Unshaken

Another Catch

"Heard you was a little shy down at the river this morning." Arthur teased as Liam dropped a bale of hay off at the horse station. Liam shook his head and rubbed his neck, embarrassed. He felt his face get hot. "I don't wanna talk about it." He said quietly.

"So I wanted to fill you in on what we got going on. I'm thinking we get all our guns and head the the sheriff's station and offer him some help with this gang. See if he wants it. If not, I'm sure we can work something out." Arthur said. "Sounds like a plan. When you wanna go?" Liam asked. "In about half an hour. Gather everybody who can fight and let them know. I'll get the rest of the camp ready for us to be gone for a bit." Arthur said walking off. Liam went around and gathered John, Sadie, Charles, Sean and Karen and met at the horses.

"Alright, everybody load up." Arthur said as they all climbed on their horses. They rode in a formation through the plains and onto the main road. "What's this about?" John asked. "Gonna make a proposal to the sheriff. Show him we got firepower and can help him out. If he accepts, we can be on his good side and possibly get that land we been after." Arthur said. "You think we're up for it, Englishman?" Sean asked. "Yeah, we been through a lot worse than this." Arthur said. "I am inclined to agree." Charles said.

They rode down the ridge into Cholla Springs. Liam took another look at the cacti and desert surroundings in his view. Everybody wore clothes they could fight in. Liam was wearing his black button-down shirt, bandana, chaps and bandolier. He saw the desert town into view. They rode up alongside the station. "Alright. I'll go in there and make the offer. Y'all wait out here until I tell y'all to come in." Arthur said as he climbed off his horse. The group climbed off their horses and stood on the porch looking at the town in the later hours of the morning.

"So, what's up with these bastard twins?" Sean asked. "Nasty group of boys that been terrorizing this place. If we can clear them, we'd have nothing to worry about with the law." Sadie said. "I think it's a great idea." Karen agreed. "And it ain't gonna be nothing like Rhodes. We ain't playing these folk." Liam said. "Amen to that." John said, Charles nodding his head in agreement.

They heard the door of the station open and Arthur motioning them to come in. The group walked into the old run-down station. A skinny man was in a cell staring at the group. Liam didn't make eye contact with him. He looked to the sheriff as they stood in front of his desk. "Now why are y'all coming in here offering to help when I've never seen your faces before?" His deep western voice asked. He had a long mustache and brown vest which held his badge. He wore shiny studded boots and spurs that were propped up on the desk.

"We know the hold that gang has around here. And they have something we want. Warthington Ranch." Arthur said. The sheriff looked at the group for a moment. "How do I know you ain't here to rob me?" He asked. "Cause you'd be dead by now if we meant any harm, Sheriff." Arthur said. The sheriff took his feet off of his desk and stood up. "Look, our intentions are clear. No funny business. We need that land and you need them gone. We can help you with them if you can help us with that, Sheriff Johnson." Arthur said. "Okay, but I need y'all to do something for me first. To show you're really in it and not just playing me." Johnson said. He pulled out four bounty posters and laid them out across his desk.

"These people have been ruining this area as fast as they stepped in. You get these bounties for me, then we'll talk." The man said. "This is bullshit, he's using us." John grunted. "Calm down, son. Not at all. I need to know you're serious about this. You gotta see it from my perspective. A group of angry gunmen come into my station offering assistance with a dangerous gang. That don't seem the slightest bit suspicious to y'all?" Sheriff Johnson asked. "I see where you're coming from, but that ain't what we're here for." Arthur told him. The sheriff pushed the posters to them. Liam didn't know what to think. "Alright, if we get these people, you'll be in on our offer?" Arthur asked. "Absolutely." Johnson agreed as the two shook hands.