Partners in Crime

 by Samantha S. 

Photo Prompt #12 It's a Deal 

       Bart and his partner Blake shook hands, “It’s a deal.”

“Yep, remember, you take the horses and meet me at Silver Rock up in the mountains,” Bart said, staring hard at Blake

“You bet” Blake rode off, thinking about the deal and money tied in it, he hoped it wasn't going to be a mistake.   

Bart rode in the other direction, he had gotten Blake to help him steal the horses now he was all set, time for action! He rode on, studying the layout of the land, he made a quick map setting where everything was. “This going to work out great tomorrow morning” talking to himself. He hit the shack.

Bright and early, around 3 am in the morning Blake woke up, “Yikes, this is a bit early. He quickly got out of bed, got dressed and headed out. Blake yawned and went and saddled up his horse. He met up with Bart coming down the trail. “Ya ready, partner in crime?” 

“I’m ready as I’ll ever be,” answered Blake, 

“Good, let’s go,” Bart said, kicking his horse into a gallop. 

Bart and Blake rode along in silence. “Where are we heading first?” asked Blake

“A place called Pine Bent Ranch, then Triple L.”

“Okay, now, what's the plan?” Blake asked, wishing Bart would have told him more yesterday.

“Blake! It’s easy. Be quick and be quiet, it’s easy, here listen, we're gonna swing near Pine Bent first, get as many horses as we can, then onto the next ranch. Then to Circle C Ranch, from what I heard they are a mega horse ranch. We got to get as many horses as we could there. Thinking they had so many they wouldn't notice right away if a few were missing from the pastures. The horses are worth good money. Good old cold hard cash. Got it?”

Blake gulped, this was getting more tricky but he would of course do it! “Sure thing, boss.” 

“Good! Let’s go, we’ve wasted enough time already,” said Bart, Blake followed.

They reached Pine Bent Ranch, it was quiet so they got the horses and were out of there. Zippy fast. 

They didn’t find any horses at the other ranch, which was very strange but they didn’t think much of it and kept going. They reached Circle C Ranch! “We're here. Don’t mess things up, get the horses, be quick and be quiet.” Bart hissed in a low whisper. 

“Sure thing, mastser,” Blake answered

They rounded up the horses, real fast and galloped outta there. As they rode away they heard people shouting, “Hey! Thieves! Mitch, come on! Sid, Diego, Wyatt, Flint come on!” 

“We’ve been spotted! Giddy up we must hurry!" yelled Bart looking behind him, “This can’t be happening!” 

Blake looked back and he saw riders gaining fast, suddenly it dawned on him, “Bart! You know how there weren't any horses at the other ranch? Well, they are right behind us!” he yelled

“Oh no! Cut the horses loose!” 

Blake didn’t answer but cut the horses loose. Their horses sped up now there weren't any other horses slowing them down. Bart and Blake heard gunshots behind them but they kept riding. “Silver rock!” yelled Bart, things were fading fast, they had to hide, the horses were getting tired and they were worn out. 

Blake understood and turned his horse, they raced to sliver rock and disappeared. At least it looked like they had, they were only hiding in a hidden cave, they let the horse go free outside and dashed in. They heard the people talking.

 “Where did they go?”  

“I don’t understand, how did they just vanish like that?”

“I don’t know that, but, I do know who they are, it says here on the saddles of their horses, what! And look here!” a voice exclaimed, Bart and Blake froze, had someone found the important papers??? Bart had hidden them in the saddle bags and only told Blake about them. If they found those they were in big trouble! 

They heard the hoofbeats ride away, “We. Are. Free.” said Blake slowly. He stood, “Bart, I’m done, I’m calling off the deal, this was way too close. I can’t keep robbing other people of their hard-earned work. I’m going. Sorry Bart, but, bye.” Blake walked off, feeling a huge burden lift, Bart watched in surprise but didn’t say anything. 

Blake walked all the way to Circle C Ranch the next morning, he had been watching as they had ridden away so he knew the way. He wondered what he would say. As he walked in he saw a young girl watching him, as she saw him more clearly she gasped and ran inside. Less than a minute later she came back out with two young men. They marched up to him, the girl following. 

“You came last night and tried to steal our horses. Why are you here?” the tallest one said in a low voice.

Blake was frightened but answered “I know, and I’m sorry. I learned my lesson. I know better now. You can do whatever you want to me as long as you forgive me.” 

They gasped, “What did you say?” asked the shorter man

“I said that I’m sorry, I learned my lesson, I know better now. You can do whatever you want to me as long as you forgive me. I mean every word.” Blake added

“Come here for a minute.” the tallest one said to the girl and man. They walked a bit away and talked in hush whispers.

Blake was feeling faint from the lack of food and water the last few days and was getting unsteady. He was about to fall when the men came back, the girl in tow. “Is he alright?” asked the girl

The two men looked up and hurried to Blake’s side before he fell. Blake tried to say something but he couldn't. He fell into a blessed sleep. 

When he woke he saw fancy sheets and a fancy house. It was dark out, Must be night Blake figured. He was now wearing clean clothes and was washed up. Wait a minute, I treated these people real bad and now they are doing this? He made himself get out of bed and left a note saying “You were too kind to me after I treated you, stealing your horses . I need to saddle out of here. I still mean what I said earlier, please forgive me. I am leaving the stealing business for good. Blake Wayne.” 

Blake read over his note and laid it on the bed, he signed, “I don’t want to go but I must.” he said aloud to himself. He pulled himself up and left, he walked downstairs slowly downstairs, “Wow, this place is sure neat.” he said to no one but himself.

He went out and headed for the road to town. It was very dark so he couldn't see a whole lot but made his way to the road and walked. He kept going for a long time. The sky was starting to light up so he figured it was late morning. He walked into town a bit later. He took in the sights, he saw a place that had clothes for sale and went straight there. He had a few dollars, barely enough to buy the coat and pants. They were old and torn, but they had to work, it was all he could afford.

He went looking for a job. Very few places needed help but he found a job working at Goodwin’s Groceries. 

After working there for a few days he saw the girl who was at Circle C. He gasped and turned his head so she wouldn't recognize him. 

“Hey, Blake, could you help Andi here?” asked Mr Goodwin, as he motioned to the girl, he was busy helping another customer. 

“Sure thing, Mr Goodwin.” Blake stammered, 

He walked over to the girl, “Hello, how may I help you?” 

“I would like some -” the girl gasped and looked at Blake’s face. Blake knew he was found out, he turned to Mr Goodwin, “Excuse me but I must go.” he rushed out of the store. 

He went striding down the street. He glanced behind him, the girl was running after him. “Hey, you! Blake!” she called

Blake knew he couldn't ignore her so he stopped and waited till she caught up. He kept his head low, “What do you want?” he asked 

“Look at me.” the girl said

Blake looked up, “What?”

“You're Blake. Why did you run away like that?” she asked

Blake explained “I wrote a note, I had to go. I couldn't stay where you all treated me so nice after I attempted to steal your horses. I need to go now.” he turned to go when he felt his arm being grabbed. “What?” 

“You aren’t going anywhere. You're coming with me.” She yanked him to the lawyer’s office. 

“I can’t go there!” he exclaimed

The girl didn’t answer but made him go anyway. “Hey Andi, who’s this?” asked a man sitting at the desk.

“This is Blake.”

“Blake? The one who came to our place?”

“Yes, sir.” 

“So, Blake. Why did you run away a few nights ago?” the man asked

Blake wouldn't say. 

“I’m Justin, one of Andi's brothers. I run this lawyer's office. Now, won’t you tell me what’s going on?” Justin asked

“Well, Justin, I tried to steal the horses at your ranch, I am Blake Wayne. I left my partner because I’m done with risky stealing. I am currently working at the Goodwin store. For stealing your horses, well, you can do anything you want to me, as long as you forgive me!” he said, pleading.

Justin was quiet then said “You are forgiven, I know our brothers will agree. Right, Andi?” the girl nodded, “One thing, I want you to come home with us today and work at our ranch, you will be paid a salary and will get food and live in the bunkhouse with the other ranch hands.” Justin finished

“I will work for you but I won’t take any payment,” Blake said, not believing what had been said, he was forgiven! 

Justin frowned, “We will talk that over later. Are you all set to head home?” he asked

“I am,” the girl said “I’m Andi by the way.”

“Andy?” Blake asked, confused. 

Andi laughed, “It’s short for Andrea.”

“Okay, I get it now.” Blake said, “I need to stop and tell Mr Goodwin that I won’t be working for him anymore, is that okay?” 

“It sure is,” answered Justin

After stopping at the store they went to Circle C Ranch. Blake was worried about what they would think, as if Justin could read his thoughts he said, “Blake? I'm sure it will be fine, try not to worry about it. I understand your story and they will too,”

“Thanks, Justin,” Blake smiled gratefully. 

When they rode in, Justin and Andi's other brothers were there, “Hey! That’s the man who tried taking out horses!” shouted the tallest one “And came here a few days ago.” he added

“Chad, Mitch, meet Blake Wayne. Yes, he did try taking our horses but he repented and I offered him a job,” said Justin

“I’m Mitch, it’s nice to meet you,” said Mitch, shaking Blake’s hand. 

“Thanks,” said Blake, he was watching the other man, Chad, he assumed.

Chad frowned and Blake tensed up, “A job you say.” Chad said, walking up to him,

 “Yes, Justin offered pay but no, I don’t want it,” said Blake

“We’ll demand you take it, I’d like to hire you full time.” said Chad, he gave a crooked grin.

Justin and Andi were watching them smiling, Blake smiled back, “That sounds good, I can start right now. And Chad?”

“Yes?”

“I am very sorry for joining up with Bart and stealing your horses, I am truly grateful for the chance to make up,” Blake said

“Blake, you are forgiven, I’m sure the owners of Pine Bent will understand too,” said Chad,

“You are forgiven.” Mitch echoed.

“Thank you, now, show me what I should do! I’m eager to start!” exclaimed Blake, he meant every word with his whole heart.