Shades of Blue by Littlewing 1957
Tending camp was boring, indelicate work, but Ennis was becoming used to it. He was a decent cook, even managing to make tasty meals with the meager provisions given him. Some days were better than others, but after a particularly lusty night with Jack Twist, Ennis woke restless and lonely.
It was against his better nature, his sense of duty, but Ennis needed to see his friend. Jack was due back to camp for his supper in about 5 hours, but Ennis couldn’t wait that long. He decided to take supper to Jack. Ennis packed a few cans of beans, a can of Vienna sausages, some peaches and a jug of whiskey. By the time he arrived up the mountain, Jack would already have a fire. His tent should also be equipped with a small pot. They should find everything they needed to cook and eat a decent meal.
Ennis found Jack after a few hours. He was sitting on a log, patting one of the blue healers, his harmonica in his lap. The sight of so many shades of blue gave Ennis pause. He took in Jack’s blue shirt, Jack's dark wash blue denims and the blue/black coat of the puppy. All of this silent, softly animated shades of blue positioned against the robin’s egg blue of the Wyoming sky wove a deep and lonely spell. The blue puppy heard Ennis' approach after a moment and ran to him, tail wagging. Jack looked up, blue eyes dancing and hopeful. He ran into Ennis’ arms, encircling him in a tangle of blue.