The Valley of the 99 by Wayne D. Overholser

Author:Wayne D. Overholser
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Published: 2021-11-01T17:29:27+00:00

II

Rod slept better than he had expected to, and when he woke, it was broad daylight. He got up and washed, being careful not to disturb the wounds on his face. He was sore and stiff all over, and he still had a pain in his side when he breathed, but he felt better than he had hoped. He’d be able to ride.

He dressed and went downstairs to the dining room. Doll was waiting on a couple of drummers when he went in and sat down. Startled, she came to him.

“Rod Devers, you’ve got no business getting up . . .”

“I’ve got a lot of business to attend to.” One side of his mouth was bruised and puffy, but the other side was good for a grin. “You’re real pretty this morning.”

She was angry at once, and started to say something, then checked it. “I suppose it’s a compliment, coming from you.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “I can’t say the same for you.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Wiggle your nose. I can’t count the freckles.”

“I hate you.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Ham and eggs, honey. I’m plumb empty.”

She whirled and stalked back to the drummers’ table, took their order, and went into the kitchen. She brought his plate of ham and eggs presently, and set a coffee cup beside it.

“Doc didn’t get back last night. We were going to . . .”

“I’ll be all right,” he said, “soon as I get this grub inside me where it belongs.”

“Rod, you aren’t going . . .”

“You bet I am. Soon as I eat.”

“You’re tough, aren’t you? You’re a whole man and team and a dog under the wagon.” She flounced back into the kitchen.

He ate, wondering about Frank Benson. But Frank wouldn’t get hurt. He’d run. Nothing was very important to him.

When he finished eating, Doll was not in sight. He went into the lobby and found the desk deserted, so he left two silver dollars beside the register and went out into the sunlight.

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