Blood Bond 5 Read Free Page A

Norm Meeker walked in, and the four gunfighters stared at one another for a moment.
    â€œWell, well,” Simon broke the short silence. “Look who the tomcat done drug in. Baker and Meeker. I guess you boys signed on with the wrong side again.”
    â€œIt damn shore ain’t the side you’re on, Green.” Meeker scowled at him. “It never is. You and me, we’ll end our quarrel this go around. Now get out of my way.”
    â€œI don’t think so.”
    â€œThat’s it!” Marshal Riley said, standing up and stepping into the light from the window. His badge glinted brightly. He pointed at the gunslicks. “Take your difficulties outside of town. There will be no trouble in this town. You two,” he said to Green and Hill, “take your butts across the street. Right now.”
    â€œWhy, sure thing, Marshal,” Peck said easily and with a smile. “We sure don’t want no trouble with the law, now do we, Simon?”
    â€œOh, absolutely not,” Simon added in a mocking tone. The two men grinned at each other and walked out onto the boardwalk, then across the wide street.
    Baker and Meeker looked at the marshal, nodded their heads, and walked to the bar. Tom sat back down at the table. Two men were dabbing at Prince’s face with wet towels. He was coming around, but slowly. Sam had really blown out his candle with that last punch on the button.
    â€œWhat ran over me?” Prince mumbled. “A beer wagon?”
    â€œNo,” one of those attending him said. “That half-breed Injun.”
    â€œI think I better make friends with him,” Prince said. “I damn sure don’t want him for no enemy.”
    â€œMarshal,” Sam said, confusion in his eyes. “Do you mean that this country is about to explode in a shooting war because of a proposed wedding?”
    Tom toyed with his beer mug for a moment. He sighed and shook his head. “That’s the reason both men give. But this has been simmerin’ on the back burner for a long time. The kids seein’ each other is just an excuse.”
    â€œLone rider coming in,” Matt said.
    Baker and Meeker left the bar and walked to the batwings, looking out. “Ben Connors,” Baker said. “Somebody is spendin’ a lot of money gettin’ him in here.”
    Connors reined up and swung down from the saddle in front of the Bull’s Den.
    â€œSeems like a whole lot of people arriving in this town in one day,” Matt remarked.
    â€œFor a fact,” Tom agreed. “And I hope the two I’m sitting with have decided to leave,” he said hopefully.
    Matt and Sam looked at each other and grinned.
    â€œOh, hell!” Tom said. “That’s what I figured.”
    â€œJesus!” Prince said with a groan. “I feel like I been kicked by a mule.”

2
    The brothers got a room at the hotel, which was located at the end of the street in a fork of the road, and which had been declared neutral ground by both warring ranchers. That was because of the hotel’s dining room. The chef had been brought in from New York City, and his food was praised by all.
    Sam stood by the window of the room and looked up the wide street of the split-apart town. “I wonder what the real reason is behind this war? And I wonder why we don’t just saddle up and ride away from this silly mess?”
    â€œThe real reason is probably a power struggle, and the reason we’re staying is because of curiosity. You can’t keep your nose out of other folk’s business.” Matt ducked his head to hide his smile.
    â€œMe?” Sam said, turning from the window on the second floor. “You’re the one who is the busybody.”
    Matt tried his best to look hurt. He couldn’t pull it off. “You really want to ride out?”
    Sam smiled and shook his head. “No. We’ve been on the trail for several weeks, and I’d like a few