The Course of True Love - Book l

Pronghorn Ranch - Old Habits

The next morning, John awoke with the rooster, raising his old bones to the familiar crow that grew to be more than annoying. Rolling his shoulders, he skipped making morning coffee due to the faint commotion that sounded to be coming from the work shed. Quickly slipping on his boots, he began to jog towards the fuss. 

"I said what I said! Does he like dead bodies on his property?"

"Now, come on, Mister." He heard Abe scoff. 

"Now tell your friend, Mister Geddes, he's gonna sell this place."

"He ain't gonna sell it, Mister." 

"Oh yeah? How's about I give you a little reason to tell him?" The Laramie Boy snickered, pulling out his revolver, shooting blankly at Abe's feet, making him retreat and hike his legs as if he were on fire. 

"Leave him alone." John intervened. 

The Laramie Boy looked back at John as if he wasn't intimidated, "Oh, careful boys. Look at this tough guy!" He taunted. 

"Get outta here." John warned. 

"Oh, fancy pants Geddes paying you to be tough for him, huh?"

"No, he's paying me to keep the place clean. Said he had some problems with vermin."

"Oh, listen to this. Real funny." He snickered, turning towards his two partners, who were still atop their horses, before attempting to take a swing at John, only to see that he had successfully blocked his blow. 

"I don't think so!" He growled, pushing the man down to his back, standing over him and grabbing his collar, pulling him harshly towards him before delivering a blow to his temple. 

"Get him, boss! Get up!" 

"You think you're gonna come mess with us now? Huh? Can't even fight!" John taunted, gaining pleasure in watching the Laramie Boy block John's punches to his face.

"Jim Milton! Get off that man!" Abigail shouted, grabbing John's bicep, stopping him from continuing further. 

"He hit me first." 

"Oh, you can fight boy, I'll give you that. Well, how's your wife in a brawl?" The Laramie Boy continued to taunt. 

"Leave my wife alone."

"Oh, she's real pretty-"

"Get outta here!" She hissed. 

"Quite a temper you got. Imagine you're, you're frustrated with your lot in life married to a shit-shoveling farmhand! Well what you do wrong to end up here?"

"Leave my wife alone." John warned again, pointing his finger. 

"Welcome to Big Valley, Jim Milton. Pleasure to meet you both. We'll see you again. And you, boy, tell Mister Geddes we called." He snickered, mounting his horse, spurring the animal into a gallop, his two partners following, seeming to head towards the neighboring ranch. 

"Thank you, Mister Milton." Abe sighed. 

"Don't worry about it-" 

Abigail pursed her lips, gripping John's wrist and pulling him along with her. "You stop acting like a goddamn storybook hero, will you?"

"What choice did I have?"

"Plenty, you moron! Plenty!" She hissed, turning to storm off back towards the cabin. "Go get to work!" 

"Ain't no goddamn winnin' with her." John grumbled to himself, hanging his head low as he began to walk towards the barn to begin his daily tasks. 

We all get caught eventually, John. I guess the trick is to decide by who...