Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 165476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 827(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 165476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 827(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
“Fine,” Tom said and unwrapped the sleeves of his union suit from around his waist before pulling them on. “We have enough ready hands here. Accompany Cole. It’ll teach you something.”
Ned bit his lips, struggling with the wall his actions had created between him and the man who’d so quickly become his best friend. He should pretend he didn’t remember last night, and that would be that. Cole would surely not pick at the topic either, allowing them to put their drunken mistakes to rest.
Cole didn’t have to know Ned imagined Cole’s tongue sliding between his lips as soon as their eyes met.
“Where are we going? It was one hell of a night, huh?” Ned stuck his thumbs under his suspenders to do something with his sweaty hands, because they might’ve gone for Cole’s flesh if he wasn’t careful.
Cole’s smile was so honest, so addictive Ned found himself unable to look away. His thoughts were straight back in that dark corner where he’d gotten his first ever kiss. He could smell hair oil warmed by the heat of their bodies, and then the muskiness of their combined juices, which made his hand so damp and slick.
“Gedes. We should be back by nightfall,” Cole said, but as he made a step toward the horses, Tom grabbed his arm.
“Don’t take risks. There will be only two of you.”
Ned seldom saw Tom worry about anyone but himself, but regardless of the reasons why he chose to save Cole years ago, he’d grown to care for him in his own way. Maybe even monsters had hearts deep in their cold chests?
Cole tipped his hat. “I’m always careful.”
Half a second passed before both men laughed, but Tom shook his head, slapped Cole’s back, and sent them on their way.
“How far away is it?” Ned asked, mounting Nugget. His horse had every right to be tired but should be fine if they kept the ride at a leisurely pace. Asking about factual matters also helped to avoid silence that would no longer feel comfortable, and focused Ned’s mind on the task at hand.
“Two hours, give or take,” Cole said, leading the way out of camp on Thunder. He looked as if he’d gotten a good night’s sleep, and if Ned hadn’t seen him sway on his feet last night, he’d have never guessed it seeing him all cleaned up.
“What’s in Gedes?” he asked, sticking to his plan of ignoring last night’s events. After all, a man sometimes did odd things when drunk, and it was only polite to never mention those. Sometimes you threw up into your aunt’s vase, sometimes you kissed your new best friend as if you wanted to throw him on a bear rug and rut against him until morning.
Cole shrugged, clicking his tongue so Thunder would go faster along the slope of the hill close to camp. The sun shone through the treetops and cast golden patterns on his black coat, making it resemble expensive brocade. The heat intensified scents too, enveloping Ned in the aromas of dirt, wood, and plant life that were so clean compared to his thoughts.
“A jail. And a sheriff. Haven’t been there, I think, but Doc tells me we’ve got to go west, then on the northern side of a lake, and straight on,” Cole said, slowing to match his speed with Ned’s. Thunder was taller than Nugget, and Cole towered over Ned when on horseback, which prompted. Ned to hunch his shoulders, feeling watched
“One of the places Adam Wild might be?” He glanced into Cole’s searching eyes, wishing he didn’t want to offer Cole a ride with him just so he could feel Cole against his chest and rock against his backside for hours. He’d been aberrant, a freak of nature all his life and he hadn’t even known until yesterday.
Cole watched Ned, his eyes softer than usual. Was he suffering of barrel fever yet hiding it well? “Yes. It’s likely they’d put him on the train and taken him to the next station town, but Gedes is closest to the bridge. It’s worth checking out.” When Ned couldn’t come up with an answer fast enough, Cole pulled his foot out of the stirrup and tapped it against Ned’s thigh. “How was your journey? Did Saul say anything interesting?”
“Only that he appreciates me being Irish yet not religious. He is one strange man, I’ll tell you that. Wouldn’t want to end up on his bad side. Last night’s a blur anyway. Maybe it’s for the better. Hardly remember anything. Good thing we got the photographs, eh?”
Cole went silent and spurred his horse to overtake Ned’s. “We had a great time,” he said once he got the lead. “Too bad Doc and Saul spoiled the fun.”
“You remember how that Norwegian song went?” That Ned could focus on. Good clean fun with dice and booze.