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A sour sensation curdled in his stomach Martin Clark She’d sh that it had displayed her white, even teeth, and showed she cared about the man

The name could be familiar, but Seth had met many soldiers over the years For all he knew, Clark could have been one of the soldiers fro

Seth scanned the area out theoncea large crate across the courtyard, toward the cabin His teeth clamped down He’d lied to her about the Indians, but there were dangers here Plenty of thehest place in the nation Besides the very real possibility of an Indian uprising at any time, there hiskey peddlers, Mexican traders, desperados, horse thieves, cattle rustlers, prostitutes andIt was no place for women, and no matter which sister it was, he should send her back as fast as possible

Yet he didn’t want to Instead, he wanted to knohy she’d traveled weeks to get here Her telegram had confused and irritated him, but now she had him out of sorts She was the exact opposite of what he’d expected What he remembered

“You know, Seth, so we need” Jasper had ht

Seth gestured toward the activity happening around his cabin with a nod “That is nothing but trouble, and I don’t need any more troubles”

“Maybe she won’t be trouble,” Jasper said “Maybe the changes she brings are what the men need”

Seth took pride in co a well-run fort, but knew the counsel he received fro force behind all his actions Still pondering what Jasper could be referring to, he glanced toward the other man when he shifted, pointed out the

“Things have changed out here the past few years, Seth, and they’re good changes Towns are popping up, settlerswo to the soiled doves that have made the rounds for years The ar with their husbands at the forts rather than staying back East The men here want that, too Most men, whether they’re soldiers or not, don’t want to remain alone forever”

Seth turned from the alked to his desk and picked up the report Jasper had been reading, but it was just to give hi married”

“Yes,” Jasper answered “And you kno I feel about it”

He did kno Jasper felt Four years ago, when the ned to Fort Sill, Seth had refused to allow Ilene to accompany him out here Neither the man nor his wife had accepted that cos, but, now, Seth had to admit, Ilene was as much a part of the fort as Jasper was

Spinning so he leaned against the wall, Jasper folded his arms “You’re one of the best commanders I’ve seen, Seth Men not only respect you, they trust you When are you going to learn to trust?”