The Milch Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

even more by
wrapping a big hand around the banker’s upper arm and giving him a firm shake,
just as Smith came in.
    He handed Jackson the debit slip, showed him his current
account balance, and showed the subtraction at the bottom of the debit, along with
the date and his initials. Then he removed a clamp from a small case, squeezed
the parchment, then signed and dated as witness and notary.
    Jackson folded the documents, slipped them inside his jacket
pocket, and then shoved his hat back on. He shook Smith’s limp hand as he
listened to the usual obsequious statement of sympathy, and then gave Dawson’s
hand another firm shake before leaving, “Thanks Charlie, thanks for
everything.”
     
    <><><> 
     
    Hattie had the baby diapered and cradled against her when
the door from the store to the saloon swung open. Her heart raced and her
tongue turned to cotton as she was faced with her daily nightmare. Unshaved,
smirking, dirty, she had thought she would never clean their smell from her
skin and hair. Rafe Hogue and his shorter, smellier partners, Silas and Able
Sweat appeared.
    “Lookie, lookie, I told you she’d be coming to work at
Thelma’s.”
    He walked toward her and Hattie shrank back, the baby giving
an alarmed cry as it sensed her fear.
    “Hey, look what sweetie has,” Rafe cackled. “Come on girl,
let’s see who the little bastard looks like.”
    Horrified, Hattie pulled the baby even closer, raising the
blanket to protect him. The storeowner’s wife gasped in shock and turned to
find her husband.
    “I told you about that girl,” she whispered furiously, “now
what are you going to do?”
    “Hey, fellas, she’s acting shy again. Help me get her
cornered so we can examine our work. Five dollars says he looks like me,” Rafe boasted.
    Hattie looked around, wishing she had her gun. The first
time they came, she had been too shattered to think of pursuing them. She would
have gone to town for the sheriff but her father was so badly beaten, she had
forced herself to pull her torn clothes around her, choke back her tears and
help him to bed.
    She had been terrified when her dad was unable to talk to
her, but mortified by the tears that leaked down his cheek every time he looked
at her.
    The next time they came, she was sitting at the window, her
guns ready beside her. She began firing as the first man stepped on the porch.
She heard one man holler when he was hit, another scream when splinters from
the porch rail hit his face.
    Now in this store, the only thing at hand was the crate of potatoes.
She gripped one tightly.
    “Watch out boys, she wants to keep the papa a secret.”
    The bell over the door rang behind them, but they were all
focused on the terrified girl. Hattie was studying them, looking for the mark
of splinters or gunshot. Able Sweat had three red spots on his cheek; his older
brother seemed to favor his leg. On Rafe’s face were five streak marks from
where she had clawed, trying to get his eyes.
    “Cowards,” she hissed. Each had noticed her eyes catching
their marks.
    “Maybe we need to mark her up a little this time,” Able
growled.
    The sound of a gun being cocked behind them brought them up
short. Hattie realized she had dug her nails into the potato.
    “Far enough boys, move away from my son.”
    Rafe recovered first. “Wow, our little wild girl’s been busy
on the side, boys.”
    Hattie felt her face flame with the insult. Wasn’t it enough
to be raped and beaten by these savages? Why did they need to destroy her
reputation, too? She shoved past Rafe and when Silas grabbed at her, she fired the
potato at his head as hard as she could.
    There was a pop as it splattered and she was rewarded by his
angry yell, then angrier curses.
    Able clapped his hands and laughed. “Got you again,
brother.”
    Silas swore and swung at his brother and they grappled as
Jackson reached for Hattie, pulling her and the baby behind him.
    “Hey,” the storeowner raised his shotgun and the loud