Bad Name Drifter by Frank Callan

Author:Frank Callan [Callan, Frank]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

At Three Mustangs, it was the evening meal and Wes, now at last changed into some new pants and shirt, though still choosing to live outside, was more acceptable to Lydia and Henry in their life of civilised talk, eating and reading that filled their quiet lives – at least, their formerly quiet lives, as now things were changing fast.

Henry had something on his mind and decided to stir things up a little, as he had been noticing things in the few days that Wes had been with them. ‘Now Lydia, my dear boss, you’ve had a man around the place now. He’s mended a fence and cleared filth out of a dozen places where there should be no filth. Now it’s been a long time since a young feller was busy around the place, instead of my ancient creaking body, so has he passed his trial?’

Wes smiled at this and waited eagerly for her answer. ‘Well I can recall the usefulness of a husband, of course, but we’ve managed pretty well, old friend, for some time. But I have to say, Wes, I can now see how quiet life has been. We’ve gotten used to our routine, and of course, I’m not blind to the fact that the Mustangs has been slowly crumbling around us . . . though thanks for your efforts, Henry, old friend.’

The truth was, though she would never say anything, Lydia had been completely distracted from her daily chores by the sight of Wes working hard at every little job that cropped up. It was reassuring having a man about; the mere fact of knowing that a strong type, with a record of handling himself well, was on her side, in her pay, was better than any insurance policy tucked away in a desk drawer. But it was more than that. She had come to remember the feeling of having a man hold her, come near to her and offer comforting words when she was feeling low. Even in such a short time, she had noticed his little ways, his habits. There was something wild about him. Any reasonable man would have inhabited a bedroom. There were plenty of those. But he was only happy out in a barn. What a strange character she had brought in, but somehow a likeable one. There was something reliable about him: he was capable.

‘Ma’am, we’re comfortable, and the food is good. I haven’t had talk like this for years, being out on the trail or scrattin’ around in border towns . . . but every minute out there, working in the day, I can sense that Argyle could work his way into this place and ruin you. I mean, you need an army . . . not just me,’ Wes said, between sips of coffee.

‘Wes, we’ll merely take each day. Argyle is surely not so ruthless that he would do anything illegal. He’ll be pulling in lawyers to beat us away . . . we’ll lose in the courts, not in a battle!’

‘Wes, I told her she’s too innocent .

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