Blue Water was the most beautiful spot on God's green earth in the springtime. Least, that's the way I figured it. The trees were their loveliest shade of green the grass thick and lush. The air brimmed with the perfume of hundreds of flowers, all blooming at once, competing for the attention of the busy mountain pollinators. I had saddled Grace and ridden from the cabin, making my way to the base of the far end of the valley. A secluded glade lay there, screened in by flashing aspen leaves and thick redwood trees.

In that secluded spot was a slow flowing pond fed by a small stream from the main river that ran the length of the valley along one wall. Right here where it formed was a shallow pool perhaps five feet deep, eight or ten feet across. I pulled the saddle off the mare and dropped the bridle nearby, letting her decided where to graze.

Turning my face to the sun, letting its warmth heat my skin, I soaked up the rays. The winter had been long, and dark, and I needed wide open skies and fine weather desperately. Settling down in the grass on my back, I watched the small birds flit by, busy in their own spring activities. Now and then the heavy buzz of bees droned on as they darted past me, heading back toward the hives, or off to gather more pollen. Closing my eyes, I let myself relax, my mind drifting along absently.

Grace woke me.

A heavy snort of her nostrils opened my eyes as I sat up. Ears stiff, her wide eyes were fixed in the direction of the valley entrance. I was on my feet in a flash, hurrying to clamp a hand over her muzzle as she gathered air for a loud neigh. Her head bobbed in protest to my gentle grip, but I did not let go. Whoever it was, I much preferred to see them first.

Movement on the other side of the trees signaled me their location, and I saw the flash of horse hide and the gleam of sun on leather. Riders, silent and stealthy. I held onto Grace until they had passed and were some hundred yards on. Silently fetching my riding gear I saddled up.

Sliding the rifle from its scabbard I checked the load, then stepped into the leather. Turing the mare to follow them, I kept to the cover of the trees, walking the horse nice and easy. Anyone with nothing to hide would head directly to the cabin, without concern for noise or detection. This group, they had their horses soft-stepping, and did not speak. Four unridden animals were among them, two horses, two mules, but I couldn't see a brand. Stolen?

Suspicion swirling inside me, I gripped the rifle hard. Whoever they were, I considered them unwelcome, and they'd be leaving again directly. Staying well back so their horses wouldn't hear my approach, I kept my eyes sharp. Surprise was on my side, and I meant to take full advantage should the opportunity present itself. In the back of my mind, I feared Cooper might use a ruse like this to get back at me.

Coming to the first of the small pools the group split, leaving three riders and spare animals, the rest continuing toward my home. My suspicion turned to anger. What did they think they were doing? This was my land! If they thought to take anything I had by force, they'd have to go through me to do it!

Halting Grace under the low branches of a Sugar Pine I studied the situation. Six against two, and despite Jinx's help, my aim had not improved much. I viewed myself as a lost cause. Jinx had respectfully disagreed.

'You just ain't got it in you to want to kill, Miss Lilli. When your backs against a wall, and you're fightin' for life, yours or someone that you love, you'll hit right what you aim at.' I didn't know if he was right or not, but I hoped I'd never have to find out.

At the present, I was in a quandary. I didn't want to skirt around the riders left behind, taking the chance of being boxed between the two groups. Nor did I want Jinx to be caught off guard, facing three men alone. Of course, that was unlikely since he kept steady eyes on the trail, with solid instincts that served him well. He'd see that there were fewer riders approaching the cabin than had come into the valley and know what that meant.

So staying where I was, I settled in to wait. The men gathered a small amount of dry wood, building a fire with very little smoke and started making coffee. One was letting the horses and mules graze; the other two talking quietly. My eyes kept straying to the animals. Something was not right, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

The sun tilted in the sky, but Grace and I were still comfortably in the shade. Having learned patience, I waited, not staring directly at them so they would not feel my gaze. Perhaps half an hour went by, and still there was no sound from the cabin. Without knowing what was happening, I trusted Jinx, trusted his experience. He wasn't wet behind the ears.

Studying on it, I'd built some ideas on the men who rode in here. Shifty, too careful I figured them for outlaws, but not the kind that I would readily welcome. The three before me had far too many weapons among them and I could not make myself even think the idea that was in my mind. One of the unridden horses was a sturdy looking gruella gelding and the sorrel stallion next to him had been here before, only recently I was certain. Hatred rose in blinding heat, but I choked it back, needing to think clearly.

These men were probably on the run for a place to hide and rest, and heard of Blue Water. Maybe it mattered to them that I lived here, maybe not. Either way, there was plenty of ground left on The Hill for more graves should they care to try taking my home by force. Abruptly the quiet valley air was split with the heavy sound of gunfire.

As if waiting for the signal, the men leaped to their feet running for their saddled horses. Jumping the mare from hiding I kicked her into a full gallop, driving straight at them. Trusting me, Grace did not hesitate and slammed heavily into the nearest horse. Her momentum shoved the gelding back, its rider tumbling, going under hoof. His scream was cut short the horses scattered nervously.

Clear of them, I whirled the mare, rifle in my hands. Caught flat-footed, the other two men stared warily at me, hands partially lifted, angry.

"Keep your hands in sight gentlemen, though I use the term loosely. I don't have a taste for killing."

"You forked a wild bronc, lady," spat the man on the left. "An' you ain't seen trouble yet if you pull that trigger."

"If trouble does start, you may be assured that you will not live to see it. Drop your gun belts!" My voice was startlingly even, considering what I'd stepped into. "Where did you get those horses and mules?"

The men glared, doing as I instructed but saying nothing. My heart was pounding, slamming against the back of my ribs and I wanted to scream. Murderers! Thieves! The sharp bark of a rifle sounded from the cabin, the report fading a little as it reached us and I knew Jinx was still fighting. Looking at the men standing sullenly nearest to me, I ground my jaw.

"Those animals belonged to friends of mine, and in this valley, I am the law! I say you murdered them and stole their horses! Those are crimes punishable by death, and once your friends are dead, I'll see you hang."

The man who'd not spoken yet looked sharply up at me.

"You can't do that!"

"Can't I?" I snapped back. "Tell me, who's to stop me? This is my land, and you are most unwelcome here, as you came hunting trouble! I would have no difficulty justifying my actions."

"She's just messin' with your head Lou, don't give her no mind," said the first man. "It's two against one, she ain't got a chance,"

I walked the mare forward a step.

"Shall I even the odds, sir? I can make it one on one very easily."

His face went white with contained fury, but he knew better than to argue with a rifle pointed at him from less than twenty feet away. He had no way of knowing that I'd probably miss.

"You just wait, lady, Brody'll turn you inside out an' hang you to dry."

Suddenly I was very still and cold. That was a name I hadn't expected to hear again.

"Would that be Shane Brody?" From their surprised looks I knew I was right. "Who is he looking for? What does he want?"

"Don't matter, now that he's here, he'll get what he's after." Lou grinned, his teeth stained from chewing tobacco. I had a flash of panic, wondering what Cooper had done this time. I no longer had time to play with these two.

"Unbuckle your pants and drop them!" I ordered. "Be quick!"

"Wha-!" his exclamation was cut off by the roar of the rifle in my hands. The bullet burned a hot path across the top of his shoulder and he jerked back with an oath.

"Do not make me repeat myself!" I pulled the hammer and stiffened my shoulders. "Drop them, now!"

Ignoring the exchange of gunfire behind me, I hoped I would be in time to prevent Jinx from getting hurt. Brody might be looking for Cooper, or something else might be afoot, either way, I meant to end it.  Whatever fight they sought here had become personal, and I wanted an answer about the four animals.

"Down on your bellies, hands behind your backs nice and slow!" I rapped impatiently. Once the two were down I warily slipped off the mare and approached, taking up a length of rope from one of the saddled horses.

Forming an easy slip knot I bound their legs together, and then looped the rope up and around their wrists. Tying their left hands together, then crossing their right hands through their left, I tied those to. Somehow I'd managed to do this while reasonably holding onto the rifle until they were secured. Setting down my rifle I tightened the knots. For good measure I undid their bandannas and stuffed them into their mouths, then covered them with a blanket.

"Now, be good and stay right here, I've got to go!"

Running for Grace I hit the saddle as she broke into a fast gallop. Leaves slapped at my face and shoulders as we raced through them, my heart matching the drum of her hooves. Aiming for dense growth, we approached the cabin from the woods behind the stable. It was quiet, and I slowed Grace to a walk. Ears alert to sound, searching for any movement, we walked in closer.

No sign of the men who'd brought trouble to my home appeared. Where were they? Grace shied suddenly, tossing her head high as she nervously pranced away her. Speaking softly, a hand on her neck, I studied the area and spotted a boot protruding from a thick stand of brush.

Urging the mare closer, I saw the body, a large crimson stain on his shirt front, blank eyes skyward. My smile wasn't in delight, nor did I find any humor in the killing. This was life or death, and his death meant our chances at life improved. In that was no small amount of satisfaction.

Moving slowly on I came up behind the stable and saw a horse tied to a low hanging tree limb. Where was the rider? Before making another move, I felt it best to know where he was at. Grace shifted a little, tugging on the bit in eagerness to get to her oat pail in the stable but I held her back. Keeping to the thick shadows of the trees and brush, I waited, studying the scene in front of me.

I knew every shadow, ever leaf, blade of grass, every corner and nook of this valley. Where was he? A flash of movement caught my eye, Jinx barely shifting into sight. Rifle up, he sighted something on the far side of the cabin that I couldn't see. As my eye followed his movement, I kept my gaze open, looking for the second man.

He was here somewhere, slinking around. Just as I blinked, I saw him. Rising from cover not fifteen feet in front of me, his eyes were intent on Jinx' s back. When his rifle came up, taking aim, I spoke very quietly.

"I wouldn't recommend that, mister."

Whipping around he fired off a shot before even seeing what he aimed at, but surprise threw off his aim. The hot air propelled in front of the bullet blew across my cheek, but then I was moving. Lunging Grace forward I used the Colt stock like a club, catching the man squarely across the jaw. He dropped like a sack of flour.

A sharp volley of rapid gunfire shattered the air behind me, a loud grunt turning me around. Jinx was down, blood spreading across his shirt in a growing river. Leaping from the saddle I hit the ground running, staying low.

Jinx wasn't through though, because he rolled over palming his gun. Firing steadily toward the cabin, I heard the sound of running feet and a hard oath as Jinx's target fled for shelter. Then I was at his side, my hands clenching into his shirt. With every ounce of strength I had, I hauled him into the shadows closer to the stable.

"Jinx!" Looking up at me, his eyes glazed a little, sweat on his brow. I didn't like the amount of blood soaking into his shirt.

"One fella left, big gent, deadly aim," he gasped faintly. "Get hid, Miss Lilli, I can stop him,"

"I'll not go anywhere, not without you! Besides, you need help-!"

"It'll keep 'til we're through here, Miss Lilli,"

Grinning, he started to reply but had a sudden fit of coughing, scarlet on his lips. It turned my blood to ice, realizing he was dying. He saw the look on my face, a quiet acceptance in his eyes. Holding his gaze, I thumbed cartridges into his gun before putting it back in his hands. As he propped himself up to peer around the corner of the stable, I checked my rifle cylinder, getting to my feet.

"You're through, buster!" the stranger who I assumed was Brody suddenly called out. "I saw you hit, and I know you're bleedin'!"

"Just bet your life on that and come get me!" Jinx shot back. There was a pause as Brody considered his options.

"There doesn't have to be this trouble, you know! All I want is the man hiding here. Give him up, and I'll leave peaceable!"

"You came huntin' trouble so now you've got it!!" Jinx was mad clean through, his voice carrying strong. "You're nothin' but a bunch of cowardly bushwhackers! If you manage not to get shot, I'll hang you from the stable beam!"

Right then I knew this wouldn't end until they were all dead, or we were.