The Gunslinger Who Came to Bury His Past — Then the Town Gave Him a Reason to Draw Again
CHAPTER 6
Reed lowered his gun.
“I had no choice.”
Gabriel stared at him.
“There’s always a choice.”
“Not when your child is involved.”
Ada stepped forward.
“Where is she?”
“With Boone.”
Gabriel understood immediately.
“Take me to him.”
Reed shook his head.
“They’ll kill you.”
Gabriel smiled without humor.
“They’ve been trying.”
Reed handed him a note.
“Boone wants you at the old mine.”
Ada grabbed Gabriel’s arm.
“Don’t go.”
He looked at her.
“You worried?”
“Yes.”
The honesty surprised both of them.
Gabriel softened.
“For the first time in years, someone is.”
He left before she could answer.
The old mine sat beyond the eastern ridge.
Boone waited inside.
Beside him stood Reed’s daughter.
Gabriel entered alone.
Boone smiled.
“You’re predictable.”
“No.”
Gabriel looked at the girl.
“I’m tired.”
Boone laughed.
“You still think you’re better than us.”
“I don’t.”
“Then why are you here?”
Gabriel looked at the girl.
“Because I know what it feels like when someone you love becomes a weapon.”
Boone’s smile faded.
Something passed through his eyes.
Recognition.
Pain.
Gabriel noticed.
“You knew my father.”
Boone said nothing.
“You were there.”
Boone’s hand tightened around his gun.
“Your father wasn’t the man you think.”
Gabriel stepped closer.
“Neither was mine.”
Boone looked away.
“The men who killed Samuel Shaw weren’t bandits.”
“Who?”
Boone whispered:
“Silas Vane.”
The name echoed through the mine.
Gabriel’s expression changed.
Boone continued.
“Your father discovered Vane’s land scheme.”
“Then why did you work for him?”
Boone’s voice became bitter.
“Because he had my brother.”
Gabriel froze.
“You had a brother?”
“Had.”
Boone looked at him.
“Vane killed him when I refused to burn another farm.”
The two men stood silently.
For the first time, Gabriel realized that the man he had intended to kill might be carrying the same wound he carried.
Then footsteps echoed outside.
Boone looked toward the entrance.
“He’s here.”
“Who?”
Boone whispered:
“Vane.”
