The Curse of Billy the Kid: Untold Legends Volume One by Tamsin L. Silver

Author:Tamsin L. Silver [Silver, Tamsin L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Falstaff Books
Published: 2020-05-02T22:00:00+00:00

14

Being Followed

We’d traveled about a third of the way to our destination as the sun began to set. There was nothing for miles, but I pulled the wagon off the road and around the side of the mountain that had a good number of shrubs at its base. By putting the back end of the wagon toward the mountain, it would make for only one real entrance and a quicker hook up and getaway if needed.

Dick detached the horses and began to give them a good rub down while I made a fire and emptied two cans of soup into the Dutch oven pot. While that heated, I pulled a bale of hay out and fed the horses. Once they were settled, he and I sat down, using the wheels of the wagon as back rests, the fire at our feet between us. Tearing into the smoked jerky I’d brought, I ladled soup into bowls.

“Why are you doin’ this?” Dick asked once food was done and we were sitting by the fire.

“I’d want someone to do it for me, I suppose. You’re a good man, Dick, and a great friend. You and George gave me work when I first got to town and helped me get in with Tunstall. I’ve never been able to thank you for that.”

Dick huffed a laugh. “Yeah, we got you involved in more than you bargained for.”

“Oh, I was already cursed by that woman before I ever met up with you all.”

“I meant the war, Billy. John’s death. All of this.”

“I know, but it was my choice to stay, just like it was yours. I coulda left back when it started to get tight. But John trusted me to be one of his main gunmen. That’s a big thing to me. He gave me a family and friends, a sense of belongin’ and unity. That’s not somethin’ an orphan takes lightly, Dick. We just don’t.”

He was silent, and I sat there listening to the insects and the other wildlife making noises around us as I thought about my mother. Would she be proud of me or would she be disappointed of where I’d ended up? God only knew.

“I still miss her,” I said aloud without really meaning to. Feeling my face redden with embarrassment, I stood up. “I’m going to go prep the inside of the wagon for some rest. Should we sleep in shifts, or do we think we’re solid out here?”

“Shifts isn’t a bad idea,” he said to me. “You go first. The moon is up, and I’m wide awake.”

I nodded and climbed up onto the driving bench of the wagon. I was about to step into the covered area when he spoke to me again.

“I miss mine, too, you know. There’s nothin’ wrong with missin’ your mom, Billy. Dead or alive.”

I nodded. “Thanks. Night.”

“Night.”

I crawled into the wagon bed and set out my bed roll in the open space. Laying down, I let my head wander to the information Zahara had given me and wondered if I’d be able to pull it off.

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