In the quiet that descended, Fargo heard ringing in his ears. He began reloading. The shots would carry a long way; there was no telling who might show up.
Fargo wiped the toothpick clean on Hoyt’s shirt and replaced the slender blade in the ankle sheath. He smoothed his pant leg, then went from body to body, turning out pockets. Between them he found over three hundred dollars, far more than he expected. Each of the three had at least a hundred, which caused him to speculate it was money they had been paid—to kill him.
“Mike Durn is going to be mighty upset,” Fargo said out loud, and wished he could see the look on Durn’s face when word reached him.
Hoyt grunted. He was still alive, if barely. Coughing up blood, he rasped, “I hope to God he makes you suffer before you die.”
“You won’t be here to see it if he does,” Fargo said, and shot him in the head. Gathering up the reins of the riderless horses, Fargo turned to climb on the Ovaro. He left the bodies where they lay. Coyotes and vultures had to eat, too.
Ready to head out, Fargo patted his Colt.
Suddenly the Ovaro whinnied.
Instantly alert, Fargo glanced in the direction the stallion was looking. A figure was hunkered in the shadows. Thinking it was another of Durn’s wolf pack, Fargo cleared leather in a blur. But as quick as he was, he was not quick enough.
An arrow cleaved the air, seeking his throat.
10
Reflex took over. Fargo flung himself to one side and the arrow missed, but he swore he felt the fleeting brush of a feather. He raised the Colt to fire, only to have another figure rush out of nowhere and stand between him and the archer while frantically waving both arms.
“Do not shoot! It is us!”
To say Fargo was surprised was an understatement. “Birds Landing?” Anger coursed through him; she was supposed to be long gone. “What the hell are you doing here?”
The pretty young maiden came up and took his hand in hers. “You are not happy to see me?”
“No,” Fargo bluntly responded. “It isn’t safe for you anywhere in Mission Valley. Why did you come back?”
“I never left.”
“But you told me you would,” Fargo testily reminded her. “What if Durn gets his hands on you again?”
“I could not go,” Birds Landing said quietly. “Not after you and I were—what is the word? Oh, yes. Intimate.”
“Oh, hell,” Fargo said.
“Please do not be mad. I started to go as I promised. But my heart would not let me.” She smiled sweetly. “My brother and I have been watching Polson. We saw you leave, and saw the three men follow you. We followed them.”
The mention of her brother reminded Fargo of the arrow that nearly transfixed his neck.
Just then Thunder Cloud came out of the shadows leading their horse. He had slung his bow over a shoulder.
“Why did he try to kill me?”
Birds Landing and her sibling exchanged a flurry of Salish. “He says that he thought you were going to shoot him. You did draw your revolver and point it at him.”
“Are you sure he just doesn’t want me dead?”
“Why would he want that?” Birds Landing rejoined. “He is not happy I laid with you but that is not enough of a reason for him to kill you.”
“If you say so.” Fargo was not entirely convinced.
Thunder Cloud said something and Birds Landing translated. “He says he is sorry.”
“He is too quick on the bow string,” Fargo groused.
“Oh, he is not sorry for that,” Birds Landing said. “He is sorry that he did not take me away as you wanted.”
Fargo realized he was still holding his Colt, and holstered it. “He should have tied you and thrown you over his horse.”
“That is what a white man would do,” Birds Landing said. “But the Salish never do violence to Salish.”
Fargo was aware that some tribes severely punished any member who harmed another. “It was a mistake for you to stay. But we can remedy that. Climb on and get out of here.”
“No.”
“Damn it,” Fargo fumed. “You know what Durn is capable of. Why are you being so stubborn?”
“I like you.”
Fargo had no ready reply to that. Instead he said, “We can’t stay here. Those shots might bring others. Follow me.” He headed east, leading the other two horses.
Thunder Cloud, riding double with his sister, brought his sorrel up next to the Ovaro. He did not look pleased but Birds Landing was smiling.
“Please do not be mad. I cannot help how I feel about us.”
Fargo refused to be pacified. For her own good he said gruffly, “There is no
“I know that. But while you stay, I will not leave your side. My heart and your heart are like this.” Birds Landing entwined her hands.
“Damn you, woman.” This was the last thing Fargo needed.
“Whether you admit it or not, I speak with a straight tongue. I can feel how you feel in here.” Birds Landing pressed a hand to her bosom.
Fargo smothered a string of oaths. He hated it when women made more out of making love than there was to make. Especially since he was not one of those men who lied to get women to part their legs. He never made empty promises, never professed love or the intention to marry them. But that did not stop females like Birds Landing from making a mountain of romance out of a bump of passion.
Thunder Cloud glanced over his shoulder at his sister and they broke into a heated argument. When they were done, Birds Landing laughed lightly.
“It might please you to know that my brother agrees with you. He wants me to go, too.”
“You should listen,” Fargo said, knowing full well she wouldn’t.
“We can help you. We can spy on Durn and his men. Or follow them. Or whatever else you need.”
“Can’t you get it through that thick head of yours that Durn will kill you to make an example of you, if you are caught?”
Birds Landing shrugged. “We all die.”
“What about your brother?” Fargo tried another tack. “Do you want him to die protecting you?”
“Nothing you say will change my mind. I always do as I think best whether others think it best or not.”
This time Fargo did not hold it in. He swore, luridly.
Birds Landing laughed as if it were a great game to her. “The priest and the nuns would be shocked if they heard you talk like that. The priest says that swearing is a step on the stairwell to hell. His exact words.”
Fargo regretted ever making love to her.
“You are quiet all of a sudden. Do not be upset. I am a grown woman. I can do as I please.”
Fargo let out a sigh. For her sake, he would try one more time. “Just because a man and a woman make love doesn’t mean they are
