Webb's Posse Read Online Free PDF

whispered, stung by the revelation, “you mean there’s others who know about it?” He hooked a thumb in the empty pistol holster on his hip.
    â€œOh yes,” said Will Summers. Taking note of Webb’s empty holster, Summers took a Colt .45 from the shoulder harness under his left arm and handed it to him. “Here, take this. Ain’t nothing looks more unnatural on a lawman than an empty pistol holster.”
    â€œMuch obliged, Will,” Webb said, taking the pistol, checking it and shoving it down into his holster. “It feels off balance too, going around with an empty holster—kept thinking I was walking in a circle.”
    â€œThis thing with you and Renee Marie: It’s been going on a while, ain’t it?”
    â€œWell, yes,” said Webb, avoiding Summers’ eyes with an embarrassed expression. “I thought we was pretty careful. But there’s no denying it after today. We both might just as well have been caught in the act and raised up a flagpole. Goose Peltry made it worse, shooting his mouth off and waving Renee Marie’s drawers back and forth.”
    â€œRight in front of Edmund, I reckon?” asked Summers.
    â€œOh, of course!” said Abner Webb. “The whole town saw them! Lucky for me Edmund wasn’t armed at that moment. He was awfully upset about it.”
    â€œLucky for you he didn’t get his hands on you,” said Will Summers. “Edmund is an awfully big man, Deputy. I ain’t sure he’d need a gun. I heard he used to fight in the bare-knuckle ring in Chicago. Fought under the name ‘Killer’ Daniels, I heard.” He offered a sympathetic wince. “Why
his
wife of all people?”
    â€œThere’s just something about French women,” said Abner Webb. “I never have been able to control myself around them.”
    â€œMaybe you better learn to,” Will Summers suggested.
    â€œHell, it wasn’t just her being French, I don’t reckon,” said Webb. “Look around you, Will. Rileyville ain’t exactly blessed with pretty women. Besides, I didn’t go looking to fall for Renee Marie Daniels,” said Webb. “It just happened. It weren’t neither one of our fault.” Webb looked down in remorse and shook his head. “I wish I could go and talk to her, see if she’s all right…see if I can do something for her.”
    â€œSounds like you’ve done plenty. Best thing you can do now is keep your nose out of it…unlessyou and her are serious enough to take up together and run off.”
    â€œShe knows I’m not looking for a wife any more than she’s looking for a new husband. We just sparked a deep, passionate desire in one another, is the way she said it. We didn’t mean it to ever go any further. Edmund would never have known, hadn’t been for Goose Peltry.”
    â€œYep, I can just picture ole Goose,” said Will Summers, keeping himself from smiling, “waving them bloomers back and forth like a flag.”
    â€œCut it out, Will. It’s no joking matter,” said Abner Webb.
    â€œYou’re right. I’m sorry,” said Summers. He looked back along the street to where his string of new horses stood tied at a hitch rail. “Miss Renee Marie is a fine, handsome woman…. I can’t blame Edmund if he comes looking for satisfaction one way or the other, guns or knuckles.”
    â€œI know,” said Webb. “Don’t think I ain’t already pictured that in my mind. I look for it most any time.”
    â€œAt least you’re not going to be caught unaware then,” said Will Summers. “Be thankful for that.”
    â€œBelieve me, I am. I won’t be breathing easy until this gets settled between him and me some way or another. I just wish none of this ever happened.”
    â€œWhen’s the sheriff coming back?” Summers asked.
    â€œAny time now, I would