Free The Gunslinger (Barnett Ranch) by Pamela Ladner

the banker to open his doors and let them inside.  It was still early out and a lot of people weren’t even awake yet.  No one saw it coming, until it happened. 
                  Three men piled into the bank with their faces covered in bandannas.  They pointed their guns at the teller, yelling; “Put the money in the bags.”  One of the men threw three saddle bags at the bank teller.  Virginia used the opportunity to pull her gun and fire off a shot.  She nicked one of the men in the shoulder just above his heart.  If her hands hadn’t been shaking, she’d have hit where she aimed. 
                  Another man cocked his gun putting it in her face. “Drop it, nice and slow.”  She placed the gun on the floor and stood up.  The man grabbed her and put his arm around her neck, with the gun to her temple.  Mrs. Ellen screamed, and the three men ran out dragging Virginia with them. 
    Jax was just getting into town when she saw him and screamed for him.  The men raised their guns and started firing.  The sheriff fired back but was shot by the last man out the door.  Jax fired one shot sending the man’s gun flying.  He kicked his horse into a gallop and ran the man down, then jumped off his horse.
                  He stood on the man’s injured hand and stuck the spur of his other boot into the man’s neck.  “Where are they taking her?  The man didn’t answer, so Jax dug the spur into his neck and aimed the gun at his head.  “Tell me where or so help me I’ll shoot you r ight here, right now.”  “About two day’s ride there’s a cabin, but they won’t stay there long.  They will want to get back to the ranch before the weeks up.  If the boss finds out, he’ll kill them.  The ranch is about a week’s ride, Southeast.”  Jax bent over and picked the man up by his shirt, then pushed him toward the sheriff who was walking their way, with his arm was pouring blood from the gunshot wound.  He was turning pale.  “Lock him up and see the Doctor.  I’ll take care of it.”
                  Jax needed supplies and ammo.  He would need to fill his saddlebags full before he left.  He grabbed the reins of his horse and headed to the general store.  Mrs. Ellen came running up to him.  “Please, tell me you’re going after them.”  “I am, but I need supplies.” She nodded her understanding.  She wiped the tears from her eyes.  “Come up to the house.  I’ve got biscuits, you should take them with you.”  “Yes ma’am, I’ll take them.” 
                  Jax stocked up on jerky, bullets, and beans, and then he headed to Mrs. Ellen’s for the biscuits.   She wrapped them in a towel and put them in his saddlebags.  “Be careful and bring Virginia home. ”  “Yes ma’am, I will.” 
                    Jax kicked his horse into a gallop.  He headed south following their tracks.  They were riding hard and fast.  There were two sets of t racks, one deeper than the other set.  That told him, which one was the horse carrying Virginia.  A few miles further and he found proof of more tracks.  Four or five others joined them.
                  Jax popped the horse with the reins and rode in the direction the tracks led.  He kept hoping tha t he would catch up with them, but he never did.  He found evidence of a fire about two hours old.  He knelt beside it checking for signs of struggle and not finding any, he rode on. 
    When Jax finally camped that night, he did not sleep long.  He only stopped because he had to.  His horse was worn slam out.  The mare was lathered with sweat, and needing to stop.  He took out his canteen and drank a swallow of water, then poured a little in his hand for the horse.  He needed to find a creek soon. 
    After he rested he got back on his horse and took up the track again.  About sun down, he ran out of light and could no longer see the tracks