Free Love's Sweet Revenge by Rosanne Bittner

mentioning Jake’s name caused the stranger at the bar to turn and look.
    â€œYou’ve got that right,” Dixie answered Fenton. “I hope Jake and his family have found some peace in Colorado. I have to say, though, I miss that handsome outlaw something awful, just awful. And that son of his…” She shook her head. “I never knew God could make men that good-looking. And then he had to up and get married. Life just isn’t fair.”
    â€œHalf the town misses all of them, especially Jake’s wife and that beautiful daughter,” Fenton mused.
    Red grasped Dixie’s wrist and signaled for her to lean closer. “Hey, Dixie, go ahead and bring me and Fenton a beer,” he said, lowering his voice. “And I want you to go up to the bar and cozy up to that stranger that just walked in. See if you can get him to tell you his name. And tell him to come over here.”
    Dixie glanced the stranger’s way. He’d turned away again. “Sure, honey.”
    She sauntered away, and Fenton shook his head. “She’s something, that Dixie.”
    Red nodded as he watched the stranger. “Fenton, I know that man. I just can’t pinpoint it, but I know him, and something about him smells.”
    Dixie ordered their beers, then spoke with the stranger as she waited for the bartender. She glanced at Red and Fenton, and the stranger turned, eyeing them closely. A look of arrogance showed itself as he straightened and cast Red what seemed almost like a warning glare. Dixie brought over the beers and set them on the table, and the stranger followed her over.
    â€œYou two askin’ about me?” His eyes were a steely blue, and he needed a shave. A tan, wide-brimmed hat covered wavy, mousy-brown hair.
    Red felt a deep dread. It was all coming back to him now—the medium build and a belly that pooched out more than it should for a man who otherwise was not that much overweight, plus…the odd Z-shaped scar on his chin. He remembered that scar. “I’ll be goddamned,” he growled. He jumped up so fast that his chair fell over. “You’re Mike Holt!”
    Everyone in the saloon turned to stare, and Dixie stepped back. “My God,” she muttered. “You filthy rapist! What are you doing in Guthrie!”
    Holt took a defensive stance, stepping back from Fenton and Red. “I was cleared of them charges, and I’m just moving on through—headed west. I ain’t from here, and I don’t intend to stay.”
    â€œYou came here to see if it was true that Jake Harkner doesn’t live here anymore!” Red roared. “And if you’re headed west, you’re out to find him!”
    Fenton also rose, folding his powerful arms.
    â€œWhere I go is nobody’s business!” Holt sneered.
    â€œHow dare you come to Guthrie!” Red bellowed. “What the hell were you thinking?”
    â€œI told you they cleared me of all charges!”
    â€œNot all charges! Far as I’m concerned, any man who stands by and lets other men abuse a beautiful, innocent woman is just as guilty of rape as the ones doing it to her! Get the hell out of Guthrie while you’re still able to walk, Holt! A lot of people in this town were right fond of Evie and her husband—fond of the whole Harkner family! Me and Fenton were at that shoot-out. We know what happened, and you’re just as goddamn guilty as the rest of them! I don’t care what that judge decreed!”
    Practically everyone in the bar began moving toward Holt, who backed toward the door.
    â€œI think we ought to teach him a lesson,” one of the other patrons spoke up, “in case he’s got plans to go make trouble for Jake or Lloyd. He ought to know he’d better not try it, and he should know how we feel about what he did back at Dune Hollow.”
    â€œI’d like to shoot you myself,” Dixie sneered at Holt.
    Holt looked her over