A fist in the face welcomed him as he opened the door, smashing him backwards. Peterson saw stars. Joe was on him – his ribs, stomach, face were on fire and he was sure he had broken bones. He did not even have time to defend himself or even understand what was happening before Hoss clutched his younger brother, wrapping his powerful arms around him and tearing him away.
Peterson staggered to his feet, his eye already closing up, his mouth pouring blood. Then he recognized them.
"You've got to answer for our sister, Peterson!" Adam cried.
"Look, I don't know what she told you - "
"The truth, you animal!" Joe roared.
"She – I – look, nothing happened. We had a little kiss, that's all. She is a grown woman!"
"Why, you - " Joe went wild, Hoss only just managing to keep hold of him.
Adam fisted his hand into Peterson's throat, pushing him back, almost choking him. His face was dark with a quiet, menacing rage. "Do you really think, in a million years, we'd believe you over her? We know, Peterson! We know you terrified her. How you bashed her head, tried to take advantage of her!" He motioned to his face. Despite the damage Joe had just inflicted, the scratch Marie had gouged into his cheek was clearly visible. "And that! Would she have done that if she'd been willing? Scamp wouldn't have gone with you anyway. She's been raised better. She's got more decency in her little finger than you have in your entire body!"
"Well, she would tell you that! - "
Joe almost pulled away as Adam's fist caught Peterson hard under the ribs. The man went down once more, his nails raking at Adam's left hand as it closed around his throat.
"I ought to kill you." His voice was calm, cold, matter of fact. He appeared much more terrifying than Joe because of it. "But we're not animals like you. We've got you trapped, all three of us, and all three of us want to rip you limb from limb. We wouldn't terrorize a woman, nor would we set on a man, three against one. You've got a chance. You can defend yourself. Joe and I have already marked you but Hoss is just as angry as us. You can't deny him a chance to avenge his sister, not if there's one shred of courage in you."
Peterson took one look at Hoss's massive bulk and quailed. "And...and if I refuse?"
"Then you'll show yourself up for the worm you are. Do you think the people around here will defend you? They know Marie, most of them have known her all her life. If they find out you tried to dishonor her they'd help us hang you from the nearest tree!"
"Let me go!" Peterson spluttered, gasping for breath. "I can't breathe! Let me speak!" Adam loosened his grip slightly and Peterson took a huge intake of air. "Look, I didn't try to dishonor her. She's not hurt! I wasn't going to hurt her, it's just...Well, I'm a man! You're a man! You understand!"
Adam gave him such a look of loathing and utter contempt, Peterson's blood ran cold. "No, I don't understand. I would never attempt to force myself on anyone. I don't need to. What does it say about you, Peterson? That no woman would go with you willingly, so you have to use force? Our sister is at home, terrified, because of you. No, you didn't hurt her, and it's lucky for you you didn't, because you'd be dead by now if you had. You chose the wrong girl yesterday, buddy. So you'll take Hoss on. We'll not assault you. You'll have plenty of chances to defend yourself. We'll not even help him, so it's one against one."
"I can get the sheriff!"
"Yeah, you can, but not before I take a whip to your back!" Hoss growled. "If you won't take me on, fair fight, that is what I'll do, Peterson. I don't care if I have to do jail time! I'll find a rope or a strap in that stable and I'll lay it on your back, I swear!"
By now Adam had let him go and Peterson had staggered to his feet, his face spoiled, his midriff blazing, fingering his bruised throat. "Look at the size of him! I wouldn't stand a chance!"
"You'd stand more of a chance than you gave our sister last night," said Adam.
"Hoss is too big for him," said Joe. "Let me take him on. I'm smaller than you, Peterson. Think you can take me on? Although I'm not quite as small as Scamp so you might be a bit frightened." His face snarled with scorn.
"Look, I didn't do anything to her, right?" Peterson cried, taking refuge behind a table.
"She says you did," Hoss stated. "And we believe her. You terrified her and she don't scare easy. You made your intentions clear. Tricking her, getting her behind the barn. Like you were so interested in a mended roof! And God knows what you'd have done if she hadn't fought you off."
"I wasn't gonna do anything else!"
"What did you think, Peterson? That she wouldn't say anything? That we wouldn't find out? Or perhaps you thought we wouldn't do anything, that we wouldn't believe her. You figured wrong. No, Joe. You've had your turn, Adam's had his. It's down to me to finish it." He looked around, saw Peterson's clothes on a chair and threw them at him. "Get these on unless you want to fight in your drawers."
"Please!"
Joe's self-control had been paper thin since he had entered the room. He rushed at him and had the satisfaction of another left hook to the face and a right upper cut to the belly before both Adam and Hoss hauled him off.
"Joe, stop it!" Adam shook him.
"I wondered how long it would be before the begging started," Hoss said. "You really are a worm, aren't you? You don't have to fight me if you don't want to. Joe, go and get a crop from the stables. A rope, a strap, anything."
"Gladly." Joe started for the door.
"Adam, get his shirt off."
"No!" Peterson cried as Adam made a lunge at him. "I'll...I'll fight you."
He had no choice. As they passed back through the foyer Potter spotted his bruised face and gave a grim smile. "You boys. You break anything?"
"Only his head," said Joe.
"Where are you going?"
"Hoss has got an appointment with him round the back."
"Why are you going out the front, then? Follow me."
He led them through the bar, into a small vestibule and out into the yard. "Knock yourselves out."
"The only thing that'll be knocked out is him."
Hoss and Harry Peterson circled each other like prowling lions. Adam and Joe took their position by the gate. They had a low opinion of Peterson's courage and thought he might run. Potter was by the door to the bar, grinning.
It was over quickly. Peterson made a feint and managed to take Hoss unawares, catching him under the chin. All the anger and pain Hoss had felt since seeing his sister's petrified face at the breakfast table that morning came out. He clenched his massive fist and swung, delivering a crunching blow just under his rib cage. He swung again, smashing into Peterson's face. The man went down and lay still. He grinned triumphantly at his brothers as Adam handed him his jacket.
"A glass of water, if you please, Mr Potter."
"Coming right up."
Peterson came to, spluttering, as the freezing cold liquid hit his face. Hoss took him by the collar.
"Now, you leave. Today. Right this minute. Pack up your stuff, fetch your horse, ride out and never come back. You understand?"
"Y-yes."
"And if you ever touch my sister again, I'll kill you," said Joe.
"Yeah, you've seen what we can do." Adam gave an ugly smile. "Next time we won't go so easy."
They helped him to his feet, booted him to the door and stood with him in his room as he packed up his few belongings. They wanted to make sure he left.
Peterson's face was a mess. He was bruised badly around his belly and ribs. He flinched with pain as he bent up and down.
"Now we'll take a pleasant little walk to the stables," said Joe. "We'll wave you a fond farewell as you ride out. Perhaps in future you'll realize that when a lady says no, she means it."
The day was just starting to warm up as the three young men cantered along the road that would lead them back to the Ponderosa. Home.
