Gunslinger's Moon Read Online Free Page B

left right then. Trouble was brewing as plain as day. The saloon was growing quieter with expectation. Jed was not a peaceful man and he seriously contemplated letting loose his anger.
    Clearing his throat Jed said, “The people in the other saloon had no problem.”
    The bearded man said, “Then why don’t you go back there?”
    Jed gave a false smile, “I like the mood here.”
    We’ll see ‘bout that.” The bald one spat.
    Grabbing Jed’s shoulder he threw a punch. However, Jed lived his life fighting things faster than mere men. Easily, he twisted his head from the blow. Kicking the assailant, Jed swept his bottle of beer and broke it onto the second man’s head. Tremendous force is needed to break a glass bottle and the force caused the man’s head to crash into the wooden bar top. There was another thud as he hit the floor. Jed swiveled to the first miner pulling back for a punch. This blow too, Jed dodged. He punched the man’s side, the soft flesh of his belly. A third man attacked, rushing forward.
    Everyone froze as Jed’s gun clicked. The giant Kruger was placed right under the man’s chin. The hammer was pulled back. Jed was not a peaceful man.
    Cautiously the third man lowered his fists. Jed pressed the gun tight against his skin. “I dare you to even swallow.” He didn’t take the dare.
    The bald miner on the ground raised his head, immediately staring down the barrel of a Colt Peacemaker. The dark chamber eerily resembled a pit to hell. Attentive he rose, not making any sudden moves. That barrel followed him the entire time. The burly miner, clutching his head where the glass cut him, struggled to his feet. He kept away from Jed.
    Jed surveyed the room. The remaining miners had hostile stares. Miners had a collective identity. They did not like outsiders getting the best of them. Obviously, there was an advantage to being the only man with a gun.
    “Didn’t your ma teach you manners?” Jed scoffed at his assailants. Pointedly he added, “It’s discourteous to go after a gunslinger. He might begin to think you have a secret to hide.” Unable to stop himself the third attacker swallowed reflexively. His eyes tightened, waiting for the response.
    The gunslinger holstered his guns. Smoothing his vest, his eyes roved among the crowd. Every nerve was tense as he walked out the saloon. No one tried anything and he stepped into the night freely. After the light scuffle he felt better. Less tense.
    Whistling to his horse, he unwrapped the reins from a post and climbed on back. Dragging the reins to the right Jed aimed for his bed several miles away. It was cool in the night. Extraordinary how different the temperature could become in a couple of hours. The horse moved at a trot. Riding fast at night was dangerous if the moon was not bright. He urged the horse faster confident the road was clear. He did so confident that whomever was following him would be hard at work.
    It was just a feeling that someone was watching him go. One strong enough to keep him on edge. The horse felt it also, its ears pulled back slightly and its gait moving a little faster. The days of investigating had hopefully made the culprit worried. It certainly had done nothing else. 
    He slowed once into town. The pounding of the hooves became a muted cluck. The stable at the back of the boarding house was quiet. The couple of horses stationed were asleep. Except he could feel them stirring now. Something in the wind. Too bad he did not have a dog. They always sniffed out trouble. Of course it was hard to find a dog brave enough to chase something like a werewolf. It was harder keeping them alive. 
    Jed gave a quick glance into the night as he placed his horse in the cell. “Easy boy,” he soothed, patting the horse gently. While dogs didn’t last, neither did horses. Jed never bothered to name them anymore. He brushed the horse quickly. Furtively glancing at the entrance in case his stalked decided to enter. He gave one