Return of the Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone Read Free Book Online

the boardwalk, carefully looked all around him, as was his habit, and then headed for the cafe, preferring that over the hotel dining room. He took a seat one table over from Miss Sally Reynolds. They were the only customers in the cafe, the lunch hour over. He felt eyes on him and looked up into her hazel eyes. He smiled at her.
    â€œPleasant day,” Buck said.
    â€œVery,” Sally replied. “Now that school is out for the summer, it’s especially so.”
    â€œI regret that I don’t have more formal education,” Buck said. “The War Between the States put a halt to that.”
    â€œIt’s never too late to learn, sir.”
    â€œYou’re a schoolteacher?”
    â€œYes, I am. And you…?”
    â€œDrifter, ma’am.”
    â€œI…don’t think so,” the young woman said, meeting his gaze.
    Buck smiled. “Oh? And why do you say that?”
    â€œJust a guess.”
    â€œWhat grades do you teach?”
    â€œSixth, seventh, and eighth. Why do you wear two guns?”
    â€œHabit.”
    â€œMost of the men I’ve seen out here have difficulty mastering one gun,” Sally said. “My first day out here I saw a man shoot his big toe off trying to quick-draw. I tried very hard not to laugh, but he looked so foolish.”
    Buck again smiled. “I would imagine so. But I should imagine the man minus the toe failed to find the humor in it.”
    â€œI’m sure.”
    Conversation waned as the waitress brought their lunches. Buck just couldn’t think of a way to get the talk going again.
    Deputy Rogers entered the cafe, sat down at the counter, and ordered coffee.
    Rogers glared at Sally as she said to Buck, “Will you be in Bury long?”
    â€œAll depends, ma’am.”
    â€œLady of your quality shouldn’t oughta be talkin’ to no bounty hunter, Miz Reynolds,” Rogers said. “Ain’t fittin’.”
    Buck slowly chewed a bite of beef.
    â€œMr. Rogers,” Sally said. “The gentleman and I are merely exchanging pleasantries over lunch. I was addressing the gentleman, not you.”
    Rogers flushed, placed his coffee mug on the counter, and abruptly left the cafe.
    â€œDeputy Rogers doesn’t like me very much,” Buck said.
    â€œWhy?” Sally asked bluntly.
    â€œBecause…I probably make him feel somewhat insecure.”
    â€œA very interesting statement from a man who professes to have little formal education, Mr….?”
    â€œWest, ma’am. Buck West.”
    â€œSally Reynolds. Western names are very quaint. Is Buck your Christian first name?”
    â€œNo, ma’am. But it might as well be. Been called that all my life.”
    â€œAre you a bounty hunter, Mr. West?”
    â€œBounty hunter, cowhand, gunhand, trapper. Whatever I can make a living at. You’re from the east of the Mississippi River, ma’am?”
    â€œNew Hampshire. I came out here last year after replying to an advertisement in a local paper. The pay is much better out here than back home.”
    â€œI…sort of know where New Hampshire is. I would imagine living is much more civilized back there.”
    â€œTo say the least, Mr. West. And also much duller.”
    Hang around a little longer, Sally, Buck thought. You haven’t seen lively yet. “Would you walk with me, Miss Reynolds?” Buck blurted. “And please don’t think I’m being too forward.”
    â€œI would love to walk with you, Mr. West.”
    The sun was high in the afternoon sky and Sally opened her parasol.
    â€œDo you ride, Miss Reynolds?” Buck asked.
    â€œOh, yes. But I have yet to see a sidesaddle in Bury.”
    â€œThey ain’t too common a sight out here.”
    â€œ Ain’t is completely unacceptable in formal writing and speech, Mr. West. But I think you know that.”
    â€œYes, ma’am. Sorry.”
    She tilted her head, smiling, looking at