Black Jack - Max Brand

They peered out the window to see Terence Colby approaching Le Sangre from the river road. The horse launched up the slope after the rider gave to the side and sprang with supple elegance. His forward-facing ear suggested that he was unsure of what was ahead of him but would make an effort to stay vigilant. Dinner at the Cornish ranch was a disaster since the board was crowded with early visitors for the celebrations the next day. They were carefully selected by Elizabeth from families that had known her father, Henry Cornish, while he was building his wealth in the Rockies. Terence led the cavalry while riding El Sangre, a bright red streak, while Vance took the head of the wagon party. The few hours that had passed since Terry Hollis was fired from the ranch that morning felt like they had been compressed into a half-life. The assassination of Larrimer made the morning's hesitation even clearer than it had been previously. Slim Dugan believed that his honor was at stake, thus he was prepared to fight and die. A single snide word or side glance directed at Terry would have been enough to trigger a shooting. Everyone was aware of it.