Wild Country (The World of the Others #2)- Anne Bishop Page 0,193

he loaded the derringer with its single round. It might carry only one bullet, but that bullet could bring down a horse or blow the leg off a man—or a Wolf. Of course, all the weapons were for show, but he couldn’t issue the challenge without them.

He studied Judd McCall, who seemed oddly elated.

He’d had to tell Judd and Lawry about the deal he’d made with Tolya Sanguinati. Lawry had fretted about what would happen down the road if other associates heard that Parlan had double-crossed the men who had come to Bennett to help him secure the town. And Judd? It was like Judd had expected it, had been waiting for the day when Parlan’s luck ran out and he’d betray everyone to save his own skin.

Still, Judd slid a look at Durango Jones as he loaded his guns—silent confirmation that he would take care of Durango if Parlan kept the deal with the vampire and got the clan safely out of Bennett. Parlan and Lawry would handle the Parkers if required.

“Where is Sleight-of-Hand Slim?” he asked.

“He’ll take up a position inside the saloon doors to ambush whoever tries to use the place for cover,” Judd said.

Of course, in order to do that, Slim would need to kill the thing that ran the saloon. And that would queer the deal—assuming Slim got off a shot before the thing killed him.

Why hadn’t Judd killed Slim quick and quiet? Or had he, and this was just a way to explain the other man’s absence? No way to tell, and no time to ask.

“My men will take over the train station and shoot any of the Others who are still in there,” Durango said.

Parlan’s hands went cold. Taking over the station wasn’t part of the plan. Not his plan, anyway. “And the Bonney boys?”

The other men looked at each other and shrugged.

“Taking care of their own business, I guess,” William Parker said.

“We’ve got enough men, whether Frank and Eli show up or not.” Judd gave Parlan a cold smile, as if he’d already set payback in motion for the anticipated double-cross.

Parlan remembered the one other person who wasn’t in the room. “Where’s Dalton?”

“Probably going round to have a talk with his bitch sister,” Judd replied. “I found out she was in town and where she lived.”

“And you told him?” He’d told no one that he’d seen Abigail in town because he hadn’t wanted anyone in the family distracted by that news.

Judd smiled. “I did. Figured she owed him more than she owed me.”

Parlan bit back his anger. “It could have waited until after the fight.”

Judd’s smile turned mocking. “We’ve got enough men for this fight. We’ll win it without him.”

Durango Jones and the Parkers were watching this byplay with growing suspicion. If Judd McCall was turning on Parlan Blackstone just before a fight, something was very wrong.

Trying to regain the upper hand, Parlan said, “You have a feeling we’re going to win?”

Judd’s smile sharpened. “Don’t you?”

* * *

* * *

Even Rusty’s wild barking couldn’t compete with the pounding on the screen door’s frame.

Running to the front of the house, Barb grabbed the pup’s collar and stared at Kenneth Stone, who stood there wringing his hands.

“Maddie?” she asked, hoping he said no. She was still putting together emergency supplies. She wasn’t ready to flee if that’s what Kenneth had come to tell her.

“No.” Kenneth hesitated. “I have a feeling the doctors need to be at the hospital today. It’s a very strong feeling.”

“We’ve barely got the hospital open and only for emergencies,” Barb protested.

“There’s going to be an emergency.” His eyes pleaded with her. “Evan says you should call because Jana is your housemate. The doc will think I’m overreacting, but he’ll listen to you. Please.”

Intuits were sure there was going to be an emergency. Oh gods.

“I’ll call. Are you packed in case … ?”

“Almost, but Kane is uneasy about something and keeps getting in the way. Almost bit me when I came over to talk to you. Didn’t want me leaving the house.”

“Go home. Stay inside. I’ll make the call.”

* * *

* * *

Looking out the door of the land agent’s office, Jana couldn’t see the other side of the square, didn’t know when the men would walk out and do the posturing that, hopefully, wouldn’t end in a real fight.

“Anything we should do?” Dawn Werner asked as she cuddled her puppy to keep it quiet.

“Stay inside and stay away from the windows until you get the all clear,” Jana replied.

She felt