Publisher's Synopsis
Jake Payne faced evil early on. His father was robbed and murdered then died in Jake's arms, killed by two hired killers. *** "I saw something that made my blood boil. What I saw across the clearing, maybe a quarter mile away at the tree line was two men apparently beating against Dad's wagon with an axe or tool. I could see no sign of Dad. If I rode across the open, grass filled clearing I would make an easy target for the two men but what else could I do. Hugging close to the horse and with my rifle in my right hand they looked up and began firing at me. *** I followed Abby and out of the blue said; "When we meet up out west one day I'm going to marry you. I don't know how or when but keep watching for me." Her expression was anything but friendly. "You've got your nerve. I don't even know who you are!" she stated flatly and moved towards the door. "Don't hold your breath." *** At that moment a crashing noise came from behind us and turning we saw a grizzly charging towards Nick and Tag. Tag began a hideous bark that we had never heard before, but the bear was focused on Nick. As I pumped a shell into my Winchester, the bear swiped his great forepaw to Nick's left arm and side, throwing him to the ground. At that moment Tag ran between Nick and the bear becoming the new target. *** It was late afternoon. The shadows were long in the canyon and I stood studying the spot. 'I will call this Rattler Point and I brushed out any evidence that I had been down to the cave. I studied the landmarks to form a picture in my mind. I knew where to cross the great river and I knew how I had been forced this way but finding that cave had set me thinking. 'What a great place for our "bank." Jake could draw the place and put it in his journal so we can always find it. We can go back the way I came. Rattler Point, the bank.' *** It was 3:30 in the morning and she had taken the breast milk and Abby was back in bed. I was in the front room of the house, the one with the window made of multiple small frames of glass. All of a sudden, one pane shattered and something heavy fell on the floor and rolled up next to me. I jumped to my feet and ran with the baby to our room, handing her to Abby. "Keep quiet and stay away from the windows. The reader will be stunned at the twists and climax of the story and will wonder about the location and value of the treasure.
