The look on his face daunted Bob. The boy felt the courage dry up within him. Mouth and throat parched. He tried to speak and found he could not.
June took up the gage, instantly, defiantly. “You’ve got nothing to do with us, Jake Houck. We’re married.”
The news had reached him. He looked at her blackly. “Married or single, you’re mine, girl, an’ you’re going with me.”
“My husband will have a word to say about that,” June boasted bravely.
Houck looked at his rival, and a sinister, mocking smile creased the hard face. “I’m plumb scared of him,” he jeered.
“We g-got a right to get married, Mr. Houck,” Bob said, teeth chattering. “You hadn’t ought to make us trouble.”
“Speaks up right brave, don’t he?”
“He’s as brave as you are, Jake Houck, even if he ain’t a bully,” the bride flamed.
“So?” Houck moved a step or two toward Dillon.
The hand under the coat shook as though the boy had a chill.