Chained Apache Woman Begged Him to Do Anything — The Cowboy Did the Unexpected Thing
Chapter 27
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"That'll take weeks," someone protested."So, we do it in phases. Start with the most egregious cases. Sarah, didn't you say Marcus took your water rights?""Half of them, yes.""Then, as the council's first official act, we return them—publicly, with witnesses from every family. We show that the new way delivers real results, not just promises."David Martinez nodded slowly. "That's smart. It undercuts their entire narrative, makes them look like they're fighting against people's interests rather than for them.""It also paints a target on everyone who accepts the redistributed resources," Katherine warned. "The loyalists will hit them hardest.""Then we protect them," Thomas said. "Concentrated defense of specific targets is easier than trying to protect everything at once."The debate shifted, taking on new energy as the strategy crystallized: not just defense or offense, but a coordinated campaign to prove the new system worked while preparing for the violence that resistance would bring.Caleb watched it come together and felt something he hadn't felt since before the war: hope. Not naive optimism, but genuine belief that maybe, just maybe, this group of imperfect people could build something worth defending.The council session continued for hours, hammering out details and addressing concerns. By the time they finished, they had a plan: imperfect, risky, but workable.As people dispersed to begin implementation, Ayla caught Caleb's arm. "I need you to do something for me.""Name it.""Go with the first redistribution party. Sarah's getting her water rights back, but she'll be vulnerable. I need someone I trust watching over her.""You trust me that much?""I trust you with my life. This is just property."Caleb nodded. "I'll keep her safe.""And Caleb... if the loyalists come, if it turns into a fight, don't try to be a hero. Just get everyone out alive.""I'll do my best.""That's what I'm afraid of. Your best usually involves putting yourself between other people and bullets.""Old habits."She kissed him quickly. "Come back to me. We've got a world to build, and I need you here for it.""Yes, ma'am."The redistribution party rode out the next morning: Sarah Chen, two of her ranch hands, Caleb, and three of Thomas's best fighters. They carried official documents from the council and enough weapons to defend themselves if necessary.The ride to Sarah's ranch took most of the day. It was hard country, beautiful in its harshness, full of arroyos and mesas that offered both stunning views and perfect ambush positions."Marcus's men used to ride this way every month," Sarah said as they traveled, "collecting what he called administration fees for managing the water rights. Really just stealing from us while pretending it was legal.""How long did this go on?" Caleb asked."Five years. Five years of watching my family's work benefit someone who did nothing to earn it." Her jaw tightened. "You can't know what it's like having something stolen from you, not by bandits, but by people claiming to act for the greater good.""I can imagine."