Read Longarm #398 : Longarm and the Range War (9781101553701) for Free Online Page B

glanced up to see if Nell was nearby. She was not, so he continued, “I also found a place that serves real good whiskey.”
    â€œThat would be Helen Birch’s place,” Tyler said.
    â€œThat’s right. She said her name is Helen. She owns it?”
    Tyler nodded. “She and her husband came here about, oh, five years ago. He opened the saloon while she tended to the home. Then Cory . . . that was her husband’s name, Cory . . . he let things get a little too rowdy one night and got himself stabbed for his troubles. The man lingered for nearly a month before he finally died. They say the dying was a real blessing as he’d been stabbed in the stomach. Gangrene got all through his body.” Tyler shrugged. “Everybody thought Helen would sell out or just close up after Cory was gone, but she opened the place back up and has kept it going ever since. She runs a good place. Won’t allow any ladies of the night, though, and won’t tolerate any troubles in her place.”
    â€œShe looks big enough to enforce that,” Longarm said.
    â€œOh, she is. She keeps a bung starter under the counter, and she isn’t afraid to bust a man’s head open with it if he steps out of line.”
    Longarm smiled. “I’ll try an’ keep that in mind.”
    Nell came out of the kitchen bearing a tray that was piled high with flapjacks and pork chops and fried potatoes.
    â€œIt is a wonderful thing that you are here, Longarm,” John Tyler said. “When we’re alone, all I get for breakfast is oatmeal and coffee.”
    Nell set the tray down and gave her husband a swat on the back of his head, then went back into her kitchen for the coffeepot to offer John a refill and in Longarm’s case his first cup of the day.
    After breakfast, Longarm helped Tyler out onto the porch, where the man settled into his chair with a sigh. “I hate being laid up this way,” he said, “but letting that damned bronc bust me up like this is my own fault. I should’ve bailed off him when I felt him slip, but I thought I could ride the bastard down.” He grimaced. “I was wrong.”
    â€œYou might find this hard to believe,” Longarm said, pulling a cheroot from his pocket and lighting it, “but I was wrong about something once my own self.”
    â€œReally?” Tyler said with mock surprise. “I never would’ve guessed it. If you don’t mind me changing the subject, what do you intend to do now?”
    â€œIf you’ll tell me where I can rent a horse,” Longarm said, puffing contentedly on his cigar and blowing a few smoke rings, “reckon I will ride out and talk to whoever is in charge of those two groups of herders.”
    â€œWe have a livery the second block west of the courthouse, which reminds me. I need to take you down there to swear you in as a McConnell County special deputy. Mind if I ask you to hitch our mare up to the buggy so I can get down there? I suppose I could make it that far on crutches, but I’d rather not try.”
    â€œThat’s no bother at all,” Longarm said. “We can take care of that, then I’ll rent me a horse after. You got a barn out back?”
    â€œWe do.”
    â€œBig enough to handle a visiting animal?” Longarm asked.
    â€œBig enough,” Tyler said, “and plenty of grass hay and mixed feed grain too.”
    â€œThen if you don’t mind, I’ll tell your liveryman that I’ll keep the animal for as long as I need him. Just in case I need to go someplace in a hurry, I won’t have to waste time walking over to the livery.”
    â€œI understand.”
    â€œThinking of renting,” Longarm said, “we haven’t spoke yet about how much I need t’ pay for my room an’ board.”
    Tyler waved the question away with a sweep of his hand. “You’re here to help me and you’re staying in my house. Nell and I