“As your mayor, it gives me great pleasure to welcome all of you to Green River’s second annual sharpshooters' jamboree AND shoot-off.”
As the gathering crowd cheered, Scott adjusted his hat low enough on his brow to shade his eyes and still peer out from under its brim. Assuming the familiar stance of placing his hands on his hips, the young man, at a distance, kept watch on his little cousin. Unknowingly, Kinsey had embraced the role of Ricochet Rose as she stood off from the others assuming a posture mirroring her older cousin’s.
“And this year, I am honored to have the glorious opportunity to include the lovely ladies of Green River in our competition.”
Another cheer, which was a higher octave but no less enthusiastic than the first, put a dazzling smile on Will Jenkins' face. Sensing Jenkins was just getting warmed up, Murdoch Lancer’s oldest son crossed his arms, leaned his backside on the top off a large oak barrel, got comfortable and glanced around for Johnny. Scott knew his younger brother had no doubt found his own vantage point to observe the spectators and the competitors.
‘Ah, the ladies.’ Scott grinned as his eyes appreciated their loveliness in contrast with the carrying of a firearm; the McGuire twins being an excellent example.
Obviously great thought was given to their attire for the day, however, their relic of a shared rifle had been a last minute suggestion. Scott made a mental note to stand back the first time their dusty repeater made its jamboree debut.
His sight then assisted his brain in listing what Scott decided were the “broken-hearted recently-armed females” Johnny’s safety should be concerned with. 'Sally Parkins, Jenny O’Neal, Margie Henderson, Angela Philips, Alice Worthington, Mary Mae McCalister, Polly...'
“This day was made possible due to the progressive thinking and foresight of Green River’s elected officials including...your mayor.”
The speaker abruptly had the older brother’s attention. ‘Dear God, Will, now is not the time to run for re-election.’ As Jenkins continued to take sole responsibility for today’s history-making event, Scott spotted a bobbing black hat slowly making its way to the front of the women competitors. The surfacing expression reflected on his cousin’s face put aside all doubt in Scott’s mind the young lady’s ability to actually stop a train and rob it. ‘Correction.’ he thought, ‘Not a train robbery; this is going to be a train wreck.’
“Let us not forget our good sheriff Val Crawford who immediately agreed to my vision of welcoming our fine talented women folk to this day’s event. Step aside Stockton! Green River…and their mayor...will be tomorrow’s headlines in San Francisco.”
Among the receptive town residents, Scott stopped and scowled towards the podium. ‘Dammit Jenkins. Shut up. The only headline you’re about to make will be on the obituary page.’
Returning his attention to the location of the black hat, Scott’s several long strides brought the arm of his donated blue shirt within snagging distance. ‘Time to derail this locomotive.’
The cousin soon discovered, judging by the hissing words reaching his ears, it was a steam locomotive he had a firm grip on.
“Let me go.”
“No.”
“What do you want?”
“A discussion.”
Kicking open the side door, the town blacksmith’s was the chosen destination by the train’s engineer for the conversation.
“Scott, what are you doing?”
“Look me in the eye, young lady, and tell me you weren't considering the possibility of shooting Will Jenkins.” Scott could see a dark cloud rolling in and held up his hand. “Wait. I can hear it now.“ Attempting an Aussie accent he continued. “Honestly, Scott. I barely shot him.”
“I do not sound like that!”
The older cousin rolled his eyes and kept going with his down-under cadence. “Bloody hell, yes you do.
Sighing, Kinsey pointed out the door towards the gathering. “He has no right taking all the credit for today.”
“And you have every right to be angry because he is.”
“He acts like the men are doing the women a big favor by letting us participate.”
“And they are. I know it’s not what you want to hear, Kinsey, but it's the truth. Sometimes in your life, there will be bitter medicine for you to swallow because change doesn't happen overnight and you need to accept that.”
Silence.
“Or go shoot Will, but I can tell you right now, Val won’t be happy the jamboree got delayed.”
A slight smile briefly appeared to dissipate the thunderstorm. Mayor Jenkin’s final thoughts on his visionary ideas for his beautiful town of Green River indicated the women’s event would be commencing shortly.
“You know, Freckles, I'm looking forward to teaching you a lesson in the shoot-off.”
“You plan on winning the men’s competition, are you?”
“I am.”
Taunting each other occupied the Lancer brothers as they watched the ladies aim at the paper targets and work their way through the elimination brackets to the final two.
“Johnny, isn't that Polly Mayers holding a gun? Didn’t she say the next time you saw her it would be your last?”
“One of the McGuire twins was lookin' for you, Boston. She needed help tendin' to her rifle, under a full moon, by Martin’s Lake.”
The sound of a shot followed by shattering glass brought laughter and cheers from the spectators. Madeline McGuire had gotten off a wild shot and broke a side window to the undertaker’s establishment. Johnny couldn't resist.
“Don’t worry Maddie! Place is closed for the day. You ain't gonna disturb anyone layin' down in there!”
When not teasing his younger brother, Scott proudly watched Kinsey compete. Two other ladies had good aim but it was obvious his cousin’s marksmanship was better. In fact, her handling of the Yellowboy had improved considerably. Then, like Val’s buzzin’ horsefly on a summer's day, something began to bother Scott.
“Johnny, do you see that?”
The younger brother, looking in the opposite direction, chuckled. “Yep, we got old Howie sweatin’ and wringing his hands. Kinsey’s shooting has got the boy in a panic.”
Scott tapped Johnny on the shoulder. “That’s what I mean. Kinsey’s shooting. Watch her. Were you taking her out for target practice?”
Squinting, Johnny’s head turned in the direction his brother was pointing. “She never asked me for help and I didn't offer. Thought you were working with her.”
The older brother nodded. “I was but not these last few weeks when we started getting ready for today.” Pointing, again, “And that’s not how I showed her to stand and sight in.”
Scott crossed his arms and stared. ‘What is it? Why does her stance look familiar?’
Kinsey took her shot. The applause told the two brothers she had moved on to the final round. And then it happened. Ricochet Rose flashed a quick smile to someone in the group of spectators. Scott followed her line of sight to catch a glimpse of a tall man give a nod of acknowledgment and then turn his back. Now Scott knew why Kinsey’s stance looked so familiar.
“Johnny, I think we might have a problem.”
Johnny agreed with his big brother as he watched Howard Aspinwall finish his conversation with Mayor William Jenkins and head their way.
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