Snowed In(manxman)

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-One

“Where are you going to go from here?” Lillith questioned as she, Turner and Will sat at the breakfast table a week later. 

Turner shrugged, “My ranch.” 

Will watched Turner take a sip of his coffee, “Can we still go there? You are probably a wanted man now, Turner.” 

Turner shook his head, “A lynch mob won’t make me wanted. There’s no proof I’m the one that did any of that since I didn’t exactly leave witnesses.”

“They seemed sure it was you, Turner,” Will warned. 

Turner tipped his head and smiled comfortingly, “Yeah, but they have to prove it to the governor to earn me a wanted status and the governor is an old friend…” 

“So, he’s a dirty politician that caters to his outlaw friends?” Lillith teased. 

Turner grinned behind his coffee cup, “Yep.”

“Friends in high places can come in handy,” Will noted. 

“Almost as handy as friends in low places,” Turner agreed. “It’ll take a bit longer to reach the ranch. We’ll have to go the long way around and avoid Caudilltown.”

“Won’t anyone in Caudilltown that wants revenge think to look for you there?” Lillith asked. 

“No.” Turner stood and walked to the window. He looked out at the cold late January morning. “No one knew anything about me. I’m Turner, the man that doesn’t talk to anyone and hardly leaves the mountain, that’s it. They don’t know my last name, they don’t where I came there from, if I have any family, nothing.” 

“I don’t even know your last name,” Will spoke up. Turner glanced over his shoulder at the man, “What is it?” 

“Browning,” Turner replied. “Turner Browning.” 

“Aww,” Lillith batted her lashes as she stood up and began gathering the plates, “Will Browning. It has quite a nice ring to it.” 

Turner’s heart swelled at the thought. Will’s face flushed and his laughter filled the home, “Who says I’d be the one to change my name? Turner Calhoun has a nice ring as well.” 

Turner chuckled, “You can call me whatever you want to, Will, just so long as you stay by my side.” 

“I’ll be right here even when you’re wrinkly and gray, ol’ man,” Will winked. 

“See what I have to put up with?” Turner grumbled when Lillith came to stand beside him. 

She patted his arm, “I think you are both adorable. When are you going to head to the ranch? It’ll be awfully lonely around here now that I’ve gotten used to house mates.”