Stillwater III: A Peaceful Paradise is Born

By Corey Haga

My name is Sam Forman.

I invite you to take a journey with me to a beautiful place called Stillwater.

We started life as slaves, but the ashes of war gave us new hope and freedom.

I took my family north in search of a dream. We found wealth in new friends we had yet to meet and land we had no stake in. Nothing in life comes without struggle, but the rewards are worth the pain. Finding something worth dying for only happens once or twice in our lifetime.

Don’t hesitate. Fight for your future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781638854999

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Stillwater III

A Peaceful Paradise Is Born

Corey Haga

ISBN 978-1-63885-498-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63885-499-9 (Digital)

Copyright © 2022 Corey Haga

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books, Inc.

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Once again, Sam Forman had triumphed over his enemy.

Life in Stillwater and the dream that started long ago had come to pass. It took three generations of hard work and determination, but if you’re willing to give it everything inside you, you can make your dreams come true.

Sam and Dutch caught the next train home.

The townspeople had already heard the news about how Dutch defeated the twins in a gunfight. Some reporters were waiting at the train station. Sam and Dutch both answered their questions.

What was going through your mind when those two killers were standing there ready to kill you? they asked.

Dutch smiled at them and said, Well, I didn’t want to die. He got a chuckle out of the men.

The reporters asked Sam, Commissioner? How did you feel watching your son face down those men alone? Sam gave out a sigh.

He looked at Dutch with a great deal of pride and answered, I knew the marshal was very capable of dealing with those two devil’s offspring. You all know he is my son, and as a parent, seeing one of your own facing a dangerous situation, well, you don’t need me to explain that. If you men have kids of your own, you can imagine how I must have felt!

All the men responded with head nods.

A wagon pulled up to the men. Ben had come to collect the two of them. Some of the reporters had more questions, but Ben cut into the conversation. Now I know you fellas want to get your story, but, he said with a stern voice, Mrs. Forman is home waiting to see her men, and she is a bit anxious.

The reporters got quiet and looked at Sam. Well, gentlemen, I guess we’re done for now. The womenfolk need to be satisfied we’re still breathing! All the men started to smile and thanked Sam and Dutch for their time.

Ben got their bags and put them in the wagon. We will see you fellas in a day or so, and we can talk some more. All the men smiled and tipped their hats good day. Okay, Ben, take us home.

Yes, sir!

And away they went.

The wagon ride was a little rough on Dutch being on the mend from the gunshot, but he was glad to see so many warm faces smiling back at him. He also knew the family would be waiting at the house. Abigail was watching from her kitchen window for the wagon to come back down the hill.

She watched as Ben went by the first time. She knew her dad and brother were home. Reese! She called out. They’re coming down the hill. Do you have the baby ready?

Reese came out of the bathroom with a shirt halfway down the child’s face. Not looking very confidently, he said, Honey, a little help. Abigail saw the situation and rolled her eyes.

Give me the baby and go tell the neighbors it’s time.

Reese just smiled at his very pregnant wife, handed her the child, and headed for his hat. Standing in the doorway, he glanced back and winked. Baby, I just get paid to shoot people. The baby stuff is not my area of expertise.

Abigail smiled. She slowly walked toward her husband as she finished dressing the baby. Abigail reached out and straightened Reese’s shirt collar. A devious smile came over her face, and she winked at him. Reese got a little nervous at this but bravely stood his ground.

You have the most beautiful blue eyes, honey, said Abigail. But remember, I’ve killed men, too, and I did it for free!

Reese gave a nervous chuckle. I’m going to go get the neighbors!

Abigail leaned in closer and kissed him. You do that! She turned and walked away, singing and bouncing the baby on her hip.

All the way to Gabrial’s house, Reese was remembering the day his wife saved the four of them as she fired both barrels of the shotgun into the guts of the gunslinger that surely would have killed them all. His horse followed him down the fence, so Reese had company on his short walk.

Abigail peered out the window watching her man. She looked at the baby and smiled. See your daddy talking to that old horse. She played with the baby’s chin. We gave him something to think about, didn’t we? She started to sway and dance with the baby, singing a little playful song.

Reese was knocking on the door, and Olivia opened it. Hey, Reese! Is it time to go?

Yup! Sure is.

Okay, we’re almost ready. Gab, honey, it’s time to go!

Gabrial came out of the back room holding the baby.

Reese looked at him. Hey, did you get the baby ready? Or did your wife have to help?

Gabrial just smiled and looked at the baby. No, we did it all by ourselves.

Reese didn’t say a word. He did look at the two of them and felt a bit jealous. Olivia walked to the back room. Reese said in a low voice, I needed help with the baby’s shirt.

Gabrial rolled his eyes. And what did your wife say about it?

Reese got really big eyes, took in a deep breath followed by a long sigh and a pause.

Gabrial said, Oh, that bad!

Reese tilted his head to one side. She can be!

Gabrial spoke up, Scary?

Yeah! Sometimes!

Olivia came out and saw the two standing there. Their faces were sober looking. What are you two talking about?

Both men said, Oh, nothing!

Nothing? Really? Olivia looked at the two, studying them. I don’t believe neither one of you! Let’s get the wagon! And out the door they went.

Olivia walked up to the window. I’ll find out what you two are doing. You just wait and see!

Back at the ranch, Maria was watching the road. Mary was walking over to visit her and wait with her momma.

On the way over, she heard the wagon crossing the bridge. The sound of horse hooves echoed clearly from the covered bridge. Maria heard them, too, and walked out on to the front porch. The two waved to each other as their men came closer. Mary was very pregnant and was moving slowly toward the house.

Dutch leaned over to Ben. Look what you did to my baby sister! All three men chuckled a little.

Mary saw them smiling at her. The wagon came to a stop. Ben set the break and jumped down and offered Dutch a hand. I don’t need help, but you should help her, Dutch said.

Mary looked at her big brother. Oh really! You come home with a hole through your gut, moving like an old man, making jokes about me?

Dutch made his way down the wagon and walked over to his baby sister. I think you’re beautiful. He kissed her on the cheek. He leaned back and smiled at her, looked at her condition, and