Contention at Turner Creek: The Turner Creek Series, #4

By Gary Harding

Contention at Turner Creek is Volume Four of the exciting Turner Creek Series featuring the life of Circuit Rider Bane Barlow. He finds himself in great danger. A huge gold heist is underway and he is taken hostage in the church. Liars, thieves and thugs stand in his way. Will truth prevail? Will honesty win?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gary Harding
• Release date: Oct 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223175209

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

He listened to the rustle of leaves in the aspen trees. A huge rainstorm was blowing in and they had little time.

Circuit Rider Bane Barlow pushed his hat back on his head and looked up at the black clouds in the distance.

We better get a move on, he said.

Bane and his wife Vivian had joined Tosh Todd and Sarah for a picnic lunch. They were celebrating their growing families. Six months before, Vivian had given birth to a bouncing baby boy. Three months later, the Todds had welcomed a sweet little girl. She had not been outside until today. The basket was nearly empty and everyone was full.

Tosh snuggled the blanket around the tiny little girl and took her in his arms. Standing to his feet, he smiled.

This was a great idea, Bane, he said.

It was a wonderful idea, Sarah said. I am so glad to be out of the house again.

And the food was over the top, Vivian, Tosh added.

Well, thank you, Tosh! Vivian smiled.

You’re very welcome, he responded. I do believe Bane is moving up to the heavy-weight class just from your cookin’!

Watch it now! Bane chimed in, as he picked up the empty wicker basket.

Together, they started walking back to the surrey. The gray horse was stomping a hoof in the dirt as he rolled one eye toward the dark clouds that were approaching.

After they were all in the buggy, Bane gave the reins a pop and they turned back in the direction of Turner Creek.

Vivian held her husky boy while Sarah clung tightly to her baby girl. Both of the little ones had fallen back to sleep.

There was a strange feeling in the air. The clop of the horse seemed louder than usual. The dark sky was giving them a you need to hurry look.

This weather makes me sleepy, Vivian spoke up.

Me too! Sarah replied.

Nobody said a word for a mile or two.

A little farther down the road, Bane broke the silence.

Sarah, I have a question.

Sure, Bane, what is it?

I’ve been wantin’ to ask you this for a long time.

Well, go on and ask me, she said.

You know, back when I first met you... Bane paused, you know... over in Carson City?

Yes, I remember.

Well, back then... everybody called you Jessica. But, ever since you and Tosh moved here to Turner Creek... your name has been Sarah.

Tosh laughed out loud.

Sarah smiled again. And you’re finally getting around to askin’ me that?

Believe me, Vivian added, he’s been wanting me to ask you for a long time.

Go ahead and tell them! Tosh said.

The big gray horse neighed as though he was enjoying the conversation.

Well... Sarah continued. My name is actually Sarah Jessica. All my childhood I was Sarah Jessica. Tosh began calling me Jessica back before we were married and it stuck. I didn’t mind at all.

She paused to catch her breath. Just then, it started sprinkling rain.

Then, she looked at Bane, when you showed up in Carson City, I started thinkin’ about women in the Bible. After all, my own grandmother was named Sarah and so... I got to thinkin’ about that. And... I told Tosh that I wanted to be Sarah from that day forward.

Nobody said a word. The clop of the big gray horse mingled with the distant sound of thunder.

And that’s it? Bane finally spoke up.

That’s it, Sarah said.

Well, I’ll say... Bane added.

Don’t act so surprised, Vivian said, a girl has a right to change her mind about anything!

They all chuckled and then Tosh chimed in.

Just so you know, when I get upset, I call her Sarah Jessica Todd!

Everyone laughed again.

Well, now I’m down right confused! Bane said.

Vivian wrapped her arms tighter around the baby blanket. Well, why did you even bring it up in the first place?

I should’ve known better.

It’s just fine, Bane, Sarah said.

I reckon it’s a good thing, Bane still kept it going. In the Bible Jacob’s name was changed to Israel and that turned out pretty good.

There you have it, Tosh grinned.

The light sprinkles started falling a little bit heavier as the horse trotted them along the road.

As they rounded the bend, Bane and Vivian’s new house appeared. They had just moved in a few weeks ago. It boldly stood on a knoll over-looking the entire valley of several hundred acres. The  wrap around  porch gave the look of

an estate. A hitching post stood empty as if waiting for them out front.

The Todd’s had agreed to enjoy a picnic day with them down near the water. New babies did not allow much time for socializing. It had been a long time since the four of them had gotten together.

Suddenly, thunder rumbled in the distance. In a moment or two, it would be pouring rain.

Why don’t we drop you ladies off here at the house with the babies, Bane suggested. Tosh and I can run this buggy back into town and pick up our horses.

Can you make it before the storm? Vivian asked.

Should be fine, Bane replied.

As they pulled up in front of the house, Bane reined in the big gray. Tosh jumped down and turned back to help Sarah and the baby. Vivian was already on her way. In two quick bounds, Bane was up on the porch and opened the door.

Another crash of thunder broke the silence.

Are you sure you boys will make it alright? Sarah did not sound convinced.

We’ll be back as soon as we drop this buggy off at the livery for Denny Turner, Tosh said.

I need to stop by the church and pick up my Bible, Bane added. I left it there yesterday.

One of the babies started to cry.

I’ve got to feed this young’n, Sarah said.

Tosh helped her inside. Bane gave Vivian a quick kiss and shuffled back down the steps.

With this storm comin’ in, why don’t we just fix supper here later and the Todd’s can spend the night?

That’s a great idea! Bane quipped. You up for that, Tosh?

Sure, he grinned. I’m always up for some of Vivian’s cookin’!

Bane gave the big gray a pat on the neck as he walked around to the buggy. Once Tosh knew Sarah was settled, he closed the front door and climbed up beside him.

A quick slap of the reins and the horse gave a lurch forward. There was another distant clap of thunder and then just the sloppy clop of hooves slapping the wet ground. The gelding could tell they were headed back to town. That meant a dry livery stable and a fresh bucket of oats.

The rain was being stubborn. Dark clouds in the sky were insisting on a big storm, but there was little more than a steady sprinkle falling.

It’s a comin’! Bane suggested.

Yep, Tosh replied.

Topping the crest of the hill, they rolled into the edge of Turner Creek. The street was empty and only a couple of horses stood at the hitch rail. One was standing three legged and his ears were pointed straight back. Water was dripping from their saddles.

Nobody was out on the boardwalks, but that didn’t seem too unusual with the storm rapidly approaching. The street had been very dry and thirsty so it was wasting no time soaking up the rain. Water was running off the eaves of every roof and mud puddles were forming.

Tosh spoke up. Drop me off at the office so I can pick up my slicker. I’ll walk over and meet you at the livery barn.

Bane reined up in front of the sheriff’s office as Tosh jumped down into the slush. In a few quick steps, he was under the awning.

Slapping the reins, Bane urged the horse to go on down the street. Suddenly, a gloom seemed to cover the whole town. There was a thin mist rolling in from the surrounding mountains. The rain was falling heavily now. It was almost like Turner Creek had fallen asleep.

The sliding barn doors at the livery were wide open. Bane trotted the big gray inside and then reined him to a stop. The smell of fresh hay mixed with saddle leather filled his nostrils.

Stepping down, Bane began to loosen the tack and unhitch the horse. The barn was dry inside. Overhead, the pounding of the rain sounded like a hundred drums beating out a cadence. He took the animal by the halter and led him to a stall. Grabbing a towel, he began to rub the big horse down. The horse nickered his approval. It was raining even  harder now.  Should they ride

back to the house or wait? Maybe it would let up in a few minutes.

After the horse was dried off, Bane took a big armful of alfalfa and dropped it in the bin.

You earned it, boy, he said.

He was just starting