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

When I saw a badge I seized up. My hand hovered at my pistol while Ben went along with a spring in his step, looking in store windows, not a care in the world. The lawman passed without notice of us and I about collapsed with relief because I wanted no trouble on my own behalf, not to mention Ben’s. He, meanwhile, missed all this.


When we were finally settled in a restaurant, I almost told him of the lawman’s passing by, then decided I’d best not as he’d take it as proof he need not exercise caution. And maybe he was right. Maybe nobody cared about a fool kid. Maybe the fellow he shot was of no consequence or maybe he didn’t die. Ben would hate that, not getting his five.


Ben said little as we ate. I couldn’t read him, wondering, after a time, if there was maybe nothing to read. Some fellows are simple that way, smart enough to get by, but not needing to figure things. Others of us are saddled with too much figuring.


Chapter 10