Monument Rock (Ss) (1998) (38 page)

"Do you see him?" The voice was unfamiliar, sarcastic. "I don't."

Then the other. "I'm goin' on top!"

"You're crazy!"

A long time later a loud whoop and then running feet. "Here's Mailer! Hey, woul
d
you look at that? Man, what happened up here, anyway?"

He tried to call out again, and this time they came hurrying. Cain Brockman, Rust
y
Gates, Gordon Flynn, his head bandaged and his face thin, and with them several me
n
from town. "You all right, Lance?" Gates pleaded, his face redder still with worry.

"What do you think?" Kilkenny muttered.

And when he opened his eyes again, he was lying in darkness between clean white sheet
s
and he felt vastly relaxed and comfortable. And Nita came in, walking softly, an
d
sat down beside him. "Everything all right?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am," he whispered. "As long as when I'm well we're goin' to California t
o
sit by the sea."

She smiled, "There's a little port town called San Pedro, and I expect the railroa
d
workers and dock men will want a gambling hall as much as anyone." She kissed hi
m
gently. "When I see you're better, I'll have Cain start packing the wagons."