Arkansas Smith by Jack Martin Page B

but he had at the very least ordered it. Arkansas felt he could place the man with the ornamental Colt at the scene and the fact that he worked for Lance was enough to press charges. Those charges would not stick without further evidence to back them up, but it was a start. Maybe he’d look up the man with the pretty gun.
    Arkansas kept the sorrel at a steady pace. He felt no urgency to get back to the cabin.
    He didn’t think Lance would be loco enough to try anything at the moment, not after witnessing one of his men gunned down in the street. The cattleman claimed to have legal documents proving ownership of Will’s place and when he came back it would be with the law at his side. Thing was, the man didn’t realize that Arkansas was going to overrule that law.
    The sorrel stumbled for a moment but then regained its steady pace and Arkansas patted the side of her head with a soothing hand. He spurred her forward and headed towards the cabin.
     
    Will was dozing when he heard the sound but he snapped instantly awake. He grabbed the Spencer and worked its action, sending a shell into the chamber.He listened but there was nothing. Not a sound and he relaxed slightly but then he heard it again.
    Someone was rapping on the door.
    He slowly swung his legs over and out of the bed and then gradually put his weight on them. A wave of pain shot through his stomach and he had to shift his weight back onto the bed. When he had left Arkansas had left the bedroom door open and Will could see through to the main door.
    ‘Come in,’ he shouted, and held the Spencer with the butt resting against his hip.
    The knocking sounded again and Will frowned.
    ‘Dammit, come in!’ he yelled and winced when a fresh wave of pain sent molten lava coursing through his nervous system. Though the pain didn’t last quite as long as before it still hurt like hell.
    The door opened slowly and Will tensed, gritting his teeth against a secondary wave of pain as he pressed the rifle butt hard into his stomach. After what seemed an age a pretty face came around the door and then smiled when she saw him.
    ‘I thought I’d check in on you,’ Rebecca said, and entered the cabin and closed the door behind her. She was carrying a basket, the contents of which were covered with a thin tartan patterned cloth. ‘I usually take my ride about this time of day so I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone.’
    ‘Obliged,’ Will said, and rested the Spencer on the bed. He managed to lift himself up slightly so that he was seated, legs hanging over the edge of the bed.
    ‘You seem better,’ Rebecca said.
    ‘I’m on the mend,’ Will agreed.
    ‘I’ve baked some cakes for you and er—’ She looked around the cabin.
    ‘Arkansas,’ Will said. ‘He’s gone into town on some business. Shouldn’t be too long now.’ He was sure he had seen a look of disappointment on the girl’s face and he wondered if it really was his health that had prompted this visit.
    Rebecca set the basket down on the table. ‘You want for me to get you some coffee?’ she asked.
    ‘Sure,’ Will said. He was feeling ravenous and guessed he must be getting some of his strength back. ‘And one of those cakes would be good.’ They were giving off a delicious aroma that set his mouth watering.
    Rebecca smiled and disappeared from Will’s view when she went to the stove. Arkansas had left the pot half full of coffee and Rebecca decided it was still fresh enough to drink and poured a little into a tin cup. She took it through to Will and sat down on the bed next to him.
    ‘So, your friend?’ Rebecca asked.
    ‘Arkansas,’ Will said, and took a bite out of one of the rock cakes. It was delicious, the pastry crumbling in his mouth.
    ‘Arkansas,’ she said. ‘I’ve not seen him around these parts before.’
    ‘No.’ Will smiled. So it was interest in his friend that had brought her here and not his well-being. That was pretty much what he had expected. ‘I’ve not seen