The Warriors by James Walker

Author:James Walker [Walker, James W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC033000
ISBN: 9781441261960
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2012-07-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

The next morning came early for Joe and even earlier for Chupta. Both men paced the room like tigers in a cage. It was James who found getting up to be such a chore. He tossed in his big bed and made noises like a bear being forced out of early hibernation. “What are you two doing?” he asked.

“We’ve done it all,” Joe snapped. “The sun’s been up and whatever we’re going to do, we better get at it.”

James sat up in bed. “You all that anxious to see Julian?”

“I’m all that anxious to get home. The quicker we take care of our business here, the sooner I can get my behind back to Texas and Karen.”

James threw back his covers. “All right, I can see that.” He blinked at the men. They stood in the room in the same clothes they’d come in with the night before, only now they were clean and freshly starched. “Where’d you get those?” he asked.

“People ’round here get right down to business,” Joe said. “They were right outside our room this morning in the neatest little pile you ever saw. Yours are over in the chair yonder. Now I’d suggest you get in them, and we’ll get outta here.”

James pushed his feet onto the carpeted floor and rubbed his face. “Well, I will have to shave. This clean face I found last night is something I discovered I’d been missing.”

“Fine, just do what ya gotta do. Chupta here’s going pure crazy.”

James looked over to see the Apache out on the balcony, tugging at the vine as if to explore some way of climbing down. James stood up and stretched. “I’m not sure it’s Chupta we need to worry about. You’re the one with ants in his britches.”

With that James sauntered into the bathroom and opened his razor. A short time later he was tugging on his boots over fresh-washed jeans. “Are we going to tell Ellie and her father about sending them to Santa Fe on the stage?” he asked.

“Well, I don’t plan on telling them. I know how much store you set in lighting up the faces of single ladies. I’ll let you tell her. Maybe she’ll be mighty grateful. I’m just a little too married to have womenfolk grateful at me.”

James grinned. “You are so understanding, dear brother.”

The three of them headed downstairs together and entered the massive dining room. The places had been set and a large assortment of breads, fruit, bacon, ham, and eggs was arranged on the sideboard. They began to fill their plates. Moments later the Ralfsruds joined them.

“You folks sleep well?” James asked.

“Like a king.” Oscar smiled. “A king what is broke.”

“A king never needs money,” James laughed, “only his good name.”

“Well, that I got, and while it may serve me well here, it ain’t worth spit where I come from.”

“Joe and I discussed that before we turned in last night,” James said. “We know you folks are in a tight spot. I have some money set aside and plan on putting you both on the stage for Santa Fe at the nearest town.

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