To Reap and to Sow Read Free Page A

the back. “Don’t worry, though. I didn’t say anything.”
    â€œThat’s because you don’t know who I am, or if that fellow wasn’t just sounding off. I’m not the only man with a scar, for that matter.”
    With every word Clint said, the pride etched into the little man’s face dimmed. Before too long, the bartender was staring at his own fingers. “I suppose you’re right. What can I get you to drink?”
    Even if the bartender was twice as big as him, Clint would have felt bad for raining on the man’s parade like that. “Then again,” Clint added as if he’d given the matter a good amount of thought, “not every person would have spotted me so quickly or from a distance that way.”
    The bartender shrugged.
    â€œIt’s been a long day,” Clint said. “I suppose I was just caught off my guard when you spotted me so quickly.”
    Slowly, the bartender’s sly grin was rekindled. “I can see how that might startle you. How about I set you up with a free beer to make up for it?”
    â€œThat might just do the trick.”
    As the bartender got a mug and filled it for him, Clint looked around at the rest of the saloon. There really wasn’t much to see. Apart from three other customers in the place, there were only a couple tables and a handful of chairs. It looked as if there might be a small stage in the back of the room, but that could have just been another platform for the bartender to use.
    When the bartender turned around again, his smirk was back in full force. “Here you go. On the house. The first one is, anyway.”
    â€œMuch obliged,” Clint said as he lifted the mug and took a sip.
    The brew wasn’t the best he’d had, but it sure beat the swill he’d been served in Wichita. As he drank, Clint could feel the bartender eyeing him intently. Fortunately, the little man didn’t wait long before talking again.
    â€œYou made an enemy in Mark Rowlett, you know,” the bartender said.
    â€œYeah. I kind of figured.”
    â€œHe’s not the sort you’d want to trifle with.”
    â€œThen he shouldn’t have been beating a woman.”
    The bartender nodded as his eyes drifted toward the holster at Clint’s side. “Well, I guess you can handle someone like Mark better than most. Still, he gets awfully particular where that woman of his is concerned. I take it you know her as well?”
    â€œI got her name, but that was about it.”
    â€œShe’s not…uh…hurt is she?”
    Clint set his mug down and looked up to find the bartender watching him carefully. “Not too bad, no,” Clint replied. “She wanted to clean herself up a bit. Are you a friend of hers, or just plain nosy?”
    â€œI like to know what’s going on so’s I can spread the word. All a part of the job, you know. Mark’s fairly well known around here. Folks’ll want to know who put him in his place.”
    Clint held the bartender’s gaze until the little man looked away. Considering the long day Clint had had, it didn’t take long for him to pull that off. “Maybe folks should tend to their own affairs,” Clint said with just enough of an edge in his voice to get his point across.
    The bartender held up his hands and averted his eyes. “No offense meant. Just making conversation.”
    Clint had to laugh at the bartender’s easy manner. “You serve food here?” he asked.
    â€œSure do. I’m fixin’ steak omelets tomorrow myself.”
    â€œBe sure to have one ready for me and I’ll tell you all about my run-in with Mr. Rowlett. Right now, I’d just like to finish this beer and get to sleep.”
    Leaning over the bar so he could offer his hand, the barkeep said, “Sounds like a deal, Mr….”
    As Clint shook the bartender’s hand, he wondered if it wouldn’t be wiser to give a false