The Oak Desk

Jake rode his horse in thoughtful silence. The outlaw’s violent death didn’t bring him the peace he sought, but it did reinforce his need to return to Texas. With few exceptions, the bodies from the Scarlett Rose were unidentifiable and although the sheriff concluded that Duvall must have perished in the explosion, he wasn’t so sure. Something in the kid’s voice, fear perhaps, made him wonder.

Ava purposely lowered her head, pretending to stare at her stubby fingers, acting as if she was oblivious to them. Making every effort to avoid drawing attention to herself. But, her eyebrows knitted together in a crease as she carefully looked out from beneath her

Kat ignored the commotion and offered Pat a half-smile. “I should arrange for the luggage and a buggy.” She didn’t intend to meet with Jake, now or ever. After she secured a buggy, she’d leave for the ranch.

Later that night, as Jake recorded his observations of the town and harbor in his notebook, his mind wandered to Nell’s easy confidence when she navigating around her daddy’s store. He realized that he had seen the Harmony often docked behind Guthrie’s Hardware, and he wondered if it was her boat. Was she working with Lowell? He took a slug of bourbon to wash the image out of his mind. One thing he concluded was that Charlie Lowell could not be the brains behind the rum-running operations that functioned so openly on Front Street. He suspected that the police were being paid off in money or hooch.

Following Kat’s arrival, Jake spots Duvall rustling cattle and local saloon owner, VICTOR RODRIGUEZ in the same vicinity. Unknown to Jake, the railroad plans to expand, and Rodriguez, already privy to this knowledge, intends to have Kat’s land, by any means. He hires Duvall to kill anyone in his way.

Rustlers didn’t come cheap, and the two drifters lingering in the hallway were quick to demand their pay. He’d let them wait awhile longer. They arrived in town a month earlier asking questions that piqued his curiosity. A never-ending round of liquor soon loosened their tongues. The greenhorns needed money, and they weren’t particular how they got it.

Kat: Kat would return to his wife and children and make sure they have enough food.

Meanwhile, Jake discovers Duvall rustling his cattle. The outlaw escapes again. Jake sees local saloon owner VICTOR RODRIGUEZ in the same area and suspects he’s involved. Unbeknownst to Jake, the railroad plans to expand, and Rodriguez, already a party to this news, intends to acquire Kat’s land—by purchase or other means.

Ray rushed downstairs with Casey following. He gave her a peck on the forehead and picked up his wallet on the way out. She stood on the veranda waving goodbye with an inkling of guilt for not telling him about her appointment that morning. With his natural skepticism, he would have tried to discourage her from going.

Lauren obeyed, and dug her gloved fingers into his coat, curling her knuckles tight. His arm tightened around her. Uncontrollable shivers raced through her body. Nothing made sense. She wanted her toasty warm apartment. She wanted to forget about

Valentina padded quietly down the short hallway and let out a long, slow breath before she stepped around the corner, and then back into the kitchen. She found Cole stirring his mashed potatoes and her meal in the microwave, where she walked over to watch the black container spin. It crossed her mind to thank him for starting her food for her, but he spoke up and cut her off before the thought could cross her lips. He wanted to know about the tapes. Of course, she knew the conversation was going to happen, but she was rather hoping she’d get to sleep first.

“Not at all,” said the orthodontist. She had her hair in a messy bun and she was wearing a blue shirt with buttons on the front. She looked strict,

That’s when he started watching Napoleon and his retinue and saw that they got drunk and it wouldn’t be difficult to sneak past them at night. There was only problem was the dogs, that’s when he realized they would be either guarding the food or the pigs, neither were near the barn. He had to go back to Tranquil Town for a while to make sure everything is going alright, and to be in charge of the meeting his farm had every Saturday to discuss upcoming events, like game night, and find solutions for any problems the animals have.

Her fragile human body was twisted into an array of awkward poses. Her neck snapped back impossibly. Her arms bent

She held tightly, like she was holding on for dear life, and then she let go, she smiled and she moved on.