Stained Snow by Fallon Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

time he should be long gone.
    He’d left his belt with Anna. Maggie noticed. Why had she had to notice? Now, he really shouldn’t return. Even if he ever did get William to stop hunting him.
    It would happen now. He didn’t care. He’d wanted that showdown when he went for Anna. He’d been cheated out of it. Now, he hoped his brother did find him. He could kill him and be done with this for good. He wouldn’t make it easy for him. Make him suffer first while he tried to track him down.
    He glanced back again, but the ranch was out of sight. He had to leave all that behind him. It would be better that way.
    He didn’t want to bring it to Maggie. He would stay away until it was over. He’d needed to see her one more time. Judging by the way she looked at him, it might be the last time. At least until he convinced her she had been wrong about everything she had assumed. That shouldn’t be too difficult. She’d proved to be malleable so far. Much more than Anna ever had been.
    He wondered if his brother had found his wife and son yet. He almost wished he could see his face when he did. He’d gone there planning to kill his brother. This would be over, and William wouldn’t have suffered the way Thomas had for almost a decade.
    Only fair it happen this way.
    He urged his horse into a trot and turned toward one of the nearby towns. He would treat himself to a drink before he sought out a job to get him through the next weeks. He had people waiting to contact him if William came this way. A lot more than what his brother would have in hunting him.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
    Lander, Wyoming Territory
    May 12, 1887
     
    William rode into town, weary from the trip that had taken longer than he’d first figured, even though there hadn’t been more delays since leaving the fort. Right now the one thing on his mind was getting home and having a good meal and some sleep in his own bed. The town lay between him and the ranch. He needed to check in with the sheriff and let him know the job was done before he headed there.
    He stopped his horse in front of the sheriff’s office and slid down from the saddle. He’d broken camp as soon as the sun rose this morning, not even taking time to make himself some coffee or breakfast. Now, he could use a bit of both.
    He walked up the steps and pushed the door open. Carl’s head came up at the squeak of the door’s hinges. The sheriff smiled. Tight lines dug into his face, and William could tell he forced it. “Will. I expected you yesterday.”
    William tried to set aside his own questions about what had put that look on the sheriff’s face. “I expected to be back yesterday. Ran into some trouble on the way there. Next time you ask me to escort a prisoner, remind me to say no.”
    Carl laughed and it made William bristle. He hadn’t meant it as much of a joke. “Did he give you that much trouble, Will?” Carl asked when his laughter trailed off.
    William stepped up to the desk and lifted the coffee pot, trying to figure out what was going on with the sheriff. Liquid still sloshed in there, so he grabbed a cup and poured himself some coffee. He sank into a chair across the desk then recounted the prisoner’s escape attempts.
    “We got caught in that damn storm. It took me an extra day to get him there. The commander wanted me to stay for the trial, but I declined. Bad enough he convinced me to stay overnight instead of turning right around. I got him there. He’ll pay his judgment. I have no desire to see him do it.”
    Carl shook his head. “Most would. I know,” he added, holding up his hand before William could speak, “you’re not most.” He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. “Good. At least that’s done now. He’s off our hands.” He looked back up at William. “You didn’t run into anyone else on the trail?”
    William shook his head. “No, not really. A couple travelers passed by, but that’s usual. What’s the problem,