Dalton pulls her back to the fireplace to sit. “How is it too late?” Harris asks.
“I sold the mine,” she replies, suddenly feeling nauseous Cassie excuses herself. “I need a minute,” and she moves quickly away to get a drink of water from the kitchen.
Dalton waits for her to leave, then he tells them the story of how they met. Everyone sits in shock for a moment when he explains the rest. He describes how she saved his life using her gift, and how she paid for his share of the railroad. No one moves as he tells them how he has witnessed her gentle, giving nature as she gifted those they met along the road and finally he explains how much he loves her.
“She saved my life four times at least, I am sorry about the danger you're all in, but I need your help to protect my wife,” Dalton states.
“So, what you’re telling us is that you married a rich, mind reading witch who likes to blow things up! Dang it, how’d you get so lucky!” Pierce quips and the boys laugh.
“We are with you, Dalton,” his father exclaims.
Cassie walks back into the great room just as Grandma Jenny declares, “It’s time for pie.”
Together the women serve pie and coffee, then sit to enjoy it together. Cassie is too nervous to eat, and her stomach is quivering from the stress. “I take it Dalton told you about my ability. Doesn't it bother you?” she wonders.
Grandma Jennie smiles, “Now Cassie, we have to trust that Dalton made the right choice and that you have enough good manners to not intrude on our private thoughts. God has gifted each of us in our own way.”
“This gift of yours is more like a burden isn't it,” Harris wonders. “The human brain is uncharted territory and who is to say that we're not all capable of more than we know. The moral predicament comes into play though when you think about how do you choose? When do you speak and when do you hold back? Is it your place to save the world? I think not.”
“I agree with you,” Hannah replies. “It’s not for us to decide who should live or die, but you have saved my son's life, and for that, I am eternally grateful. We will not divulge your secret Cassie. You are safe with us.”
“Thank you. It is a burden, but I am able to block images and thoughts, though large groups of people are difficult,” she explains cautiously not sure how much to tell them.
“We need to discuss the plan,” Dane demands sipping on his coffee.
“My thought is that he will come from Brigham City. Eustace will need to either hire help, or he will bring help with him,” Dalton explains.
Cassie listens quietly, “There is a way to know for sure, Dalton?” she reminds him.
“It doesn't matter, Cassie. We will just have to cut them off before they reach the ranch. The only thing that matters is that, for them, it is a one-way trip. They may enter our land, but they will not leave it alive,” Dalton promises, and everyone agrees.
“Tomorrow, I will visit the Shoshone and warn them of the coming fight,” Chase announces. Grandma Jennie says goodnight and Hannah helps put her and the baby Violet to bed. Cassie and Dalton return to the cabin after agreeing to go meet with the Indians in the morning.
Dane turns to Chase after they leave and says, “Dalton says they are three to four days behind them. That gives us time to prepare…
Chase interrupts, “You can’t prepare for crazy. Dad if he hires guns in Brigham, which is the only reason he would go there, we have to be ready for war.”
Chapter 34
Solomon sighs and checks his guns before entering No Name Saloon. He doesn't bother to clean the dust off, he heard of the killing of a young girl and figured that it was Aiden. He leaves a trail of death and destruction behind him in every town he visits. Disgust fills his mind at the memory of the young Asian girl he sliced to ribbons in San Francisco.
At the bar, he orders a whiskey and turns to watch the dancing girls. If he has learned anything following this sick bastard, it's that the men don't talk, but the girls will, for a price. His eyes take in the scene and the girls hanging over the banister baring the white of their breasts for all to see, and he's forced to hide his distaste.
He shoots the whiskey and orders another, before walking determinedly to the stairway. Two men step in front of him and delay his progress. “What’s the hurry, boy? Pants on fire?” The older man questions and his friend laughs loudly.
Solomon's hand lashes out punching the older man in his windpipe, and before the young man can move, he tosses his whiskey in the boy's face and breaks his nose.
The girls back away from the railing in fear when the large dirty cowboy reaches the landing. He looks them over and chooses the black-haired girl in a purple corset. “You. How much for all night?”
The Madame calls out a price and then offers him a two for the price of one deal. “No. Just her.” Solomon pays for the girl and says, “Lead the way.”
She looks at the other girls and licks her painted pink lips before whispering, “Right this way, then.” The girl's long black hair is tied up in curls around her painted face, and her white skin is powdered to cover bruises that he can faintly see.
“What’s your name?” he asks.
“You can call me whatever you want, sugar,” she says with a forced laugh and leads the way down a hall into the
