Her One Desire

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

"I will gather the horses while you three go speak with John Calhoun then and meet you there," Sean told Steve and Luke.

"Good," Luke replied as he and Steve grabbed their bags and headed toward the bank.

"And I am going on to see Henry and Martha," Julie told them.

"Then I will go with you," Steve told her. "We don't know how many are here and Jim wouldn't like you walking the streets alone. They could use you just as well as Brandon to get to Jim. Luke you see John then you and Sean can join us at the general store when youre finished."

"Alright," Luke replied.

The three walked together until Julie and Steve entered the general store and Luke walked on to the bank.

When Julie and Steve entered the general store Henry was surprise but glad to see them and soon told Julie about Nate coming and taking Martha and Brandon out to his new ranch and Slim and his men following the man from Wyoming around town.

"Thank goodness Brandon is safe," Julie told her brother-in-law. "I have been worried sick about coming home and finding someone had taken him."

"And Slim saw to Tanner too," Henry added. "The boy is at the Rocking R for now."

"You said there is only one man," Steve asked.

"Yes a Hays Dorgan from Wyoming is what he signed in the hotel registry. Slim said he has been spending his nights at Red Larkin's place and has learned all about Jim, Samantha, Nate and Dusty and who their wives are and names of their children from some men he has been playing cards with."

"Oh, dear," Julie said. "He knows then the telegram supposedly from Sheriff Harper was a lie."

"That's what we think too," Henry told her. "And we think he qill talk with Harper sooner or later, maybe even today."

"And we all know what Harper will tell the man," Steve said.

"Yes he has hated Samantha for years," Henry replied. "And probably a lot of what he says will be lies."

"I wish we women could vote we would vote that man right out of office," Julie said.

"Well Jake's brought quite a few people into town so maybe that will come true the next election," Henry told her.

"But we need to find someone to run against him the people will vote for," Julie added. "That has been the problem over the years he has had very little competition for the job."

"Once Luke and Sean arrive we will take you out to Nate's new place," Steve said knowing how much Julie wanted to see her son.

"Could we stop by the house first so I can pack a few more clothes for my stay there and I would like to swap Nate's horse for our buggy?"

"If they have the room tell Martha to stay there until we know for sure this man has left town," Henry told her. I would rather her not be in town just now."

"She and I can share if we need too," Julie replied just as Sean and Luke entered the general store.

"We are going to stop by Julie and Jim's house for a few minutes while she packs some more clothes," Steve told Luke and Sean. "She wants to swap Nate's horse for her buggy and then well be going on to Blythe and Nate's new place. Brandon is there"

"That is what John told me too," Luke replied. "He also talked about the man from Wyoming and what he has learned. I gather Slim has kept everyone informed."

"Sean do you want to check on your children?" Julie asked him.

"I am sure they are fine," Sean replied knowing Tom wouldn't let anything happen to his children.