He didn’t seem friendly so I didn’t offer to shake hands.
“I’m John Herrick,” he said, looking straight at me. “You haven’t heard of me, but I have heard of you. Frankly, Mr. Cain, I’m sorry to see you here. I understand you are on vacation and I only hope it is true. If it is, then I hope you won’t stir up trouble here.”
I stared at him. “Thank God someone’s sorry I’ve arrived,” I said. “I was getting to think my welcome was genuine.”
“This town has enough trouble without importing wild gunmen,” Herrick returned quietly. “I suppose it would be too much to ask you to give us no cause to complain?”
“You’ve got me wrong,” I said, laughing at him. “I’m not so wild. And listen, so long as I’m left alone, I’m the nicest guy on earth. It’s only when people start crowding me that I get nervous, and when I’m nervous maybe I do get a little wild.”
He regarded me thoughtfully. “Forgive me for being so blunt, Mr. Cain. I am sure if you were left alone you would behave as well as anyone of us. But I think it might be as well if you changed your mind about staying in Paradise Palms. I have a feeling that someone will crowd
you before long.”
I looked down at the bourbon.
“I’ve got the same feeling,” I said, “but I’m sticking around for all that.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Mr. Cain,” he said. “You may easily regret your decision.”