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

by Bobbi Smith

  "Where's he going?" Melinda asked, testy at being so easily dismissed.

  "There's someone he wants me to meet," Abby said, as curious as Melinda was.

  Melinda watched as Brent walked up to a pretty young woman with red hair.

  "Who is that?" she asked Abby, annoyed.

  "A friend of Brent's from San Antonio," Abby offered. She rose up on her tiptoes so she could see over the crowd and get a better look at the woman with Brent.

  Melinda stiffened. Jealousy shot through her as she saw Brent greet the woman with warmth and familiarity. Melinda didn't know who the other woman was, but she planned to make it clear that Brent was hers.

  "Brent!" Crystal was surprised to find him standing before her as she came down the church steps. "I didn't know you were here."

  "We were sitting farther back than you were." He looked at her companion and smiled. "Good morning, Mrs. Pals."

  "Morning, Brent," Anne replied. "So you two know each other, do you?"

  "Yes, we're old friends," Brent answered her, and then turned back to Crystal. "My sister, Abby, is here. I'd like you to meet her, and then we can get ready to leave for the ranch."

  "All right." She turned to Anne. "Thank you for inviting me to attend church with you. I'm going out to the Half-Moon for a visit, so I probably won't be back to town until later this evening."

  "Have a good time," Anne said before going on her own way.

  Brent escorted Crystal over to where Abby was waiting. He was irritated to see that Melinda was still standing there.

  "I'll introduce you as Ruby for now, since Melinda is there."

  "Who is Melinda?"

  "Just a friend." They reached the two women, and Brent made the introductions. "Abby, this is Ruby. Ruby, my sister Abby."

  "Hello," Abby said tentatively. She'd never met anyone who worked in a saloon before, and she found herself staring at the woman's red hair. Though she was wearing it attractively styled, the color was too bright to be natural.

  "And this is Melinda Barton," Brent added.

  Melinda was seething that he was treating her so cavalierly-almost as an afterthought. She covered her fury with a polite smile. "Hello, Ruby."

  "Melinda," she returned.

  "You're new in town?" Melinda asked.

  "Yes, and it's wonderful to see Brent again." Crystal gazed at him.

  "You've met before?" she asked tersely.

  "Oh, yes," she answered, but offered no details.

  Melinda did not like the way the woman was looking at Brent. Brent was hers!

  Abby sensed Melinda's mood and grew uncomfortable. They had already given the townsfolk enough to gossip about, with Papa being back. They didn't need any unpleasantness right there in front of the church.

  "Brent, are you ready to go? We should leave now," Abby urged her brother.

  "Leave?" Melinda butted in.

  Abby handled her easily. "Ruby's going to spend the day with us at the ranch, so we need to get started back."

  "I'm ready," Crystal told her.

  "Good. Well, 'bye, Melinda," Abby said as she started to walk away.

  Brent gave Melinda a quick, dismissive smile be fore following his sister and Crystal. "I'll see you later."

  Melinda was glaring at Brent's back as she stood there, watching him leave. Outrage roiled within her at being so ignored. Melinda's jealousy was tinged with hurt, too. Brent had invited Ruby out to the ranch for the day, but he hadn't invited her.

  Melinda didn't know who Ruby was or how she had come to know Brent, but she intended to find out.

  "Where's your father?" Crystal asked. "Didn't he come to church with you?"

  "Pa was here, but he went on back to the hotel right after the service. He'll be riding out with us," Brent explained.

  "It'll be nice to see him again."

  Since he had told her the truth about his father last night, Brent had expected her to react like everyone else in town did. Crystal had proven herself to be truly different.

  "Abby?" Brent said. When his sister looked his way, he quickly explained, "Ruby's real name is Crystal."

  "Crystal's a pretty name. Why do you use Ruby?"

  "Because of working in the saloon. I thought it was better to have a stage name." Crystal told herself her answer wasn't really a lie, but she felt a twinge of conscience anyway. "Please call me Crystal."

  "All right." Abby glanced at her brother. He seemed apprehensive about her reaction to this woman, and she realized it was important to him that she accept Crystal. She managed a small smile.

  "Thanks."

  Brent relaxed, glad that the two women seemed to be getting along.

  "So how did you two meet?" Abby asked Crystal, still unsure of her opinion of her.

  "I'll tell you all about it on the ride out to the ranch," she said with a grin.

  Abby met Brent's gaze. "This should make the ride much more interesting."

  They went to the hotel, and Crystal waited downstairs in the lobby while Abby and Brent went up to their rooms to get their belongings. Brent returned quickly with Jack.

  "Good morning, Crystal," Jack greeted her with a big smile. Brent had already told him the truth about her name.

  "Hello, Jack. It's good to see you again."

  "Brent tells me that you're coming out to the Half-Moon for a visit today."

  "He was kind enough to invite me," she answered, looking up at Brent with a smile.

  "It's our pleasure, believe me," Jack said. "I hope you like our place."

  "I'm sure I will," Crystal assured him.

  "I'll go get Storm and the buckboard, Brent, and meet you out front," Jack told them.

  "Where's Abby?" Crystal asked Brent once Jack had gone.

  "She's changing clothes. She'll be along in a minute.

  Brent paid the hotel bill, and Abby appeared by the time he was finished.

  "I'm ready to go," Abby announced, coming down the steps carrying her bag.

  Crystal's eyes widened in shock at the sight of her. "You're wearing pants!"

  "Yeah, I only wear a dress to church," she answered, then changed the topic. "Where's Papa?"

  "Outside waiting for us," Brent told her.

  "Let's go." She was more than ready to go home.

  Brent ushered them out of the lobby.

  "Why don't you take Abby and Crystal in the buckboard?" Jack suggested to Brent. "And I'll ride Storm."

  "Sure." Brent wasn't about to object. The thought of sitting next to Crystal all the way to the ranch definitely appealed to him. He helped the women up, then took the seat between them and grabbed the reins.

  "We're on our way," he said, urging the team on. Jack rode alongside, keeping pace with them.

  The miles passed quickly as Abby encouraged Crystal to tell them how she had met Brent in San Antonio. She was surprised to learn how her brother had saved the singer from being robbed that fateful night.

  "It's wonderful that Brent showed up when he did," Abby said. "Were you hurt?"

  "I was fine, except for a few bumps and bruises, but Brent was cut on his arm during the fight. I was worried that it was serious, but he said it was only a scratch."

  Abby looked at her big brother and frowned. "You never told us you were hurt."

  "It was nothing," he said, dismissing her concern. "I was just glad I was there to help Crystal."

  "So was I," Crystal agreed. Then she asked, "How much longer until we reach the ranch?"

  "You've been on Half-Moon land for the last twenty minutes," Brent told her, slanting her a grin.

  It was a wicked, almost devilish smile, and it reminded her all too clearly of the heated kiss they'd shared the night before. She was suddenly very aware of him physically. Her heart skipped a beat. "Really? The Half-Moon must be a really big ranch."

  "Not big enough," Jack said. "My dream has always been to make it the biggest and best horse ranch in Texas."

  Brent knew all about his father's dreams of glory, but he said
nothing. He didn't want to ruin a perfectly good day by starting an argument.

  "It's good to have dreams, but you've already been blessed to have a home like this." She looked around the countryside. Live oaks grew in magnifi cent splendor, and the rolling hills were beautiful and lush.

  "So what would you like to do when we get to the house, Crystal?" Brent asked.

  "Anything you want," she answered easily, looking at Brent.

  Her innocent answer sparked heat deep within Brent. The memory of her kiss the night before had kept him awake long into the night, and he was hoping to spend some time alone with her that day.

  "Frances won't have dinner ready until five, so we'll have plenty of time to show you around," Brent told Crystal.

  "I'm looking forward to it."

  Abby remained quiet, wondering at their relationship as they talked.

  When the main house, outbuildings, and corrals came within view, Crystal was even more impressed. The Half-Moon looked very prosperous.

  Jack rode on to the stable, while Brent reined in before the house. Abby jumped down from the buckboard easily on her own; then Brent climbed down and turned to help Crystal descend.

  "Crystal, let's go inside," Abby said.

  Crystal looked at Brent to see what he planned to do.

  He waved her on with Abby as he unloaded their bags and put them on the porch. "I'll take care of the horses and be back in a few minutes."

  Abby grabbed her own bag and led the way into the house.

  Frances heard them outside and was on her way out to help bring their things in from the porch when Abby and Crystal came inside. Abby quickly introduced them.

  "If my brother's planning on showing you around the ranch, I think you'd better change into something a little more practical," Abby told her.

  "But I didn't bring anything else to wear."

  "Come with me." She started to usher her down the hallway toward the bedrooms.

  "Abby-" Crystal stopped as she caught sight of the portrait hanging over the fireplace. There was no doubt about the family resemblance. "That's your mother?"

  "Yes."

  "She was lovely."

  "I know," Abby answered; then she quickly changed the subject as she led the way down the hall. "There are some extra clothes in a trunk in Papa's bedroom. Why don't you wait in my room while I see if there's anything that'll fit you."

  "Thanks." Crystal went into the bedroom Abby indicated to wait for her return.

  Abby went into her father's room and opened the chest that had been her mother's. There wasn't a lot to choose from, but she did find her mother's split leather riding skirt. She hurried back to Crystal.

  "Here," she said, handing her the skirt. "You can wear this and one of my shirts. I've got a pair of boots that ought to fit you, too."

  She quickly gave her the other things.

  "I appreciate your help, Abby."

  "You're welcome. I'll leave you here to change. Just come on out when you're ready."

  "I will."

  With that, Abby left her, closing the bedroom door behind her to give Crystal privacy.

  Crystal grinned to herself as she quickly stripped off her day gown and shed her petticoats and slippers. She had been trapped for so long working in a saloon that it was a real adventure for her to don the riding wear. The skirt was not a bad fit, and the shirt was fine. The boots were a little tight, but Crystal figured that didn't matter, since they wouldn't be doing too much walking that afternoon.

  Crystal went to stand before Abby's full-length mirror to study her own reflection. She was amazed at how different she looked. Any vestige of the sensual singer from the Lone Star was gone. In her place stood a true woman of the West.

  For a moment she wished her hair were its natural blond color, but she pushed the thought away. She was Ruby now, and that was how she had to stay. Determined to put the ugliness of her own life out of her mind the rest of the day, Crystal left the room to find Abby.

  "It looks like everything fits," Abby told her as they came face-to-face in the sitting room.

  "I'd like to dress like this more often," Crystal agreed, "but I don't think the men in the Lone Star would appreciate the change."

  Abby had always heard that only tarnished women worked in places like the Lone Star, but Crystal didn't seem tarnished.

  "Let's go find Brent and see what he thinks."

  They left the house and started down to the stable. Brent and Jack had just come out of the building when they saw Abby and Crystal approaching.

  Brent's gaze skimmed approvingly over Crystal. "I see you got a change of clothes."

  "Abby was kind enough to help."

  "You look like you're ready to go to work." Jack said to her.

  "Looks can be deceiving." Crystal laughed.

  "Come on and take a look around the stable," Brent suggested.

  They all went in, and Crystal admired the horses in the stalls there.

  "These are three of our best thoroughbreds," Brent told her. "Moon Racer is Abby's stallion."

  The stallion was a big roan with a blaze down his forehead. He was sleek and powerful, and she could see the intelligence in his eyes.

  "He's gorgeous-if a horse can be gorgeous," she corrected herself.

  "You're right, Crystal, he is," Abby agreed. "Brent traded for him a few years ago for me. He is one of Half-Moon's best, for sure."

  "I can see why, but I thought you said you worked with mustangs, too?" She looked over at Brent. "What's the difference between a mustang and a thoroughbred? I know mustangs run wild, but they're all just horses, right?"

  "Just horses?" Jack gave a snort of disgust. "Don't insult Moon Racer. Thoroughbreds are refined stock. They're long-legged, they're graceful, they're elegant, and they're fast. That's why I started this ranch. I wanted the Half-Moon to be known for its racing stock."

  "Mustangs aren't fast?"

  "Mustangs aren't-" Jack began, ready to tell her what he thought of the wild stock that roamed the Texas land.

  But Brent interrupted him before he could go on with his tirade. "Mustangs may not be the most beautiful horses in the world, but they serve their purpose. They're smaller than thoroughbreds, but they're strong. They've got better stamina and endurance, and they're smart."

  "Could you race a mustang against a thoroughbred?" Crystal asked.

  "Why would you want to?" Jack said disparagingly.

  "You could," Brent answered her with a grin, knowing she was just trying to understand the differences between the horses, "but the mustang probably wouldn't win-not unless it was a long race.

  "There are some mustangs in the corral out back," Abby told her. "Just take a look at them, and you'll see.

  They went outside to show her the mustangs so she would be able to understand the difference.

  Crystal studied the smaller, more sturdily built horses and couldn't help admiring them. They didn't have the finest of bloodlines, but from what she was coming to understand about them, they were survivors. She found herself identifying with mustangs. She saw a palomino grazing among them.

  "The palomino is pretty."

  "That's Honey. Do you want to ride her?" Brent offered.

  "I'm not the best rider," she admitted.

  "That's all right. Honey's gentle. You'll be able to handle her," Brent assured her.

  "Her name suits her."

  "She can be yours whenever you come out to the ranch," he told her.

  Brent went to get the mare, and Abby went along with him. Brent cast his sister a quick look.

  "Don't you have some chores you have to take care of?"

  "I do need to help Curly groom some horses this afternoon."

  "Good."

  Abby had never known Brent to be so interested in a woman before. He'd rarely had time for fun, and if Crystal could make him forget about work for a while, that was fine with her.

  Abby helped Brent with the horses, and they led the mounts to where Crystal was wait
ing with their father.

  "We'll just take a short ride today, so you can get used to being in the saddle again," Brent said, handing Crystal the reins to the palomino. "Do you need any help?"

  "We'll be fine," Crystal said as she stroked the mare's neck. "Won't we, Honey?"

  The mare was calm, just as Brent had said she would be, and Crystal took heart. She swung up into the saddle without any difficulty.

  "You look like you were born to the saddle," Jack complimented her.

  "Thank you, sir."

  Brent mounted up, too, and they rode off at a leisurely pace, away from the house.

  "We'll be back," Brent called to them.

  "Why didn't you ride along with them?" Jack asked Abby.

  "I've got some chores to do," Abby answered casually, casting one last quick look toward her brother and Crystal as they rode off. She was impressed by the way Crystal was handling the horse. The singer didn't seem as unschooled as she'd said.

  Jack watched them ride off, too. Crystal had been the only good thing to come from his trip to Diablo. Well, he amended, Crystal and the bottle of whiskey he'd hidden in his bag on the trip back.

  Seeing that Abby was going stay at the stable, he started back up to the house. He needed to be alone for a while. His thoughts lingered on their time in town, on the social, and, worse, on how he'd been treated at church that morning. Those he'd once considered friends had shunned him even after the minister's sermon on loving one another. He'd expected it, but it still troubled him. Edmund was the only friend he had left, and Jack knew he was lucky to have him.

  Feeling the need for a drink, Jack went up to his room when he reached the house, and got his whiskey. He didn't bother with a glass, but opened the bottle and took a drink. His thoughts were troubled, and he felt very alone.

  Jack was glad Frances wasn't around as he walked through the house. She was a stranger to him. She couldn't understand what he was going through. No one could.

  Memories of better times haunted him-times of loving and being loved. He stopped before the portrait of Beth and stood there staring up at her. She had been a beautiful woman and a wonderful mother. Even now his heart ached. He took another deep swallow of the potent liquor as tears burned his eyes.

  He had loved her. Oh, how he had loved her. Beth had been his whole world. Everything he'd ever done in his life had been for her.