Hunter's Moon (Hunter Family Saga; Half-Moon Ranch 1)

by Bobbi Smith

  If she's working at the Six Gun, she's no angel, Brent reminded himself as he made his way over to the bar.

  "Whiskey," he ordered, and he was glad when the barkeep quickly complied. He drained the glass. The whiskey burned all the way down, but he didn't care. He needed the relief it would give him tonight. He pushed the glass back for a refill.

  "Thirsty tonight?" Bill asked, trying to be friendly.

  "Yes," he answered in a curt tone he hoped would let the bartender know he didn't want to talk.

  Brent picked up the tumbler and took another swallow of the powerful liquor. He hoped it worked fast. It had been a hell of a day, and what he faced tomorrow would be even worse.

  "You new in town?"

  "Just passing through."

  "Well, enjoy your stay." Bill moved off to wait on another customer.

  Brent was glad when the bartender had gone. The last thing he wanted was company. He had some serious thinking to do.

  He frowned as he thought about the meeting he'd had at Fort Sam Houston. He'd made the trip there to work out the details of an arrangement to sell horses to the army.

  He'd thought they had had a deal. He'd thought everything was settled. He'd been wrong.

  When the officer negotiating with him demanded a "payment" to secure the transaction, Brent had been outraged and walked out.

  He shook his head in disgust at the memory and downed another drink.

  Money talked.

  He knew that.

  God knew, he'd just spent the past ten years working twelve-and eighteen-hour days to make enough money to get the ranch out of debt. He finally had paid off the last of his father's loans and had been counting on the army contract to put the Half-Moon in good financial shape. But they'd wanted a bribe-a big bribe-and he didn't have the cash to pay it.

  Brent swore under his breath in frustration. He looked up and found himself staring at the singer's reflection in the mirror behind the bar. She'd finished her song and was leaving the stage to move about the room. The woman was mesmerizing, but he dropped his gaze away from her.

  Beautiful though she was, Brent couldn't let himself relax and just enjoy watching her. There was no time in his life for fun. There hadn't been for a very long while.

  Crystal slowly made her way toward the bar where the stranger stood with his back to her. She wasn't sure what it was about the man that intrigued her so, but she meant to find out.

  Moving between the tables, she kept smiling and flirting outrageously with her audience of admirers. She spotted Andy Gaynor, a portly white-haired gentleman who was every bit of seventy years old but who came every Friday night just to hear her. She stopped to talk with him.

  "Evening, Andy."

  "Miss Opal, you were wonderful again tonight," the old man praised her.

  "Why, thank you, Andy. You are so sweet." She leaned down and kissed his weathered cheek.

  The other men at the table roared their approval. In all the weeks she'd worked there, they'd never seen Miss Opal kiss anybody.

  Andy blushed bright red at her rare display of affection.

  "No, ma'am, you're the sweet one," he said shyly, and grinned from ear to ear.

  Crystal winked at the other men, then moved on.

  Joe saw that she was coming toward the bar, and the heat he'd been feeling for her grew. The bartender had told him she wasn't an ordinary working saloon girl, but he figured there was no harm in trying.

  "Hey, sugar, I'm looking for some company tonight." He took her arm as she tried to move past him.

  Though she wanted to jerk her arm free of the cowboy's hold, Crystal managed to keep smiling as she turned to face him.

  "I'd say you have lots of company here at the Six Gun," she told him easily.

  "Yeah, but not the kind of company I'm looking for," Joe said as he drew her closer.

  "You weren't looking for a good time?"

  "That's exactly what I want." He pulled her tight against him. "And you're the one I want to give it to me.

  Brent was standing farther down the bar, trying to lose himself in his liquor. The last thing he wanted was trouble. When he saw the man grab the woman, though, he turned, more than ready to go to her aid.

  The bartender caught Brent's eye and gave him a quick look that stopped him from taking any further action. Brent could see that the bartender's hand was already resting on the shotgun he kept behind the bar just in case of trouble. Brent relaxed a little, but still stayed alert in case he was needed to help with the drunk.

  "I'll be happy to sing a song just for you," Crystal told the cowboy, playing along. She didn't want to cause a scene, even though she was physically repulsed by the man. It was obvious he hadn't bathed in a very long time, and his rank, heated breath made her flesh crawl.

  "I'm gonna make you sing, all right." Joe grinned lustfully, thinking of how he wanted to spend the rest of the night. He tried to kiss her.

  Somehow Crystal managed to avoid his slobber ing lips and slip free of him. Relief swept through her as she backed up a few steps and gave him her brightest smile. "I'm sorry, cowboy, but there's only one man for me tonight."

  Joe looked irritated.

  "And that's Andy," Crystal finished quickly before he could say or do anything else.

  For a moment everyone in the saloon had gone quiet. They feared a fight was about to break out, but at her words the tension was broken. They started to laugh and cheer again.

  Even Brent, who had been expecting trouble, found himself chuckling over the artful way she'd handled the drunk. He was impressed by her quick thinking.

  Crystal blew a kiss to the older man, who immediately hurried to her side.

  "That's right, Miss Opal, ain't nobody gonna treat you as good as me!" Andy understood what she was doing and wanted to play along to help her. "Give my lady a drink, Bill!"

  Bill did just that, pouring her a tumbler of her preferred beverage-sarsaparilla. He handed her the glass. After Crystal accompanied Andy back to his table, Bill looked at the drunken cowboy, who remained standing by the bar. It was obvious he was still angry.

  "Ain't no use in you getting all upset, Joe. I told you Miss Opal was a lady."

  "And she's Andy's lady, at that," he muttered sourly as he drained the last of his drink. Thorougly disgusted and humiliated, he left the saloon.

  Crystal was glad when she saw the drunk leave. She didn't want any trouble. She wanted the customers to relax and have fun at the Six Gun.

  "You are my hero tonight, Andy," Crystal told him.

  "Anytime, darling."

  She gave him another quick kiss on the cheek before returning to the bar-and the handsome stranger.

  "Good evening, big guy," she said, smiling up at him.

  "Evening, ma'am," Brent replied.

  "I'm Opal. What's your name?"

  "Brent Hunter." He gazed down at her, dazzled by her beauty. He realized she was even lovelier up close-if that were possible. There was an innocence about her, along with the innate sensuality he'd sensed from the first. Although he'd heard the bartender say she was a lady, he hadn't honestly believed it until now.

  "Well, welcome to the Six Gun, Brent Hunter."

  "It's my pleasure to be here. You did a good job handling that drunk."

  "Why, thank you."

  Our Miss Opal is good at everything she does," the bartender put in as he stopped to refill Brent's glass again.

  "I can tell," Brent said.

  "Well, Brent, would you like to buy me a drink?" Crystal asked with a teasing smile.

  "Another sarsaparilla?"

  "That's right."

  "Will it get me a kiss like Andy?" he found himself asking in a teasing manner.

  "Oh, no. Andy's my hero. He's the only man I'm going to kiss tonight." She looked over to where the elderly man was sitting and waved flirtatiously at him.

  Andy grinned and winked boldly in response.

  A foreign emotion jarred Brent, and he actually found himself res
enting the old man. He frowned, puzzled.

  "You might as well drink up, friend," the bartender said with a chuckle when he saw the frown. "Opal's made an art out of playing hard to get."

  She laughed at his statement. "Are you saying that I drive men to drink, Bill?"

  "Yes, Opal, I am, and I'm mighty glad of it. Business has been booming since you started singing here."

  They laughed together, and even Brent joined in.

  "I would be honored to buy you a drink," Brent offered.

  "Thank you." Crystal looked up at him, amazed by the transformation in him when he smiled. When she'd first seen him she'd thought he was handsome, but now, when he was smiling, she thought him the most attractive man she'd ever met. "You should smile more often."

  Brent suddenly realized he was smiling, and stopped. His expression sobered.

  "Why did you stop smiling?" she asked.

  "Some days there's not much to be happy about."

  "Well, you're at the Six Gun. Enjoy yourself." She wondered what was troubling him so deeply. A man like him should have the world at his feet.

  "I am," he admitted to his own surprise. "You've been the highlight of my day."

  "I'm glad I could make things better for you."

  He gazed down at her and could see the earnestness in her expression. A part of him believed she really meant it.

  "Are you sure your Andy won't be jealous of me buying you a drink?" Brent asked, evoking a mischievous smile from her.

  "Andy is very understanding that way," Crystal quipped. "He won't mind."

  "Good."

  "So what brings you to San Antonio? Are you from around here?"

  "No, I'm just passing through, but I'm glad I came into the Six Gun tonight."

  "So am I," she answered.

  For a moment, as their gazes met again, it seemed to both of them that time was standing still.

  Only the raucous sound of the piano player as he began pounding out the tune that signaled her sec and performance was about to begin jarred Crystal back to reality. She gave herself a mental shake and took one last sip of her drink.

  "I have to go."

  Crystal hurried away to return to the stage, leaving him without a backward look. Applause erupted from the crowd again as she broke into song.

  Even as she entertained them, though, Crystal's thoughts lingered on the man named Brent. She never flirted seriously with her customers. She always made it a point to be friendly, but nothing more. She couldn't risk getting involved with anyone, but she had to admit there was something about Brent Hunter that set him apart from all the others.

  Crystal brought herself up short. She told herself she was being ridiculous. The man was just passing through town. After tonight she would never see him again. But all the logic in the world didn't change the fact that she was drawn to him in a very elemental way-and it was something she'd never experienced before.

  Chapter Four

  Brent had had too much to drink, and he smiled to himself as he realized it. It wasn't often that he indulged his need to escape reality, but tonight he had, and he had to admit it felt good.

  Brent stayed on at the saloon until Opal had finished her last song and disappeared from the stage. Only then did he begin to think about heading back to his hotel room for a good night's sleep. There was no doubt in his mind that he needed the rest-especially considering what he was going to face over the next few days.

  As Brent stepped into the street in front of the Six Gun, he was struck by how beautiful the evening was. A sliver of a moon glowed high overhead, and the stars were bright and twinkling in the cloudless night sky. The fact that he even noticed made Brent smile. He couldn't remember the last time he'd bothered to look.

  The streets of San Antonio were deserted. All was quiet, and he was glad. The liquor had mellowed his dark mood. As angry as he'd been over his earlier failed business dealing, he was now confident he would find a way to keep the Half-Moon running. It wouldn't be easy, but that didn't surprise him. Nothing he'd done in the past ten years had been easy.

  Brent's thoughts were untroubled as he crossed the street and walked toward his hotel. His sense of peace lasted for only a few moments, though, for he noticed a man lurking in the heavily shadowed alley behind the saloon. In the darkness he couldn't tell who the man was, but it puzzled Brent that he was moving so furtively.

  Brent took a step back, closer to the buildings, so he wouldn't be noticed. He didn't know why anyone would be hiding out in the alley that way, and he feared it might mean trouble. He decided to keep watch for a little while-just in case.

  Crystal had regretted the end of her second performance, for she'd known she would never see Brent Hunter again. Her thoughts had lingered on the handsome stranger even after she'd left the stage and gone to her dressing room to change. She had found Brent intriguing, but knew there was no point in dwelling on him. As he'd said, he was just passing through.

  Crystal donned her ordinary day gown, then left the dressing room. She was more than ready to call it a night.

  "Opal, before you go, here's your pay. Bill told me to give it to you." It was Belle Moran, one of the saloon girls.

  "Thanks, Belle," Crystal said as she took the money and tucked it into her small purse. She wouldn't get rich on what she made at the Six Gun, but she could pay her bills and she was safe. That was all that mattered to her right now.

  "You have a good night, Opal," Belle said as she left her there in the hallway. "I'm going back out front to see if I can get that handsome cowboy's attention."

  "Which cowboy? Andy?" Crystal asked with a teasing smile.

  Belle laughed at the thought. "I'm sure Andy was quite a man in his day, but I'm after the one you were talking to at the bar. I haven't seen him around here before, but I'd like to see more of him-if you take my meaning."

  Belle was a ribald, lusty woman. She'd worked at the Six Gun for a long time, and she made no attempt to hide her inclinations. The men loved her for her honesty, and she loved them right back.

  "Well, good luck, Belle. I'll see you tomorrow night."

  Crystal slipped outside into the dark, deserted passageway. Because she wanted to maintain her aura of elusiveness, she always left the Six Gun this way so no one would see her.

  As she started off down the night-shrouded alley toward her boardinghouse, Crystal found herself thinking of what Belle had said. She hoped the other woman had no success at all in enticing Brent Hunter to her bed.

  Mick was waiting in the shadows. He had been in the saloon drinking for most of the night, but when Opal finished her act and disappeared offstage, he knew it was time to make his move. This was the night Bill paid his working girls, and tonight Mick needed money.

  Mick had seen the way Opal always left the saloon through the alley, and tonight he was waiting for her. He figured she was going to be an easy mark. He doubted the singer would be able to identify him in the darkness. Besides, she didn't know him. He never talked to her. He only watched her from the back of the saloon. He planned to strike quickly, grab her purse, and make his getaway just as fast. He wanted cash, and robbing Opal was the easiest way to get it. One female was no match for him. He'd be gone before she could even react.

  He saw the back door open and Opal came out. He drew his knife, but he didn't plan to use it. Smil ing grimly to himself, he crept nearer to wait for the right moment to attack.

  Crystal didn't pay much attention to her surroundings. She came this way every night and always felt safe. Just then, though, she heard the sound of footsteps coming up behind her. She paused, puzzled, and began to turn to see who it was. As she did, she started to open her purse so she could get the small derringer she'd started carrying with her just in case of trouble.

  Crystal didn't react quickly enough. The big man loomed over her before she could get the gun. He roughly grabbed at her purse and tried to jerk it from her grasp. Crystal had the strap wrapped around her wrist, though, and she held on for de
ar life.

  It was then that she saw his knife.

  No!" she cried out, fighting back.

  Time had passed slowly for Brent as he'd kept watch. He eventually began to doubt the need for his continued vigilance. There was no one else around, and he was getting tired. It had been a long day. He had just made up his mind to continue on to his hotel room when he saw the man emerge from his hiding place and move off down the alley. He waited a moment longer, wondering what the man was up to, but all remained quiet.

  Brent was convinced that he'd overreacted, that there was nothing going on. He started on his way again, looking forward to a good night's sleep.

  "No!" The distant, faint sound of a woman's cry of distress came from the alley.

  A sudden chill of dread filled Brent as he realized his instincts had been right. The man he'd seen had been planning to cause trouble. Brent drew his sidearm and raced off in the direction of the woman s scream.

  "Give me that!" Mick said with a snarl, yanking on her purse again. When he still couldn't tear it loose, he tried to slash the strap.

  Brent charged into the alley to see the man attacking a woman with a knife. Brent couldn't tell who the woman was in the darkened passageway, and it didn't matter. He had to help her. He fired a warning shot in the air.

  "Hold it right there!" Brent ordered.

  Mick stopped, startled by the gunshot. When he saw Brent aiming his gun straight at him, Mick reacted instinctively, grabbing the singer and holding her before him.

  Crystal continued to struggle against her assailant, but he held the knife up for her to see.

  "Hold still, woman!"

  She froze, uncertain what to do. The man's grip on her was brutal.

  Brent closed in on them. As he drew nearer, he could see the woman clearly for the first time. "Opal! Are you all right?"

  "Yes," she managed.

  "Let her go," Brent demanded. "Get away from her now or my next shot won't just be a warning. The next shot will stop you permanently."

  "Go to hell!" In one violent move, Mick cut through the strap and made a grab for the purse as he gave Crystal a savage shove.