I Need a Big One This Time!

EXCERPT FROM MY BOOK, WARM EMBERS BURN DEEP:

"You want me to do what?"

Layn sat down on one of the rustic wooden chairs and stretched out his long legs in front of him. One large leather, scratched and scruffy boot crossed over the other as he sat back and began sipping the hot coffee mug.

He decided not to make any further comments and force Jack to get to the purpose of this requested visit. Hopefully, it would not be too long to get what he wanted. Layn’s dream of a delicious meal and a nice hot bath in St. Louis this evening might be delayed even further.

Jack could see the impatience that Layn was not hiding very well, and decided to jump into business.

Jack took a couple of sips from his coffee cup, which had cooled since before Layn had appeared, and grimaced at the taste. He should have had the private get him a fresh cup as well.

“Well, Barlow,” Jack started tentatively but with a hint of authority. “I need a big one this time.”

The general sat back in his chair as well and stretched out his legs under his desk. He knew he was going to get a lot of flak from Layn Barlow this time for his request, but it was sincerely urgent. And he could only share the bare minimum facts of information.

Layn looked at the man and slightly nodded, waiting patiently for him to speak. Both men’s eyes met in a force of will that was a necessary ingredient for surviving in this barbaric land. Each knew that the other had had to face tremendous challenges from native attacks to war to “peace” of sorts to upcoming struggles and battles. There was still a lot of unrest infiltrating across the land, but thankfully not between the countries each man represented. Although Layn could be considered more or less an American now, immigrated and ingrained, not born.

“I need you to … escort … someone … to Camp Williams in the Oregon Territory.”

“You want me to do what?”