In an America that might have been, two war orphans from a divided nation, one in the north and one in the south, meet across a vast battlefield, striking out to forge a future together in the west. It's 1892, the fourth and bloodiest year of the Ci...
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It was full dark when they heard the knock on the door. He and Kay were sitting on the sofa, cuddling and talking about the future, when Deke heard footsteps on the porch and knew there were at least three.
It took another second for Kay to understand. She had felt Deke tense, and her eyes immediately darted towards the door. Before she knew it, Deke had shoved her on the floor and followed her down.
"Who's there?" he called.
"We're from the sheriff. Got some questions for you."
From the corner of his eye he saw Grace's room go dark. Charity was out with Joe who knows where, so it was just the three of them.
"OK, give us minute. We need to get some clothes," Deke called back.
There was one looking in the window next to the door. Why hadn't they closed those curtains? he thought.
"Open up now or we're comin in!"
Deke could hear sounds from all over the house. He tried to pick out the ones that mattered. There was a window opening in back in the bedrooms and maybe someone trying the kitchen door. He drew his pistol from his holster on the table.
Then there was a bang and flash of light from Grace's room followed by breaking glass. Deke picked up a cushion and threw it at the candle as they kicked in the door.
They were there, silhouetted in the doorway, rushing in. Deke fired, causing the first man to fall. The next two fell over him in the dark. Something rattled in the kitchen as someone bumped into it. Deke had no time to waste. He shot the other two on the floor and turned towards the kitchen. Blinking through the after images from the muzzle flash, Deke saw a dark shape moving through the kitchen doorway. He shot again.
Then they sat listening. It was quiet, the crickets slowly returning..
"Grace?" Deke called.
"Here," she called from the bedroom.
He went to the front door and counted five horses out front. Then he checked the three bodies in the doorway. They were dead. He could see blood soaking into rug in the moonlight. Deke had liked that rug.
"We are in a heap of trouble," he said.
"They dead?" Kay asked, a little shaky.
"Haven't checked the one in back." He thought fast. What were their priorities? "Kay, I need you to take one of their horses and get over to the doc's house and tell him what happened. He's got to come right now and get Grace. There'll be more coming when these don't come back. Stay there. I have to do a few things."
"I'm not dressed for riding," Kay said.
That sounded a little rattled to Deke. He helped her up and looked her in the face, "The dress doesn't matter." Then he smiled. "It's dark and no one can see you. Just go. Take your bag and your gun. Hell, go get your pants first, but hurry," and he kissed her lightly.
