The Drifter (The Fast Gun Series Book 4)

A Drifter, a Town in Peril, and a Reckoning in the West

Dusty Shaw has never stayed in one place too long. From the Texas bayou to the high plains of Kansas, he’s made a name for himself as a top hand—and a man no one wants to face in a gunfight. When his trail leads him to Cottonwood, Wyoming, he finds more than just another job. Ranchers are under siege. Cattle are vanishing. And a ruthless outlaw named Ben Jackson is tightening his grip on the land.

With danger mounting and loyalties tested, Dusty must confront his past and fight for a future worth settling down for. But first, he’ll face off against the deadliest gunman in the West—in a final showdown where only one man will be left standing.

Grab your copy of The Drifter, Book Four in the Fast Gun Series by Terence Newnes, and ride into a classic Western tale of grit, justice, and redemption.

Excerpt from the book

The town of Cottonwood was reviving after a hot afternoon as a cool wind blew across the land. It was an hour before dusk and the main street of the town was bustling with people going about their business and pleasure. A rider walked his pinto horse down the street and it was obvious to Zeke Kaplan that both rider and horse were tired. Zeke was standing outside his livery stable enjoying the cool breeze when he spotted the stranger. There was something about the way the man sat his horse that triggered a memory in Zeke. The rider pulled up next to Zeke and said, “Looking for a drink, a bath, and a good meal – the best that the town has on offer – and a place to rest for the night. Would be obliged if you could point me in the right direction.”

Zeke looked at the angular face with the slightly cleft chin, the dusty blond hair, the blue eyes, and he said, “Two buildings down on the opposite side there’s The Staghorn Saloon where they serve the best whiskey if you got the money to pay. Three buildings down on this side of the street is the Empire Hotel. You’ll get a hot bath in a real tub, the best food, and a clean bed to sleep in.” He paused and then added, “Better than what you can get in Kansas.” The rider stared at him for a moment and then said, “Kansas! Yeah, I reckon I’m more tired than I figured. You’re Zeke, if I recall correctly.” Zeke smiled faintly and said, “That’s my name, and you’re Dusty Shaw, the cowboy with a fast gun – in fact, two fast guns!” Then he added dryly, “You kill any more rustlers lately?” Dusty scratched his jaw and replied, “A few, but some of them were herd cutters. Took a herd to Kansas from Arizona and ran into Jicarilla Apaches, rustlers, and these men who figured to cut my herd.”

He swung down from his saddle and said, “Like to leave my horse here and you give him the best you got. He deserves the best because he got me away from a band of roving Sioux who seemed determined to hang my scalp in one of their lodges.” He led the horse into the stable and began to remove his saddle and gear. Zeke followed him in and asked, “So what brings you to this corner of the world?” Dusty shrugged and replied, “Spent a week in Abilene just resting up after delivering the herd. That drive took me nigh on three months and it was tough. I started drifting again and figured to just work peacefully on a ranch for some time. A man who came up to my camp for a cup of coffee said that this new Territory of Wyoming was good cattle country.” He hung up his saddle and led his horse to a stall. “Figured I’d had my fill of fighting, and the way the man spoke, this here new territory sounded right peaceful.”