Moving as quickly as I could through the deep snow, I started across the valley to meet him. It was a struggle with my game leg. By the time I'd made the first set of small rapids on the river he was down to the base of the trail. Eagerly, I waited for him to appear. Hooves crackled though the deep snow, nostrils blowing in the cold air, so I called in greeting. There was no answer.

Then I saw him. Paralyzing fear ripped through me, leaving me momentarily stunned. It wasn't Cooper at all! There was no explaining the alarm I felt at that moment, but it made my knees shake, heart palpitating in my breast.

He came on at a slow walk, the appaloosa beneath him moving wearily, as though he'd come a long way. Ranse looked leaner than I remembered. A new scar slashed across his brow, a fine neat line that curved over his left eye, cutting jaggedly down his cheekbone. It was fully healed, but still a white line and I knew it was only a couple of months old. He still wore the buckskin pants and tan vest, but his shirt was a faded yellow, showing under his coat. He still had the black hat and dark blue bandana.

Ranse halted his mount about ten feet from me and sat quiet in the saddle for a moment, studying me. It was as if neither of us knew what to say, so we stared instead. His expression was blank, his eyes flat and hooded, reminding me of when we'd first met. I spoke first. Keeping my voice steady, I indicated the mare.

"Where did you find her?"

"About forty miles southwest of here," he answered vaguely. Heart thundering loudly, I tried to maintain my calm.

"Was she alone?"

Ranse considered that for a moment before answering, and I could not read what lay behind his black eyes. His full lips twitched slightly.

"Who was she supposed to be with, Lilli? I gave her to you."

At his tone I bristled, but kept my mouth shut. What I had done was my own business, and he held no accounting over me. Instead I reached out my hand for her reins.

"I'll take her now; I've been missing her terribly."

Whatever thoughts were in his mind Ranse kept to himself. Shrugging, he tossed the lead to me. Grace came forward somewhat eagerly, nosing my shoulder, the softest of whickers making her breath fog the air. Smiling as I wrapped my arms around her neck, I murmured into the thickness of her mane. Worry gnawed at me. What happened to Cooper? Where was he?

"You said I was always welcome here," Ranse's honeyed voice opened my eyes and I looked up at him. "Does that still hold?"

"Of course it does," I forced a smile, hoping it looked welcoming. "Please, come to the cabin and I'll make a pot of coffee, and fix up some food."

Instead of riding behind me, he swung from the saddle to walk at my side, leading the stallion. Holding my breath, I could feel him, though more than five feet separated us I could feel him. That notion that I'd locked away all those months ago began to struggle loose. All too clearly I remembered that night beneath the stars, feeling myself belong to him as I never would to anyone else. A hard jolt went through me at that, and I tightened my jaw.

I wasn't a sixteen year of girl anymore! That was in the distant past, and I was now engaged to be married! If Ranse noticed my inner struggle, he said nothing. We parted ways at the stable, as he went in to care for the horses.

I was putting food onto a plate when Ranse came in, sweeping off his hat and coat. He'd washed his face and hands, and I could see he'd run fingers through the thick blue black of his hair. I'd never seen him shave, or have the need of it, but I figured that was due to his Apache blood. Setting his gear in the corner he brought his war bag with him, putting it on the floor against the hand carved leg. Most men who rode alone followed the same pattern, relying on themselves in every situation. That bag contained everything needed to survive an emergency.

Dropping into a chair on the other side of the teak tabletop from me, he met my eyes. In silence I handed him the plate and poured a hot cup of coffee before taking my seat. My sleeves had been rolled up as I cooked, the bracelet rattling softly. He glanced at it, but neither of us said anything. I hated the relief I felt for still wearing it, but somehow I got the feeling he'd feel betrayed if it was missing.

Eating quietly, occasionally his gaze would slide toward me without a hint of what was going on in his mind. After so long apart it was hard not to stare at him though. At last Ranse met my gaze.

"You're fixed on me, Miss Lilli,"

"I suppose I am, it's just...I heard you'd been killed, Fort Leavenworth?"

"It was an interesting visit," he agreed elusively.

"I heard tell you were shot...and buried," I pushed, not looking away. Why did it matter if he sat before me now? But it did.

Lips twisted faintly, he slowly began unbuttoning his shirt as my heart jumped. What was he - ? Pulling it open he exposed a bluish scar just under his left collar bone, another slightly left of his heart. Ranse redressed as my eyes widened.

"The thing about white men," he explained drily, "is that they're just too impatient. Those hombres had me dead to rights, but after ambushing me they didn't wait to make sure I'd stopped breathing. Just dug a shallow grave and tossed me in.

"They were clearly not expecting me to wake up, let alone climb from my own grave. Nothing's easier than getting away when they think you're taking a dirt bath. I managed to get to my horse and gear, taking off long before they even thought to double check."

"How did...?" I couldn't make myself believe it, but Ranse only shook his head at me. His expression was carefully masked.

"Doesn't matter, I'm alive and well. Them that buried me? Well," he stroked his jaw carelessly. "This is a hard land and men die unburied every day."

I didn't have a response for that so let the conversation drop. He had the reputation for finishing trouble others started. After eating, Ranse dug into his pocket and pulled out a somewhat worn and crinkled paper, folded and tied. He tossed it over in front of me.

"Got that from a mail carrier heading up from Santa Fe. We got to talking, and he mentioned he had to come up this way. Since I was already heading out here, I told him I'd put it directly in your hands."

"A letter?" my curiosity roused, I pulled the twine off and opened the paper.

Lilli,

I kno its been too long awil sens I sen yu, but I ain't had tim to set and writ. If yu herd I ben shot, ese yur mind, Im fin and up and abot, spry as a spreng chiken. Mead and I are workin together and he's ruff, but we got a sistum that works. I aim to save up som mony then cum settel neerby yu. Don't hold yur breeth, itll take sum tim, but I wanted yu to no.

I got no adres for yu to send a reply, even ifn yu was in a mind to writ back. I think of yu ofen, yu look so much lik Ma. Be carful tho, preti girls atract al kinds, an Im busy enuff withot chasin down them ho will slit you. Meads wakin up so Ill stop heer.

Joss

"Thank you," refolding the letter with trembling hands, I tucked it carefully into my skirt pocket. "I've been wondering how he was doing."

"Stone?" Filling his pipe, he gave me a measured glance.

"Yes, he and this man Burton Mead are riding together now, hunting down outlaws and the like. I worry for him."

"He's a grown man," Lighting the pipe, he puffed softly. "Stone can handle himself, Lilli."

"He's my only family Ranse, I miss him,"

"Is that a fact?" Ranse's honeyed voice developed an edge. "I heard that you got yourself engaged."

~~~

Mist fogged the cold glass as I studied Ranse chopping wood the next morning. Every movement was sharp, savage, done with brute strength that relieved some of the tension we'd created the night before. I had no idea why he was so upset, or why he should care so much that I'd accepted a man to be my husband. Never for a moment did I entertain the thought that he may be jealous. Nor did it occur to me that I should have been offended at his personal interest in my decisions.

Ranse had been with me through some of the worst moments of my life. Our argument was stupid, really, but it had only grown louder with the angry words we hurled at one another. The madder he got, the more insulted I became until we were shouting accusations and harsh words without listening.

Questioning my judgment for accepting a man I barely knew made me retaliate by reminding him I'd come halfway across the country with a man I barely knew. He'd glared at me, saying something about the silliness of foolish girls. That had done it. Using some choice words that I now regretted, I had slammed the door to my room, refusing to answer him or come out. Anger kept us both awake for a long while, Ranse prowling the front room deep into the night.

I wasn't proud of anything I'd done or said, but it was feathers in the wind now. All I could do was move forward, find a way to apologize. Ranse wasn't sensitive, or particularly thin-skinned, but I knew I'd hurt him by things I'd said. I'd meant them at that time but could rip out my tongue now. It didn't matter what he thought of Cooper Todd, or the other way around. The decision was mine to make, and I'd reacted to him poorly.

Now, after we'd had some time apart, I was nervous to approach him, afraid of beginning another argument. The warm coffee pot told me he'd had coffee, and I helped myself to a cup. Ranse had been up early if he'd slept at all. Sighing, I set about making breakfast, knowing he'd come in sooner or later and after swinging the axe, he'd be hungry. Food was always a good start to an apology.

When the door opened a short time later, I had my back turned. Not looking, stiffening a little, I waited, almost holding my breath. His gaze was a searing heat on my back, his panted breath clear in the silence. Why couldn't I look at him?

"Smells good," was his peace offering.

"Fresh coffee's on, and breakfast will be just a minute." I acknowledged hopefully. So far so good.

"About last night," it was smoked honey and stone. "It's none of my business."

Knowing it was hard for him to say those words, I forced myself to turn, looking right at him. Deep, expressionless pools of black greeted me.

"Thank you, Ranse," biting my bottom lip a moment, I shrugged with a smile. "I said things I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry. I think very highly of you, as you well know."

"I always knew you had a temper," he softened that with a faint grin. We relaxed then, smiling at each other.

"Sit down. I'll serve your breakfast,"

Pulling out a chair, he sat without taking his eyes off me. It was the kind of lingering look that'd I'd only dreamed of during those long weeks on the trail here. If he'd done that at any time before, we would not have argued the night before. There would have been no need of it. Trembling slightly, I managed a steady hand when handing Ranse his plate and a fresh cup of coffee.

Knowing what I was thinking, he grinned up at me and flashed a quick wink. My cheeks went red.

"You're too pretty to still be thinking things you shouldn't be," he murmured. I all but fled back to the kitchen.

He'd not taken more than a couple bites when a loud hail came from outside. Ranse came to his feet as I went to the window. Though unworried, he looked like a coiled spring, ready to snap in any direction. Glancing briefly outside, I moved to open the front door.

"Good morning gentlemen, can I help you?"

"We're lookin' for some coffee and grub. Word is this is a welcome place."

"It is, won't you step down and come in?"

The five of them dismounted, handing off the reins to the youngest among them, a boy perhaps my age. I smiled inwardly, for he'd be offended to be called such. A rugged, worn lot, battered by thick snow, and heavy winds, I could see they'd been low rations. Gaunt with the long trail and bitter cold, they still managed to stand straight, tipping their heads in appreciation as they filed inside. I closed the door, knowing the young man tending the horses would come when he was ready.

Turning around I almost ran into the last man's back, looking up to see them staring belligerently at Ranse. He stood his ground and glared back, though almost with contempt. The tension was thick, and I didn't like the feel of it. Making my way to the front I stepped between them.

"There's plenty of seating at the table, please get comfortable. It'll take but a moment to make something to eat,"

"I ain't sittin' at the same table with a half-breed!" the man standing in front spat the words, features contorted in a grimace.

"Sir!" I rapped out the words. "I do not hold to such talk! This is my home, and anyone in need is welcome here! If you do not like it, feel free to leave, or you can eat outside!"

"Let him talk, Lilli," Ranse used a taunting tone, baiting the man. "He won't be hungry after he eats those words,"

"Why you red skinned-!"

Without hesitation I whipped around and struck out, my palm slapping across the man's mouth. He jerked back with a muffled oath, his face going red with furious shock.

"I will not tolerate that kind of talk!" My gaze went to every man in the room, holding their eyes for a long moment. Including Ranse. "This is my home. You obey my rules, or you get out, right now!"

Well, they didn't quite know what to make of me. For a full minute they stood silent, staring at one another. I'm not sure what would have happened if the youngest of them hadn't walked in just then, stopping short at seeing all his comrades bunched together.

"What's the line for?" he demanded. "I thought we was gonna eat somethin'!"

That broke the standoff and gradually the five sat around the table. Ranse moved to a bunk between the door and a window, back to the wall, so I took his plate and cup to him. Locking eyes for an instant, I saw a great deal of respect in them as he studied me. I had to turn away before a hot blush stained my cheeks.

Sounds like trouble to me. Thoughts?