“Yep. We have another week to practice.”
“Maybe I'll give it a try next year,” Will said.
“I wish girls could race,” Laurel said.
Giving Laurel a condescending look, Luke said, “Girls aren't strong enough.”
“And you are? You're barely seventeen.”
“That's enough,” Will said, leveling a disappointed look at Luke. “I think girls ought to be allowed to race.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” Laurel hugged her knees against her chest, trying to hold in warmth. The air was so cold it hurt her lungs and burned her cheeks. She placed gloved hands over her face and breathed into them, warming her face. It helped a little. Then she stared up at the clear night sky. Stars winked out of a black blanket. “Daddy, do you think we'll see the northern lights soon?”
“Maybe. I hope so.”
“Not me,” Robert's sister, Veronica, said. “They sound spooky.”
“I'm not afraid.” Brian shoved his feet under a pile of hay.
“I think the lights would make Christmas perfect,” Laurel said.
The pickup slowed and pulled into the parking area outside the community building. Several cars were already there. Laurel stood and was ready to jump out when she spotted the three men who'd assaulted Robert.
“What's wrong, sugar?” Will lifted her out of the truck.
“Those men,” she said as she pointed. “They're the ones who attacked Robert.”
“I'd say they need a talking to.”
Robert stepped out of the cab.
“Are those the men who beat you up?” Will asked, nodding at the three hoodlums.
“Yeah, that's them.”
“Come on,” Will told Robert, taking a step toward them.
Robert grabbed Will's arm. “Let it go. I don't want any trouble. This is Christmas.”
Will looked at Robert. “You know I'm not a violent man, but these fellas need someone to stand up to them. It'll make it easier on the rest of the colonists.” He took another step. “I'm not going to say much,” he promised, “just enough. Jean, you and the kids go inside. Me, Luke, and Robert got something we need to do.” With Luke on one side and Robert on the other, Will strode toward the three.
The troublemakers straightened and stared at the approaching men.
Will stopped directly in front of them. Luke and Robert stood solidly beside him. Will's eyes moved from one to the other. Finally he said, “If you have a problem with one of us, you've got a problem with all of us.”
“Ooh, I'm afraid,” the redhead, Ted, taunted.
“If you had any wisdom, you would be.”
“Yeah, well we ain't afraid of no outsiders.” Ted spit tobacco juice at Will's feet.
Will glanced at the splatter, then settled his eyes on the young man's. “If I have to, I'll bring in the law.”
Ted pushed his tobacco deeper into his cheek. “You think so?” He looked at his friends and chuckled. “Things ain't the same here as down home on the farm. No one's going to touch us.”
“If that's the case, I'd be happy to deal with you personally.”
“So would I,” Drew Prosser said, joining Will.
“And me,” said Tom Jenkins, stepping up beside Robert.
Ted no longer looked so self-assured. “We didn't do nothin'. This guy's a liar.” He nodded at Robert.
“Sure,” Tom said. He studied the man. “Your daddies would probably be real unhappy to discover you've been causing trouble again. I've been around a good long while, and I know just about everybody in this valley, including your daddies. You'd be smart to skedaddle on home.”
“Yeah, we're goin',” Ted said and walked away, his friends at his side.
Wearing a smile, Robert watched them go. “Seems they've lost some of their bluster.”
“Are those the boys who beat you?” Tom asked.
“Yeah.”
“I don't think you'll have any more trouble with them. They know I'm not one to bluff, and they don't want their fathers knowing what they've been up to.”
“Hope you're right,” Will said. He headed toward the entrance. “Anyway, thanks for the help. How'd you know we were out here?”
“Your wife,” Tom said.
