Lone Star 05 by Ellis Wesley

Author:Ellis, Wesley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PENGUIN group
Published: 2010-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

When the time came, a few hours later, they were ready. They had all cleaned their weapons and checked their supply of ammunition. Among them they had over five hundred rounds—for both rifles and handguns. That should be enough until they could replenish their stock in another town. Jessie took special care with her converted .38 double-action Colt with its grips made of polished peachwood. In her travels she had found it a most reliable weapon that fit her needs perfectly. It was a gift from her late father. When she had oiled it and wiped it with a dry cloth, she replaced it in the specially made holster of cordovan leather that she wore above her right hip.

Thad Hill watched her, cleaning his own Smith & Wesson, fascinated with the woman. He couldn’t help asking, “Where did you get that little beauty, Jessie?”

“My father. He had it specially made for me. I found a regular .44 too heavy, with too much kick. But with .38 cartridges I can handle it much easier.”

“I’ll bet you can. And you’re good with it?”

Jessie smiled. “Good enough. I hope I don’t have to use it, though.”

“Me too.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her. In the soft yellow light of her hotel room, with the others occupied and her face turned toward his, he felt overwhelmed with feeling for this unusual girl. He wanted to bend over and kiss her, but he dared not. Not with Ki here. A stab of jealousy went through him as he wondered whether she and Ki ever... but he wouldn’t think about it. He would just enjoy being at her side for as long as he could. That should be enough for any man.

Now the deputy U.S. marshal rose. His rifle canted against his shoulder, he put on his battered hat. “I’ll see to our mounts. Meet you behind the courthouse in one hour, with the boy. We got rope to tie him with?”

Ki was about to reply affirmatively when Tad produced a pair of handcuffs. “No need. Stole these once from the town I worked for down in New Mexico.” He winked at Jessie. “Put them to use several times since. They ought to keep the kid in line.”

“Glad you’re here with that well-packed saddlebag of yours,” Scott laughed. He left to tend to his part of the business. The door closed quietly behind him.

Ki had sharpened his ho-tachi knife and checked his supply of arrows—he had three dozen in his lacquered ebira quiver. Then he tested his take bow; it was still taut and strong. Like the true warrior he was, he paid careful attention to the maintenance of his weapons.

Thad consulted his pocket watch. It was encased in silver, with a majestic eagle engraved on the lid. He noticed Jessie’s curious glance. “It was my old man‘s,” he explained. “I stole it, too—before I left home. The only thing of his I have. Let’s see, it’s half past one now. In another thirty minutes we move out.

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