***
Having had their fill, Big Jake and Carson retired for the night, planning to rest up before dawn. Carson took a detour on the way to his room and went to speak to his brother, knowing exactly where he would be. First tapping lightly on the door, he eased it open. Katherine was asleep on the bed, and he spotted his brother Jacob sitting in the corner chair. He was leaning forward on his elbows, wringing his hands thoughtfully. When he noticed his brother at the door, he rose quickly and exited the room. Cracking the door behind him, Jacob lifted his brows in inquiry.
“We’re riding out just before dawn.” Carson said simply, “Owen, Danny, and Carl are joining us. Paul and Sam will stay here with Pa in case things don’t go the way we plan. Danny knows the layout of Mason’s place, since he used to work for him. He’ll tell us where Mason is most likely to be keeping Abigail.”
“And Pa trusts him?” Jacob asked.
“He took a bullet for Pa, remember?” Carson asked.
Several years ago, there had been a bad brawl at the saloon in town. Several from Mason’s crew had started it, accusing someone of cheating at cards. They started the fight, but the other players were set on finishing it. One frantic drunk from Mason’s crew pulled a gun and brandished it wildly. When Big Jake stepped forward to try to talk him down, he fired. Danny Smith jumped in the way of the bullet, catching it in the hip. What he sacrificed in a permanent limp from the injury, he gained back tenfold in trusted friendship with Big Jake.
Jacob nodded. “Yeah, I remember.”
“So we’ll go in quiet, get Abigail, and leave. No unnecessary gunfire.”
Jacob nodded in understanding, “Simple in and out.”
Carson turned to leave. “Alright. See you in a few hours.”
“Yup.” Jacob agreed, watching his brother walk away. “Hey, Carson.” He called.
The young man looked over his shoulder.
“Are you going to marry her?” Jacob asked, grinning.
Carson’s green eyes flared in surprise for a split second before he shook his head in amazement, wondering how he had expected to keep such a secret as his courting Abigail from his brother.
“If she’ll have me.” He said.