In the early afternoon, a buckboard carrying two men came barreling into the valley. Sharps stepped forward, his hand hovering near the handle of his gun. After the surprise appearance by McCloud, he wasn’t going to take any chances.
“Hello there, Mr. Phipps,” Bart called, and Sharps realized this was the architect Bart had spoken of.
“Hall.” He stepped off the buckboard. “This is my assistant. He’ll make notes.” The man secured their team while Phipps approached with his hand extended. “I don’t suppose you’ve heard the latest news from town?” It was obvious the architect was anxious to share his news.
“Can’t say that we have.” Bart shook his hand.
“That’s right. You’ve been out here all this time.”
“What’s been going on?”
“A saddled horse came racing into town early this morning, an
