Dance With A Gunfighter by Joanne Pence

Dance With A Gunfighter by Joanne Pence

Author:Joanne Pence [Pence, Joanne]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Quail Hill Publishing
Published: 2012-09-09T16:00:00+00:00


Chapter 17

"Bring her where it's cooler, Dawes," Cramer said. "Then you git. I cain handle her."

Dawes led Gabe to the canvas-topped frame. Cramer stretched out under it, his arms behind his head like a pillow. "So why'd you wanna find me, girl? I know you been askin' over three counties, but I ain't never heard why."

Because you're a cruel, murdering, thieving bastard, she wanted to say. And I'll be happy to shoot your guts out. She glanced quickly at Jess, and then turned her attention to Cramer, knowing the only way to save Jess would be to somehow, kill Cramer. For the moment, she gave him a shy smile. "As I said, I heard about your reputation, and I was impressed."

"No, girl. I ain't no fool. You ain't the type to go chasin' after the pants of the likes of me."

She held down the bile that threatened. "I'm a woman, aren't I? And I'm alone. I always heard you had a good set up, and you could take care of your women."

His mouth curled in a sneer. "Then why're you with McLowry?"

"Why not? But obviously, he can't take care of me. If he could, your men wouldn't have captured me so easily. I've no ties to him, Tack."

He stroked the stubble on his beard. "I still don't believe you, girl, much's I'm tempted. It's all too easy."

She shrugged. "Suit yourself. There's no other reason I can see I'd be looking for you. But if you don't believe me, there's not much I can do about it."

His eyes raked over her slight frame. "Where you from?"

"These parts."

He was on his feet like a shot. He twisted his fingers in her hair and dragged her in a half-circle. She fell to her knees. "When I ask a question I 'spect an answer! None a this smart mouth, hear?"

Her eyes stung from the pain and she gripped his arm, trying to stop him from ripping her scalp. "I'm from Texas," she screeched. "I traveled to Tombstone when I heard about the silver mines there. In Tombstone, I heard about you."

"An' so you come lookin' fer me," he scoffed.

"God's truth."

He pushed her aside. "Lyin' woman. Yer all the same. Goddam lying whores. Cain't trust a one a you." He picked up his whiskey bottle, saw it was empty and threw it against a rock, the glass shattering. Gabe lay still and prayed he'd forget about her.

Dawes stepped under the tarp and took a ladle of water from a barrel.

Cramer looked sharply at him. "Ain't you got nothin' better to do?"

"I was thirsty."

"That's no reason to be comin' aroun' botherin' me!"

Dawes shrugged and drained the cup then filled it with water again. Cramer snatched it away, his eyes squinting. "I said cain't you find somethin' else to do? Dammit! Cain't you tell I'm busy?" He looked back at Gabe then, and his tongue slowly lolled along his bottom lip. He glanced at Dawes. "I said to git the hell outta here. Now!"

Dawes's jaw tightened as he glanced from Cramer to Gabe.



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