Gone to the Ranch

Ezra awoke with the warm sun shining thru the open window and the sound of people on the street below. He slowly opened his eyes to see young Marcos sitting at the round table in the corner of the room with Ezra's books open in front of him. Good Morning Marcos, Ezra said as the young boy jumped out of the chair and to the floor to face him. Good Morning Mr. Ezra, he replied. I see you have found my Bible and my Journal Marcos, I was not aware that you could read, he said to the boy. Yes, Ms Kitty has a teacher that taught all of the boys and girls to read, she says it is very important. The boy replied. Yes indeed Marcos, it is very important to know how to read. Now you can go ahead and read my Bible as much as you like, but as for my Journal, well, there are things in there a Boy your age just shouldn't know about yet. Do we have an understanding? Yes Senior, he replied. That a boy, now go down stairs and get me some breakfast, I have a long day ahead of me. Yes Senior, Marcos replied, and hurriedly left the room.

Hawkins set up against the headboard of the bed to clear his head. It had been almost three days since the incident in front of the Sheriffs office and his near run into Dallas. Since than Dallas had been making a methodical search for Hawkins and had even asked Cade about him. Hawkins knew it would happen when the two had made eye contact, When a man has been in enough confrontations and looks another man in the eyes, it truly is a window to the sole, and Hawkins knew that Dallas had seen Hawkins Blue Eyes of a Gun Fighter, and would be searching for answers as to why he was in town. He got out of bed and walked to the small water closet to wash his face. He heard Marcos open and close the door and set breakfast on the table. Mr Ezra, Mr Cade say that Scotty arrived last night on the stagecoach. He is working the bar for now, and you will see him later. Thank you Marcos, Hawkins replied, has he dried his face and his hands with a small towel and went to sit at the table to eat the Eggs and beans that Marcos had brought up from the Kitchen. Hawkins sat eating Breakfast and reading the small Bible that lay open on the table. Hawkins had found God during the War, and the Lord had served him well. He struggled nearly everyday, as many men did, but not with his faith did he struggle. He knew God existed and had set him on the path that he followed. He struggled with the things he had done along the path, and if even today he was making the right decision, using his skills to help those who needed it, but shedding the blood of evil men, hoping he was not becoming like the men he had killed.

He finished his breakfast and got dressed in a pair of brown pants, a green shirt, and a brown coachman's hat. He asked Marcos to have a buckboard wagon parked behind the hotel with a horse that he could ride out to see Cole Dakota. He took a short barrel shotgun from the chest and walked downstairs thru the kitchen and out the backdoor of the Desert Rose to find the buckboard wagon parked just as he had asked. Dame, Marcos is a smart and trust worthy lad, Ms Kitty has taught him well, he thought to himself. Hawkins drove the buckboard thru town as he new it would draw less attention then a man on a horse full armed. Several of Miles Andres men rode by paying little attention to him as he drove the buckboard wagon out of town and out to Cole Dakota's Ranch where he planned to stay a few days. Caed should find the note he left on the table for him, and would most likely be thankful to have a few nights rest, without Hawkins snoring away on the bed next to him.

It took a few hours to reach the Ranch and he was welcomed by Rooster on Horseback pointing his shotgun at Hawkins. That's far enough mister, Rooster shouted. Now is that anyway to treat me Rooster, Hawkins replied. Hawkins, What are you doing on that Buckboard, Rooster asked? Well, if I wanted Miles Andres men to see and follow me out here to the Ranch, I would have put on my Burgundy Jacket, my Guns and got on a big black horse and led the parade out of town Rooster, He replied. Makes since to me Amigo, head on up to the house, I think the Boss is eating lunch. Hawkins drove the buckboard wagon up to the house and a young cowboy took the horse and wagon to the barn. Cole walked out of the front door with a napkin in his hands wiping stew from his mouth. I see you were able to sneak out of town Hawkins. Hawkins shook his head in agreement and shook Cole's hand. Come on in the house we have much to discuss. Yes we do, Hawkins replied in agreement. The two men enterd Cole's office on the first floor on the three story house. Cole light a Cigar while Hawkins explained that he had almost everything in place. Caed had gathered some very useful information on Mile's men and had a good plan in place. Scotty had arrived unnoticed in town and would prove useful as always. Cole and Hawkins discussed how Rooster and the Tall Texan wanted to assist in taking down Dallas as well as himself, but Hawkins didn't want to see the men get killed. He knew they were good and trustworthy men and would be of use, but in a fight like this it was sure to get bloody and any hesitation at all could mean the difference between life and death. Cole and Hawkins finally agreed to let Rooster and the Tall Texan cover them and be ready if needed in the Desert Rose Saloon. Hawkins told Cole that it would all be over in a few more days and that the town of Wickenburg would be back to normal soon. The two men talked for several more hours discussing the plan in detail, and Hawkins stayed the night and returned to Wickenburg the next day.