Read Online Trailsman #377 : Bounty Hunt (9781101604007) by Jon Sharpe - Free Book Online

it until more light spilled from the back doorway.
    â€œFargo?”
    Wearing a bulky woolen robe tied at the waist, Glenda was holding a small lamp. “What are you doing? What was all the ruckus?”
    Fargo was caught in the lamp’s glow, an easy target. But no shots boomed. Retreating to the house, he ushered her inside and closed the door behind them.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    Jennifer and Constance were over by the hall, Constance nervously gnawing her lip.
    â€œSomething was out there,” Fargo said. Something, or some
one
. “It spooked my horse.”
    â€œIs it gone?”
    â€œI think so.”
    Glenda set the lamp on the kitchen table. “It could have been a coyote. They come into town from time to time.”
    â€œOnce a bear did,” Jennifer said.
    â€œAnd there are skunks,” Constance threw in.
    Fargo hadn’t caught the scent of a polecat and he doubted it was a bear or any other animal. He had a sense that it was a man, although why he was so sure, he couldn’t say. “Sorry I woke you.”
    â€œIt’s perfectly all right,” Glenda said. “After what happened with Barnes, we can’t be too careful.”
    It occurred to Fargo that, “Your husband must know I’m staying here.”
    â€œMy former husband,” Glenda stressed. “He’s nothing to me now. He lost all claim to my affections when he ran out on us.”
    Jennifer came over, her arms folded around her breasts. “What if he came back and begged your forgiveness?”
    â€œYou’ve asked that before,” Glenda said, “and my answer is still the same. I want nothing more to do with him, ever.”
    Constance said, “I wish things could be like they were before he left. I miss him.”
    â€œI’d rather we talked about something else,” Glenda told them.
    â€œYou’re just mad because he walked out,” Jennifer said.
    â€œOf course I’m mad. Any grown woman would be.”
    â€œIf you took him back,” Constance said, “we could be a family again.”
    â€œWill the two of you stop it?” Glenda said. “Wishful thinking never does anyone any good. My marriage ended the day he abandoned us.”
    Fargo wasn’t about to stand there and listen to them bicker. “Ladies,” he said, moving past the table. “I need more sleep. I’ll be leaving right after breakfast.”
    â€œTo where?” Glenda asked. “You have no idea where Cord is.”
    True, but Fargo had an idea how he might find out. After the bushwhacking at the pass, he wasn’t entirely sure he could trust the three of them. Which reminded him. He stopped and looked back. “Who did you three tell?”
    â€œI beg your pardon?” Glenda said.
    â€œWho knew you sent for me?”
    â€œNo one. We’ve kept it a secret. Just as no one knows I’m Cord’s wife.”
    â€œNot even the marshal?”
    â€œCripdin?” Glenda said, and laughed. “That oaf. He couldn’t keep a secret if his life depended on it. He’s the last person I’d tell.” She paused. “Why do you ask?”
    Fargo shrugged. It was better they not know he suspected one of them. With a bob of his head to Jennifer and Constance, he returned to his room. He closed the door, plopped onto the bed, and pondered until he drifted into a fitful sleep.
    As was his habit, he was up before sunrise. He washed in the basin, dressed, and went out to saddle the Ovaro.
    A pink blush heralded the new day. Already the birds were in song, and somewhere a cat mewed.
    Clatter in the kitchen greeted him. Glenda was getting out pots and pans. “Morning,” she said. “I figured you’d want to leave early. I’ve already kindled the stove and put coffee on.” She opened a cupboard. “How many eggs would you like? And how do you like them?”
    When on the trail Fargo seldom ate breakfast; he