Page 6 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

“Hello there, sheriff!” Dirk Price smiled, wiping his hands on a rag as he walked out of the stable. “A nice Friday, huh?”

Daxton pulled the brake on the buckboard and wrapped the reins across the front bar. “It’s lovely but getting a bit hot already.”

Dirk reached for the reins. “Well, at least it’s still cool in the morning and at night… for now.”

“You want me to unhitch the team?” Daxton took off his cowboy hat and ran his fingers through his dark brown hair, then slid it back into place.

“No, need.” Dirk smiled as he climbed into the buckboard. “It’s the least I can do for all you’ve done for me.”

Daxton chuckled. “Hey, what are neighbors for?”

“Thanks.” Daxton knew how lucky he was to live in such a wonderful town, and he intended to keep it that way.

“Don’t worry about Betsy and Bees, I’ll take good care of them.” Dirk sat on the bench, reins in hand, and took off the brake.

Daxton nodded. “Thanks, Dirk. I’ll see you later tonight.”

Dirk nodded and then clicked his tongue. The team jerked forward, and he took them around to the back of the barn. Dirk let Daxton park his rig in the back out of the way and he cared for his horses while he was at work. Daxton chuckled to himself. Betsy and Bees. His children had named them years ago and the names stuck.

Within minutes, he walked down the wooden walkway, nodding to the bank owner as he passed.

“Sheriff.” Dallas King smiled. “You and the kids coming to the ranch this weekend?”

Dallas had made a complete turnaround since he married Megan, a lovely girl from Ireland. Not only was she beautiful, but she was strong enough to handle Dallas, which he needed. And look out when she was mad! Whoo wee, did she have a temper! She probably needed it to keep Dallas in line. “Not sure if we’ll make it out or not, but we’ll try.”

Dallas smiled. “Well, we hope to see you there.”

“Thanks for the invitation, though.”

“You bet.” Dallas tipped his hat and then headed back into the bank.

A bell rang when Daxton walked into his office. He installed it after Colton Hill—his friend and a sometimes deputy—almost shot Dallas when he barged in unexpectedly one time.

“Afternoon, sheriff!” James chirped, a bit too eager.

Daxton nodded as he sat down at his desk. “James.” He looked over at the jail cell and no one was there. “Haven’t arrested anyone yet?”

James’s eyes opened wide. “No, not yet, but it’s still early.”

Daxton laughed. “It was a joke.”

“Oh, yeah. Right.” He walked over to the wall where all the Wanted posters were kept. “The post rider delivered the newWanted posters on his way to the post office this morning. I took the liberty of hanging them up.”

Daxton clasped his shoulder. “Good work, James. You’ll make a fine sheriff one day.”

James blushed. “Thanks, sheriff.”

Daxton perused the Wanted posters and stopped when he came to two men. One was obviously younger and handsome, with light brown, wavy hair. The other was older, rugged looking, with a mean look in his eyes. “The Slater Boys.”

James let out a deep breath as he looked over Daxton’s shoulder. “Yep. It says here that they’re brothers.”

Daxton crossed the room to his desk and started shuffling papers. “Yes, but don’t let the younger one’s appearance fool you. They’re both meaner than snakes. Every lawman in this county has been after them for years.”

James leaned closer to the poster. “It says here that they’re both wanted for murder and armed robbery.”

Daxton sat back and looked out the window, taking in the bright, golden sunshine. It was welcome after the long winter. Looking outside now during the summer, it was hard to believe that in six more months it would all be covered in snow again.

The sheriff crossed the room to the door and looked out. “They did more than that, I’m sure.” He glanced over at James. “Well, I’m going for a walk to check on the town and take in the morning sunshine before it gets too hot. Stay here and keep an eye on the office.”

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