Summary: When a pistol-packing stranger starts asking questions about a Cartwright the moment he hits town, Sam, the bartender, knows trouble’s bound to follow.    

WC = 2093, Rating = T

A Man for Breakfast

The sun was barely out of bed when this tall stranger sauntered into the saloon. Not even my mornin’ regulars had arrived. I continued polishin’ the bar as I kept one eye on the man. Judging by his beardless face he looked to be pretty young. And as hot as it was this early in the morning I had to wonder how he stood the duster and heavy hat. Standin’ in the doorway he studied every nook and cranny in the place. For the life of me I couldn’t figure what he might be expectin’ to find considering the place was empty. When he finally turned toward me, makin’ his coat swing open, I saw he was packin’ iron on both sides of his belt. Havin’ his near black eyes bore into me and seein’ his guns, I began to wonder if he was a lone rider. That’s all I didn’t need was some lunatic on the run and lookin’ to shoot up the place. Now I’m not one to rattle easy but this kid gave me the willies and I wanted him gone. 

“You servin’ this early?” His eyes kept roving around like he was expecting somebody to jump out at him.

“Yeah.”

“Whiskey, and some information.”  He slapped a gold piece onto the counter but kept his hand over it. 

“Depends on what kind of information you’re lookin’ for.”

He downed the first shot so fast I placed the bottle within reach and sure ‘nough, he poured more. “Been hearin’ about a cowboy takin’ down a business man for murder. Maybe happened about a month or so ago.”

I gulped. We get our share of shootings and arguments like any other town but the situation this fella asked about left me cold. He could only mean one incident and I had no plans to divulge what I knew considering one of the men involved is a good friend of mine. 

“Look, if you want to know what happened I suggest you go ask our Sheriff.” I turned my back on him and started rearranging the bottles. 

“You tellin’ me you weren’t around at that time?”

“No, I was around. But one of the men is a good friend and I don’t want to discuss it. It’s over and settled with the law.” I felt his eyes boring into my back daring me to leave it there. And I couldn’t, if he was gonna cause some trouble. “Why’s it so important to you anyway?” 

“I’ve got my reasons. All I’ve heard is bits and pieces and I want to know the truth. I prefer to keep the law out of it until I have more information.”

I’ve seen his likes before and I knew he’d be like a dog to a bone. Well if he wouldn’t talk to Roy, I figured I better tell him what he wants to know. At least that way I can make sure he gets the story right.

“Alright, I’ll try to answer your questions but there’s a limit to how personal I get.”

The stranger pushed back his hat and gulped down another jigger. “I heard the business man was bein’ accused of robbin’ and murderin’ a way station attendant, but there was no way to prove it since his face was covered.”

Skeptical as to what he needed to know since he had the jist of things already, I played my cards close. “Yeah, that’s right.”

“And there seemed to be a witness, name of Cartwright, who claimed this other man, named Enders, was the killer.”

“Yeah, and the witness was right all along.”

“And this Cartwright fella knew Enders personally.”

“They were business partners, that’s all.”

The batwing doors swung open and a few of my morning regulars drifted in. The kid pulled his hat down and, grabbing his bottle, headed to a corner table. The gold piece had been left behind so I pocketed it, noticing he gave me a cold eye. I guessed he expected more answers. Well, it would have to wait till I took care of my customers. 

As the last of the men settled into a game of faro, the man signaled for me to come over. Despite havin’ an entire bottle of whiskey inside him, he was stable as can be. 

“From what I was told Cartwright was a lily-livered liar with his accusations of murder, all so he could steel Enders’ business and keep Enders’ wife as his own left-handed wife.”

I cringed at that and bore my own eyes into his. “Now. listen here, you pull your horns in. Those were lies spoken by Enders and his wife to throw suspicion off of him. He was the lily-livered one trying to ruin Adam’s good name and make him out to be a fool.” I rose from my chair and gave the man one last piece of advice. “You wanted the truth and I gave it to you, but if you have any more questions I suggest you either go talk to Sheriff Coffee or swallow ‘em and leave town.” Realizing I’d lost his attention I glanced over my shoulder and felt my heart hammer. Leaning against the bar was none other than Adam Cartwright. 

I hustled back to the bar to give him a beer and a warning but I was too late. 

The stranger stood not three feet behind Adam, his duster tucked neatly behind his two pistols. “Are you Adam Cartwight?”

The mug Adam held froze in mid air, and his eyes drifted to mine. I leaned in close. “He’s been asking about Bill Enders.”

Adam slowly rolled his eyes upward then closed them, as he rested his mug on the counter. I’d seen that look one other time, when Bill was egging Adam on, so I stepped closer to my shotgun as I watched Adam release his breath and slowly turn to face the stranger. 

“Who wants to know?” His voice was barely audible.

“Name’s Grayson…Enders. The man whose reputation you ruined and put behind bars is my brother.”

I grabbed my shotgun and held on for dear life. The only reaction I could see from Adam was his white-knuckled grip on the edge of the counter. He was the only man I knew who had that dangerous kind of control. Silence hung heavy between the two men, like being in the bottom of a grave.

Adam straightened, allowing his right hand to drift to his side while still gripping the bar with his left. The way the other man flinched, I knew Adam’s eyes were boring into him. I kept my eyes on both of them while quiet motion through the room told me my patrons were seeking safer places from which to watch the action. 

“You gonna deny it?”

“He put himself behind bars by murdering an unarmed man, and attempting to murder two more, his partner in crime and me. Now if you will excuse me, I’m going to finish my beer and I suggest you speak to our Sheriff if you have any more questions.”  

Adam rotated around and took up his beer once more but his hand never left the vicinity of his pistol. 

The stranger remained a moment longer before strolling outside. The suffocating air left with him and everyone started breathing again. 

I laid my weapon on the counter, and glanced at my friend. “Another beer, or perhaps a whiskey?”

Adam nodded and I poured him a shot of my best whiskey. He tested it, smiled, and drank it down. I refilled the glass and watched as he sipped that one. 

“What are you gonna do?”

“About him?” He tilted his head toward the door. “Not sure.”

“You in town alone?”

“Nope, Hoss is coming over in a minute. We’re heading on to Placerville.”

“Let me send Billy to alert Roy.’

“No need.”

Both our heads swiveled at the familiar voice. 

“I seen him ride in. Got some wires about him hittin’ all the local towns askin’ the same questions. Put a couple of my deputies to watchin’ him now. Adam, as soon as Hoss gets here you need to leave.”

“No Roy. I don’t run. Hoss is due a beer and he’s going to get it.”

“Now, Adam…I’m just lookin’ to make sure there ain’t no man for breakfast in my town.”

“Listen Roy, I’ve done nothing to provoke him. He’s running on his own hatred. I promise you I won’t be the victim today or any other day, but if he comes after me I will defend myself.” 

I could tell Roy was losing this battle with Adam, as well as his patience. He huffed, and when Hoss entered, Roy groused at him. “You got one stubborn, pigheaded brother. I just hope he makes it through the mornin’ in one piece.”

Hoss scowled and grabbed at the beer I poured him. Adam filled him in and Hoss had one thing to say.  “He’s across the street waitin’ for ya. But Roy’s deputies got him in their sights. So how do you want to play this?”

Adam smirked, and Hoss lifted his eyebrows as he finished his beer. “Ready?”

“Yeah. See you ‘round Sam, and thanks.” I caught the coin he slid my way and smiled, another gold piece. 

Holding my breath I began counting. Got to two when the shot rang out, followed by at least three more in rapid succession then silence. I had to know. Running to the swing doors I peered over them just as the town clock struck nine.

Hoss came around the corner from an alley and Adam was rising from behind a horse trough. He cleared the chambers of his pistol and shoved it back into its holder. Across the street Grayson Enders’ body lay face down. I stepped out to check on my friends. 

“You fellas okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Sure, Sam.”

Hoss slapped his brother on the back, a grin on his face. “That was quite a dive you took there, older brother. Looks like Roy just missed having a man for breakfast.” 

Adam’s face remained somber as he stared across the street while slipping his hat back into place. “I keep my promises.”

We three stood there counting the last of the clock chimes. When they finished Adam strolled over to Enders who was being yanked to his feet by the deputies. Roy stood nearby with a shotgun trained on his prisoner.

Even from where I stood I could tell Enders’ black-eyed scowl at Adam had nothing to do with the pain in his arm. 

Adam looked him over from head to toe. “You’re lucky I nicked your arm before these two got to you. Otherwise you’d be heading to the undertaker down the street.” 

“You’re the unlucky one. You should have killed me when you had the chance. Now I’ll be shadowing you for the rest of your life.”

“No you won’t, mister. You got some jail time coming and if you survive that, you won’t be allowed back in Nevada if I have my say.” Roy nodded toward the jail. 

Enders struggled to get to Adam. “I’ll get you Cartwright.”

Adam tucked his thumbs into his gun belt. “You and Bill are cut from the same cloth. The only difference is, you don’t have the same shooting skills as your brother. My advice is that you take Roy’s advice and stay out of Nevada. You just might live longer that way.”

Pivoting on his heel Adam rejoined me and Hoss outside the saloon.

Hoss’ grin dropped away. “You sure you shoulda done that, Adam?”

Adam rubbed his neck and threw a look of chagrin back to his brother. “Probably not, but it sure felt good.”

I put a hand on each of my friends’ shoulders, holding out the two gold pieces I’d been given that morning. “How about I buy us all breakfast.”

Hoss looked to Adam and waited for his answer. A corner of his mouth rose pushing out the left dimple. “Sounds good. Millie’s?”

Hoss rubbed his hands together. “Ain’t no place better.” 

I tossed my apron on the counter and left the saloon in Billy’s hands. In spite of the cheerful walk to Millie’s Cafe and Hoss trying to keep things light, we both knew it might take a bit more time for Adam to return to his old self. But, hey, steak and eggs at Millie’s with good friends was a great place to start. 

———————–

A/N – A WHN for The Ride. Written for a challenge to use Cowboy Lingo 

Long rider (outlaw, esp. one who’s been riding a long time to escape law enforcement)

Pack iron (carry a revolver)

A lily liver (a coward)

Left-handed wife (mistress)

Pull your horns in (quit looking for trouble; back off)

Man for breakfast (a murdered body in the streets at dawn)

Tags:  Adam Cartwright, revenge