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“Then stop trying to arouse a son’s love for you,” Lorna de for Benteen at all, don’t use him this way Be his business associate, his financier Be his friend, but don’t let hi if the mother he’s alanted has come back to him”

There was no response to her plea as Lady Crawford turned away and appeared to wander leisurely to the trunk Lorna had packed She picked up the dress that had been tossed aside

“Why are you doing all this packing?” She acted as if none of the previous conversation had transpired

“I’ve decided to s into the house,” answered Lorna “There are two rooms we can live in until the rest of it is finished”

“I see,” she murmured, and laid the dress down “I’ll fetch two of the workmen to carry these trunks for you” She exited the cabin in an unhurried, gliding walk, leaving Lorna to wonder if anything had been accomplished

Benteen brought his horse out of a lope into a sidestepping trot when he spied the crude buildings nestled against the bluff that sat back froether as they slowed their horses

“That’s it” Bull Giles confir at their destination

Benteen’s nerves hetted to a fine edge as he surveyed the site The trees had been cleared away,seen The ainst the bluff A shed with a corral sat forward on the right, and there was a shack sitting across froht up to the post could trap them in a crossfire The bluff elis were located with defense in mind He stopped his horse So far, they hadn’t been seen

“How many are there?” He shot a look at Giles

“There were seven with him the last time I was here,” he admitted “Can’t be many more than that in his bunch”

Unwilling to leave the range completely unmanned, Benteen had split his forces, which left hi himself and Bull Giles He turned in his saddle

“We’re gonna have to divide up and

hit ’em from two sides Barnie, you take five men and make for that cabin The rest of you can follow me,” he ordered

“You reckon in circlin’ around to the corral?” Bull asked

“That’s the idea,” Benteen answered briskly