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Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 32

The next morning I’m finishing up breakfast when Lou comes in. She doesn’t look too good, her eyes all bloodshot, her skin kind of gray. “What happened to you?” She sits down and reaches for a coffee cup. “I paid a visit to Virgil’s cabin.” “You were drinking his moonshine.” She picks up the coffeepot … Continue reading Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 32

Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 31

I rein in Coyote and sit there in the darkness. Is it a trip to the privy, or something more? I have a feeling he’s up to no good. There’s something about this man that just sticks in my craw. He soft foots it down to the livery stable, gets his horse out of the … Continue reading Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 31

Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 30

When I walk into the boarding house Lou and Pearl are sitting together at a table, their heads together, thick as thieves. They look up, see me, and start laughing. “Again?” I say. “A man could get ideas in his head from you laughing at him all the time.” “Who says we’re laughing at you?” … Continue reading Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 30

Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 29

I walk on down to Annie’s house. She’s out working in her garden, tying up tomato plants. “Is this one of them tomato worms?” Camila calls out to her. The little girl is leaning in close to one of the tomato plants, looking at something. Annie looks over. “It is. Pluck it off and give … Continue reading Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 29

Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 28

Figuring they won’t try anything else for a few hours, I ride back into town, Virgil following on his mule. “A mule is the worst sort of animal ever created,” I tell him. “You should meet my friend Lou. He’s partial to mules too.” “Lou sounds like a right sort of feller.” Virgil peels off … Continue reading Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 28

Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 27

  Lou has the coffeepot on and is sitting behind the desk, her feet up on the desk. I tap the star on my chest. “You’re sitting in my chair.” She points at the other chair. “How do you know that’s not your chair?” The seat is split on the other chair and it looks … Continue reading Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 27

Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 26

There isn’t much to the sheriff’s office. A cell just about big enough for a man to lie down in, if he’s kind of short. It’s covered in thick dust, so it clearly doesn’t get much use. There’s also a desk, two chairs, a lantern and a pot-bellied stove with a coffee pot on it, … Continue reading Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 26

Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 25

When I come in for breakfast the next morning I find Lou already up. Pearl is sitting with her and the two are drinking coffee and laughing. They look up, see me, and laugh even harder. “What’s so funny?” I grumble, sitting down and reaching for a coffee cup. “Nothing,” they say together and laugh … Continue reading Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 25

Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 24

Herm looks like a steer that just got hit with a hammer right between the eyes. He seems to be having trouble getting the words to come out of his mouth. “Did you say…a thousand dollars?” he croaks. “I did,” Annie replies. Herm takes a hankie from his pocket and wipes his forehead. “That is…that … Continue reading Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 24

Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 23

After eating, Lou and I walk down the main street and I’m struck by how different this town is from so many I’ve been in. Most towns are slapped together in a few days, thrown up quick to take advantage of some nearby gold strike or something. Abandoned just as quick too, when the strike … Continue reading Ace Lone Wolf and the One-Eyed Mule Skinner – chapter 23