EUREKA

Into the Fire

Mayhap I was young, and I'd not been out much in the world beyond Springfield or there about. It didn't track that I was a fool though, or easily frightened off. My blood was thicker than that. If there was anyone within a hundred miles of here, they knew all about Tobias, and likely me too. Meeting the man's gaze, I stared directly at him.

"My experience is, most folks what end up dead is them that go lookin' for trouble. I ain't figurin' to poke my nose where it don't need to go." I reckoned it wasn't his affair that I meant to hunt down them responsible for Tobias' murder. I could tell that miffed him some, for his features tightened.

"You got a name, girl?" he demanded. I merely looked at him, impassive.

"Don't we all?"

For a minute, the fat man stared hard at me, then shrugged, pointing a stubby finger toward the smithy.

"Turn 'em loose in that corral if you're a mind to."

"Obliged." Turning on my heel, I led the animals across the dusty street, feeling sweat gather in my collar, and run down my back. This was god-awful country, and I wanted badly to be back among the shaded forests of Springfield. Just as soon as my business was done, I promised myself.

No one was about when I stripped and rubbed the horses down before turning them loose. Even the bay, which I meant to keep, was turned loose to relax and roll if he wished. He did. Leaning on the poles, I couldn't help but smile, watching. Animals had the ability to forget troubles, living in the moment of life. In that, I envied the bay.

"You gotta be the girl that's got Pop in such a mood."

The deep voice turned me about, and my eyes met up with a tall, rugged, suntanned male specimen that made my mouth dry. Broad-shouldered, clear eyes, strong jaw, thick, slightly wavy hair, I was near frozen in admiration, unable to stop staring. When I didn't answer, he grinned a little.

"Sorry for just comin' up on you like that, Miss. I just never seen Pop so powerful upset over a girl."

"Pop?" I had to say something, stalling for time to get my brain working as it should. This was not the time to go all weak-kneed over a man. Almost instantly I realized he was talking about the fat man from earlier. His answer confirmed it.

"Man that runs the saloon. He saw you ride up, recognized them horses you brought back."

"Yeah," I glanced at him then away, unsure where to put my eyes. "I reckon I did rub him the wrong way. He your pa?"

"No, it's just what folk here'bouts call him. An' don't fret about upsetin' him," genuine humor creased his face. "It's good for 'im."

"You from around here?" I wanted to know, watching him shake his head as he took a position a few feet from me.

"Matagorda. Just sorta goin' where the wind blows me. You?"

"Springfield."

"Ozarks?" He was surprised. "Long way from home."

"Had some family affairs to see to. Headed back."

"I don't mean to tell you your business, but," scratching his ear, he grinned at me. "You're a bit off-kilter. You'll need to follow the Red to get home."

"Really?" Mayhap playing dumb would be an advantage, not that I was much of a hand at play. Ma always said I was of a serious nature. "Guess I got turned around somewhere back there. Is this the nearest town?"

He barked out a short laugh.

"If you wanna call this place a town, but yeah, pretty much. Anything else is a good fifty, sixty miles."