The Thirteenth Bullet by Cotton Smith

Author:Cotton Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Star Books
Published: 2004-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

10

Nearly five months later a weak and pale Time Carlow walked from Angel Balta’s rundown hacienda by himself. It was the third day in a row he had done so without aid from either Kileen or Angel. His exercise had steadily grown from uneven wobbles around the small house to walks with Angel to the barn, to short horseback rides, and recently she insisted he help with the mucking of the stalls. The work exhausted him quickly, but he understood its value. The young Ranger had become fond of the Mexican woman and was pleased to see his uncle so happy with her.

Gentle spring breezes welcomed him to the re-born land, but he barely noticed. He squinted against the early morning sun and turned away from its glorious light, squeezed his eyes for a long moment, then looked again into the new day. Hesitating, he took two more steps, like the land was shifting under him. Around his waist was his gunbelt for the first time. He drew the Colt, spun it uneasily in his hand, cocked and aimed, then released the hammer and returned the gun to his holster. As the gun hit leather, he pulled the hand-carbine from its special holster, tried to spin the lever in his hand, and dropped it.

His eyes widened with surprise and he stared down at the gun as if his arm had just fallen off. He knelt but, instead of picking up the hand-carbine, grabbed a handful of dirt. Fine dust fled as his fingers parted, quickly seeking the ground. Twice more he repeated the action before returning to the gun. He lifted it from the ground and ran his fingers over the engraved stock.

Behind him came Old Thunder Kileen. Winter months with Angel had been the most enjoyable season he could remember, and he found himself no longer feeling guilty about not going after Silver Mallow. Angel reinforced his inaction with much attention and reminders that he didn’t owe Texas his life. Her sketches of both Kileen and Carlow were highlights of their sweet time together as the couple helped the young Ranger return to health.

Two house raccoons followed the big Ranger to the doorway, decided the journey didn’t involve food, and returned to the hearth. Angel was in the backyard, feeding her chickens. Kileen stopped in the doorway and watched his nephew with eyes that saw more than a young man recovering from bullet wounds. A dullness in Carlow’s eyes worried him far more than any scar on the young man’s body. It was the look of a man without a reason to return.

During the long winter recovery, the big Ranger Kileen had finally told him of his best friend’s death, as well the death of Ranger Noah Wilkins and McNelly’s telegram. Actually the information came only after Carlow had asked. The old Ranger had told himself that he wasn’t putting it off, only waiting until his nephew was ready. His descripton of the jailed prisoners all dying indicated it

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