Sons of Some Dear Mother by Matt Cole

Author:Matt Cole [Cole, Matt]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The kid was curious all right.

‘You’re not goin’ out tonight, are you, Frank?’ he demanded as Frank took his mackinaw off the elkhorn rack in the corner. ‘Hell, a goddamn fish would drown out there.’

Rain hammered on the iron roof. It spilled from overflowing guttering and sluiced down the drains. This was the worst night a man might encounter in six months – and Frank Daniels loved everything about it.

He was calm and casual as a man could be as he shrugged into the heavy weather coat that made him look as big as a house. Smile creases showed at the corners of his eyes as he took down his Stetson and knocked it into shape with the heel of his hand.

‘Got me a date to take my mind off Urban, kid,’ he said. His eyes went distant. ‘You should see her. Hair the color of cornsilk, eyes like a Utah lake in summertime. . . .’ He chuckled. ‘Well, you get the general idea, I reckon.’

There was no answering smile from Casey.

‘You ain’t seein’ no female,’ the youngest Daniels brother accused. ‘Why are you lyin’ to me, Frank?’

Frank’s smile disappeared. He fitted his hat to his head and gave the boy a flinty-eyed look.

‘Anybody ever told you that you talk too damn much sometimes, kid?’

Casey shook his head. ‘Mainly you.’

‘Don’t you go on gettin’ sassy now. I’m old enough to be. . . .’

‘Yeah, you’ve told me that before. Old enough to be my grandfather.’

Frank’s face showed surprise. ‘Grandfather? Father, that is.’

‘Who cares? You are old. I’m young, and you are lyin’,’ Casey stood firm.

Frank nodded to himself. He knew what Casey’s game was. He was trying to goad him into revealing what he was up to. He would not get angry with the boy. Not tonight. There would be anger all right, but it would not be directed against any one of his brothers.

He clapped the boy on the shoulder.

‘Get some rest, Casey. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.’

‘Let me come with you, Frank?’ Casey pulled away from the shoulder clap, then added, ‘Please?’

‘Sorry, kid.’ Frank could not risk his young brother.

‘It is that risky?’

‘I didn’t say anything about risks. I just don’t want you to tag along, is all.’

‘You missed your callin’, brother,’ Casey flared, flushed with disappointment. ‘You should have been an attorney, like Hugh. You are a natural liar.’

Frank just grinned and went out, the freezing rain beating against him as he heeled the door closed. Lights from the stables reflected in the pools of water as he went down the steps. Beyond the lights, the night was black with the storm approaching, but he knew what he was doing and where he was going.

The liveryman watched him curiously as he saddled the dark brown thoroughbred. ‘Must have a set on yourself goin’ horsebackin’ on a night like this, big feller!’

At another time, Frank Daniels might had told the fellow to mind his own business. But not tonight. He felt too good.

‘I’m the restless kind,’ he said, swinging up.

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