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“How much are they worth?”

Loman Janes slowly reached backward and lifted the flap of his saddlebag to lift out a leather pouch He juggled it in his palainst each other; then he tossed it to Big Ed

“And there’ll be a bonus later on e see how successful you are,” Janes said

“In other words, you’re payin’Ed smiled

“How could I do that?” he mocked “You said yourself that you aren’t those Indians’ keeper How could anyone blame you if the Indians ‘happen’ to raid Triple C cattle more than any other ranchers’ in the area?”

“Yeah” Big Ed nodded

, his sht”

When Lorna heard the clatter of the buggy wheels outside the cabin, she ran s hands over her hair and walked quickly to the door She glanced over her shoulder at the two boys napping on the short cots, then stepped outside

The buggy had stopped, but Bull Giles still held the reins Lady Crawford leaned forward in the rear seat when Lorna approached, and inquired, “Where can I find Benteen?”

“He’s up the hill” Lorna indicated the house with a nod of her head

“Thank you” The woman sat back and waved a hand at Giles to order him to drive on

The breath Lorna released cah She turned and walked slowly back to the cabin door As she paused on the threshold, her gaze strayed to the hill, where the black buggy stopped in front of the house She saw Benteen come out and help Lady Crawford down Then the two of them disappeared inside the house

It wasn’t the first such visit Lady Crawford had made She’d been to the ranch on two other occasions Neither time had she visited with Lorna at all, not even briefly Benteen had explained that he was undertaking a business venture with her, but avoided telling Lorna any details

But it wasexcluded from their business conversations that bothered Lorna It was Benteen’s reluctance to discuss anything about Lady Crawford with her Soht he’d sat up drinking He had become preoccupied lately, uncommunicative

Sighing again, she turned and entered the cabin