Julie R. Neidlinger: Lone Prairie Blog

Blogathon 2006: Chapter 31.

written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post

Brand seemed glad to see him, a surprise to Dove knowing how trouble followed him and laid into the lives of those around him. He thought Brand would know better.

Newsmen were desperate for a good story, though, making them shun good sense.

It was late and Brand had Dove come up to the room he rented, atop the dilapidated building next to Jubal's General Store. Like the newspaper office, Brand's boarding room was sparse and covered in paper and writing.

"You've got something for me," Brand said matter-of-factly.

"I do," Dove said. "Ever hear of the Ruby Hills?"

"You mean that massacre?"

"Yes."

"I wasn't here then, but I heard of it. Went down badly, from what I can gather."

"My father was the Man called Noon. I used to be the Two-Gun Kid."

Brand sank slowly into the chair next to his small writing desk. "You do have a story to tell."

"It starts with a woman named Garnet and a kid who would do anything to win her. It ends with the last of a breed, a bad breed that needs to be wiped out. The ending I've not finished just yet, but I'll tell you the rest."

Brand picked up his fountain pen and began writing as Dove's voice, low against anyone hearing through the thin walls, told of love and family and blood all mixed into one memory of pain.

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Labels: blogathon