Read Online Gilbert Morris by The Angel of Bastogne - Free Book Online Page A

something hot to drink. It’s colder than a well digger’s toes out here.”
    â€œThat’s not the way I heard the expression,” Charlene said, “but I could use some coffee or hot chocolate.”
    â€œWe got both. Come on in and meet my bunch.”
    Inside, the house was decorated with the heads of deer and antelope on the walls. The floors were hard pine, and there was a warm atmosphere. A fire burned cheerfully in a huge rock fireplace, and over the mantle were three trophies.
    Charlene walked over and looked at them. She turned and said, “I saw you the night you rode Dynamite.”
    â€œDid you now? You must have been a wee thing.”
    â€œI was only five, but I remember it. I still have the program. My brother took me. Larry Delaughter.”
    â€œOld Larry! You’re his sister? He was a plum good bull rider. What’s he doin’ now, Doc?”
    â€œHe’s a flyer for the navy.”
    â€œDo tell! Well, he was some cowboy. He could have done well if he had stayed with it.”
    A woman entered, and Lonnie Shoulders said, “This is my wife Dove. Dove, this is Dr. Delaughter, and you’ll be surprised at this fella. He’s Willie Raines’ boy, Ben.”
    Dove Shoulders’ hair was almost as black as Lonnie’s but more streaked with silver. Her eyes were wide and expressive, and at the introduction she came forward at once and put her hand out to Ben as a man would do. Ben took it and felt the strength of it despite her age. “I’m so glad you came,” Dove said. “I guess you know in this house we hold your dad pretty high.”
    Ben could not answer for a moment. Somehow the story was not working out as he had thought it might. First a pediatric surgeon and now a prosperous rancher, three-time All-Around Cowboy!
    â€œMama, these folks need somethin’ hot. As a matter of fact, why can’t we warm up some of that barbecue? You folks eat barbecue?”
    â€œI do,” Charlene said. “I’m a glutton for barbecue.”
    â€œYou come to the right country for that, Doc. Come on in the kitchen. That’s where we live anyhow.”
    The two followed the older couple into the kitchen, where they were at once given huge mugs filled with fresh, scalding coffee off the stove. As they sat and drank it, Ben found himself explaining why he had come. “I’m going to do a story about your squad, Mr. Shoulders.”
    â€œStop right there. It’s just plain Lonnie, but the guys all called me ‘Chief.’ What kind of a story?”
    â€œAbout what happened to your squad at Bastogne.”
    Lonnie was quiet. He had huge hands worn rough by work, and the large cup looked small in them. “I think about them boys a lot. Especially your dad, I guess.” He looked up and grinned. “He’s mighty proud of you, Ben.”
    A sense of shame seemed to burn into Ben Raines at that moment. He wished he had paid more attention to his father, and somehow the idea that his father was proud of him was embarrassing.
    â€œWell, I’m not the man he was.”
    It was the first time in his life Ben had ever thought that, much less said it aloud, but he had found two people that saw in his father something he had missed all of his life.
    â€œHow is Willie? He’ll never tell me a thing about how he is except I know he’s in the hospital.”
    â€œHe’s gone down pretty fast, I’m afraid, Lonnie.”
    â€œI hate to hear that.”
    Dove Shoulders warmed up barbecue, and neither Ben nor Charlene argued at the huge servings they got. They also had fried potatoes and creamed corn along with fresh-baked rolls.
    As they ate, Lonnie asked question after question about Willie, and Ben was embarrassed that he could not tell him more.
    â€œWhat about your family, Dove?” Charlene suddenly asked.
    â€œWell, you shouldn’t have asked because I was gonna tell you anyway. We