The Rancher’s Dog Laid Flowers in Her Lap… He Said, “I Think God Is Trying to Tell Me Something”
Chapter 13
The attack began after dark.
Torches moved through the fields.
Men shouted.
Horses screamed.
Thomas organized the farmers around the ranch.
They had muskets.
Hunting guns.
Axes.
Pitchforks.
They were not soldiers.
But they knew what they were defending.
Margaret carried water from the well.
Women gathered children inside the house.
The preacher prayed.
Gideon ran between the men.
Thomas stood near the gate.
Mercer’s men advanced.
A shot cracked.
Another answered.
Smoke filled the yard.
Margaret saw Thomas fall.
She screamed.
But he rose again.
A bullet had struck the wooden post beside him.
Then Gideon charged.
The dog seized the coat of one attacker and pulled him to the ground.
Another man raised his pistol.
Margaret grabbed a fallen branch and struck his wrist.
The weapon fell.
The man ran.
Thomas stared at her.
“You shouldn’t be out here.”
“You’ve said that before.”
“And you didn’t listen.”
“No.”
He laughed.
Even in the middle of the attack, he laughed.
Then a torch hit the barn.
Fire climbed the wall.
Margaret ran toward it.
Inside were the documents.
Thomas followed.
Smoke filled the room.
They found the chest.
Margaret grabbed the papers.
A beam crashed behind them.
Thomas pushed her forward.
They escaped through the side door.
Outside, Gideon barked furiously.
Mercer himself stood across the yard.
“You’ll never keep that land.”
Margaret stepped forward.
“No.”
Mercer raised his pistol.
Thomas moved in front of her.
A shot exploded.
Thomas fell.
Margaret dropped beside him.
“Thomas!”
Blood darkened his shirt.
He looked at her.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you something.”
“Don’t.”
“I love you.”
Her breath caught.
“You can tell me tomorrow.”
He smiled faintly.
“I’d rather not wait.”
Then the sound of horses thundered from the road.
The judge had arrived.
And behind him were twelve armed deputies.
Mercer’s men began to flee.
Mercer turned.
Gideon stood behind him.
The dog growled.
Mercer froze.
