Bobbi Smith by Halfbreed Warrior

would cause unrest, and now it had. For a moment he considered firing Hawk, too, but decided against it. All that mattered was catching the rustlers, and according to Spiller, whose judgment he trusted completely, Hawk was the man for the job. He just hoped Spiller was right.
    Jack went in his office and sat down at his desk. He’d been there only a few moments when someone knocked on the door.
    “Who is it?”
    “It’s me, boss,” Wade answered, letting himself in. He stood across the room, waiting to speak.
    “What do you want?”
    “Why did you fire Fred and not Hawk when they were both involved in the fight?” It wasn’t often that he questioned his boss’s decisions, but this time he had to, just to make sure he could keep things under control in the bunkhouse. Fred had friends, and they were bound to question Jack’s decision.
    “This isn’t the first time Fred’s caused trouble. I’ve had enough of it.”
    “But, boss—”
    Jack fixed Wade with a serious look. “There’s something I haven’t told you. There’s more to Hawk Morgan than you know.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Hawk came to work here recommended by Sheriff Spiller up in Dry Springs.”
    “Yeah. So?”
    “So, he’s here to help me catch the rustlers.”
    “Hawk does that kind of work?” Wade was surprised by the news.
    “That’s right. I didn’t tell you right off because I thought it would be best to keep this quiet. The fewer people who know the truth about him, the better. I haven’t even told Randi yet.”
    “That changes everything.” Wade was thoughtful.
    “You can handle it with the boys?”
    “I’ll come up with something to keep them quiet.”
    “Good. I knew hiring him on might stir up some trouble, but all that matters to me right now is stopping the rustling. Hawk hasn’t caused any problems, has he?”
    “No, he’s been working out just fine.”
    “Good. You let me know if anything else happens with the men, and if it does, I’ll handle it.”
    Jack’s mood was still dark and troubled after Wade left him. Times were difficult on the ranch. The last thing he needed was his own men giving him a hard time.
    Jack just hoped Spiller had been right about Hawk. The faster they caught the rustlers, the better.

Chapter Six
    Wade returned to the bunkhouse to find most of the hands finishing off the dinner Wilda had finally brought out to them. He saw no sign of Hawk, but Fred was there at his bunk, packing up his things and getting ready to leave. Wade went over to talk to him.
    “That was a damned stupid thing you did today,” Wade said bluntly.
    “You can go to hell!” Fred swore at him as he continued to stuff his few personal belongings into his saddlebags.
    “I spoke with Jack. I tried to get him to change his mind about firing you, but he wouldn’t.”
    Fred glared at Wade, his expression filled with hate. “Then I guess I’d better get out of here.”
    “I’ll see you around,” Wade said mildly as he left Fred to finish up.
    When Wade had gone, Tom Andrews and Steve Parker got up from the table and went to speak with Fred. They were furious about what had happened.
    “He shouldn’t have fired you,” Tom said in disgust.
    “What are you going to do?” Steve asked Fred.
    Fred looked up at the two of them and smiled thinly. “The first thing I’m going to do is go into town and have myself a fine old time tonight.”
    “You deserve it,” they said.
    “You’re damned right I do,” Fred growled. “I’m not sure what I’ll do tomorrow, but I have a few things to settle up around here before I move on.”
    Tom and Steve could tell by his cold expression and the barely controlled rage in his voice that there was going to be hell to pay somewhere down the line. Fred wasn’t a man to forgive and forget; that much was for sure.
    Fred picked up his bedroll and saddlebags and started from the bunkhouse. The two men walked out with him to get his horse.
    “Don’t worry, boys. You’ll