Our story takes place in Winnsboro east Texas on a 77-acre ranch and cattle farm. Our main character is Johnny Diego aka  "The Cow lick kid" and his dad Marcus Diego, his mom Lucia Diego, and sister Carmen Diego. It's  June 21, 1967. It's a hot and windy day, and Johnny and his dad are taking the tractor and trailer loaded with hay for the cattle on the back 20 acres. Johnny is sitting on one of the hay bales directly behind his dad as his dad drives the tractor to the feeding area where the cattle gather for food. Suddenly there is a sound of gunfire coming from the tree line just beyond their property boundary. Pow, pow, pow, pow, "get down son!"" yells Marcus." I'm hit son, stay low!"

Johnny's dad is a preacher. He's an old fashion Tennessee mountain preacher, who inherited the 77-acre farm 10 years ago from his uncle Joe who passed away suddenly. Marcus moves the family there hoping to raise his family in a good wholesome environment and make a living on farming and cattle. The neighbors have taken a real dislike for the preacher because of his preaching against drugs and alcohol. The Wilder family is the main antagonist who constantly threatens and tries to get the Diego family to leave their beloved farm. Johnny got his nickname," cow lick kid"  when a  pet red heifer would always greet Johnny with a bellow and a slurpy lick at feeding time.

Marco is wounded in his shoulder, but not seriously. He and Johnny make their way back home where two church members have just driven up and they hurry to assist Marco into the house. They take the tractor back to the lower twenty and finish feeding the cattle. Johnny's mom gasp as she sees the wound in Marco's shoulder. "Marco, what on earth happened to you?" with a look of bewilderment. It'll be fine sweetheart, fetch me some alcohol and that tube of antibiotics in the medicine cabinet. At about that time Carmen enters the kitchen and screams, "oh daddy you're hurt". Now, daughter don't you fret I'm fine, it's just a scratch.  "Shouldn't we pray Dad?", asks Johnny.

You're right son kneel and pray for your old dad and all concerned with this event, Ask the good Lord to have mercy on those who would harm us. Carmen quickly kneels beside her brother as several tears roll down her rosy cheeks. Lucia enters carrying the medicine and bandages and also kneels as she sees the others praying."Oh, gracious heavenly father" begins Johnny, "thank you for all your wonderful mercy and grace to our family, Lord help my dad recover quickly from this attack of the devil. Lord help us love and trust you more each day that we may grow in thy grace, we humbly ask in Jesus' name."  "Thank you, son" as he pulls  Johnny close and hugs him with his good arm.

Lucia finishes bandaging Marco's shoulder and there's a knock on the door. Lucia opens it and it's the county Sheriff Bill Curly." Howdy Mrs. Antonio, is everyone safe here?

We had a report of shots fired from the road at the back of your farm." "Come in Bill", says Marco, "you're just in time for dinner." 

 "I've just finished dinner preacher, might have a cup of coffee if Lucia doesn't mind." "Mind?" says, Lucia, "I insist, have a seat." "What in tarnation happened to your shoulder preacher"? ask the Sheriff with a puzzled look. Johnny blurts out, "Dads been shot, Sheriff."

"Do you need an ambulance, Marco?" "Not at all Bill, it's just a flesh wound, could have been serious though!" Lucia brings the food, and coffee for Bill. Grace is said and the family enjoys a good meal.

After the meal, sheriff  Curly says, "Marco let's go down where you were grazed by the bullet and see if we can find any evidence of the shooter."  Cool, says Johnny, can I go too? The sheriff says, "sure Johnny, maybe you can help find some shell casings to help identify the weapon they used." Carmen says, "may I please go too?"

Sheriff Bill scratches his head and says, of course, sweetie, we ain't gonna leave out those sharp little eyes of yours. You might be the little one that breaks this case wide open!"

Lucia says, "Marco you and the kids please be careful!"

"We will all be OK Lucia, I'm calling in for a couple of Texas 

rangers to meet us there, says Bill.  We will find these devilish folks."

The crime scene.

Bill Curry parks his squad car on the side of the winding country road. The road is only about 200 yards from Marcus's back fence boundary. Soon two Texas Rangers pull up arriving from opposite directions. They too park and greet Bill and Marcus and the kids. "Howdy Bill, says Ralph Smith grasping Bill's hand in a friendly greeting.   "Who are these folks with you, Bill?" "This is the Diego family, Marcus, Johnny, and Carmen". "Marcus Diego, you're the preacher at the little Baptist church on main street aren't you?" ask Ralph as he wipes sweat off his brow with a large red bandana. "Yes sir, as he shakes Ralph's hand."

Los Ninos Salvjes

Johnny pulls on his dad's shirt tail to get his attention.

"Dad, says Johnny, excitedly whispering into Marcus's ear, that red bandana is just like the one those bad guys wear in the "Los Ninos Salvjes" motorcycle club. A kid in our school wears his dad's bandana who is in the club."

I know, says Marcus, we will talk later about this, don't let these troopers hear anything about this. The motorcycle club is very dangerous and it concerns Marcus that this state trooper may be one of the members. The group search the area with no

clues as to who the shooter was.

Sorry Marcus, looks like who ever shot at you was a pro, and left us with no clues to make an arrest.

Suddenly a group of gang members appear from over the hill and surround The Sheriff and Marcus and his kids. "Stay close says Sheriff Curry, these dudes are trouble!