The History of Busted Gulch - Vol. 3

Part 2 Vol. 3

With the town back to normal and cleaned up after the Jamboree, the domestic situations were back front and centre. Billy was still struggling with his dilemma with Rue since she explained her new relationship with Jujube.

Her spirit guide, grandmother Shari, had to advise Rue on exactly what she had done in saving Jujube's life

3Gun sat on his tilted chair and considered what needed to be done now that the Jamboree had ended. Tent City had become a permanent addition, which was not expected, and added to the policing duties of he and his deputies. Alister's mine was attracting a lot of attention for a variety of reasons, not all positive.

Other personal stories needed some attention too and 3Gun, while not wanting to get involved, felt an obligation to some. Young Raven and Crooked Smile bothered him and the new young fella, Gani, was taking a big interest in AJ's protégé, Gyn. He just showed up in town and doesn't seem to have any roots or a job.

One thing he thought was taken care of was the transfer of the prisoners from BG to the county seat. Little did he know that Lorne had been ambushed by a bunch of Tex Mex banditos who broke into his wagon and freed the prisoners.

Shots were fired and in short order, (no pun intended here) Marshal Order had whittled the opposition down to one man, Jimmy Changa. Changa repeated Tex Mex's threat before being sent, tail between his legs, back with an equally dire threat from the Marshal. Lorne knew his was empty unless the town was warned and he turned his now empty wagon around and headed fast back to Busted Gulch.

While 3Gun was thinking all was well, the stage arrived from Rickety and he watched the passengers disembark. Two dangerous looking men followed by a very confident looking woman.

They all headed for the saloon and 3Gun learned they had come to meet with Mayor Johnny Walker. Something familiar about the men sent him off to the jail where he found an old notice naming them as the Ryder Brothers, Lowe and Pale. Not a good omen.

At about the same time, the Gani/Gyn situation changed dramatically. One of the ranchers, Mustang Bob, was driving a herd north and he was hiring hands at a good rate. Some friends of Gani's found him and talked him into signing on; he never kept his date with Gyn or even said goodbye. His decision did not sit well with AJ.

On the other domestic front, Billy had pumped up enough nerve to make his statement to Rue.

He called on her, taking flowers and getting her to agree to a date. She was not as focused as he might have liked but the wheels were in motion and he dashed off to make arrangements with Darkly and AJ. He wanted the cafe for the evening . . . alone with Rue.

3Gun worried about this business with the mayor and the woman, Daisy Canon and when he saw them all taking the buckboard out of town toward Tent City, he worried even more. He walked to the newspaper office to see if CrazyGoose had any information on the mayor and if she could snoop around and see what he might be up to with the newcomers. Meanwhile, he was going to take a little ride out to Tent City himself.

He sang for his horse and it came right away . . . all saddled and ready to go.