Don't Tamper with Horses

...Continuing.

"Edward!" June dropped to her knees beside Moss, reaching out a trembling hand to brush the fringe of his hair off his forehead. "I told you to go! This is just the beginning."

Moss huffed, but he let her fuss. Yes it was the beginning, and he was going to see it through to the finish. He didn't want to worry June, so he tried for humor. "It ain't so bad. I've been hurt worse getting bucked off a bronc."

June's blue eyes turned icy as she frowned at him. "Edward, it's not funny. You have to leave."

Wincing against the pain, Moss lifted himself up to lean back against a stall post. He admired June's fire when she was angry. "I ain't going, June. Don't bother asking again."

Her icy blue eyes melted into tears that hovered on her lashes but didn't fall. Her face was set with disapproval, but she nodded.

Outside the stable hooves beat dust from the road, then Denny ran inside. "They rode out again!" he called. He saw Moss sitting up and looking back at him and sighed with relief. "Riker grinned at me when he rode by and I was sure they'd killed you. I'm glad you're O.K."

June helped Moss stand up and the drifter grinned through his split lip. "I guess I'll be feeling it for a while, but I'm alright Den. Let's get your sister home."

"What are you going to do now?" Denny asked. "Is Rocket saddled and ready to go? Can you ride?"

"I ain't leaving," Moss said. "What we're going to do now is round up anybody who will fight." They walked slowly out of the stable, with one sibling on each side of Moss. As they stepped out into the sun Moss saw the citizens of Far 'Nuff stepping out of their homes and unlocking their businesses. No one made eye contact, not even with each other. They kept their heads down and minded their own business.

Denny glanced around, then looked up at Moss. "That ain't going to be very many,"

...To be continued.