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

by Bobbi Smith

  Except Abby, of course.

  He would never want anything bad to happen to Abby. He wanted her for himself.

  "Brent, why did you talk to Edmund that way?" Abby asked when they were out of earshot.

  Brent glanced down at her, his expression still grim. "I didn't tell you what happened when I confronted him about the loan he made to Pa for the Sullivan land."

  "No, you didn't. What did he do?"

  "He pulled a gun on me."

  "What?" Abby was completely shocked. "Why?"

  "I was furious with him for making the loan. I told him to cancel the sale. He refused and said it was already completed and there was nothing he could do. He actually seemed quite pleased about the deal-even though I had specifically asked him not to make any more loans to Pa."

  "But why was he going to shoot you?" she repeated.

  "I was so angry that I was ready to hit him. I didn't, but I wanted to. He pulled a gun out of his desk drawer and held it on me."

  "I've always felt uneasy around him, but I never expected him to do anything like this. Thank God he didn't shoot you."

  "I don't trust Edmund. Watch yourself around him," he advised her. "No matter what he might say, he is no friend to our family-not to us or to Pa."

  Dan and Crystal had just left the boardinghouse, where Dan had rented a room from Anne, when Mr. Bryant, the telegraph operator, chased him down.

  "Mr. Stewart? I got the wire you've been waiting for," he called out.

  Dan and Crystal stopped to wait for him to catch up.

  "Thanks for coming to find me," Dan said as he took the wire.

  "I was just glad to finally get a response."

  When Mr. Bryant left them, Dan opened the envelope and read Sheriff Spiller's message. Crystal was watching his expression, and she could tell immediately that the news was not what he'd hoped for.

  "What is it?"

  Dan looked up at her. "Sheriff Spiller hasn't seen or heard from Hall since before the last time I wired him money. He's holding on to what I sent him in case he does show up."

  Their gazes met in understanding. There was nothing they could do now but wait and pray that nothing came of Hall's threats.

  "We'd better go tell Brent," Dan said.

  When Crystal and Dan reached the mercantile, they sought out Brent and Abby so they could tell them the news.

  "Until this Hall shows up someplace, we'll just have to be careful, that's all," Brent said. He tried not to sound too worried, but he was already planning ways to keep Crystal safe.

  "I'm staying on," Dan told him. He wasn't going anywhere until he was sure his sister was safe. "I'll keep an eye out here in town."

  "Have you asked Ken over at the Lone Star about a job yet?" Brent asked.

  "I plan to talk to him later today."

  Crystal, Abby, and Brent went on with their shopping, while Dan decided to wait outside for them.

  Melinda had just started into the mercantile when she found herself facing a handsome young man she'd never seen before.

  "Why, thank you," she said sweetly as he held the door for her. "You're new in town, aren't you?"

  "Yes, I am. My name's Dan Stewart. What's yours?" he asked appreciatively.

  "I'm Melinda Barton. It's nice to meet you." She smiled up at him.

  "Dan..." Crystal had realized she'd forgotten to tell Dan something, and she had come after him.

  "You!" Melinda looked past Dan to see Crystal. She was stunned for a moment by the change in her hair color, and then her expression turned to one of loathing. She still hadn't recovered from the devastating news that Brent had married the saloon girl. She'd heard the talk of their elopement at church and had cried for an entire day.

  "Hello, Melinda. I see you've already met my brother," Crystal said calmly.

  "Your brother? Oh, how nice." Without another word, she walked past them both. She was disgusted. She'd finally found a good-looking man and he turned out to be Crystal's brother.

  "You know each other?" Dan looked at Crystal.

  "Oh, yes." She didn't want to elaborate. "I'll explain later."

  Melinda caught sight of Brent at the back of the store, and she made her way toward him. She had a few things she wanted to say to him.

  "Hello, Brent," she said, cornering him and ignoring Abby, who stood at his side.

  "Why, Melinda, hello," Brent said. He suddenly wondered if his day could get any more complicated-first the run-in with Edmund, and now Melinda. The thought of staying out at the cabin permanently just him and Crystal-held great appeal at that moment.

  "Melinda," Abby said politely.

  Melinda had eyes only for Brent.

  "I just saw your lovely bride." Melinda couldn't keep the sneer out of her voice. "Crystal is her name, right? Or is it really Ruby? The woman uses so many aliases, I wasn't sure."

  "Crystal is my wife's name," he ground out, deliberately using the word "wife."

  "Oh, Brent. It was so cruel the way you led me on. I thought what we shared was special."

  Brent wanted only to get away from Melinda.

  "I'm sorry if you were hurt, Melinda, but we both know I didn't lead you anywhere. If you'll excuse me." Brent moved past her, leaving Abby to follow him.

  "Enjoy your life with your dance-hall-slut wife," Melinda said under her breath in a snarl, just loud enough for them to hear.

  Brent heard her hateful remark, and his temper flared. He almost went back to confront her, but Abby stopped him.

  "Let's leave. You don't want to cause any trouble here."

  "I know," he said in a growl, "but I don't like anyone talking about Crystal that way."

  They settled the bill, then went outside to where Crystal and Dan were waiting. After loading up the buckboard, they were ready to go. Brent mounted Storm and, after bidding Dan good-bye, they started back to the Half-Moon. Brent was looking forward to some peace and quiet once they got there.

  After leaving the Lone Star the night before, John Hall had ridden out of Diablo and camped in the countryside. He had made the trek to the cabin without seeing anyone, and he was glad. He wanted to find Crystal, take his revenge, and disappear without anyone ever knowing he'd been there. He waited patiently now, hiding in the trees a distance away, watching for some sign of Crystal. The place seemed deserted, but that didn't matter. He would bide his time. All that mattered was finding her and seeing the look on her face when she realized she couldn't escape.

  Hall smiled to himself. He was going to enjoy their reunion.

  Edmund was restless in his office.

  He couldn't stop thinking of Abby-of how pretty she looked and how those pants fit her hips.

  Damn, but he wanted her. Heat burned within him. He wanted to lay her down and strip those pants off of her and bury himself deep inside her.

  Edmund fought back a groan of pure desire. He reminded himself he was at work, but it didn't temper his need. He knew there was only one thing that would help. He would have to go pay Violet a visit-right now.

  "I'm going to lunch. I'll be back," Edmund announced as he left the bank.

  It was midday, so none of the bank tellers thought anything of his sudden departure.

  Edmund was on his way to the Lone Star when he saw the sheriff coming out of his office. He deliberately detoured toward him, hoping to find out what Brent had been doing there that morning.

  "Sheriff Dawson-good to see you."

  "Hello, Edmund."

  "How are things going?"

  "All's quiet right now, and I like it that way."

  "I was worried that there might have been some trouble when I saw Brent go into your office today. Is everything all right out at the Half-Moon?"

  "Things are fine at the ranch, but Brent's new wife is in some trouble."

  "What's wrong?"

  "There's a man who's trying to harm Crystal. He's been chasing her for a while and might be coming to Diablo to look for her. I was just heading out to spread the word around town
so we can be watching for him, in case he does show up."

  "What do you know about him?" Edmund wanted to find out all he could about the Hunter family's troubles.

  His name is John Hall. They said he's darkhaired and has some bad scars on his face."

  "He should be easy to spot."

  "I hope. Actually, I hope he doesn't show up at all."

  "I'm sure you don't, but I'll keep an eye out for him." Edmund moved off, smiling in satisfaction.

  So Brents darling Crystal might be in trouble. That's just too bad....

  Edmund had to make certain that no one saw him as he entered the saloon. He casually made his way to the rear alley and then let himself into the building. The back hall was deserted, as he'd expected, and he made his way up the rear staircase. He had done this before and knew the safest way to get to Violet's room unseen.

  Edmund was eager to ease the burning ache in his loins. He knocked softly on the door.

  "Come on in," she called out.

  He let himself into the room silently. Violet was still in bed, wearing only a filmy gown that left little to his imagination.

  "Edmund! This is a surprise," Violet said in purring tones.

  He immediately began to strip off his clothes. She did the same, tossing her gown to the floor. When he came to her she welcomed him with open arms. He always paid her very generously, for he knew it guaranteed her silence. It wouldn't do for word to get out around town that he enjoyed himself with a saloon girl.

  Edmund lay with her and had started to kiss her when he got a good look at her body.

  "What happened to you?" He was shocked by the bruises on her pale flesh.

  "I had a rough customer last night," she answered.

  "I'll say you did."

  "He wasn't only mean, but he was damned ugly, too. He had the most horrible scars on his face."

  "He was scarred?" Edmund repeated, instantly alert.

  "Yes," Violet said. "Why?"

  "No reason," he answered coolly. She obviously hadn't heard yet that the sheriff was looking for just such a man, and he wasn't about to tell her-or anyone else, for that matter. The more misery Brent Hunter had in his life, the better.

  "I think he was just passing through. He didn't stick around long after he left me."

  "Did you enjoy all his rough stuff?" he asked, a wicked gleam coming into his eyes.

  "The only thing I enjoyed was the money he gave me."

  Edmund was tempted to be brutal with Violet, too. If he pretended she was Iona, he wouldn't have any trouble being violent with her, but the last person he wanted to think about was his drunken, useless wife. No, Abby was the woman he wanted. He wanted to close his eyes and pretend Violet was the younger woman.

  At that thought, the lust within him flared even hotter. He wasted no time taking his pleasure of Violet several times over. Only knowing that he had to return to the bank drove him from her bed nearly an hour later.

  Violet watched Edmund as he dressed and then left her room. She said nothing, but she wondered what had inspired such a fiery display of passion from him. She got up to count the money he'd left on the dresser for her, and when she'd finished counting, she was very glad that he'd come to see her.

  The day passed slowly for Hall. As it got later in the afternoon and still no one showed up at the cabin, he began to wonder if anyone really lived there at all. Gun in hand, he left his hiding place and made his way on foot down to the cabin. He looked in a window to make certain there was no one inside, then let himself in.

  He stood just inside the door, looking around. There was no doubt that someone lived there. The place was too clean to have been abandoned. He holstered his gun as he moved farther in and closed the door behind him. Whoever lived here wasn't home now, so he slowly and methodically made his way through the house, searching for some clue that would prove this truly was Crystal's home-that he was in the right place.

  Hall went into the bedroom and paused to look at the bed. It had not been made, and he wondered if Crystal had been the last one sleeping in it.

  An evil sneer curved his mouth. He imagined her lying there, waiting for him, wanting him, welcoming him, instead of fighting him.

  He went to the small bureau and opened the drawer to go through the clothing, wanting proof that this was Crystal's home.

  He found the proof he'd wanted in the bottom drawer. There, folded carefully, was her red satin gown, the same gown she'd been wearing at the saloon in Long Horn that fateful night.

  Hall picked up the dress and ran his hands over it, caressing it. It was as sleek and soft as he'd believed it would be.

  He felt triumphant. All his hard work had finally paid off. He had found her!

  Hall started from the bedroom, the red dress still in hand. It was then that he caught sight of himself in the mirror over the washstand. He stared at his hated visage, seeing the horrible scars she'd inflicted upon him. The rage he'd kept tempered for a time now flared back to full life. In one powerful move, he tore the red dress apart and threw it on the floor.

  Hall only regretted that Crystal hadn't been wearing it.

  He wanted to get his hands on her. He grew aroused as he imagined what he would do to her. He was going to teach her a lesson she would never forget.

  Brent had dropped off Abby and picked up Hank at the main house. They were drawing close to the cabin when Brent noticed that a post was down on the far side of the pasture.

  "We'd better fix it now. I don't want to risk losing any stock," Brent told Hank.

  Will it take you very long?" Crystal asked.

  "No, we should be done in a few minutes," Brent assured her. "Just leave the team tied up out front and don't try to carry anything heavy inside. I'll take care of it when I get there."

  Crystal drove on alone. It was still daylight, so she wasn't concerned about returning to the cabin by herself, and Brent and Hank would be close behind her. She was getting tired, though. The thought of a quiet evening alone with Brent held great appeal.

  Hall was still in the bedroom when he heard the sound of the buckboard coming up the road. For a moment panic threatened. He wanted to flee the house-to make a run for the cover of the treesbut he controlled the urge.

  He told himself to wait. He had the element of surprise on his side. The thought made him smile.

  When he drew his gun, his touch upon it was almost a caress.

  Hall had hoped to trap Crystal alone, but now it no longer mattered. If she did have her husband with her, he would simply shoot him first, and then have his way with Crystal. He had waited too long for this moment to care about anything but revenge.

  Hall went to stand to the side of one of the front windows. He stayed out of sight as he tried to get a look at who was driving up. He held himself in tense expectation as he waited for the buckboard to come into view. When it finally did, elation unlike anything he'd ever experienced before surged through him.

  It was Crystal. And she was alone.

  Hall didn't know where Brent Hunter was, and he didn't care. All that mattered was that Crystal would be walking right into his trap, just as he'd always hoped she would.

  He moved carefully to hide behind the door. The moment she came into the house, she would be his. She would be helpless before him-his to do with as he pleased.

  Crystal reined in and climbed down to tie up the team. She was carrying her purse as she opened the door and stepped inside.

  Hall attacked so quickly that Crystal had no time to scream or react. With savage intent, he grabbed her from behind and clamped his hand tightly over her mouth.

  "I've got you now, bitch!" He laughed in her ear.

  Crystal fought back as best she could, struggling desperately against his brutal hold. Though Brent would come soon, she feared it wouldn't be soon enough. Her only hope was to get her gun from her purse.

  Hall kicked the door shut, then dragged her farther into the room as she continued to kick and twist and try to break free of him
.

  "You can fight all you want, but this time you're not getting away from me. You're mine."

  Crystal had thought she'd experienced terror before, but nothing compared to the cold chill that filled her soul now. As hard as she was fighting him, she still couldn't get a hand into her purse. She tried to swing at him, but he pinned her arms and then yanked the purse from her hand and tossed it aside.

  Her gun was her only hope! Crystal knew it was up to her to save herself. She pretended to faint, praying that her limpness would cause Hall to ease his grip on her. Only then would she be able to tear herself away from him long enough to get to her gun.

  Hall was surprised when Crystal suddenly collapsed against him, but he was also glad. He hadn't thought she was the fainting type, but if she wasn't fighting him, he could enjoy himself with her more. His hold on her slipped a little as he struggled to lift her deadweight.

  Crystal saw her opportunity and took it. As Hall tried to take her up in his arms, she tore herself from him with all the force she could muster.

  Her plan worked-for a moment.

  She managed to break free, but Hall was too quick for her. He was right there behind her. He gave a maniacal laugh as he grabbed her savagely by one arm and spun her around.

  "You ain't getting away from me!"

  Hall backhanded her fiercely and laughed again when she cried out in pain.

  "Did that hurt? Good!"

  He slapped her another time, liking the fear he was seeing in her eyes.

  "I'm glad it hurts. I want you to know exactly what real pain is-what it feels like to have your face cut like mine was. You're going to be real pretty when I get done with you."

  Unable to wait any longer to begin his torture, he pushed her to the floor and pinned her there with his body.

  "You're not repaying your brother's debt to me this time, Crystal, honey. This time you're paying your own debt."

  "No! Let me go! I don't owe you anything. Brent's coming. He'll be here soon, and he's got other men with him."

  At that moment Hall didn't care if the sheriff and an entire posse showed up. He had Crystal right where he wanted her-beneath him and helpless.

  "I'll be gone long before anybody comes to save you." He leered down at her, enjoying her struggles, enjoying her terror. He took both of her wrists in one hand and drew them up above her head. With his free hand he grabbed the neckline of her day gown and ripped it forcefully downward.