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

by Bobbi Smith

  "Good morning," Dan called out as he dismounted in front of the house and tied up his horse.

  "Morning," she returned. "Can I help you with anything?"

  "I'm hoping you can. My name is Dan Stewart, and I'm looking for my sister. Folks in town told me she's married Brent Hunter and is living here at the Half-Moon."

  "You're Crystal's brother? That's wonderful! We didn't even know she had any kin," Frances said.

  "Crystal and I haven't seen each other in a while. Is she here? I wanted to talk to her." He did not move any closer to the woman, for he didn't want to seem too anxious or in any way threatening.

  "Crystal doesn't live here at the main house. She and Brent are living down at the cabin. She's probably there now." Frances gave him directions to the cabin.

  "Thanks."

  "You're welcome. It was nice to meet you, Dan, and I'm Frances, by the way."

  "I'll see you later, Frances."

  He mounted up again and rode off.

  Frances felt quite happy that Crystal's brother had come. She was sure Crystal would be thrilled to see him.

  It took all of Dan's considerable willpower not to race at full speed toward Crystal's cabin. He wasn't quite sure yet how to handle their reunion, but he knew he'd think of something when the time came. He wondered if she was going to be at the cabin alone, or if her new husband would be with her.

  He hoped she would be alone. That would make everything much simpler.

  Dan took care to ride up to the cabin quietly. He didn't see anyone around and suddenly feared Crystal might not be there. When he reined in before the house and no one came out to greet him, he went up on the porch and looked inside. The cabin was empty. Dan resigned himself to waiting for Crystal's return. Certainly he had nowhere else to go-not until he'd seen his sister and resolved things with her.

  Brent had decided to put up an outbuilding near the corral behind the cabin, and Hank had been there helping him for the past few days.

  Crystal had remained at the cabin, for there was something she desperately wanted to do that day. Frances had given her a few lemons, thinking Brent might want lemonade, but she had a better use for them. Crystal was tired of her hair being red. She no longer had to pretend to be Ruby, and lemon juice was just what she needed to regain her true identity. After combing the juice through her hair, she went to sit in the sun for an hour. She washed her hair thoroughly when the time had passed and was pleased with the results. As midday drew near, she started to fix lunch for the men.

  For the first few days after she'd come to live with Brent, her husband had ridden out at sunup and hadn't returned until almost dusk. Since he'd started working on the building, though, he'd been nearby all day, and she loved every minute of having him around. Their life together was peaceful and loving. He had not pressured her for an answer about speaking to the lawyer yet, and she was glad. She wasn't ready to put this wonderful life they had together at risk yet. She wanted to enjoy the beauty of being a new bride for as long as she could.

  When lunch was ready, Crystal took the food out to Brent and Hank where they were working, a good distance behind the cabin.

  Brent saw her coming and smiled broadly. He had loved her with red hair, but was thrilled to see that she was back to her natural blond color.

  "I think you're the prettiest waitress I've ever had," Brent told her as she reached them. "What about you, Hank?"

  "Well, I liked the pretty redhead who used to be around here," Hank said, grinning.

  Crystal laughed. "You two are just charmers."

  Hank dug hungrily into the food she'd given him. "Our new waitress makes a good lunch, too, though."

  "Do you expect a tip for waiting on us this way?" Brent asked.

  "Hank is company, so he doesn't have to tip me, but you do," she challenged.

  "What kind of tip are you looking for?"

  "I think a kiss would be just about right."

  Brent gave her a quick kiss in spite of the other man's presence.

  "Call me if you need anything else," she told them with a smile.

  "You're a lucky man, Brent," Hank said after Crystal had moved away.

  "I know," he agreed, watching her go. He'd been thinking the same thing.

  Crystal thought it was a wonderful day. The sun was shining and a soft breeze was blowing. She was relaxed and at ease as she came around the side of the cabin.

  "Hello, Crystal."

  Crystal froze. There before her stood her brother.

  "Dan!" Instant terror jarred her. "What are you doing here?"

  "I've been looking for you for months."

  Panic set in. Crystal turned and started to run from him, to scream for help, but Dan reacted too quickly for her. He grabbed her and covered her mouth with his hand. He held her pinned against his chest as she fought wildly to get away.

  "Don't scream!" Dan ordered, trying to control her. "Crystal, stop it! I'm not going to hurt you! I came here to help you!"

  Crystal went still at his words, and she was relieved when Dan immediately let her go.

  "You want to help me?" She gasped, turning on him.

  "That's right."

  "After what you did to me?" she challenged.

  "What I did to you?" Dan was shocked by her charge. "Crystal, I don't know what you mean. What are you talking about?"

  Crystal stared up at her brother, seeing his very real confusion. She suddenly felt a bit unsure of herself.

  "Hall told me what you did! He told me you sent him to me to take care of your debts! He said I was supposed to `work it off for you. That's why I-"

  "He lied to you, Crystal," Dan interrupted, furious to discover what Hall had done. "I paid him back what cash I could when I met with him that night. I promised to pay him the full amount in time, but he was angry. He beat me up so bad, I was unconscious for several hours. He left me tied up in my room when he went after you."

  "He beat you and tied you up?" She was completely taken aback by this news.

  "Yes, and then after you got away, Hall came back to my room and-"

  "What?" Crystal gasped as she went completely and utterly still. "He went to your room? But how? I killed him!"

  Now it was Dan's turn to be shocked. "You killed him?"

  Crystal told him about the gambler's attack that night. "He tried to rape me, and I hit him with a lamp. I killed him, Dan. He's dead. That's why I ran away. I knew no one would believe me if I told the truth-that I had been defending myself. I had to get away. I had to save myself."

  Dan went to his sister and tried to take her in his arms. He wanted to calm her; he wanted to reassure her. But Crystal was still caught up in the power of her memories. She held herself stiffly and resisted his embrace.

  "Crystal, John Hall is not dead," Dan told her slowly, wanting the words to sink in, wanting her to know she wasn't a murderer.

  "No-I hit him on the head. There was blood everywhere, and he wasn't breathing."

  "He's alive. Crystal listen to me!" Dan grabbed her by the shoulders, wanting to get through to her.

  A cold, deadly voice froze him in place. "I don't know who the hell you are, but get your hands off my wife!"

  Brent had been on his way up to the cabin when he'd heard Crystal arguing with someone. Brent hadn't recognized the man's voice, and he'd been immediately concerned for her safety. He was glad now that he'd followed her when he had. There was no telling what might have happened to her if he hadn't shown up.

  Dan let Crystal go as ordered. He hurried to try to explain. "I'm Crystal's brother, Dan, and-"

  He got no further. At the confirmation of the stranger's identity, Brent attacked. He swung at the man he believed had treated Crystal so badly and hit him full-force in the jaw.

  Dan was not a fighter. The power of Brent's blow sent him sprawling backward on the porch. He lay there, dazed, rubbing his aching jaw and looking up at the man his sister had married.

  Brent started to go after Dan again, this time
with deadly intent. This was the man who had tried to prostitute his own sister! Fury and outrage burned within Brent.

  "Brent! No!" Crystal saw the look in his eyes and threw herself at Brent to stop him before he could hit Dan again. "Wait!"

  "Wait? For what?" He looked down at her puzzled. "Why are you defending him? He's the one who-"

  "Dan didn't send Hall to me that night." She hurried to tell him what she'd learned. She could see Brent visibly relax as he heard the truth from her. "And Dan just told me Hall's not dead! I didn't kill him!"

  Relief unlike anything Brent had ever known swept through him. He grabbed Crystal and hugged her tight "Thank God."

  He actually felt tears burn in his eyes, but somehow he managed to fight them back.

  "I know," she agreed, elated.

  They remained wrapped in each other's arms. The hidden fear that had haunted their love was gone, and they savored the glory of the moment.

  "So you're my brother-in-law," Dan said, watching them together and seeing that Crystal had found true happiness. He tried to give a wry smile, but it hurt too badly and ended up being more of a grimace.

  At his remark, Brent gave Crystal a sweet kiss and put her from him. He went and offered Dan a hand up, helping him to stand.

  "I'm Brent Hunter, and yes, I'm your brother-inlaw."

  They stared at each other for a moment, sizing each other up.

  "Let's go inside," Crystal suggested. "I'll get you a wet cloth, Dan." She could see that his mouth was bloody.

  "Is everything all right?" Hank asked as he came around the side of the cabin. He'd been waiting for Brent by the corral and had gotten worried at his long absence. He was surprised to see a stranger there, one who looked like he'd just been hit in the mouth.

  "Everything's fine, Hank," Brent answered quickly. "This is Crystal's brother, Dan. He just stopped by to see her."

  "Nice to meet you," Hank said. He was curious about what had happened, but he knew he'd find out later from Brent. "I'll go on back to work."

  "I'll be along in a few minutes."

  They went indoors, and Dan sat down at the table across from Brent.

  "I've been searching for you ever since that night to warn you that Hall is out for revenge against you," Dan told Crystal.

  "Revenge against me?" she asked.

  "That's right. When you hit him with the lamp, you cut his face up real bad," Dan went on. "After he regained consciousness in your room, he came after me again. He thought I would know where you were hiding. He beat me some more, but when I didn't tell him anything, he left and went looking for you. I finally managed to get myself loose, and I went to check your room. I saw all the glass and blood. I didn't know if you'd been hurt or not, and I was desperate to find you. I went to Sheriff Spiller there in Long Horn and explained to him all that had happened. I told him I fully intended to pay my gambling debt to Hall and that there was no reason for the violence. He arrested Hall and kept him locked up overnight to try to calm him down. Even locked up, though, Hall kept yelling that he was going to get even with you. I made arrangements with the sheriff to send payments to Hall to reimburse him what I owed him. Then I left and set out to find you, but you'd already disappeared."

  "I was long gone by that time. I ran as far away as I could. I thought the law would be after me for Hall's murder, and I thought you would be coming after me because you were angry with me."

  "I did come after you, but it was to save you, not hurt you," Dan said gently. "I'd never hurt you, Crystal. I'm sorry any of this happened."

  "So am I."

  "I'm glad you're safe here with Brent, but I have to warn you to keep watch. As furious as Hall was, I'm afraid he hasn't given up. I think he's still after you."

  "How do you know?" Brent asked.

  "The first time I wired a payment to Sheriff Spiller, he sent me a telegram back letting me know that Hall had still been vengeful when he'd released him the following day. He swore he wasn't going to rest until you'd paid for what you'd done to him. Sheriff Spiller said he hadn't seen much of him since then, but he was holding on to the money, in case Hall did return. Hall lives in Long Horn, and the sheriff thought it strange that he'd just taken off that way. But I think I know where he went-I think he's trying to find you. That's why I've been real careful, tracking you down. I didn't want to risk leading Hall to you. I just hope now that I've found you..."

  Brent understood his concern and reassured him. "It's all right."

  Crystal swallowed tightly as she looked from her brother to her husband. "What are we going to do?"

  "Do you have enough money to pay off the rest of your gambling debt to him?" Brent asked Dan.

  "Yes. I've got it now."

  "Good. Wire it to the sheriff in Long Horn first thing tomorrow. That way at least the lawman will know that the debt has been paid back in full."

  "I'll do it, but it's Crystal he's after, and as mean as he is, I wouldn't put anything past him. That's why I had to come and find you." He looked at his sister. "I couldn't rest until I had warned you."

  Dan had had time to do a lot of serious thinking during these last months of searching for Crystal. The realization that she might be in very real danger had made him realize how selfish he'd been all these years. He hadn't cared about his sister's welfare. He had only used her to further his own fortunes. He regretted that deeply now.

  Crystal looked up at Dan and smiled gently. Tears were shining in her eyes as she went to him and put her arms around him. "Thank you, Dan."

  "For what?" He was taken aback by her display of emotion.

  "For caring about me."

  Dan gave her a hug. "I love you, Crystal. I'm sorry I haven't always been the brother I should have been to you. I'll try to make it up to you somehow."

  "You already have."

  "I have?"

  "Yes, by coming here to warn me." Her words were heartfelt. "But what are you going to do about your own life? Are you going to find a way to earn an honest living?"

  "I'm not sure what I'm going to do."

  "You're welcome to stay on here at the HalfMoon," Brent offered. "I can always use another ranch hand."

  Dan chuckled, his mood growing a bit lighter as he thought of himself on horseback all day, working stock or trying to saddle-break a wild horse. "I'm not exactly the world's best horseman. I was thinking more along the lines of getting a job at the saloon in town and maybe tending bar."

  Crystal was thrilled by this change in her brother. In his heart, she realized, he truly was a good man.

  Brent went back to work with Hank, while Dan stayed on to visit longer with Crystal. It was late in the afternoon when he rode for town. He was going to wire the last of the money he owed Hall to Sheriff Spiller in Long Horn the next day and ask if there had been any news about the missing man. He promised to let Crystal know what he heard back from the lawman.

  A short time later, Hank left for the day as well, and Brent was alone with Crystal. He finally broached the subject of the threat against her.

  "I don't know how much we should be worried about this Hall showing up here, but I want you to be prepared to defend yourself, just in case," he told her.

  "I've got my derringer," she reassured him.

  "Have you ever handled a six-gun?"

  "Once or twice."

  "That's not good enough. I'm going to give you shooting lessons-now, tonight." His tone was fierce. "I want you to be ready if there is trouble."

  Crystal didn't want to think about that frightening scenario, but there could be no hiding from it. "All right. I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

  Brent got his six-gun and took her out behind the cabin for some target practice. He handed the revolver to her and pointed toward a tree stump some distance away.

  "See if you can hit that stump," he told her.

  Crystal lifted the gun and tried to take aim. The gun was heavy and a bit awkward for her to handle compared with her derringer. She missed the tree by a wide
margin.

  "Try again. We're going to stay here and keep at it until you get it right."

  "I hope you're a patient man. That could take a while," she said with a pained grin, taking aim once more. This time her shot went wide on the other side of the tree stump.

  Crystal was determined, if nothing else. She tried again-and missed again.

  "I think I like shooting my derringer better," she said with a nervous laugh, disappointed with her own performance.

  "Your derringer is fine, but it's only a two-shot," Brent reminded her.

  "I know, and if I'm this bad at hitting a target as big as that tree stump, those two shots aren't going to do me much good."

  He laughed at her. "You'll get better. It's just going to take some time, that's all. Let's try it again, but this time I'll help you."

  Brent came to stand behind Crystal. He put his arms around her to steady the gun as she took careful aim.

  Crystal enjoyed the warmth and excitement of having Brent standing so near her. She would have liked to just turn around and hug him, but she knew this was serious. She concentrated on his directions and got off another round.

  I did it!" Crystal shouted when the shot actually hit the tree stump.

  "All right, now try it again, on your own," he directed, stepping back to watch.

  With great care and precision, Crystal held the gun steady and fired. This time she only grazed the stump, but it was the best she'd done yet on her own.

  "There is hope," she told Brent, her confidence growing. "I just wish we didn't have to worry about any of this."

  "So do I, but it's important you learn how to shoot."

  "Maybe women aren't supposed to be good with a gun.

  He grinned. "Don't talk like that around Abby. She's a real good shot."

  "Yes, but she's a Hunter."

  "Hey, darling, you're a Hunter now, too."

  She returned his grin. "I guess I'd better keep practicing. I have a standard to uphold. I don't want Abby to disapprove of me."

  "That's right."

  Brent pulled her close for a quick kiss, then let her go so she could continue to practice.