Cowgirl Thrillers by Barbara Neville
We partake of a full breakfast spread with beef, beans, rashers of bacon, eggs, and johnny cakes.
“Them’s damn good frijoles Spud,” says Michael.
“Fit for the palate of a king,” adds Sir Jacob.
As I spear another knifeful of bacon I ask, “You raise this hog, Spud? Mighty flavorful.”
“Yep, homegrown.”
Sir Jacob turns and says, “Michael, if I may ask without being indelicate, did you glean any information from Jonathan Soames?”
“I tried to get the conversation along on to those lines, but to no avail. Soames just wanted to party. Man sure loves his drink, drugs, and beautiful young men like myself. As he was nice enough to mention to me.”
“Not a very helpful fella, that Soames,” I say.
“Very helpful, he said I was beautiful,” says Michael preening.
“Maybe you need a second date, if you don’t mind. Should be safe to do, we seem to have killed all the witnesses to your true allegiance,” ventures Sir Jacob.
“We’ll have to think on that, see if we can come up with a new angle,” says Spud.
“What activities have you lined up for today Wolf?” asks Sir Jacob.
Wolf says, “Let us haul this coffee in by the fire. We will sit as men, and women,” with a nod to me, “do and discuss important things.”
We move into the spacious living room and sit on soft furry cowhide couches and chairs. There are homemade tables and cabinets with antler handles, all of it fabulous handiwork.
After we get settled, Wolf stands up in front of the blazing rock fireplace.
“My friends, I have called you all together to ask a great favor.
“I walk now with a heavy heart. I have been taught my whole life to trust no one but my own people. But time is short before I must have help and my people are scattered and weak. Many have lost their way and now live in the Center with no thought or understanding of their innate Injinness.
“I must trust someone with the weight of my responsibility. My brother, Spud, I know is my sworn ally, you others have fought well and truly by my side. Injin must look as always to his friends. We are all human people.”
“‘Cept fer maybe Spud over there, he’s a super hero, I hear,” says I with a grin. “Sorry, hadda say it.”
“Shit, Injin trying to be solemn, this is sacred trust. No giggling.”
“You are right, Wolf. I, for one, shall be honored to be chosen to labour and also, if need be, to fight by your side,” says Sir Jacob. “With a small dedicated group, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished.”
“I don’t know about that Sir Jacob, but, yes, Lone Wolf, I will be honored to ride by yore side also,” says Michael.
“Count me in,” from Spud.
“If you’ll lower yore standards and take a girl, me too. We will all gladly join yore posse. Yore goals is surely ours.”
Spud asks, “What’s up, brother?”
“Show and tell is best.”
As we rise to leave I spot something.
“Ain’t that a buffalo hide on the wall?” I ask. “Where in the Worlds would you get one?”
“Ah,” answers Spud, “good timing. I’ll wager that Wolf is about to show us.”
“Let us saddle our mounts,” suggests Wolf. “It is a beautiful time for a ride. Pack enough gear for a few days. There is ground to cover.”
21 Tatonka
“Them’s damn good frijoles Spud,” says Michael.
“Fit for the palate of a king,” adds Sir Jacob.
As I spear another knifeful of bacon I ask, “You raise this hog, Spud? Mighty flavorful.”
“Yep, homegrown.”
Sir Jacob turns and says, “Michael, if I may ask without being indelicate, did you glean any information from Jonathan Soames?”
“I tried to get the conversation along on to those lines, but to no avail. Soames just wanted to party. Man sure loves his drink, drugs, and beautiful young men like myself. As he was nice enough to mention to me.”
“Not a very helpful fella, that Soames,” I say.
“Very helpful, he said I was beautiful,” says Michael preening.
“Maybe you need a second date, if you don’t mind. Should be safe to do, we seem to have killed all the witnesses to your true allegiance,” ventures Sir Jacob.
“We’ll have to think on that, see if we can come up with a new angle,” says Spud.
“What activities have you lined up for today Wolf?” asks Sir Jacob.
Wolf says, “Let us haul this coffee in by the fire. We will sit as men, and women,” with a nod to me, “do and discuss important things.”
We move into the spacious living room and sit on soft furry cowhide couches and chairs. There are homemade tables and cabinets with antler handles, all of it fabulous handiwork.
After we get settled, Wolf stands up in front of the blazing rock fireplace.
“My friends, I have called you all together to ask a great favor.
“I walk now with a heavy heart. I have been taught my whole life to trust no one but my own people. But time is short before I must have help and my people are scattered and weak. Many have lost their way and now live in the Center with no thought or understanding of their innate Injinness.
“I must trust someone with the weight of my responsibility. My brother, Spud, I know is my sworn ally, you others have fought well and truly by my side. Injin must look as always to his friends. We are all human people.”
“‘Cept fer maybe Spud over there, he’s a super hero, I hear,” says I with a grin. “Sorry, hadda say it.”
“Shit, Injin trying to be solemn, this is sacred trust. No giggling.”
“You are right, Wolf. I, for one, shall be honored to be chosen to labour and also, if need be, to fight by your side,” says Sir Jacob. “With a small dedicated group, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished.”
“I don’t know about that Sir Jacob, but, yes, Lone Wolf, I will be honored to ride by yore side also,” says Michael.
“Count me in,” from Spud.
“If you’ll lower yore standards and take a girl, me too. We will all gladly join yore posse. Yore goals is surely ours.”
Spud asks, “What’s up, brother?”
“Show and tell is best.”
As we rise to leave I spot something.
“Ain’t that a buffalo hide on the wall?” I ask. “Where in the Worlds would you get one?”
“Ah,” answers Spud, “good timing. I’ll wager that Wolf is about to show us.”
“Let us saddle our mounts,” suggests Wolf. “It is a beautiful time for a ride. Pack enough gear for a few days. There is ground to cover.”
21 Tatonka