It was later in the day when Red Fleming rode into town with his men.
“I want the street to be busy,” he explained to Candy. “Nobody’ll start shootin’ with innocent bystanders on the street.”
“Except maybe us,” Candy said, with a laugh.
“Except maybe us,” Red agreed.
But they didn’t start shooting. Not as soon as they rode in.
Daniel Shaye was in his office, wondering whether he should have lunch there or actually get over to the café to eat. He’d make the decision when Thomas relieved him.
Thomas was already at the café, sitting alone in a corner, eating his lunch and trading flirtatious remarks with Katrina.
It was James who was on the street as the Fleming gang rode in. He saw the men, because James always kept a sharp eye out for trouble, and this many men riding into town together was a definite portent of trouble.
James backed into some equipment outside of the hardware store, using it to watch the group as they rode past, hoping they didn’t notice him. Could this have been Red Fleming, come to town to free his brother from jail? Or was it the family the mayor was worried about, the Doucettes? Or was this something totally different, just a bunch of cowboys looking to blow off a little steam?
He continued to watch the riders after they rode by him and, as expected, they reined in their horses in front of the Renegade Saloon.
Once he saw them dismount and go inside, he stepped away from the hardware store and headed for the sheriff’s office.
“Riders just came in, Pa,” James said, as soon as he entered the office.
“How many?”
“Six or seven.”
“Which is it, James?”
James hesitated, then said, “Seven.”
Dan Shaye stood up, grabbed his hat and gunbelt from a rack on the wall.
“Where’s your brother? Still at the café?”
“As far as I know? Who d’ya think they are, Pa?”
“Could be anybody,” Shaye said, “but we’re gonna find out for sure, boy. Where’d they go?”
“The Renegade.”
“Let’s go get your brother,” Shaye said, heading for the door.
“Should we, Pa?”
Shaye stopped. “Why not?”
“What if it’s Red Fleming?”
“What if it is?”
“Harry says his brother Red is gonna kill Thomas.”
“You said there’s seven men.”
“That’s right.”
“Well, whether it’s Red Fleming or not, we’re better off with the three of us than just two, don’t ya think?”
“Well . . . sure, but—”
“No buts,” Shaye said. “Let’s go and get your brother.”
Thomas was, indeed, still in the café. He was drinking coffee and eating a hunk of pie while Katrina sat across from him. There were only two other customers in the place, a married couple still working on their lunches, so Katrina sat with her chin in her hand, watching Thomas chew.
“Look how happy they are,” she said.
“Who?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Horton, right there.”
Thomas looked over at the middle-aged couple, who each seemed to be concentrating on their own meal.
“They’re not even talkin’ to each other,” he said.
“They don’t have to,” Katrina said. “They’re that connected. Don’t you think you could ever be that connected with a woman, Thomas?”
“I don’t care how connected you are, Katrina,” Thomas said, “you still gotta talk, some time.”
“Well, I’m sure they do, but what I meant was—”
“This was really good pie, Kat,” Thomas said, pushing his empty plate away. “Can I get some more coffee?”
Frustrated, the waitress stood up and said, “Of course,” but before she could go to the kitchen for the pot, Sheriff Daniel Shaye walked in, followed by Deputy James.
“Thomas, let’s go,” Shaye said.
“What’s goin’ on, Pa?”
“Some men just rode into town. Might be Red Fleming.”
Thomas stood up.
“If it is, he must be lookin’ for me.”
“He might be lookin’ for you, brother,” James sad, “but he’s going to find all of us.”
“Pa,” Thomas said, “you gotta let me handle this.”
“Son,” Shaye said, “Fleming’s got six men with him. You ready to go up against seven men?”
“No,” Thomas had to admit.
“Then let’s go,” his father said. “We do this the way we do most things—together.”
Thomas looked at Katrina, who was standing by, looking worried.
“How much do I owe you, Kat?”
“Nothin’, Thomas,” she said. “Just go . . . and don’t get yourself killed!” She looked at Daniel and James. “Any of you.”
“We won’t, Miss Katrina,” Shaye said.
“Where are they?” Thomas asked his brother as they went out the front door.
“At the Renegade.”
“Pa?” Thomas said. “Maybe we should give them some time to get a little liquored up, first.”
“That’s a good idea, son,” Shaye said. “Whiskey might make ’em short tempered, and they won’t be seein’ straight.”