Read Online a Coyote's in the House (2004) by Elmore Leonard - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Elmore Leonard
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move, held there by Buddy's size. He said to her, Honey, I saw your picture, the Slime Creatures? The contrast was there, your white fluff against the slime, but you know what? You weren't that good. Now tell Antwan what he's gonna be sorry about.
Lola was timid now, Buddy's low growl having put her in her place. She said, I meant he'd have to be careful that he doesn't get shot.
Yeah, with Lola missing they'll be hunters out there with guns, Buddy said, thinking a coyote might've got her. I've been listening for gunshots.
I heard one, Antwan said, just a minute ago. Buddy said, Where's the house from here?
The next canyon over, Antwan said. On the shady side this time of day. It looks like part of the rocks.
You've come far enough, Buddy said to him. The hunters will shoot you on sight.
Antwan believed it; he'd been shot at before. He said to Buddy, What about you? They'll think you're a wolf.
I was offered a wolf part once. I turned it down. They put that black stuff on your face so you look mean. Uhunh, Buddy said, I would never play a wolf. They're always bad guys.
The same way humans see us, Antwan said. But you want to join the pack and become a coyote.
I'll give it a try, Buddy said. It's hard to explain, but I think of coyotes having more fun than wolves.
We eat the same animals.
Yeah, but you don't eat humans.
Antwan let that pass. And now both Antwan and Buddy raised their faces at the sound of a gunshot and its echo, far away. They sure like to fire their guns, Antwan said. I wish I had one.
He saw Buddy and Lola were ready to leave, Buddy saying, Don't worry, I'll get the little girl home.
Antwan stood watching as they ran off, Buddy loping through the brush, Lola scurrying after him.
It wasn't Lola Antwan was worried about.
Buddy was confident he'd find the way to Lola's house. They'd keep to high ground, look both ways crossing roads, listen for cars and the sounds of humans, and stay clear of houses dotting the hillsides. The only problem, Lola kept falling behind and Buddy would have to wait each time for her to catch up, her little pink tongue hanging out. He wouldn't scold, though, yell at the poor thing. No, he was patient and would ask if she was okay.
They stopped to rest in the shade of trees on a high ridge. Lola spied the canyon across the way and became excited, frisky, knowing she was almost home. Buddy poked her with his nose and she turned to him, her expression for a moment fearful.
I didn't mean it when I said you weren't that good in the slime movie.
You hurt my feelings, Lola said.
You were acting like a spoiled brat, Buddy said. I got mad and I shouldn't have. That part where the slime creatures grab you? I thought you played it beautifully.
I hated that scene. I end up in the slime pit.
But you fought hard, hissed and clawed at them. Really, you were great.
Well, thank you, Lola said. Coming from a fellow actor it means a lot to me.
I was thinking, Buddy said, I could come visit sometime if you like, talk about showbiz?
I'd like that very much, Lola said, just don't bring the coyote. He makes me nervous.
All they had to do now was make their way down the slope, cross the road, go up the canyon a little way and Lola would be home.
They were part of the way down, Lola so anxious she was keeping up with him, even getting a little ahead, when Buddy spotted the hunters: a line of them spread out across the slope. He knew that at any moment the hunters would spot Lola, snowy white against the dusty green of the brush.
Keep going, Buddy told her. Get out in the open where they can see you.
Lola stopped. Are you coming?
I'm right behind you, Buddy said, but cautious now, watching the line of hunters not a hundred yards away coming toward them. Now he heard shouts from the hunters and stopped in his tracks.
There she is!
What's that after her?
It's a wolf shoot it!
Chapter Ten.
The Pooch Caboose was in the drive, meaning Miss Betty was having her burrs removed. There
Lola was timid now, Buddy's low growl having put her in her place. She said, I meant he'd have to be careful that he doesn't get shot.
Yeah, with Lola missing they'll be hunters out there with guns, Buddy said, thinking a coyote might've got her. I've been listening for gunshots.
I heard one, Antwan said, just a minute ago. Buddy said, Where's the house from here?
The next canyon over, Antwan said. On the shady side this time of day. It looks like part of the rocks.
You've come far enough, Buddy said to him. The hunters will shoot you on sight.
Antwan believed it; he'd been shot at before. He said to Buddy, What about you? They'll think you're a wolf.
I was offered a wolf part once. I turned it down. They put that black stuff on your face so you look mean. Uhunh, Buddy said, I would never play a wolf. They're always bad guys.
The same way humans see us, Antwan said. But you want to join the pack and become a coyote.
I'll give it a try, Buddy said. It's hard to explain, but I think of coyotes having more fun than wolves.
We eat the same animals.
Yeah, but you don't eat humans.
Antwan let that pass. And now both Antwan and Buddy raised their faces at the sound of a gunshot and its echo, far away. They sure like to fire their guns, Antwan said. I wish I had one.
He saw Buddy and Lola were ready to leave, Buddy saying, Don't worry, I'll get the little girl home.
Antwan stood watching as they ran off, Buddy loping through the brush, Lola scurrying after him.
It wasn't Lola Antwan was worried about.
Buddy was confident he'd find the way to Lola's house. They'd keep to high ground, look both ways crossing roads, listen for cars and the sounds of humans, and stay clear of houses dotting the hillsides. The only problem, Lola kept falling behind and Buddy would have to wait each time for her to catch up, her little pink tongue hanging out. He wouldn't scold, though, yell at the poor thing. No, he was patient and would ask if she was okay.
They stopped to rest in the shade of trees on a high ridge. Lola spied the canyon across the way and became excited, frisky, knowing she was almost home. Buddy poked her with his nose and she turned to him, her expression for a moment fearful.
I didn't mean it when I said you weren't that good in the slime movie.
You hurt my feelings, Lola said.
You were acting like a spoiled brat, Buddy said. I got mad and I shouldn't have. That part where the slime creatures grab you? I thought you played it beautifully.
I hated that scene. I end up in the slime pit.
But you fought hard, hissed and clawed at them. Really, you were great.
Well, thank you, Lola said. Coming from a fellow actor it means a lot to me.
I was thinking, Buddy said, I could come visit sometime if you like, talk about showbiz?
I'd like that very much, Lola said, just don't bring the coyote. He makes me nervous.
All they had to do now was make their way down the slope, cross the road, go up the canyon a little way and Lola would be home.
They were part of the way down, Lola so anxious she was keeping up with him, even getting a little ahead, when Buddy spotted the hunters: a line of them spread out across the slope. He knew that at any moment the hunters would spot Lola, snowy white against the dusty green of the brush.
Keep going, Buddy told her. Get out in the open where they can see you.
Lola stopped. Are you coming?
I'm right behind you, Buddy said, but cautious now, watching the line of hunters not a hundred yards away coming toward them. Now he heard shouts from the hunters and stopped in his tracks.
There she is!
What's that after her?
It's a wolf shoot it!
Chapter Ten.
The Pooch Caboose was in the drive, meaning Miss Betty was having her burrs removed. There
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