Two Sides of the Same Coin by Jake Mactire

please.”
    We’d been walking along Main Street and came upon my truck. I was about to head back to the ranch.
    “Can I drop ya anywheres?”
    “If you don’t mind dropping me at home, I’d be grateful.”
    “No problem at all.”
    I had dropped Sandy off at home and began heading up the highway toward the ranch. A couple of miles outside Winslett, an ambulance passed me, sirens blaring and lights flashing. We’re pretty far out in the sticks, so an ambulance wasn’t a normal occurrence. I wondered where it could be going, but didn’t pay it too much mind. A herd of deer by the side of the road caught my attention, and I slowed way down. We’re on a deer migration route, and it’s not uncommon to see over a hundred in a day of driving around. I sure didn’t need a deer running right out in front of the truck. I got caught up in the radio. Taylor Swift’s “Tim McGraw” was playing. I really like the song, although it’s a bit sad, unrequited teenage love. It’s a wonder we ever get through our teen years. I started up the turn off which went up to the ranch. As I drove to the top and came over the last rise, I was shocked to notice the ambulance which had passed me was parked in the front yard with its lights still flashing. The sheriff’s car was parked over to the side. A group of paramedics was gathered around a prone figure on the ground. I looked around and saw José and Josh. Where was Mike? Where was Wayne? What the hell happened? I pulled over to the side, put the truck in gear, and pulled the parking break. I ran toward Josh and José.
    “Guys, what happened?”
    “Josh took a long look at me and answered in a flat voice.
    “Mike and Wayne were up herdin’ the beeves away from the areas which have roads near ’em outside the fence. They had separated, and all of a sudden there were shots. Looks like more ’n one shooter since they were both set up as target practice.” I noticed it was Wayne on the ground with the paramedics. He was conscious and grimacing with pain.
    “Wayne got shot, but it’s not too serious. Must hurt like hell though.”
    “Where’s Mike? What happened to Mike?” I could hear my voice rising in panic.
    “He’s okay, boss. He didn’t get shot or hurt, and now he’s talkin’ to the sheriff.”
    “So Wayne’s gonna be okay?”
    “From what the paramedics say, yep, but he’ll be outta commission for a couple of days. It’s a shot clean through his side, but didn’t hit anything important. Still, they plan on keepin’ him in the hospital in Wenatchee for a day or so.” Josh had answered this time.
    I breathed a huge sigh of relief.
    “I’m really happy he’s okay.” I was also ecstatic Mike was okay, and was feeling just a bit guilty that I seemed to be so much more worried about him than Wayne. By this time, they had Wayne on a gurney and were about to put him in the back of the ambulance. I walked over to him.
    “Hey, Wayne, you want me to come with ya?”
    “No, I’m a tough old bastard, and it’ll take more than this to stop me. Just wish I could get my hands on the son of a bitch that did it though.”
    “You’ll be okay, Wayne, I know ya will.” The paramedics lifted the gurney up and rolled him into the back of the ambulance.
    “I’ll come by the hospital tomorrow,” I called out to him.
    “You do that. But not too early, I plan on gettin’ a good night’s sleep tonight.”
    “You got it, Wayne.” The paramedics closed the door and jumped into the front. In a moment the ambulance was gone. No sirens or flashers, which was a good sign. I noticed the sheriff standing right behind me.
    “You get the stuff I asked for?” he asked the last of the search and rescue guys who were getting in their truck. The answer came back positive, and one of the guys handed Sheriff Johnston some bags.
    “What happened, Sheriff?”
    “Damn rustlers are getting’ awful ballsy. Wayne and Mike musta got too close, so they started tryin’ to shoot