Book excerpt: Johnny stopped his horse; he could hear shooting in the far distance. 'I'm too far away to give them help. I shouldn't have stayed at the line camp.' He put his horse into a cantor and turned toward the distant shooting. Johnny took his Sharp, hobbled his horse and mules, and climbed a hill overlooking the edge of the battlefield. Eagle Feather and Amos were pinned down by half a dozen rustlers.The Ragan Brothersis Joe Wayne Brumett's second western novel, which catches up with Melody, Tom, Eagle Feather, and the rest of the outfit on the TM Ranch sixteen years after the conclusion toNorth of Big Spring.This time, however, there's a newcomer in the bunkhouse—Johnny Ragan, who quickly proves himself as a fierce shot after Indians attack the ranch. He earns himself a job with Tom McDowell and soon falls in love with Ruth, the daughter of the nearby Indian chief. As word of Johnny's quick hands and loyal heart spread, he is reunited with his long-lost brother, and the two go into business. But their fortune takes a turn for the worse when Ruth files for divorce and a mysterious band of thieves threatens the town. For readers who love the old west, The Ragan Brothers has the perfect mix of romance, adventure, and a cast of unforgettable characters.