Cora Leach gazed longingly at the joyful dancers. One of the soldiers noticed her and, before Cora had time to retreat, he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her out into the firelight. Seeing no sign of her husband or his brothers, she permitted herself to enjoy the reel before darting back to her place in the shadows, where she found Joe Leach waiting. Cora froze abruptly. Without a word of warning, Joe struck her with his fist, driving the hapless girl out of the shadows to crumple, dazed, to the ground.
Having seen all the abuse he was going to stand for, Jeb strode over to help Cora.
“God damn you,” Joe snarled. “Get your hands off my wife!” It was all he had time to say, for Jeb whirled around and planted his fist squarely on Joe’s nose. He put everything he had behind the punch, hoping to drive his fist right through the scoundrel’s skull. Tanner would swear later that he heard Joe’s nose crack from across the circle of wagons. Joe staggered backward before tripping over the wagon tongue and landing hard on his back.
“You’re pretty damn good at beatin’ on women,” Jeb spat. “Let’s see how you like it with somebody who’ll fight back.”