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The two hts were focused inward on the story he’d just heard It was still sinking in, the way things had happened At least he knew that Bull had loved his ht by her But Sky couldn’t help wondering about the paths not followed Would Bull have married his Marie if she hadn’t left him? Or, if her brother hadn’t stolen the letter and the fifty thousand dollars, would his own life have been different?

Sky had few memories of his mother But when he’d run away at fifteen, he’d recalled her s and the Rimrock, so that here he’d headed Bull Tyler had taken one look at hied teen as a stable hand Bull would have knoho he was froed his secret son nor shown hiin to understand his reasons

The question that reent one of all Was what he’d learned enough to justify his asking Lauren to be his wife?

A jab from Jasper’s elbow jerked Sky’s attention back to the seep There, strolling out of the scrub within easy range, was a big Tom turkey with his harem of three hens

Jasper raised the shotgun Too late Sky reun the old man had lost; and when fired, it packed a nasty recoil They should have taken a few practice shots back at the house so Jasper would knohat to expect Now the birds were here, and it was too late to speak up without spoiling the shot

Sky hadJasper had the gun stock braced against his shoulder, near the spot where he’d been wounded The kick fro flesh

“Stop,” he said softly, putting a hand on Jasper’s ar on the trigger The shotgun roared, the recoil froainst the seat His yelp of pain was followed by a string of curses as the turkeys scattered, unharmed, into the air

“Tarnation, that hurt” He clutched at his shoulder

“Sorry, I should’ve warned you,” Sky said “I forgot how hard that gun can kick Are you okay?”

“I’ll live And so will the damned turkeys, no thanks to—” He went silent, a blank look stealing across his face

“Jasper, are you all right?”

The old cowboy hts into words “It’s that burnt gunpowder smelland the shot, and the pain in my shoulder Lord, Sky, I remember it all, clear as day! I remember what I saw out here!”

“Cal “You saw the man who shot you”

“Plain as I see you,” Jasper said “Tall, thin, long, black hair Only it wasn’t a man It was a woman”

“You’re sure?”