The Cove Read Online Free PDF Page A

blinking as they adjusted to the light. Hank had loaded the last of the thorny wheels of barbed wire in the wagon and was in front of the barbershop talking to Ben Lusk. All the times Laurel had been in town, the barber had never acknowledged her with a word or even a nod. Ben laughed at something Hank said and playfully slapped him on the shoulder. She stepped onto the boardwalk and caught Hank’s eye.
    â€œWhat is it?” Hank asked, coming over to her.
    â€œThere’s something I’ve been needing to tell you,” Laurel said.
    â€œWhy in hell didn’t you tell me this before?” Hank seethed when she’d finished.
    Laurel didn’t answer, just watched as Hank’s face seemed to waver between anger and resignation. Slidell came up the boardwalk with a tote sack in his hand. He was about to set it in the wagon when he saw Hank’s face.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Slidell asked, but Hank was already stepping off the boardwalk and headed toward Parton’s Outdoor Goods.
    Slidell looked at Laurel.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œThere’s going to be a fight,” Laurel said.
    â€œI need to stop this,” Slidell said, but it was too late.
    Jubel came reeling out of the store’s front door, Hank right behind. The men clinched and hit the boardwalk together and rolled over twice. Hank came up on top and drove a fist into Jubel’s face. Blood spouted from Jubel’s nose as Hank cocked his elbow to swing again, but bystanders were already untangling them, ensuring the men were well apart before helping each to his feet. Jubel wiped a forearm over his nose and upper lip, gauged the blood on his shirt.
    â€œI reckon it’s still worth a gold quarter eagle,” he said.
    Hank broke free and swung again, nicking Jubel’s chin. Slidell and Tillman Estep pulled Hank away and Chauncey Feith stepped between the two combatants.
    â€œWe can’t be tussling amongst ourselves when we have Huns to fight,” Chauncey admonished.
    â€œWhat would you know about fighting Huns, Feith?” Hank answered.
    Chauncey Feith raised a hand and ever so slowly adjusted the bill of his army cap, but it did not hide his flushed face as the boardwalk filled with more gawkers. A woman Laurel did not know gave Jubel a damp handkerchief.
    â€œYou want me to send someone for Doctor Carter?” Feith asked.
    â€œHell, no,” Jubel replied, nodding at his sleeve. “This ain’t nothing.”
    â€œOkay then,” Chauncey Feith said, and turned to the gawkers. “We’ve got this settled so let’s all be about our business.”
    Jubel was escorted back into the store.
    â€œTime for us to go,” Slidell said.
    She and Hank followed Slidell across the street to the wagon. As they passed back through town, a man in overalls muttered at Laurel and spat.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me sooner?” Hank asked once they were past the college.
    â€œI was shameful of it,” Laurel said.
    â€œYeah, I guess you would be,” Hank said, no warmth in his voice. “You know about this, Slidell?”
    â€œNo.”
    Slidell lifted a rein to wipe a dribble of tobacco off his mouth, looking straight ahead as he spoke.
    â€œBut it’s something you’ll have to get past, the both of you.”
    â€œI’m tired of having to get past stuff,” Hank answered. “I’ve been doing that all my life.”
    â€œBut you ain’t the only one who’s had to,” Slidell said.
    â€œI ain’t forgot what happened to you,” Hank said.
    â€œI wasn’t talking about me,” Slidell answered.
    For a few moments the only sounds were the squeak of the springs and axle, the soft clap of iron horseshoes on dirt.
    â€œI know that too,” Hank said, not looking at Laurel or Slidell but straight ahead.

Chapter Three
    E very evening for a week the old man had walked down the path to the river. A tin bait