Free Blood Bond 3 by William W. Johnstone Page A

hope it took him a long time to die. I don’t like outlaws. At all.” He pushed back his chair and stood up.
    â€œHave you heard that some learned people are saying that home environment has a great deal to do in the making of a criminal?” Sam asked.
    Finch blinked. “Hell’s fire! That’s the silliest damn thing I ever heard of. I didn’t even have shoes when I was a-growin’ up and I never stole nothin’ nor done a harmful thing to no innocent person in my life.”
    Josiah Finch walked out of the saloon. The way he walked told anybody with a lick of sense that this was a man to be given a wide berth. Josiah might be small in stature, but he was one hell of a big man.
    â€œThat, brother,” Matt said, “is one man I would not want on my trail.”
    â€œNor me. You ready to head out?”
    â€œYeah. We’ll camp alongside the road—well off the road. John Lee is liable to go on the warpath after today.”
    â€œIf we’re lucky, he’ll wait until Josiah Finch returns. I have a hunch Finch would willingly take on the entire bunch of them and come out on top!”

Chapter 6
    â€œI already heard what happened,” Jeff said, meeting the wagons as they came to a stop in front of the house. “John Lee sent a rider over early this morning. His message was short and sweet. He’s ordered any Circle S or Flyin’ V rider shot on sight if they come into Crossing.”
    â€œIf I’d a backed down, we wouldn’t have any supplies. John Lee’s boys were waiting and had already told the shopkeeper not to sell to the Circle S or the Flying V.”
    â€œI understand. I’m not blamin’ you. It had to come at some point. We’ll just stay out of Crossing.” He smiled, a grim moving of the lips. “I told the messenger that any Broken Lance riders found on my range will be shot on sight.”
    â€œDo you mean it?” Matt asked, after climbing down from the wagon seat.
    â€œYes, I do. Ever seen a range war, son?”
    â€œNot really.”
    â€œThey’re mean and ugly. And a lot of blood will be spilled on each side. The blood of men and women. I’ve ordered the girls to stay within sight of the house when they ride. You’ve seen how this land can fool you. You think you’re alone on the range and the next instant fifty riders come out over a swell not three hundred yards away from you.”
    â€œWill they pay any attention to you?” Sam asked, a dubious note in his voice.
    â€œYes. They know how serious this is. Now tell me this: how did the Broken Lance gunslicks know we were going to the settlement for supplies?”
    â€œI imagine Cindy tipped off Nick,” Matt said.
    â€œEd just left here. He thinks the same thing. He got the same message I got this mornin’.”
    â€œHis reaction?”
    â€œOpen the chute and let ’er bump. I ’spect right now Cindy’s rear end is on fire. He was talkin’ strong about takin’ a razor strop to her butt.”
    â€œThat would be a sight to see,” Gene said with a grin. “If anyone deserves it, she does.”
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    â€œI hate you!” Cindy screamed at her father. “You can’t whup me like a damn plow horse!”
    Mrs. Carson had left the room in tears.
    â€œDon’t you even care that because of you your brother might have been killed?”
    â€œNick’ll kill you for slappin’ me around!” she screamed at him.
    The father stood dumbfounded, staring at his girl. “Is that what you want, Cindy? Me dead?”
    â€œYes!” she screamed. “I despise you. I love Nick. I’m carrying his baby.”
    â€œI know that.” The father spoke with a calmness he did not feel. “I’ve known it for several weeks. Pack your bags, girl,” he told her. “Take the buggy. Leave it in town. I’ll pick it up someday. I want you out of this