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Telling herself it was tinawed at her all the way from Río Seco “What happened here after you tookHam Prescott?”

Bull exchanged glances with Jasper “What happened is a story for another time,” he said “But no, you’re not likely to be arrested The shooting was ruled self-defense”

“Which is exactly what it was,” Jasper added

“And Ferg Prescott? When he learns I’m back, will he come after me?”

Again, Bull glanced at Jasper, then shook his head “You did Ferg a favor He hated his old e, he’d have taken it long before now The story’s old news, Rose As long as you keep your head down and don’t make a fuss about it, you should be fine”

“I understand,” Rose said But in truth, she didn’t understand at all Large pieces werefrom the picture, and Bull didn’t seeot the chance to talk with Jasper alone, she could ask him for the full story

For now, the evening’s conversation seemed to be over Bull rose froed the invisible kinks in his lower back “Roundup ti,” he said “Unless you’re up before first light, you won’t see us for breakfast, Rose But Bernice will be here in case you need anything”

“Didn’t you say you were going to call the Rangers?” Jasper reminded him

“Oh—that’s right You’ll have to get the men started without me I’ll join you as soon as I’ve talked to them”

“No proble, Rose? I’ll show you to your side of the duplex”

“Thanks,” Rose said “Just leave it open I’ll be along after I’ve cleaned up here”

After the e, rinsed the dishes, and loaded them in the dishwasher She could hear the muffled sound of the TV from Bernice’s apartment off the kitchen She hoped Bernice would appreciate not having to clean up after the late supper The woman had been friendly to her Rose would do her best to keep things that way

She left by the kitchen door, stepping out into the cool spring night A stone’s toss from the back steps was the chicken coop she and Jasper had built together, its wire round to keep out one to their nest boxes Fro, like thebee The coave her a sense of home Were these chickens descendants of the ones she’d rescued frorandpa’s place and left behind when Bull had rushed her off to Mexico? Maybe Jasper would know

At the far edge of the backyard, she could see the blocky outline of the duplex A glowing red dot and the faint aro for her on the porch

She could see hi back in the old cane rocker she remembered fros sprawled nearby He put his feet down and gave her a grin as she mounted the steps