The first man stepped closer and nudged his hat up, revealing eyes that seemed to glow with a golden light. He looked around the room and sized up the situation.
His gaze lit upon Milo, who still had his hand in the till. He seemed to be amazed that anyone had had the nerve to enter the saloon. Alex saw his hand inching toward the gun holstered at his waist.
The newcomer with the golden eyes fixed his stare on Milo.
I wouldnt do that, he said. I really wouldnt do that.
Milo ignored him.
And suddenly, gunfire blazed.
IN SECONDS THE AIR filled with a fog of gunpowder so thick that it obscured the action. Finally the roar of bullets died, replaced by coughing, followed by a hard thud.
The smoke began to clear, and Alex saw the man with the shaggy blond hair lying on the floor, dead, blood pooling around his head. The othersoutlaws and hostages alikeslowly began to emerge from hiding places behind tables, chairs, the bar and the piano. The sight was surreal, the settling gun smoke wrapping everything in an air of otherworldliness.
Milo was still standing.
And so was the newcomer with the eerie golden eyes.
The two men stared at each other.
Neither one had moved, Alex realized. In the hail of bullets, neither one had moved.
And neither one had been touched.
Milo smiled slowly. Well, well, what do we have here?
Thats not really the question, is it? the newcomer asked quietly. The real question is, what are you doing here? And the answer is runningbecause thats the only way youll leave here alive.
Milo guffawed, but to Alexs surprise, there was something missing now. The absolute confidence the man had emitted before was gone. Even so, he stood dead stillapparently not in the least disturbed by the death of his friendand continued to stare at the newcomer speculatively.
I can take you down, Milo assured the man.
Maybe, maybe not. You just dont know for certain, do you?
I can have my men slit the throats of a half-dozen women before you can move friend, Milo countered smoothly.
Can you? the newcomer asked.
Alex never actually saw him move. There was simply a blur in the air, and then the golden-eyed man was behind Milo, holding a glittering bowie knife at the outlaws throat. Dont doubt me, friend. I know just how deep I have to slide this blade. Now, tell your men to release the women and step outside.
Get that knife away from my neck first, Milo said.
No. When your men are on their way to the door, then I let you go. And then you get the hell out of this town.
Even with your handy-dandy sidekick over there, Milo said, indicating the older man who had entered behind the newcomer, youre outnumbered.
Doesnt matter. If you dont let those women go and get the hell out of here, Ill show you what two men can do.
The girls will die.
So will you.
Milos eyes gleamed with a fury that seemed to glow red, but he was clearly aware of the blade at his throat. He growled a command.
His gang began releasing the women and heading for the door. Not outside! Milo bellowed. Not until Im with you.
If not for the deadliness of the situation, it might have been amusing to see the way they collided with one another in an effort to stop and turn around. Finally the tall newcomer removed the blade from Milos throat and pushed him toward his comrades. Get out now, and leave this town be, he said quietly.
At the door, Milo turned back. No one tells me what to do.
No one can stop a man bent on sheer stupidity, the newcomer returned. But Im warning youstay the hell away from hereor else.
I dont take kindly to threats, friend, Milo said.
But apparently hed wanted only to get in the last word, because he turned and left, his gang of outlaws following quickly.
For a moment there was dead silence in the saloon. It was as if everyone were waiting, listening for hoofbeats, the assurance that the outlaws were really gone.
When the hoofbeats came, then died away, cacophony followed.
Girls left their hiding places, racing toward the stranger.
Oh, my God, you saved our lives! one cried. Alex thought she looked new to life as a scarlet woman. Her hair was naturally red, and she had an innocence about her.
The Good Lord alone knows what might have happened, another croonedthis one older, harder, a tall brunette, attractive, but with calculating eyes. She didnt look mean, just worn down by life. Alex thought shed met her a few years back. Sherry Lyn, her name was. Victory was a small town. Decent women didnt usually mix with saloon girls, but there was just no way out of the fact that you were going to meet at the general store.
You can have anything in this place that you want, young man, said a third woman. Maybe she was the madam, Alex thought. She was of medium height, buxom and a bit stout. Her hair was hennaed, and she had the weary look that came from too many years of scraping along in life.
Ignoring the offer, the golden-eyed man said, Ladies, listen to me. Youve got to stay close for the time being. Lock your doors at night, put up a sign saying youre closed to the public, and dont go letting any strangers in.
His words were greeted by silence.
His older friend cleared his throat and nudged him, grinning.
This is a funhouse, Cody.
The brunette was the first to speak. She cleared her throat. Honey, I dont know how to put this delicately, but if we dont invite people in, this place aint going to be in business long.
I see, Cody said gravely. Well, youre still going to have to be very careful. When youre not entertaining, you need to lock your doors. And dont fall prey to anyone seeking entrance when they shouldnt be.
And when would that be, sugar? the buxom woman asked. And by the way, Im Dolly. I keep things running around here.
Dolly, Cody said, you have to keep an eye out for things that dont seem quite normal, for men like that bunch that were in here just now. You have to fight them. All the menand womenin this town need to learn to fight them. He paused, looking at the bright-eyed female faces staring at him as if he were a god who had come to earth. He shook his head, as if realizing that he wasnt being understood. Im Cody Fox, and this is my friend Brendan Vincent. Well be sticking around for a while. Were going to try to find out whats going on here.
The sound of furniture being shoved across the floor startled everyone, and all eyes in the room were suddenly focused on the piano. It was just Jigs, who had risen from his hiding place at last.
Alex noted that Cody Fox already had a hand on his gun belt.
You two some kind of lawmen? Jigs asked. He epitomized the popular image of the perfect piano player with his fine suit, bow tie and misty-gray top hat that nicely complemented his ebony flesh. Tall and lean, he lent just the right touch of class to a place frequented by cardsharps, fast women, ranchers, cowboys and transients.
Lawmen? No. Just concerned citizens, Cody replied.
Brendan Vincent said, I had kin who lived out in Brigsby. Theres not hide nor hair of them to be seen.
Well, Dolly said dryly, making no mention of the state of things in Brigsby, youre mighty welcome here. As you might have noticed, weve yet to see the sheriff or his deputy.
Well, Dolly said dryly, making no mention of the state of things in Brigsby, youre mighty welcome here. As you might have noticed, weve yet to see the sheriff or his deputy.
Cody was an extremely attractive man, Alex thought. He had a handsome face, if somewhat gaunt. His eyes were a golden hazel, and when he dusted his hat on his knee, she saw that he had rich wheat-colored hair. Tall and rugged, like many another cowboy, still he had something that was entirely unique. Alex found herself curious about him, and it was no wonder the working women in the saloon seemed about to have the vapors.
Maam, to be quite honest, I think were looking for a rooming house of some kind, a place where we can have a bit of peace and quiet, a place to think some of this out, Cody said politely.
Then you want to be staying at Alexs place, Jigs said.
Alex hadnt realized that Jigs had even seen her, but now he stared at her, grinning. Welcome home, missy, he said softly.
Everyone in the place was staring at her now, and she didnt like the sudden attention. She felt her cheeks grow warm and flushed, though she didnt know why. It must be the stranger, she told herself. Cody Fox.
He looked at her for a long moment. A very long moment. Then a hint of a smile touched his features and he tilted his hat in greeting. How do you do, miss?
She had the feeling she looked like a worn-out school marm. Most of the women in the saloon were showing a great deal of flesh and wearing vivid colors.
She was basically wearing travel dust.
Fine, thank youconsidering the circumstances. How do you do? she replied courteously, feeling inexplicably awkward.
You own a boardinghouse? he asked.
Yes, she said, unable to make further conversation, but then again, it had been a yes-or-no question.
And might you have a couple of vacancies? he asked politely.
She started to turn to Jewell to check, then remembered with sudden clarity and horror that Bert was lying unconsciousor worseback at the boardinghouse. Oh! she gasped, and without replying, she raced out the door and across the street to the house. She rushed in, dropping to her knees by Berts prone body.
She patted his cheeks and called his name, and after a moment he let out a groan and opened his eyes, staring up at her blankly.
Bert? she said anxiously.
He blinked, then started to speak, but his words froze in his throat, and he grabbed her arm in a surprisingly strong grasp. She turned to see that Cody Fox and Brendan Vincent had followed her.
Its all right. They stopped the outlaws, Alex said soothingly.
Stopped them? Bert said, staring at the other men skeptically.
They killed one of them and convinced the others to ride away, Alex said.
The sheriff? Bert asked.
Nowhere to be seen, Alex admitted.
Cody hunkered down by Berts side. Looks like you took a hell of a wallop, he said, his eyes sympathetic. Do you think you have any broken bones?
Bert looked at him, still suspicious, but said, I think I can get up.
Cody offered him an arm. Bert got to his feet slowly, wincing. He continued to study Cody, but he nodded in thanks as he said, Im all right.
Still, you might want to sit for a spell, Cody suggested.
The library, Alex suggested, leading them toward the comfortable overstuffed sofa in her fathersno, herlibrary.
She got Bert settled, then backed straight into Beulah, who had come in like a whirlwind, followed closely by Jewell and Tess, and Brendan Vincent.
Oh, Bert, look at you! Beulah said, taking his hand, along with a seat next to him.
Ill get him a whiskey, Jewell decided.
Maybe tea would be better, Tess suggested.
Maybe we should put the whiskey in a cup of tea, Jewell countered.
Im sure that will be fine, Beulah said.
Jewell and Tess turned to leave the room, but not before sighing softly and looking with rapt eyes at Cody Fox. Alex looked at Bert, rolled her eyes and winked, then grew sober again. Are you sure youre all right?
Fine, just embarrassed that I couldnt protect my own household, Bert said. He looked past her to stare at Cody and Brendan. How the hell did you get that man and his human refuse out of town? he asked.
Just threatened him the way he threatens everyone else. Milo wasnt about to lose his own life, and he knew I would take it, Cody said, then cleared his throat. Brendan and I are looking for accommodations, if theyre available?
I just got back to town this afternoon, so to tell you the truth, I dont know, Alex said, and looked at Beulah, still at Berts side. Do we have any vacancies?
Beulah let out a very unladylike snort, staring at her as if she had gone daft. Do we have any vacancies? Childwe have nothing but vacancies. No one is coming out this way to stay anymore. No bankers, no railroad men. No new whores desperate to try out the place.
Alex smoothed her hand down her skirt. Well then, gentlemen, youre certainly welcome to stay.
It will be right nice to have you here, Beulah added with considerably more enthusiasm. Breakfast is from seven to eight, and supper is served precisely at seven. If youre here, you eat. If youre not here, we assume youve made other arrangements. Ill just see to your rooms. If youll excuse me? She rose and started for the door, then suddenly stopped, a look of horror on her face.
Levy! she said. Oh, dear, where is Levy? I havent seen him since all this began.
Alex closed her eyes and groaned, hating herself. Shed forgotten the stable hand, as well.
Ill check the basement, Bert said, rising carefully.
Ill run upstairs, Beulah said.
Ill take the stable, Alex said.
As soon as Beulah and Bert were out of the room, Cody Fox caught Alexs arm. Like Milo, he had a grip of steel, though he wasnt using it to hurt her. Still, she stared at him in indignation at being stopped so summarily.
Were missing a member of the household. Please let go of me so I can go look for him.
What does he look like? We can help, he told her.
Hes our stable hand, medium height, curly brown hair, thin face, dark brown eyes, Alex said, pulling her arm free.
Ill head out to the street, see if the outlaws shot anyone we havent discovered yet, Brendan Vincent said.
Ill go out back to the stable with you, Cody said. I think theyre all long gone, but just in case
Alex ignored him and raced down the hall to the back door. The town had stables and a livery, but they had their own small stable out back, along with a smokehouse.
As she burst outside, the laying chickens began to squawk.
Levy! she cried, sprinting past the flustered birds.
Cody Fox ran by her toward the stables.
The outer doors were open and he headed inside without pausing. Alex followed quickly, still calling for the stable hand.
The stalls were to the left; Beau was in the firstkicking at the wall, which was uncharacteristic for the normally phlegmatic draft horse mix that pulled the work wagon. Cheyenne, Alexs palomino, neighed excitedly, pacing the small confines of his stall, and even Harvey, Berts usually placid gelding, was putting up a ruckus.