Storm to the Past: A Time Travel Western (4 page)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Nate reached the beach, climbed off the horse and tied the reins to a tree. He pulled the hidden life raft from behind the brush, put it in the water and rowed out to his boat. He was happy to see his boat. It made him feel like he was home again. Nate tied the life raft to the boat and climbed up the ladder. He searched through his books and files and found the book he was looking for. He laid it on the desk and began searching for entries about storms. He found a timeline of storms and there was one that was due to pass off the coast of Florida. It was a category one hurricane and it would hit Sunday night. Nate double-checked the records and found out exactly where the worst part of the storm would hit He took care of everything and said to himself, “This is our ticket home, I know it. Just a few more days and then we’re out of here.” He climbed off the boat, back into the life raft and headed to shore.

Meanwhile, Adam and Abagail arrived in town, Abagail pulled the carriage up in front of the General Store.

She told Adam, “I’ll go inside and get the supplies. If you want to help me load them after I buy them, that be great.”

“No problem. I’ll wait here.”

Abagail went inside while Adam sat in the wagon. He watched as a little boy played with his dog. He saw a rider coming into town, riding rather fast. The little boy ran into the street not paying attention as the man didn’t slow down. Adam didn’t think, he just reacted. He leaped off the carriage and grabbed the boy, jumping out of the way in time, just missing the rider’s horse’s hooves. As Adam got up, the boy’s parents ran over, thanking him for saving their son. Adam saw the rider getting off his horse, laughing. It was one of Liam’s sidekicks from the saloon.  The sheriff was seated in a chair in front of his office and wasn’t doing anything. Adam became angry and headed over to confront the man. The man was talking to the sheriff when Adam grabbed his arm spinning him around.

Adam was in the man’s face yelling, “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You could have killed that child?”

The man went for his gun, but Adam quickly knocked it away as he tried to pull it out of his holster. Adam then punched the man in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. The Man then pulled a knife out of his boot, swinging it at Adam. Adam grabbed his wrist, twisting his arm, causing the man to drop the knife. Adam hit the man again with an uppercut, sending him down to his knees, then Adam grabbed the man’s head and slammed his knee into his face knocking him unconscious and sliding to the ground.

Adam caught his breath, looked at the sheriff. “You, sir,” he said. “Are a coward. How dare you wear that star on your chest. You sit there while a little boy was almost killed and you do nothing.”

The sheriff was getting red in the face and clearly angry. “You can’t talk to me like that. I’m the law. Besides, it was the boy’s parents’ fault.”

“You’re nothing but a piece of trash.” Adam grabbed the star on the sheriff’s shirt and tore it off. “You don’t deserve to wear this.”

The sheriff started to reach for his gun. “Try it and it will be the last time you’ll ever use that hand. I promise you that.”

“You can’t do this. I’m the sheriff.” He was stuttering in fear.

A man from the crowd in the street stepped forward and said, “You’re right, he can’t, but I can. You’re fired. You’re a disgrace, now get out of our sight. In fact, why don’t you mount up, ride out and don’t look back?”

“Mayor Johnathan,” The sheriff pleaded. “No. Please don’t do this? I’m begging you?”

“I’ve had enough of you. I’ve sat back way too long and let your disrespectful actions disgrace this town and that star. I said you’re fired. Now get out of here.”

The sheriff dropped his head in shame and took off down the street on his horse.

“Thank you, Stranger for saving that child,” the mayor said. “What’s your name?”

“His name is Adam,” said Abagail.

It’s an honor to meet you, Adam. I’ve been hearing a lot about a stranger who stood up to Liam and his gang.”

“I’m nothing special Mayor, but it is nice to meet you. I’m glad to see you fired that worthless sheriff.  I hope you find a good replacement.” 

Owen saw the whole thing from his office and coming out on the street, he heard the conversation and waited till Adam finished speaking.

“You are indeed something special, Adam. You’re a good man and you stand up for people in need.  I for one think you would make a great sheriff.”

Adam was stunned when he heard that.

Mayor Johnathan said, “Adam I value Owen’s opinion as he is one of my oldest friends. If he feels you would make a good sheriff, that’s good enough for me. What do you say? Will you be our sheriff?”

“I don’t know what to say? I don’t know if I’m going to be staying yet. We were stranded here by a storm. I am not sure what to say? Abagail, what do you think I should do?”

“I think you would make a fine sheriff. You’re a kind wonderful man and you always put others first.”

“Okay, I’ll do it, but I have one condition. I won’t wear a gun. I believe things can be handled without weapons?”

Mayor Johnathan says, “Nothing says you have to carry a weapon to be sheriff.”

“Then I accept the position,” Adam told him.

The mayor shook Adam’s hand and swore him in, then pinned the badge on his shirt. He then asked Adam, “Do you need a place to stay?” Owen spoke up and said, “No. He’s fine. He’s staying with us.”

The mayor asked, As sheriff, what will your first act?”

“Locking up Liam’s friend for trying to run down that boy, then I’m going to help Miss Abagail take her supply’s back to her house, then get to know the community better.”

“Sounds good to me,” the mayor told him.

Adam arrested Liam’s friend, took him to the sheriff’s office and threw him in the cell. He then hung the keys back on the hook and put a sign in the window. “Be back soon.” He locked the door, then Adam headed to the carriage where Owen and Abagail were waiting.

“Thank you for believing in me, Owen. I will do my best to be a good sheriff.”

“I know you will. Maybe for once, Walton Town will have a fighting chance with a real sheriff on the job. I’d feel a lot better though if you would carry a firearm, although I respect your decision.”

“I refuse to carry a firearm. I believe there is always another way to settle things.”

“Father, we need to get these supplies out of the hot sun or they will be worthless for the barn dance Saturday night.”

“Okay, I’ll finish up here and see you later.”

Abagail tugged on the reins and the horses took off down the road. They rode along for a while without speaking until Adam broke the silence.

“Abagail, I’m sorry you saw me lose my temper like that. I hope you don’t look at me differently?”

“I saw everything and I believe you did the right thing, so never be sorry. Can I ask you a question though?”

“Of course, I told you before, you can ask anything.”

“Why won’t you carry a gun? I know you don’t believe in them, but I was just wondering why?”

“My father was killed by a coward with a gun. My dad was helping a woman being attacked by a man. My dad intervened and saved the woman. While he was helping the woman to her feet, the man pulled a gun and shot my dad in the back, then ran away. I stood there and watched it all. I held my dad in my arms and he died. Because of that man I won’t ever use a gun.”

Abagail said tearfully, “I’m so sorry, Adam. I truly am.”

“It’s alright, my dad was a hero.”

“Like father, like son. If your dad saw you today, he would be proud of you. I know was.”

Adam smiled, reached over and took Abagail’s hand in his. He didn’t release it until they reached Abagail’s home.

Adam released her hand and said, “I better unload these supplies. Where would you like me to take them?”

“Can you put them in the root cellar, please?”

Adam put them in the cellar like she asked. After he finished, he heard Nate asking Abagail if she had seen him.

“I’m coming up. I was putting the supplies in root cellar.”

Nate said, “Adam, we need to talk. I’ve got some news. Let’s take a walk and talk?”

“I’ve got some news for you too. Abagail, we’ll be back in a few minutes.” 

“Okay, Nate, what’s your news?”

“I did it man. I think I found a way home. I located that book I told you about. It says a category one hurricane is passing by Florida. A severe storm like the one that hit us and sent us to this land of the crazy. I charted our last course and I know exactly the route we took. If we get out there in exactly the same area, I bet it will open that doorway and send us back home to our time? The storm hits this Sunday, which means we have three days. What’s the matter man? You’re not saying anything. I thought you’d be excited.”

“Excited? Are you crazy, man? That storm nearly killed us and you want to try it again? I don’t know about this.”

“It will work. Trust me. I feel it. If we miss this storm, the next one won’t come back to that exact area for another twenty years. It’s a repetitive storm cycle every twenty years. I checked my charts and 2015 was the anniversary of it and you and me fell in its path. It’s not a coincidence. I feel it, I’m telling you.”

“What if for some reason we were meant to travel back in time? To this place? I’ve been thinking about it more and more and maybe we’re supposed to be here. To help these people. I know it sounds crazy, but it could be that way.”

“Have you lost your mind? I hate it here. This isn’t my time. I belong in the future around my friends, around civilized people and back on my boat making money.”

“Nate, I’m sorry, but I don’t feel the same way you do. I wasn’t happy there. I had no family and you were my only friend. I went from job to job and I never felt like I truly fit in, but since we got here, I feel at home. For the first time in my life I truly feel like I can make a difference. I know this sounds crazy to you, but I like it here. I know I have a lot to learn to really fit in and yes, we have met some crazies since we’ve been here. But we have met some good people as well.”

“I know your childhood was messed up with losing your dad and all, and I knew you weren’t happy, but I always thought you would find your path. I can’t stay here man. I have to go home. I just don’t fit in here.”

“I know Nate. If you truly feel this storm is your ticket home, then go for it. I’ll help you anyway I can, but I’m staying. There’s nothing there for me. I’ll miss you, but I want you to get home and be happy.”

“What will you do, here in this crazy place?”

Adam opened his jacket, showed Nate the sheriff’s badge and explained what happened to him in town today.

“Wow! You a law man. Now I’ve seen it all. What’s your first move, Sheriff?”

First, I’m going to put up a sign at the outskirts of town saying all firearms and weapons have to be turned in to sheriff’s office. They can pick them up when they leave town. I want to discourage violence with weapons. Liam has had such a negative effect on the people, I want to show there is another way.”

“That will definitely get people’s attention, whether it’s good or bad, who knows? Only time will tell. I’ve got three days to kill, so I’ll help anyway I can.”

“You can be my deputy. I hope you’ll say yes.”

“I’ll do it, but I don’t feel the same way as you. I’ll be carrying a weapon. That Liam is a nut and it wouldn’t be wise for both of us to be unarmed.”

“Fine, but can you even use a gun?”

“Sure, I can use a rifle. I used to be in a rifle club at school.”

“All I ask is don’t use your gun unless it’s a last resort. And thank you for helping me.”

“No problem. When do we start?”

“We’ll start as soon as we get back to town.”

Adam swore Nate in as a deputy sheriff and after that, he went back inside and told Abagail he was heading back to town. He asked if he could borrow a horse. She said, “Of course, this is your home now as much as mine.”

Adam and Nate went back to the barn and saddled two horses, then headed back to town. When they arrived, they went directly to the sheriff’s office. Adam unlocked the door and went inside. He located a hammer and nails and some boards in the back room.

“What do you want me to do, Sheriff?” Nate asked him.

“Take some of these boards, some nails and a hammer and go to the Town Marker. Put up the sign there so anyone coming into town can clearly see the Town’s new rules about “No Weapons allowed in City limits.” I’ll do the same thing at the other end of town. After that we’ll meet back here.”

“You got it, but you do realize some people won’t turn in their gun without a fight?”

“There’s always going to be resistance, but this is a good way to get things going in the right direction.”

Adam and Nate put signs up on the Town Markers, then came back to the office. 

“Well, they’re up. I guess we wait now and see how long it takes for the word to spread.”

“Not long, look?”

Adam looked and saw a bunch of men talking in front of the saloon, pointing at the sheriff’s office.