Glass shattered and flew everywhere. I felt a few small shards but I was up and running to the back door hoping to see and possibly get a shot off, but the snow hindered me. When I finally made it out to the street all I could see was the backs of two riders.
As I was standing there looking down the road, I felt a tug on my shoulder. I turned and there was a rider coming from a side street firing. They had set me up. I dropped to one knee, lifted the Greener and fired both barrels. A scream came from the horse as it went down, the rider had been knocked off with the blast.
Drawing my pistol I moved slowly toward the downed horse. The horse was breathing hard, snorting, but I was more concerned about the rider who had shot at me. Upon closer inspection I had no need to be worried for he took most of the blast in his neck and upper chest. He wasn’t moving, but had already moved on to eternal judgment.
By that time a crowd was beginning to assemble. I glanced toward the eatery and saw Molly standing in the doorway. I raised my hand to let her know I was all right. Doc Jones was kneeling by the deceased and coming up the street was Marshal Gold. There wasn’t anything I could do so I walked to Molly.
Both windows had been shot out and Molly took me by the arm. Walking in I saw Marta wiping blood off Hannah. Greta was sitting there and appeared to be all right. It then came to mind that I should check Molly. I noticed a small cut on her neck, but it wasn’t currently bleeding. Hannah had been sitting to the side of Molly and she seemed to have taken several small pieces.
I tried not to make eye contact with either of them and went to the stove and the coffeepot.
“Miles Forrest!” cried Greta. “You care only about a cup of coffee and didn’t even ask how we are? We can’t even bring you eggs and sit down without you bringing trouble down on us!”
Doc and Gold came in at that time, saving me from her wrath. Charlie motioned for me to sit. “Tell me what happened.”
I proceeded with the events and then stopped. “Doc, make sure that Trenton gets a look at that rider.”
“Not much to look at,” said Doc. “Most of his lower face was gone from the blast. But, I’m ahead of you Miles. I already went to get Trenton. He’s not in his room,” he paused. “And he’s not here.”
“Doc,” came the voice of Marta. He nodded and went to look at Hannah.
I finally got around to pouring me a cup of coffee. “Finished Charlie? I’m going to saddle up while I have a fresh trail.”
It was then that Molly exclaimed. “Miles, you’re bleeding!” I had forgotten about the shot. I didn’t think it was much. “Doc!” Molly ordered. “Get over here and check him out!”
That didn’t make Hannah very happy as she seemed to be enjoying the attention. However, she was a grumpy lady anyway. “He’s fit,” said Doc. “Just a scratch on the top of the shoulder.”
I gave Molly a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll stop by after saddlin’ up Hawk. This might be my opportunity.”
Slurping down the rest of my coffee I got up and started out. Hannah refused to look at me, but I got a little smile from Greta.
“See you on my way out,” I said to Molly.