Come the Spring Read Free Page A

make you feel better. Don’t you remember what happened?”
    Cole shook his head and immediately regretted it. Pain exploded behind his eyes.
    â€œI remember being sick.”
    â€œYes, you had the influenza. You were sick with fever for four days, and my Josey nursed you back to health. Today was your second day out of bed.”
    â€œWhen did I disturb the peace?”
    â€œWhen you crossed the street,” he said cheerfully. “It was real disturbing to me, the way you walked away while I was trying so hard to convince you to stay in Middleton until the appointment came through. I gave my word to someone real important that I would keep you here, son, but you wouldn’t cooperate.”
    â€œSo you hit me over the head.”
    â€œYes, I did,” he admitted. “I didn’t see any other way. It wasn’t much of a hit though, just a little thump with the butt of my pistol on the back of your head. No permanent damage was done, or you wouldn’t be sitting there growling at me. Besides, I did you a favor.”
    The sheriff’s chipper voice was grating on Cole’s nerves. He glared at him and asked, “How do you figure that?”
    â€œThere were two gunslingers waiting for you to get into the street. Both of them were determined to make you draw—one at a time, of course. You were just getting over your sick spell, and even though you won’t admit it, I’d wager a week’s pay you weren’t well enough to take either one of them on. The influenza hit you hard, son, and you’re only just now getting your color back. Yes sirree, I did you a favor.”
    â€œIt’s all coming back to me.”
    â€œPut it behind you,” he suggested. “’Cause it’s water under the sink now. The appointment camethrough, and we had us a nice ceremony right here in the jail. It seemed kind of odd to file into your cell for a big do, but the judge didn’t mind and it worked out all right. Yes, it did. Too bad you had to sleep through the celebration, since you were the honoree and all. My wife, Josey, made her special yellow cake with sugar icing. She cut you a nice big piece and left it on the table over there,” he added with a nod toward the opposite side of the cell. “You’d best eat it before the mice get to it.”
    Cole was becoming more frustrated by the second. Most of what the sheriff was telling him didn’t make any sense. “Answer my questions,” he demanded. “You said that someone important wanted to keep me here. Who was it?”
    â€œMarshal Daniel Ryan, that’s who. He should be along any minute now to let you out.”
    â€œRyan’s here? That no-good, low-down, thieving—”
    â€œHold on now. There ain’t no need to carry on. The marshal told me you’ve been bearing a grudge against him. He said it had something to do with a compass and gold case he’s been keeping safe for you.”
    Cole’s head was rapidly clearing. “My mother was bringing me the compass, and Ryan stole it from her. He doesn’t have any intention of giving it back. I’m going to have to take it from him.”
    â€œI think you might be wrong about that,” Norton said with a chuckle.
    It was futile to argue with him. Cole decided to save his wrath for the man who was responsible for locking him up … Daniel Ryan. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on him.
    â€œAre you going to let me out of here and give me my guns back?”
    â€œI’d surely like to.”
    â€œBut?”
    â€œBut I can’t,” the sheriff said. “Ryan’s got the keys. I’ve got to take some papers across town to the judge,so why don’t you sit tight and eat some cake? I shouldn’t be gone long.”
    The sheriff turned to leave. “One more thing,” he drawled out. “Congratulations, son. I’m sure you’ll do your family