Read Online Sabrina's Man by Gilbert Morris - Free Book Online Page B

for a long time.”
    The deputy got up and left, leaving Satterfield to his thoughts. He sat for a long time, trying to think of a way to trace Barton, but knew there was little he could do.
    Finally he looked up to see Waco and called out, “Come and sit.”
    Waco stopped, hesitated, then came and lowered himself into a chair. He said nothing.
    Finally Satterfield said, “Well, you got to put this behind you, Waco.”
    â€œHow do you do that?” Waco’s voice was harsh and had an edge to it.
    His eyes, as the sheriff had noticed, were hard and sharp, something unusual for him. “You need some money?”
    â€œNo. I got a little grubstake. My grandmother left me a little plot of land. I sold it. My partner didn’t know about it, or he’d have that money, too.”
    â€œWell, why don’t you go back into business, Waco. The town is booming and—”
    â€œNope, I’m pulling out.”
    â€œBut you’ve got friends here.”
    â€œIt’s not the same anymore. I need to get away.”
    â€œI sort of figured you might. Where will you head for?”
    â€œSomeplace far out in the woods where the only company will be squirrels and timber wolves.”
    Micah Satterfield was a student of men, and he studied the stubborn cast to Waco’s face. The two had been close, and with a heavy heart he realized this was not the same happy young fellow he had known before the war. The easy ways and the careless manners were gone. What he saw now was a man filled with cynicism that obviously was turning into something much worse.
    Finally Waco shook his head and said, “I’ve had enough of people to do me for a lifetime. This is probably good-bye. I’m leaving early in the morning.”
    â€œKeep in touch. Drop me a line when you can.”
    â€œI won’t promise that. I never was much for writing.”
    Something much like grief touched Micah Satterfield. He hated to see a man go wrong, and if he ever saw a man on the way down, it was Waco Smith. “Look, boy, it’s not the end of the world. Not everybody’s a crook like your partner was. Not everybody’s a hussy like that woman was.”
    Waco shook his head and said, “No, I’m going to get out of here. Far away from everything I know. I don’t know where I’ll go. Maybe get on a ship and go to England or somewhere.”
    â€œYou won’t like it there.”
    â€œProbably not.” Waco put out his hand and gripped the sheriff ’s hand hard. “You’ve been good to me, Micah. I know it won’t please you, but I think I found a place where I can just live and won’t have to fool with any man or woman.”
    â€œWhere’s that?”
    â€œIndian territory. Out in Oklahoma at the edge of Arkansas. Judge Parker is out there now, but he’s got some marshals. It’s a huge territory. A man can do anything he pleases.”
    Satterfield shook his head. “No. No man can do that. There’s still laws and rules.”
    â€œI’m through with all that,” Waco said. “So long, Sheriff.” He turned abruptly and walked outside.
    Satterfield stared at the door, shook his head, then murmured, “He’s headed the wrong way, and there’s not anything I can do to stop him.”

    Waco had pushed his way slowly westward, and as long as he had money, he stopped at small towns and drank himself insensible at bars. He would then carry a bottle with him and get drunk on the way.
    The whiskey destroyed something in him. He had not known alcohol could have this much effect. All he knew was that he had lost his good opinion of men, and at some point on his journey he reached a conclusion that he never would have thought of back in earlier days. “I’ll take what I want as long as I live.” That was the sum of his philosophy. It gave him a grim satisfaction to realize that he was headed for the one place