Page 15 of A Groom for Millie
“Well, lookee here,” one of the men said. He moved slightly and Robert cupped his eyes to block the sun’s glare. “If it isn’t Robert the Deuce Taylor.” He held out his arms and performed a little jig. “How are you doing, Deuce? Feeling lucky today?” he said lunging forward and pulling back.
James moved behind his mother’s skirts and peeked out at the outlaws.
Robert sighed. “What are you doing, Ben?” Robert asked.
“You know these men?” James’ father asked.
“I played cards with them in several town.”
“You did more than play cards,” Victor said moving forward. “You stole everything we had.”
Robert raised his hands. “No, I didn’t. You lost fair and square.” He spied Cedric Myron moving around the side holding the two horses.
“I got your horse, Bart. Let’s go.”
“But we got him good, didn’t we?” Ben sang. “Yeah, we got him good. The papers even say…”
“Shut up, Ben,” Bart said.
“Let’s go, Bart,” Cedric called. “I don’t want to stay around here.”
“Not so fast,” Bart said with a leer. He got off his horse and grabbed the reticule from James’ mother. Bart pressed it against Mrs. Baker. “You,” he said waving the gun at her. “Gather up all the valuables. Jewelry, coins, bills. Be quick about it and don’t leave anything behind.” The woman blinked her eyes several times as if she were trying to process the words being thrown at her. “Now!” he yelled.
Robert watched as the woman jumped. She quickly opened the reticule and motioned for the passengers to drop in their valuables. She paused when she stood in front of Robert. “I think he’s serious,” she whispered to him.
Robert reached in his suit pocket for an envelope. He placed it inside the bag. What the robbers didn’t know was that most of Robert’s money was sewn into the lining of his pants.
The woman turned back to Bart and handed him the reticule. “That’s it,” she said.
Bart took the bag and pushed the woman aside. His gun was now focused on Robert.
“Where is it?” he sneered.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“The money. Where’s the money?” Bart waved his gun at the passengers. “Where’smymoney?”
Robert’s lips tilted up in a smirk. “You think I’d be crazy enough to carry that amount of money with me? I put it in the bank.”
Vincent moved forward once more. “You said…”
Par took advantage of the distraction and scrambled back up to the top of the coach.
Bart lifted his hand. “I know what I said.” He turned back to Robert. “You must have my gun. You can’t wire that to your next destination.”
Robert reached into his pocket once more. He pulled out a cigar and a match. Eyeing Bart, he lifted his boot and struck the match against his heel. He lit the cigar and took several puffs before shaking the match out. “Sold it,” he lied. The gun was packed in the bottom of his saddlebag.
“Why you…” Bart opened and closed his fists. “I need that money. I found me a woman and we are gunna set up housekeeping.”
Robert lifted his brow in surprise. He couldn’t imagine anyone knowingly tying themselves to a man like Bart Carson.
Robert noticed the beads of perspiration dotting Bart’s face. He probably needed a drink. “Listen, Carson. Why don’t you go do whatever you are going to do? You got the jewels and money. Leave everyone alone. Head to the next town and get a bottle of whiskey.”
Bart licked his lips at the wordswhiskey. He even salivated a little. Robert watched Bart wipe his mouth with the back of his sleeve. Spit dribbled from Bart’s mouth when he pulled his arm away. Robert tried not to wince in disgust.
At that moment, Robert was grateful for having a poker face. He gave nothing away to Bart. Bart didn’t have the same skill. Robert recognized the wild look in Bart’s eyes as they darted left and right looking for his next move.
The outlaw looked around at the passengers. “I think we’re done here.” He spied something twinkling in the sun and moved closer to Mrs. Baker. “I told youeverything,” he snarled, reaching up to grab a silver necklace around the woman’s neck. With one yank the necklace broke, and Bart shoved the pieces in his pocket.
