A Texas Hill Country Christmas Read Online Free

A Texas Hill Country Christmas
Book: A Texas Hill Country Christmas Read Online Free
Author: William W. Johnstone
Pages:
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took in Ace and Chance. His hand shifted a little and rested on the gun butt.
    â€œWho are your friends?” he asked.
    â€œThey’re not part of this,” Porter snapped. “This is between you and me.”
    â€œYou’re wrong about that, too.” A bark of laughter came from Hudson. “There’s nothing between you and me. Less than nothing. You’re completely insignificant to me, Porter. And to Evelyn as well.”
    He was trying to goad Porter into taking a swing at him, Ace realized. If that happened, he and Chance might have to step in, and that would give Hudson an excuse to draw his gun. The man must have figured he was pretty good, to be willing, even eager, apparently, to take on odds like that.
    And maybe he was. Ace didn’t know. But he was certain he didn’t want to get mixed up in a shooting on their first night in Austin. He and Chance had been on the drift for quite some time and hoped to stay here for a while.
    Ace put his left hand on Porter’s right shoulder and said, “Listen, why don’t we go on inside? That cup of coffee we were talking about sounds better all the time.”
    â€œI’m not afraid—” Porter began.
    â€œNobody said you were,” Chance told him. “Come on in. We’ll talk about it.”
    Hudson said, “There’s nothing to talk about. It’s all settled.”
    â€œIf there’s nothing to talk about, why don’t you move on, mister?” Ace suggested.
    â€œMaybe I don’t like being told what to do,” Hudson replied, thin-lipped with anger.
    Slowly, Ace shook his head. His hand tightened on Porter’s shoulder. Chance took hold of Porter’s other shoulder. Together, they started to steer him around Hudson toward the door of the café.
    â€œWe’re not looking for any trouble,” Ace said.
    Hudson laughed, and the smugness of the sound made Ace’s jaw tighten. It was almost enough to cause him to throw caution to the wind and find out just how slick on the draw Hudson really was.
    There was only so much prodding he could take.
    But then Porter shook loose and said, “It’s all right, fellows. Come on.” He took a deep breath. “Let’s go inside.”
    Narrow-eyed, Ace told Hudson, “Things might be different, happen we cross trails again.”
    â€œSure, kid.” Hudson smirked. “Whatever you say.”
    He turned and strolled off through the mist.
    â€œThat son-of-a—” Chance began.
    He didn’t finish because the café door opened and a woman said, “Mr. Porter, is that you? I thought I saw you out here. Please, come in out of the weather.”
    She didn’t step out into the mist, but she extended a slim hand and smiled. Her blond hair was put up on her head. She wore a crisp gingham dress with a white apron tied over it. From the looks of the outfit, she worked as a waitress in the café.
    â€œMiss Channing,” Porter said. “I . . . I . . .”
    He couldn’t go on. Instead he turned and started walking along the street in the opposite direction from the way Hudson had gone. His head was down.
    â€œOh, dear,” Miss Channing said. She looked at Ace and Chance.
    â€œDon’t worry about him, ma’am, we’ll go after him,” Ace said as he lifted a hand and pinched the brim of his hat. He wasn’t sure why he had just volunteered himself and Chance to look after Porter, unless it was because somebody needed to.
    â€œMa’am,” Chance said as he touched the brim of his hat as well. Then he and Ace took off after Porter. They were taller than the man from North Carolina, and their longer legs allowed them to catch up fairly quickly.
    As they came up on either side of Porter, Ace said, “What was that all about? I think you may have insulted the young lady.”
    â€œShe’s worried about you, anyway,” Chance said. “You could tell that by
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