The judge stood.

  ‘All rise,’ the clerk ordered.

  ‘This session is complete,’ the judge said and banged his gavel.

  A spontaneous cheer went up from the onlookers as the three guilty men were led away and Ray breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, it was over.

  The town council thanked Ray and Sam and Otis for bringing law and order back to Bristow and even offered the job of sheriff to Ray.

  He declined. ‘You got a fine sheriff already here in Otis, he did a fine job,’ he said and Otis beamed, his face reddening at the same time.

  Sam Brown tipped his hat and said his farewells; he wasn’t a man to drag things out, and he rode back to the county seat. The township of Bristow got on with its life.

  Ray walked Otis back to the new sheriff’s office. ‘What are you planning on doing now, Sheriff?’ Otis asked.

  ‘Otis, you’re the sheriff, not me. I got a rendezvous with a certain lady that can’t wait any longer.’ Ray smiled.

  ‘You dog,’ Otis said. ‘Anyone I know?’

  ‘Nope.’

  Ray packed his gear and shook Otis by the hand. ‘You’ll be a fine sheriff, Sheriff,’ Ray said and left the office.

  Two hours later, Ray rode up to the small ranch house and was greeted in the same way as his first visit. Sue, gun in hand, ordered him to stop and state his business.

  Ray dismounted, took off his Stetson and said, ‘Was wondering if you had a mind to hiring?’

  Sue dropped the rifle she was holding and rushed towards him, stopping short of throwing her arms around his neck.

  She blushed deeply. ‘I – I didn’t think I’d see you again,’ she said.

  Ray stepped forward, placed a finger under her chin, lifting her face to his.

  Then they kissed.

  Now it really was over.

 

 

  Adam Smith, Death Came Calling

 

 

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