text: Murdoch eyed his opponent. The game had settled on this one hand. Murdoch could see the chips in front of him and quickly calculated that he had only this shot to turn the corner. He kept his composure as he eyed the three of hearts and three of spades in his hand. But is was not his own hand that was important to him, it was Carrigan’s. Michael Carrigan was not one of those gamblers that roamed from town to town trying to set up a game and then move on. He owned the largest ranch in the area, he owned the bank and loaned much of the money to the business in the small little town of Milton Creek. He donated the land for the town church hall, and many of his men were diverted from their normal ranch duties to build it. He was known to be quick to laugh and quick to anger. He was generous and greedy all at the same time. But his biggest weakness was the tables. “Martha will only let me come to town with 100 dollars,” he would say before starting each game. But everyone knew he could get more if he needed it. He never needed it. Often walking away with double or triple what he came to town with, Carrigan was known through the region as one to beat. Murdoch knew that if he bet wrong the tide would turn one way or the other. He studied his opponent looking for any tell that would give the old man away. He realized he was looking to long and had to resist the urge to abruptly take is eyes off his opponent. He had been told that THIS was his tell. Boone always said he could tell Murdoch had a questionable hand. “That’s when you get all serious,” Boone would say. Boone was Murdoch’s foreman at the Circle ranch a town over in Chester Hollow. “It’s like you were a Mountain Lion closing in on his prey, only not so sneaky.” Murdoch swore to himself; he had struggled to keep this tell at bay, and Carrigan didn’t give him any indication whether or not he noticed such things. Yet he had a feeling he did. “This here, game its kinda mix of Stud and Draw, almost like a game out of Omaha,” Carrigan said. “I learned it from a German ranch hand, his family settled in Texas before he started pushing cattle. I don’t know its name.” Murdoch replied trying to keep the mood light. To Murdoch this game meant everything. He had ridden to town with only a few dollars and what was on his back, or in his saddlebags. He had a good horse and knew he could hold his own with any cowhand. Many men would be content with that, but Murdoch wanted more. Nothing extravagant just a small piece of land to keep a small herd of cattle, and simple and comfortable home. There was a piece of land just at the mouth of the devil’s canyon that would suit him fine. Carrigan owned it but had it up for sale, and Murdoch heard there were several others eying the land. Carrigan would sell off the smaller pieces of his large stake. He knew that as the town grew so would his opportunities. He would even loan the money with a low payment and reasonable interest. Carrigan was a man with grand plans so most of the land he sold he retained the water rights or sold them separately at a premium. The devil’s canyon property was different. It was a little bit further away from town and the ground was rocky and tough to work. And the grazing land was good but much higher in elevation and spread out across the mountains up to Coyote peak. Carrigan wanted nothing to do with it so he was selling the land, water, and mineral rights all in one. But it wasn’t cheap. He was asking 85 dollars for everything. Murdoch was looking down at his pile of winnings, 75 dollars he was so close to having the money--so close to having everything he wanted. Carrigan had matched Murdoch’s bet and raised him 2 dollars. Murdoch called. The first card came out as the queen of spades, then the 8 of clubs, and finally the three of hearts. Murdoch kept his eyes on his hand, overcompensating for his tell. He glanced at his opponent and was greeted by a smile. Murdoch combed his hand through his dirty blonde hair and then readjusted his shirt with his free hand. His work-worn boots were licked tightly to the floor, Murdoch knew that if he wasn’t vigilant his feet would start bouncing. “Mr. Murdoch, what’s your bet?” Carrigan urged. Murdoch knew that three of a kind was not enough to win. Should he risk more? Right now, he could take his winnings and wait a few months of riding for the Circle s Ranch in Chester Hollow. But it would be nice to get started right away. With ten more dollars, he could buy his property but would have to wait at least another season to start doing anything with it. “Ten dollars,” Murdoch said as he pushed the money to the center. Everyone in the bar, who had been watching the game in peripheral, quickly turned their full attention to the game. Ten dollars was a large bet, one could buy a good horse or even a reasonable horse and a gun with that money. You could make a living with a horse and a gun. That is if you didn’t drink it all away at the local saloon. Or lose it all in a game like this. “I’ll see that ten,” Carrigan said and wryly glanced at his cards. Murdoch sensed that Carrigan was pausing only for effect. “here is another 20.” A chatter surged out among the spectators. It had been a while since a game had been raised to such stakes. “Call!” Murdoch said not letting his eyes off Carrigan. The dealer flips the next card over, 2 of clubs. Murdoch swore to himself again. He was already into this hand too far, and even if he walked away now, he likely would not be able to have the money to buy his land for quite some time. It probably would be sold long before. “20 more!” Murdoch announced trying to show the anxiety blossoming in his stomach. “Call” Then the last card was down. 2 of spades. There it was, a full house, but was it good enough? As full houses go this was not the best. But Murdoch figured he had come this far. “I’m putting it all in!” Murdoch said disregarding any hope to conceal his fear and excitement. The smile left Carrigan’s face as he tried to decipher the clues on the man in front of him. This was a new side of his opponent, and Murdoch struggled to know what it meant. A focus had come of Carrigan, unlike anything Murdoch had remembered seeing before. “Mr. Murdoch,” Carrigan said. “I have a feeling this one’s on a knifes edge. And let me say it has been a pleasure. And whichever way this goes, I have a sneaky feeling you and I are destined to work together. Talk to me later, because I have a proposition for you.” With that, he matched Murdoch’s money and said “Call”