The Battle for Silver Creek (Bailey Clan Westerns Book 8)

A Boy Becomes a Man on the Frontier of South Texas

In the vast, unforgiving terrain of South Texas, the Bailey family seeks peace and purpose on their ranch by Silver Creek. But when tragedy strikes and outlaws threaten their land, young Jamie Bailey is thrust into a fight that will define his destiny.

After a deadly Comanche raid upends his childhood, Jamie grows up fast on a rugged cattle drive along the Chisholm Trail. He returns home hardened and renowned as a fast gun—an unwanted reputation in a land where every action speaks louder than words. As new neighbors move in, it becomes clear that some bring trouble. With tensions mounting and land at stake, Jamie must defend everything he holds dear. Backed by a loyal group of young cowboys and driven by grit, courage, and young love, Jamie prepares for a battle that will test him like never before.

The Battle for Silver Creek is a classic Western that captures the raw spirit of the frontier, the bonds of family, and the courage it takes to stand your ground.

Grab your copy of The Battle for Silver Creek now and ride into the heart of a timeless frontier tale.

Excerpt from the book

Trail Drive to Kansas

It had been a long and hard drive, and they had covered almost three hundred miles in a little over three weeks. The old Shawnee Trail to Waco made for a smooth and easy drive,with enough grass and water for the cattle along the way. The year was 1868 and they had come up from South Texas and would follow the Chisholm Trail from Waco to Wichita, Kansas. That was one of the landing points for cattle from Texas to be shipped to the beef-starved eastern states.

They came from the AB Connected ranch, which was located about twenty miles northeast of the Big Bend country. The ranch was owned by Patrick Bailey. He stood six foot four inches in his socks and was powerfully built. He had the typical chiseled features, strong chin, and gray-blue eyes of the Bailey clan, and he was fast on the draw.

The herd of one thousand five hundred head of cattle had been bedded down in a grassy hollow next to a stream, with three cowboys as nightriders in three-hour shifts. The last shift was about to finish, and the nightriders were Patrick, his young son Jamie, and a square-built Texan called Gunner Hogan, who had served under Patrick during the Civil War.

The first light of day was driving back the darkness when young Jamie said, “Pa! Riders approaching fast! Looks like Indians to me!”

Patrick whistled twice, which was a signal for Gunner, who raced his horse to the campsite to warn the others. Patrick came up to his son and said, “Let’s head them off, boy!”

They slid their rifles from the boot and rode forward to where there were some trees and a large knoll. Patrick always chose the ground to bed the herd down for the night, and he always looked for a place that would offer cover from a sudden attack. They came to a halt near some trees, and Patrick said, “You take the left, and I’ll take the right.”

There were fifteen Kiowas, and they were spread out, racing toward the herd. When they were fifty feet away, Patrick said softly, “Fire!”

They picked their targets and worked the lever action of their rifles in a blur of movement. Five Indians were hit before the Kiowas realized that they had lost the advantage of surprise. They swerved their horses, picking up three of their companions who had fallen, and raced away.

The boom of the rifles had brought the herd to its feet, but Gunner and the rest of the cowboys were there to keep them from stampeding.

Patrick told his son, “Watch them and make sure that they’re not swinging around to attack from another direction.”

The herd was restless, and some steers were bellowing when Patrick came up. He told Gunner, “Okay, let’s move them out! Once they’re moving, they’ll calm down.”

He told Craig Porter, “Tell Hunter we’re moving out, and then go see how Jamie is doing.”

Craig Porter, a tall, lanky man who was originally from Missouri, raised his hand in acknowledgement and rode back to camp. He found Hunter Wells, who was the horse wrangler with Bud Mason, and told him to move the remuda out.