Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

White flakes settled onto the gnarled branches of the old oak tree. “We’d better hurry, Pa,” said Buck Watson. “It’s startin’ to snow.”

“Throw the rope over that big branch,” said Jake Watson. “It’s gotta be strong enough to hold this horse thief 'til he’s good and dead.”

Nearby, Buck’s brother Billy held the reins of a horse on which sat a man whose hands were tied behind his back.

“It’s ready, Pa,” said Buck.

Billy led the horse to the base of the tree, and Jake eased close enough to slip the rope around the man’s neck. “Okay, Johnson,” he said. “You got any last requests? Not that you deserve any, but I’m a fair man.”

“Yeah,” said Johnson. “I’d like a cookie.”

“Where in tarnation do you think we’re gonna find a cookie around here? Either make a reasonable request or start sayin’ your prayers.”

“There’re some in my saddle bag,” said Johnson.

“Billy,” said Jake. “Get the man a cookie.”

“Um, I can’t do that, Pa.”

“Why the blazes not?”

“I ate ‘em.”

“You what?”

“I found ‘em earlier, and I couldn’t resist.”

“Why, you young whippersnapper. You’re no better than Johnson.”

“But he stole a horse,” said Buck. “Horse is worth a dang sight more than a cookie.”

“There were three cookies,” said Johnson. “Maybe four.”

Billy hung his head. “I’m sorry, Pa. “I ate ‘em all.”

“I returned the horse,” said Johnson. “I’ll never get those cookies back.”

“Man makes a point,” said Jake. “Turn ‘im loose, Buck.”

“But Pa.”

“You heard me.”

As the snow fell harder, three men rode away in one direction, one in the other. And once again, justice had been served. With chocolate chips.