Page 50 of Heart of Mystic Valley
As Brodie and Nash prepared to mount their horses, Joshua stepped forward, his azure eyes glinting with resolve. “Mind if I ride along with you fellas?”
Brodie nodded, a hint of understanding in his expression. “Sure thing, Joshua. We’d welcome the company.”
Joshua turned to his family. “I’ll be back before sundown.”
Heading toward the barn to saddle Jupiter, he considered the best way to approach Faith about the confession he’d made.
“You ready, Josh?” Brodie’s voice echoed from outside.
“Coming,” he called back, leading Jupiter out into the yard.
As he swung into the saddle, Joshua couldn’t help but notice the knowing looks exchanged between his siblings. Nathan’s smirk, in particular, rankled him.
“Something amusing?” Joshua asked, his tone light despite the nervousness churning in his gut.
Nathan chuckled. “Just wondering if you’d pick up the latest edition of the Gazette while you’re in town.”
Not willing to be dragged into mentioning Faith, he shrugged. “Be happy to.”
As the three men rode away, his thoughts drifted to a certain woman with green eyes, blonde hair, and a stubborn character stronger than most men he knew.
“You seem distracted,” Brodie observed, breaking the silence. “Something bothering you?”
Joshua forced a smile. “Nothing important. Let’s pick up the pace.”
The three men urged their horses forward, the uncertainty of what lay ahead spurring them on.
When they entered Mystic, the late afternoon activity of the town enveloped them. The familiar sights and sounds filled Joshua’s senses as his gaze darted toward the newspaper office.
“I’ll be heading to the jail,” Brodie announced, reining in his horse. “Josh, if you have time, stop by before you leave town.”
“Will do.”
Parting ways, Joshua’s anticipation grew. He guided his horse down the street, his heart pounding when he spotted Faith through the front window of the Gazette office. As he dismounted, a commotion erupted from the Starlight Saloon across the street.
The doors burst open, and two men stumbled out, locked in a heated brawl. Joshua recognized one as Tom Hawkins, a rancher with a hot temper. The other was a stranger.
“You cheatin’ snake!” Tom swung wildly at the stranger.
Joshua hesitated, torn between intervening and continuing to the newspaper office. The decision was made for him when he caught sight of Faith stepping onto the boardwalk, drawn by the noise.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Faith’s expression was a mix of surprise and something causing Joshua’s heart to skip a beat.
The moment was shattered by a pained cry. The stranger had gained the upper hand, pinning Tom against the hitching post. A knife appeared in the stranger’s free hand.
Joshua’s blood ran cold. Who was this man, and what had started the fight? As he walked toward them, ready to intervene,he caught Faith’s attention once more. The determination in her gaze matched his own.
With the stranger’s back to him, Joshua’s hand inched toward his pistol. But before he could act, the scene before him changed in an instant. He stood rooted to the spot, his hand hovering near his holster as he watched the scene unfold before him.
Aggie Price, her graying hair pulled into a tight bun, had emerged from the Golden Griddle with surprising stealth. In her hands, she wielded a heavy wooden rolling pin like a seasoned warrior. Before the knife-wielding stranger could react, Aggie brought the improvised weapon down hard on his wrist.
The man yelped in pain, his grip on the knife loosening. Tom, seizing the opportunity, ducked and rolled away from his attacker.
“You meddlesome wench!” the stranger snarled, whirling to face Aggie.
Joshua’s gut twisted. “Aggie, get back!” He began drawing his six-shooter when he spotted Brodie rushing toward the widowed co-owner of the Golden Griddle.
“Aggie, step away,” Brodie called.
