Nineteen-year-old budding gunslinger Ben Wylie sparks the interest of Cal Decker, the real thing, when the older man keeps the younger from a needless killing. Smitten, Cal attempts to reel in the hotheaded Ben, only to be drawn into such an extent he assists the kid in escaping after a shooting. Even as Cal sees Ben as the worst kind of killer, the kind looking for more, he cannot resist Ben’s youthful attributes. Cal uses his years of experience to outwit the law, but can these men have a life together on the run? Cal is willing to try.

Roughshod

“You settle down and I might. What’s got you so riled?”


I laughed, then leaned in and put my mouth to his ear. “Look here, Ben, I’m the fellow who’s had his tongue up your ass, so you leave off saying I’ve no business. Now what’s got you?”


I backed off and he turned around, showing more of that fire he carried. I waited while he silently fumed and when nothing came forth, I prodded. “What is it?” I asked. “You lose at cards again?”


“No,” he snapped. “Fellow owes me fourteen dollars and won’t pay so I went after him, but others stepped in and he got away.”


“I was ready to draw if he didn’t come through,” Ben explained, “but his friends pulled him away, making excuses for him. I’ll not be put off. I mean to get my money.”


“I’m no thief. He borrowed and won’t pay me back.”


Chapter 4