Hell Come Sundown Read Free Page A

Ford is more than welcome in my home,” Hiram said, putting aside his shotgun. He stood and offered Hell his hand. “And I am eternally grateful for you helpin’ out my boy here.”
    â€œYou’ve got a very brave and resourceful son, Mr. McKinney,” Hell said, accepting the rancher’s handshake. The Ranger’s grip was hard as horn, and as cool and dry as a snakeskin. “Not many boys his age would have had the gumption to do as he did.”
    â€œNo, I reckon not,” Hiram agreed, a hint of pride in his voice. “I’ll be damned if I can figure out how you got into the house in the first place, though.”
    â€œI let him in, Pa!” Jake explained. “Miss Pretty Woman rode up this morning, while you was out tendin’ the herd and Maw was out in the coop seein’ to the chickens. She gave me this note that said Mr. Hell needed me to leave my bedroom window open so he could sneak in and hide before I went to bed. That way he could catch the haint unawares.”
    â€œWell, I’ll be jiggered,” Hiram said. “But, son—why didn’t you tell your Maw and me what was goin’ on?”
    â€œI didn’t think you’d believe me. Besides, I was afraid it might hurt y’all. I didn’t want anything bad to happen to you and Maw on account of me.”
    Hiram looked into his son’s face with a mixture of amazement, respect and love. “So you just kept goin’ to bed, even though that thing was waitin’ for you every night?”
    â€œIt weren’t there every night. But, yes, sir, I did.”
    â€œHere you go, dear,” Mrs. McKinney said, handing her husband a tin cup full of hot coffee. “How about you, Mr. Hell? Would could care for something to drink?”
    â€œNo thank you, ma’am,” he replied, smiling without showing his teeth. “I don’t drink—coffee.”
    Pretty Woman stepped out of Jake’s room and coughed into her closed fist. Hell stood up, visibly relieved that he no longer had to make small talk.
    â€œAh! Pretty’s finished with your unwanted guest. It’s safe to go back in now.”
    â€œYou sure?” Mrs. McKinney asked uneasily.
    â€œMa’am, there’s not a lot of things in this world I’d bet good money on—but Pretty Woman’s medicine is one of ’em.”
    As they entered the bedroom, the creature scuttled to the far corner, its head ducked low like that of a dog that’s been kicked once too often. The speed of its movements made Mrs. McKinney cry out in alarm and clutch her husband’s arm.
    â€œNo need to be fearful, ma’am,” Hell said calmly. “The fight’s been took out of it.” He strode over to the creature and grabbed the grass-rope noose about its neck. “Come along, you,” he snapped.
    â€œWhat—what, exactly, is that thing?” Hiram asked, trying to keep the unease from his voice.
    â€œI’m not rightly sure. I’ll have to ask Pretty.” Hell turned to the medicine woman and said something in Comanche.
    The medicine woman wrinkled her nose as she replied in her native tongue, pointing to the walls as she spoke. Hell nodded his understanding.
    â€œAccording to Pretty, this here’s a nature spirit of some sort. These critters attach themselves to things like rocks, trees, creeks and the like—I reckon you could say they live in them. Some are friendly towards folks, others ain’t. Seems this one attached itself to the tree that the planks used to build this room were milled from. By using various incantations and spells, in combination with a specially prepared rope, Pretty has rendered this particular spirit harmless—as long as y’all keep the noose about its neck, and feed it nothing but salt.”
    â€œBeg pardon?”
    â€œSalt weakens unnatural things,” Hell explained. “That is why the signs of power used in