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

business.”
    â€œInteresting,” Buck said. “ Everything?”
    â€œEverything, sir.”
    Buck mulled that over in his mind while he ate. The buzz of conversation had returned to normal and the townspeople were ignoring Buck, concentrating on eating. Eating was serious business in the west. Not to be taken lightly. Not at all. Buck thought, The waitress might think Stratton owns everything in sight, but Potter and Richards are right in there as well.
    So no one owns their own business. Good. That will make it easier when I burn the damn place to the ground.
    Buck was halfway through his breakfast when Deputy Rogers blundered in, closing the door just a bit too hard. Obviously, he wanted everyone to know he had arrived.
    Rogers plopped down in a chair facing Buck and said, “Mr. Richards wants to see you.”
    â€œWhen I finish eating. Now go away.”
    Rogers could not believe his ears. “Hey, gunslick! I said—”
    â€œI heard what you said. So did the entire crowd. I’ll see Mr. Richards when I’m finished. Now go away.”
    Rogers wanted to start something. He wanted it so badly he could taste his personal rage. But he had orders to leave Buck alone. Uttering an oath, he stumbled from the table and slammed the door behind him.
    The cafe was totally silent. Even the cook had stepped out and was staring in disbelief at Buck. The one collective thought among them all was, No one, absolutely no one keeps Mr. Richards waiting.
    The front door opened. Josh Richards stepped in. He nodded politely to the crowd and walked to Buck’s table, pulling out a chair and calling to the waitress to bring him coffee.
    â€œHam and eggs are real fine,” Buck said. “I recommend them.”
    Richards smiled. “All right. Ham and eggs, Ruby!”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Buck held out his right hand. “Buck West.”
    Richards took the offered hand. “Josh Richards. You don’t much care for Deputy Rogers, do you Mr. West?”
    â€œI don’t think he’s got both hands in the stirrups, that’s for sure.”
    â€œQuaint way of putting it. I’ll have to remember that. Oh, you’re right, Mr. West. Rogers is a bit weak between the ears. But he does what he is told to do.”
    â€œThat’s important to you, Mr. Richards?”
    â€œVery.”
    â€œMoney’s right, I can be as loyal as any man. More than most, I reckon.”
    â€œI imagine you can. Are you looking for a job, Mr. West?”
    â€œI’m lookin’ for Smoke Jensen, sir. But that gunhand’s backtrail is gone cold.”
    â€œYes. I’ve had a lot of men looking for Jensen. So far, to no avail. Tell you what I’ll do, Mr. West. I can put you on the payroll today. Right now. Fighting wages. That’s good money. Five or six times what the average puncher makes. You hang around town, the ranch. Just let your presence be known. Every now and then, I’ll have a job for you. Sometimes, Mr. Stratton, Mr. Potter, or myself have to transfer large sums of money from place to place. Highwaymen have taken several of those pouches. I need a good man to see that it doesn’t happen again. How about it?”
    â€œAll right,” Buck said with a smile. “Oh, one more thing?”
    â€œCertainly.”
    Buck pointed with his fork. “Eat your breakfast. It’s getting cold.”
    Â 
    Buck met Stratton and Potter. It was all he could do to conceal his raw hatred from the men. He shook hands with them and smiled, nodding in all the right places.
    When the meeting was over, he returned to his hotel room and washed his hands with lye soap. They still felt dirty to him.
    He saw to his horses and found the livery boy true to his word. Both Drifter and the pack animal were getting extra rations of grain.
    He walked the town, getting to know the layout of Bury. As he walked, he noticed a buckskin-clad old mountain man leaning against the