Soul of a Gunslinger by Jim Cox

Author:Jim Cox [Cox, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC033000
Publisher: Hartwood Publishing
Published: 2018-06-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

“You better not laugh when I come out, Lefty Newman, or you’ll suffer the consequences,” Suzan called out loudly the following morning after she’d dressed. When the curtain was pulled back, and she stepped out, Lefty thought he was going to burst out laughing, but somehow, he kept it inside. Actually, she looked like Shorty except the clothing was baggy and the pant legs were well above her ankles. She had her hair piled on top of her head and had Shorty’s flimsy hat pulled low. She sat down at the table where her coffee was poured and looked firmly at Lefty with beady eyes and puckered lips.

“You look fine, Suzan. The clothes may not suit you the best, but your face is still awful pretty, and that’s what matters.”

Suzan eyes brightened, and her scornful look turned into a smile, “I don’t believe a word you said, but I’ll take it as a compliment.”

“You can fix us a bite to eat while I tend to the horses and get their pack-racks tied on. After that, I’ll I carry in a couple arms of firewood, and then we’ll eat.”

“Why are you bringing in more wood? We won’t be needing it,” Suzan asked with a puzzled expression.

“It’s for the next person using this cabin. It’s the way western folks leave sites they use.” Lefty started to leave but turned back. “Are you any good at riding a horse, Suzan?” he asked.

“I’m not very good if I have to ride straddle-legged in a saddle like a man. Back home, I always rode side-saddle like a woman is supposed to.” He shook his head.

Lefty stepped out the cabin door and stood taking in the morning. The far-off mountain tops were glistening with the sun’s rays, but it had not made its appearance yet in the trees on the side of the mountain where he stood. The sky was cloudless which meant the cold temperature would be brutal during their travel, but at least there’d be no snow for a few hours. After that, the weather could change to something much worse as it often does in the mountains. Lefty guessed the present temperature to be several degrees below zero.

A strong gust of cold wind nearly took his breath, causing him to pull his hat low and his coat collar up. There was plenty of light to see when he started for the lean-to because of the full moon’s reflection off of the snow, allowing him to ready the horses without any problems.

When Lefty got back to the cabin carrying two armloads of firewood, Suzan had breakfast on the table and all of their belongings sitting by the door. Within fifteen to twenty minutes, they’d eaten, bound their things on the horse’s pack-racks, and crawled into their saddles. Lefty was in the lead riding Star. Tethered behind him was Suzan on Sandy, and then the other three horses followed carrying the gear.

By the time the sun had made a full appearance, the line of five horses had traveled a considerable distance up the mountain through a foot of snow.

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