Judson Law and the Sad Ballad of Rosa Marie

By John J. Law

As a bounty hunter, Judson Law was constantly finding himself in stressful situations. After a long ride, he came into a small town in search of a hot bath, a meal, and a good rest. What he got was far more than he bargained for. Judson Law would find himself in a fight for his freedom and his life, from a very unusual source.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.C. Hulsey Books
• Release date: Dec 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223926436

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The Last Time

Don't leave me, Henry. Please don't leave me.

Rosa Marie pleaded, and she hugged her man tight. She embraced him as hard as she could, but it was all in vain. She knew that it would all be in vain, but she still tried to hold him tight. The result was the same. It was always the same result.

Henry gently pulled away from her. He had large hands that were full of veins and creases, like the talons of an eagle. Such hands were very capable of much violence. He could easily shove her away and she would fly off to the edge of the room. He could also clamp tightly upon her, and never let go, the way an eagle clamps onto snake or vermin on the ground. He could have done either, but he did neither. No, instead, he gently pushed her away.

He shook his head. She could see that there was much regret in his eyes, but it would not change his decision.

I'm sorry, Rosa. I have to go.

She fought back the tears. Her body trembled like a tiny leaf being tossed about in the wind.

No! No, you can't leave me, Henry. You just can't!

He shook his head and spoke softly. He could feel her trembling even more now. She shook so hard, it seemed as if she would shatter into a million pieces.

Rosa, I'm sorry. I have to do this. I have to go.

She shook her head. At first, she thought he looked handsome and sharp in his uniform. It was pressed perfectly. She had washed and pressed his clothes herself. The blue color of his Union uniform seemed to sparkle, and he looked truly fetching. Unfortunately, she did not see anything attractive about him in his uniform now. She only saw the uniform for what it was. At best, it was something that would take him away from her for a protracted amount of time. At worst, it would be the last thing she would see him wearing.

No, Henry! No, please don't go! Please!

She pleaded with him, but it was no use. He was already moving out the door. He smiled at her as he waved at her. He would get on his horse and ride out to the horizon. It would be the last time that Rosa Marie would see him.

CHAPTER TWO

Matters of the Heart

Judson Law wandered into the small town, tired and smelling of gunpowder and death. Wandering into unknown towns was nothing new for a man like him. He was a bounty hunter by trade and made a living hunting other men. In such a profession, death and the unknown were his constant companions. The presence of one or the other, or even both, did not concern him. For a man like him, the only thing that mattered was surviving day by