Read Jodi's Journey for Free Online Page B

the crew and
seemed to wait until he got a reaction. It wasn't long in coming
either.
    There was a loud silence that pierced the
air. No one said a word. No one moved for a full minute or two.
Then, they began whispering amongst themselves.
    Then, Josh looked him up and down. His
distaste written on his face. “I don't believe it.”
    “Well,” Hunter drawled effectively. “Believe
it, and I'll be bossing this outfit. I want no trouble from any of
you. So, if you got something to say, say it now.”
    Josh moved towards Jodi protectively. “I got
somethin' to say. We all know what you are. You're a dirty,
low-down coward. You came back before the war was over. We all know
what that means, and no no-account is going to boss this herd. This
herd is Jodi's, and what she says goes!”
    Hunter stared at the younger man for a long
moment, as if considering his words. Jodi watched him carefully,
realizing he wasn't a man to blurt things out. He spoke
methodically. If looks could kill, though, Josh would have been
dead. But instead of a hasty reply, Hunter measured his words
against their attitudes. Another thing the army must have taught
him, she quickly surmised.
    “You've said your piece.” Hunter eyed Josh
considerably. “But if you want a job, you'll take orders from me.”
Hunter started to turn away.
    “You agree with this, Miss Jodi?” Josh
glanced at her for some sort of reprieve.
    Jodi stood up, took a deep breath, and
nodded.
    For a full second, Jodi couldn't reply. Her
glance went from every man back to Hunter. She couldn't say
anything; she thought the same as Joshua about Hunter.
    “He's forcin' you. I know he is. You wouldn't
let some no-account herd them cattle. Well sir, I won't take orders
from you!” Joshua boasted, twisting about to look as his
friends.
    The others mumbled among themselves but said
nothing, preferring to wait and watch.
    Hunter seemed to realize at that moment it
was an ultimate show-down, and that he would have to take the time
here and now to prove his point.
    “Then get your gear together and get out,” he
finally said, as though the matter were settled.
    “Fine with me.” Joshua started to move
away.
    “No, you can't go, Josh. We've got to get
this herd north. I need every man,” Jodi protested. “Part of these
cattle belongs to your family.”
    “I'll get you men,” Hunter replied steadily
as he hooked his hands in his back pockets.
    “I've got my own men. Good men,” she added
tersely.
    “You don't need them. I need men that can
take orders. Besides, he's just a kid,” Hunter said. “We can afford
to lose one….”
    “They take orders from me,” Jodi snapped at
him.
    “Not anymore,” he replied boldly. He eyed her
closely now, as though pulling the admission from her. “You hired
me to do it, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Unless you
want to try to do this alone?”
    Josh looked at her. “Just say the word and
I'll take him.”
    His hand was on his gun, but Jodi objected to
killing and put her hand on top of his. “No. There will be no
violence, now or later.”
    “Then I'll fight him. Fair and square,”
Joshua offered, unbuckling his gun.
    “No!” Jodi spat the word out, trying to come
between them. Jodi knew Hunter was built more solidly and could
probably take him, but Josh was quick on his feet, and agile.
    “A man has a right to stand up for what he
believes in.” Hunter took off his gun and holster, and rolling his
sleeves up, gave Josh a good once-over. Jodi watched him eye Josh,
as though eye contact alone could answer all his questions.
    “Stop it. We don't need this.” She faced
Hunter, her anger and concern flaring at the same time. “He's just
a kid...”
    “Now he's just a kid, huh?” Hunter half
laughed.
    “I'm head of my family now that my pa's dead.
That makes me a man,” Josh concluded, ready for the fight. “Don't
worry, I can take him.”
    “Concho, stop them.” She ran to an older
Mexican man, but the old fella