“You don’t believe me.”
He shrugged his bony shoulders.
“What is it you want to say?” she asked. “Out with it.”
“You ain’t talked to him above ten words these last three days. You ain’t shared the porch with him neither. You walked off with him a few days back, not holdin’ hands exactly but near enough, and since you come back, you ain’t properly looked at him. Now he’s off and you couldn’t see your way clear to wish him well. That’s not like you. Not like you at all. So, yeah, I’m gettin’ the impression of cowardice because you don’t seem angry at him. If you don’t mind me sayin’, you seem scared.”
Laureldidmind him sayin’, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t true. “What do you think I’m supposed to do?”
“I reckon he’s sweet on you. Hank and Dillon think the same.”
“If that’s what the three of you are talking about, you don’t have enough work to occupy you.”
Rooster went on as if she hadn’t spoken. “And we all think that it’s likewise for you.”
As uncomfortable as she was with this turn in the conversation, Laurel still did not deny it.
“Yeah,” Rooster said. “Figured we were right. So why ain’t you sendin’ him off like one of those ladies in olden times? Givin’ him a hankie or something like that? He’s set on clearin’ our names. Your name especially. He’s fightin’ for all of us, but you most of all.” He hooked his thumbs in his pockets and began rocking on his heels again. “Guess that’s all I got to say.”
“I certainly hope so,” she said under her breath. She looked off in the direction the stage had gone and then glanced back at the corral, where Abby was walking around the perimeter. She turned once again to Rooster. “How far do you think they’ve traveled?”
“Jed didn’t seem like he was in a hurry. Couldn’t be more than a few miles. Why are you interested?”
“You know. I can tell you’re smiling.”
“Only on the inside.”
“Saddle Abby for me, will you?” Laurel didn’t wait for a reply. She headed for the house to get her gun. She wasn’t planning on shooting anyone, but it defied common sense to be out on her own without a weapon.
Mrs. Lancaster wanted to know where she was going when she came through the kitchen wearing her gun belt and carrying an empty canteen. Laurel didn’t give her a satisfactory answer so the cook followed her out to the pump while she filled the canteen.
“I’ll be back before the next stage arrives,” Laurel told her as she began pumping.
Mrs. Lancaster set her hands on her ample hips. “You’re not fooling me. You’re going after him.”
Laurel held the canteen under the flow of cold water. There was no need to ask who “him” was. “I’m not goingafterhim. He’s not a criminal.”
“Could be he is. Sure enough stole your heart.”
Laurel made a sour face. “You realize you sound ridiculous.”
“Maybe so. Doesn’t make it less true.”
“Hmm.” Laurel capped the canteen and slung the strap across her shoulders. “I won’t be long.” Ignoring the cook’s deep chuckle, Laurel headed for the barn, where Rooster had Abby saddled and waiting. The Booker brothers were nearby, watching her with identical, knowing grins on their faces. It was disconcerting that everyone knew what she was about, but at least no one would have reason to call her coward again.
“You know what you’re going to say?” asked Rooster when Laurel was in the saddle.
“No idea.”
He handed Laurel the reins. “You got time to think it over. I figure it’ll come to you.”
Laurel was not as optimistic as her right-hand man. Intruth, she was hoping that the mere fact of showing up would speak for her. She wanted to believe Call wouldn’t require an explanation. She had been struck on more than one occasion by his ability to know her mind, sometimes before she knew it herself. Given that their acquaintance was not much more than a month long, it was remarkable. And if she was being honest, it was also a little frightening.
Clicking her tongue, Laurel turned Abby toward the trail. She didn’t look back, but she imagined Rooster was grinning as stupidly as the Booker brothers.
***
Call rode beside the stage when he was able, ahead of it on the climbs, and hung back during the steep descents. When he and Artemis followed, it was at a distance large enough to keep from eating the coach’s dust. Jed Holloway peppered him with questions when he rode alongside, mostly about his experience with Overland, and Call answered those easily. It was when Jed asked what Call thought about the robbery that Call played his cards closer to his vest.
