Riding for the Brand (Ss) (1986) by Louis L'amour

in!"
    Later that night, McLeod looked over his shoulder from the fire. "You know"... He said, if I was wantin' a spread of my own an' didn't care much for folks, like you, I'd go down into the Pleasant Valley Outlet, south of here.
    Lonely, but she's sure grand country!"
    Two days later Rock was mending a bridle when Sue Landon walked over to him. She wore jeans and a boy's shirt, and her eyes were bright and lovely.
    "Hi"... She said brightly. "You're the new hand?
    You certainly keep out of the way. All this time on the ranch and I never met you before!"
    He grinned shyly. "Just a quiet hombre, I reckon"... He said. "If I had it my way I'd be over there with Cat all the time."
    "Then you won't like the job I have for you!" she said. "To ride into Three Lakes with me, riding herd on a couple of pack horses."
    "Three Lakes?" He looked up so sharply it startled her. "Into town? I never go into town, ma'am. I don't like the place. Not any town."
    "Why, that's silly! Anyway, there's no one else, and Uncle Frank won't let me go alone with Pete Vorys around."
    "He wouldn't bother a girl, would he?"
    "You sure don't know Pete Vorys"... Sue returned grimly. "He does pretty much what he feels like, and everybody's afraid to say anything about it. Although"... She added, "with this new partner he's got he's toned down some. But come on you'll go?"
    Reluctantly, he got to his feet. She looked at him curiously, not a little piqued. Any other hand on the ranch would have jumped at the chance, and here she had deliberately made sure there were no others available before going to him. Her few distant glimpses of Rock Casady had excited her interest, and she wanted to know him better.
    Yet as the trail fell behind them, she had to admit she was getting no place. For shyness there was some excuse, although usually even the most bashful hand lost it when alone with her. Rock Casady was almost sullen, and all she could get out of him were monosyllables.
    The truth was that the nearer they drew to Three Lakes the more worried Rock grew. It had been six months since he had been in a town, and while it was improbable he would see anyone he knew, there was always a chance. Cowhands were notoriously footlose and fancy free.
    Once the story of his backing out of a gunfight got around, he would be through in this country, and he was tired of running.
    Yet Three Lakes looked quiet enough as they ambled placidly down the street and tied up in front of the general store. He glanced at Sue tentatively.
    "Ma'am"... He said, "I'd sure appreciate it if you didn't stay too long. Towns make me nervous."
    She looked at him, more than slightly irritated.
    Her trip with him, so carefully planned, had thus far come to nothing, although she had to admit he was the finest-looking man she had ever seen, and his smile was quick and attractive.
    "I won't be long. Why don't you go have a drink? It might do you good"... She said the last sentence a little sharply, and he looked quickly at her, but she was already flouncing into the store, as well as any girl could flounce in jeans.
    Slowly he built a cigarette, studying the Hackamore Saloon over the way. He had to admit he was tempted, and probably he was foolish to think that he would get into trouble or that anyone would know him. Nevertheless, he sat down suddenly on the edge of the boardwalk and lighted his smoke.
    He was still sitting there when he heard the immediated of booted heels on the boardwalk and then heard a raucous voice.
    "Hey! Lookit here! One of them no "count Three Spokers in town! I didn't think any of them had the sand!"
    In spite of himself, he looked up, knowing instantly that this man was Pete Vorys.
    He was broad in the shoulder, with narrow hips. He had a swarthy face with dark, brilliant eyes. That he had been drinking was obvious, but he was far from drunk. With him were two tough-looking hands, both grinning cynically at him.
    Vorys was spoiling for a fight. He had never been whipped and