Charley Higgins arrived about two weeks later, just as I was beginning to regain the use of my left shoulder and arm. Mallie was not pleased with his visit. She had met him a few times before when he came through Denver, and she knew Charley's reputation, having heard my mother talk about him often enough.

"Isn't this a coincidence," Mallie said as she opened the door and saw Charley standing on the porch. "William has been attacked and wounded, and here you are."

"Billy is my kin," Charley said. "When he has trouble, then so do I."

"You best come in, then." Mallie led Charley to the parlor. "William is out back. Have a seat. I'll get him."

She found me cleaning my double-rigged Texas saddle in the small shed behind our ho...

Please subscribe to keep reading.