Free Bohanin's Last Days by Randy D. Smith Page B

I’m just sorry that I’ve put you through all this.”
    Bohanin gently patted the woman’s shoulder.
    â€œIt was my choice. I’m not doing anything that isn’t a pleasure.”
    â€œIt isn’t fair. This isn’t your problem. I had no right to get you involved. You’re making a great sacrifice for a woman you hardly know.”
    â€œThat may have been true in the beginning. But it certainly isn’t true now. I’ve become quite fond of you.
    Millie turned her tear-filled eyes to his. “Is that all it is for you, Captain?”
    â€œYes, that’s all it is,” he lied.
    â€œI don’t believe you. I think I’m falling in love with you and I think you’re falling in love with me.”
    â€œYou’re just upset. You have no idea of what a burden I would be for you,” he said.
    She gave him a long and lingering kiss.
    Bohanin resisted slightly then returned her kiss.
    â€œThat’s what I thought,” she said softly. “You do care. You care a great deal.”
    â€œYes, I do love you. I love you very much. I would like nothing better than to share my life and my bed with you. ”
    â€œBut?” she asked.
    Bohanin smiled. “It isn’t possible and you know it. It’s too late. Time and fate have played a cruel joke on both of us. Remember what I said about the passion of the moment? This is one of those moments. In a few years, or even a few months, I would become something that you wouldn’t like very much. You would be a young woman full of womanly wants and all you would have is a tired, used up old man. It would be my greatest act of selfishness.”
    â€œWe could have each other now.”
    â€œThat would be your greatest act of selfishness. It would only increase a hunger in me that I could never satisfy. I would be left with the cruel memory of a love I was never able to fulfill. As much as I would love to be with you, I would only be going through the motions. If you think anything of me at all and I of you, it will end here with our friendship in tact.”
    â€œIf only it were different,” she said.
    Bohanin held her closely and smiled. After a while, Bohanin suggested that they get some sleep. Millie nodded and gave him another kiss, this time gentle and loving, without the passion but still with deep affection.
    When he was sure that they were both sleeping, Starbuck drew his knife and revolver. He slowly walked toward Bohanin. He had watched the old fool and the woman go through their antics. After he finished with the old man, he would give the whore what she wanted. He’d give it to her, more than once. He noticed the Winchester beside Bohanin’s hand. Starbuck switched hands, the knife in his right, the revolver in his left.
    Bohanin’s eyes came open and the Winchester came up. The muzzle of the Winchester flashed and tore through Starbuck’s chest. He dropped his knife and struggled to hold onto his revolver. He tried to lift his arm but it felt like a stone anchor was attached.
    Bohanin sat up in his bedroll and levered another round into the Winchester, “What do you think of that, bushwhacker? I’ve been stalked by Injuns all my life. Did you really think some spur jingling piece of trash like you could get the drop on me?”
    Starbuck forced his arm to rise and thumbed the hammer.
    Another round flashed from Bohanin’s rifle.
    â€œMillie. Stay back,” Bohanin yelled.
    Starbuck pulled the trigger of the revolver as he fell.
    Millie clutched her stomach and gasped for a breath.
    Bohanin fired another round into the assassin’s head. In seconds, he had his arms around her letting her go to the ground easily. She started trembling.
    Bohanin tore open the front of her dress and forced her hands away from her wound. The bullet had entered to the side of her stomach. She was badly wounded but not gut shot.
    Bohanin tore off a piece of her petty coat