Dead Land by Chris Mullen

Author:Chris Mullen [Mullen, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

As was natural for night to flood darkness across the vast reaches of West Texas, light too came with it, burning and pulsing throughout the heavens. Stillness also accompanied the fold, birthing new sounds yet swallowing them up again as if caught in a never-ending tug-of-war between mystery and solace.

By the time the house lights appeared in the distance, I could see two sets of headlights trail off along the dirt road as they aimed for RR170. I figured it was Chance’s deputies, followed by Dr. Frannie, heading for the lab. A few moments later, another pair of headlights bobbled off as well.

“Guess I’ll see you tomorrow, Chance,” I said.

Tucker remained disinterested in what I had to say but did a good job of giving me a smooth ride. I patted her neck and scratched between her ears. When I stopped, she snorted and tilted her head back in hopes of more.

“You’re as needy as a dog,” I said, laughing. “But since we’re becoming pals, I’ll bite.”

When I arrived home, except for my Explorer, the drive was empty. I led Tucker to the barn, removed the saddle from her back, and stowed the gear, including securing Flint’s Winchester .308 in a cabinet near the barn workbench. I returned with fresh water and offered her a drink, then hosed her down and brushed her as I had seen Flint do, also as recommended by horseandrider.com. My recent late-night internet perusals found me reading about horse care and western gear, and now my Facebook feed was filled with ads of the same. One might think I had become a true Texan rancher, but they would be mistaken. I was learning a thing or two which had paid off, especially when Flint was nowhere to be found.

After seeing Tucker to her stall for the night, I walked on stiff legs for the house and was met at the door by my beautiful bride. She held a green-bottled, longneck beer in each hand and wore a look of relief on her face.

“Thought you’d never get back. You doing okay?”

She handed me one of the beers, then stepped outside and sat on a bench at the end of the porch. I followed and sat next to her.

“Dos Equis?” I said, looking at the bottle.

Raven nodded, but I could sense the coming questions masked by her thin-lipped smile. Her eyes gave her away. It was how I knew she loved me after our second date and how I knew I was on her shit list when I had done something stupid. It was also her way of communicating that she needed me more than ever without having to say a word.

I took a long drink, taking in the smell of corn and sweet malt, feeling the bubbles swish across my tongue and down my throat, coating my insides with a cool, refreshing feeling. Raven laid her head against my shoulder.

“Do you…I mean, are we…”

“Safe?” I said, finishing her sentence. “Yes, Raven. We are.”

She nuzzled in closer.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.