Sheriff Carter

by Kaitlyn B.

“Here it is, boys.” Clark Matten sawed at the mouth of his buckskin stallion, and the horse reared, pawing at the air. “Fresno.” He rubbed his hands together and grinned. “I can’t wait to get my hands on that Sheriff. He’ll learn that you don’t mess with a Matten and get away with it.”

 “Go do your job.” He instructed, turning to face his cohorts. “And remember, boys. Don’t kill him. Just bring him to me. We’ll meet back here.”  His three men galloped out of sight.

***

   Hank Clemmons peered into the window of the small office and watched Sheriff Carter prop his legs up on his desk, sipping a cup of coffee.

  All the Boss had talked about for the last couple months was revenge against this small-town lawman. Clark’s only nephew, Jeff, had been his pride and joy, and he was always stirring up trouble. But trying to attack the Sheriff with an Arkansas toothpick during a saloon fight was taking it too far. Now Jeff was dead.

  Hank’s eyes roved up and down the street. “This should be easier than stealing candy from a baby.” He drew his gun and reached for the door.

  “Howdy, Sheriff.” Hank raised his gun.

Chad Carter’s eyes widened. “Who are you and what do you want?”

“My boss is Clark Matten. You’re coming with me, and I suggest you be quick about it. Throw me your gun.”

The six-shooter landed at Hank’s feet. Chet and Bryce, Clark’s other men, snuck through the back door. Bryce jabbed his gun in Chad’s back. “Let’s clear out.”

 “Hey Chad, I’m ready to go…...” A voice trailed off. “Uhh… Who are you?”

  Hank whirled. A young girl, not older than twelve, stood in the doorway. Hank frowned his annoyance and moved to block her view. “None of your business who I am. Now don’t you have someplace to be.”

The girl laughed. “I’m right where I’m supposed to be, which is rare. My brother will be done work any second.” Her eyes widened when she caught sight of his Colt .45. “Say, why do you have a gun?”

Hank grabbed her arm. “I reckon you’re coming with us, too.” He jerked her out the door.

  Hank led the group down an alleyway to a clearing where four horses stood hobbled. “Sheriff, you ride that horse.” He motioned to a tired looking roan mare. “Your sister will ride with me. So, I suggest you don’t try anything funny.” Hank swung into his saddle, and jerked Andi up behind him. With a slight nudge of his heels, his appaloosa took off.

***

  An hour later, Hank slowed his horse to a stop in front of a run-down shack hidden in the mountains. Chet and Bryce’s horses whinnied and tossed their heads as their riders pulled them to an abrupt halt.

  “Boss!” Hank swung to the ground and pulled Andi down behind him. “We’re back!”

  A neat, middle-aged man stood at the doorway of the dilapidated building. “Did you get what I asked for?”

 Chad jumped off his horse. “Matten? Your men said you wanted to see me.” He crossed the clearing and stood in front of Clark, glaring.

 Clark chuckled. “So. You’re the man who killed my nephew.” Without warning, the butt of his gun crashed against the young man’s head, sending him to the ground in a crumpled heap.

 Andi screamed.

“Who’s the girl?” Clark’s eyes narrowed.

“She says she’s his sister.” Hank jerked a thumb at the unconscious man. “We figured if we didn’t bring her, she’d go home and squeal, and we’d have a posse on our backs in no time.”

 A genuine smile cracked Clark’s face. “Well done, m’boy. You’ll be as good at this as I am in no time.” He clapped Hank on the back. “Now get this girl outta here. Stash her somewhere where we don’t need to hear her snivelin’.”

  Hank grabbed Andi by the arm and nodded. He led her across the clearing, and into the shack. “Stay put.” He ordered, tossing her into a small lean-to leading off the cabin. “And stop cryin’, before I give you somethin’ to cry about.” He slammed the door shut and made sure it was locked securely before stalking off.

***

“Here’s your breakfast.” Hank barked the next morning.  Clark still hadn’t revealed just what he planned to do with the Sheriff, and his sister. Chad had come to last night and spent most of his time boring the outlaws with his fierce blue glares and trying to talk sense to Clark.  The girl, Andi, had spent the night crying pitifully, but now, a new resolve burned in her eyes.

“I’m not hungry.” She forced her clipped reply through clenched teeth.

 “That’s a lie.” Hank retorted. “You haven’t touched food since you got here. You have to eat.”

The girl raised her head. “Why are you with these men, Hank?”

Hank reeled at the unexpected question.

“You aren’t like the others.” Andi added. “You’re different, somehow.” She furrowed her brow, as if trying to figure Hank out.

 Hank checked his emotions. “I have my reasons. I’ll leave your food here. You have to eat eventually.”  

***

Hank sat in front of the blazing fireplace and listened to the sound of the men snoring around him. The cheerful blaze lit up the room almost cozily, but Hank didn’t notice. He hadn’t been able to get Andi’s question out of his mind all day. “Why are you with these men, Hank?”

His little sister, Mandy, had asked him the same thing when he’d seen her last, three months ago. “Why are you with these bad men, Hank?” She’d asked, imploring him with her innocent hazel eyes. He had swung her in the air and promised that it was for her good, but now he wondered.

Hank hadn’t always been an outlaw. He was born into a hard-working family and had a happy childhood. But then his Ma and Pa died in the cholera epidemic three years ago, when Hank was nineteen and Mandy was only nine. Hank had managed for a while to find odd jobs here and there, mostly on cattle ranches. But times were tough for the ranchers in Nevada.

Hank added another log to the fire.

Then Clark had come along, he remembered. And offered him a job, promising lots of money.  The “jobs” had started out innocently enough, but had grown shady gradually, until this last one. It was obvious that Clark had revenge on his mind, and bloodshed was inevitable.

“There has to be another way to save money.” Hank muttered. Clark promised that this job would pay well, but he still owed Hank money on the last two or three jobs. Crooked money, Hank realized. Money Clark got by stealing from innocent, hard-working people.

“I’ll never get that nice spread to settle down on with Mandy at this rate.” He thought forlornly. The little bits Clark gave him from time to time to tide him over, Hank used to pay an old schoolmarm in Nevada for watching Mandy. How Mandy had begged and cried to go with him when he’d left her three months ago. But Hank was afraid that she would get hurt. And if anyone dared to hurt his Mandy, Hank would whale the hide off of them.

The helpless look on Chad’s face when he’d seen Andi being treated roughly by Hank and Chet flashed through his mind, and he groaned. “I’ll leave Clark.” He decided. “I won’t be part of his bloodthirsty schemes any longer. And I’ll help the Sheriff and his sister escape too.”

He plotted their escape until the first rays of light peeked over the Sierra’s.

***

  “Hey boy.” Hank didn’t realize he’d fallen asleep until Chet nudged him with his boot toe. “Wake up. Our guests need their breakfast.”

Hank sat up and stretched. “Got it, Chet.” He set the heavy cast iron pan over the hot embers and sliced some potatoes to fry with the eggs. “Here you go.” He heaped a generous amount onto a tin plate and dumped it in Chad’s lap. The sheriff nodded his thanks.

  Hank made his way to the small lean-to. “Wanna come out here to eat?”  He asked, swinging the door open.

Andi’s eyes widened, then narrowed just as quickly. “What’s the catch?”

Hank shook his head. “No catch. Just thought you might like some sunlight.”

Clark raised his eyebrows when he saw Andi, but he just grunted and returned to his breakfast. As soon as he was done eating, Clark rose from his seat and started poking the fire. “We gotta move out.” He whirled suddenly. “By now, the posse is no doubt getting desperate, and they will not give up easily. I am not going to get caught.”

Hank’s mind raced. I didn’t know he’d want to move again…... I thought we were going to sit tight. How am I going to pull off an escape now? I’ve gotta think of something. He racked his mind for ideas desperately.    

  “Hank.” Clark’s sharp voice cut into Hank’s musing. “Get that girl back in the lean-to and go get the horses ready.”

Hank moved to follow his boss’s orders. As he slowly closed the door of the lean-to, he caught Andi’s eye and tried to give her a reassuring look, that it was gonna be alright.

  His fingers shook as he saddled the five horses. “Think, Hank!” He pleaded with himself. It was no use. There was no way they could escape now. His shoulders slumped as he trudged back to the shack. “Horses are ready, Boss.”

Clark nodded. “Good. Now we clear out.” He started for the door. “I’ve got a hide-out deeper in the mountains, where not even the most seasoned posse will find us.” Clark swung into his saddle, and Bryce and Chet did the same.

Clark jerked his head towards Hank’s gelding. “You take the girl. Carter won’t try anything stupid if his little sister is with you. He can take the roan again.”

Hank nodded and pulled Andi up behind him. Bryce, who had obviously been to this hide-out before, led the way, so he could alert Clark of any trouble they may run into.

   The first hour dragged by. The horses plodded through creeks and mountain woods. “Clark wasn’t lying.” Hank muttered to no one in particular. “This really is a hide-out.”

  He glanced around at the lonely mountain meadow they were cutting through.  Clark had stopped to water the horses, and their riders were taking the time to stretch.

  A sudden gasp from Chet caught Hank’s attention. The old man’s face grew pale. “Boss!” He whispered hoarsely. “The posse!” His finger shook as he pointed behind them.

Clark snorted. “Posse? I’ve been a mastermind at this for nigh on fifteen years, and no posse has ever found me. You’re an old man, Chet.”

 Hank followed Chet’s gaze. Sure enough, a dozen riders coming towards them in the distance. “You may want to look behind you.” Hank suggested.

  Clark whirled. Fear leapt into his eyes. “Not possible!” He looked wildly around. When his gaze fell on Chad, his face hardened. Gone was the fear from his eyes, replaced with an awful hatred that made Hank shudder. “I’ll kill you now, Carter.” He whipped out a six-shooter. “Just like you killed my nephew.” Carefully, he aimed the gun to Chad’s chest.

“NOOO!”

Andi scream pierced Hank’s heart. “STOP!” He ordered, throwing himself between his former boss and the sheriff. Hank heard a shot, and felt a searing pain, before he slipped into blessed unconsciousness.

***

 “Uhhhhh.” Hank moaned. He struggled to force his eyes open. “Where am I?” He tried to sit up and fell back with a groan. His fingers explored the bandage neatly wrapped around his left shoulder.

“You’re awake!” Andi flew through the door with a tray of food, grinning. “They told me I should leave you alone, but you want to see me, don’t you?”

Hank chuckled in spite of himself. “What happened?” His brow furrowed.

“Oh, I was hoping you’d ask.” She chirped, setting the food down beside him.   “After you saved Chad, Clark went wild. Apparently, he’d only loaded his six-shooter with one bullet that morning. He was trying to reload, when he saw that the posse was getting closer.” Andi laughed. “He took off on foot, right before the posse caught up! Chad arrested Chet, and they found Bryce at the hide-out, completely oblivious to the fact that anything was wrong!” Tears of mirth ran down her cheeks.

Hank grinned at the re-telling. “Did they get Clark?”

Andi’s grin faded. “Dunno. The posse tried to follow him for a while, but he was real good at covering his trail up. Chad said he was going to alert the sheriffs in other towns.”  

The sound of a wagon pulling up to the ranch house caused Andi peered out the window.

“They’re here!” She squealed excitedly.

 “Who?” Hank asked.

“Just stay here.” Andi ordered, bouncing out of the room.

“Like I’m going anywhere.” Hank laughed softly. “With that girl, I don’t see how life could ever be boring.”

  Andi burst through the door a minute later. “We have a surprise for you.” Excitement shone in her wide blue eyes. “A thank you for saving Chad. Close your eyes.”

 Hank obediently squeezed his eyes shut. “Now what?” He asked.

“Keep ‘em shut.” She giggled.

“What’s so funny?” Hank questioned.

 He heard more people enter his room.

“Alright.” Andi sounded breathless. “You can open your eyes now.”

 Slowly, Hank cracked his eyes open. Chad and Andi grinned at him from the doorway. His forehead creased. “Where’s the surprise? I’m confused.”

  “Here, Silly!” Chad and Andi moved to create room for a small figure to slide through.

“Mandy?!” Disbelief laced his words. “How did you get here?”

 His little sister threw herself onto his bed. “Sheriff Carter came and got me. He told me you were hurt, and I was so scared.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re alright!”

Hank pulled her close with his good arm. “Oh Mandy. It’s so good to see you.” He whispered.

   Hank looked up to thank Chad, but the man shook his head. “No thanks needed. It was the least we could do after what you did for me. And you won’t have to worry about Matten anymore either. I got word this morning that a sheriff in Nevada arrested him.” He grinned.

Mandy’s forehead creased in confusion. “But who will you work for now?” She asked Hank.

“Me.” Chad broke in. He caught Hank’s eye. “At least, I hope so. I saw how good you are with horses, and I need a wrangler. We have a place for you and Mandy right here on the ranch, and all your meals will be provided for. What do you say?”

  A shiver of excitement raced up Hank’s spine. “You got yourself a deal.”

Mandy sighed, and leaned back against Hank. “I’m so happy.” She whispered softly.

Hank brushed her forehead with a gentle kiss. “Me too, little sister. Me too.”