The Sudden Guns (A Hawk Western #1) by William S. Brady

Author:William S. Brady [Brady, William S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Angus Wells, Edge, George G. Gilman, Spaghetti westerns, Western ebook, Western series, Wild West
Publisher: Piccadilly
Published: 2022-08-31T23:00:00+00:00

Accusing eyes

Affection and reproach mingled ...

His mother’s eyes ...

The Iowa cornfields danced in the mid-summer sun, shifting as the warm wind rippled the ripening husks so that the swaying motion resembled a stream flowing over rocks. The air was heavy and still, scented with the smell of the wheat. Insects murmured through the rustling com and birds darted, singing, as he rode slowly eastwards in the direction of the old farm.

He skirted round the Taylor homestead, not wanting to explain the reason for his return. Not yet fully sure himself.

Frightened, almost, of the purpose lingering at the back of his mind.

Since quitting the farm he had heard nothing of his family. He had written a few letters, perhaps four, he could not remember exactly, but never said where he was. For all he knew they might have sold up and moved on somewhere. Or his mother might be dead. Or his father. It was hard to decide whether the last thought pleased or angered him.

He took his time, not hurrying, stopping off in the little towns along the way as though he sought to put off the final confrontation. The decision.

It was dose on a week before he reached the farm.

At first, his mother failed to recognize him. He had filled out, the leanness of youth getting replaced by hard muscle. The softness of his boyhood was gone from his eyes, in its place the cool, watchful gaze of a man accustomed to expect danger.

Mary Hawk, too, was older, though not so changed as her son. Her hair was graying and there were more lines on her face. She looked thinner and there seemed to be more sadness in her eyes. She wiped her hands nervously on her apron and shaded her face from the sun, staring up at the tall, hard-faced man who checked the yard before dismounting.

‘Ma?’ Jared stepped towards her. ‘How are you?’

‘Jared?’ She blinked, scarcely believing her boy had come home. ‘Is it you, Jared?’

He put his arms around her and tilted her face up to kiss her on the cheek. She hugged him, tears starting from her eyes. He could smell flour and cinnamon in her hair and for a moment he was carried back into the past. Then she moved back, looking at him, drinking him in. She saw the gun at his waist and the black glove on his left hand, and frowned.

‘I was so worried,’ she murmured, reaching out to touch the glove. ‘Is that because…?’

Jared nodded. ‘It’s full healed. Don’t work too well, but I get by.’

‘Come inside,’ She smiled, dabbing at her tears. ‘Jamey’s in the north meadow. He’ll be real pleased to see you again. Where’ve you been?’

‘Where’s Pa?’ Jared asked. ‘He around?’

‘He went to Chancery last night.’ A tense note crept back into her voice. ‘He’ll be home any time now.’ She paused, then : ‘He’s never forgiven you for taking that horse. Be careful, Jared.’

He glanced at his left hand and smiled slightly. ‘I’ve learned to be careful, Ma.

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.