crooked as von Heusen. Just another Yankee carpetbagger.'
He stiffened, dropped her chin and turned in harsh, military fashion,
then took the coffeepot to the fire. He sank down across from Jori.
'Well, the coffee will taste much better once we've eaten that sizzlin'
sweet rabbit all up!' Dolly said cheerfully.
'It's cooked enough for me,' Jon said, leaning over and ripping off a
leg.
He winced as the meat burned his fingers, then he smiled.
'Dig in!'
They all ate hungrily, and in silence. Jamie rose and brought a loaf of
hard bread from the supply pack. It didn't matter that it was hard--it
was delicious. And when they were finished eating, the coffee was done.
It did taste wonderful after all the food, just as Dolly had so
cheerfully suggested.
It grew dark as they sipped it. Velvet dark. The moon was a bare sliver
in the sky, but there were hundreds of stars out, dotting the heavens.
'It's beautiful, isn't it?' Dolly said.
'Very nice,' Tess agreed. She yawned.
'We should take the dishes to the water and wash them now.'
'Don't be absurd. It's dark as Hades,' Jamie said harshly. His eyes were
smoke when they touched her. He was furious, she realized. And it wasn't
their arguing over the payment in acreage, it couldn't be. He liked to
taunt her and anger her, the silver light of challenge was always in his
eyes then.
But he wasn't feeling fondly toward her at all at the moment, she was
certain. Her heart beat too-hard as his eyes touched her, and she
thought she saw something lethal in him, something that made her shiver,
something that made her think she did not want him to be her enemy. He
was coming to fight her battle, she reminded herself.
But then why did he look as if he wanted to strangle her? 'I--I can
bring a lantern,' she heard herself saying.
'Dammit, you can just wait until morning!' Jamie said irritably. He
stood, tossing the last of his coffee into a bush.
Then he strode away, disappearing into the darkness. Tess cast a quick
glance toward Jori.
'What's the matter with him?'
Jon shrugged.
'I don't know. You'll have to find out yourself.' He stood and
stretched.
'Ladies, I suggest an early night.'
'He's gone off on his own!' Tess said indignantly. 'He's taking first
guard,' Jon said softly.
'I'm going to bed,' Dolly announced.
'Tess, now you come, too.'
Jori was dragging his saddle and blanket to the fire. He stretched out
and closed his eyes, setting his hat over his face. Dolly headed for the
wagon.
Tess hesitated, then decided to go after Jamie.
She heard Jon rise as she moved into the bushes, and she swore softly,
certain that he would follow her. He did. But before he could reach her,
