Runner-up Winner of the 2019 Ozark Creative Writers Dusty Richards Memorial Oxbow Prize
B
EN DODSON RODE TOWARD the ranch house, hoping it was the one he was looking for. A woman stepped out on the porch, holding a short, double barreled shotgun pointed at him. He stopped his horse in front of the house, careful to keep his hands in plain sight, and tipped his hat. “Evening, Ma’am. I’m looking for the Brian Cummings place. Would this be it?” She raised her eyebrows, a questioning expressing crossing her face. “Yes, it is. What do you want?” Tall for a woman, and slender, with shoulder length blonde hair, her blue eyes narrowed and centered on him in a stern, suspicious stare, smart enough not to trust him and lower the shotgun. Being alone out here, she certainly had good reason not to relax. He smiled at her, trying to ease the tension. “Then I suppose you’re Janine, his wife. Is that right?” “Yes. that’s right. Who are you? How do you know my husband and how do you know my name?” She stood straight, shoulders tensed, holding the
shotgun aimed at his chest. No doubt, she’d pull the trigger if he made a false step. He motioned toward the chairs on the porch. “Could we sit down for a minute? I have something to tell you.” Her lips parted, as she stared at him. “I suppose so.” She backed away from the steps and motioned with the shotgun to the chair on the right, waiting until he was seated before easing down into the second one. She sat in silence, watching him, still holding the shotgun, but with the barrel lowered a bit, not pointing it directly at him. Ben paused, rubbing his fingers over his chin. Man, this was tough. Where to start? “My name’s Ben Dodson, and I’m sorry, but I’m bringing bad news. I was riding along a trail when I heard a gunshot in the distance. I’ve never been one to run from trouble, so I investigated.” She took a deep breath, as if fearing what he would say next. Ben hesitated, hating to say any more. Finally, trying to let his expression show the compassion he felt for this woman, he continued.
