The distance between Middlestone and Flashing Star was many miles. That’s why they usually took the stagecoach which came by those way stations. The horses got refreshed and the travelers could stretch their legs. They also got a meal from the inhabitants. Such a way station carried the name Red Stone.
On a certain day two outlaws, Handsome Nicky Taylor and Fast Gun Jerry Parker, rode to a stagecoach. They stopped.
Nicky asked the driver Jim Watts, “Would it be possible if we rode along to the next way station?”
“Inside there is no more room anymore but you do can ride next to it”, was the answer of Jim.
Nicky looked at his partner and that one nodded approving.
“Deal”, Nicky said smiling.
When they were riding well again Mrs Beth Florance said, “What are those two cowboys doing next to the stagecoach? They are not up to much good anyway.”
“They do look attractive”, was the comment of daughter Mandy.
Her sister Claire confirmed that.
“Girls, you do not bother with them. They are not from our kind. Please remember that”, Beth replied who meant to be above everyone.
The outlaws had noticed the sisters too. But they didn’t let it show just yet.
After a long time Red Stone Station came in sight. It had been a very long travel and the horses needed their rest very badly. Suddenly Nicky got hit by a lost bullet. He fell from his horse and lost his consciousness. Jerry rode to him and dismounted. Mandy and Claire came closer.
“Just bring him inside” way station owner Steve Laine said.
That happened and Mandy took the care of the outlaw on her. This to great annoying of her mother.
“The bullet has gone right through him”, Mandy said amazed to Jerry after she had examined and bandaged Nicky.
“He will come over it. Don’t you worry”, was the answer of Jerry.
In brief he told what their names were. By the injury of Nicky the departure got postponed.
“I demand that we leave now”, Beth said determined.
“No one leaves until Nicky is recovered”, Jerry reacted fierce.
He got up and walked to the woman.
“I have heard that women sometimes had gotten a less dignant role. But you take the cake what that concerned”, the outlaw said to Beth.
“You are far below my standards”, was her indignant answer.
Half way the evening Nicky woke up. He looked into the blue eyes of Mandy and started to smile.
“Hello Nicky. I am Mandy Florance”, Mandy said softly.
The outlaw was amazed that she knew his name. Though he was sold by her beauty and charms. At that moment kwam Mrs Cindy Laine came in with some soup and bread.
“How is it with the patient?”, she asked.
“Alright. But I rather be recovered”, replied Nicky.
“I surely will believe that. Here is some food for the both of you”, said the wife of Steve.
Grateful Mandy received the food. She fed the outlaw who not really was able to eat by himself.
The night got spent at Red Stone station.
“I stay with Nicky tonight”, Mandy said when the sleeping arrangements got discussed.
“No way. My daughter does not sleep in one room with an outlaw!”, Beth said but Mandy didn’t listen to her mother.
“He needs me harder than you do”, was the comment of Mandy.
Beth was heavy insulted and said snappy, “You are not my daughter anymore.”
Claire said, “I am behind Mandy.”
“The same goes for you, rotten brat!”, snapped Beth.
“That is not really a language for a lady”, Steve said softly to his wife.
Mandy disappeared to Nicky while Claire looked for comfort by Jerry.
The rest of the hours went by quite peacefully. The five travelers were forced to stay because Jim had gone ahead to keep up the scheme on time.
The next morning Jerry was up early. He was with the horses when Claire came to look him up.
“Morning Jerry”, she said.
“Morning darling”, said the outlaw.
He grabbed her tight and pulled her into the hay. Before breakfast the young couple made so passionate love that the sparks flew all around.
Claire said, “Jerry, I love you and I want to stay with you forever.”
“The same goes for you. If I am not mistaken has your sister fallen for Nicky”, was the answer of Jerry.
Claire nodded. Both got dressed and went to the ranch house for breakfast. Steve, his wife Cindy and Beth were already eating when the twosome came in. There was nothing said when Jerry and Claire came to the table.
After breakfast Claire helped Cindy with the dishes. Jerry kept a sharp eye on his mother-in-law. He had the vague suspicion that she had injured Nicky. Totally unexpected there was a knock at the door. Jerry made his rifle ready to shoot and pointed it at the door.
“Who is there?”, Steve asked directly.
“Sheriff Tim Trevors”, the visitor replied.
“Let him in”, Jerry said approving.
Steve opened the door and Tim came in.
“I demand that you arrest those two outlaws”, Beth said fierce.
“We haven’t done anything wrong sheriff. Nicky is not able to travel”, Jerry defended himself and his partner.
“I was wondering where you remained. Is it already known who shot down Nicky?”, Tim asked calm.
“It had to be one of us”, Claire said op that moment.
No one could suspect that Beth was the culprit. Tim wist that Jerry hadn’t done it but didn’t say that out loud.
In the bedroom Mandy and Nicky heard voices.
Nicky said, “There is something going on in there.”
“I go and have a look. Stay here”, Mandy said to the outlaw who had recovered quite well.
Mandy opened the door and felt the tension coming.
“Finally. You are free. Come here quickly Mandy”, her mother ordered.
“Why? What do you mean mother? Nicky and I heard voices so I came to see what the matter is”, was the reaction of Mandy.
“Young lady, I am sheriff Tim Trevors. I come to see Jerry and Nicky. I understand that Nicky is injured. Can I see him?”, asked Tim.
“Yes sure. He is in the bedroom. He hasn’t done anything, has he?”, Mandy asked worried.
“No. Jerry, you come along as well”, Tim said calm.
They went to the bedroom. When Nicky saw the sheriff he looked very amazed.
“I was just as amazed as you, Nicky”, Jerry said quickly.
Tim closed the door and put both hands on the edge of the bed.
“I have news for you about your request for amnesty. The governor has given his approval”, Tim told both outlaws.
Although they were pleased at first that they had it, there wasn’t much enthusiasm to be found by the two of them.
“What is the matter boys?”, the sheriff asked worried.
“It is nice that we get amnesty now but nobody will believe us”, Jerry said after a while.
“It is about that you can lead a quiet life from now on”, said Tim.
“Not without Mandy”, Nicky said now a bit more cheerful.
“Or living without Claire is for me now impossible”, Jerry reacted laughing.
“Their mother wants to have you arrested”, Tim said calm.
Suddenly Nicky went to sit up and he said, “Mrs Florance had a hunting rifle in her hands and she shot at something. There by I got injured.”
“So that explains why there was no more room in the stagecoach. Madam needed all the space for herself. Can’t you do something about that sheriff?”, asked Jerry.
“You shall have to tell her. Then she will confess”, said the sheriff.
“I feel good enough to travel”, was the answer of Nicky.
He got up and got dressed.. The outlaw was first a bit dizzy but with the help of Jerry and the sheriff soon that became less.
In the big room Mandy said to her mother, “I have decided to stay with Nicky. I love him and he loves me.”
“No way. I do not want to have an outlaw as son–in-law”, said Beth.
“Ma, we know that you shot him”, reacted Mandy.
Now her mother became very angry and she got her hunting rifle. She loaded it and pointed it at the bedroom door. Claire and Mandy ran to the door. The following moment Beth shot not only at her daughters but also at Steve and Cindy. The outlaws and the sheriff went inside.
The female shutter walked around laughing until she got to hear, “Mrs Beth Florance, you are under arrest.”
Nicky and Jerry took care of the wounded who made it well. Claire and Mandy saw how their mother got taken away by sheriff Trevors.
Steve asked, “What are you going to do? We don’t have the eternal life. I think that you can run it here when we tell you how it works. ”
“Jerry, Trevors said that we can lead a quiet life from now on? Well, this is our chance with the gals”, Nicky suggested.
Jerry nodded and explained everything.
“We do love you anyway. Even if you were the sheriffs of a hamlet”, the girls said at the same time.
Because Red Stone Station got managed by two former outlaws there was never an ambush again. This made sure that several stagecoaches passed by the way station.