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threw a shoe. He took off pretty quick,” he said remembering the incident.  He fired a perfect shot at the rope that wrapped around Ryker’s neck as the horse shot out from under him. The man who was holding him to begin with took the third bullet from his shotgun as he drew his own gun.  The first went through the gunman’s hand who’d just shot Ryker in the shoulder. Ryker was already strangled unconscious and fell like a brick from his horse hitting the ground hard, face first. Hence, the swollen eye.
    Now here was his spooked horse, coming home where he obviously thought it was safe, and then meet a stranger that probably still smells like gunpowder. Cogan approached him slowly. He shied away with a hop and a snort eyeing him warily showing him the whites of his eyes. Cogan wasn’t worried.  He knew horses well. If he came home, he did feel safe here.  He just had to be patient and calm the fella down.  After a few soft spoken words, he settled enough that Cogan could take the reins.  Cogan ran his hand down his sweat soaked neck continuing to his fetlock to check his leg.  He bent over and lifted the front hoof. 
    “Is h e okay?  Ryker loves that horse,” Thomas asked.
    “It’s a shoe,” h e confirmed running a finger around the circular impression where it used to be. He released the leg and stood tall. “I’ll get him fixed up in no time. Now, why don’t you tend to my horses and I’ll take care of your brother’s.”
    “Sure thing Mister.”
    “Just call me Cogan and rub those boys good.  They need it,” he ordered.
    “Yes sir .” Thomas would have done anything for this man at that point.  He saved Ryker.
    Cogan noticed the bruising around the horse’s mouth too.  It was from stomping on his own reins while tearing out of there causing the bit to pinch down on his tender mouth.  This fella needed some serious tenderness.
    Josie watched the scene from Ryker’s bedroom windo w while the doctor worked on Ryker. The bullet was removed and the doctor was patching him up. She’d seen her brother’s horse come home and Cogan check it out.   She worried that she put too much trust in him too soon.  She didn’t know him and trust wasn’t easy to come by when there was money involved.  As far as she was concerned, men and greed were untrustworthy despite what he said.  Still, they owed him.  Now with Ryker laid up, they had no protection.  She could shoot well enough, but she doubted she could take out five men like Cogan did. Despite her misgivings, they had no choice.  They needed him.
    ***
    The next morning Josie checked on her brother.  The doctor left her laudanum to help him sleep so he could recover.  To her relief, he was able to extract the bullet cleanly and a few bone chips with it.  He said he’d heal well and should have full use of his arm in about two months.  Right now it was in a sling.  Once she got the rest of him cleaned up she saw the damage Butch’s men did.  He had a few broken ribs, his lip was split, his nose was busted and one of his eyes was swollen shut with a large purplish-black bruise that covered half his face.  It infuriated her.  How could they gang up on him like that?  Ryker was tough.  He was as tough as they come, but six against one was enough to take any man down. If she didn’t have her wits about her, she would be tempted to load up the shotgun and head to town.  However, she did know better. That wouldn’t do any good for her family because she would lose.  Butch was too heavily armed and protected.  She’d end up getting herself killed, or worse.  She shuddered inwardly.  Butch had already blatantly informed her of what wanted if he had her to himself.
    She rinsed a cloth and wiped her brother’s forehead.  He moaned but didn’t wake.  It was a good thing Ryker was drugged because he had a temper that was worse than hers.  Once he found out that his arm wouldn’t be that much use for a few months, he’d probably