by Tell Cotten
“Who wants to stand at the bar and watch himself get drunk?”
Brian pinched his face in thought.
“I can see your point.”
I nodded emphatically, and it fell silent as we drank our coffee.
Chapter twelve
Brock Jackson stood in front of Ike’s desk. He held his hat with both hands, and his face was solemn as he told Ike what had happened.
Ike sat behind his desk, and Butch stood in the corner. Their faces were emotionless as they listened. Afterwards, the room was very quiet.
Ike cleared his throat. He glanced at Butch and looked back at Brock.
“Did I not make myself clear when I said not to get too rough?”
“You did.”
“Then what happened?”
“It wasn’t me that started the trouble. It was the other two.”
“And now they’re dead.”
“Yes, sir. They sure are.”
It fell silent again as Ike pondered that. After a moment a wolfish smile crossed Ike’s face, and Brock relaxed a bit.
“Well, I wanted to know how prepared Lee was, and now I know,” Ike said, and then he chuckled.
“I’m sorry, Ike.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Ike waved his hand at him. “It wasn’t your fault. Go ahead and turn in.”
Brock nodded. He started to leave, but Ike stopped him.
“How fast was Lee?”
“He was real fast,” Brock grudgingly admitted.
“Fast as you?”
“I don’t think so. But he’s smart. Real smart.”
Ike grunted, and Brock left the room. Meanwhile, Butch left the corner and walked up to Ike’s desk.
“Gather a few men in the morning,” Ike told Butch. “I think it’s time I paid Lee a visit.”
“How many men?”
“Just a few. I don’t want Lee thinking I’m afraid of him.”
“How about Brock?”
“Not him. I don’t want him anywhere near Lee until this is all over. I need him.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
Ike nodded, and Butch left the study.
Chapter thirteen
I couldn’t sleep much that night. Instead, I lay in bed and listened to Brian snore.
I finally gave up about an hour before sunrise. I splashed some water in my face, got dressed, and walked out the door.
The hallway was very dark, and I had to be careful as I went down the stairs.
I was surprised to find a light in the kitchen. My hand gripped my Colt, but then I relaxed when I spotted April.
I started to say something, but for some reason I remained quiet. I stayed in the dark and watched her.
She had a fire going in the stove, and she was boiling water in a coffee pot.
I finally cleared my throat. She spun around, and a small smile crossed her lips when she spotted me.
“I’m sorry. Did I scare you?” I asked as I stepped into the light.
“No, I was just making some coffee.”
“I can see that,” I smiled quizzically. “Who’s it for?”
“You.”
“Me?” I frowned, surprised.
“I noticed yesterday that you like coffee.”
“I’m not addicted to it like the Landons are, but I enjoy a cup every once in while,” I agreed.
“I thought I’d have some ready for you when you got up,” April explained.
I was surprised, and I scratched my jaw as I studied her.
“Well,” I finally said. “You are mighty handy to have around.”
April looked pleased.
“Go have a seat,” she urged. “I’ll bring it to you when it’s ready.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I walked back to the main room. A faint light was beginning to show outside as I sat at our corner table.
A few minutes passed, and April appeared from the kitchen with the pot of coffee. She poured me a cup, and she watched anxiously as I took a swig.
“Good coffee,” I declared.
“I’m glad you like it,” she said, and asked, “Do you get up this time every morning?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“How loud Brian is snoring,” I smiled.
April smiled back.
“I’ll try and have coffee for you every morning.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I objected.
“I want to,” April insisted.
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just nodded.
April started to walk away, but then she stopped abruptly and turned back towards me. She stared straight into my eyes, and even in the dark I suddenly noticed that she had the same blue, big, and solemn eyes that June had.
“Why did you kill those men last night?” She asked with a soft voice.
I was startled by the question, and several seconds passed as I thought on that.
“It seemed like the thing to do,” I finally replied.
“Did you enjoy it?”
“Not particularly.”
“But you seemed so eager.”
“Fast is how I would describe it.”
April bit her lip as she thought on that.
“If there had been another way, would you have still killed them?”
“There is no other way with men like that.”
“But you could have been killed,” April said, and she suddenly looked worried.
“Possible,” I agreed. “But not likely.”
“They didn’t seem to know that,” April objected. “They seemed quite confident.”
“They weren’t confident. They were ignorant,” I corrected. “And being ignorant can be costly.”
April pinched her face in thought. Several seconds passed before she changed the subject.
“I heard Yancy Landon talking about you once, back in Midway.”
“All good things, I’m sure,” I smiled.
“He said you were an outlaw.”
“I’ve been called that, yes.”
“But you’re not like those men last night.”
“No, ma’am.”
“What makes you so different?”
I smiled faintly.
“I’m not sure. But I’m different, I can assure you that.”
April cocked her head sideways and smiled at me.
“Yes, I think you’re different too.”
I grinned and took a swig of coffee.
“I’m sorry for bothering you with all my questions,” April said. “I’m just curious.”
“Not at all,” I replied. “I enjoy talking with you.”
“I enjoy it too,” she said. It was silent, and she added hesitantly, “June really likes you.”
I was startled.
“She likes me?”
“She does. But, she’s also scared of you.”
“What for?”
“She saw you kill those men.”
I frowned distastefully.
“She saw that?”
April nodded.
“She was upstairs, in the hallway.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“It wasn’t your fault,” April replied, and added, “She’ll get over it. Sadly, she’s seen death before.”
A pained expression crossed April’s face as she remembered the past. I didn’t know what to say, so I just sat there.
“Well, I’d better get busy,” April said abruptly. She smiled at me once more and walked towards the kitchen.
“Thanks for the coffee,” I said.
Chapter fourteen
Brian joined me right as it was getting daylight. April served us breakfast, and afterwards we drank some more coffee. The only person in the room besides us was April, and she was behind the bar.
Amos suddenly burst into the hotel, looking excited.
“Ike Nash just rode into town,” he announced. “He’s got men with him.”
“How many?” I asked.
“Four.
They’re coming this way.”
April looked worried while I frowned thoughtfully.
“Amos, go find Ross,” I said.
“I just saw him at the jail,” Amos said.
I scowled at him.
“Well, go get him!”
Amos looked startled.
“Oh. Yes, sir. I’m sorry,” he stammered and hurried out the door.
I looked at Brian and frowned.
“There he goes, apologizing again.”
Brian smiled and shrugged in response.
“There’s a shotgun behind the bar,” I told him. “Grab it, and sit down over there across the room.”
“Shotgun can be messy,” Brian objected.
“Sure can,” I agreed, and then I looked at April. “Where’s June?”
“She’s upstairs, still asleep.”
“Good,” I nodded. “Any shooting starts, you dive into the kitchen and keep your head down.”
April nodded. Brian grabbed the shotgun, and we both checked our weapons. Then, Brian walked across the room and sat at a table, and he positioned himself so that he could see the entire room.
It was silent as we waited. A few tense minutes passed, and we heard noises from outside.
Seconds later, Ike Nash walked in with four men. Butch Nelson was behind him, and he led the men to the bar while Ike walked over to my table.
“I’m Ike Nash,” he declared in a loud, booming voice.
“Lee Mattingly.”
“You know who I am?”
“I do,” I nodded.
“I know who you are too.”
“Most folks do,” I smiled.
Ike grunted. He looked around the room, and his gaze fell on Brian. He studied the shotgun in Brian’s hands, and a small smile crossed his face.
“Smart, spreading out like that.”
“I thought so,” I agreed.
“You know my man Brock?”
“We’ve met, yes.”
“He says you’re a smart man.”
“He would know,” I smiled.
Ike made a sarcastic sound, and it fell silent as he looked around some more. He nodded to himself as he studied our hotel.
“Very impressive,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“Did you build the place yourself?”
“No. A saw and hammer never did fit right in my hand,” I replied. “I mainly supervised.”
Ike smiled and gestured at a chair.
“May I sit?”
“Go ahead.”
Ike eased into a chair across the table from me.
“We need to talk,” he said.
“About what?”
“You killed two of my men last night.”
“I did,” I confirmed.
“Why? They were just looking for a good time, is all.”
“They were looking in the wrong place,” I said, and Ike frowned at me.
“I can’t afford for my men to be shot to doll rags every time they come to town,” he objected.
“I can see how you’d feel that way,” I nodded.
“So we need to reach an agreement of some sort.”
“I’ve always been agreeable.”
“Do you have any suggestions?”
I thought for a moment.
“All I ask is that your men behave themselves and don’t harass my customers.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Then I’ll shoot them,” I declared, and nodded at Brian. “Or, he will.”
“That’s your idea of an agreement?” Ike scowled.
“Sure.”
“That doesn’t sound very legal to me.”
“Nobody’s perfect,” I shrugged.
Ike sat silently for a moment, looking at me thoughtfully.
There was a noise at the door, and Ross walked in. He studied the men at the bar, and then he spotted Brian. He glanced at us, moved to the other corner of the room, and sat down.
“This lifestyle doesn’t fit you,” Ike spoke back up. “You’re not a businessman. You belong outdoors.”
“What I am,” I replied slowly, “is none of your business.”
Ike grunted and leaned forward in his chair.
“I want to buy this hotel,” he announced boldly.
I shook my head.
“This hotel isn’t for sale.”
“Name your price,” Ike said as he ignored my comment.
I shook my head again.
“I’ll pay you twice what it’s worth,” Ike tried again. “And, after I buy the place you and Brian can work for me. I’ll pay you top wages.”
“No thanks.”
Ike didn’t seem bothered or upset. Instead, he just nodded as he stood.
“All right then, I’m not one to beg. You’ll be sorry you didn’t accept my offer.”
“Perhaps.”
“I’ll talk with my men. They won’t cause you anymore trouble.”
“I appreciate that.”
Ike nodded. He looked at Brian once more, and then he turned and walked proudly out of the hotel. His men followed after him.
Chapter fifteen
Ross and Brian walked over to my table.
“What was that all about?” Ross asked.
“I’m not exactly sure,” I replied.
“Besides buying the hotel, what else did he want?”
“He asked me to stop killing people.”
“What’d you say to that?”
“I told him I’d only shoot those that deserve it.”
“And he went along with that?” Ross smiled faintly.
“We’ll find out.”
Ross’s smile disappeared, and he suddenly looked worried.
“I wish Rondo would get back,” he said wistfully, and asked, “Do you need me for anything else?”
“No,” I replied. “Thanks for dropping by.”
“Anytime,” Ross replied, and then he left.
***
We opened up for breakfast about an hour later. The lobby became crowded, and all of the tables were full.
I sat at our corner table. I trimmed and lit a cigar, and I leaned back and watched the activity.
There was a hum of chatter in the room, and our waiters hustled about. April was busy cleaning dirty tables, and Amos was behind the bar.
I spotted June coming down the stairs, still dressed in her nightgown. She looked around the room, and she headed straight for my table as soon as she spotted me.
“Good morning, Mister Lee,” she said, and she pulled up a chair and sat close beside me.
I was taken back by her boldness, but I recovered quickly.
“June,” I said. “Did you sleep well?”
“Somebody kept snoring in the room next to us.”
“That was probably Brian,” I smiled.
She nodded, and it fell silent. A few minutes passed, and April spotted her. She frowned and hurried over.
“June,” she scolded. “I told you to stay upstairs.”
“But I’m hungry,” June objected.
April started to respond, but I spoke up before she could.
“Go ahead and feed her breakfast,” I said.
“Are you sure?”
I nodded, and a grateful look crossed April’s face.
“Thank you,” she said, and then she hurried away.
She returned a few minutes later. She placed a plate of food in front of June, and she tore into the meal with a vengeance.
“Don’t eat so fast,” April scolded, and then she returned to the kitchen.
I watched June eat with an amused smile. Several minutes passed, and then I cleared my throat.
“June,” I said. “I’m sorry you saw that last night.”
“Saw what?”
“Saw me kill those two men.”
“Oh.”
“Did you and your Ma talk about it?”
“Some. Ma said they were bad men,” June said between bites.
“That’s right. They were
.”
“Then why are you sorry?”
“I’m not sorry I did it; I’m just sorry you saw it,” I explained.
“Why?”
I scratched my jaw as I pondered that.
“Well, a girl your age shouldn’t see things like that,” I finally said.
June nodded. I studied her, hoping to see signs of understanding, but she looked unconcerned as she continued eating.
“Anyway, I just thought you should know that,” I finally said.
“Mister Lee,” June said suddenly, and she looked up at me through those big, blue eyes.
“Yes?”
“I think my Ma likes you.”
I was startled, and I almost dropped my cigar. I recovered, and then I just stared at her.
“What do you mean? She likes me as a friend?”
“I don’t know; she just likes you,” June shrugged, and then she added, “Sometimes, when Ma thinks I’m asleep, she cries at night. She misses Pa and May. I do too.”
A felt a tug on my heartstrings. I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just nodded slowly.
June returned to her breakfast, and several minutes passed. I just sat there in stunned silence, thinking on what June had said.
“Mister Lee,” June said after a while.
“Yes?” I asked, and I was almost fearful of what she’d say next.
“Your cigar sure does smell. Ma says it’s a nasty habit.”
Again, I was startled. I stared at her for several seconds, but she ignored me as she finished her breakfast.
I shook my head in wonder, and I sighed as I put out my cigar.
Chapter sixteen
Brock spotted Ike and his men returning from town. He walked up to the main house and waited as they dismounted.
“A man’s here to see you, Boss,” he said as he took Ike’s horse. “He’s waiting in your study.”
“Oh? Who is it?”
“Says his name is Jeremiah Wisdom.”
“That’s the gambler we sent for,” Butch spoke up.
Ike nodded and turned towards the house. Meanwhile, Butch tied his horse to the hitching post and followed after him.
“Don’t go anywhere,” Ike told Brock. “I’ll need to see you later.”
Brock nodded. He watched as Ike and Butch disappeared inside, and then he led Ike’s horse down to the barn.
