Free Lucinda by Paige Mallory Page A

thank you to remember that!” she turned up her chin and marched through the Infirmary and out through the office.  Henry Zabarski was the bossiest man she ever did meet!  He acted as though she didn’t know how to behave, and she did!  He just hadn’t seen that side of her yet, she consoled herself.
    She marched herself to the general store and Mr. Tune greeted her with a smile.  “What do you need, honey?” he asked kindly, looking up from wrapping a parcel for another customer.
    “I’m going to look at some yard goods, Mr. Tune.  Please don’t rush on my account.  I’m in no hurry.”
    “Gladys, this is Henry’s new wife, Lucinda.  Lucy, this is Gladys Anderson, Abe’s wife.  Abe has the gun shop below your home.”
    “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Anderson.”
    “Likewise.  Doc Z is a good man.  Abraham and I think a lot of him.”  Her expression said she didn’t think much of Lucinda.
    Before Lucinda could say anything, two cowboys came into the store, and they were both drunk.  “Hey, lookee here, Johnny.  Here’s just what we need.  Two women for sale.”
    “That’s enough, you two.  Get out of my store until you sober up!” Marilynn’s father ordered in disapproval.
    “I don’t think so.”  Just that quickly, the one called Johnny drew his gun and shot the store owner.  Mr. Tune fell to the floor behind the counter.  Gladys let out a scream when the other man grabbed her.
    “You just come with us somewhere quiet where we can have some fun,” he grabbed her and lifted her off her feet.
    The one called Johnny reached out for Lucinda, and she reacted instinctively, flipping him through the air.  He landed on a barrel and when it broke, he crashed to the floor, unconscious.  The other man let go of Gladys and took a swing at Lucinda.  She kicked out, and the fight was over.
    “Gladys, please run and get Henry!” Lucinda bossed as she ran behind the counter to help Mr. Tune.
    “What happened in here?” Mac demanded as Gladys tried to run past him.
    “Bill was shot!  Lucinda saved us.  I’m getting Doc Z!” she said, crying as she pushed past Mac.
    “Are you all right, Lucy?” Mac asked as he looked at the two men, then came behind the counter to kneel beside her as she tried to stop the flow of blood from Mr. Tune’s head.
    “I’m fine!  Those two are drunk, and they were going to take us somewhere and rape us.  Mr. Tune told them to get out and the one called Johnny shot him.”
    Henry came running a few minutes later, the look on his face full of concern.  He quickly saw that Lucy had stopped the bleeding and it wasn’t long before Bill Tune opened his eyes.  “Are you all right, sir?” Henry asked.
    “The girls?  Those two…”
    “Lucy and Gladys are fine, sir.  Let’s get you over to my office so I can check you out,” Henry said, helping him to his feet.  “Lucy, you come with me,” he said firmly.
    “Doc, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but Lucy didn’t do anything to cause this,” Mac spoke up.
    “I warned her to stay out of trouble!” Henry growled.
    “Now just a minute, Henry Zabarski, I…” she broke off when he turned his furious blue eyes on her.
    “Not another word, wife.  Now you come with me…”
    “Son, you’re angry for no reason at all,” Bill tried to reason with his former son-in-law, but it was all he could do to stand at the moment.
    Gladys was still in the office when they got back, and she was openly crying.  She threw her arms around Lucy and hugged her.  “Thank you, Lucy.  Thank you.  I was so scared I didn’t know what to do!  You were wonderful!”
    “I’m glad we’re both okay.  Do you want me to get your husband?” Lucy offered.
    “No, I’m okay… Just a bit shaken,” she admitted, but even as she was speaking, there were pounding footsteps on the stairs outside and a large man came inside and knelt on the floor beside the chair where Gladys was sitting.
    “Mac told me to get