“I never figured you for one of these rabble-rousing troublemakers, Will,” Rickert said. “You’re just like that swamp raider Teal.”
“I’m nothing like Teal. I’m just a man who wants to be left alone. But if you push, I’ll stir up trouble like you’ve never seen, like you’ve never even dreamed of. Folks around here know me. And they like me, Rickert, which is more than you can say. Folks are sick of you and the bluebellies and the carpetbaggers and all the bootlickers. Folks are primed for a fight. And they’ll know I’m in the right. You push me, and I’ll raise an army.”
Rickert, clearly rattled by Will’s threat, lifted his empty palms. “Nobody’s pushing. You just calm down, and I’ll tell Pew I couldn’t find you. Ain’t no call to go talking that way.”
“My words stand,” Will said.
Rickert shook his head and turned toward town. The other men followed. Butler looked back over his shoulder, letting Will know they weren’t finished.
The pragmatic side of Will considered pulling the Spencer and knocking Butler out of his saddle, but that would be murder, so he figured he’d just bide his time and stay ready for Butler.
Rufus, sidling up next to Will, said, “Felt good, making them squirm.”
“Yeah, well, I meant what I said. They come back, I’m done talking. And I figure at least Butler will be back at some point. I won’t blame you if you want to ride out of here.”
“Ride out of here?” Rufus said incredulously. “I haven’t even finished talking you into gathering cattle yet. We’re partners, Will. If those men come for you, they’ll have to deal with me, too.”
CHAPTER 23
Will propped up on an elbow and studied his beautiful young wife, who lay panting happily beside him, sparkling with perspiration in the candlelight.
“That sure did feel good, Mr. Bentley,” she joked. “I’m not sure how I lived life without it.”
“Well, I’m glad you waited for me.”
“And I’m glad you waited for me, sir.”
He leaned in and kissed her ear.
She flinched away, grinning. “Now, don’t you go kissing my ear, or you’ll just start things up again.”
“Talk about an idle threat,” Will said and went after her ear again.
She blocked him and sat up, lovely in the candlelight. “Just give me a second to catch my breath.”
“All right.”
“Will?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you worried?”
“About what?”
“Rickert.”
“No. I already told you that.”
“I know. But I am.”
“Don’t be.”
She stood from the bed and paced back and forth, voicing her concerns.
Eventually, Will, who had been mesmerized by the sight of his lovely wife, realized she’d asked him something. “Huh?”
Maggie stopped pacing and stared down at him, hands on hips. “Weren’t you listening to me?”
