Break in the Wind by Deborah Tadema

Author:Deborah Tadema
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Deborah Tadema

***

Dusty, as usual, found a bottle of whiskey. He and his two friends settled in the kitchen and filled their glasses. When Grant and Bill entered, he ordered them to unload the crates from the wagon.

“Let them party,” Bill said. “That’s all Dusty wants to do. All he’s interested in is guns and whiskey.”

“Yeah, and a few other unscrupulous things.”

They worked together, undid the tarp and folded it up to set it behind the crates. Each man lifted his end of the first crate and carried it into the parlour. Laughter floated out of the kitchen as they set the crates along the wall. When they were back outside, Bill glanced toward the house. “They’re getting the guns from Montreal. They’re being shipped up the St. Lawrence, and then somebody buys them and ships them to General Walton. He sends them down to be shipped across Lake Erie.”

They lifted the second crate. Grant was sure he saw the curtains move from the upstairs bedroom. General Walton lay in the back room. That one was empty.

“Is there a ship docked down there waiting?”

“No. They anchor out in the lake and use a couple of canoes to row the crates out to it. They have a set date to meet each shipment.” Bill’s hand slipped off the crate. Both men scrambled to not drop it. He caught his end. They looked at each other in relief. “I’ve seen three loads co out so far.”

“Then this one should be the last one until spring?”

“Hurry up, ladies. We don’t have all day,” Dusty yelled from the doorway. He frowned at them, sipping his drink as they climbed the stairs. He took a step back to let the men pass.

Grant and Bill exchanged nervous glances. They set the crate on top of the first one. The other men came into the parlour with a new bottle. Bill smiled. “Hey, Dusty. How many wives you got now?” Everyone snickered.

Grant did too, but his stomach knotted when they made fun of Carrie.

Dusty grabbed the bottle from his friend and drank. Then he wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “Still have just two, kid. Why? Can’t you get one for yourself?” Everyone roared.

Bill drank from the bottle Dusty offered him. He handed it to Grant.

“Drink up, cowboy,” Dusty ordered. “Drink like a real man.”

Grant took a long drink then handed Dusty back the bottle, who grabbed it forcefully and led the others back into the kitchen.

“Bill,” he yelled. “Think you can cook us up something?”

“Yes, Dusty. I’m coming.” Bill shrugged and disappeared through the door.

Grant went back outside and unhitched the horses, led them to the corral and fed them. Light snow started to fall in the grey evening. The days were warm yet, but the nights were cold. He knew that Bill had more to tell him. He hoped that he got the chance.

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