THE DREAM FADED AND he cursed, and tried to get back to sleep and the beautiful woman who awaited him. Sleep came, but the dream was gone.
Andy, shaking his shoulder, woke him about sundown and Nick swung his legs off the cot and stood up. Still sleepy, he fingered the heavy stubble on his face and looked at the old man.
“Y’kin use my razor t’chop off that beard, son,” he said. “C’mon, get around now. Got soup and sandwiches ready an’ some famous Hocum coffee.”
Nick straightened his wrinkled clothing, shaking the last remnants of weary fog from his brain. Andy went on talking to him and said something that woke Nick Danson up completely.
“Yer buddies was here, couple o’ hours ago, son.”
“What?” It was almost impossible to keep the surprise out of his face and voice. Andy didn’t seem t
