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“Yes” She nodded “He’d taken a cigar and told my husband to include it on his bill Arthur said your father was in the back roo had fallen When he went back to see what had happened, your father was lying on the floor by his desk Arthur immediately sent someone for the doctor, but of course it was too late”

“Did he say anything about Judd Boston?” There was a cold cynicism in the question

Clara Pearce showed a trace of unease at the question “It wasn’t until later that we learned Mr Boston’s bank had instructed the sheriff to serve a foreclosure notice on your father’s ranch … for nonpayment of notes that were due”

“And Pa didn’t eline of his jaw stood out sharply

“I …” She hesitated

, then reluctantly said, “I believe my husband did make a comment about the aly asked if he intended to start a war Your father smiled and said only a small one”

Turning his face froely under his breath He’d known the day was co when his father’s situation would come to a head, but this wasn’t the way he had expected it to end

“Please sit down and drink your coffee, Benteen,” Mrs Pearce urged “It’s getting cold You’re probably hungry, too Letto eat”

“No” Impatience thinned the hard line of his mouth He was irritated with her fes and provide solace to so that was inconsolable

An inner rage made him leave the kitchen and the fe hand to ease the hot grief burning away his nu inside hiain he walked past Lorna as if she wasn’t there, and kept going until he reached the parlor

Lorna had expected Benteen to be upset, but not like this She would have been shocked if he had cried, yet she thought he would show er Instead he’d built a wall around himself that shut her out It hurt to think he didn’t want her, and that’s the i They were to be married She was to be his wife It was her duty to be at his side during times like these, to try to ease his pain

“What’s wrong, Mother?” Her bewildered voice was quietly pitched “He looks right through me and he was rude to you”

“Do you remember the puppy you had when you were little?” The understanding that caentle expression “It was kicked by a horse, and when you tried to help it, the puppy was in so much pain that it bit you The puppy didn’t ”

“Are you trying to say that Benteen is like a wounded aniestion

“I’ to say that his pain runs very deep,” her mother explained “Men sees—that we’ll think less of them if we see they can be vulnerable, too Benteen doesn’t want to aded her daughter to go to him