Frank Brannon didn’t want to return to his old life as a ‘fixer’. But when Wiley Kingston stole his appaloosa, shot his old dog, and tried to kill him, he soon found he didn’t have a choice. After he killed Wiley, his father Ben sent men to kill Frank. They cornered him in the mountains; too bad for them.

“I’ll be leavin’ in a little while, Julia.” Frank Brannon sat on the little hill behind the barn where Julia and Ol’ Sam were buried. Julia died nearly a year before from consumption. Ol’ Sam had been killed about the same time when Wiley Kingston came to steal Frank’s Appaloosa. Frank buried Ol’ Sam next to Julia. It was where he belonged; he was her dog, after all. Only took up with Frank after Julia died. Wiley was buried next to his father, Ben, in their family plot. Frank put both of them there.

Frank Brannon tried hard not to squirm and fidget. The tight collar he wore with his boiled shirt and Sunday-go-to-meetin’ suit choked him something fierce. He wanted more than anything to run his finger around the collar between it and his neck, but to do that, he’d have to hold his godson with one hand. And holding the sleeping baby with two hands was about all Frank wanted to try right at that time. Sure hope this padre ain’t long winded, Julia, he told himself. If he is, my arm’s likely gonna go to sleep. Never knew a little baby could get so heavy.