The Reaper's Song Read Online Free PDF Page B

that on his travels, and he gave them as wide a berth as a hornet’s nest. They could be twice as stingy and ten times louder.
    “Well, the pastor, he done died in the flu. Kilt himself takin’ careof all the folks around here. Doc died not long after. Been a hard winter.” The deputy relaxed his stance somewhat. “Soon’s your children wake up, you clear on outa here, ya hear?”
    “Yes, sir, I surely do. Thank you for treating us so fair.” Zeb doubted the man could hear the sting behind the words. Calling him “sir” and licking his boots a little would hide a mile of sarcasm.
    “See that you do, now.” The man hesitated as if he were going to wait until they cleared out, but when Zeb smiled again and extended his hand, the deputy spun on his heel and left.
    And if the rest of the town is as accommodating as you, we’ll just shake the dust from our feet and keep on going . He leaned down to pick up his quilt and heard what he thought to be a snicker from the other bedroll.
    “Anytime you can be ready, girls, we’ll be rolling on.”
    Manda and Deborah both sat up, the smaller girl rubbing her eyes. She smiled up at Zeb and the angel brightness dimmed his eyes. Manda, however, gave him a look that said he would pay for this later. She might not be sure how, but she had a long memory.
    Zeb understood that look. His oldest sister, Eva Jane, had one that matched. And she always collected. He hoped her husband had learned how to handle her, or—
    He shut off the thoughts of home. They still hurt, in spite of the length and distance he’d traveled.
    “There’s a privy out back and the sun is shining. What more could we ask for?” He rolled his extra shirt and pants in the quilt and the slicker around it all. Glancing up, he saw the girls hadn’t moved.
    “Breakfast,” the two said together.
    “I’m getting to that.” With his roll under his arm, he paused. “I’m going to saddle up. We’ll water the horses at the livery and get a bit of grain for them.”
    “What about us?” With both hands, Deborah brushed wispy white hair back from her cheeks.
    “I said I’m getting to that.” Their concentrated stares made him want to shift from one foot to another. He kept still. “We’ll stop by the general store and get something.” If only I could find someone to work for, someone who could pay in cash, not just room and board.

    Manda watched the horses eat while he walked back to the store. He’d parked Deborah up against the barn wall on his bedroll and warned her not to move. Maybe the sun would warm a little strength into her frail body.
    A bell jingled overhead when he entered the narrow false front building. Mingled fragrances of pickles in a barrel, spices on the shelves, leather from boots and saddles, flour, cornmeal, and molasses blended together to spell “store.”
    “Good morning, stranger. How can I help you?” The aproned woman behind the counter turned from weighing and bagging dried beans. The smile on her face made him sure the remainder of the town wasn’t cast in the deputy’s mold.
    “I need some supplies and a little information, if you have it.” Zeb removed his hat and brushed his hair back with one hand.
    “The supplies? I have about anything you can think of.” She swept her hand wide to indicate the wealth of stores. “But as to the information? You ask and I’ll help you if I can.”
    “How about a couple pounds each of beans, cornmeal, and hard tack. A bit of salt, some sugar, and . . .” He inhaled and caught the perfume of fresh-baked bread. “Do you have bread for sale?”
    She nodded. “Just came outa the oven not ten minutes ago.”
    “Good. I’ll take a loaf. And cheese? You have any cheese?”
    She indicated the wheel set under glass. “This much?” She spread her finger and thumb about two inches apart. “Or more?”
    Zeb could feel his mouth water at the thought of coffee. How he wanted to buy coffee. “That’ll be fine.” He eyed a jar full