and their days in the military. Her stories were spicy and fun, and Tess
enjoyed them thoroughly.
They cooked a huge wild turkey on a spit and summer squash and green
beans and apple turnovers. When the table was set and everything was
ready, Tess went out to find Jon.
He was leaning against a pillar, a band tied around his dark hair and
forehead, a repeating carbine held casually in his hand. He looked over
the landscape. 'Dinner's on, Jon.'
He glanced her way, smiling.
'Thanks, Tess, but I think I'll wait out here a while longer, keep an
eye on things.'
'It's turkey and all kinds of good things. I'd like to repay you for the
trip.'
I'll eat soon,' he promised. She nodded and left him. Halfway inside the
house she paused, wondering if he was looking for yon Heusen or Jamie.
She hoped Jamie was eating stale, weevil-fiddled bread somewhere.
She'had a feeling, though, that he was not.
She walked into the house and to the dining-room table. Hank had come
in, and he was smiling.
'The boys are out at the bunkhouse and they're pleased as peaches that
you're home, Miss. Tess. Well, them that's left. We've still got Roddy
Morris, Sandy Harrison and Bill McDowell. They won't be going anywhere.'
'Wonderful!' Tess told him.
'Bring the boys in for dinner, will you, Hank?'
'They're already fixing. their suppers in the bunkhouse, Tess. We'll
have a big Sunday dinner for them all, that's what we'll do.'
'Fine. That sounds good, Hank. Now, let's all sit.' Dolly offered to say
grace. She thanked God for His bounty, for their being alive and being
together, then she asked God to take a good look at their enemies and
see if He couldn't do something to put bad men in their proper place.
'Amen,' she finished.
'Amen,' they all chorused.
Tess was about to take her first bite of dinner when she heard the
sounds of horses' hooves. She set down her fork.
How many of them had come with yon Heusen? It sounded like five, r! o
more.
'Excuse me,' she said primly, setting her napkin carefully on the table
and rising casually. It didn't matter. Dolly, Hank and Jane all
catapulted to their feet, and they attached themselves to her like
shadows as she walked to the door. She could hear voices before she
reached it. Jon's first.
'That's close enough, fellows. Close enough.'
'It's an Injun!' 'I said close enough.'
Someone must have moved. A barrage of shots went off, followed by a
startled silence.
Then yon Heusen started to talk.
'Hold it, boys, hold your fire! I've just come to talk to Hank and Jane
about removing themselves from the prop' There no need for them to
gemove themselves from the property,' Jori said.
'This is private property, and the owner seems to want them here. One
