Little Sharpshooter Chap 24

Randy sat up rather uncomfortably when they dismounted and unsaddled the horses.

“Yeah, I don’t know what got into Al. He was more interested in headin’ back here than findin’ food or water. But we got him to water eventually.” Trevor patted his side.

Randy clutched her pistol in her lap with both hands and was still pretty shaken. “Ya know, Al’s instincts are good. Of course I’m not sure if we’d all still be alive if y’all had listened to him.”

Bronson and Trevor both slowly turned and looked at Randy puzzled.

“What are ya talkin’ about?” Bronson asked tossing his saddle to the ground.

“Al was tellin’ you to come back for good reason.” She rubbed her jaw trying to rub away the memory of Clyde’s prickly whiskers.

Bronson’s eyes widened and he was instantly on his knees looking Randy over. “Did somethin’ happen to ya?” Bronson asked pulling her shirt closed and buttoning it for her.

Randy had to blink several times and swallowed hard. “Clyde was here. He just kissed my face and made me think he was gonna do more than that with a gun to my head. He thinks playin’ games with me is better though. He likes seeing me all shook up.”

Trevor’s face turned white as he kneeled beside Randy.

“What are you doin’ with this whole sharpshootin’ thing, Bronson? I know there’s more to it than just showin’ off my skill and makin’ bets.” She pressed her finger hard into his chest. “I saw the notes you stuffed in your pocket when ya came outta the sheriff’s office.

He hung his head. “Yes. You’re attractin’ men that have a price on their head. Clyde brought so many into that last town that I didn’t even expect to make that kinda money. I didn’t plan on keepin’ it for myself. It’s yours too. I just didn’t know how to tell ya.”

“The thing is, if ya tell me it’s more than winnin’ a buck off those sorry bettin’ fools then I’m more likely to go along with your plan.” Randy had fire in her eyes. “Clyde wants me scared for my life. He thought I’d turn on you, Bronson, for knowin’ what you were doin’ behind my back. He plans on usin’ Trevor to get to me, to hurt him to bring me down. But Clyde told me his plan. I can teach Trevor how to play the games, and if we keep nailin’ every outlaw between here and California, I don’t see how he’ll win.” Randy ran her fingers down the barrel of her pistol. “He’s waitin’ for us somewhere either in town or along the trail and he showed me that he knew I was hurt. There’s no use in us hurryin’ to the next town. We might as well wait for me to get better and teach Trevor a thing or two.” As soon as she finished talking, Randy didn’t waste any time to begin Trevor’s training.

After three days of recuperation for Randy and training for Trevor and three days of travel through storms and unrelenting desert heat, they finally spotted civilization off in the distance.

Randy felt a mix of emotions when they finally made it into town. The town was big enough that hopefully it would be hard for Clyde to track them down. She didn’t find it likely though. For the time being, she was happy to sleep in a bed that night and she reminded herself not to let the outlaw’s threats get under her skin.

When Randy took Al to the stable, he was giddy to enter the stall with a pile of hay and a bucket of water waiting for him.

She heaved her saddle off his back and followed Bronson and Trevor to the Hotel.  Everything she had missed so much was in their reach: a bath, hot food and a decent place to sleep. Even Clyde couldn’t take that from her at that moment. She put him out of her mind.

After they had eaten, Bronson fidgeted at the table.

“I’ve spent plenty of time with you smitten young’uns. I need some adult companionship of my own. I also need to talk Randy up to these folks for tomorrow. So you two better get some rest. I need you both with your wits about ya tomorrow. No hand holdin’ or horseplay! We already know Clyde is out to get Trevor because of you, Randy. You don’t need anyone else with a grudge to find out your weak spot is the boy.”

Randy didn’t have time to answer before he was off. The saloon was next door but he went right past it.

“I think he’s after some girly companionship over the bottle.” Trevor gave her shoulder a little bump with his before they turned to go inside the hotel.

Food had come first. A hot bath was calling her name.

The next morning Bronson paced the room.

“Since you know what I’ve been up to with collectin’ reward money, the sheriff knows I’m gonna do a little show with ya. I talked about ya all night long all over town. I told everyone you were James Carter’s daughter. That perked up far more ears than I thought it would way out here in Utah. So there’s loads of curiosity. You need to be sharp.”

“I haven’t failed ya yet.” Randy looked under the bed for her boots.

“Well ya got sick at the last one.” Bronson teased.

“But it was at the right time! We almost didn’t get outta that one safely.”

“Fine. But ya really got to be impressive. I want ya as girly as can be. You have to wear that fancy outfit ya haven’t worn yet.”

“But I like how the buckskin looks, and how it feels when I shoot. The other one is too tight.” Randy stopped putting on her boots and glared at Bronson.

“There’s a reason I got ya that. You’ll be far more impressive if ya come off like a proper girl and not a wanna-be boy. The name ya go by is bad enough. By the way, you will always be Miranda out there from here on out.”

Randy stood up and threw her boot at Bronson. He ducked just in time.

“I don’t like that you’re callin’ the shots here. I’m the one that does the hard work. I should get to say what people call me, what I’ll be wearin’, and how I’ll look out there. I don’t like that dressy outfit. It’s too stiff in the shoulders. I’m not sure how well I can shoot in it.”

Bronson towered over her. “I don’t need no lip from you. This time it has to be done my way.” He pointed his finger into her chest. “I’m the adult here and y’all are just a couple a kids. I have my reasons.”

Randy didn’t back away but she winced from the pressure from his finger in her chest and he relented.

“I think she looks all business in the buckskin myself,” Trevor chimed in timidly.

“I don’t care what ya think. We ain’t goin’ for the business look. She’ll attract more attention by comin’ off womanly. Ugh…” Bronson rolled his eyes and plopped down on the bed exasperated. He reached for Randy’s hand and pulled her closer to sit beside him. “All right. I’m not the best at explainin’ or bein’ all kind. The one that’s out to get ya is here. So are many of his friends. You’ll pull in more good guys and even some of the not so bad if you look a bit more innocent. I don’t want ya lookin’ like your askin’ for trouble. I want ya to sway them all with your charm. Which ya have when ya ain’t gotta chip on your shoulder. When you’re performin’ you become someone else and can win a crowd. I expect in that girly outfit and your playful way with a gun, the whole town will love ya and that’s what we want.” He took the time to meet her gaze with questioning eyes.

Randy sighed and her shoulders fell in resignation. “I get it. I’ll wear the dress.”

“I’m not gonna kid ya. I’m worried. There are far more of Clyde’s friends here than I anticipated. I suspect he’ll keep his distance and is gonna have someone else do his dirty work for him. So we gotta watch everyone.”

Randy did what Bronson wanted. She put on the stiff girly dress that she hated. It represented everything she didn’t like about being a girl. She seethed over having Bronson tell her what to do. But he had a point. It really wasn’t the show or the bets. They were helping the sheriff clean up the town. When they left the next day, they would be safer.

Bronson gathered a crowd at the end of town as she exited the hotel. He was a ways off still but she could hear his booming showman voice echo down the street.

The sheriff leaned against a post across from the hotel. As soon as she headed for Bronson, the sheriff followed.

Randy played with the turquoise stone around her neck making sure it could be seen. The sheriff in this town didn’t have many lawmen like the last town. He had a couple of deputies, and with the large number of Clyde’s friends, they wouldn’t be able to stop much. She wondered if the necklace would protect her like she was told it would. Not the best time to test it though.

Randy adjusted her shoulders trying to find comfort in the stiff material. Trevor lingered a short distance behind. He was told to stay out of the way and signal if he saw anything like what almost happened last time. Randy plastered her showy smile across her face. She approached with a little bounce in her step, even with the limp, and she sauntered into the center of the crowd.

Everything went according to plan. She started the show off by missing her first shot, showing up the second guy with an effortless one and gave him his second chance. Clyde lingered near the end of the line. When the line stopped growing, he joined it. But she paid no attention to him.

Some of the men she beat looked at her necklace more than they looked at her. When they were done with their turn, they lingered but so did most of the other men. Tension was building behind her as each man that lost fanned out creating quite the crowd.

Clyde was close. Randy was on her game once she compensated for the tight shoulders from her dress. Wanting to prove she wasn’t scared lit a fire in her. She knew better than to let it overtake her, it would be her undoing. The thing she noticed when she turned to wave in response to some of the crowd’s reactions was that women were also gathering. They usually stayed away from betting. One thing Bronson was right about, she brought in a whole different crowd with her bubbly attitude and lady-like dress. Some of the men that circled her were fidgety, messing with their guns. Each time she turned to show her appreciation to the cheering crowd after another good shot, they were even more edgy.

Finally it was Clyde’s turn. A broad friendly smile spread across Randy’s face, just like the one he showed her that day he tried to help her with Al. She waited politely for him to prepare to shoot. He was the last one before she would rematch the first man. Bronson only wanted her to have one gun for their little act. Randy wanted her second gun so she could show Clyde what she could do. A better idea struck her. Her hand hovered over her gun waiting for him to shoot. The breeze had been blowing off and on. The cards were flying to the side a short distance rather than flying backwards off the post before falling to the ground.

Clyde narrowed his eyes at her just before he carefully took his time to aim. When he shot, Randy quick drew her gun and shot immediately after him. He spun around and pointed his pistol at her as if she had done something to harm him. She threw her hands up in the air.  Many of the men standing around her drew their guns and pointed them at her too.

“I shot just after you instead of waiting for my own card.” Randy frantically explained with far too many guns pointed at her chest. Her chest tightened so much she felt as if she had already been shot and she could barely breathe.

The young boy that had been running after the cards during the contest retrieved the card. He excitedly waved it around.

“It has two holes!” Then he abruptly stopped noticing the all the guns pointed at Randy and Bronson.

“I don’t think this is wise.” Bronson pointed at Clyde with sweat dripping off his forehead. Randy swallowed hard when she realized Bronson didn’t know what to do.

“Why is that?” Clyde taunted. Then what happened next made Clyde’s jaw drop and shocked Randy.

The crowd that had not dispersed yet outside the ring of men threatening to shoot Randy drew their guns on all the outlaws. They were so outnumbered that some had two guns pointing at their backs.

“What is this?” Clyde asked in disbelief. “You ain’t a bunch of lawmen!” He screamed.

A broad smile spread across Randy’s face. She didn’t dare touch the necklace around her neck but it appeared it was doing its job. Clyde’s friends all dropped their guns. The sheriff and his deputies had their hands full handcuffing them all.

The sheriff pushed Clyde to head for the jail. Randy stepped in front of them and straightened out Clyde’s collar before she looked him in the eye.

“It seems I won this time. Just so you know, I’ve played games like this all my life. I aim to win.” She tugged on his rumpled shirt and leaned closer to his face. “I know that losers tend to die with these kinds of games and I have a lot of livin’ to do.” She gave him a friendly wave goodbye as he was hauled off to jail.

Randy shook the hand of every man that had protected her. It was obvious when she was done speaking with them all that the necklace had more than done its job.

Bronson and Trevor were jovial over their good fortune surviving what almost became another total disaster.

“Since we can breathe a little easier tonight with that fool and his friends in jail again, I think I’m gonna celebrate.” Bronson pulled out the notes he wanted, handed Randy the rest of the roll, and headed for the saloon.

“I thought you were goin’ sober?” Randy yelled after him, tucking the notes inside her shirt.

“All things in moderation, my dear. That goes for sobriety as well.” Bronson lifted his hat and nodded before he pushed open the doors to the saloon.

Randy kicked at the boardwalk.

Trevor rested his hand on her shoulder. “That means he’s not around to give us trouble.” His hand slid down her arm to her hand and squeezed. “Let’s go have somethin’ nice for dinner. I want all the decent food we can get our hands on while we’re here.”

“I agree.” Randy smiled, hugging Trevor’s arm as they walked together to the restaurant. The next thing she knew, someone yanked him away from her and pulled in between two buildings. Randy struggled to stay on her feet and wavered again when she saw Trevor was in danger.

One of the men from the competition held a knife at Trevor’s throat. He was broad shouldered and a little taller than Trevor.

Trevor pulled at the man’s arm that held firm against his chest but he was held tight.

“That competition was rigged. I want my money back. Give me my money or I slit his throat.”

“Wait, don’t hurt him. It wasn’t rigged, I promise. I really am a good shot.” Her heart jumped into her throat. She struggled to keep her composure as the man put more pressure on Trevor’s neck.

“I’m sure the boy was pullin’ out cards with holes already punched in them.”

“No, sir. Please don’t hurt him. He wasn’t a part of the contest. If you’ll let him go, I can give you what you want.” She held her empty hands out in front of her and stepped a little closer. He kept backing away. Randy met Trevor’s terror filled eyes. She raised her eyebrows questioning if he could get himself free. They worked so hard to prepare him for something like this. He steadied his stance, struggling to pull the man’s arm off. Randy brought one arm down by her side and made a fist. He shook his head ever so slightly.

“I ain’t lettin’ him go until you give me what I’m askin’ for.”  The man pressed the blade against Trevor’s skin. Unable to release the man’s grip at all, Trevor scrunched up his face as he shifted his body to the side. He grabbed the man’s crotch and pushed the blade away from his neck at the same time.

The man tried to pull away from Trevor’s grip.

“Don’t let go!” Randy could see it made Trevor squeamish but he held tight. The man squealed in pain. Randy stayed put so Trevor could finish what he started without her help. The man had no choice but to let go of Trevor. Still not releasing his grip on the man’s crotch, Trevor had the man’s arm in his other hand and twisted it until the knife fell out of his hand. Randy ran for the knife. But she didn’t need to worry about it. The man fell to the ground scrunched up in a ball, wailing in pain.

“Let’s go.” Trevor grabbed Randy’s elbow and they walked as fast as they could back to the boardwalk.

Randy clung to Trevor’s arm and beamed at him. “You did it! Just like I told you.”

“Well I can still feel pain in my own parts from doin’ that to him. Oh, man. I can’t believe I did that to another man.”

“You’re still alive aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t need me either, did you?”

“Heck no.” Trevor stood a little taller when they stepped inside the dining hall.

All eyes fell on Randy the moment they walked in the door. Murmuring filled the room. Some people smiled and acknowledged her as she went by. Others scowled and turned away. In hushed tones, she could hear her name mentioned repeatedly.

Once they sat down, Randy stared hard at the table. “Oh this is awful.” Her chest tightened just as much as it did when the man held a knife at Trevor’s throat.

“Don’t pay any attention to it.” Trevor folded his hands on the table and did his best to not look bothered.

When Randy glanced up, he was taking in what he could hear and his mouth was turned to the side like it did when he was unsure of himself.

Finally a woman came to take their order.

“Oh you’re the one they’re all makin’ a fuss over. Why you’re just a kid.” The lady smiled and her eyes lit up. “What a show that must have been. What can I get ya?”

When their food arrived, Randy focused her attention on her plate and on Trevor. Every new couple that arrived for dinner had something to say to her or about her. Everyone that left couldn’t take their eyes off Randy. Trevor took her hand so she would look at him. She gave him a pained smile.

“The attention is not all bad, you know,” Trevor said.

“I just don’t want any of it when the show is over.”

“Well, I think with what Bronson has been plannin’, you’ll have to figure out how to get use to it.”

“What do you think about all the attention?” Randy pushed potato around her plate.

“I’m fine with it but it’s not about me.”

“But bein’ with me got you some attention too.” Randy looked up at Trevor.

“Yeah. So?” He didn’t look at her.

“Bein’ with me is dangerous.”

“And you showed me how to handle it and here we are.” Trevor rested his hand on hers.

“If you liked a normal girl, you wouldn’t have to know things like that, would ya?”

“A normal girl wouldn’t suit me the way you do.” Trevor leaned a little lower to catch her eye.

She pressed her cheek into her shoulder, flushed, and smiled. “You always know the right things to say.”

“At least I’m good for somethin’.” He concentrated on finishing his steak.