Only 06 - Winter Fire

outlaw’s smile was even sadder than Hunter’s had been. He shook his head.
    â€œMan that keeps her here better never turn his back on her again,” Ute said simply.
    â€œAll right. I’ll do it,” Morgan said.
    For a moment Ute looked thoughtful. Then he shook his head.
    â€œI’ll fight you,” he said.
    â€œFor the love of God,” Hunter muttered. “Why?”
    â€œShe wants something. I fetch it for her.”
    â€œWell,” drawled Morgan, “that explains the blooded bull mixed in with the range cows.”
    The old outlaw grinned. “Followed me home, he did.”
    â€œI’ll bet,” Hunter said dryly. “Same for the better bred horses, too.”
    â€œAnd half the supplies and the tools and every other thing around here that needs cash on the barrelhead,” Lola said. “Sarah cottoned onto the rustling and made Ute stop, but she ain’t figured out the supplies yet.”
    Lola stopped carding wool and looked up at Hunter with clear black eyes.
    â€œDon’t waste no time trying to talk sense into Ute about that girl,” she said evenly. “He’s plumb loco on the subject. Better bend your mind as to how best to use him to keep her alive.”
    â€œI’ve got an idea about that,” Hunter said. “If Ab thinks Sarah is bringing the silver, that’s as good as having her go.”
    Morgan looked at Hunter, glanced over at the short, wiry old outlaw, and smiled widely.
    It took Ute a few moments longer. His eyes widened. Then he laughed.
    Lola spat a dark brown arc.
    â€œWondered how long it would take you men to get around to seeing what’s plain as the nose on your face,” she said.
    â€œWill you do it?” Hunter asked Ute bluntly. “Or will you fight us?”
    â€œI’ll do it, if’n she’ll let me.”
    Hunter cocked his head toward the suddenly silent cabin.
    â€œDo you suppose my brother has worn her down enough to listen to common sense?” he asked.
    Lola snorted. “Men. Ain’t a lick of common sense in the lot of you. That gal in there is one hell of a lot tougher than she looks.”
    Hunter’s smile warmed his slate-gray eyes. He gave Lola an amused look and tipped his hat in acknowledgment.
    â€œI’ve discovered that some women are indeed stronger than they look,” he said.
    â€œHis wife taught him,” Morgan added slyly.
    â€œIt wasn’t an easy lesson, for either of us,” Hunter admitted.
    Lola spat another arc of tobacco juice and gathered up the wool she had just carded.
    â€œEasy ain’t worth a tinker’s damn,” she said, standing up. “Easy folds when you need it most. Ain’t one bit of easy in Sarah.”
    â€œOr in Case,” Hunter said.
    â€œLike I said. Good match. Mettlesome, mind you, but good.”
    Silence continued to radiate from the cabin.
    â€œWhich one of you brave boys wants to take this here wool in to her?” Lola asked blandly.
    â€œNo, ma’am,” Morgan muttered.
    Ute grunted and kept his thumbs firmly hooked on his belt.
    Hunter held out his hand.
    Chuckling, Lola gave him the basket of wool.
    â€œShe don’t bite,” the old woman said. “Leastwise, not hard enough to leave scars.”
    He tipped his hat again, then turned to Morgan.
    â€œFind out if Conner is still alive,” Hunter said. “Ab has a reputation for killing prisoners.”
    â€œIf he’s alive, I’ll try to get him out.”
    â€œNot unless you’re sure of doing it without getting either one of you killed. We stand a better chance together than apart.”
    Morgan hesitated, then nodded.
    â€œSlow and easy,” he agreed. “I’ll be quiet as a shadow.”
    â€œBe back two hours before dawn.”
    â€œWhat if Conner is dead?” Morgan asked.
    â€œGet back on the run.”
    â€œMind if I cut some throats on the way?” he asked.
    â€œJust get back in one piece.”
    â€œBurn them out,” Ute said. “Only two ways out of Spring Canyon. Two men on the rim at each end. Easy as shooting tin cans.”
    Morgan nodded, liking the idea.
    â€œThe Culpeppers burned out a lot of folks,” he said. “Tried it on us up in the Rubys. Live by the sword anddie the same way. It’s about time those boys did their dying.”
    â€œTwo hours before dawn,” Hunter said. “Get moving.”
    Without