Spirit of Deadwood: A full-length Jerry McNeal Novel by Sherry A. Burton

Author:Sherry A. Burton [Burton, Sherry A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dorry Press
Published: 2023-04-18T16:00:00+00:00

***

Tyler hoisted his seabag over his shoulder and made his way to the staircase. He inhaled and blew the air out several times before taking the first step. He could manage stairs on his own as long as he took his time. Traversing them while carrying things proved a bit more difficult, as it threw his balance off. He was halfway down the stairs when Tera appeared at the bottom, saw he was struggling, and started in his direction. He waved her off. “I’ve got this.”

She hesitated then took another step. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not a cripple. Let me do it.”

“I know you’re not a cripple. I also know how much trouble you have with stairs.”

“Then you’ll know why I need to learn to do this on my own. You saw the pictures of the house in Deadwood. Do you think I’m going to have help getting everything up the stairs and into the apartment?”

“Wouldn’t it have been easier to find something on the first floor?”

He took another step and winced at the pain in his hip. “What would have been the fun in that?”

Tera laughed a nervous laugh. “Great, so now every time you go up or down the steps, you’ll curse my name.”

“Only for taking Trenton away from me.”

Tera heaved a heavy sigh. “I showed you how to use the video chat. You can talk to him anytime you want.”

Tyler took another step. “How about you leave him here with me, and you video chat him whenever you want?”

“I don’t think so, little brother.”

He firmed his grip on the seabag and took the remaining stairs one after another. “It was worth a try.”

She cast a glance over his shoulder. “How much more do you have?”

“My computer bag and a couple of small boxes.”

“Can I at least help with the boxes?”

Tyler relented. “Just the boxes. I’ll go back up for the computer bag.”

Tera smiled a triumphant smile. “Deal.”

He listened as she raced up the steps – what he’d give to have that luxury just one more time. “Suck it up, Marine. Life could be worse.”

“Who are you talking to, Uncle Tyler?”

Tyler lowered his seabag to the floor and turned to his nephew. “Myself. I was going through my mind to make sure I’m not forgetting anything.”

“Can’t you just look and see?”

Tyler feigned surprise. “Arrr, shiver me timbers, why didn’t I think of that?”

Trenton grinned. “I’ll do it.”

“Okay, off with you then, before I make you walk the plank.”

Trenton took off toward the stairs, passing Tera as she reached the bottom. Tera set the boxes next to the seabag. “Where’s he off to?”

“He’s making sure I didn’t forget anything.”

“The only thing left is your computer bag. You sure you want him carrying it down the stairs?”

“Safer with him than me.”

Tera frowned. “Your hip giving you trouble?”

“A little. The physical therapist said it will take a while for my body to get used to the new prosthetic.”

Tera wrung her hands, her newly placed wedding ring sparkling as she did. “Maybe I was wrong to tell you to leave the city since all of your doctors are here.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.