Dancing with Billy the Kid by Terri Meeker

Author:Terri Meeker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Western;Billy the Kid;time travel;comedy
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2016-04-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Bonnie had the most restful night since Lancaster’s visit. Not that she hadn’t dreamed.

She remembered quite clearly the great, eating darkness. It had shifted location—no surprise. It had followed her. This time it began out on the wide plain that stretched before them and was moving toward the low hills where they’d camped.

As the blackness gobbled up the prairie grass, it swept toward cattle, bedded down for the night. They were unlike any cows she’d ever seen—large and feral-looking with wide-set horns. Startled by the strange, dark maw, they lurched to their feet, their eyes white with fear.

She could only watch as if from a great distance—as the horrified cattle tried to lurch out of the way, in vain. And as the blackness swept toward them, she felt arms wrapping around her and a voice murmuring in her ear—telling her she was safe.

And the nightmare disappeared.

Even half-asleep, she knew it was Billy. She knew she should wake up and banish him to the far side of the fire. But his arms, his soothing voice were so comforting. While the horror of that horrible blackness lurked around the edges of her mind, she didn’t have the strength to send him away. She’d deal with that in the morning.

So when she opened her eyes in the gray light of predawn, the last thing she expected was to find Billy had stolen away.

She blinked and sat up.

“’Mornin’,” he said from behind her.

She turned toward the fire. He grinned at her, then turned his attention back to the skillet sitting atop a bed of coals. “Hungry?” he asked.

“Um, not sure yet,” she said, her voice hoarse. “What time is it?”

He squinted a look at the horizon. “Around five.”

“Damn.” She untangled her limbs from the blankets. “What’s with the pre-dawn start?”

He turned his attention back to the circles of batter sizzling in the skillet. “Thought we’d put some miles in early. Easier on the horses.”

“Is that…pancakes?” The enthusiasm in her voice was truly a little embarrassing. When she noticed a coffee pot tucked down beside the coals, she heard herself gasp a little. “Coffee?”

Billy chuckled. “Thought we could use a good breakfast this morning. If I’d have known you were so fond of breakfast, I’d have been servin’ it three times a day.”

Bonnie turned around, busying herself by folding the blankets and packing up camp as well as she was able. When Billy nudged her with a plate and a mug of coffee, she took them with a mumbled thanks.

The pancakes were plain—no butter or syrup—but she’d never tasted better. They were warm and fluffy in her mouth and she found herself having to chew around a smile. Billy flickered glances her way as she ate, looking a little smug.

His coffee was strong—a little closer to espresso with the added texture of coffee grounds. Still, it beat chewing on hardtack and jerky.

After a quick wash-up, Billy filled the canteens. He kicked dirt over the fire, then they saddled the horses for the day’s ride, with him leading the way.

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