Ties of Fate: A Contract with the Cowboy

pte

reets. As he approached the local farm shop, he dismounted and entered the store. He noti

ed to the conversation. Two men, Jim and Earl, were arguing

latest?" Jim sai

his eyes fu

r is going to marry old Silas. God have mercy on her so

gh his body. He knew Clayton was willing to do anything to get out of debt,

s a monster. No one deserves this, least

he left the feed on the counter and left the farm, quickly mounting his horse. He

ready to confront him once more. He h

line. He knew the mission would be risky, but he was willing to

e, the silence almost palpable. As he crossed the entrance hall, a young woman appeared around the corner, her face contorted in fear at the sight of Jack with a gun. "Ahhh!" she screamed, instinctively backing away, her hands covering her mouth. Jack lowered the revolver immediately, realizing that the woman was panicking. "Calm down, I'm not going to hurt

on was sitting at his desk, standing up abruptly at the n

ing?" Clayton shouted, his voic

plied, his voice thick with anger. "I heard about t

composure, raising his han

what it looks like. I'm just

ring her future, it's dooming her!" Jack stepped forward, hold

ed back, clea

k. I'm out of options," he

et your daughter pay for your despair." Jack took

y out, but he knew Jack was serious. His

he asked, his voice now fill

ath, trying to contr

ly happen under certain conditions," he said angrily,

brow, surprised by wh

ns be?" he asked sarcastically

e steady. He lowered his hand, even tho

, I don't trust you. I want to make sure Charlotte is treated with the res

ted, processin

rything will be legal?" he asked,

afe, and that includes clear and fair terms on paper. If you

is was his best and perhaps only option to re

harvest wasn't the best, I lost a lot of money. You can keep my daughter and you

frown on his face, he accepted. If it weren't for the madness of the man h

ton, if you deviate from what we agreed, you'll be dealing with me again and you'll face the conseq

ing the weight of th

. Let's do th

eave the office whe

ant to meet

r the first time, he had no an

re, I'll

ed after a few seconds, her hesitant footsteps echoing in the hallway. Jack immediately recognized h

, this is my daughter, Charlotte." Jack stepped forward, extending the same hand that had just hidden the gun in his clothes. "Hello, Charlotte. I'm Jack. I know this is a difficult situation, but I'm here to make sure you're safe." Charlotte looked at Jack's outstretched hand, hesitating for a moment before finally taking it. Her eyes searched for some sign of trust

oftening his tone. "We'll work this

ge, seemed anxious for every

? We'll go to the lawyer tomorrow

ut his focus w

ow. For now, let's all rest. W

e situation with sad resignation. Jack felt a weight on his chest, knowing tha

t stop thinking about the young woman he had just met. As his fat