Read Online Blood on Mcallister by Matt Chisholm - Free Book Online

some Spanish forebear; her eyes were the deepest brown, fringed by lashes that were almost ridiculously long. Her mouth was large and generous, but finely modeled; her nose one of character, maybe a little on the large side for a woman. Piece by piece her face may have fallen short of beauty, put all together, she was a woman who would turn men’s heads till she was old. The toughness that was an integral part of her didn’t show.
    They talked. She wanted to know what had happened to him since she had seen him last. He wanted to know the same about her. She kept up with him, drink for drink, but for all the effect it had on her she might have been drinking water. They laughed together and each time they did so men turned to watch them.
    Clem Brenell and his men leaned back against the bar on their elbows and never took their eyes from them. Brenell drank steadily. By the time an hour passed, he was looking savage. McAllister overheard some of the words that passed between him and his men and he didn’t have much doubt that Clem Brenell, while courting Pat Rigby, laid some claim to Rosa here.
    He fired the question straight at Rosa.
    â€˜What’s the Brenell boy to you, Rosa?’
    She opened her fine eyes wide.
    â€˜To me? Why he is nothing to me, Rem.’
    â€˜You mean that?’
    â€˜Certainly I mean it. He thinks that he has claim to any woman he wants, that one. But he is not my kind.’
    â€˜I didn’t think he was.’
    She must have read the signs.
    She laid a hand on his arm and said: ‘You will stay away from him. He is no good and his father is a powerful man in this country. Many men have been hurt who have stood in their way.’
    â€˜You make it almost a challenge.’
    â€˜No, I do not. Now, you have outgrown your foolish ways. You are wild no longer.’
    â€˜The Double B boys stopped me on the open range. They took me to their headquarters and this man and his father threatened me. You know how I like to be threatened. Now, my guess is he’s going to do it again.’
    Clem Brenell was coming toward them. His men fanned out behind. It was all so childlike and obvious that McAllisster couldn’t help laughing out loud. Rage showed in the young Brenell’s eyes.
    Brenell halted, hands on hips. McAllister noted the gun slung low on the hip like a legendary gunfighter. He had never favored the position himself. The gun was tied down to the thigh by a rawhide thong. This boy was playing at being the real thing. Which didn’t mean he could not handle the gun. And he was itching to—McAllister could see that in the angry eyes. There didn’t have to be a reason; there never did have to be a reason with this man. He hankered to use the gun and on a human target so that was what he would do. Backed by three men. That was his style.
    McAllister let the laugh turn into a grin. He kept his eyes on Brenell and the grin on his lips. If this man wanted to get mad, then McAllister would help him on his way.
    Rosa’s hand on his arm tightened.
    â€˜Rem,’ she said.
    Not taking his eyes from Brenell he said softly: ‘I’ll pay for damages, honey.’
    Brenell said: ‘I told you to move on, mister.’
    â€˜You said get off’n your range, boy. I’m off’n it.’
    â€˜Wa-al, now I’m tellin’ you to git outa town. Clean out. Walk to that door, git on your fancy horse an’ ride. Now.’
    â€˜Go,’ Rosa said softly. ‘There are four of them.’
    â€˜Sure,’ McAllister said, ‘I’ll go. Never did cross a lady in all my life.’ He stood up. ‘Bein’ nice seein’ you, Rosa. Sorry we didn’t have longer. Still, that’s the way it goes.’
    He touched his hat to her and was suddenly aware there wasn’t a sound in the room. Turning he headed for the door not looking back. He heard the sound of their bootheels following him.
    They’ll do it