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CHEYENNE treaded into Hooker's old barn with slow, thoughtful steps. Her hardened gaze softened at the sight of her beloved mount. She gently scratched Spade's shoulder lovingly, spending a few last moments at peace with him before the meeting with Ringo. The woman soon noticed that the gelding was favoring his left hind leg. Her heart sank as she slid her hand down his leg, feeling a feverish heat in his fetlock joint. "Shit." Cheyenne cursed, standing up with a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry..." "Everything alright?" Wyatt's voice traveled from across the barn. "I think Spades' lame." Cheyenne pressed her lips together, shaking her head. Wyatt materialized by his sister's side, glancing at the inflamed lower leg of the horse. He just nodded. "How 'bout you take Gunner?" the man proposed quietly. Cheyenne looked at the next stall over, seeing Jack's horse standing in the corner. His head hung low, his blue eyes full of sorrow. "Them glass-eyed horses..." spoke Vermillion. "You can always tell what they're thinkin'. That horse right there is a damn good one. Misses his owner I'll bet." "I couldn't..." Cheyenne shook her head. "Jack would want you to." Wyatt encouraged his sister with a somber nod. The woman sighed, picking up Gunner's halter and entering the stall.
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The four riders rode out of Hooker's ranch, adrenaline and nerves swirling in their guts. Cheyenne rode beside Wyatt, with Vermillion and Creek bringing up the rear. Cheyenne was trying her best to get used to Gunner. He was quicker than Spade, yet seemed to know what you wanted before you knew yourself. "Do you think Doc is gonna be okay?" Cheyenne asked her brother dryly. "I'm not sure, but it's Doc. He's gonna fight like hell to the very end if he has any say in it." the man answered, looking at the frontier ahead of him. "We'll be there in about twenty minutes." Wyatt turned to the other two men, who nodded in response. Everyone was undoubtedly on edge, as they were about to face one of the best guns in the West.
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"Let's pick up the pace folks." Wyatt mumbled, clearly anxious. Cheyenne nodded, spurring Gunner the way she always did with Spade. The sorrel horse snorted, exploding. He transformed into a ranch bronc, jumping in a dolphin-like arc. His hind legs kicked fiercely as he leaped and soared. It was a beastly display- a crazed horse and a wild woman holding on. Her cigarette clamped between her lips, Cheyenne sat back and gripped the saddle with all of her strength. The horse bucked on, launching her back and forth in the saddle. Wyatt and the men watched in horror. Somehow, Cheyenne managed to stay on for a good minute before Gunner pulled a dirty move. He dropped his shoulder and turned, launching the woman into the hard red dirt. Her reins still in her hand, she cursed and stood up slowly, grabbing her hat. She brushed off the dirt from her shirt and chaps. "You alright, Chey?" Wyatt asked, noticing she looked just fine. "I'm fine." The woman replied abruptly, glaring at Gunner. "You're lucky your owner was a good man. Otherwise you'd be off to the auction." She mounted the horse again with a groan . "What is it Chey?" Wyatt asked. "We just wasted 5 minutes." "Ringo will wait just fine. He thinks he's gonna get the pleasure of seeing my corpse bleed, he'll wait all day for that."
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"You sure it's a good idea?" Henry Hooker said to a pale Doc Holliday. "My choices are none of your concern, Mr. Hooker." said Doc roughly, letting out a hoarse cough. He mounted his grey stallion slowly, fastening the silver sheriff's badge to his vest. He loaded his twin pearl-gripped revolvers in silence as Hooker stared on from his porch. "Alright... if you say so. Just know if you die, that pretty little blonde is gonna put me in my grave faster than you can count to three." said the old man. "I trust my sharpshooting abilities more than my other senses, Mr. Hooker. I thank you for your hospitality. Good day sir." Doc coughed, loping away on his stallion.
Guess who's backkkk Thank y'all for being so patient I know it's legit been a year im so sorry 😭 Just a little short chapter to get back into writing on here <3
