Frontier of Violence by William W. Johnstone

Author:William W. Johnstone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-05-02T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

It was dark by the time they got back to town. Delaney, unfamiliar with the area, rode on ahead to take advantage of as much of the dusk as he could. Bob was in no hurry with the team and buggy.

The moon hadn’t yet risen but there was plenty of silvery illumination from the early wash of stars. In fact, it made for a nice, soft-feeling mood. Bucky, on the seat between his father and Consuela, was having a hard time keeping from nodding off. He lost the battle frequently as they rolled along, his head and thick tangle of red hair tipping over onto Consuela’s shoulder until a bump in the road stirred him into wakefulness again—though not for long.

More than once, when the boy’s head was tipped in that manner, Bob glanced over at the picture made by the pair, together that way, and he would wonder what the hell was wrong with him for not accepting and openly embracing the obvious—that he was as much in love with Consuela as she was with him and all he had to do was say the word and the three of them could be officially bonded into the family they obviously already were.

He hadn’t forgotten Consuela’s words from just the other day: “So I wait. And will continue to wait . . . But not forever.”

If he wasn’t careful, he warned himself, he would again be faced with the kind of empty ache he’d had to endure after the passing of Priscilla. That’s how his forever would end up. The love of two beautiful, special women in a single lifetime was more than any one man had a right to expect. He’d better get his head straight before it all slipped away . . .

Bob dropped Consuela and Bucky off at the house before returning the buggy and team to Peterson’s livery. When Bucky climbed down to go inside, Bob called after him to be sure and say his prayers before climbing into bed. Between yawns, the boy promised he would. In the doorway, Bucky stifled yet another yawn and looked back to say, “If the light had held, you could’ve beat Mr. Delaney at shooting. Couldn’t you, Pa?”

Bob grinned. “I’d like to think so, pal. But he’s mighty good.”

“I guess,” Bucky allowed grudgingly. Then, his mouth curving into a sly grin of his own, he added, “But nobody can outshoot Sundown Bob when he really sets his mind to it. Can they, Pa?”

“Reckon we’ll find that out on Friday,” Bob told him. “Now scoot on in to bed.”

After the boy had disappeared, Bob reached up and lifted Consuela down from the buggy. Once her feet touched the ground, his hands stayed on her waist for some added seconds. When he took them away, she remained standing very close.

Gazing up at him, she said, “I had a very lovely time this afternoon, Bob. I hope you surprise us again in such a manner—and not wait so long next time.”

“I’ll make it a point not to,” Bob promised.

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