"This road go any place else?"
"J-just my luck. I heard Ben Vickers is looking for a troublebuster. I f-figured to hit him for the job. Reckon I wouldn't have a chance against you."
No, Tesno thought, you wouldn't have a chance. Even if Ben hadn't already made me an offer, he would never trust a stammering, whisky-sipping breed kid to tie on a gun and do his tough-work. But he found himself clapping Willie on the shoulder as he moved past the boy to pick up his saddle. He caught the blue roan and stroked its neck with the saddle blanket.
"I haven't signed on yet," he said.
"Hell, I'll wind up as water boy or some d-damn fool thing," Willie said. He grinned and added, "As usual."
"Maybe you could charm that town boss-lady into giving you a job. That Persia Parker they talk about."
Willie blushed at the mere idea. "Ch-charming ain't among my talents. Not that I wouldn't l-like to. You ever seen her?"
"No, but I'll lay odds she isn't the looker the rumors have her. She's probably a fat, mannish type or a tired-faced little tart with dollar signs for eyes."
"You'd lose the bet," Willie said. "I saw her down to Ellensburg. She's a kn-knockout. And a real lady."
"How do you tell that?"