The Whippoorwill Trilogy - Sharon Sala Page 0,79

was nearly dry.

He started to tease Parson about the floozy at the cantina and ask him if he knew her name, too, when it dawned on him that Parson couldn’t hear.

“Well, hell.” He situated his hat a little tighter upon his head and ignored the lump in the back of his throat. “I don’t know as how I’m gonna adjust to this situation, old friend. I don’t rightly know at all.”

He kicked the horse in the flanks and started down the rolling hillside toward the gaping doors of the fort. It would be the last time Parson Sutter covered his back.

“Hey, Wainwright! Aren’t you a little early this year? Don’t look like you got many furs to trade. And they got wet to boot. What were you thinking?”

Henry ignored the smart-ass sentry at the gate and kept on riding. By the time he got to the adjutant’s office, it was obvious to anyone within fifteen feet that Henry was hauling something foul.

A sergeant Henry had known for years held his nose as he walked past.

“Damn, Wainwright, I thought you knew better than to bring green skins like that in to trade. The trader won’t give you shit for them.”

Henry glared as he dismounted and tied his horse to the hitch post. He didn’t take kindly to anyone maligning his friend, even if it was true, but he wasn’t ready to admit that it was Parson, and not a load of green skins, that was stinking up the fort.

“Dang smart-mouth,” he muttered, and yanked his pants up over his stomach as he started inside.

The commander met him coming out, and the smile on Jack Robie’s face withered to a gasp of disgust.

“My God, Wainwright! What on earth are you packing?”

“Elmer Sutter.”

It was enough to stop Robie’s next remark. He’d known the two old trappers for years and couldn’t remember ever seeing one without the other. No matter how bad the smell, Wainwright must be grieving the loss of his partner.

“What happened?” Robie asked. “And pardon me for asking, but why the hell are you hauling him around like that? Why don’t you do the decent thing and bury the poor man before he pops?”

“He ain’t gonna blow,” Henry muttered. “Bear done ripped out all the parts that tend toward that condition. Besides, I cain’t plant Parson until I find a preacher to say words over his body. I promised.”

The Robie rolled his eyes and tried not to gag. “I’d be glad to read the bible over your friend’s grave. But we need to cover him up first, I think.”

Henry shook his head. “Nope. Parson wanted a real preacher. I promised.” He ducked his head and then looked up. “No offense and all, Commander, but a promise is a promise. And I don’t suppose you’re a real man of the cloth?”

Robie shook his head, and then his expression lightened. “No. But I heard that a preacher is coming to Lizard Flats. Some banker is getting married and they’ve sent back East for the real thing. Maybe you could try there.”

Henry’s eyes widened. Lizard Flats was less than a two-day ride. And in a way, it seemed provident that they go back to the place where they’d last shared a woman to share their last moments together, as well.

“That’s real good news,” he said. “But I’ve got to get me some sleep afore I go anywhere.”

Jack Robie frowned as he gazed at the flies and the lump beneath the buffalo robe. “I guess it’s been rough losing your partner like this. As time passes, you will find it easier to sleep.”

Henry shrugged. “Oh hell, it wasn’t losin’ Parson that kept me outa my bed. It was a damned pack of wolves. They followed me nigh onto four days and nights, trying to eat old Elmer, there.” Henry lifted his hat to wipe sweat from his brow, relishing the faint wash of air that tunneled through his sparse growth of hair. “It’s bad enough that the bear gutted him right a’fore my eyes. I wasn’t havin’ no damned four-legged furballs eat what was left, by God! Now I’m goin’ to get me some sleep. And when I come out, Parson better be right where I left him. Do I make myself clear?”

Jack Robie nodded his assent as the gaggle of soldiers around the building began to disperse. It made sense to them. They just didn’t want to be in on the downwind side of Elmer Sutter while it happened.

It was nearing sundown when Henry