Blood Bond 3 by William W. Johnstone Read Free Book Online

true. Bam was a hired gun, but like most Western men, had a deep respect for women . . . especially one who was as quick on the trigger as this young hellion.
    â€œFine,” Lia told him. “I’m glad to hear it. Now get that thug back in his saddle and get off the Circle S range.”
    â€œJohn Lee will not like this one bit,” Blackie said.
    Lia proceeded to tell Blackie where John Lee could put his opinions, his gunhands, his ranch, and his horse. It would have been a very tight fit, unpleasant for the horse, and extremely uncomfortable for John.
    Bam’s mouth dropped open at her language. Blackie’s eyes widened in disbelief. The other punchers and gunhands sat in their saddles and stared and listened in awe. This little lady knew all the right words and got them in proper order.
    When Lia wound down, Bam said, “Missy, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.”
    She levered another round into her carbine.
    â€œWhoa!” Bam said. “We’re gone!”
    And they got gone, the shoulder-shot gunhand holding onto the saddle horn and hollering in pain.
    Matt looked over at the strawberry blonde. “You’ll do,” he said, paying her one of the highest compliments that could be offered on the frontier.
    She smiled at him.
    Matt blushed.
    Lisa giggled and batted her eyes at Sam.
    â€œOh, my word!” Sam said.
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    â€œFigured you’d be over today,” Ed said to Lia. “Lightning’s all right. He’s in the barn. Nettie put Cindy to bed. She come down with the vapors or something. Probably caught it from the night air. She’s been vomitin’ in the mornin’s.”
    The girls exchanged glances. Matt and Sam just stood there looking stupid and wondering what was going on.
    It was obvious that Ed was still miffed about his daughter being called names by Lia. He did not invite them in nor did Mrs. Carson make an appearance.
    Standing outside the barn, the girls told Noah what had happened on their range that morning.
    â€œSo it’s started,” Noah mused. “Hell, it’s time, I reckon. Lia, you know John will strike back. He’s got to do it or lose face.”
    â€œYou better warn your dad, then. He’s not very happy with me as it is.”
    â€œAll you did was call her what she is,” Cindy’s brother said. “She sure has been actin’ funny for the past month.”
    â€œHow long has she been throwing up in the mornings?” Lisa asked.
    â€œSeveral weeks. Every morning. Mama looks real worried about it and pa don’t seem to know what’s goin’ on.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Neither do I.”
    â€œSounds like to me she might be pregnant.” Lia dropped it bluntly on him.
    Noah jerked his hat off his head and threw it on the ground and cussed. When he wound down, out of breath, he said, “Boy, that’s all we need. That’ll really put the icing on the cake, light the candles, and blow them out.”
    â€œIt’s just a guess,” Lisa said.
    â€œBut probably a good one. Mama will take to bed and Daddy will get a gun and go lookin’ for Nick, sure as the world, he’ll do that.”
    â€œThat’s crazy!” Lia told him. “It takes two, Noah. It can’t be done alone, you know. Or maybe you don’t.”
    Noah blushed a deep crimson, starting at his neck and traveling all the way to his forehead. He grinned and shuffled his boots in the dirt.
    â€œThat’s all right, Noah,” Lia told him. “That just means you’re a good boy and you’ve stayed away from the shady ladies at drive’s end.”
    â€œI reckon,” the young man said. “I’ll go fetch Lightning for you.”
    On the way back, Matt said, “You girls had best talk to your mother about Cindy’s . . . ah . . . suspected condition. Maybe she can get through to your dad about how serious this thing is.”
    â€œI