America 1883: The Western Homeland

Chapter 146 An Unexpected Visitor to Paradise Valley

Tom understood immediately.

Wade's meaning couldn't be clearer: before the heavy snow completely closes off the mountains, stock up on more wild game; beef is a hard currency, so save where you can.

But things never always go as planned.

Paradise Valley has unexpected guests.

When Dan was led to the reception room, he could hardly believe his eyes.

"This is the estate you built?" Dan couldn't understand why, with this spare money, they didn't go to Oregon, where it's spring-like all year round.

Instead of answering his question, James asked him directly, "Why are you here?"

It's too blunt, but you can't blame James. As Bozeman's sheriff, his sudden arrival in Paradise Valley is bound to raise suspicions.

Dan slumped on the sofa, not expecting the Darton family to be so willing to spend money.

Perhaps it was because they sold those high-priced cattle that they had money in hand, and then they built such a large estate.

"Someone went to the mayor to complain about you, saying that you have taken over Paradise Valley and monopolized all the grass and water resources inside, without sharing them with everyone."

Dan spoke casually, but his gaze was not serious at all, and he even had time to look around at his surroundings.

"What's that?" Dan asked, pointing to the stove built with red bricks.

Tom said, "It's obviously the stove!"

"You actually built the stove with red bricks?" Dan was a little surprised, then he saw that the partition wall was also built with red bricks.

He seemed to understand; the Dutton family's money was almost gone!

"Are you conveying our punishment?" James asked calmly.

Dan was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head. "I have a case that I need Tom's help with."

Tom frowned slightly upon hearing this.

"Tell them to come directly to Paradise Valley and find us!" James gave Dan no choice.

Why would someone ask Tom for help? It's obvious without even thinking. Would they ask Tom for help if it wasn't something dangerous?

James's firm refusal made it impossible for Dan to continue the conversation.

He could only pin his hopes on Tom.

But Tom didn't want to get involved in his mess, so he had no choice.

Dan could only reveal, "We found a hostage in the hands of the kidnappers. The hostage is the daughter of a wealthy New York businessman. Because we were worried that contacting her family rashly would bring danger, we asked Tom to send her to New York."

James didn't speak, but instead cast his own light on Tom.

The latter shook his head, and James was about to say something harsh.

"Tom, as long as you send him back, we'll agree to whatever you ask!"

"You guys?" Tom looked at Dan with a puzzled expression.

"Yes, that's also the town's request!"

Dan's words not only made Tom suspicious, but even James stared coldly at Dan.

"Don't you have anyone else? Why would you send Tom to deliver someone?" James began to suspect.

Dan sighed deeply. "To tell you the truth, we sent a telegram to New York before, but not long after, the hostages were attacked again. Fortunately, we managed to rescue them."

Tom smiled slightly, looking at Dan with a mocking expression.

Okay, Dan admits he wasn't telling the truth earlier.

"So you can't deal with the assassins who came, and you can't send the hostages away either. You're just stuck with them!" Tom's blunt sarcasm was quite embarrassing. A sheriff was actually forced by assassins to let the hostages leave quickly.

"I can't help you with this, Dan. You've dealt with hitmen from New York before. Tell me, how skilled is that guy?"

Dan shook his head. "They're not one person!"

Wow, they came as a group, which shows how determined they are to kill.

"That's even more unacceptable!"

James's refusal left no room for negotiation.

Although I don't know how skilled the assassins are, the assassin group from New York should be quite formidable!

"Tom!" Dan's gaze was fixed on Tom like a nail, filled with a desperate plea.

"Dan," Tom said, unmoved by his gaze, his tone calm yet penetrating, "just tell me, why are you and the mayor so insistent on protecting that woman as a hostage?"

This question was like a knife, piercing through the facade that Dan was trying to maintain.

He opened his mouth, but it felt like a stone was stuck in his throat, and in the end, he could only manage an awkward silence.

Tom wasn't in a hurry; he slowly took a sip of water.

He has plenty of time to wait, but how long can he wait to deal with the troubles that Dan and the mayor are involved in?

Dan, seemingly cornered, finally blurted out a glimmer of hope: "We've reached an agreement with her! As long as she's safely delivered to her parents, she'll agree to introduce Postman's business to New York!"

"For example?" Tom leaned forward slightly, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

"Copper mines! Beef! And—attracting investment to Bozeman to open ranches and buy land!" Dan rattled off the list in one breath.

Tom and James exchanged a glance; what they said sounded too vague and full of holes.

"Why should her parents listen to her?" Tom asked incisively, hitting the nail on the head.

Dan's face fell instantly, and her eyes darted away.

Even James next to him couldn't help but frown, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the armrest of the chair, and the air seemed to freeze.

"She—she promised! She will definitely keep her promise!" Dan's voice was hoarse, and it was almost a shout as his last defense.

That sounds more like self-consolation.

There are too many suspicious points, like a tangled mess.

Tom slowly shook his head, his refusal firm: "I can't get involved in this mess."

77

Dan's face turned ashen, knowing there was no turning back.

He struggled to his feet, preparing to leave the suffocating drawing room.

Just before leaving, Tom casually remarked, his voice low but striking Dan's heart clearly: "Dan, next time someone complains—tell them to come to Paradise Valley themselves."

Dan stopped in his tracks, his gaze involuntarily sweeping towards the valley entrance, where the towering watchtower, the dark firing ports, and the sturdy bunker stood.

He sighed heavily.

Send those people here in person? Forget about them coming; in the entire Bozeman, besides Tadan, who else is so fearless as to dare to step into Paradise Valley?

With this kind of situation, they'd probably be turned into a cold corpse lying on the ground the moment they entered the valley!

"Okay—alright, Tom." Dan's voice was weary, yet held a final vestige of reluctance. "Think it over again—name your price! If we can do it, we'll definitely do it for you!"

Tom nodded, his face expressionless.

People change, and Dan is no longer the bar owner he once was; he's now a powerful sheriff under Bozeman's command.

As we passed the doghouse at the mouth of the valley, the guard dog raised its head.

It recognized Tom, but its dog eyes stared intently at Tom's figure with an almost awe-inspiring wariness.

A low whimper escaped from his throat.

"Don't worry, I won't steal your kid!" Tom shook his head.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a hard, dry biscuit. With a flick of his wrist, the biscuit arced through the air and landed with a "thud" on the dry, muddy ground in front of the female dog.

Just as the mother dog got up and moved her massive body away, Tom's gaze suddenly froze!

Where the mother dog's warm body and shadow had previously concealed the creature, a fluffy little thing was now curled up!

The light golden baby hair was dotted with dark spots that hadn't faded, and its round body rose and fell gently with its breath!