Cowboy Christmas by Margaret Tanner

Author:Margaret Tanner [Tanner, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-10-06T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Zac sat with his back against the cave wall, his feet stretched out to the fire. Gus puffed thoughtfully on a cigar.

“I didn’t want to say this in front of the gal, but did you know Kitty McDonald escaped from prison?”

“Sonofabitch. No one mentioned it to me.”

“It was a couple of months ago. She’s on the top of my wanted list. Five hundred dollars dead or alive, and I aim to collect. I’d send her to boot hill for nothing after what she did to you.”

“I’d like to kill her myself, even if I swing for it.” Zac jumped to his feet and started pacing. “That damn sheriff, should have warned me.”

“Don’t stomp around,” Gus said. “Calm down.”

Zac sat down, grinding his teeth to stop from screaming out in frustration. “After all I’ve done for Ed, the least he could have done was tell me.”

He wasn’t scared for himself, but what about Holly and Merry? They could be in danger from Kitty. That vicious, loco woman was capable of anything.

“Aileen Vermont helped her escape.”

“Of the Vermont gang?”

“Yeah.” Gus stubbed out his cigar. “She’s their sister. Was released about six months ago. She apparently shared a cell with Kitty and they became friends. The law wants the Vermont gang for cattle rustling. There’s a price on Aileen’s head now. I’ve a hunch she’ll know where Kitty is. I hear tell they’re heading for the Black Hills. I’m biding my time. That’s why I set myself up here, all comfy like. Except for you, there are only a couple of others who know about this cave, and I hope it stays that way.”

Gus rubbed his jaw. “I plan on taking that scum I shot before into Deadwood, then I’ll be searching in earnest for Kitty.”

“I’d help you.” Zac gnawed his lower lip. “Except, I have to get Holly set up with Flo.”

“Why don’t you marry the gal and give that baby a daddy?”

“I don’t aim on getting hitched. I like to be on the move.”

“Listen to me, son. You’re only, what is it? Thirty?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m fifty two years old, and what do I have to show for it? Nothing.”

“But…”

Gus interrupted him. “Oh, I had my chance.”

“With Flo?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t want to be tied down to one gal. I preferred variety, calico queens and saloon gals. I’ve lost count of the number of women I’ve had. And, you know something?” His expression became pensive. “I can’t remember any of their faces now. I want better for you. There are too many washed up gunslingers and bounty hunters like me. Respectable townsfolk look down on us, but don’t mind calling on our expertise when they need it.”

What Gus said was true. “I’m no good. What kind of life could I give a pretty gal like Holly?” He didn’t want her living with the fear that he’d end up with a bullet in the back, or be outdrawn by some cocky wannabe gunslinger.

“You’ve got a ranch; if you spent money stocking it up, maybe breeding horses for the army rather than running cattle, you’d make a mighty fine living.

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