The Last Good Day, стр. 52

“One of the witnesses said a boy was in there holding a gun on Church,” Welch said.

“That right?” Smith said to Rance.

“Yes sir,” Rance said. “Travers is the boy’s pa, had Church murder his mama. Would have killed the boy if he got to him to keep him from getting a share of his railroad.”

“And you know that for a fact,” Colonel Smith said.

“I do,” Rance said.

“Don’t cotton to a man that would kill a woman and a kid,” Smith said.

“She was a whore,” Welch said.

“Doesn’t matter. You got anyone that says different from what he said, Captain Welch?”

“No sir.”

“Make me out a report to that effect and I’ll sign it, send it to the adjutant,” Smith said.

“What!?” Welch said. “They should be tried for murder. They killed a lawman and the only southerner we could trust to help run this town.”

“Captain, I’m in command here. You’re free to go, Rance. Sorry ‘bout your family,” Colonel Smith said. “Might be best if you move on as soon as you can.”

“We’ll do that,” Rance said.

Colonel Smith nodded. “Captain, I want that report by ten in the morning.”

“Yes sir.”

Colonel Smith turned to the door, a soldier opened it, and he walked out.

“Can we have our guns back now?” Rance asked.

“This is not the last of this,” Welch said. “Give him his weapons, sergeant.”

Rance took his guns and the soldiers left.

“Okay if I check on B.W., doc?”

“Sure,” he said.

Rance walked into the back room and placed a hand on B.W.’s shoulder and he opened his eyes.

“That you, Rance?”

“First time you ever called me by my given name.”

“Figured it was time. A man worth ridin’ with should be called by his name.”

“How you feelin?’”

“Like I got a hoe handle stuck up my ass.”

“Not too far off. You been shot in the abdomen. Doc got the bullet out.”

“I still got my pecker?”

“I’ll let you check that,” Rance said.

“My own damn fault, should have been watchin’ that sonofabitch,” B.W. said.

“That was a good thing you did, not letting Tommy kill him.”

“He needed killin’ but Tommy didn’t need it on his conscience,” B.W. said. “Don’t think he’s goin’ to get any of that railroad since I killed his pa.”

“No matter. He didn’t want it anyway, was us pushing it.”

“Tommy gonna be okay?” B.W. asked.

“Worried ‘bout you. Sent him to the livery stable to tell ‘em we’re still alive. Turns out the commanding officer here is an old friend of mine. We’re free to go but that won’t stop anybody from killin’ us if they get the chance. Got to go get a wagon to get you out of here.”

“Tell that Fannie girl I’m still kickin.’”

“I’ll do that,” Rance said. “Doc, keep an eye on him.”

31

When Rance walked in the livery stable there were smiles all around. Julie ran to him and threw her arms around him. “You’re alive!” she said.

“I am. B.W.’s wounded but I think he’s goin’ to be alright,” Rance said.

“Where is he?” Julie asked.

“At the doctor’s office. Needs some transportation, can’t sit a horse.”

“I’ll get a wagon,” Riley said and headed for the corral.

Fannie walked up holding Mitchell. “B.W. goin’ to make it?” she asked.

“Think so,” Rance said. “He said to tell you he’s still kickin.’”

Fannie smiled and Rance held out his arms for Mitchell, but he turned away and hugged Fannie.

“He’ll take to you,” Julie said. “Take a little time, is all.”

“Where‘d you get the name Mitchell?” Rance asked.

“Just liked it,” Julie said. “Wasn’t sure you would want him named after you.”

Rance held out his arms again for Mitchell and he grabbed Fannie around the neck.

Riley came back into the livery stable with two horses pulling a flatbed wagon and jumped down off the seat. “This oughta do,” he said.

“I’ll go get him.” Rance stepped on the wagon wheel axle and sat down on the seat.

“I’m goin’ too, “Tommy said and climbed up on the wagon beside Rance.

“Giddy up,” Rance said. They rode by Big Sally’s Saloon and Rance stopped the wagon in front of Doctor Meek’s office, tied the horses to the hitching post and he and Tommy jumped down from the wagon and went in.

“How’s he doin?’” Rance asked.

“Better than I expected. Main thing is to make sure he doesn’t start bleeding again. Normally, I wouldn’t recommend he be moved yet, except them vultures may come back. I’ll help you put him in the wagon.”

Riley met Rance at the door and held the horses while Rance and Tommy got off the wagon and everyone checked on B.W. in the wagon.

“Was worried bout you,” Tommy said.

“We all were,” Julie said.

“Thanks. Sorry ‘bout your pa,” B.W. said. “Didn’t have a choice.”

“He had it comin,’” Tommy said.

“Maybe so, but that don’t make me feel any better ‘bout it,” B.W. said.

“You did what you had to do,” Rance said. “I think its okay for you to have a nip, want me to get the whiskey?”

“No, don’t have that cravin’ like I did,” B.W. said. “Chief Drowning Bear liked whiskey so much he drank himself into a trance when he was sixty years old and everyone thought he was dead. He woke up the next day and announced he had been to the spirit world and talked to friends and god and was sent back from the dead inspired to quit drinking. From that day on he forbade anyone else in the tribe to drink for the rest of his life. I had that same dream when I was lying on that bed in the doctor’s office. Scared the hell out of me.”

“Want somethin to eat?” Fannie asked.

“Got any of those biscuits?” B.W. said.

“No, but I can make some.”

“I sure do love those biscuits,” B.W. said. “Don’t think I want the whiskey this time. The cravin’s gone.”

“I’ll bring you some biscuits when they’re ready,” Fannie said.

“That’ll be good, you can join me.”

“I’ll do that,” Fannie said, smiled and walked away.

Tommy sat down in the back