Purple Mountain Standoff

A bullet whistled by Cole Smith's ear as he leaned low into his Appaloosa, GreyBoy, and spurred his trusted horse up the rutted mountain trail. GreyBoy bolted forward, his spotted coating drenched from traversing the steep climb. A second bullet ricocheted off a boulder as Cole pulled the reins hard, making a sharp turn, out of harm s way. Troublesome Dooley Sikes, he muttered and swallowed hard. If the third time is a charm, I want no part of it.