Page 11 of Wild Spirit Revival (Montana Becketts, Wild Spirit Ranch #1)

Molly’s buggy rattled along the rutted road to Mystic. She leaned back, letting the warm breeze caress her face. The scent of sage and wheatgrass filled her nostrils, reminding her of the ranch she’d left behind.

“Oh, Elijah,” she sighed, gazing at the passing landscape. “I wonder if you’ll ever know how much those boys’ stories meant to me.”

She fingered the leather-bound notebook next to her, filled with interviews and observations from her time at Wild Spirit Ranch. The faces of the boys flashed through her mind, each with a tale of hardship and hope.

As Mystic came into view, Molly straightened her back. She’d been considering the best way to get their stories told. Her contact in Chicago could get her work into neighborhood newspapers. It was unlikely her friend could get the story placed in the Daily Tribune. There was always a chance the business-friendly newspaper would run a story on orphans in Montana as a story their readers might appreciate.

Molly was determined to get the stories published. Then she thought of the local newspaper. As she recalled, it was owned by a woman. Faith something.

“What was her last name,” she muttered to herself.

Faith… Faith… Goodell. Yes, Goodell. That was it. The woman Joshua mentioned, and who Elijah said was important to his brother. That would be her first stop. Perhaps Faith would have suggestions for publishing the stories to the world beyond Montana.

Elijah dismounted near the barn. He was greeted by his younger brother, Joshua, who eyed him curiously.

“Everything all right, Eli?” He noted his brother’s pensive expression.

Elijah grunted, leading his horse into the barn. “Fine. Just saw Molly off.”

Joshua followed him inside, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “Ah, I see. And how’d that go?”

He shot his brother a warning glance. “It went. She’s gone. That’s all there is to it.”

“If you say so,” Joshua replied, unconvinced. “You know, Eli, it wouldn’t kill you to admit you might miss her.”

Elijah busied himself with removing his horse’s tack, his movements more forceful than necessary. “What’s there to miss? She was here to do a job, and now it’s done.”

“Whatever you say, brother. I’m not the only one who saw the way you looked at her. It’s okay to feel something, you know.”

As Joshua walked away, Elijah paused, his hand resting on his horse’s flank. He allowed himself a moment of vulnerability, closing his eyes and remembering Molly’s smile, her kindness toward the boys.

“Dadgummit,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe I do miss her.”

He shook off the moment of weakness and finished tending to his horse. Leaving the barn, he spotted Grayson by the corral, deep in conversation with a stranger on horseback.

Curiosity piqued, Elijah strode over. As he drew closer, he caught snippets of their hushed conversation.

“…rustlers spotted south of here,” the stranger was saying, his voice low and urgent. “I’m afraid they’re planning to raid another ranch.”

Grayson’s face was grim. “Appreciate the warning, Tom. We’ll keep an eye out.”

Elijah approached, and both men turned to acknowledge him. “What’s this about rustlers?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.

Grayson exchanged a glance with the stranger before answering. “Tom here’s been hearing rumors. Seems our cattle troubles might not be over.”

Elijah blew out a breath. “Just what we need.”

Tom shifted in his saddle. “There’s more,” he said, his voice tinged with worry. “Word is, they’re not just after cattle this time. They’re looking for something more.”

Elijah’s jaw clenched. “What do you mean?”

Tom looked around nervously before leaning in closer. “The man I talked with said they’re planning to hit the town during the Fourth of July celebrations. Figured with everyone distracted, the bank could be an easy target.”

Grayson shook his head. “We can’t let that happen.”

Elijah nodded, his mind already considering what they could do. “We’ll need to warn the town. Get everyone prepared.”

As Tom rode off, Grayson turned to Elijah. “Round up the boys. We’ve got work to do.”

Elijah nodded, his earlier melancholy forgotten in the face of this new threat. As he headed toward the bunkhouse, a chill ran down his spine.

He strode toward the largest corral, where his other brothers and Annalee were breaking horses. His mind churning with ways to combat the ominous news. As was their style, the Becketts would talk in private about what needed to be done, agreeing on a resolution before talking with the orphans.

“Josh! Annalee!” he called out, his voice carrying across the yard. “Round everyone up, we’ve got trouble brewing. Meet in the house.”

It took several minutes before all the Beckett siblings and their mother took seats around the large dining room table.

“What’s going on, Grayson?” Joshua asked, his gaze locking on his oldest brother’s grim expression.

“It appears we have trouble coming our way,” Grayson answered.

Annalee set her arms on the table, leaning forward. “Trouble? What kind of trouble?”

Elijah ran a hand through his hair, his eyes dark with concern. “Rustlers. But it’s worse than before. They’re planning something big for the Fourth.”

Joshua’s eyes widened. “The Fourth? But that’s when the whole town will be celebrating.”

“Exactly.” Elijah nodded. “They’re counting on the distraction.”

Annalee’s face set in determination. “Well, we can’t let them get away with it. What are we going to do about it?”

Grayson glanced between his siblings, a hint of pride softening his stern features. “We need to warn the town and set up patrols here at the ranch. We’ve got to be smart about it. We don’t want to spook them into changing their plans. The best outcome would be to round up the outlaws and deliver them to the sheriff.”

Joshua nodded thoughtfully. “I can ride into Mystic and have a word with the sheriff.”

“Good thinking,” Grayson agreed. “Annalee, I want you to help Elijah organize the ranch hands and set up a schedule for patrols. We’ll need eyes on every corner of our property while continuing our work.”

Annalee nodded while looking at Elijah. “We’ll get right on it.”

Grayson’s expression softened. “You’ll need to include everyone in the patrols.” He glanced around the table. “We know this land better than anyone. If they try to slip through, we’ll spot them.”

Annalee relaxed, a smile tugging at her lips. “No one will sneak past any of us.”

Parker nodded. “We have to be careful how we assign the orphans. Gavin, Jason, and Ted aren’t ready to be on patrol by themselves. Samuel would do fine by himself, and so would Little Joe.”

“You’re right,” Elijah said. “One of us will have to be with the younger ones.”

“I’d say we leave Gavin, Jason, and Ted here,” Grayson countered. “There will be plenty of work for them at the homestead while others are on patrol.”

“I agree,” Elijah said with a wry grin.

“I want to be included in the patrols.” Naomi’s announcement surprised them.

“Ma, it would be best for you to stay here with Jolene and the baby,” Grayson replied. “I don’t want them left alone.”

“He’s right, Ma,” Annalee said. “No telling what would happen if the outlaws show up here when the rest of us are out on patrol.”

Naomi grimaced but nodded. “All right. But you all can’t be gone at the same time.”

“You’re right,” Grayson said. “Annalee and Elijah will work out the schedules so at least one of us is always here with you.” He turned to Joshua. “Ride to Mystic to talk with Brodie. Ask him what more you can do while you’re there.”

“Such as?” Joshua asked.

“Helping spread the word to business owners and other townsfolk,” Grayson said. “They need to be prepared. Brodie and his deputy, Jubal, won’t be enough to spread the word.”

As Joshua left the house and mounted up, Elijah couldn’t shake a nagging worry. He found himself wishing Molly was still at the ranch. But she was long gone, already in Mystic. If what Tom said was accurate, it was the very place the rustlers were targeting.

He shook his head, trying to focus on the task at hand. There was work to be done, and with little information, no time to waste.