# 94 Blood Ties

Blood Ties

By
Patty Wilkinson

(Some adult themes, violence and strong language)

Chapter 1

It was early Spring and the men folk at the Sherman Ranch and relay were in a state of turmoil as Daisy, their beloved housekeeper, went about her annual Spring Clean.
Mike, the rancher’s young ward, had suffered most under the onslaught; having to tidy his room and re-house his pet racoon to a pen in the yard. However Slim Sherman and Jess Harper had escaped practically unscathed, simply retiring to the barn saying they had work to do, “Harnesses to mend and the like,” Jess had added vaguely.
Now on a bleak March afternoon the couple sat in the barn looking and feeling deeply miserable.
“Don’t fret Jess, Daisy’s bound to settle down and turn her hand to the vegetable patch once the warmer weather arrives.”
“Yeah and when will  that be?” Jess asked morosely, peering out at the grey scene beyond the barn door.
Slim just shrugged, “Come on Pard let’s go see what’s for supper huh.”
“Probably cold cuts again,” Jess said looking even more hard done by, “she said she was doin’ out all the kitchen cupboards, shouldn’t think she’s had time to cook.”
However, Jess immediately realized he’d been mistaken when they opened the door and the delightful smell of beef stew assailed their nostrils, both men perking up immediately.
They were just finishing the first course when Jess made the tactical error of asking Daisy how the cleaning was going.Read More »

#93 Back to the Bad Old days

Back to the Bad Old Days
By
Patty Wilkinson
(Some violence, strong language and adult themes)

Chapter 1

The Reverend Joshua Wesley had been sitting in his chilly vestry, writing his Sunday sermon for over two hours. He stretched and decided to call it a day. Tidying his desk, he moved over to the door connecting the little room to the main Church and then stopped in his tracks...the man was there yet again...
He was shabbily dressed in a dusty old black frock coat and wore a black Stetson with a bright red hatband, adorned with a single feather. He looked like someone on the drift...or possibly a miner Joshua thought as he viewed him more closely...That would account for the bulky saddle bags he carried with him; and the pack mule that had been lodged over in the livery for the last few days.
Joshua had done his best to try and help the sorely troubled looking man, who had visited the Church daily. But every time he’d approached him, he rushed away...muttering he was fine and was not in need of help. The good Reverend had made it his duty to try and seek out the man in town. But other than the fact that his horse and mule were at the livery, nobody else appeared to have clapped eyes on him, save the Padre. According to old Bert at the livery...nothing was known about the stranger.
Now as he watched the middle-aged man kneeling in prayer...his expression one of intense despair, he knew he must help him. He walked quietly over and sat in the pew beside him, effectively blocking his exit.
After a while the fellow sat up and looked over to the Padre, before desperately seeking an escape route.
“It’s alright,” Joshua said placing a gentle hand on the older man’s sleeve, “whatever troubles you I’m sure the Good Lord will help...and maybe I could too, if you’d care to share your problems?”
The man sighed and then looked deeply into the Reverend’s eyes and said decisively, “Yes, the time has come...”
Joshua said nothing but just sat quietly waiting for him to continue.
He finally pulled himself together... “I have been coming here daily Padre to try and find the strength...the courage to go and confess to a terrible crime I have committed. Now is the time; I must seek out the Sheriff and tell him everything.”
“There is a greater law than the Sheriff you know,” Joshua said quietly, “have you confessed your sins to God?”
He nodded, “Oh yes...but you see I never really meant to kill him Padre...it was an accident...really it was!”
Joshua tried to hide his shock, “You killed a man, my son?”Read More »

#92 Hell Hath No Fury Like ...

Hell Hath No Fury Like…

By

Patty Wilkinson

(Strong language, violence and adult themes)

Chapter 1

Jess Harper had a secret tryst with his girl Millie Johnson. He’d been drinking in the saloon where she worked, along with Slim Sherman and Sheriff Mort Cory all evening. But just now Millie had gone off duty, giving Jess a little wink and a wave as she had disappeared upstairs to her room.

He waited five minutes and then made his farewells. Slim knew better than to ask where he was off to, knowing full well. Also knowing what a private man his pard was and sure wouldn’t want his personal business spread around the saloon. So, he just nodded and with a brief, “See you later,” returned to his conversation with Mort.

Jess made his way down the dark alleyway at the side of the saloon, heading for the outside fire escape, knowing that Millie would be waiting at the top to let him in.

He must have been about halfway down the alley when someone leapt out of the shadows and brought a rifle butt down hard on the back of his head. He fell like a stone...but then moments later rallied and tried to get up as blows from his attacker rained down on his face and chest...while another booted him in the guts...the last thing he heard before everything went black were Millie’s frantic screams.Read More »

#91 The Mysterious Christmas

The Mysterious Christmas

By
Patty Wilkinson

Some strong language, adult themes and violence

Chapter 1

Jess Harper pulled the saddle off, and led Traveller into his stall to commence rubbing him down.
It had been a mild day for early December and both of them had worked up quite a sweat on the gallop back from the east pasture where Jess had been mending fence.
A few minutes later Slim Sherman wandered in, a bridle he’d been mending in his hand. He hung it up and then turning to Jess said, “All done then?”
“Yup good as new, and I mended that latch on the gate too.”
Slim nodded, “Good. So, you’re still all fired up about going up to the Crawford spread before Christmas to deliver those green broke mustangs?”
“Oh, come on Slim you know as well as I do, I promised old man Crawford I’d deliver them in time for the Big Day. He’s bought them for his twin grandsons as Christmas presents you know.”
“Yeah, I know it... But I just can’t help thinking it is kind of convenient,” Slim continued with a wry smile. “You heading off just when Daisy wants the house turned upside down with all the cleaning for the Christmas party. Not to mention all that gift and food shopping she’s hankering to do.”
“Well, I’m no great shakes at all the shoppin’ fer fancy stuff Slim, that’s more in your line. Besides iffen we want a nice fat Christmas bonus I need to get those mares off our hands before they eat us out of house and home too.”
Slim looked thoughtful, “I guess you’ve got a point there and he is paying top dollar.”
“Well, there you are then...and I’ll be back before you know it. I’ll call in and visit with Red Smith and his Ma on the way back, Daisy wants me to take some gifts. But I’ll be back the week before Christmas; Christmas Eve at the latest.”
“I’d like you back the week before Christmas,” Slim said firmly, “at the very latest Jess. There’s the Christmas tree to cut, the turkey shoot, extra logs to be chopped, so don’t think you’re getting off lightly...no swanning in just in time for a Christmas Eve drink.”
“OK, OK quit yer fussin’ I hear ya.”Read More »

#90 The Reluctant Bride

The Reluctant Bride
By
Patty Wilkinson

For my dear friend and Beta Reader Extraordinaire Bertie Whiskin on the occasion of my 90th Story!

(Some adult themes, strong language and violence)

Chapter 1

Dawn was breaking at the Sherman Ranch and Relay Station and Mrs Daisy Cooper, the housekeeper, made her way quietly across the parlor and began to rake the embers of the fire into life. She shivered a little and looked out at the white wilderness beyond the window. More snow had fallen overnight she noted.
Once she was satisfied there was a good blaze going in the parlor fireplace, she made her way into the freezing kitchen and rolling her sleeves up lit the cook-stove and began preparing breakfast.
In the bedroom on the other side of the ranch house Slim Sherman awoke and stretched languidly; listening to the comforting sounds of Daisy rattling the pans in the kitchen.
Then he glanced over at his pard Jess Harper, still fast asleep in the other bed. His bedding was in the usual disarray after another night of dreams. Jess himself lay spread-eagle on his stomach across the bed his face hidden in the depths of his pillow.
Slim got up and padded across the room and proceeded to wash up, shave and dress before returning to look down at his friend.
“Hey Jess wake up,” he said, “breakfast’s on.”
When Jess lay there unmoving Slim shook him none too gently, “Wake up…time to rise and shine,” he yelled in his ear.
This provoked a muttered curse as Jess shifted position and pulled the blanket more closely around him.
“Jess come on, snows down and the chores are going to take forever,” Slim said forcefully, “git up darn you!”
Jess muttered something very rude and physically impossible, making Slim chuckle and slap him hard on his naked back, “Save the insults just get up huh buddy...I’ll go pour you a coffee,” and with that he left the room shaking his head and smiling.
Daisy greeted him with a loving smile as he entered the kitchen, “Good morning Slim dear. Could you just go and milk the cow, we seem to be right out,” she added apologetically.
He nodded and donning his warm coat made his way across to the barn.
When he returned, Mike, their blond headed young ward, was seated at the breakfast table along with Daisy who was pouring out the coffee.
“Jess isn’t up yet,” she said as Slim entered.
He rolled his eyes, “Still in the land of nod, I guess. I swear he’s getting harder to wake up the older he gets...and ornerier too,” he added, marching over to the bedroom door.
“Jess get your sorry hide out here this minute or so help me I’ll...” then turning to see Mike watching him with interest, added weakly, “or I’ll be real mad at you.”
Daisy chuckled and said quietly, “That’s telling him.”
Slim came back to the table and gave her a rueful smile and said softly, “I guess little ears don’t need to hear what I’d really like to do to him.”
“Aw Slim you’re no fun,” Mike piped up causing Daisy and Slim to laugh out loud.
Slim ruffled the youngster’s hair and said, “You don’t miss a trick do you Tiger.”
However, before the child could reply the bedroom door creaked open and Jess wandered out.Read More »