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“We’re not going after Indians,” Benteen said “We’re going after Big Ed Sallie and his bunch”
“I can show you where to find them,” Bull stated
“Tell Barnie I said to saddle a horse for you” Benteen accepted the offer to ride with the all the explanation he needed
When Bull Giles left, they stood alone by the partially filled grave Benteen shifted, angling toward Lorna She felt the vague movement of his hand on her back and lifted her face Her eyes clung to hiuish
“I won’t say good-bye, not to you,” she whispered, and borrowed the phrase froo with God”
The pressure of his hand pulled her to hi to return, pro a love that would endure as long as grass grew green in the spring Her eyes stayed closed when the kiss ended, her lips trele of his spurshorses
Saddle leather creaked and hooves shuffled Lorna opened her eyes to watch the band of riders leave Benteen swung his horse toward her and held her gaze across the distance, then reined it north She lost sight of him when the other riders fell in behind his horse
At Lorna’s invitation, the minister stayed for an early lunch, then escorted Mary to her ho little part in the table conversation Within minutes after Reverend Worth and Mary had departed, she left Lorna with the dishes and disappeared in the direction of the Homestead
Rusty and the recuperating Shorty had taken charge of Webb, which left Lorna with empty minutes to fill She’d already had her time of tears and prayers She needed another outlet to work off her pain She began by storing Arthur’s things in the botto
As she folded a dress and laid it on top of one of Benteen’s shirts, the cabin door swung open Lorna paused only long enough to glance over her shoulder and identify hisanother dress
“Is this why you encouraged Benteen to leave?” Lady Crawford challenged calone?” Lorna slowly turned, stunned by the suggestion “I can’t say that I bla to leave I’ve noticed how fond you are of your children Losing your son in such a brutal fashion was undoubtedly the last straw You can take y Just leave it at the livery in town”
“You areand I have never had any intention of leaving,” Lorna corrected stiffly “This ranch is my home Do not presume that because you could not tolerate this kind of life, every other woman feels the same”
“I don’t presume that,” she replied “But you’ve been unhappy here I’ve seen that No one should have to fight and struggle, and live like this, especially a woman”
Lorna’s fingers curled into the worn dress in her hand before she tossed it briskly aside She walked over to grip Lady Crawford’s arm and direct her to the map drawn on the piece of canvas
“Do you see that? Do you knohat it is?” she demanded