The Town Council Meeting Read Online Free Page B

chrissake,” the judge said, “if you’re both so worried walk over there and disarm them. They’re just a couple harmless drunks.”
    â€œWell,” Lawson said, “those guns look pretty deadly to me.”
    â€œAdams,” the judge said, “would you mind doin’ somethin’?”
    â€œMy pleasure,” Clint said, “if only to shut you all up about it.”
    He half turned and drew his gun.
    â€œLook out!” somebody yelled.
    The two drunks did, indeed, have their guns out and trained on each other, and if Clint didn’t do something soon somebody was sure to get hurt.
    Clint had a clear field of fire so he pulled the trigger on his gun twice.
    Everybody was shocked to see the two drunk’s guns leap out of their hands, but nobody was more surprised than the two men themselves.
    Clint ejected the spent shells, replaced them, and holstered the gun. He didn’t like showing off, but this was a special situation. Word might get outside the building about what he’d done. Maybe it would change the mind of some of the ranch hands who were waiting to kill him and send them scurrying back to the ranch.
    â€œNow either get out or keep it quiet,” Clint shouted at the two men.
    â€œYes, sir,” they both said and turned back to their drinks. They needed them now.
    â€œThanks, Adams,” the judge said.
    â€œSee?” Lawson said. “This is the man who should be sheriff.”
    â€œKnock it off, Lawson,” Clint said. “I’m not looking for a job.”
    â€œWearing a badge hereabouts might just keep you from gettin’ shot,” Chambers pointed out.
    â€œMr. Chambers,” Clint said, “in my experience nothing makes a bigger target out of a man than pinning a badge on.”
    â€œHow about a reputation?” the judge asked.
    Clint looked at the man and said, “I open.”

EIGHT
    Jennifer O’Dell brought a tray of drinks to the table, something for everyone but Clint.
    â€œI take it you don’t drink during a poker game,” the judge said. “I noticed you only had enough beer with lunch to wash it down.”
    â€œThat’s right, Judge,” Clint said. “If you get drunk during a game, it tends to make you brave . . .”
    â€œDon’t you need to be brave to win big?” Ben Lawson asked.
    â€œMaybe in the practice of the law that’s true,” Clint said. “Mostly, in big games, you need to be brave just to play. You need to be in control to win.” He looked up at Jennifer. “Can you bring me a cup of coffee?”
    â€œSure thing, Clint,” she said.
    All five men watched the girl walk to the bar. Of course, Clint had been doing more than just watching her since he got to town. He’d spotted her the first night, and she’d been ready to be swept off her feet by a stranger in town.
    She brought him his coffee and leaned over to breathe in his ear.
    â€œYour room tonight?”
    â€œNo, sweetie,” he said, “yours—but we’ll have to be quick. I think this meeting is going to go on all night.”
    She breathed in his ear again and left. Clint lifted his eyes to see all for men looking at him.
    â€œIs it to me?” he asked.
    â€œThat girl won’t give any of the men in this town the time of day,” Ben Lawson said.
    â€œHave you tried, Ben?” Clint asked.
    â€œNot me,” Lawson said. “I’m too old.”
    â€œWhat have you got that the men in this town ain’t got?” Chambers asked.
    â€œMaybe that’s it,” Clint said.
    â€œWhat’s it?” Patton asked.
    â€œI don’t live in town,” he said. “She won’t have to see me after the next few days.”
    â€œYou might be dead within the next few days.”
    â€œBut I won’t be dead tonight,” Clint said.
    â€œHey,” the judge said, “we said we was gonna play all