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Category: Historical Fiction
Description: One man's determination to find and kill the man that murdered his younger brother is such that he will go outside the law to get the job done. A father's incautious moment, a trusted friend's indiscretion and a daughter's naïve and foolish mistake set the stage for a peaceful mountain valley to become a battleground. GOLD! The one the magnet that could attract one of the deadliest band of outlaws in the west into Shannon Hill's serene world and turn her young life into a deadly blood feud to avenge her dead father and kill Billy "Gunner" Farren and any of his bloodthirsty gang she can find. Tucker Prophet, Captain in the re-formed Texas Rangers, and his men are on the same trail for different reasons. It leads them along the Arkansas River, into the Colorado Mountains. Billy Farren made a fatal mistake. He killed Tucker's younger brother and only surviving family member. The crime takes a back seat to vengeance and a sworn Texas Ranger gives up his badge and will chase Farren through and beyond the gates of hell to see him pay with his life for that killing. Prophets Rest turns into a battleground as a daughter's unfaltering love and deadly anger team up with a brother's vengeance to face Gunner Farren for the final showdown and end his reign of terror. Excerpt: Anger flared briefly on Tucker's face. "Believe what you want, Sheriff. All I need to know is which way that group headed after they cowed you and your fair citizens." The inebriated old sheriff bristled. "Boy, you better back up a step. Me and my men trailed that bastard clear to the Colorado line. I buried two friends along the way. They fought hard and true, doing their duty. So don't be coming in here sayin' that me and mine are cowards. If I was a bettin' man, I'd say the way that trail was headin', they was makin' for Colorado Springs. They bushwhacked us as we slept like a bunch of damn yellow scum. Y'all finish your drinkin', rest up tonight and just move on out of my town."
eBook Publisher: Eternal Press/Damnation Books LLC/Eternal Press, 2011 2011
eBookwise Release Date: July 2011

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [137 KB]
Words: 25368
Reading time: 72-101 min.

Prologue

Billy 'Gunner' Farren took a puff of harsh smoke into his lungs from the Mexican cigarillo clamped between his teeth, adding to the hazy dimness of the room. Traders Cut Station was well known for the wild abandon of poker games that started with a shot of whiskey and usually ended with one or more shot or beaten senseless as the night progressed. Always cautious, he held his cards close to the vest and played his hand more conservatively than the men he faced.

"Riker, you're a fool. That bet was twice the pot; you're bluffing! I call ya." Garrett Gentry shoved his silver out onto the table.

"Fold. You boys are gettin' a little crazy with the bets, ain't you?" Fred Zimmer stated. He tossed his cards on the table.

"I'll call," Shorty Hobbs said simply.

The game was five-card stud and three of the 'up' cards had been dealt. Amos Riker, in addition to his hole card, showed eight of hearts, nine of hearts, and ace of hearts. Gentry had a pair of tens showing with a king kicker. Shorty Hobbs sat facing the ace of diamonds, king of spades and queen of clubs.

Gunner Farren looked over his up cards. He had a six of clubs, six of hearts and jack of diamonds. His hole card was a jack of spades. Chewing the butt of his cigarillo, he weighed his chances. There was almost one hundred dollars in the pot already, with another one fifty bet. A bead of sweat broke out on his brow, so deep was his concentration.

"You gonna play or not?" Riker asked impatiently.

"Yeah, I'm gonna play, asshole. You rush me like that and I'm gonna play my fist upside your head."

Gunner shrugged his shoulders. If he bet and won, he'd be set for a while. If he lost, he would just keep an eye on the game and bushwhack the winner later. He grinned and pushed his money onto the table.

"Call!"