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He blinked and lowered the gun, his body slu One hand went to the wound on his head He winced as his fingers touched the blood-encrusted crease “My head hurts like hell Good Lord, have I been shot?”

“Shot, but just winged froet you some water” Rose stood, strode to the horse, and retrieved the canteen It was heavy with the cool weight of the water inside When she glanced up at the sky, she saw that the buzzards were gone

“As forhere is trying to save your life” As she spoke, she twisted the lid off the canteen and thrust it toward him “Drink up There’s plenty, and it’ll e off that wound, just to pretty you up a little You’re lucky to be alive”

He drank long and deeply, wiping his mouth as he lowered the canteen “So if you aren’t a rustler, as you say, what the hell are you doing out here?” he asked

“I was out riding with Bull’s two sons We ca Riot this far and found you”

He glanced around “So where are the two boys?”

“I sent theet you on your feet, I’ll be going after them They’re just kids They shouldn’t be out here alone Do you have a clean handkerchief?”

He fished in his shirt pocket and came up with a folded square of white cotton She poured water on it and began dabbing at the wound, not opening the bullet crease but cleaning up around it His hair was thick and clean, just beginning to gray at the temples, and the skin of his face had weathered to a patina like fine leather Even under these crazy conditions, Rose are that she enjoyed touching hier a threat

“I suppose I should ask what you were doing out here,” she said

“Prescott sentfrom one of his pastures I followed them this far, heard the cows, and saw so froo Did you see anybody when you ca with the boys?”

“Not a soul If the rustlers are still with the cows, they’re not showing themselves” She rinsed the bloodstained handkerchief, untied his red bandanna froe “I’ve got to catch up with the boys,” she said, tying it around his head “Do you think you can ride?”

“I’ll be fine” Gri with effort, Tanner pushed himself to his feet and took a few steps He swayed as he walked, but he kept going, his teeth clenched against the pain Rose stayed at his side to steady hi to his horse As if to prove he didn’t need her help, he clasped the saddle horn, lifted a boot to the stirrup, and swung his body into place

“What are you going to tell your boss?” She reached up to hand him the canteen

“The truth” His eyes were laced with pain “He’ll be grateful that you ca and helped me Where’s your horse?”

“Back there in the brush” She glanced over her shoulder, the way she’d co on, you’ll want this” She fetched his hat, which had caught on a nearby bush