by Bobbi Smith
He didn't say anything more as she made slow but steady progress. When they finally quit and returned to the cabin for the night, Brent offered up a silent prayer that they would never have to find out just how good Crystal could be with a gun.
It was late in the day when John Hall rode into Diablo. He was cautious, yet alert. He didn't want to draw any undue attention to himself, but he also wanted to keep a look out for Dan Stewart. He didn't want the gambler to know he was so close on his trail.
The Lone Star Saloon beckoned. John hoped this was the end of his search. He'd heard in San Miguel about a pretty singer who was performing here. He had a gut feeling it was Crystal, and it looked like Dan felt that way, too. He'd been following the lowlife, card-cheating worm for quite some time, and he hoped this was the end of the trail.
Soon, very soon, Crystal would be his.
John didn't rein in before the saloon, but chose to tie up his mount on a side street, just in case Dan was in town. He wanted the element of surprise on his side. He strode up to the swinging doors and took a quick glance inside to make sure Dan wasn't there before going in.
"Whiskey," he ordered gruffly at the bar.
"Evening," Ken said easily when he came over to wait on him. It wasn't easy to faze the bartender, but he couldn't help staring at the stranger's face. He'd ncver seen anyone so disfigured before.
"What are you looking at?" John challenged.
"A paying customer," Ken managed quickly, taking the money that had been shoved across the bar at him. "Enjoy."
Ken moved away, leaving the man alone.
John took his tumbler of whiskey and went to sit at a table near the back. He wanted to be able to watch what was going on and to listen to all the talk in the bar.
"I'm Violet. Would you like some company tonight?" a saloon girl asked as she stopped by his table. He wasn't the most attractive man around, but sometimes his kind was willing to pay more for a woman.
"I sure would," John said, motioning for her to sit down. "You want a drink?"
"No, I want a man." She smiled at him, running her tongue over her lips in a suggestive way.
"You came to the right table, darling." John wasn't averse to a little recreation.
"Let's go upstairs," Violet invited.
"In a while. I want to hear the singer perform first. I heard she's real good," he answered.
"I hate to disappoint you, but Ruby ain't singing here anymore. She quit."
"Where did she go? Who'd she run off with?" John demanded quickly.
Violet was tired of all the men asking about Ruby and wanting Ruby. "What does it matter? You got me instead."
John realized his mistake and forced himself to sit back. He smiled at her. "You're right, Violet. I do have you, and you are the best-looking woman in the Lone Star."
She smiled and purred at him. "I'm the most talented, too. I can't wait to show you how I can entertain you.
"Let's go on upstairs then, Violet. I could use a little entertaining right now."
John drained his whiskey and followed her up the steps to her room.
Violet closed and locked the door behind them, then began to slowly undress, wanting to be alluring.
"Don't waste time, woman. Get naked and lay yourself down," John ordered.
Violet had dealt with all kinds of men in the time she'd worked at the Lone Star, so his crudeness didn't surprise her or bother her. She did as he asked, expecting to be paid handsomely for obeying him so quickly.
John freed himself from his pants and fell on top of her without another word.
Violet gritted her teeth against his painful possession. It was bad enough he was ugly, but he was rough, too. Only the thought of the money he would be paying her, held her still. She was relieved when he finished quickly. She started to squirm out from underneath him, eager to get away.
"Where do you think you're going?" John demanded.
"You're done, aren't you?" Violet retorted.
"I'll let you know when I'm done," he said in a snarl, and he started moving again. This time he shut his eyes and pretended she was Crystal. His hands were harsh upon her soft flesh, and when she made protesting noises, he smiled to himself. That was what he wanted to do-cause Crystal Stewart a lot of pain. The thought of hurting Crystal brought him to satisfaction again quickly. He collapsed on top of Violet. He lay still for a moment, glad that she didn't try to get away from him again. Finally he rose up over her.
"All right, Violet, baby, where did your little singer go? Did she run off with some man who came in from out of town?"
"I don't know why you care so much about her," Violet said, pouting a bit. She had given him what he wanted, and yet he still was thinking about Ruby. "She wouldn't have taken care of you like I just did."
"I'm paying you to please me," he said tersely. "So please me some more, and tell me what you know about her and where she went."
Her eyes lit up at the thought of making more money just for telling him all about Ruby. She quickly told him how the singer had married Brent Hunter, and then she filled him in on the latest gos sip about the Hunter family. They had been the talk of the town for years.
John listened with interest. "So where is this ranch?"
She told him, then added the talk she'd heard about Brent living in the cabin by the creek.
"Ruby sure is lucky. Brent not only has a big ranch; he's handsome, too," Violet finished with envy.
She hadn't realized how her remark about Brent's looks would affect this man. She immediately regretted her words when his hands moved cruelly upon her again.
"So looks are important to you, are they?" he asked coldly, glaring down at her.
Violet trembled with fear. He truly looked like the devil incarnate as he began to thrust within her again. Trying to be brave, she managed a smile for him. "No, looks mean nothing. I like money."
Before John had finished with her that night, he had directions to the Hunter ranch. When he was finally through, he left the bed and straightened his clothing before throwing money on the bed where she lay.
Violet was sore and exhausted, but she grabbed up the cash without hesitation. She was pleased with the amount. "Will you be back?"
"No," John answered, and he walked out. He was as sure as he could be that he'd finally located Crystal. He knew where he was going, and he knew what he was going to do.
Brent did not sleep soundly that night. He tossed and turned, worried about the threat to Crystal. He gave up the effort just before dawn. Going to stand at the window, he stared out across the darkened land. He used to think the view was beautiful and peaceful, but he now he saw only potential danger. They had no close neighbors, and there were many places where someone could hide. Not one to turn from any challenge, Brent tried to decide the best way to keep Crystal safe.
"You're awake already?" Crystal asked as she opened her eyes.
"It's almost light," he said, returning to the bed and sitting down beside her. "I was thinking we should ride over and talk to Pa and Abby today. We need to tell them everything that's happened, so they can help us watch for Hall. Then we need to go into town and talk to Sheriff Dawson. The more people we have watching for Hall, the better our chances of catching him before anything happens."
"How soon do you want to leave?" she asked, coming fully awake.
"As soon as you can get ready. If we reach the house early enough, I can catch Hank before he heads over here, expecting to work with me again."
"Brent?"
He met her gaze.
"Do you want to tell them about the baby today?"
"Do you?"
"Yes. I want your pa and Abby to know."
He nodded, bowing to her wishes.
Crystal wasted no time getting ready. She got her purse and took her derringer, too. Brent brought the buckboard around to pick her up. He had tied Storm to the back, in case he needed to ride out for any reason while they were at the house. When they arrived, Brent stopped at the bu
nkhouse to let Hank know he wouldn't need him until they returned from town; then they drove on up to the main house.
Abby and Jack both came out on the porch when they saw the buckboard approaching.
"I see you've made some changes," Jack said, looking at her hair. "I like it better."
"Thank you," Crystal said with a smile.
"Me, too," Abby added.
"It's my natural color. I feel more like myself now," she explained.
"So, to what do we owe this honor?" Jack asked.
"We've got to go into Diablo today, but we wanted to stop and talk with you first," Brent told them.
"Come on in," Abby said. "Crystal, Frances told us that your brother came looking for you."
"Yes, he did. Dan and I had a nice visit yesterday."
"I'm sorry I missed him."
"He's going to be staying on in Diablo, at least for a while, so I'm sure you'll get the chance to meet him eventually."
"Good."
Brent tied up the team and helped Crystal down. They all went inside. Frances came out of the kitchen, smiling in welcome.
"It's so good that you're here. Breakfast is almost ready," she announced. "Crystal, your hair looks lovely. Go on and sit down. I take it your brother found you all right?"
"Yes, thanks, Frances. It was wonderful to see him again."
"What's on your mind?" Jack asked bluntly, not interested in making small talk.
"A lot has happened, and we need to tell you about it," Brent began.
Crystal spoke up, wanting them to know everything. They were her family now, and they deserved the truth.
"There was a lot about me Brent didn't know when he asked me to marry him," she began.
Jack and Abby listened intently as she explained what had brought her to Diablo.
"Oh, Crystal-that's terrible!" Abby interrupted when Crystal revealed why John Hall had appeared in her room. Abby cast a quick glance at Brent. She was surprised to see that he was watching her. Abby suddenly realized how blessed she'd been to have her brothers-especially Brent. "How dreadful for you."
"Yes, but there's more." Crystal went on with her story, telling them how she had thought she was wanted for murder and how Dan had just come to reveal the real truth of what had happened that night.
"Well, you're safe now," Jack said.
"Yes, I am." She looked at Brent and smiled. "I told Brent the truth before we got married. I didn't want to marry him with any lies between us, but he loved me enough to marry me anyway."
"I told her at the time I thought she'd acted in self-defense. I knew she couldn't have killed anyone," he said supportively.
Jack's expression was serious during Crystal's revelations and grew even grimmer as he listened to Brent's words. He knew what prison life was like and couldn't imagine Crystal surviving it. "So what of this man Hall?"
"That's what we wanted to tell you, so you and the hands could keep a lookout for him," Brent said.
"You mean he might show up here?" Jack asked sharply.
"According to Dan, Hall is still after Crystal. When she hit him with the lamp she cut his face, and he wants revenge against her," Brent told them. "If the scarring is as bad as Dan says it must be, Hall won't be hard to recognize."
"He's tall and dark-haired, but that's about all I remember about him."
"I'll tell the hands," Jack said. "The more we've got watching, the better."
"Brent gave me my first shooting lesson last night, Abby," Crystal said. "He said I have a long way to go to live up to your standards."
Abby was surprised by Brent's compliment. He had always been after her to be more ladylike, so it pleased her that he appreciated her shooting ability. "Practice is all it takes. You'll do it."
"I hope so."
Frances served them breakfast, and they ate the delicious fare hungrily.
"Did you say you were going into town this morning?" Abby asked as they finished up the meal.
"Yes, do you want to go with us?" Brent asked.
"Yes. Frances was saying we needed some supplies, so I can get them while we're there."
Abby went to ask the housekeeper for a list of what she wanted from town.
"I'm ready whenever you are," Abby told them when she returned from the kitchen.
"There is one more thing I need to tell you," Crystal began, looking over at her husband as she spoke. "Brent and I want you to be the first to know-we're going to have a baby."
Abby couldn't speak for a moment. She looked from her brother to his wife. Then she smiled and took Crystal's hand. "What wonderful news. I'm so happy for you." She hugged her sister-in-law, then went to her brother to be enfolded in his arms. "I already know you'll be a good father."
Jack's expression was guarded as he said, "You make sure you take good care of her."
"I will."
They started off for Diablo then. Jack remained on the porch watching them go. Only when they'd disappeared from sight did he go back inside. He stopped before the portrait of Beth and stood there gazing up at her for a long moment before going to get his bottle where he had it hidden in his room. He needed a drink.
When they reached Diablo, they stopped first at the hotel to find Dan.
"I didn't know you were coming into town today," Dan said, surprised to see them when he answered the knock at his hotel room door.
"We were worried, and we wanted to find out if you'd heard anything back yet from the sheriff in Long Horn," Brent explained. Then, realizing Dan hadn't met Abby yet, he quickly made the introductions. "Dan, this is my sister, Abby. Abby, this is Dan."
Dan managed to hide his surprise at seeing a woman wearing pants and boots as they exchanged greetings.
"I sent the wire first thing this morning," Dan said. "The man at the telegraph office told me he'd let me know just as soon as he got a reply from Sheriff Spiller."
"Well, we're on our way over to warn Sheriff Dawson about Hall."
"I'll come with you."
They left the hotel and made their way through Diablo toward the sheriffs office.
"Are you really planning on staying on here?" Crystal asked her brother. She knew how restless he could be, and how he liked to move around a lot.
"I think so," Dan answered. He was so glad to have found Crystal that he wasn't ready to think about leaving her yet.
"Then you have to take a room at the boardinghouse. I stayed there until Brent and I were married, and I know you'd like it. The owner is Anne Pals, and she's a wonderful cook."
"I'll do that," he promised. A home-cooked meal sounded mighty good to him.
Sheriff Dawson was at his desk in his office, and he looked up when they came in.
"Brent, is something wrong?" he asked, concerned.
"I hope not-but that's what we wanted to talk to you about. Have you heard yet that Crystal and I are married?"
"Crystal?" he asked. "I thought your name was Ruby."
"That was my stage name," she answered,
"Well, congratulations."
"Thanks," Brent replied. "And this is Crystal's brother, Dan. He came to Diablo looking for Crystal to let her know there's a man named John Hall who's hunting her." He explained all that had happened.
"I'm pretty sure he wants revenge," Dan added, telling the lawman about the threats Hall had made at the jail in Long Horn and how the sheriff there hadn't seen him in a while. "I've repaid my debt to him in full, and we're waiting now to hear from Sheriff Spiller to see if he's got any new information on Hall's whereabouts."
"What's Hall look like?"
Dan described him as best he could, including his scarred face.
"I'll tell my deputies. If anybody reports anything, I'll let you know right away."
"We'd appreciate it," Brent told him.
When they left his office, Crystal took Dan to the boardinghouse to meet Anne, while Brent and Abby went to the mercantile to get the supplies they needed.
Edmund had come out of his office to speak
with someone in the bank lobby when he'd glanced out the window and seen Abby across the street with Brent and the others. He didn't know what had brought her to town, but he was glad she was there. He feasted his gaze on her for a long moment, until the customer he'd been talking with spoke up and interrupted his reverie. He'd concluded their business quickly and then gone to take a better look outside. He'd been shocked to find that they were going into the sheriffs office, and wondered what was wrong. The thought that there might be trouble at the Half-Moon pleased him, but he didn't let his reaction show.
Curiosity ate at Edmund as he watched and waited for them to come out. When he finally saw them emerge, he told the teller he'd be right back and went outside.
"Brent! Abby!" Edmund called out, hurrying down the street to join them.
Brent stiffened at the sight of the banker.
"You all right?" Abby asked, noticing the immediate change in her brother.
"Not when Edmund's around, I'm not."
"Oh."
"Brent, congratulations on your marriage," Edmund said smoothly as he joined them.
"What do you want, Edmund?" Brent knew Edmund must have an ulterior motive for coming out to speak with him. The man certainly hadn't approached them to offer his best wishes.
"I saw you come out of the sheriffs office," Edmund said. "Is there trouble out at the ranch?" His gaze lingered on Abby, taking in the sweet curve of her hips in her pants.
"What goes on at the Half-Moon is none of your damned business, Edmund," Brent told him coldly.
Abby was surprised by his reaction to Edmund. She took his arm. "Let's go."
"Well, I just wanted to help," the banker said.
"The only way you can help me right now is by getting the hell out of my way," Brent said in a growl as he walked quickly on, taking Abby with him.
Edmund stood back and watched them go.
"Give your bride my best," Edmund called after him sarcastically.
Brent did not respond. He just kept walking.
Fury ate at Edmund. No one treated him this way! No one!
Brent Hunter was an arrogant bastard, and Edmund was looking forward to the day when he got what was coming to him-him and his pa and their whole damned family.
