Town Tamers by David Robbins Read Free Book Online

to be tellin’ us what to do?”
    “Are you with the Circle K?”
    “We are,” the young puncher said. “What’s it to you?”
    “Use your head, Kyle,” the other cowhand said. “He must be the one.”
    “Oh,” Kyle said. “You reckon so, Longley?”
    Longley leaned on his saddle horn. “Am I right, and you’re the jasper who had a run-in with Jake Bass and Crusty the other night?”
    “I am,” Asa said.
    “Mr. Knox has heard about the council hirin’ you. He sent us to invite you out to the ranch.”
    “And be bushwhacked along the way or be gunned down when I got there?”
    “Mr. Knox gives his word you won’t be harmed.”
    “Why should I believe him?”
    “All he wants to do is talk. He’d like to have you to supper tomorrow night.”
    “No.”
    Longley sighed. “He was afraid you’d be pigheaded. He said if we couldn’t persuade you, he’ll ride into town by his lonesome tomorrow and talk to you here. Two in the afternoon at the Griddle House. Would you agree to that, at least?”
    “Here is better than there,” Asa said.
    “It’s settled, then.” Longley raised his reins. “That’s all we came to say.”
    “Can’t we have a drink?” Kyle asked him.
    “No. We’re headin’ back to the ranch.” Longley wheeled his mount, then stopped and looked over his shoulder. “One thing, mister. Hurt Mr. Knox and we’ll hunt you down and make you wish you weren’t ever born.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind,” Asa said.

15

    A sa had taken off his slicker and hung it on a peg on the wall and was about to sit on the bed and take off his boots when a light knock sounded. He snatched up the Winchester shotgun and moved to one side of the door, saying, “Who is it?”
    “Who do you think?”
    Asa opened the door. They were both there, and he frowned. “I told you we weren’t to be seen together yet.”
    “Are we going to argue about it, or are you going to let us in?” Byron said.
    “Please, Pa,” Noona said.
    Asa motioned, and when they stepped past, he poked his head out and looked both ways. The hallway was empty. He quickly shut the door. “Doesn’t appear you were seen.”
    “We were careful,” Noona said. “Just like you taught us.” She spread her arms. “Do I get a hug or not?”
    Asa hugged her and turned to Byron, who had plopped down on the bed in the same spot where he had just been fixing to sit. “This your idea?”
    “It’s always me,” Byron said.
    “You’re the one who listens less,” Asa said. “I have rules for a reason.”
    “We know, we know,” Noona said. “So we get to go on breathing.”
    “Hypocritical, if you ask me,” Byron said.
    “Don’t start on him,” Noona said. “We didn’t come here for that.”
    “Hypocritical how?” Asa asked.
    “You have all these rules to keep us alive,” Byron said. “Rules we wouldn’t need if you didn’t send us into situations where our lives were at risk. I call that hypocritical.”
    “Damn it, Byron,” Noona said.
    “Don’t swear,” Asa said. “Ladies don’t swear. Your mother never did.”
    “Sis isn’t her, and I’m not you,” Byron said. “And we’re full grown, in case you haven’t noticed.”
    “I notice a lot,” Asa said.
    “Have you noticed me getting tired of this?” Byron said. “When I was sixteen it was exciting. Go into a town ahead of you, scout it out, and be ready to back your play when you made your move. I’m twenty-four now, and it’s lost its luster. It’s not exciting anymore. It’s just dangerous.”
    “Always has been,” Asa said.
    “You’re not listening,
Paw
,” Byron said, drawling the “Pa” so it sounded hillbilly, because he knew it would annoy him. “We’re tired of the deceit and play-acting, and neither of us wants to take lead for you or have a blade shoved in our guts.”
    “Speak for yourself,” Noona said. “I’ll take lead for him anytime.”
    “So he doesn’t speak for both of you?” Asa needed to know.
    Noona placed