Gun for Revenge Read Online Free Page B

crossed over from Arizona. Maybe even a few Maricopas. But they’re all mostly sociable.’
    ‘Then why the pistol?’
    ‘Ain’t a pistol,’ Gabriel said, stalling. ‘It’s a revolver.’
    ‘Well, whatever it is, why are you holding it as if you’re ready to shoot someone?’
    ‘Bears,’ he said, grabbing the first lie that came to mind. ‘Sometimes they get to nosin’ around, catch wind of honey or fresh-killed meat and then break in. Always best to be prepared.’
    ‘Oh-h … yes, of course. Bears. Odd. I hadn’t counted on bears.’
    ‘It’s the things you don’t count on, ma’am, likely to kill you the quickest.’
    ‘Ellie, remember? We made a deal.’
    Just then a faint noise made Gabriel whirl around, the revolver seeming to leap into his hand. When he saw it was Escalero getting to his feet he relaxed, gently lowered the hammer and saluted the old man with the Remington.
    Escalero, knowing he’d just faced death, humbly bowed his head and apologized for startling Gabriel.
    ‘He thought you were a bear,’ laughed Ellen. ‘Says they break in from time to time and steal his honey.’
    Escalero gave Gabriel a knowing look, just to let him know that he knew there were no bears around, but said nothing.
    Gabriel stamped his feet to get the blood going. ‘I better go rustle up some eggs,’ he said. The door slammed behind him.
    Ellen looked out the window and saw him entering thebarn. Moments later several chickens flew out, squawking.
    It reminded her of her childhood after her parents died. Every day, just before dawn, she would leave Cally asleep in the bed beside her and sneak into their grandfather’s barn to watch the chickens laying eggs. Occasionally, she cupped one in her hands. There was something so perfect about a warm, just-laid egg that she regretted having to take them from the hens, knowing that shortly they would be cracked open and their gooey innards spread sizzling in a frying pan.
    Her memories made her smile. She felt strangely at home here and wondered why. No place could be more desolate or hostile. And no man could be more different from the young gentlemen she was familiar with in Las Cruces. His reclusive manner, reluctance to talk and the deadly speed with which he drew his gun – all suggested that he was hiding out here, was perhaps a fugitive or even the gunfighter, Mesquite Jenkins. Yet, strangely, she felt no fear when she was with him. On the contrary, she’d never felt safer.
    Outside, the stallion suddenly neighed and came charging into view. At first she thought the Morgan was just prancing around, enjoying its freedom; but when it lowered its head and lunged at something, teeth snapping , she realized it was chasing a fleeing rooster. Amused, she turned and looked at Escalero.
    The old Mexican seemed to know what she was going to say, and quickly looked away.
    ‘Now Miguel, don’t try to ignore me.’
    He met her gaze and held it.
    ‘Forgive me, Sister.’
    ‘I asked you not to call me that, remember?’ Then as he nodded his apology: ‘I know you don’t agree with what I’mdoing. And I respect you for that. It’s your right. But at least tell me what you think of Señor Moonlight?’
    ‘I do not think of him at all, Sister.’
    ‘Nonsense. I saw you watching him. Like you watch all men I come in contact with.’
    ‘Forgive me, Sister. I will not do it again.’
    ‘I’m not scolding you, Miguel. I’m just curious to know what you think of him.’
    The old man stalled, twisting the frayed brim of his sombrero between his leathery fingers.
    ‘Well?’ she demanded. ‘The truth now.’
    ‘He is a man I would trust your life with, Sister.’
    Ellen smiled. It was exactly the answer she wanted to hear.

CHAPTER FIVE
    After breakfast, Ellen felt strong enough to take a walk. Escalero got up from a shady spot beside the cabin, intending to join her. But she gestured for him to stay where he was and started down the slope to the stream.
    Though just a