A Fire in the Blood Read Online Free Page A

with gray, and his hairline receded slightly.
           "Good evening, Mr. Robbins," Marcus said, as jovial as one of his saturnine disposition could be.
           Yeah, they had a drink or two. Aloud, Jesse returned the greetings when Jacobson introduced his companions.
           "This is Cyrus Evers. Jamie MacFerson. Lemuel Mathis. Gentlemen, Jesse Robbins." Both of the older cattlemen returned Jess's keen inspection, measuring him with the shrewd gaze of men whose survival skills were hard won in this harsh wilderness.
           As Jess shook hands with Mathis, he felt the soft skin of a man unused to physical labor. "You aren't a stockman, Mr. Mathis."
           Lemuel Mathis's eyes narrowed for an instant as he withdrew his hand. Then he smiled. "No, but I'm president of the Stock Growers Association and vitally interested in protecting and promoting the cattle industry in our territory."
           "Lemuel is modest. He'll be one of the biggest ranchers in Wyoming in a year or two when he marries my daughter," Jacobson replied.
           "Now, Marcus, the lady hasn't done me the honor of saying yes yet," Mathis protested.
           "Just a matter of time. She'll come around," Marcus said with self-assurance.
           As they walked into the dining room, Jess could feel curious eyes on him, hear speculative whispers. He had grown used to it over the years. How many men has he killed? Does he notch his gun? How much is he paid to shoot a man? People were vultures, feeding their own prurient curiosity through him.
           A prim, punctilious waiter, probably a first cousin to the desk clerk, showed them to a table in the rear of the room. It was situated privately so no one would overhear their conversation. No doubt Jacobson reserved it regularly.
           Just as they were pulling out chairs to be seated, a familiar voice called out. There you are, Papa! I declare, I almost couldn't find you all hidden away in that corner."
           The beautiful redhead, fetchingly dressed in a topaz silk gown, wended her way across the crowded dining room toward them. She did not see Jess, who was standing behind the latticed partition wall. Jacobson stiffened but said nothing as she fluttered up to them, wreathed in smiles. So Lissa was old Marcus's daughter, not his wife! Jess cursed his luck. Just what he needed, some spoiled little chit getting her dander up because of the incident in his room. Still he could not help but wonder how she would react when she saw him. He knew her pa was furious that she had interrupted their dinner, but the old man said nothing as she effusively greeted the other ranchers and Mathis.
           "Why, Cy Evers, Cridellia said you looked splendid in that new suit and she didn't exaggerate one bit. Mr. MacFerson, I've missed you since roundup last fall."
           "How good it is to see you again, Lissa," Mathis said, gallantly bowing over her proffered hand.
           "Why, thank you . . ." Her voice faltered as Jess stepped out of the shadows and his eyes met hers. She felt her heart accelerate like a runaway train when his smile mocked her.
           "Lissa, this is Jesse Robbins. He's a stock detective," her father said tightly, his eyes promising retribution.
           Her smile was dazzling as she inclined her head, quickly recovering her poise. What was it about the man that wrecked her composure every time he smiled at her? "A pleasure, Mr. Robbins. I trust the hotel accommodations are to your liking?" she asked innocently.
           "Yes, ma'am. The rooms are very luxurious," he replied. The little flirt was playing with him!
           "I especially enjoy the luxury of the bathing facilities." She smiled as his face darkened.
    "Lissa, I don't think—"
           "Are you gentlemen going to stand around and let a lady perish of hunger?" she said, interrupting her father's careful remonstrance.
           Mathis