Blood & Dust (Lonesome Ridge Book 2) Read Free Page A

to…” Her voice cracked and she paused to clear her throat and straighten her shoulders. “I need to make sure everything is settled.” Her shoulders sagged a bit and her head drooped. “I need to make sure none of them came back.”
    The pleading in her eyes was all he needed to see. He understood that sentiment all too well. Cora had taken herself out before she could turn, but others hadn’t been so lucky. Was Abby’s family roaming around the farm still, eating whatever living thing they happened upon? Her brother had come back and nearly killed her. He had killed his betrothed. Was her father or mother one of the undead who had attacked Amos? The girl wanted to know, and Connor couldn’t deny her that opportunity.
    “All right then. Jasper, gather up some men. At least six, not counting us.” Connor rose from the desk and the other two followed him out into the morning sun. Connor flinched as the light hit his eyes and several people who were walking down the street paused to stare at him, but he ignored them and acted like it was a normal day. “I’m gonna go find Robert,” he said as he walked down the steps.
    Abby was right on his heels. “I’ll come with you. I know where he is.”
    Connor’s teeth clenched. He didn’t want her to come with him. He didn’t want a chaperon or puppy dog, whatever she was trying to be. He just wanted to be alone. The feeling that had been overwhelming the last two days tried to creep back up, but Connor pushed it back. He turned his head slightly to the side and smiled at the girl. “Lead the way, little lady.”
    She returned his smile with a glare. “Don’t make me flatten you,” she growled as she stalked by him and headed toward the wall.
    Connor couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course, Miss Crawford. No flattening needed.” He had to give the girl credit. Despite all the awful stuff that had happened to her recently, she was holding up well. She had always been a spitfire, without a doubt, but Abby Crawford was growing up.
    “Connor,” Robert called from near the unfinished section of wall as they approached. His voice boomed out across the dusty road and assaulted everyone nearby. “How are you, lad? Feelin’ well, I take it?” He clapped the sheriff on the shoulder so hard, Connor almost stumbled to the side.
    Connor’s head bobbed once as he avoided the questioning eyes of the nearby workers. “Fine. Listen, we’re taking a hunting party out to the Crawford farm. We need to clear it out and make sure none of those things are still milling about.”
    ‘Those things’ had become the go-to term for the undead creatures. No one wanted to give them a real name, and no one wanted to acknowledge what they had once been. ‘Those things’ was a safe, distancing phrase that kept most people from really admitting the truth. It was much easier to deal with that way.
    “Aye, I agree. I was just thinkin’ about that this mornin’, actually. Happy ya beat me to it. Want me to join ya?”
    Connor shook his head. “No, not today. I’m taking Jasper with me and I need someone to be in charge. You up for the job?”
    It was a stupid question, really. Robert had basically been in charge while Connor was holed away in his room. But the big man had tact and refused to acknowledge that particular issue.
    “Sure, lad. Happy to. I’ll keep these fellas workin’ an’ sweatin’. Should have the wall done by tomorrow at the latest.”
    The sheriff appraised the section of wood nearby. It was hastily erected, but it would do for now, and as Jasper had said, it could be reinforced later once the whole thing was up. “Lookin’ good, Robert,” he said. “Keep it up. Who knows, someday you might be sheriff.” Connor grinned at the butcher and Robert laughed.
    “Nah,” he said. “No interest. Maybe mayor, though.” He tossed Abby a wink and the stoic girl rewarded him with a small smile.
    Connor tapped Robert on the arm. “We’ll be back by tomorrow at the