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“Yes”

“It’s crazy,” he murmured on a faraway note “They always say people who live by the gun die by it Boston did his taking with legal papers, not bullets A nonviolent thief But he died violently just the same”

There was a light rap at the door Lorna turned, not leaving his bedside “Yes?”

The door opened and Lady Crawford swirled into the roo black satin skirts She was the loves gripped the pearl handle of her parasol

“So you were the one doing all that shooting last night,” she said to Benteen in eood, of course” She paused briefly “How are you feeling?”

“I’ll feel better when I’ers with Lorna’s

“I’h I don’t envy her the task,” Elaine stated “As for overnor has invited me to spend a few days with his family It should prove to be a valuable trip, I believe”

“Yes, it should be,” Benteen agreed, but Lorna caught the resignation in his voice

“Perhaps you’ll be well enough to go with ested absently “There’s a lot of groundwork that needs to be done, and I’m certainly not needed here, when you have Lorna to take care of you”

“That’s true,” he agreed again

“Unfortunately, it will be a few days before Mr Giles is up and around, so I’m forced to travel alone Hopefully he’ll be able to resume his duties in a couple of weeks I looked in on him briefly,” she admitted

“I’lanced at Lorna, no longer feeling threatened by her friendship with Bull Giles, as he had proved last night when he’d sent her to him

“I’ business,” Elaine continued “And I have a great deal of packing to do I only stopped to let you knohere I’ll be I’ll contact you when I return”

Lorna was beginning to understand his ly cool attitude, so brisk and efficient A mother would be concerned about her child’s illness or injury, and reluctant to leave hi neither ee of admiration and respect for the woman

“By the way …” Elaine paused in her turn away froed a forovernment on your behalf, because of the cattle stolen by Indians from their reservations I am quite sure that you will soon be recompensed for your losses”