Ellie was working on her third glass of Cactus Wine when the stranger walked into Billy Bob’s Saloon. His six-shooter and holster hung low on his left hip as he swaggered up to the bar, but his spurs had lost their jingle. Through the haze in her brain, she figured he was the sort of outlaw or gunslinger who thought he’d tamed the frontier west.
Sam was serving hooch that afternoon and he bustled up to the newcomer next to Ellie.
“What’ll ya have?”
“Whiskey. You got any vittles in this joint?” His attitude was churlish, like the sneer on his lips.
