Read Online Devil's Creek Massacre by Len Levinson - Free Book Online Page B

lonely, and it appeared that his two-legged bosshad died. The horse felt sad, because his boss had saved his life. Now he wanted to return the favor, but how?
    There was nothing Nestor could do to bring his boss back from the land of shadows. Nestor couldn't hang around forever, but neither did he want to become a cowboy's hoss. Born on a ranch, raised by cowboys, he'd always wondered about running with the wild ones, and now at last had the opportunity.
    He turned away from Lost Canyon and advanced into the night. The great herds lived in far-off valleys where two-leggeds seldom went, and he'd find them before long, he was certain. Good-bye, my generous friend. I'll see you in the shadow world when I, too, am gone from this range.
    Strains of fiddles and accordions wafted to the street as Vanessa Fontaine arrived in front of the Cutler mansion. She sat in the cab of a rented black shellacked carriage; the footman jumped down, opened the door, and bowed.
    â€œWait until I'm inside,” she told him as she swept toward the flight of stairs. The door opened, and a butler appeared in a black-and-white uniform, an elegant smiling beetle. “May I take your coat, madam?”
    The music grew louder as she entered a large drawing room filled with purple velvet furniture. Fashionably dressed individuals littered the landscape while liveried servants carried drinks and hors d'oeuvres on rectangular ebony trays with inlaid silver handles.
    Vanessa felt uneasy in the presence of so many strangers, but no carpetbaggers, scalawags, or other Yankee sympathizers had been invited. It was herdebut into Austin high society; she no longer felt the self-assurance of youth, but neither had she lost confidence in herself. The hem of her black gown glided over smoothly polished oak floors as she searched for her hostess.
    She passed carefully barbered gentlemen and well-manicured ladies while small children ran about in expensive clothing similar to that of their elders. A bar was set up against the back wall, next to a table groaning with delicacies. The orchestra played “The Yellow Rose of Texas” in the next room.
    A figure stepped out of the crowd, barring her way. He was five feet tall, potbellied, probably in his forties, immaculately tailored. “May I be of service, ma'am?”
    â€œI was looking for Mrs. Cutler.”
    â€œI'll take you to her.”
    Vanessa didn't want to hurt the man's feelings, although she towered over him. Side by side they made their way through throngs of guests sipping beverages, nibbling delicacies, and carrying on animated conversations.
    â€œI don't believe I've ever seen you before,” the short man said. “I'm Dudley Swanson, by the way.”
    â€œI'm Mrs. Vanessa Dawes, and I've just arrived in town.”
    â€œFrom where?”
    â€œA place I'm sure you've never heard of, named Shelby.”
    â€œWhere is it?”
    â€œWest Texas. My husband was in the army, but he was killed in action against the Apache.”
    â€œI'm so sorry to hear that,” said Dudley, although he didn't appear sorry in the least.
    Vanessa hoped to see an old friendly face fromSouth Carolina, but the guests were unknown to her, with many gentlemen well on the road to serious inebriation. Near the far wall, beneath a painting of General Robert E. Lee, a crowd of guests had gathered about their gracious hosts. Vanessa noticed masculine eyes turning toward her, measuring her long legs, caressing her small upturned breasts with lust.
    Mrs. Cutler was a short dumpy woman with dyed red hair. “Ah, Mrs. Dawes,” she gushed. “How good of you to come.”
    Vanessa bent low and let the hostess kiss her cheek. Then Mrs. Cutler proceeded to introduce Vanessa to everyone in the vicinity. A sea of smiling faces passed by as Vanessa struggled to remember names.
    â€œDid you say that she was married to an ex-Yankee?” asked a jewel-bedecked old crone holding a trumpet to her