The Word of a Liar by Sally Beauchamp Page B

the morning.”
    “Fuck you, Mad Dog!” Mason growled.
    “Good night, Mason.” Ellen smiled, pausing in front of him. “And thank you for coming to my rescue tonight.”
    Their eyes connected. A strong, mysterious current shot through Mason. Ellen had to have felt it, he thought . His eyes searched her face for the smallest trace, but Ellen turned away to follow Mad Dog.
    Mason’s eyes followed after them until they ducked into Mad Dog’s tent. He stood up. Kicking a discarded beer can into the fire, Mason watched it burn black. When Mason looked up, he saw Muck Eye approaching. A woman hung her arm around Muck Eye’s shoulders. They staggered into the campsite.
    “Rambo, where is everybody?” Muck Eye asked, surveying the empty lawn chairs.
    “They’ve all turned in for the night. Where the hell is Jack?” Mason asked.
    “He’s down by the river,” Muck Eye replied.  “I’m headed over to our tent. I just came by to tell you, Jack was watching when you took care of that guy with the knife. It made a big impression on him. Jack could definitely use someone like you. I think you’ll be hearing from him in the morning.”
    Muck Eye patted Mason on the shoulder.
    “Way to go, man. I’ll see you in the mornin’,” Muck Eye said, smiling.  He and the woman ambled through the quiet campsites and then disappeared from view.
    Mason drank the last of his whiskey. It had been a very long day, but the prospect of being hired by Jack had made it all worthwhile.  A lot of doors would soon be opening for Mason Hackett, aka Rambo.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
     
    Mason crept quietly into his tent, pulled off his boots, and laid down on his sleeping bag. The throbbing in his cheek, the tenderness in his abdomen and the soreness in his backside where Mad Dog had kicked him to the ground, made him restless. He crossed his arms behind his head and looked up at the small vent at the top of the tent. The cool night air touched his face.  Strung out from the events of the night, he closed his eyes.
    Desi sighed.
    “What’s up babe?” Mason didn’t want to talk, but felt obligated. 
    She turned, resting her arm across his chest. Her green eyes searched his face in the darkness. “I don’t know. What is up Rambo?”
    “What do you mean by that?”
    “You’ve been acting weird tonight.”
    “Me? How have I been acting weird?”
    “Weird… like you’d rather be somewhere else. Ever since that woman showed up, you and Mad Dog have been tripping over each other to be near her. I got the vibe you didn’t want me around.”  She propped herself up on her elbow, her delicate face resting in the palm of her hand. “So who is she?” 
    “I told you. Her car broke down. She’s all alone and way out here. I suppose we feel responsible for her, that’s all. If you were ever in the same situation, I would hope someone would look out for you. You’re making a big deal out of nothing”
    “Am I?  I saw the way you were looking at her.  When you brought her over to the fire, you had your arm around her. What was that?  Being protective?”  Desi’s voice gained volume and emotion. “I might not be as educated as some fucking school teacher, but I’m not stupid. You said you’d always be honest with me. Are you being honest now?”
    “Honest about what?  For Christ’s sake, Desi, I just met the woman tonight. You’ve been ragging on me all day about us, and now you’re going off on me about Ellen. I never made any promises to you. I’ve never been anything but honest.”
    “That’s the point. You haven’t made any promises, and we’ve been together for almost a year. Do you realize, Rambo, you’ve never once said to me, ‘I love you’? Now I’m asking you, are you ever?”
    Desi rose to her knees. Mason thought she looked even more beautiful angry with her lifted chin and eyes flashing.
    He sat up and began to stroke her long tresses.
    “This afternoon,” Mason said,