Free Gabriel's Atonement by Vickie Mcdonough Page B

Please don’t let him down. When will You answer our prayers?”

Chapter 6
    A s Gabe looked around the crowded train depot, a sense of pride filled him—and pride was something he hadn’t felt in a long time. The horses he’d ordered Homer to buy from Mr. Swanson and have shipped on the train from Kansas City had sold in minutes. Only one was left.
    â€œForty-five dollars.” A red-faced man Gabe recognized as John Hawkins waved his beefy hand.
    â€œFifty.”
    â€œSixty!” Arthur Drexel shouted.
    Gabe stood back, leaning against the depot wall, amazed at how much these people were willing to pay for an average horse with no saddle or bridle. With only two weeks to go to the land rush, desperation was growing faster than stacks of coins at a poker table.
    â€œSold! To the man in the gray hat.” The skinny auctioneer Gabe had hired pounded his gavel on a fence post. “Gentlemen, you all who won bids can pay Mr. Coulter and then collect your horses. We’re much obliged that you came out today.”
    One by one, the men paid Gabe then gathered their horses. He counted the money, gave the auctioneer his pay, and stuffed the rest into his pocket. He stood straighter, enjoying the guilt-free sensation of having completed a legitimate business deal.
    â€œYou plannin’ on having any more horses for sale before the run?” a tall man with a pencil-thin mustache asked.
    Gabe rubbed his thumb and index finger on his chin and glanced at Homer, who nodded, indicating Mr. Swanson had more horses he was willing to part with. Gabe focused on the tall man again. “Same time next week.”
    The man smiled and nearly shook Gabe’s arm off. “Great! Wonderful! Save one for me, will you?”
    â€œI’d like to do that, but they’ll be auctioned off just like the ones today were.”
    The man’s brows dipped. “All right then, I’ll just have to get my hands on some more money by then.”
    As he ambled away, Homer waddled toward Gabe. “Swanson said he had five more mares he could sell and two geldings. His wife has been naggin’ him for a bigger house, so he was more willin’ to part with them than usual.”
    â€œPerfect timing for us.” Gabe reached into his pocket, pulled out several bills, and handed them to Homer. “This is for you. Good job.” He counted out another hundred dollars. “Give this to Mr. Swanson, and tell him I’ll give him the balance of what I owe as soon as I sell the other mounts next week.”
    Homer nodded and shoved the bills in the pocket on the bib of his overalls. “You gonna play poker tonight?”
    â€œNah, don’t think so.”
    Homer gave him an odd look. “I am, though I’ve gotta call it an early night. Gotta ticket for a noon train back to Kansas City tomorrow.”
    â€œGood. Timing is critical, so be sure you make that train—and see that you don’t gamble with any of my money.” Gabe stared at Homer until he nodded. So far Homer had proven trustworthy, but one hundred dollars would tempt many men. “You know anyone else up there with horses for sale?”
    Homer grinned, and his three chins melded into one. “Maybe. I could check with the liveries and ask Travis Martin and Jake Farley.”
    Gabe nodded. “Do that, and find me a fast saddle horse that’s gentle.”
    Homer cast a sideways glance at him. “How come you need another horse?”
    â€œThat’s my business.” Gabe pinned Homer with a stern stare.
    Homer nodded and lumbered out of the depot.
    Patting his pocket, Gabe headed toward his hotel room. He tipped his hat to a pair of women he passed on the boardwalk, and then his feet slowed as a man shoved open the doors to the Lucky Chance saloon and nearly collided with him. As the stranger scowled and sidled around Gabe without even an apology, the familiar scents of smoke and booze left in his