To Race or Not to Race

Five years have passed since Billy Cassola wrestled away the Berkemeier homestead from Eli. But life for Billy didn't go as planned, and he finds himself fighting for his life, as his health deteriorates rapidly, thanks to his hard life, the only life he has ever known. The Berkemeier family stayed on at Doc Wilson's place after Molly's accident, and soon Eli had the Wilson farm thriving under his Protestant work ethic. But the past year brought dry weather, and everything they had accumulated the past few years was used up just to survive. The Berkemeier family was going to be okay, but when Eli bumps into Billy, and learns of his ailing health, and his need for financial support to go east to a doctor who could potentially help him, Eli once again finds himself in a predicament. Given the circumstances, this was the only way to save Billy's life, but the church forbade professional horseracing. Moreover, Billy was his enemy. Follow along as Eli wrestles with his thoughts, trying to decide if and how to help Billy, while Billy is left holding a losing hand, imminent death reaching for his life. To make matters worse, Eli is presented with an opportunity to go up against Billy and get his homestead back. Will Eli go against the church and help a dying enemy? Or will he turn his back on Billy, and leave him to his fate? Or will he betray Billy to get his homestead back? Only time will tell.