Free Waking Up Dead (The Western Werewolf Legend #1) by Catherine Wolffe Page B

possessions, produced a pot and coffee
smelled rich and soothing to his senses as he approached the
clearing. The old witch glanced his way as he stalked toward the
small fire where the men huddled quietly. No one said a word in
greeting. They’d most likely overheard the dispute between Sonja
and him. Probably fearful of his reaction.
    Stewart, who by all accounts could
walk in the daylight, stepped up with a cup and handed the tin mug
to him. Glancing up, Ty gazed into the dead eyes of his general and
winced inwardly at the pang of regret for his fallen comrade. The
general didn’t give him time to wallow in the images of what
occurred on the fateful day near the Yellow Schoolhouse. Instead,
Ty took the proffered cup and reached for the pot.
    “ You know arguing with a
woman is in poor taste, don’t you, Lieutenant?” Stewart’s words
held a dry wit aimed directly at defusing Ty’s temper. “Besides
being a waste of time.”
    “ Yes, sir.” Ty huffed out a
thin breath. “I don’t know what I was thinking.” He stuffed his
hand deep in his front pocket. There lay the chain of the St.
Christopher’s he kept there all the time these days. The necklace,
which had hung around Sonja’s neck until the night of her first
full moon, was the one talisman he carried with him of late.
Figuring himself a fool for putting such store in an inanimate
object, he blamed his Choctaw blood for his channeling of such a
superstitious notion as to depend on his possession of the necklace
in trade for Sonja’s safety. Reminded of the gleam his medallion
against her warm breast gave him a moment’s consignation as to his
mental state. When had he become so romantically
superstitious?
    Never professing he was anything but
what he was, a cowboy with mixed blood, Ty found the last few weeks
a journey of mounting frustration. He’d vowed to protect her with
everything he possessed and this he would continue to do. Damn her
wayward notion she could take care of herself. “She makes it
difficult to reach for calm sometimes. I do know better. My
apologies for what you overheard.”
    “ No need to apologize, son.
We’ve all been in your shoes. Women are a mystery which no man is
sure of the answer.” His crooked grin supported his belief and
worked to sooth Ty’s recent outburst. “Have you considered what
your plans will be from this point forward?”
    “ Yes, sir, I have. Now that
we have the men out of that hell hole, I want to travel south and
get away from these bloodsuckers.” Realizing he’d inadvertently
stuck his foot in his mouth, Ty’s color started to rise despite his
Indian roots. “Beginn’ your pardon, sir.”
    “ No need to, Lieutenant. I
understand what you mean. I agree with your opinion.” Shaking his
head, he waited until the comment eased some of his companion’s
trepidation. “I know it will be unsettling, to say the least,
however, I’d like to travel with you. Perhaps, I can be of some
help along the way.”
    Ty’s expression relaxed and brightened
with the idea of sharing the trail with the man he admired more
than anyone. Riding for Stewart was something Ty would never
forget. “It would be an honor, Sir.”
    Smitty approached and waited for the
two men to finish before he interjected. “We’re ready to go, Sir.”
Giving Ty and Stewart a slight nod, he waited for
orders.
    Stewart glanced at Ty. “I believe
you’re in command here, Lieutenant. I’m strictly coming along in an
advisory capacity. I’ll be out of pocket much of the time during
your journey as I have a need to keep watch over you
all.”
    A bit taken aback, but quick to
comprehend, Ty glanced from his general to Smitty before squaring
his shoulders slightly. Never one to shirk responsibility, Ty
nodded, giving Smitty the information necessary to get the men
ready.
    Since the Guardian wasn’t anywhere to
be found, the small band of refugees headed out with the rays of
sunshine peeking over the horizon and a vampire riding