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* * * *
Branson stood at the bar, a glass of whiskey in front
of him. He lifted the glass to his lips and drank it down
with one swallow before wiping at his mouth with the back
of his hand.
"Finally got the night away from the boss, I see?"
Branson glanced to his side to see a well-dressed
man, most likely a businessman, saddling up to the bar next
to him. He scowled, and tapped his glass on the counter to
get the bartender's attention for another shot of whiskey.
"You be a wantin' somethin'?" Branson barked. He
was not in the mood for company.
The guy standing next to him laughed. "No, my
good man. It's the other way around. I have something you
want."
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Blood and Dust D. McEntire
A heavy sigh escaped Branson, his agitation at
being bothered growing. His intentions were to drink
enough tar water until he could no longer feel his toes, then
find a female to . . .
"I noticed the camp set up just outside of town and
observed your boss ride in with a young woman. She
happens to be my sister. I had been in the act of returning
her to New York when she had left my care. Cold feet, you
see. Seems she decided she doesn't want to marry her
intended."
"What's that got to do with me?" Branson was
already bored with the stranger. He silently willed the man
to leave him to drink in peace.
When Branson signaled once more for the
bartender, the man grabbed his arm and told the bartender
to bring a full bottle. After the bottle had been placed on
the bar, Branson watched the man pay with money he
pulled from his breast pocket.
Branson eyeballed the man's greenbacks, thinking
he just hit paydirt, and intending on lightening the man's
load of folding money before the night was over. But, when
he lifted his gaze and looked the man in the eye, he froze.
The man's eyes were black as coal. An air of death
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Blood and Dust D. McEntire
emanated from him. Branson felt it seep into his bones as
though he gazed at the face of the devil himself.
"I see I have your attention," the man drawled with
a sly smile. "I need your help with something."
Branson downed another glass. "I'm listnin'."
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Blood and Dust D. McEntire
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Bri glanced at the darkening sky. Picturesque colors
of red, purple and blue followed the sun's departure.
"The night is beautiful," she said.
Turning to Brody, she found him staring at her, his
green eyes darkening with the fading light. After a moment,
he tipped back his head and gazed at the sky. "Yep, sure
is," he replied before turning back to her with a broad
smile.
The flickering lights of town came into view as they
rode forward. Bri's imagination had her wondering what
Fort Worth would be like. She'd been to a few towns along
the way from Chicago to Texas, but never stayed for very
long. Her father stopped only long enough for supplies, and
to acquire another guide when theirs decided not to go any
further. Each time that happened she wondered why the
men had changed their minds. Though her father paid them
handsomely, something turned them away, overpowering
their urge to earn a substantial amount of money.
"Is there any particulars you be needin' at the
general store? I'm sure B.C. Evans' Dry Goods has ladies'
fixin's."
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Bri smiled inwardly again at his kindness. "No," she
replied, shaking her head. "You brought back plenty of my
things to keep me comfortable for awhile."
"Ever been to Fort Worth?"
Bri hadn't been anywhere in Texas besides lost.
"No."
A long sigh passed Brody's lips. "Well, it's got a
reputation. I wanted to warn you 'bout what you may be
gettin' a gander of."
Bri raised an eyebrow, wondering what he was
going to tell her about the town.
"They call it 'Cowtown' 'cause cattle drivers take a
layover here, and parts here be known as Hell's Half Acre."
"Sounds ominous," she said with a grin.
Brody returned her grin and nodded. "I reckon you
could say that. Not rightly hospitable for most folk."
Bri almost laughed at the delicate way Brody
attempted to describe Hell's Half Acre to her. From reading
tales about the place after her father had said they were
headed for Texas, she knew exactly what type of place that
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