The Man Who Loved Cole Flores (Dig Two Graves 1)

“You’re not that old of a dog.”

For a while after, they drunkenly imitated the owl whenever it hooted. Cole had a long way to go if he wanted to perfect the sound, but it was enjoyable play, and confused the bird enough for it to leave.

Ned didn’t notice when he’d dozed off, but awoke briefly to discover that Cole had inched closer in his sleep. There was that rattle in his chest again. He got hot all over as they lay spine to spine. Maybe his new companion thought it was only natural to share warmth. Or maybe he wanted to make sure Ned didn’t run off without a goodbye.

Either way, they’d have each other’s backs.

Chapter 6

“Is that really necessary?” Ned asked, staring at the river winding its way down a gorge. The sun was slowly descending toward the horizon, and the Gotham Boys’ camp shouldn’t be far away. Cole’s horse, whose name was Thunder, seemed to recognize where he was, tapping his hooves on the dirt in excitement, but his owner remained unmoved.

Ned didn’t think he’d ever been in these parts, but he’d tried to memorize points of interest throughout the journey, so he could make his way back here on his own. But now, on the last leg of the ride, Cole decided to thwart his efforts.

“You think the Gotham Boys would have been around for so long if they were careless?” Cole asked and nudged Thunder close to Nugget, so he could take off Ned’s faded green plaid bandana. He straightened it out with a few flicks of his wrists and started folding the fabric on his thigh.

“So it is the Gotham Boys,” Ned said, not even trying to feign surprise. The gang’s name might not have been voiced so far, but it hung between them in mutual understanding.

Cole stilled for only a fraction of a second before looking up. “Ah, my damn tongue. This will stay between us.” He leaned over, placing the bandana over Ned’s eyes. His fingers brushed Ned’s ear before settling on Ned’s shoulder once the blindfold was in place. Was it his way of offering reassurance?

“I wouldn’t betray the man who saved my life.” Ned flashed Cole a smile, alluding to the snake bite that had become a running joke throughout their trip.

“You would say that, wouldn’t you?” Cole mused, but there was humor in his voice, and he pulled away after gently patting Ned’s chest.

In the morning, Cole had checked whether Ned had developed a fever throughout the night, and insisted having a look at the wound, so he surely didn’t harbor ill intentions. Ned didn’t feel unsafe as Cole guided his horse through the trees, but the real danger awaited at the camp.

Details of the Pinkerton setup in Iron Trail City passed through Ned’s mind then and again, but he wanted to be more cautious than he’d been last night, to pace himself. He imagined any new member wanted to prove his worth to the gang, but being too eager would put him under suspicion, especially that the tip he was about to bring to the table involved a bank, not some poor fool’s homestead. Cole had been forgiving, but Butcher Tom wasn’t capable of mercy.

He’d assumed they were very close to camp when Cole had blindfolded him, but the faint light sneaking in at the edges of fabric gradually became dimmer, and while he and Cole kept chatting, time stretched, though he couldn’t say whether the rest of the way took an hour or two before a sharp female voice broke through to him.

“Who’s there?”

Cole chuckled but did stop both their horses while Ned stiffened, his ears picking up the distant noise of conversation. “Darlin’ it’s just Cole! And I have a handsome gift for all you girls.”

Ned’s heart skipped a beat, but when his mouth opened, he realized protesting might put him in an unfavorable light. Because what was there to buck against? Free cooch thrown his way?

Still, he was nervous, when Cole leaned toward him and touched his shoulder. They were close enough for Ned to whisper, “Go easy on me. I ain’t exactly… versed with women.”

“What was that, boys? It’s impolite to whisper when a lady’s around,” the unknown girl said, and Ned stiffened, feeling her squeeze his calf through the boot.

“Since when are you a lady?” Cole chuckled, and the hand was gone from Ned’s leg, surely engaged in doing some damage to Cole, who gave an amused squeak.

Ned needed all of Cole’s attention back on him. It was crucial that he didn't lose his one ally in this den of rattlesnakes, because their venom was very real. “I can hear a lady’s voice and can’t wait to see her. But Cole’s no gentleman.” He smirked in his new friend’s general direction.

“Why, I might visit you tonight, if you’re such a charmer,” the woman said, but Ned was glad to feel Cole’s large hand on his hip. He got off his horse with the other man’s help but didn’t realize the ground was uneven and would have fallen over if Cole’s chest weren’t there to support him.