PART 2: The Legend Returns to Larkspur Flats
By sunrise, Wren and Gideon reached an abandoned mining cabin.

Inside, Gideon revealed documents proving that Denholm had forged Silas’s debts to seize the ranch. More importantly, he possessed a letter from a former ranch worker who had witnessed Denholm’s men following Silas on the night of his murder.

Wren’s hands trembled as she read it.

“Why didn’t you show this to the judge?”

“Because the judge belongs to Denholm.”

Before Gideon could explain further, approaching hoofbeats interrupted them.

Deputy Cole Pruitt appeared outside, carrying a leather satchel.

“I know who you are,” Cole told Gideon.

Wren looked between them.

Cole swallowed. “That’s Gideon Cross. They used to call him the Ghost of Red Mesa.”

Years earlier, Gideon had become famous for surviving impossible gunfights and protecting frontier families from ruthless outlaws. Then he disappeared after Denholm arranged the murder of Gideon’s closest friend.

Now the legend had returned.

Cole opened his satchel. Inside were the sheriff’s missing reports, forged bank records, and a signed confession from Purdy Vance.

Together, the three rode back toward Larkspur Flats.

By afternoon, Denholm stood outside his bank, surrounded by armed guards.

When Gideon approached, the merchant’s confidence vanished.

“You should’ve stayed buried,” Denholm whispered.

Gideon stepped aside, allowing Wren to face him.

“No,” she said. “You should’ve left my family alone.”

Cole presented the evidence to a crowd of townspeople. As the truth spread, the sheriff’s deputies refused to defend Denholm.

The merchant reached for his weapon.

Gideon moved first.

A single shot sent Denholm’s revolver spinning into the dust.

Within minutes, Denholm and Sheriff Grange were under arrest.

Weeks later, Wren returned to her ranch, finally cleared of every charge.

At Silas’s grave, she whispered, “They couldn’t take our home after all.”

When she turned around, Gideon was waiting beside his horse.

“Where will you go?” she asked.

“Somewhere nobody knows my name.”

Wren smiled through her tears.

“Then stay. Around here, you’re just Gideon.”

For the first time in years, the legendary gunslinger had somewhere he wanted to call home