2
Jed
“I’m sorry, Mr. Thomkins—” the teller told the man in front of us, “—but I can’t let you withdraw any money from your brother Melvin’s account.”
My brother, Knox, and I stood behind the man in the bank, awaiting our turn to withdraw money for our supply trip down to Jasper. I sighed as quietly as I could. The quick trip inside was not going as expected. With the horse and wagon hitched at the rail, we’d hoped to be on our way by now.
The snow had melted enough on the pass for Slate Springs to be accessible once again, just a few weeks ago. Most likely in Wichita—where we’d lived until last year—it would be hot by now, but this far in the mountains was still chilly at night. I didn’t mind it at all. I was big and was always warm.
“Why not?” he asked, slamming his hand down on the
