Don't Tamper with Horses

Continuing...

Sam Morgant dismounted in front of his barn and sighed heavily. The adrenaline and excitement that had buoyed him through trapping the horse thieves had burned out, leaving him feeling drained. He unsaddled and stepped into the barn for a brush, wrinkling his nose. It still smelled like garlic.

The trial was over, the three Casady brothers had been found guilty and sentenced to prison. The horses had been returned to their rightful owners and Sam had nothing more to do. He sighed again. He had a crop to check.

Hoof beats thumped the road leading up to his home and Moss swung off his prized cutting horse with a grin on his face. "Sam." He swept off his hat and bowed in the saddle. "Sorry, Mr. Hero-of-the-hour, what are you gonna do now?"

Sam shook his head at the incorrigible cowboy, but a smile broke across his face. "I'm going back to my life. I've got crops coming in, a barn that will be as good as ever once the garlic airs out. I know Orville's going to do the same. What about you?"

Moss's eyes sparkled with laughter as he leaned forward and patted his horse's neck. "Now that I've got my horse back, I'll find a ranch and hire out. Him and me make a first rate team. It sure was fun playin' detective with you Sam and if you have any more trouble with horse thieves, you look me up. I sure don't want to miss what you come up with next." He held out his right hand.

Shaking his hand with a grin, Sam chuckled. "I wouldn't call it fun, Moss, but I'm glad you and Orville were with me. You take care of that horse." He watched the cowboy ride down the trail and smiled. No, it hadn't been fun. They had been angry, frustrated, exhilarated and scared, but it had been quite the experience. He was happy it was over, but he'd told Moss the truth. He was glad he hadn't gone through it alone.

To be continued...