by Bobbi Smith
Jack looked around at the hands standing there staring at him. He was the one who had hired them years ago. Hell, he had hired Hank when he'd been barely more than a boy, and now he and the others were pledging their allegiance to Brent.
Jack's worst nightmares about returning home were coming true. Without another word he walked away. He went to the stable and looked for the fastest horse he could find. He needed to ride.
Crystal had lain awake long into the night, reliving in her mind the wonder of loving Brent. The fact that he'd proposed to her left her heart aching.
She had tossed and turned, trying to convince herself there was some way they could be married. Being his wife would be pure ecstasy for her.
But it wasn't possible.
The truth about her past was too ugly, and she loved him too much to involve him any more deeply in her troubled and dangerous life.
She would enjoy what time they could share together while she was in Diablo as Ruby, and then she would disappear when danger neared, just as she'd disappeared from San Antonio.
It had been long after midnight when Crystal finally managed to fall asleep. Her sleep wasn't restful, though, and she awoke early. She got cleaned up and went downstairs to join Anne for breakfast.
"Well, good morning," Anne said as she came into the kitchen. "It's nice to see you up and about so early. How was your visit with the Hunters?"
"I had a wonderful time. The ranch is beautiful. We went riding, and I got to see a lot of the countryside."
"Everyone in town thinks Brent has done a fine job of saving the place after all the ugliness that went on. You know about all the Hunter family trouble, don't you?"
"Yes, Brent told me."
"It was quite a scandal at the time. I mean, think about how horrible it would be to find out that your father had killed your mother! Your Brent's had a tough time of it on his own these past years, and now Jack is back."
"But Jack seemed nice enough," Crystal offered.
"Oh, he seemed nice enough back then, too. Which just goes to show you how good some people are at hiding the truth about themselves."
"I see," Crystal said noncommittally, but feeling guilty for the secrets she herself was trying to hide.
"I still feel sorry for Brent and Abby, even after all this time. It can't be easy for them, seeing their father every day now and knowing what he did."
"Brent told me he killed their mother, but he didn't say why."
"No one knows," Anne answered. "Jack confessed to the crime and went to prison. If you ask me, I don't think a ten-year sentence for murder is long enough. A murderer should have to stay in prison forever-if he doesn't hang!"
Crystal was sickened by her words. "He did his time. Maybe he's changed."
"We'll-see. Time will tell."
Crystal was glad when Anne finally changed the subject. She ate her breakfast and returned to her room, needing some peace.
It was later that morning when Crystal decided to go to the Diablo General Store.
"Good morning, young lady," said Mr. Spindle, the owner. "What can I do for you today?"
"I'm looking for some dress material," she told him.
"It's right there in back. If you need any help, just let me know."
"Thank you. I will," Crystal said, making her way to the back of the shop.
It happened that Melinda Barton was also in the store, getting a few things for her mother. When she heard Mr. Spindle greet another customer, she glanced up to see who'd come in and was outraged at the sight of Ruby. Jealousy jarred her. She had made some inquiries about the other woman after Brent had gone off with her yesterday, and what she'd learned had shocked her.
Ruby was nothing more than a common dancehall slut!
Melinda refused to give credence to the good things she'd been told about the singer. In Melinda's opinion, anyone who worked at the Lone Star Saloon was not worthy of a place in polite society.
And yet Brent had invited her to the ranch! And now here she was in the general store, acting as if she were normal folk.
Melinda knew better. Her jealousy and anger ate at her. Determined to put this Ruby in her place, she leisurely made her way to the back of the store, where the other woman was busy looking at material.
"Planning on making a new dress for your work at the Lone Star?" Melinda asked sarcastically as she came down the aisle.
Crystal looked up, surprised to see it was the girl she'd met at church. "Why, hello. You're Melinda, aren't you?"
"That's right. Did you have a good time out at the Half-Moon yesterday?"
Crystal was a little surprised by the question. "Yes. It was good to see the place, since Brent had told me so much about it."
"And since Brent told you about the Half-Moon, I suppose he also told you about us-didn't he?" Melinda asked with false-sweetness.
"No. Was he supposed to?"
"I thought he might have mentioned to you that we're almost engaged," she declared.
Crystal had dealt with enough conniving women in her life to recognize one of them on sight, and she knew Brent well enough to know that if he were engaged to any woman, he would be faithful.
"That's strange," Crystal answered. "He didn't say a word to me about being engaged to you. If that's true, I wonder why he wanted to spend the day with me?"
"I had other plans yesterday. I guess he was bored-and desperate," she remarked snidely.
Crystal smiled coldly at her. "Somehow I can't see Brent Hunter ever being desperate for anythingleast of all for female companionship."
"Well, sometimes a man has other needs, you know. The baser kind of needs that only a saloon girl can provide for."
Crystal was taken aback by Melinda's malice, but was a good enough actress not to reveal it. "You mean like making him laugh and enjoy life a little bit? We certainly did that. It's a pity you weren't able to go. Maybe the next time you will."
"Yes, maybe next time. Oh, and by the way, if you are looking for the black silk or the red satin, they're another aisle over." Melinda was seething as she turned and walked away. She thought Ruby nothing but a common slut, and she was furious that Brent had spent any time with her.
Crystal reacted coolly, but in truth, inwardly she was deeply shaken. Was what Melinda had said true? Did everyone consider her a slut just because she was a singer who performed in saloons? She'd always made it plain when she hired on that she was a lady and did not sell herself. But now her emotions were in turmoil.
Brent had made love to her. He had even asked her to marry him. Obviously he had never proposed to Melinda or she would have already had him at the altar.
That thought made Crystal smile, and eased the pain within her. But even as she felt a little better, she realized nothing had changed. She was not of Brent's class. She did not belong in Brent's world.
No longer in the mood to think about shopping, Crystal left the store without buying a thing.
Dan finally admitted to himself that he'd made a mistake. Crystal had not gone to Houston. He'd been looking for her there for several weeks now, but had found no trace of her. He would have to return to San Antonio and then head out in the other direction. He had to check the towns where the other stage had been going the day she'd run away from him.
His hunt wasn't easy, but he wasn't going to give up. He had to find her. He knew Crystal could be a master of disguise, so he had to be careful.
He didn't want to risk missing her. He just hoped it didn't take him too much longer to locate her. Time was of the essence.
He knew her very life was in danger, and it was up to him to save her.
John Hall looked in the mirror of his hotel room in Houston and swore violently as he studied his own reflection.
Gone was the handsome, debonair gambler who'd gotten anything and everything he'd ever wanted.
In his place was a disfigured freak-a man so ugly that his scarred face caused revulsion in all. Young children actually ran crying to their mothers at th
e sight of him.
John had always liked being the center of attention. He always liked people to stare at him and admire his good looks and slick ways. But he didn't want them watching him because he was hideous!
In one vicious, savage move, John hit the mirror with his fist. It shattered, destroying his mirror image.
His senseless attack left his knuckles cut and bleeding, but he didn't care. At least now he didn't have to look at himself anymore.
The pain and fury he was already feeling were far greater than any gash on his hand.
John just wished the mirror had been Crystal Stewart. He wanted to get his hands on her. He wanted to beat her and torture her. He wanted to see her dead for all the horror she'd caused him.
In frustration, he cursed out loud as he stared blankly around the hotel room. He'd been secretly trailing Dan Stewart, believing the man had had a part in his sister's disappearance and that Dan would eventually lead him back to her. But after endless days and useless miles, it seemed Dan was no closer to the elusive Crystal than he had been in the beginning.
The trek to Houston had been a complete waste of valuable time.
But Crystal was still out there somewhere, and John would not be deterred from finding her.
He would not give up. He would not let the woman who'd injured him so severely walk away unpunished. He would get his hands on her, and when he did, he would teach her a few lessons.
John was looking forward to their reunion. He planned to enjoy every minute of it.
Jack rode like the wind across the countryside. He thought if he rode long enough and hard enough he could escape the hell that his life had become. But when he finally reined in and sat there staring out across the endless miles of unspoiled Half-Moon land, he realized there was no escaping the misery. It was not those around him who caused it. The pain was deep within him. He could run from it, but he would never be able to escape.
Jack thought about his fight with Brent and remembered the last thing he'd shouted at his son: Maybe I should be the one to go.
In all the years he'd been in prison, the only thing that had mattered to him was coming home to the Half-Moon.
And now he was back, but nothing was working out the way he'd hoped. His children despised him. Even the ranch hands, men who'd worked for him for years, didn't want anything to do with him.
Jack's mood turned even blacker as he thought of Beth, and with the pain that seized him, he knew he needed a drink. Silently he cursed Brent and the fact that he had destroyed his bottle of whiskey. His need to find forgetfulness drove him as he wheeled his mount around and rode for Diablo-and the Lone S tar.
Ken would be more than happy to sell him another bottle.
And he knew no one would miss him on the ranch.
"Brent, what are you doing?" Abby asked when she glanced into his bedroom as she was passing by on her way down the hall. She could see him inside emptying out the drawers of his bureau.
"So you finally got up." He glanced over his shoulder at her, but didn't stop packing.
"I didn't expect to sleep this late. Why? Did something happen with Papa?"
"It's good you missed it."
"What happened?" She was worried as she came into the room. She looked from her brother's stern expression to the clothes he was packing away in a trunk. "Where are you going? Are you leaving on a trip?"
11 I had it out with Pa this morning," Brent began, wanting to explain his decision to her. "I'm leaving here, but I'm not going on any trip."
Abby stared at him as a deep, abiding sadness filled her. "Was it that bad?"
"Pa gave me no choice," he answered.
"But Brent, you can't leave!"
"The hell I can't, Abby," he said fiercely. "I confronted Pa about the liquor this morning, and he made it clear he has no intention of changing his ways. So I'm going to move out and go live at the cabin down by the creek."
"Why are you letting him push you out this way?" she asked, devastated by his news.
"He's not pushing me out. I'm walking out under my own power and of my own free will. You can stay here with him if you want, Abby, but I'm tired. I need some peace in my life, and I'm not going to find it living under the same roof with him."
"Brent, think about what you're doing!"
"I have thought about it, and I have to do this. You can come with me or you can stay here. The choice is yours."
Abby was shocked over everything that was happening. "But this is my home."
"Well, you know where I'll be if you need me." Brent picked up what he could and left the room.
As Abby watched him walk out, a great sadness filled her. It seemed she had lost everything.
Her mother was dead. Her brothers were gone. And now she was going to be left at the ranch house with only her father-the man who was the very cause of all her sorrow.
Brent knew he was going to have to do some work on the cabin to make it livable. He went out to the bunkhouse and got Hank and Curly to ride along with him and help him make the needed repairs. He hoped they could get most of it done in one day. They loaded up two wagons with Brent's personal things and the tools they'd need to get the work done.
As they rode away from the ranch house, Brent glanced back one last time. He was surprised to see Abby standing on the porch watching them leave. He lifted one hand to wave to her, but she didn't respond. She turned and went back inside.
Brent understood why she was upset, but he could not back down.
He was leaving.
It was time.
Jack took a deep drink from the tumbler of whiskey Ken had set before him. He enjoyed the power of the liquor as it burned its way down.
"So what brings you back into town today?" the bartender asked. He'd been surprised to see him so soon.
"I just needed a little relaxation," Jack answered, lifting his glass in a mock toast. He drained the rest of the whiskey and then shoved the glass back across the bar toward the barkeep for a refill.
Ken obliged.
"Looks like you've got company, Jack," Ken told him as Edmund walked in.
Jack glanced up as Edmund came to stand with him at the bar. Jack smiled at him. It was good to know he had one friend in the world. "What are you doing here?"
"I saw you ride in, so I came over to see what you were up to. I hadn't thought you'd be back in town so soon," Edmund replied. "Have you got something to celebrate?" He motioned toward his drink.
"No, I had a run-in with Brent this morning, so I went for a ride and ended up here."
"What's the problem with Brent?" Edmund sounded concerned.
"He's so damned high and mighty," Jack swore. "Just because he ran things while I was gone, he thinks he can order me around and tell me what to do on my own ranch."
Edmund was secretly pleased that the Hunters were fighting, but his expression betrayed nothing. "Brent did work hard while you were away, Jack. You should be proud of him."
"Proud of him? For what? Training a lot of nags?" Jack said with a sneer. "Brent's too damned arrogant. Quince would still be here helping out if it wasn't for him. He drove him off."
"Do you know what you want to do now? Have you made plans for the ranch?"
Jack's mood improved, for Edmund was talking to him as if he were in charge. "I have a lot of plans."
"I figured you did," Edmund said smoothly. "I know how much you love the Half-Moon."
"It's got to be the biggest and the best," he declared. He stopped to take another deep drink.
Edmund saw his opportunity and took advantage of it. "Why don't you come over to the bank with me? I've got an idea I think just might appeal to you.
"What kind of idea?"
"Well, there's some property for sale that you may want to add on to the Half-Moon."
"That sounds good." Jack smiled at the prospect of increasing the size of the ranch.
"Are you done here? Are you ready to go?" Edmund asked.
"Sure, but wait just one minut
e." Jack motioned to the bartender as he finished off the last of his drink. "I want a bottle to take with me."
Ken brought it to him. Edmund pushed Jack's coins aside and insisted on paying the bill; then they went to the bank.
An hour later, Edmund was ready to celebrate. He took out the decanter of whiskey and the two glasses he kept in the cabinet behind his desk in the office.
"Let's drink to this deal. It's a good one. I'll take care of finalizing all the negotiations for you," he assured Jack.
"I appreciate it." Jack trusted him implicitly. "And you did add in the extra hundred dollars cash for me, didn't you?"
"I sure did, just like you said. Just sign right here." Edmund indicated the place at the bottom of the loan papers where Jack was to sign his name. Jack proudly signed the document, and Edmund poured them each a drink. Edmund gave Jack considerably more than he took himself, but Jack didn't notice. He was just glad to have another drink.
"To the success of the Half-Moon," Edmund toasted their deal.
"Sounds good to me." Jack downed the whiskey, celebrating the heady feeling of knowing he was buying more property for the Half-Moon and getting some cash of his own to use as he saw fit.
He'd show Brent who was the boss.
Brent smiled in satisfaction as he looked around the cabin.
"Thanks," he told Curly and Hank. They'd worked hard all day to put the place in order.
"You're sure you want to do this?" Hank asked.
"It's time."
They shared a look. Hank understood his reasoning.
"Is there anything else you need?"
"Not that I can think of right now. You can head on back. I'll meet you tomorrow morning in the north pasture."
Curly and Hank left.
Brent took the time to look over the cabin once more. They'd repaired the roof and fixed the broken porch steps. Structurally it was sound. It still needed some serious cleaning, and he'd work on that as best he could. He'd brought his bed and bedding, and a chest from the main house, and Frances had given him a good stock of food.
This was now his home.
When he'd told Crystal he wanted to live there, he'd never imagined it would be so soon. He remembered Crystal's reaction to the place and wished she were with him now to see the improvements they'd made. The thought made him smile and motivated him. He set to work cleaning the inside. As soon as it was ready, he was going to go into town and bring Crystal out for a visit. He needed to see her again.
