by Tell Cotten
“Hello, Yancy,” she said.
“Jessica.”
“I just heard what you and Cooper went through. That was very courageous, getting that boy back.”
“Just doing our job.”
“I also heard that you killed a lot of men.”
“I only killed some of them,” I corrected. “Cooper here killed a couple.”
“How did that feel, killing all those men?” Jessica looked at me through wide eyes.
“Necessary,” I said.
Jessica frowned, and it was silent while we searched for words.
“How was your trip?” I changed the subject.
“It was unpleasant. I’m glad to be back,” Jessica said.
“And how is Lee?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“I don’t know, and I don’t care how Lee is,” Jessica declared, and her eyes flashed angrily.
I was startled. I glanced at Cooper and looked back at Jessica.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I’m not,” Jessica declared.
I frowned as I thought on that, and then Jessica changed the subject.
“Tomorrow’s Sunday,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Would you like to ride out and have supper with us tomorrow evening?”
I was startled again, but I recovered quickly.
“I sure would,” I said.
“It’s settled then,” Jessica said, and she looked at Cooper. “You and Josie and Wyatt are invited too.”
“I’ll talk with Josie,” Cooper said.
Jessica nodded and looked back at me.
“I’ll see you tomorrow evening then.”
“Yes,” I said. “You will.”
Jessica smiled, and she turned and walked down the street.
Soon as she was gone, I looked at Cooper.
“Well!” I exclaimed.
“That’s a deep subject for such a shallow mind,” Cooper smiled.
“It sounds like Jessica doesn’t care for Lee’s company anymore,” I said as I ignored Cooper’s comment.
“But she obviously cares for yours,” Cooper said.
“I wonder what Lee did?”
“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Cooper replied.
“Why not?”
“You’re having supper with Jessica,” Cooper reminded. “That means you’re going to have a long, drawn out conversation.”
I frowned as I thought on that.
“This could be difficult,” I said.
“I know,” Cooper replied.
Epilogue
Cooper and I ran out of coffee, so I went inside and made another pot. Soon as it was ready, I went back outside and refilled our cups.
As I sat back down, I spotted Sheriff Wagons walking up the street. Cooper saw him too, and he glanced at me and smiled.
We were silent as Wagons walked up and stopped in front of us. He puffed his chest out and tried to look important.
“You’re back,” Wagons said.
“We are,” I agreed.
“I wasn’t here yesterday. I was gone on sheriff’s business.”
Cooper and I nodded and smiled.
“After you left, I went out and brought the Walden’s wagon in,” Wagons said.
“That’s good,” I replied.
“It was the right thing to do.”
“Being right is never wrong,” I said.
Wagons liked that. I knew by his expression that he was trying to remember my saying, probably so he could use it for his own.
“I heard you got shot again,” Wagons looked at Cooper.
“I did,” Cooper nodded.
“Well, I’m glad you’re all right.”
“So am I,” Cooper said.
Wagons nodded and looked at me.
“You were once the law in this town,” he declared.
“I was.”
“But, you’re not anymore,” Wagons pointed out.
“I’m not,” I agreed.
“I’m the law now,” Wagons declared.
“You are,” I nodded.
“This is my town now, and I don’t want any trouble.”
“Wagons,” I said flatly.
“Yes, Yancy?”
“You can leave us now.”
Wagons blinked in surprise. He opened his mouth, but couldn’t think of anything to say. He stood there a moment, and then he turned and walked down the street. His movements were abrupt and jerky.
“How did he ever manage to kill Stew Baine?” I asked softly as we watched him.
Cooper didn’t reply. Instead, he just chuckled.
***
Soon as Wagons left, Cooper pulled out his tobacco pouch while I poured myself another cup of coffee.
Cooper packed his pipe and lit it while I poured three spoonfuls of sugar in my coffee. I stirred and took a swig while Cooper took a deep puff.
“So, what happens next?” Cooper asked.
“I’m going to have supper with Jessica,” I said.
Cooper looked at me and frowned.
“I meant with Ike.”
“Oh,” I said. “Well, there’s not much we can do for a while.”
“I reckon we accomplished what we set out to do,” Cooper figured.
“That is correct,” I agreed. “Ike doesn’t know it, but he’s no longer trading rifles with the Injuns.”
“Instead, he’s trading with us,” Cooper said.
“Yep,” I nodded, and continued, “I plan to sit here on this porch and drink coffee for a few weeks, and then we’ll go meet Brock.”
“I didn’t like Brock. He was too cocky.”
“You can tell him that, if’n you want,” I offered.
“I think I will.”
I smiled and asked, “Will Josie and Wyatt be coming with us?”
“They’re not staying here. Josie doesn’t like being in town.”
“Living out in the open seems to fit her better,” I said.
“Fits me better too.”
“Are you sure you want to bring Wyatt along? Things are bound to get dangerous.”
“Wyatt will be fine,” Cooper declared. “He’s tough.”
“Well, I ain’t got any objections,” I said. I smiled, and added, “That is, long as Josie doesn’t get the notion to cook for us again.”
Cooper scowled at me, and then we both chuckled.
About the Author
Born in West Texas, Tell Cotten is a seventh generation Texan. He comes from a family with a ranching heritage and is a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. He is currently in the cattle business, and he resides in West Texas with his wife, Andi, and their two children.
Tell is the award-winning author of The Landon Saga. His novels have won Gold and Silver in the Readers' Favorite awards, and Tell also won Best New Western in the Laramie Awards and bronze in the Global ebook awards for CONFESSIONS OF A GUNFIGHTER.
For announcements of new releases and all other information, please join The Landon Saga Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/784798154926122/ or join Tell Cotten’s website http://tellcotten.wordpress.com/
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my wife and family for all their help and support. Without them this wouldn’t be possible.
I’d also like to thank Bill for the fantastic drawing, and thanks to Mike for putting the cover together.
And lastly, I’d like to thank Melissa for all her advice, help, and hard work.
Enjoy this excerpt from Tell Cotten’s upcoming novel:
Lee
Book six in The Landon Saga series
“Lee Mattingly,” a cold, stern voice said.
The voice came from behind, so I stopped in the street. I turned around slowly, and my gun-hand hovered naturally over my gun handle.
Yancy Landon stood in front of me. His face was emotionless, and he looked ready to draw. I also noticed a Texas Ranger badge pinned on his vest.
The wind was blowing so
me, and dust swirled around us.
“Hello, Yancy,” I smiled.
“Lee.”
“You’re a Texas Ranger now?”
“I am.”
“How did that happen?”
“It happened,” Yancy said, and declared, “You’re under arrest.”
“Don’t think I want to be arrested today,” I replied.
“I don’t care what you want.”
“Where’s Cooper?” I asked.
“He’s around.”
I nodded. With my left hand I reached up and scratched my jaw, and I smiled at Yancy.
“What are you doing here, Yancy?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
I nodded and smiled sadly.
“I messed things up.”
“I can see that.”
“Have you seen Jessica?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“How is she?”
“Fine.”
I smiled and chuckled.
“You’ve never been one to talk much,” I said.
Yancy ignored my remark.
“I’m taking you in, Lee.”
“No,” I shook my head. “You’re not.”
“I don’t want to kill you.”
“I know,” I said softly, and added, “I think we’ve both known that someday, it would come to this.”
“Unbuckle your gun belt,” Yancy tried again.
“Can’t.”
“Why not?” Yancy looked at me hard.
“There’s always been an unanswered question between us,” I explained.
“What’s that?”
“Who’s best.”
“That’s a bunch of foolishness,” Yancy retorted.
“It ain’t for me.”
Yancy glared at me, and I smiled back. Yancy studied me a moment more, and he narrowed his eyes.
“You do what you think best then,” Yancy said.
I nodded.
“If you live, tell Jessica I’m sorry,” I said.
“Sorry for what?”
“She’ll understand.”
Yancy nodded, and it fell silent.
My heart thumped as we stared at each other. Several seconds passed, and then we grabbed for our Colts.
Coming soon from Solstice Publishing
For announcements of new releases and all other information, please join The Landon Saga Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/784798154926122/ or join Tell Cotten’s website http://tellcotten.wordpress.com/