Breath of the Feathered Serpent Read online

  “Seems like you made a new friend,” Madison said.

  “Yeah. Could prove useful, though,” Adam said. “Good reason for being around the ranch. He’s agreed that he’ll stay in town until tomorrow and get his affairs in order. That gives us another chance to check out the ranch before he gets there.”

  As he rode through the town, Adam looked around. A small town but still bustling. People milled about in the streets, going in and out of the shops, hotel, and saloon. A clockwork horse chugged past him pulling a wagon laden with supplies.

  Adam’s right eyebrow rose in surprise. It wasn’t what he’d expect to see in a small town in the middle of nowhere. This kind of horse was gaining popularity in cities for pulling cabs, but out here...He glanced at Madison who looked equally astonished.

  “Someone’s very wealthy.” Madison leaned towards Adam as he spoke.

  “Carter,” Adam murmured. He was sure they’d find this little mechanical toy belonged to the rancher.

  “Want to check out the hotel?” Madison asked.

  Adam shook his head. “Let’s go to the livery stable. See what gossip we can get there, and then check out the saloon. I could do with a beer.”

  Side by side, they trotted down the street. No one paid them any real notice, but Adam saw a man lounging at the saloon door who seemed to be paying the two dusty strangers a little too much attention. He didn’t alert Madison. His friend would have seen for himself.

  Dismounting, Adam followed the sounds inside the stable. He glanced quickly at Madison, and then they both stared. The heavily-muscled blacksmith hammered at his anvil, his chest bare except for a leather apron, arms glistening with sweat and soot-streaked. But it wasn’t his appearance that made Adam to look twice.

  His furnace was encased in copper, and mechanical bellows hissed and wheezed as they kept the fire burning bright. The smith looked up and gave a broken-toothed grin. “Afternoon, fellers. What can I do you for?”

  “We’d like to leave our horses here,” Madison said. “Nice bellows. Must’ve cost a packet.”

  “Didn’t cost me nothin’,” the blacksmith said, his voice low and conspiratorial. “Mister Carter bought it for me. Since I do such a valuable job in town an’ all. Sure beats pumping them things by hand, son. When he runs for mayor next year, he gets my vote. Won’t surprise me to see him as governor one day.”

  “Governor, huh?” Madison said. “Well he seems a mighty generous man.”

  “He sure is. Just take your horses ‘round back, boys. Stable’s there. The boy’ll take of ‘em. You stayin’ in town?”

  “Maybe. Just about to head off and find a saloon.” Adam took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. “Can’t wait to taste a beer. Any recommendations?”

  “Well, we have two saloons. Best is The Longhorn. Come out the stable and turn right. You can’t miss it.” The smith waved at them and continued pounding at his anvil.

  Adam and Madison left their horses at the stable and ambled toward the saloon. Adam noticed they were still being closely observed by the nondescript cowboy who now lounged against a post. He wondered who would be taking notice of two drifters.

  The saloon was clean enough, and Adam immediately saw why it had been recommended. Behind the bar, a trio of barrels sat in shiny brass mountings. A series of pistons ensured that when the man behind the bar pulled a lever, a measured glass of beer was dispensed while he tended to other customers wanting whiskey.

  “Yep. Carter has this town in his pocket. Now we know what Ellen meant by his charitable acts. If the businesses are behind him, many of the townsfolk will be too.” Madison glanced around. “Seems peaceful enough.”

  “You saw we were being watched?” Adam said. He tipped his hat forward a little and scanned the men in the room from under its brim.

  “Sure did. Hey, bartender, two beers.” Madison graced the man behind the bar to one of his brightest smiles as the drinks were brought over. “Fancy setup you have. Man, I’ve been thinking of this for hours.”

  “You boys want anything else? We have food and rooms. Nothin’ fancy like the hotel, but a mite cheaper.”

  “Well, cheaper is better,” Madison said. He took a few deep swallows of beer. “Me and my cousin need to watch our money until we can get some work. A room would be good, and is there any chance of a bath? Spent all day in the saddle, it’d sure feel good to soak in some nice hot water.”

  “I have a room that I could put a cot bed in for you boys so there’s a bed each. A bath’s no problem. Thanks to Mr. Carter, I have a water heater. I can have a bath filled real quick for you.”

  “That’d be just swell,” Madison said.

  “Albert!” The bartender bellowed, and a boy of nine or ten came running. He took the key offered. “You tell Billy to put a cot in room two and fill a nice hot bath in there.” He turned back to Adam and Madison. “When you’ve had your bath, boys, you want to eat? Don’t do fancy food, just steak and potatoes, with apple pie for dessert.”

  “Mister, that sounds mighty fine to me.” Madison raised his beer in a salute.

  “You boys just sit yourselves down. As soon as Billy’s finished, he’ll send Albert down to take you to your room.”

  Madison gave the bartender a wave and headed to a table situated close to the stairs Albert had run up. Adam joined him, sitting back casually, beer in his hand as he looked around the bar again. No one seemed to have paid them the least bit of attention. He took a couple of sips of his beer.

  “An awful lot seems to be happening in our little triangle,” he said, keeping his voice low.

  “Two deaths and an attack on a stage where the sole passenger turns out to be the legal owner of the third ranch. I think I’ll send a message to our uncle back home to let him know we’re in a town called Buzzard Hill and plan on sticking around awhile,” Madison said the last part a bit louder as one of the bar girls sashayed past. He winked at her but didn’t invite her over. She hovered and Madison continued talking. “Just hoping for a few days’ work before we move on. He’ll appreciate knowing we’re all right. It’s nice to know he looks forward to our telegrams.”

  Adam grunted and then laughed softly as the girl went on her way. “Nicely done, my friend,” he said.

  Madison winked. “She was a mite obvious. She all but sat on my lap to hear what we were saying. Now she can report back that we have family and keep in touch.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Having said that, with the death count rising, I don’t know if even passing that tidbit of information on would necessarily save us. May make whoever is watching a little less trigger happy though.”

  The sound of footsteps on the stairs made them look over just as a young boy appeared. “Your room and bath are ready, sirs.” He gave a short bow.

  Adam drained his beer in several long gulps and followed Madison up the stairs. The boy pushed open a door and then handed Madison a key. Madison fished out a coin, and the boy’s eyes lit up.

  “Thank you, sir,” he said as he pushed the coin into his pocket.

  Madison went in first, and Adam locked the door with the key Madison tossed back to him. “I’ll take the cot tonight, old man,” he said with a wink, already attacking the buttons on his shirt.

  He and Madison had shared too many baths and beds to be concerned about modesty. He’d even been stuck in a closet on a couple of occasions with no option to watch, or at least listen to, Madison in bed with a woman. Thankfully the opposite hadn’t happened, yet.

  Adam snorted and tossed his hat at Madison. They grinned at one another, and then it became a race to strip and be the first one in the bath. The water was still steaming, and two cups of coffee sat on a table beside it.

  They reached the bath almost simultaneously, but when Madison hesitated to grab his cup, Adam stepped into the tub. He voiced his appreciation in a drawn out sigh as he sank into the hot water. “Hell yeah, that hits the spot,” he said.

  “Here. Have this while it’s hot, too.”


  Adam took the proffered cup and sipped the coffee. “Hot and strong. Just the way I like it,” he said. The heat of the water soothed his aching muscles. He set down the coffee and slid a little lower so his shoulders could benefit from the heat.

  “Did you hurt yourself with those horses? My shoulders still ache.” Madison grimaced as he rotated his arms.

  “Nothing a little heat and rest won’t put right,” Adam said. He sat up and balanced his coffee cup on his knee. “You know, I’d be willing to bet that with all his contacts, nothing much goes on without Carter knowing.”

  “Hmm. I was thinking the same. He’s not the type to want a war though. Too close to home.” Madison sipped his coffee and looked over at Adam.

  Adam nodded. “Our trail went cold in this area. The ranches and this town are all that are around here. Now we have a couple of men dead and a stage attacked. Seems to me that just maybe things aren’t going exactly to plan.”

  “A double cross. Ah, hell. Could be at that.” Madison ran his hand through his hair. “We’ll get to the Lazy E early tomorrow, since we know the uncle sleeps in the afternoon.”

  “After breakfast,” Adam said.

  Madison laughed. “Naturally. Wouldn’t want you to go hungry.”

  Chapter Eight

  Sunlight sneaking through a gap in the curtains woke Adam. He looked over at Madison. The other man was curled in a ball, wrapped in his blankets, snoring like a pig. Adam smirked. He shifted a little and snuck a hand down to his morning erection, giving it a squeeze and a slow deliberate stroke.

  His dreams had been a mix of erotic and horrific, filled with glimpses of a pretty auburn-haired nymph and dead bodies. He focused on the nymph. He pictured the pale skin hidden under the plaid shirt and black pants he’d seen Elijah wearing. He wet his fingers and worked a little faster, saliva and pre-ejaculate making his shaft slick.

  He pictured an expanse of smooth skin, with caramel nipples that just begged to be licked and sucked. He kept his lips firmly closed. He had no desire to wake Madison. He cupped his balls with his other hand and rolled them slowly, enjoying the pleasure.

  His hips moved in counterpoint to his hand, thrusting to the same rhythm. He envisioned kissing his way down a toned stomach, muscular thighs, and finally turning his attention to a cock, raised to attention and surrounded by a thick bush of auburn curls. He could almost taste the salty, musky sweetness as he imagined licking his way up Elijah’s shaft from root to tip, sucking on the head.

  He bit down on his lip as he came. His release hit hard and fast, and his body jerked convulsively. A groan escaped him, and Madison’s snores stopped. Adam grabbed the towel he’d left at his side and cleaned himself off quickly.

  By the time Madison emerged bleary-eyed from his cocoon, Adam was already sitting on the edge of the bed. “You wanted to be out early, my friend,” he said.

  “I know, I know.” Madison stretched theatrically. “I just hate mornings.”

  “We need to eat and then get out to the Lazy E. I wouldn’t mind stopping by Abe’s ranch after that.”

  Madison grinned at him. “I’m sure Abe wouldn’t mind either, if he was there.”

  In truth, as attractive and obvious as Abe was, Adam didn’t feel inclined to bed him. The realization surprised him. He liked sex, but that was all it had ever been. He knew Madison intended to marry and settle down at some point. Just what am I going to do? I can’t be a marshal all my life. Sometimes I really like the idea of settling down myself, but there’s a big empty hole in my heart and my life where someone to love should be.

  They dressed quickly and headed downstairs. To Adam’s delight, breakfast consisted of a big plate of bacon and eggs. He attacked his food with gusto, including several thick slices of fresh bread to mop up all the juices. Finally, Adam sat back and savored his second cup of coffee. He’d feel fully human once he finished his second cup.

  “So, did Carter fix you up with those pistons for your barrels, Sam?” Madison leaned on the bar as he chatted to the bartender while the other man cleaned glasses. Adam sat back. Madison was good at getting information this way, and saloons were always good sources of local information.

  “Well, he owns this saloon so I guess he can do what he likes in it.” Sam winked at Madison and picked up another glass to polish.

  Adam’s ears pricked, and he pulled his hat low over his face and glanced over at the bar.

  Madison gave a long, low whistle. “He does? I thought he was a rancher.”

  “He is,” Sam said with a wide smile. “He bought this place a few months back. The other saloon has a lower class of girl working there, if you get my drift. Our girls can do what they like: talk, dance, and play cards. We have a regular pianist. We’re going places with Mr. Carter’s backing.”

  Adam rubbed his chin thoughtfully. A candidate for mayor couldn’t really own a saloon that was also a bordello, but it was another interesting development. He stood slowly and ambled over to the bar. “Seems like Carter has his finger in lots of pies around town,” he said.

  “He’s a very rich man,” Sam said with a nod. “Guess a man has a right to spend his money as he sees fit. He can’t expand his ranch. The Lazy E is the biggest around here. Sure was a shame about the twins’ father, Edmund. He and Mr. Carter met a few times before his death, but he wasn’t interested in selling his ranch. Not even a part of it. Good thing the twins’ uncle was around to step in. Elijah will do well when he inherits. Got a good head on his shoulders, just like his pa had. As for Ellen, well she’ll make a good rancher’s wife.” Sam’s voice dropped. Madison and Adam leaned forward curiously.

  “There a problem?” Adam asked.

  Sam looked around and licked his lips. “I did hear one big argument between Edmund and Mr. Carter. Seems Mr. Carter was interested in courting Ellen. Edmund pretty much said that would only happen over his dead body.”

  “Ellen doesn’t strike me as the type to be interested in Carter,” Madison murmured.

  Sam shrugged. “Well, it’s too soon after her pa’s death for Miss Ellen to even consider courtin’ anyway. But Mr. Carter is the only man in these here parts that could keep that young woman in the lifestyle she’s accustomed to. Right then, are you back here tonight?”

  “Well, that depends on whether we get work or not. Wish us luck,” Madison said and laughed.

  Sam joined in. “Not so lucky for me if I lose two guests, but good luck anyway, boys.”

  Adam sauntered toward the saloon doors and called back over his shoulder to Madison. “Guess it’s time to see if we can get work at one of the ranches.”

  “Yep. The Lazy E seems a good bet,” Madison replied and waved to Sam.

  Adam ambled out of the saloon with Madison at his side. They headed across the street toward the livery stables. As they did, a loud, drawling voice caught Adam’s attention.

  “Well, well, well, look at this, boys. We got us some strangers in town.”

  He and Madison turned to see four men. One stood in the foreground, presumably the speaker, and the other three lounged around a post on the street corner. Adam assessed them quickly. Hired thugs. Each one uglier than the last. The type that made their money doing the bidding of those too wealthy to get their hands dirty. This meant Carter was probably involved, although Adam didn’t know why the man was so keen to get rid of them.

  “Morning,” Madison said with a wave of his hand. He kept both hands well away from his guns. “Morning, ma’am.” He sketched and elaborate bow to a woman on the other side of the street, catching her attention and causing her to stop.

  Adam smirked, his face hidden by the angle of his hat. It was always useful to draw in witnesses if they wanted to avoid trouble.

  “What are you doing in our town?” The ringleader took a step forward. He was big and bulky. Doubtless he was used to intimidating people with his size.

  “Just leaving,” Madison called out. “If you boys will let us, that is. We don’t want any trouble in such a nice
little town.”

  The ringleader took another step forward. “We don’t like strangers.”

  “And we don’t like trouble. As I said, we just want to get our horses and leave. You’re the ones trying to stop us.” Madison repeated himself and bowed again to the lady across the road. She’d been joined by another woman and a couple of men. They murmured and pointed, watching the scene unfolding before them.

  The ringleader stopped, his ugly face twisted into surprise, and Adam’s smirk grew wider. Madison’s build made everyone think he was naturally quiet-spoken, as he’d been so far. So to hear his voice boom like thunder, catching the attention of several more passers-by, caught the gang off guard.

  Adam eased into a fighting stance as the gang members looked at one another nervously, and the ringleader took a few more steps forward. Despite his uncertainty, he’d obviously been paid to make sure a fight ensued. Well so long as it’s a fist fight, that’s just fine by me. There are plenty of witnesses to say we were goaded into it.

  “Please, boys,” Madison said, lifting his hands in supplication. “Just let us get our horses and go. These fine townsfolk don’t want to see a fight, and my cousin and I don’t want to be in one. Don’t force us to defend ourselves.”

  The ringleader threw a punch at Madison in response. It would have put the smaller man down heavily, except it never landed. Adam watched long enough to see Madison twist and kick. The sole of his foot connected solidly with his attacker’s midriff and knocked him to the ground.

  The other three attacked, but Adam was ready. It was no surprise that two came for him. He was taller and broader than Madison, and even though his partner had taken down the ringleader, the two men heading for him still saw Adam as the bigger threat.

  One threw a roundhouse punch. Adam dodged the punch, twisted away from the second man, and landed several rapid punches to the first man’s kidneys. The attacker dropped to his knees with a grunt.

  As Adam moved away from the first man, the second charged toward him, arm cocked back aiming for his face. Adam saw the move coming and deflected it enough so that it was little more than a graze. By contrast, Adam’s uppercut landed perfectly. The man rose off his feet and collapsed to the ground. He was out cold. Adam spun around to face the first assailant who’d gotten back on his feet.