The Arizona Kid Hardcover - 2005

Excerpt

It was Abby, in a white silk shirt with the top button undone. Both she and Lew had changed earrings. Hers had long feathers and his a little skeleton.

"Hi, Billy," she said as she put her arms around Lew. "Guess who's here." She nodded over his shoulder toward Cara Mae. "Why don't you mosey on over there."

"Yeah," said Lew. "And make sure you mosey. No strolling."

"What'll I say to her?"

"Anything," Lew advised. "Tell her you love those white pants."

"Don't say that," Abby broke in. "Just compliment her on her hat or something."

Some Stetson, great headgear, spiffy chapeau. I tried them all as I moseyed. Then I paused a few yards away. She was inspecting each and every horse. Intensely.

I inched closer. Where'd you buy that hat? I'd like a hat like that. Can I try on your hat?

"What the hell do you want?" she snapped.

The last thing I'd thought popped right out. "To try on your hat."

"Get bent," she said.

I reported to Abby and Lew.

What'd you say?" Abby asked.

"That I wanted to try on her hat."

Silence.

"It just slipped out, okay?"

"So what'd she say?" asked Lew.

"She told me to get bent."

"Definitely promising," Lew said. "Definitely interested."

"Go back and try again," said Abby, shoving me.

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THE ARIZONA KID by Ron Koertge. Copyright (c) 2005 by Ron Koertge. Published by Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.