Blood Bond 9

by William W. Johnstone

  “So you did. Only, when did I ever listen to your advice?”

  “Good point. But you should!”

  “Then think how boring your life would be!”

  The two blood brothers splashed up on shore, closing the gap between them and the bushwackers.

  “You think this is a good idea?” Matt asked. “They’re headed back for the camp—without even being invited for supper!”

  “Such bad manners! That’s almost as bad as taking pot shots at me!”

  Matt and Sam could see the two riders nearing the camp where Lester Brown and his son, Derrell, were cooking supper. Lester looked up, surprised, as Hardesty raced toward him.

  “Oh, hell!” the outlaw replied, jerking his horse’s reins to guide him around the fire. The horse was still dripping creek water. It slid near the fire, splashing Brown, who was holding a long metal fork he was using to turn the fish. Brown yelled and struck out with the fork. It missed Hardesty’s animal, but hit the rear of Cooper’s horse with a loud smack.

  The hot fork surprised the horse, causing it to take a leap forward, bumping the other animal and pushing it against the hot kettle. It whinnied and started to buck, kicking the pot, scattering hot coals and splashing grease and fish.

  Brown started to curse. Sam and Matt arrived at the scene but were unable to stop the chaos.

  Derrell barely got out of the way of the two horses that were jumping and kicking. The grease that had splashed onto the coals caught fire and blazed up, engulfing even the plates of food already fried.

  Sam groaned. “Now they’ve really committed a crime!” he said. “They crash the party and then crash the food! They shouldn’t have done that!”

  “You’ll just have to earn your keep . . . it’s your turn to catch the fish this time!”

  Sam gave a rebel yell and sprinted toward the mess. He leaped from his horse’s back and grabbed Hardesty by the collar, pulling him from his bucking horse to the ground. Hardesty tried to punch Sam, but slipped in the grease. Sam’s foot kicked a pot, which rattled across the ground. Derrell raced over, grabbed it gracefully swung it against Hardesty’s head. His eyes glazed over, and then he collapsed to the ground. His sleeve brushed against one of the coals, causing the cloth to scorch.

  Cooper finally got his horse under control, but Brown wasn’t going to let him get away, either. He grabbed the outlaw as he tried to ride away, pulled him from the saddle and hit him on the side of the head with the fork in his hand. Cooper staggered, turned in time to see Matt and Sam both facing him.

  He stopped, but not fast enough.

  “This is for shooting at me!” Sam said.

  “And this is for messing up our supper!” Matt added.

  Two fists punched out at the same time, hitting Cooper in the face.

  He fell backward, sliding toward the creek through the flaming grease, igniting his shirt. Brown stepped over to Cooper and picked him up by the shirt.

  “Should I?” he asked the two blood brothers.

  “Guess we shouldn’t let them burn, at least not before we have a chance to talk with them a little,” Sam said. “Guess that wouldn’t be a polite way to treat dinner guests.”

  “By all means, let’s show our guests the same courtesy they showed us,” Matt agreed.

  Brown took Cooper and Derrell picked up Hardesty. They stepped toward the river and threw the outlaws into the water with a loud splash followed by a hiss of steam.

  Lilly tried to look strong in front of her son, but it was a losing battle. After Marshal Holt and Conn had left, Lilly had barely moved from the spot where she had been standing. Tommy held her hand. He figured that with his father dead, he was the man of the family, but he didn’t know how to fill that role. He held her hand, trying to think abut what to do next. He had never seen his mother like this before, and it scared him.

  The woman shivered and sat down on the easy chair in the front room. Too much had happened in two short of a time. Why was it happening to her? Twenty-four hours before, she had been a happily married woman whose main concern had been about how to best prepare supper for her husband. Now she was a widowed woman who not only had to deal with her grief and how to continue to work her homestead, but also had to worry about threats and harassment from King Petty and his men. Petty almost always got what he wanted, and now is apparently wanted her . . . and was willing to kill her husband and hurt her son to get her.

  She shuddered again.

  Tommy looked up at her, trying to be brave. It seemed Lilly couldn’t stop shaking, but she had to try. She clutched the arm of the chair and tried to think about the situation calmly. What could she do to protect herself?

  “Tommy, you’re going to have to be a man now, and I’m going to talk straight with you.” Lilly said.

  “Yes, Mom.”

  “Those men are after us. From now on we cannot assume that we will be safe. Not any place. Not any time. We know that the law will not help us. Nor can we assume that Sam . . . Mr. Two-Wolves . . . will be there to save us. I know this is very tough on you. I don’t know how you’ve gotten through this day. But you’re strong. I’m proud of you.”

  “What are we going to do?”

  Lilly chewed on her lip as she thought. She had been used to Jack making all the decisions, but she had surprised herself a few minutes earlier when she’d reacted with uncharacteristic strength against Petty’s men. Maybe it was time she started to make her own decisions, as well.

  “First thing we must do is to be more careful. Those men were waiting for us inside our house and I walked right up to them. From now on, you and I will stay together. I’ll help you do your chores, and you will help me do mine. Each of us will try to watch out for the other, and give warning at even a hint of danger. And we will make sure the doors and windows are locked. Let’s take care of that now.”

  Lilly placed a chair against the door while Tommy closed the shutters. It would not stop a determined man from getting in, but at least it was action. And it might slow down an attack. Maybe it was false hope, but Lilly started breathing easier.

  “Now what, Mom?” Tommy asked.

  “Come with me.”

  Tommy followed his mother into the bedroom. She stopped by the nightstand, opened the drawer and pulled out the small revolver. She didn’t know much about guns. She had never been interested, and since Jack hadn’t liked guns, he hadn’t explained much to her. Jack had used the gun mainly to shoot snakes and coyotes that got too near the house or livestock, so he had shown her how to load it and shoot it, though he’d asked her not to bother it.

  “You ever shoot this thing?” Lilly asked.

  “No. I wanted to. The other kids all have their own guns and know how to use them. But Dad . . .” He almost choked up, then continued. “But Dad said he didn’t like guns. He never let me fool with it.”

  “That going to change tomorrow. You and I are both going to learn how to shoot these guns. Maybe we could ask Sam to help show us how to use them. But no matter, we’re going to protect ourselves one way or the other. I’m not going to allow what happened to your dad to happen to you.” She found the box of bullets in the drawer. “Just in case . . . something happens . . . let me should you how to load this gun. I’ll use the rifle.”

  She awkwardly opened the gun, removed the bullets and inserted fresh ones. Then she let Tommy do it several times. This could also be a false sense of security, but it made Lilly and her son feel better.

  “This ain’t so tough,” Tommy said.

  “You’re just putting bullets in the gun. Don’t get too sure of yourself or you may shoot yourself in the foot.” She took the gun back, then placed it on the bed beside her. “And I don’t want you getting any ideas about using this gun, or any other gun, to try and shoot Petty or his men. I want to keep you alive.”

  “But they won’t get me . . .”

  “Don’t talk back.” She looked around the room, trying to think of anything else she could do. “From now on, I also wa
nt us to sleep in the same room. I’ll put some blankets on the floor in your room.”

  Tommy ran from the room. Lilly let him. He came back in with blankets and a pillow.

  “No, Mom. You need your sleep. I’ll sleep on the floor. And I’ll try to watch the door.”

  “We both need our sleep. Today was the worst day of our lives. Tomorrow probably won’t be much better.”

  “Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll face it.”

  Hardesty and Cooper woke with water in their eyes and mouths and pain in almost every bone in their bodies. They opened their eyes to see Sam, Matt, and the Browns standing over them, arms crossed, with angry looks in their eyes.

  Cooper groaned as he felt blisters on his skin from the flames. He looked down and saw that while his shirt was burned and his chest was red, he was not seriously injured. He held his head as Hardesty said. “What are you going to do with us?”

  Sam said, “What do you think? I know you’re Petty’s men. I know you tried to kill me.”

  “And look at all the damage you’ve dome here!” Matt said. “You two are not what I’d consider sociable types.”

  “I get it. You two are going to talk us to death—”

  Matt’s fist lashed out suddenly, striking Hardesty and forcing his red-haired head back.

  “We haven’t decided not to kill you yet,” Matt said. “I’d be a little more respectful if I were you.”

  “You could have killed us, if you wanted,” Cooper said, not bothering to look up. “So you want something from us.”

  “Smart man,” Sam said. “I think you two have learned your lesson . . . but I want your boss to also learn that there are some men he cannot control. Go back to Petty and tell him to not try anything like this again, or he will have to answer to Sam Two-Wolves.”

  Sam reached down, pulled both of the outlaws up by what was left of their shirts, and pushed them toward their horses.

  “Now get out of here before I really lose my temper,” Sam said.

  Chapter Eight

  Though Matt was angry, he still had to smile as the two outlaws ignored their aches and pains, got back on their horses and raced out of the camp back to town. Sam could throw the fear of the devil in somebody if he wanted, because his threats were not empty. Hardesty and Cooper were lucky they were still alive.

  “You’re getting tender-hearted in your old age,” Matt suggested. “You chase those two across hell’s half acre; then you let them go.”

  “Needed a little sport,” Sam answered. “Decided life was getting a little too dull.”

  “Nothing like getting shot at to spice things up some,” Matt agreed. “I didn’t much think you could go into town and just get a few supplies. I imagine you’ll hear again from your new friends.”

  “And from their boss. That’s why I wanted him to get the message.”

  Lester Brown shook his head and said, “You two boys sure take the cake. You act like getting shot at and beating the crap out of a couple of no-goods like that is just an everyday thing. You make jokes about it!”

  “Yep,” Matt said.

  “You bet,” Sam agreed.

  Lester kicked at the remains of the fire and the overturned pot that had held the fish.

  “One thing’s for sure,” he said. “The fight left quite a mess.”

  “And no supper,” Sam said sadly. “I was looking forward to it.”

  “That’s what you get for being late,” Matt said. “Except I was looking forward to supper myself. Especially since I didn’t have to cook it. Lester Brown here, and his son, Derrell, kindly agreed to do the cooking tonight. So much for the fish fry.”

  “Not much left here. Let’s get this mess cleaned up. Then let’s head on into town for some supper and a few beers. There’s quite a bit I need to tell you.”

  “Brown has some interesting information, as well.”

  “Then come on. I’ll buy everybody supper and the first round of drinks.”

  It didn’t take long to pick up the pots and move the remaining supplies. The small group, led by Matt and Sam, arrived in the town of Snake Creek before dark. The men rode slowly down the dirt street, ignoring the whispered talk and the hard stares directed at them.

  “Looks like your message was delivered,” Brown said. “If I were you, Sam, I’d be a little concerned about what the answer might be.”

  “I always have an open mind, and am willing to discuss the situation,” Sam said.

  “I bet.”

  “He’s a very reasonable man,” Matt agreed. “Most of the time. Except when he gets mad.”

  Several men came out of the Black Bull Saloon as the group passed, but did not try to stop them.

  “That’s where King Petty hangs out,” Brown explained. “Those are some more of his men. You two are asking for trouble.”

  “Not us. We never look for trouble. We just mind our own business. We’re just innocent victims. Besides, you must not be too worried—you’re still riding with us.”

  Derrell laughed and said, “Hell, you offered to buy us supper. Don’t think we’d pass up a chance like that, do you?”

  “At first I didn’t much care for you two,” Matt said. “Especially since you introduced yourself with a gun in your hand.”

  Sam laughed and said, “So that’s how you all got hooked up, Matt? And you talk about me staying out of trouble!”

  Matt ignored the comment and continued, “But I admit I was wrong. I’m liking you two better all the time.”

  Sam led the group past the saloon toward a small general store. He said, more seriously, “You already know I made some enemies this afternoon. I also made a few friends. I want to introduce you all. They might help to fill in a few gaps that I’m not even sure about yet.”

  Henry Ponder could not keep his mind on the work in front of him. He was stopped to be restocking shelves, but his mind kept wandering to the stranger who had ridden into town that afternoon, confronted King Petty, and lived to tell about it. Petty had terrorized the town for years, and nobody seemed to be able to do anything about it. Maybe Sam Two-Wolves had just gotten lucky. Or maybe he was just working on borrowed time. Henry was concerned that was the case, since nobody had successfully stood up to Petty and lived to tell about it.

  “Henry?” He turned at Clarissa’s voice. She was watching him with concerned eyes. As always, he felt warmth at the sight of her and wished he could have done more for her.

  “Sorry. I didn’t hear you walk in.”

  “You seemed lost in thought. I almost didn’t want to disturb you.”

  “Glad you did.” He put the can in his hand down on the counter. “I’ve been thinking about Sam Two-Wolves. He doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into. It’s tragic what happened to Jack Brandom and his family. It’s heroic that Sam stepped in when he did. But I hate to see him wind up like all the others.”

  “And yet part of you hopes he comes back . . . to help. Nothing wrong with that.”

  Henry smiled sadly. “As always, you read me like a book.”

  “I think Sam will be back. There’s something about him that sets him apart from other men. My grandfather called it the Warrior Spirit. It’s what separates a true warrior from just a strong man . . . or a thug. Petty doesn’t have it. Sam does. He’ll be back.”

  “He’d be better off to just keep riding.”

  “It’d go against his grain. He’ll fight because it’s the right thing to do. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Sam again very soon . . .”

  “Do I hear my name spoken in vain?”

  Henry and Clarissa both spun around in surprise to see Sam standing in the door with another man beside him. They could have been brothers, not just in appearance, but because they both seemed to generate the same strength.

  “We were speaking about you, Sam,” Clarissa said. “We were hoping you’d come back.”

  “How was the fishing?” Henry said.

  “Had a little excitement,” Sam explained. “Didn’t get
a chance to do much fishing today, after all.”

  Matt laughed. “Hell, his friends that came to visit caused such a ruckus that Sam didn’t even get a hook in the water! And they messed up our supper to boot. So he’s going to buy us some. Know a good place here in town?”

  Sam shook is head and stepped all the way inside. “This is my partner, Matt Bodine. Matt, this is Henry and Clarissa Ponder. They own this store and helped me out this afternoon.” Lester and Derrell then stepped into the room. “This is—”

  “Hi, Lester,” Henry said. “How’s the cattle business?”

  “Not as good as yesterday. My luck finally ran out. Lost about a hundred head this morning.”

  “I see you all know each other,” Sam said. “So I’ll cut my introductions short. I am buying supper, though. You two want to join us?”

  “You men go on,” Clarissa said. “I’ll close the store for the day.”

  Henry recommended a little restaurant owned by Charlie Hacker. Matt and Sam nodded with approval as they entered. It was neat and clean, with checkered tablecloths and curtains on the windows. The aroma of steak and potatoes came from the kitchen area. Several people were in the room, but it was not crowded.

  A robust older woman approached the table as the men pulled up chairs. She asked, “What’ll it be today, Henry?”

  “Start off with a round of beers, Lynn, then bring the food and keep it coming. Our new friend, Sam, is buying. That means you may actually get paid in real money tonight!”

  “Don’t know about that . . . don’t know if Charlie’s system can stand the shock!” She looked at Sam. “You’re the fellow that faced King Petty this afternoon, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Thought so.”

  “Looks like you’re famous,” Matt said.

  “The whole town’s talking about it. Sam Two-Wolves, your money’s no good here. Supper’s on the house. Make yourself at home. Food will be out in a few minutes. If Charlie gets back in time, I’ll let him know you’re here. He’d like to meet you.”