Brodie's Gamble Read Free

possessed a keen mind and, if pushed too far, a fierce temper.
    “Where are they?”
    “Ran off the moment I lifted the shotgun. I never seen men run so fast and far in such a short time.” Stein’s deep, rumbling laugh had the sheriff chuckling with him. Sobering, he glanced at Brodie. “I wanted to get at least one of them in the backside—teach them both a lesson.”
    He had no doubt Stein would have done it without a lick of remorse. “Did they draw their guns on you?”
    Stein laughed again, shaking his head. “They have dirt for brains, but knew enough not to risk their lives by pointing a gun at me. The Olsens pick on weaker prey, those they can push around. The oldest started an argument with an old rancher I’ve known a long time. One of his ranch hands got in Olsen’s face, then all hell started. That’s when I came out with my gun.”
    Brodie pushed his hat back on his forehead, looking up at the sky. He should go after the Olsens, charge them with disorderly conduct and whatever else he could to get them off the streets. There were enough witnesses.
    “Do you want to press charges?”
    “Not this time, Brodie. I’ve got enough to do without going through a trial once the circuit judge decides to make a visit.” Stein pulled on his reddish-blond beard. “I will if they cause trouble again.”
    “It’s your decision, but I expect you to let me know if they threaten you or your customers again. I can’t let you take the law into your own hands, Stein.”
    He studied the sheriff a moment. They’d known each other since the MacLarens came to the area and started their ranch, even sharing drinks with Brodie at Buckie’s Castle Saloon on many occasions. Brodie had to know he’d do what was needed to protect what was his.
    “I won’t lie to you, Brodie. I’ll do what needs to be done. If it’s before you can get here, so be it.”
    Brodie let out a slow breath. He knew Stein wouldn’t back down from a fight to safeguard those who mattered to him, which included the townsfolk he’d known most of his life.

    Brodie took a path along the water as he rode back to the jail, pulling his collar up to fend off the late October chill. Glancing at the bustling port, he marveled at how many people came through town. Some stayed, but most left.
    Nestled between the Feather and Boundary rivers, Conviction began as a small settlement in 1840. Riverboats from San Francisco and Sacramento brought miners, settlers, gamblers, and vagabonds, swelling the population from a few hundred to thousands in less than a decade.
    Watching a riverboat unload its passengers, his thoughts returned to hiring deputies. He couldn’t continue putting in twenty-hour days much longer. The city fathers posted notices in Virginia City, San Francisco, and Sacramento. He needed men with experience who’d want to make the rapidly growing frontier town their home.
    Taking off his hat, he resettled it lower on his forehead, wincing as he passed the Gold Dust Hotel. Colin and Sarah had ridden into town the day before, leaving a message on his desk at the jail saying they expected him to join them tonight for supper. He hadn’t responded.
    The family hadn’t been happy with his decision to accept the job as sheriff rather than do what they expected and continue working the ranch. According to his father, as the oldest of Ewan and Lorna MacLaren’s six children, he had responsibilities he’d abandoned by accepting the badge.
    A cold knot settled in his stomach each time he thought of how not one of his family had supported his decision. Not even Colin, Quinn, or Blain—cousins who were more like brothers—had stepped forward in his defense. As much as he wanted to see Colin and Sarah, he didn’t look forward to sitting through supper with Colin berating him for his decision.
    Dismounting outside the jail, he walked in on leaden feet, wanting nothing more than to lay down in one of the cells and sleep. Sitting down at the desk, he