Only 06 - Winter Fire

those Culpeppers once and for all,” Hunter said calmly.
    â€œAmen,” Morgan said. “It’s a durned long ride to make every time we hear rumors that you bit off more Culpepper than you could chew.”
    â€œHow well are they dug in?” Hunter asked his brother.
    â€œThey’re lazy,” Case said. “Most of them have brush wickiups that wouldn’t stop a bullet.”
    â€œAb?” Hunter asked.
    â€œHe and two of his kin are kind of dug into the side of the canyon.”
    â€œAny good angles of fire?”
    â€œOnly one, and it’s guarded.”
    â€œAny chance of burning them out?”
    Case shrugged. “It could be done, but I’d hate to be the man to do it.”
    â€œWater?” Hunter asked.
    â€œIt’s called Spring Canyon because water runs year round.”
    â€œSupplies and bullets?” Hunter continued calmly.
    â€œEnough of both for a long winter or a short war.”
    â€œWeak points?”
    Ute gave Hunter an approving glance.
    â€œLack of discipline,” Case said promptly. “There have been unauthorized raids on some ranches in the high country.”
    â€œAny raiders get killed?”
    Case looked at Ute.
    Ute shook his head.
    â€œSons of bitches cow chasers can’t shoot a fish in a barrel,” Ute said, his voice rich with disgust.
    â€œAny raids here?” Hunter asked.
    â€œCase can shoot,” Ute said succinctly. “We done some buryin’.”
    â€œNot enough,” Case said.
    â€œAre they watching the ranch?” Hunter asked.
    Ute and Case both nodded.
    Hunter looked quickly at Sarah, who was still scrubbing the pot.
    â€œThat’s part of the reason they watch,” Case said roughly. “The rest is Spanish silver.”
    â€œI heard some loose talk about treasure,” Morgan said.
    â€œSo did the Culpeppers and Moody’s bunch,” Case said. “They’re hunting silver.”
    Sarah looked up from the pot.
    â€œThey won’t find it,” she said.
    â€œWhat makes you so sure?” Hunter asked.
    â€œI’ve been thinking about it.”
    Case turned and looked narrowly at Sarah.
    â€œAnd?” Case prompted.
    â€œThey’re looking in the wrong place.”
    â€œWhat makes you say that?” he asked.
    â€œLike I said, I’ve been thinking.”
    â€œAbout what?”
    â€œI’m not saying one more word until I get to look for it myself,” she said flatly.
    â€œYou think I’d steal it?” Case asked, his voice hard.
    She looked as shocked as she was.
    â€œOf all the fool ideas,” she retorted. “Of course I don’t. I don’t think your brother or Morgan or Ute or Lola or the darned chickens would steal it, either.”
    Case lifted his left eyebrow and waited.
    â€œI’m getting cabin fever,” she said. “If I can’t hunt silver, no one can.”
    â€œIt’s not safe for—”
    â€œâ€”anyone,” she cut in. “But you come and go all thetime. I’m tired of being a prisoner in my own house.”
    There was a tight silence. Then Case swore under his breath and looked at Hunter.
    His brother just smiled.
    Case turned back to Sarah. The look in his eyes was colder than winter.
    â€œWhere do you want to start?” he asked.
    â€œI’ll tell you when we get there.”
    â€œOf all the stubborn—”
    â€œLooks like you’re going to be busy,” Hunter interrupted. “Morgan and I will divide up your watches.”
    Case started to object.
    â€œAs long as Sarah is with someone,” Hunter said, “she’ll be safer out of the cabin.”
    â€œBut—” Case began.
    â€œIn fact,” Hunter continued without a pause, “she might consider sneaking out after dark and sleeping in the brush with a guard. This cabin would burn like a torch.”
    Case went completely still.
    â€œWe’ve got four men to stand guard over her all the time,” Hunter said to his brother. “If you can’t do it, one of the rest of us will.”
    â€œConner could—” she began.
    â€œNo,” Ute and Case said as one.
    â€œWhoever guards you will be a target,” Case explained. “Conner hasn’t had much practice at that.”
    Ute nodded. “Good boy, but he lacks seasoning.”
    â€œI don’t want Conner put in danger because of me,” she said tightly. “I