoked.

“Nice shot,” Colin said, never taking his gaze off the two men. “There are five guns trained on you. We don’t care if you reach Conviction alive or dead. If we had a choice, dead is best.”

“We need to get them out of here before the others return.” Caleb held up a rope, moving behind Coffman. “Stand up and put your hands behind you.”

“Don’t do it, Lon,” Deft snarled.

“Shut up, Deft. We both know they’ll never get five miles outside of Crocker.” He looked up at Colin. “Do your best. Truth is, you’re all dead men.”

“Go ahead, Blaine. Tie up the other one, then we’ll get them on their horses.”

Brodie disappeared outside, bringing two horses from the stable. Securing Coffman and Deft on the saddles, they bound their feet to the stirrups, encircling each man’s waist before wrapping the rope around the saddle horns.

“We’re ready, Colin.”

“Good. Let’s get out of here.”

Instead of taking the road toward town, they took a trail north toward Mindell. Several miles past Crocker, they veered west, then north, before riding southwest.

“Where the hell are you taking us?” Coffman demanded when they came to a brief stop.

“None of your business. Now, keep your mouth shut or we’ll gag you.” Colin pulled out his water canteen and took a swallow, offering none to Coffman or Deft. “Let’s go, lads.”

Three hours later, after changing direction several times, they came to a stop and slid off their horses as the sun rose in the east.

“We’ll rest here a couple hours.” Colin didn’t want to stop, but the horses needed a rest.

“I’ll watch our backs,” Caleb offered.

“I’ll keep you company.” Blaine slapped him on the back, glad to be so close to home with no sign of the rest of Coffman’s gang.

“Hey, you can’t keep us on these saddles.” Coffman looked around, his eyes panicked as Colin and the others walked off after securing the horses.

“Think we should give them water?” Quinn took a long draw from his canteen, handing it to Colin.

“You gonna share yours?” Colin took a swallow, handing it back.

“Nope.”

“Neither am I. We’ll be at the river soon. They can drink their fill there. By tonight, we’ll be a short day’s ride to the ranch and the jail in Conviction.”