I was sitting at my desk as the new sheriff of Hawkley. I was at peace with myself. I was carrying on the good name of Stein by being sheriff. I had gotten even for the murderer of my father. I had a job and was supporting my mother. There was peace in my town. All was well in the world of Gram. Little did I know that was all about to come to an end.
It had been a month since I shot Carl Benson for shooting my father and ran Tom Benson out of town. Mack Benson was their father and I had never heard a word from him. It had gotten around town about how fast my draw was. So I just figured he had heard and decided not to cause any problems.

I also figured that since I became sheriff that he wanted no problems with the law. His sons may not have been law abiding, but Mack had always been law abiding. Mack was a large ranch owner and was becoming wealthy and a big name in the world of ranching. He never got a big head from it though and always treated people right. So I guessed he just thought what was done was right.

I had heard the horses ride into town from my office, but never thought anything about it until Jason Andrews came into my office at a full run. He ran up to my desk and said, “Sheriff I think there is going to be trouble. Old man Benson just road into town with some of his ranch hands.” I said with a giggle, ” This is his town. He can come into town.” Jason fired back, “He has a stranger with him and the man looks like a gun slinger.” “What makes you believe he is a gun slinger?” I asked. “Just the way he looks. Go see for yourself,” He said. I finished the conversation with, “Jason, you go about your business and will go check things out.”

Jason went out the door and I went over and grabbed my hat. I pulled my pistols from my holster and checked them. I grabbed my rifle, took a deep breath and headed out the door. Old man Benson was standing on the walk outside the general store when he saw me coming up the walk on the other side of the street. He turned and stepped into the street. The Stranger Jason was talking about stepped up behind him. Jason was right, he did look like a gun slinger. His hat was worn so the sun would be kept out of his eyes, guns were worn low and he kept his elbows bent in order to draw. I stopped and stepped into the street across from Mack.