Twin Cities Run by David L. Robbins

Author:David L. Robbins [Robbins, David L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

He stood framed in the tent opening, the sun revealing his brown hair and blue eyes, his white skin tanned brown, wearing black shorts and leather sandals, and carrying one of their three rifles. In this case, a Marlin 336C, a six-shot lever action. He could drop a deer at two hundred yards with one shot.

"Hello, Bertha," he greeted her. He paused to tie the tent flap up, then entered.

Bertha tried to rise, but couldn't. She was lying on a worn mattress and was covered with blankets. Her right side was bandaged.

"Don't try to get up," he told her. "You've lost too much blood."

Bertha reached up and took his right hand in hers. "Z, it's good to see you again!" She smiled, her affection genuine. "I missed you."

Zahner sat down on the ground next to the mattress. "That's nice to hear. I missed you too. Listen, do you feel up to talking right now? I told them to get me as soon as you woke up."

"I can talk," she said. "I'm hungry, though. Sure would like some food."

"It's on its way," he assured her. Zahner pointed at her right side.

"Sorry about that. The boys just didn't know if they could trust you or not."

Bertha frowned, glancing at the bandage. "I sure am gettin' the shit thumped out of me lately."

"Really? Mind telling me about it?"

"How long have I been out?" she asked.

"About two days."

"No!" She attempted to rise again, getting no further than her elbows before collapsing. "Damn!"

"What's the rush to get back on your feet?" Zahner closely watched her features, searching for the slightest hint of deception and treachery.

"I need to get back," she said, fuming over her debilitated condition.

"He needs me."

"Who needs you?"

"Hickok. A friend of mine," she said guardedly.

Zahner stared into her eyes. "I thought we were your friends. Bertha."

"You are," she declared. "You're one of the best friends I've got."

"Then you've got to understand my position," Zahner said. "A lot of people count on me to make the right decisions, and I can't let them down.

You know how it is, how it's been. I got so sick and tired of all the fighting between the Horns and the Porns I couldn't stand it anymore. You know I once was a Horn. You wouldn't believe how regimented they've become, how they try to control every aspect of your life. So I thought I'd break away and form my own group. That's how the Nomads were started. What amazed me was how many others wanted to join me once the word got out. Dozens and dozens from both sides. Any day now I half expect a Wack to waltz in and ask to join us."

Bertha grinned. She knew all this, so what was he driving at? It was difficult to concentrate on Zahner. Her mind was filled with fear for Hickok's safety and dread that he was dead.

"All these people relying on my judgment," Zahner was saying, his voice low, troubled. "I can't let them down. I thought forming my own group would solve all my problems, but it hasn't.

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