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“And what were you running from, Wyatt?” I sneered, knowing that he couldn’t possibly understand what I went through.
“I killed a man. I didn’t mean to, but I did just the same. His blood will always be on my hands.” He said, shocking me.
He killed someone? How was he even out of prison?
“How old were you?” I asked, wondering how old he was now.
“sixteen. I’m forty-two now. Got out three years ago. Spent two of them in a dark place addicted to everything you can think of. I met a man on a business trip who said he could give me some work away from it all. I owe Austin everything. He helped clean me up and get me straight again.” He said as he looked out at the paddock.
One of the horses came wandering over, a beautiful black stallion whose coat shone in the light. He nudged Wyatt’s arm before nickering softly.
Whyatt stroked his face affectionately before pulling out a carrot from his pocket and feeding it to him.
“This here is Outlaw. I owe him just as much as I do to Austin. Horses are more healing than any human could be.” He said as he continued to pat his neck.
“If you ever need someone to listen without judgment, I’m happy to. I promise you, your demons can't scare mine.” He walked away, leaving me staring after the man who had just shone the light on my soul while making me feel guilty.
If I sold this place, I would be selling his salvation. Could I do that?
I had a feeling he wasn’t the only one who had a tale like that to tell. Austin had a habit of picking up strays and helping them find a new home.
I looked up at the moon and silently cursed Austin for putting this burden on me, while also regretting that I wasn’t here to see him before he died.
Whatever I chose, I had to do it with my head and not my heart.
I just hoped my heart would stop whispering.
Seven
Wyatt
Idon’tknowwhatpossessed me to tell her the truth. I suppose it was the almost desperate look in her eyes that even the night couldn’t hide from me. A look that I understood more than any of the others here understood.
What I hadn’t told her was why Austin had offered me a job here. He knew my past and he gave me the opportunity to use my skills in a place that wouldn’t judge.
It isn’t easy taking a man’s life and when you do, that blood stains your soul. Not everyone had the ability to carry that burden, but I did.
Prison hadn’t been kind to a smart-mouthed kid who thought he was tough. My first life taken may have been in a drug-induced haze, but the others weren’t.
I learned real quick what crowds were the ones who would have your back, and which ones wouldn’t while inside, and self-defense on the inside doesn’t share the same consequences as it does out.
Devils Tooth Ridge was the ideal place for a degenerate like me and even though the Hart Ranch did bad things, they were good people.
I pushed open the door to the bunker, wincing at the smell of alcohol. I rarely drank these days which left me as the butt of jokes here in the bunkhouse.
“I got a look at the daughter this evening. She doesn’t have a whole lot of meat on her bones, but I’d still love to give that sheila a ride.” Jack said from his spot at the table where the men were playing poker.
“As if anyone would give you a ride, Jack. You wouldn’t know what to do with a woman like that!” Barry said and the others laughed.
Jack noticed me and I watched the shift, the meanness in his eyes. The man was still young and looking to prove himself and had apparently taken to disliking me for some reason.
“hey, Wyatt. What do you think? Would you want to see her bent over or on her knees sucking your dick?” He sneered and I ignored him,
I learned my lesson not to bite back with him, or he wouldn’t stop.
“Nah, I bet you don’t even like women. I bet you like to have a dick in your ass instead don’t ya? Or maybe you like to gobble it up. Gobble, gobble, gobble!” He continued, laughing at his own joke.
The others chuckled, but I saw the hesitation in their eyes. I turned around to look at him, crossing my arms as I leaned against my bed.
