THE WILDEST HEART<br /> <h2 id="_RWTOC-1"> <i>by</i></h2> <br />

Table of Contents
THE WILDEST HEART



Jacinta Carey



Table of Contents



SUMMARY



Author's Biography



Copyright the author 1998



CHAPTER ONE



CHAPTER TWO



CHAPTER THREE



CHAPTER FOUR



CHAPTER FIVE



CHAPTER SIX



CHAPTER SEVEN



CHAPTER EIGHT



CHAPTER NINE



CHAPTER TEN



CHAPTER ELEVEN



CHAPTER TWELVE



CHAPTER THIRTEEN



CHAPTER FOURTEEN



CHAPTER FIFTEEN



CHAPTER SIXTEEN



CHAPTER SEVENTEEN



CHAPTER EIGHTEEN



CHAPTER NINETEEN



CHAPTER TWENTY



CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE



CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO



Other Domhan Books



THE WILDEST HEART
Jacinta Carey
Domhan Books
HTTP://WWW.DOMHANBOOKS.COM
Table of Contents
Summary
Reviews
Author's Biography
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
ChapterThirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
SUMMARY
WYOMING, 1866
Rebecca Whitaker is struggling to keep her family ranch from foreclosure by 
trading with the Indians, working in a saloon, and raising horses. Enter the 
mysterious Walker Pritchard, claiming he wishes to stay with Reb to leave the 
memories of the war behind and learn about the ways of the west. They fall in 
love, but can Reb trust Walker? What are his real motives for coming to the Bar 
T, and how did he know there would be gold in those hills? Reb must fight to 
save him and her ranch, before everything she loves is destroyed by the men from 
Walker's shadowy past.
Author's Biography
Jacinta Carey
Jacinta loves cats. Her one goal is to earn enough money writing to be able to 
start a rescue center. In her spare time away from her busy family life, she 
likes photography, horses, and travel.
To my husband, who supported this book all the way.

Copyright the author 1998
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in 
any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, 
recording, or by any information and storage retrieval system, without 
permission in writing from the copyright owner.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the 
product of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to any actual persons, 
living or dead, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
1-58345-110-2 CD
1-58345-111-0 E book
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1-58345-155-2 Millennium
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9511 Shore Road, Apt. 514
Brooklyn New York 11209
Printed and distributed by Lightning Publishing, part of Ingram Industries
La Vergne Tennessee
CHAPTER ONE
The only sound Walker Pritchard ever heard was the hammer of the pistol clicking 
back.
" I've got you dead to rights, so don't try anything, mister. Put your hands up 
where I can see 'em, and don't make any sudden moves. "
" Don't worry, I won't, " Walker said with something akin to a sigh of relief, 
for the voice, despite its gruffness, did not sound terribly threatening.
" Now ride on up a little closer, so I can get a better look at you, " the voice 
demanded, slightly more shrilly, from behind the small rock.
" Can I put one hand on the reins, sir? " Walker asked with a slight smile.
" Nope. Any horseman worth his salt can ride bare back hanging onto the mane, 
and I hear tell movin' one hand down to draw their weapon is a common trick with 
gunslingers. So just keep 'em up high, " the voice demanded.
" Do I look like a gunslinger to you, then? " Walker asked his invisible 
companion, hoping to catch a glimpse of him so he could size up the opposition.
" Well, black clothes, expensive gear and hat, top quality saddle, and just a 
bedroll, so you travel light, all add up to trouble to me. Gunslinger, outlaw, 
bounty hunter. Maybe an Indian scout, though the Shoshone would spot you a mile 
off with those clothes and that horse. Black don't blend in well around here, 
mister. I could see you miles off and creep up to this rock without you ever 
spotting me, " his unseen companion explained with a twinge of amusement.
" Would you believe I'm simply a first-time visitor to the West looking for a 
bit of work and a chance to see some unspoilt wilderness after five years in the 
war? "
" That sounds about right, " the youthful figure nodded as he strolled out from 
behind the rock. " Yankee by the sound of you, so that's fine by me, in spite of 
my name. I'm Reb Whitaker, and I'm sorry about pointing my gun at you, " Reb 
apologised. " Out here, you can't be too careful, especially lately. "
Walker examined the small figure carefully. The boy was dressed in a long 
fringed calfskin coat with beading around the shoulders, heavy leather trousers 
and finely-tooled cowboy boots. A soft hat laced under the chin, with one blonde 
lock of hair peeping out at the side, topped the slim figure's appearance.
As for the face, the chin was firm, the small nose slightly tilted upwards, but 
the eyes were as sharp as a cat's. At first Walker thought they were green, but 
as the boy relaxed his stance, he could see they were a very striking shade of 
aquamarine. Walker wondered how old the lad was, and probed for more 
information.
" Reb, as in Rebel? "
" Sums up my nature to a tee, I'm afraid. "
" Pleased to meet you, Rebel Whitaker. I'm Walker Pritchard, and I can 
understand a young boy like yourself alone out here being careful, what with 
strangers and Indians and all, so no offence taken. "
" What are you doing out here anyway, Mr. Pritchard? I mean, you've strayed a 
long way from the main road to Grange, and there ain't any other homesteads out 
here 'cept my family's. "
There was no mistaking the suspicious glance from the boy's unusual aqua eyes, 
and Walker was well aware that the pistol was still cocked. Reb's eyes took in 
the handsome features, the solid masculine jaw with a deep cleft, the firm 
mouth, thin straight nose, and piercing brown eyes, almost black even in the 
bright sunshine. The thick black hair was slightly shaggy, but suited Walker 
Pritchard's dashing appearance. There was no mistaking the confidence and power 
his body exuded as he sat easily in his saddle despite the gun being pointed at 
him. Reb's instincts said that this man was a force to be reckoned with, and 
certainly hoped Walker was really what he claimed to be.
Walker replied, " The saloon keeper in Grange, Hank Rigby I think his name was, 
suggested that you might be looking for a hand on the ranch, just for a few days 
and nights. I was going to go straight up to the house. But then I thought that 
since there was still a fair bit left to the day, I might as well have a look 
around, see if I liked the place first, before I went pestering your father 
about staying. "
" And did Hank tell you why we might be needed a hand? Because if he told you 
that both my brothers were killed in the war, then he probably also told you we 
haven't got much money either, " Reb said with a proud sniff.
" Both your brothers? " Walker gasped, shocked.
Reb shrugged. " The Hamilton family over in the next town lost all five of their 
boys, so I don't know that two is all that surprising. "
" No, no, of course not, " Walker responded distractedly.
He recollected just in time that the inquisitive eyes of his companion were 
watching his every move. " I just meant it must be hard for you and your family 
now. As you say, the situation would be even worse if you lacked money. No, I 
didn't want you to pay me wages. I was thinking of you taking me on as a boarder 
for a few days. I'd help with the chores and pay you for my room and food, " 
Walker offered.
" It's a mighty fine offer, Mr. Pritchard, but it sounds like charity to me. You 
work, you get fed and housed in payment. Unless you really are up to no good, I 
wouldn't say anyone in their right mind would have made an offer like you just 
did. " Reb looked down at the primed pistol.
The threat was obvious. Walker licked his lips, and asked, " What did you mean, 
'especially lately?' "
" Pardon me? "
" You said you couldn't be too careful around here, and then added the words 
'especially lately.' Are you having some sort of trouble I can help with? "
Reb's aqua eyes narrowed for a few seconds, sizing up the man on the black mare 
with a critical eye. Walker could see the assessing gaze reach a decision. Reb 
uncocked the pistol and shoved it back in its holster, and said, " That's what 
I'm doing down here. Fences down, streams diverted, the wells running dry or 
fouled, the livestock let into our vegetable patches, all in the past month or 
so. There's a new man in town taking a mighty big interest in our property at 
the moment, called Alexander Greer. I thought maybe I could catch him or his 
oily brother Abner in the act. Hell, maybe you're even working for them.
" But, " Reb added, as Walker began to protest, " you'd hardly come here in 
those fancy clothes and do your dirty work in broad daylight. In any case I 
could have shot you dead any time in the past five miles if I had really thought 
you were part of his little schemes. "
" I'm eternally grateful to you that you chose not to, " Walker said in his 
driest tone.
" You're welcome. If you want to do some chores around the homestead, how about 
starting now and giving me a hand with the horses? They've broken out of the 
corral, or rather, they were let out and the fence was made to look as if it 
gave way. I've been out here all morning, and I'm damned if I can catch a single 
one. Even my own horse bolted. Got scared off by a rabbit just as you rode onto 
the trail, which is another reason why you didn't spot me, " Reb explained.
" Well, how about you climb up on the back, and I'll help you round up another 
one. Once you're mounted again, we can get the rest together, " Walker 
suggested.
" You took the words right out of my mouth, Mr. Pritchard, " Reb agreed, and 
began strolling towards the horse.
" But only on one condition, and that is that you stop calling me Mr. Pritchard. 
Just Walker will do. "
" Daddy tells me not too be too familiar with my elders and betters, but if you 
insist, then Walker it is. "
Walker held a hand down to Reb, and marvelled at how small, soft, and cool the 
boy's hand was. Walker didn't think Reb was much of a fighter, for all his cocky 
adolescent airs. But that was all the more reason the boy and his family needed 
his help, Walker decided. He spurred his horse into a canter, and soon they were 
in pursuit of a magnificent chestnut gelding.
Reb slid down off the back of the horse and ordered, " Ride round to the left, 
and I'll rope him when he comes this way. "
No sooner said than done; Reb roped the gelding with an efficiency which 
astounded Walker after his previous dismissive assessment of the boy.
" Where did you learn to do that? " Walker asked in awed tones.
" I had some help from Hank at the saloon. He used to be a horse-breaker once. 
Had his own ranch and all, until the wife ran off with another man, a big time 
gambler. They took him for everything he was worth. He went off on a horse 
buying trip, and when he came back, the house and stables were empty, " Reb 
explained.
" I'm really impressed. You make it look so easy, " Walker admired.
" I tell you one thing, the job will be really easy if we get hold of my black 
stallion. I think he might be in the grove of trees yonder. If he is, I just bet 
he'll have a few of the mares with him. If you don't mind riding this one bare 
back, I could sure use your horse and saddle to bring him in. Then I could ride 
him, and lead the others home. It's getting late, and the family will be 
expecting me for dinner. "
" Sure thing, but you'll have to give me a leg up onto its back, " Walker 
pointed out, gazing at the seventeen-hand-high horse with a mild degree of 
trepidation.
He slipped out of his saddle, and Reb held out folded hands. Walker placed his 
booted foot onto the small cradle, and leaned on Reb's shoulder. After three 
attempts, they finally got Walker's huge frame onto the animal's back.
" A bit puny for a boy your age, aren't you? " Walker observed once as he 
grasped his companion's shoulder.
" No worse than you not being able to get up onto a horse's back without a leg 
up, " Reb bit back as muscles strained and Walker finally made a slow but steady 
progress up onto the horse.
" Touché, lad, but for that remark you definitely get called Rebel from now on, 
" Walker teased.
He watched Rebel's ascent onto the back of his black mare, astounded. With only 
a small run up, Reb flew over the rump of the horse, pushing on it with both 
hands, and landed securely in the saddle.
" Where on earth did you learn how to do that? " Walker gaped.
" The Shoshone chief, Stalking Wolf, has been a good friend to the family for 
many years. He taught me much about horses and livestock, and also about 
medicines, finding food, tracking people, that sort of thing, " Reb told him as 
they rode towards the trees.
" You're friends with the Indians? " Walker exclaimed.
" Sure, why not? They lived here long before we ever arrived. I have no control 
over what my father did when he bought the land illegally years ago. But I still 
do what I can for the Shoshone people through trade, and through good relations 
with them so that the Army doesn't have any call to interfere with them in their 
territory. That's why I don't want the horses straying. It seems like I'm 
trespassing on their property and rights. "
" Some people would say the Indians are animals and have no rights, " Walker 
observed, his curiosity piqued by the bold assurance of this youth.
" Some people haven't got the sense they were born with, then! We could learn a 
lot from the Indians and their ways if people weren't so hostile towards them. 
They just have different values, different cultures, that's all. People travel 
around Europe on the so-called Grand Tour to pick up polish, to see different 
cultures such as those in France and Italy, but don't even know anything about 
what is right under their noses here in America.
" Just because the Indians have red skin and aren't Christian, most folk want to 
wipe them out. Why should they change for us? Why can't we all try to get along? 
It isn't as if America is overcrowded the way the streets of many European 
cities are. There's plenty of room for everyone, if only the white man weren't 
so greedy, " Reb argued hotly.
Walker grinned. " You sure are full of big ideas for a little lad. "
" Now you're being patronizing, and I won't stand for it. This is my home, Mr. 
Pritchard, and I live the way I like here. So if you don't want to get mixed up 
with a so-called 'Indian lover,' then I'll give you your horse back and you can 
ride on to the next homestead, " Reb hissed, and began to descend from the 
horse.
" Now hold on a minute there, Rebel, I didn't mean to sound superior to you, or 
make fun of you. I certainly wouldn't dream of criticizing. It's just refreshing 
to find someone take that tolerant attitude towards the Indians. Since I've been 
travelling West, most folk have told me the Indians are a pack of ruthless 
animals out to slaughter every white man they can get their hands on. It's nice 
to find at least one family has been able to make friends with them, that's all. 
I wasn't making fun, so get back on the horse, and let's go find that stallion. 
"
Reb's aqua eye's bored into Walker's black ones, and eventually, with a curt nod 
at Walker's apologetic face, they resumed their ride towards the trees.
Walker looked around at the scenery, and wished he had time to sketch all he had 
seen so far that day. The mountains were breath-taking, continuously changing 
colour as the wind blew or a wisp of cloud passed overhead. He knew he could 
watch them for hours and never grow tired of it. But his belly rumbled with 
hunger, and there were still the horses to attend to.
Once they got nearer the trees, Reb jumped down with a long rope, and crept into 
the thicket. Sure enough, the stallion was cropping grass contentedly. Further 
on, several of the mares had gathered in the cool shade of the tall trees.
Reb made a soothing clicking sound. The stallion's head jerked upwards. Walker 
could almost have sworn the horse was delighted to see Rebel, for it came right 
up to the youth and made a soft whinnying sound. Walker admired the white blaze 
on its forehead, and the four snow white stockings. The rest of the horse was an 
incredible blue-black, and its coat shone richly in the sunlight.
" Good boy, Thunder. Now, you wait here, while I rope the girls together, " Reb 
said gently.
Walker came down off the gelding with his own length of rope, and soon, they had 
six mares securely tied together.
Reb was anxious to get home. " I'll ride Thunder, and lead the girls. If you 
ride on behind, and just give a shout every now and then if they stop to graze, 
we should be back at the house in no time. With any luck the other four horses 
will come back on their own, but since they are only stallions, I'll not worry 
too much about them at the moment.
" All these ladies should be having their foals soon, " Reb added in response to 
Walker's unspoken question. " So they need extra care right now. I'll have to 
give them a good check over when we get back, and groom and feed them some hot 
mash. Damn those men. There was no way the horses could have broken out of the 
stables and yard by themselves. I'm really lucky we got them back and they don't 
seem to have taken any hurt, " Reb remarked after a brief inspection of each 
horse.
Then Reb moved to get Walker back up onto the gelding back so they could start 
for home.
" They look like fine animals to me, Reb, and as you say, you're really lucky 
they're fine. But what if they hadn't been? "
" Then we would have been in even worse trouble financially. I'm counting on 
these horses to help me keep up the mortgage repayments. The foals will be a big 
help too. They'll be worth a fair bit if they turn out all right. Thunder is a 
fine horse, the best, and I've already had a few bids in for the six foals, " 
Reb replied as Walker began to step onto the cupped hands waiting for him, and 
heaved himself onto the chestnut's back.
" Did you take any of the offers yet? " Walker asked conversationally.
" Nope. I figure I'll wait, just to make sure things go all right. Besides, if 
the foals turn out to be like their father, male, I'll get far more money for 
them. "
Reb leapt onto the black mare's back Indian style, while Walker looked on 
admiringly.
Reb gathered up the end of the rope, and with a bit of persuasion on both their 
parts, the group of horses began to head back towards the homestead.
There was little opportunity for Walker to converse with the strange young man 
riding ahead of him, so he contented himself with once again gazing at the 
magnificent scenery.
The homestead was wedged between three ridges of mountains, and on each side the 
peaks soared above them thousands of feet. A river, lined with trees, ran 
through the valley. Walker inhaled the clean, crisp morning air deeply, and 
thought to himself that he was truly in paradise.
But as they neared the homestead, Walker told himself not to be so fanciful. He 
had come out here to see first hand what life was really like out West, and 
there was no such thing as paradise. The house certainly looked as though it had 
seen better days, and one glance at the bunkhouse told him no humans had used it 
for years.
No, it was obvious the Whitaker family were struggling, and Walker had to turn 
his mind to ways he could try to help without seeming as though he were 
interfering.
A tall thin man with a slight stoop and fair away look in his watery blue eyes 
raised a hammer by way of greeting as Reb rode in. Walker was relieved to see 
the barn door and corral had been repaired. They were able to ride the horses 
straight in. A tiny girl with flaxen hair in a grubby pinafore tottered over to 
close the gate.
" That's my sister Emily, " Reb informed Walker.
" Emily, this here is Mr. Pritchard, a friend. You go on inside now and get 
cleaned up before dinner, " Reb told the little girl, who scurried away to do as 
she was told.
" You can stable you own horse in the last stall, " Reb instructed, riding the 
mare into the barn and dismounting. Reb untied the first mare, and then secured 
the rope on a post, before putting Queenie into her stall. Walker untied the 
second mare, and found a stall for it as well.
Soon all the horses were safely returned to their boxes, and Reb said, " I think 
I'd better give them some hot mash. They've been out in the mist of the 
mountains all night, and some of them don't look too perky. "
Walker offered to help with the hot mash as soon as the words were out of Reb's 
mouth.
" The grain bin is over there. We'll need nine bags, since your own mount looks 
as though it could use a good feed as well, " Reb remarked, indicating where the 
supplies were kept with a jerk of the head, never stopping the thorough 
examinations of the horses which were in progress.
The old man entered the barn, and Reb said, " Father, this is Mr. Walker 
Pritchard, who is going to be staying with us for a few days to explore the wild 
West. Walker, this is my father, Mr. Amos Whitaker. "
" Pleased to meet you. " The old man smiled gently as he offered his hand, 
before turning to inspect the horses himself.
" When you've finished putting the grain in those bags, go in to my sister 
Catherine and tell her we need lots of boiling water. And ask her if the 
vegetables are washed. If they are, she can put them on to boil now, " Reb 
called, as Walker headed out of the barn and onto the porch of the house.
He knocked first, and introduced himself to the thin waif who peered at him with 
huge cornflower blue eyes through the screen door.
" Hello there, miss. You must be Catherine. I'm Walker Pritchard. I'm helping 
out Rebel and your father in the barn with the horses. Rebel wants lots of hot 
water, and he also asked if you had washed the vegetables yet. "
The girl's grubby appearance, like that of her sister, suggested she had not 
only washed them, but dug them up out of the garden with her own bare hands. She 
nodded and pointed.
Walker said, " Right you are, then we'll put them on to cook, and I'll take the 
kettles out. "
He found a reasonably clean saucepan, and scooped the vegetables into it. Then 
he poured off a small amount of water from one of the kettles into the saucepan, 
and placed it on the range. The girl watched him carefully for a few moments, 
before asking in a small voice, " Are the horses going to be all right, mister? 
"
He gave her his most dazzling smile. " I think so, once they get some nice hot 
food inside them. "
Catherine looked relieved. " I'm so glad. I don't want to leave here. I've 
always lived here, we all have. I would die if we had to go away. "
Walker heart stirred within him at the tiny girl's innocent revelation of how 
bad things were one the ranch, and vowed, " You won't have to leave, not now, 
not ever. I promise. "
Catherine stared at him for a few seconds, and said more brightly, " I'll get 
the dinner ready today. I'm old enough now. Don't take too long with the horses, 
or it will go cold. "
" Right you are, ma'am. " Walker smiled down at the tiny girl, and then lifted 
the two huge kettles and carried them out to the barn. Once the mash was mixed 
and administered to the horses, everyone looked slightly more cheerful. Reb 
stretched and yawned for a few moments before exclaiming, " Oh heck! I forgot 
about dinner! We'll all be starving by the time it's ready! "
" No, no, " Walker reassured Reb, who was already flying from the barn. " 
Catherine said she would do it today. And no matter how it turns out, we're all 
going to say it is delicious. "
Reb's aqua eyes stared into Walker's dark ones briefly. With a nod Reb agreed.
" It'll be rough and ready, but you're more than welcome, " Reb replied.
The meal was not as bad as Rebel feared, though the potatoes were lumpy, the 
vegetables tough, and the huge slabs of beef overdone on the outside, almost raw 
on the inside. It was also what Reb had set by for their Sunday dinner, their 
one good meal of the week. God only knew what they would have tomorrow. With a 
stranger to feed as well, it made the whole situation even worse.
Despite the mixed results of Catherine's cooking, Walker enjoyed the meal. There 
was plenty of food, it was filling, and the constant family chatter at the 
dinner table made the whole experience a memorable one. He got a chance to 
observe the family he had heard so much about. The more he learned of them as he 
sat around the table listening, watching, the more his clever plans began to 
take shape in his mind. He could see the Whitakers were a proud, spirited lot, 
who would not accept any help from him if it were offered directly. But if he 
could find a way to help them all without their knowing....
Then perhaps the tragic series of circumstances and the suffering it had caused, 
the series of terrible events which had unexpectedly linked Walker's life with 
that of the Whitaker family, might be mitigated in some way.
CHAPTER TWO
By the time the Whitaker family had finished the meal, and Walker had helped 
wash and dry the dishes, the other four horses, including Reb's own, were 
outside hanging around the fence and whinnying mournfully to their comrades 
inside.
" I know where everything is now, so I'll go make some more hot mash, " Walker 
offered.
Reb nodded, and began to get the animals inside. Reb and Amos Whitaker inspected 
each animal in turn, and then began to groom all twelve. Soon Walker came in 
with the mash, and the four new arrivals were fed and watered, and Walker began 
to tend to his own mount.
When Reb was nearly finished, Walker asked, " What else needs doing around here? 
"
" I've got to get started on the washing, and it's Saturday night, so it's bath 
night as soon as Patrick gets home from his lessons. "
" You mean there's another brother? " Walker frowned, thinking he must have 
miscalculated somewhere.
Both pairs of striking blue eyes turned to him in puzzlement, and Reb said, " 
Now that Pierce and Bryce are dead, Patrick is the only one left. "
" Oh, I see. Er, it's just that he wasn't at lunch. "
" No, he goes to school Monday through Friday, and gets extra lessons from 
Reverend Wheelock on Saturdays and Sundays. The Reverend says he has a bright 
future, probably as a doctor or lawyer, he's so clever, so he needs the Latin 
and Greek. Reverend Wheelock is very kind, too. Takes his payment in milk and 
eggs, mostly, " Reb explained patiently, though Amos was still looking at Walker 
oddly.
" Anyway, you're welcome to have your turn in the big steel tub after I get the 
youngsters washed. If you don't mind finishing up here and helping Daddy with 
the milking and feeding the sheep and pigs, and mucking out, and any other dirty 
jobs you can think of, then by the time you're finished you'll just about need a 
good soak. "
" Good idea, thanks. If you'll just show me where you want me to bed down 
tonight, I'm put my stuff out of the way, and then go help your father. "
" Sure, let me just put those kettles on to boil again for the laundry, and I'll 
show you the house. "
Reb hoisted the kettles into the kitchen sink, and Walker pumped the handle for 
her as they filled one by one, and placed them on the fire to heat.
" Thanks, that's a great help, " Reb sighed, firmly shoving an escaping lock of 
hair back under the ever-present hat .
" As you can see, this is the kitchen, and this is my work table, while that one 
over the far side is where we have our meals. That door across from these tables 
leads to the parlour, but we hardly ever use the room now that my mother is 
gone, " Reb said quietly, and took him into the small but cozily furnished room 
lined with books. Reb practically tiptoed in and out of it, and Walker took in 
the rest of the house silently.
The central fireplace was open on both sides, with one side opening out into the 
kitchen and the other onto a narrow corridor which ran the length of the house, 
dividing it in two. On the right was the kitchen and parlour, on the left of the 
corridor, five rooms placed side by side.
" This one on the left of the door is the sewing room, and this one straight 
ahead was my parents' room when my mother was alive. This next one further down 
is the girl's room, and this is Patrick's room, though my father shares it with 
him now because he hates being on his own. "
" So you and I are going to have to share the last room down on the end, " 
Walker said resignedly, hoping the boy wouldn't snore or have any other 
revolting habits like a collection of frogs.
" Don't be ridiculous, " Reb said a trifle sharply, and looked away from 
Walker's puzzled countenance in an attempt to offer a reasonable explanation.
" I bunk with my sisters. They're young, only eight and three, and they have 
nightmares sometimes, " Reb explained. " This was my brothers' room when they 
were alive. I hope you don't mind. "
" Not at all, " Walker replied, looking around at the paintings and childhood 
toys curiously.
" I'll put some fresh sheets on the bed and give the place a good dusting in a 
minute, but for now I'll leave you to settle in, " Reb said, as she headed for 
the linen cupboard and searched out some clean sheets for the large feather bed 
that had once belonged to Pierce, the eldest of the Whitaker boys.
Walker began to place his few things on top of one of the chests of drawers, and 
when Reb came in, she moved some things from inside the dresser into a small 
trunk at the bottom of the smaller of the two beds to make space for Walker's 
belongings.
" Don't go to any trouble on my account, " Walker said politely, but Reb 
shrugged.
" It's no trouble, really. I want you to be comfortable while you're here, and 
it isn't as if it matters anymore about this room. After all, they're only 
things. "
Reb made the bed quickly while Walker put his few spare clothes away in the 
drawers, and then Walker declared, " Right, I'm off to help your father. Thanks 
for making me so welcome in your home, and I'll see you later. "
Walker finished with the horses in the barn first, and then Amos took him around 
to show him where all the supplies were for the animals. There was silage for 
the cows, turnips for the sheep, and buckets of slop and vegetable peelings for 
the pigs over by the sty. Walker began mucking out, and soon he was so filthy he 
felt as though he hadn't had a bath in years.
Walker helped feed the sheep, dragging the many pounds of turnips down the field 
to place them in their troughs, along with some fresh water which he hauled up 
from the well. He counted about a hundred sheep, and wondered when the shearing 
would start. The sheep all had thick pelts, and Walker was curious to see how a 
sheep was shorn.
Finally it was time for the cows to be milked, and Walker had to admit to Amos 
he had never done it before.
" That's all right, son. When I first came to this country from England, I had 
never done it either. But after a while I got the hang of it. Try it like this, 
pulling and squeezing, pulling and squeezing. "
After a while, Amos commented, " Not too bad for a pure beginner. "
Walker felt a surge of pride. He knew he was very slow, but he was able to help 
the family, and despite all the hard work he was really enjoying himself. The 
great outdoors had never really appealed to him in his youth, and on his home 
farm before the war, they had always had servants to do everything, including 
dress him in the mornings. He had made his money by getting his hands dirty, 
true, but in the mining industry, not in farming.
" What else would you like me to do, sir? " Walker asked.
" None of this 'sir' business, Walker. Just Amos will do. How about we go to the 
vegetable patch and dig up some potatoes and things for supper? " the older man 
suggested.
" Fine by me, " Walker assented, and they began to gather potatoes, turnips, 
leeks, and beets. Soon they had several buckets full of each, and Amos said, " 
You can take those beets and potatoes on into the kitchen, and then have your 
bath. Reb will boil them up and the beets will be pickled in vinegar so they 
won't spoil. I'll dig up the rest now while I'm at it, and then come in for my 
bath. "
" Are you sure you don't want me to do the digging? " Walker offered.
" Nonsense, this is only your first day with us. We don't want to work you too 
hard, so you'll run away and leave us, " the old man smiled.
" No chance of that. I'm having far too much fun, " Walker smiled sincerely.
He heaved up the two pails onto his shoulders using a tree branch as a makeshift 
yoke, and went stumping into the kitchen just as Reb began to emerge from the 
bath. He put the pails down, and looked up to see a naked woman with the 
loveliest figure he had ever set eyes on rising from the foam. His mouth went 
dry. The tree branch fell with a clatter, and Reb's aqua eyes met Walker's black 
ones briefly, before she ducked back down into the suds with a small squeak.
" Walker, really, you should have shouted or something before you came stomping 
in here like that, " Reb grumbled, as she turned completely crimson.
" I ,uh, I am sorry, Rebel, uh, but, " Walker stammered, as she avoided his gaze 
and sank down even deeper into the suds until he could barely see her.
" But, Rebel, you could have just told me you were a woman, instead of playing 
such a silly game, " he began to scold.
" Why should it have made any difference? It's a question of privacy, not of 
male versus female. Besides, I rather enjoyed your thinking I was a boy. It made 
things so much easier. That's why I dress the way I do. Strangers in town don't 
pester me as much, and the townspeople avoid me like the plague. Now, if you 
don't mind, can you go outside for a few minutes so I can get out of this tub 
and retain some small shred of modesty? " Reb asked pointedly.
Walker could barely take his eyes off the wet waist-length hair the colour of 
honey, or the creamy shoulders. The whole situation now made complete sense, and 
with a mental kick, Walker upbraided himself. He should have known. Reb, Rebel, 
could only be Rebecca.
" I really am sorry, I had no idea, or else I would have treated you a lot 
differently, " Walker apologised.
" I can't complain about the way you've treated me, Walker, only that if I stay 
in this tub any longer I'm going to turn into a prune. I'll call you in a 
minute, and you can get in while the water is still hot, " Reb declared a trifle 
impatiently.
" Right you are, Rebecca, " Walker said as he began to back out the door.
" And get this straight, Walker, " Reb called to his retreating figure. " Only 
my parents ever called me Rebecca, and only when they were angry with me. Reb or 
Rebel will do nicely, though I suppose I'll have to start calling you Mr. 
Pritchard to satisfy decent people's sense of etiquette. "
" You'll do no such thing, " Walker called through the screen door, as he 
resisted the temptation to steal another peek at the lovely young woman as she 
splashed out of the tub and wrapped a towel around herself. Even in a towel 
she's divine he groaned to himself as he watched her wrap another towel turban 
like around her wet head.
" All right, you can come in now, " Reb called.
Walker returned to his room to fetch a fresh set of clothes and a towel. He also 
got his razor and soap. First he set about shaving himself in the mirror above 
the kitchen sink. Then he stripped off his soiled clothes and slipped his aching 
body gratefully into the warm sudsy water.
After about ten minutes of complete silence soaking in the tub, the door at the 
far end of the room opened, and Reb came out. She was dressed in a clean red and 
white checked shirt and a pair of heavy black canvas trousers. Her hair hung 
down to her waist to dry, and was tied back with a simple leather thong to keep 
it out of her way as she went about doing the household chores.
" I promise not to peek by way of revenge, " she smiled, " but we need to get 
those clothes of your cleaned and hung out to dry. "
" Really, there's no need, " Walker protested. " I can do it myself. "
" Nonsense, the water's already boiled, the tubs just have to be filled, and a 
few items more or less won't make much of a difference, " Reb smiled, rolling up 
her shirt sleeves and setting to work.
She scrubbed and scoured while the other two girls, now pink and sweet-smelling, 
and dressed in clean pinafores several inches too short, rinsed out the suds and 
hung them on clothes horses which they helped set up by the fire .
" I brought in some beets. Your father is bring the rest in a minute. He said 
you'd boil them up and pickle them, " Walker said, pointing to the buckets by 
the door.
" Right, that's why you came in. Catherine, can you go over to the sink and 
start washing up those vegetables for us, please. Put on that big apron so you 
don't get dirty again, and I'll pump some water into the sink for you. "
Walker observed the three work with an efficiency which astounded him, and sat 
in the tub until the water was almost cold watching Reb scrub sheets, 
pillowcases, tablecloths, towels, and a variety of voluminous petticoats. He 
wondered vaguely when the last time was that she had managed to do the wash, she 
seemed to have such a mountain of things to attend to.
" Do you want anymore hot water? " Reb's voice intruded upon his thoughts.
" No, thanks, I'm clean enough, and you father will be coming in in a minute for 
his turn only to find I've hogged all the hot water. "
" There's plenty here, " Reb indicated the kettle.
" No, no, he needs it, and besides you have to boil the vegetables, " Walker 
insisted, though he still sat.
Reb looked at him with a smile for a several seconds, until Walker finally 
groaned, " Oh, come on, Reb, don't be like that. I really don't mind if you want 
your revenge upon me for being an inadvertent peeping Tom, but I'm damned if I 
am going to be seen buck naked by your two sisters. "
" Oh, I suppose you're right. Emily, Catherine, come here for a minute. I want 
you to go outside and call Daddy in, and then feed the chickens. And don't you 
dare get dirty before Church tomorrow, you hear? " Reb scolded playfully.
" Sure, Reb, " they chorused, and off they trotted.
" I'll be back in a few minutes, " Reb grinned, and Walker finally emerged from 
the tub, refreshed and relaxed. He got dressed swiftly in case Reb decided to 
get even with him after all, and then looked over at some of the items hanging 
on the line. Red petticoats, a pair of trousers with only one leg, several 
elegant gowns. Walker wondered if Rebel were doing her spring cleaning. He 
tidied his bedroll away, and then heard Amos' footsteps on the porch.
" Your turn now. I'll just go outside for a smoke, if I may? " Walker asked.
" Better still, lad, sit your ground and have a chat with me, and if you have a 
cheroot or two spare, I'll be eternally grateful. "
" I smoke a pipe, I'm afraid. "
" Even better, " the old man beamed, and Walker fished out his spare pipe, 
filled and lit it.
" Exquisite. It reminds me of a special blend I used to get in London, a life 
time ago, " Amos sighed contentedly as he sat in the tub puffing like a steam 
engine. Every so often Walker would add more hot water to the tub, and they 
talked about the latest news from back east. As the conversation progressed, 
Walker cautiously told Amos a few detail about himself.
" I joined up just after the war started, though with being an only son there 
was no need for me to. But I got tired of being told that I was already doing my 
bit for the war effort by working in the mines, and was able to get a 
commission. After one particularly heavy set of officer casualties, I was made a 
colonel in the Yankee forces, and I served out the rest of the war in that 
capacity. "
Reb came out into the kitchen with a huge pile of linens, and put the irons onto 
the fire to heat.
" Were you injured during the war at all, Walker? " she asked quietly.
" Got a bullet through the fleshy part of my calf once, another bullet through 
my shoulder which passed clean through, so I reckon I was pretty damned lucky. "
" You didn't know any one called Pierce or Bryce Whitaker, now did you? " Amos 
asked, but without much sign of hope.
Walker shook his head, but avoided both pairs of eyes.
" No, I didn't think so. The pair of damned fools crept off in the middle of the 
night at the start of the war, though they were but fifteen and fourteen at the 
time. Left me and Mother and Reb all alone out here, while they signed up under 
false names and went looking for glory. Called themselves Pete and Buck Wells, I 
seem to recall. They came home on leave once, and that was the last we ever saw 
of them.
" They got their glory all right. A number of medals apiece, and survived nearly 
right through the whole war. Pierce died just outside Richmond, poor lad. Always 
was very scholarly and artistic, just like his mother. It's a wonder he turned 
out as good a soldier as he did all things considered, but then he had nothing 
but praise for his commanding officer, Colonel Preston, and all the help he gave 
him, " Amos reminisced.
Walker swallowed the lump in his throat, and asked, " What happened to your 
other son, I believe you said his name was Bryce? "
" That's the most tragic incident of all. The war was already over, he was all 
set to come home, about two months back, wasn't it Reb? But he never did make it 
back. Bryce had a run-in with some former Confederates in Richmond, Virginia. It 
seems they shot him and a friend down like a dog, " the old man's voice 
quavered.
" My goodness, I'm so sorry. How awful for you, " Walker said sincerely.
Amos nodded miserably, but Walker noticed Reb looked away slightly, and bowed 
her head back down to concentrate on her ironing.
The silence lengthened, until Amos finally exclaimed, " Well, there's no point 
in sitting around here when there are things to be done. "
Reb and Walker left Amos alone to get out of the tub, and they stood out on the 
porch side by side gazing at the mountain peaks as dusk began to fall.
" Where's your brother Patrick? " Walker asked quietly.
" Doing his homework in his room, " Reb replied distractedly.
" You seem a bit, well, upset. I'm sorry if my questions about your brothers 
distressed you. "
" No, it's not that, it's, well.... "
" You're hiding something, aren't you? " Walker demanded, cupping Rebel's chin 
until her aqua eyes gazed into his.
" It's not something want to talk about, least of all with a stranger, " Reb 
sniffed.
" I had hoped you might consider me to be a friend, " Walker coaxed.
Reb stepped down onto the gravel path and began heading in the direction of the 
pig sty. Walker followed on silently, and finally Reb leaned against the 
railings and said, " Even at that early age, before Bryce ran off to join the 
Army, he as wild, hung around with a bad set. It's tarnished our family, and I 
hate your thinking that it's because I'm so useless as a woman that we're in the 
state we're in. " The truth is, Bryce gambled in a big way and we had to borrow 
some money and use part of the ranch as collateral to pay off some of the debts 
he ran up at the black jack tables.
" It sounds a terrible thing to say with him being dead now and all, but Bryce 
was only a burden on the farm, never did a hand's turn. He was my brother, and I 
loved him, but he was lazy, proud, and arrogant. He always said that once the 
farm came to him, he'd buy a gambling hall and saloon somewhere and really make 
some big money, " Reb confided to Walker.
" And Pierce, was he any good around the farm? " Walker asked quietly.
" No, he was just like Patrick, always with his nose in a book. No, me and the 
girls are the only real farmers in this family, only women don't inherit, men 
do, and can do what they like with the land, regardless of what we feel about 
the matter. Once father is dead, this will all belong to Patrick, and the good 
Lord only knows what he'll decide. I can't see him wanting to stay here in the 
Nebraska territory, not when all the great universities are back east and cost 
lots of money. "
" This mortgage, is it very high? "
" It's over two thousand dollars, which is bad enough even if circumstances were 
normal. But the bank had some difficulties recently, and had to sell off some of 
their promissory notes. Our mortgage was taken up by Alexander Greer and his 
brother Abner, the men I told you about before. Once he bought the promissory 
note, he renegotiated the terms of the loan, and has been hounding us for more 
repayments in a shorter period of time. If we don't pay up, he's going to 
foreclose, " revealed Rebel.
" Isn't there anything you could do to meet his terms? " Walker asked solemnly.
Reb ran her fingers through her blond curls, where were gradually drying in the 
sunshine, and then shrugged. " We could give him part of the land in exchange 
for the two thousand pounds owing. The farm and homestead are worth far more 
than that. But which part could we give him? The area near the Indians wouldn't 
be safe, and would give him all the water rights in the valley.
" The strip of land on the main street in Grange is deeded to the town's lawyer, 
Simon Gilmore. He came back from the war minus an arm and a leg, and no one was 
willing to let him any of the buildings in town. Father and I built him his 
house and offices with our own two hands, and I'll be damned before I give 
anyone the satisfaction of seeing him leave town because of my brother's 
stupidity. "
" Why is Simon Gilmore so unpopular? " Walker frowned.
" I'm afraid if you took one look at him, you'd know. He is coloured. Simon 
studied law with the help of some fellow patients in one of the hospitals in the 
north. Once he was better, he couldn't go south because of the war, and didn't 
really know anyone in the north, so he headed West. I met Simon in town when he 
was making an overnight stop and some people took exception to his presence, and 
he's been here ever since. Gradually he's built up a fine practice, though it 
hasn't been easy. "
" I imagine not, " Walker observed dryly. " And it couldn't have been easy for 
you either, building his house, taking on the wrath of the town? "
" No, but then the townsfolk don't approve of me anyway. "
" Why not? "
" The other part of the land nearest the Indian territory we gave to the Swensen 
family. Mrs. Swensen was heavily pregnant, and had the baby right here in our 
barn. People didn't approve of them coming here because they were convinced it 
was the thin end of the wedge, that dozens of Swedish families would flood the 
place.
" But they are good solid young people, and I don't see that they've done anyone 
any harm by coming here. Axel gives us help at lambing and shearing time, and 
also lends a hand with the other livestock when he can. But Axel's mainly a 
carpenter by trade, so he runs a small mill in a bend in that river over there, 
and makes some fine furniture out of our timber. You'll see a few of his pieces 
in your bedroom.
" I take a quarter of what he earns for rent and the wood, though without him it 
would probably go to waste. He also chops all our wood for us, to keep us going 
through the winter, and we help him with the bigger logging chores, " Reb 
explained.
" Reb, is there anything you don't do around here? "
Reb looked serious for a moment, and then replied, " Nope I guess I just about 
do it all, but I love the life out here. It's my home. It may seem very strange 
to you, but I don't know any other sort of life. "
" What about the land near the Indians? Surely it's the most rocky, the least 
worthwhile for cultivation?
" True, but I need access to Stalking Wolf's camp. He helps me with wild horses, 
and his wife with medicines. They also make wood carvings, pottery, jewellery, 
bead work, and leather goods out of our hides. "
" And let me guess, you get their supplies, and sell them in town, and let them 
keep the profits? "
" I take a quarter, because they treat all my hides to make into the leather 
goods, and into sheepskin rugs. And the wool goes to a pair of ladies in Grange, 
the Wright sisters, who wash, card, dye, and spin it into wool, which is then 
sold in the General store. "
" It seems to me, then, Reb, that with all these successful businesses running, 
you main problem is cash. You seem to trade for everything, rather than get real 
money for it, " Walker pointed out.
" But you have to remember, Walker, most of these people had hardly any money to 
start with in the first place. The Wright sisters' father had invested all his 
money in Confederate war bonds, and lost their plantation. I've told you about 
Simon Gilmore and the Swensens, and their appalling circumstances when I first 
met them. I didn't like sticking my hand out for money as soon as they'd got on 
their own two feet again.
" As for the Indians, the Shoshone are rich in knowledge and land, but people 
had stolen so much from them that they had little left except their pride to 
keep them going, and very few people wanted to have any dealings with them, that 
is until I worked up the nerve to go see them and proposed the business deal 
I've told you about, " Reb stated matter of factly.
" Yes, but if it is your leather being used to make the goods, you should take 
more of a percentage, or increase the profits by charging a higher price. Where 
do you sell these things? "
" There's a small shop just next to Simon's law practice. Sue Gibson, a local 
girl crippled by polio, runs it. "
Walker began to laugh uproariously.
Reb gave one last look at the sun setting over the hills, and turned away 
abruptly. " I don't see what's so funny, " she muttered.
" It's you, Rebel. You've taken every single lame duck under your wing, given 
them charity, and still manage to turn a profit. If this land is worth fighting 
for, then call in all your debts. Sit down and do your accounts, sell off 
whatever you don't need, and raise whatever you can in cash. Maybe if you do 
that, the bank might be willing to give you a smaller loan to get this man 
Alexander Greer off your back.
" Or better still, if you don't want to squeeze people for money, allow Simon 
Gilmore and Axel Swensen to buy the land they're living on. After all, if Greer 
forecloses on the mortgage, then all of the land they are living on is in the 
title deeds anyway. They would be homeless along with yourselves, wouldn't they? 
" Walker observed astutely.
Reb glanced up at Walker as she trudged back to the house. " My goodness, you're 
absolutely right. I never thought about it that way. I'll do what you suggest, 
but you're not to mention a word of this to anyone, do you hear? " she 
cautioned.
" I won't, trust me. But why the need for secrecy? "
" I wouldn't want Greer to get wind of it, and try to run off Simon and the 
Swensens. I also wouldn't want him starting any trouble with the Shoshone, 
because in the end the tribe would come off the worst if Army soldiers came in 
to break up any trouble. "
" I promise you, Reb, it will all work out. "
" I wish I shared your confidence, Walker, but times are hard, and we might not 
be able to raise the money. At any rate, I've got to head into town now, so I 
had better finish the rest of the ironing, and get ready to go, " Reb sighed as 
she began to trudge back to the house.
" Why are you going into town? " Walker asked as he ran to catch up to her.
" Saturday shopping. The General Store stays open late tonight, " Reb replied 
casually as she resumed her ironing.
" I'll come with you and help, " Walker suggested.
" No, no, really, it's kind of you to offer, but the townspeople don't like me, 
because of the people I help out, and other reasons, and they would gossip until 
they were blue in the face if they saw us shopping together, " Reb refused 
quickly.
" I can understand about Simon and the Indians and the race problem, but what 
other reasons could they have for disliking you? It seems to me you've done a 
hell of a lot for this town, " Walker praised, as Reb took up another shirt and 
began to iron rapidly.
" The folk also don't like me around here because I dress as a boy most of the 
time, and do a man's work, " Reb said quietly.
" I would hardly think that's enough reason for the whole town to disapprove of 
you, " Walker smiled, but Reb coloured even more furiously, and stared at the 
table silently as she ironed.
" There's something you've left out, isn't there? Why don't the townspeople 
approve of you? " he demanded more sternly.
" Because, because I work nights in the saloon. I have to go shopping and head 
on there after that, so you see there's no point in your coming with me, 'cause 
I wont be back 'til late, " Reb confessed.
Walker grinned amusedly. " Drink may be a demon to some people, but I would like 
to think I'm a bit more broad-minded than that. It's nothing to be ashamed of, 
though it might be rough at times for a girl your age. "
" It isn't that bad, really. Hank Rigby looks after me, and I never go upstairs 
at night. I only go up there when the place is shut and the girls are all having 
their rest. "
" Girls, what do you mean, girls... ? " Walker frowned, but as the full impact 
of her revelations hit his jaw dropped open.
" Rebel Whitaker, are you trying to tell me you work in the local bordello?! "
Reb nodded miserably, afraid that he too would ostracise her the way the rest of 
the so-called decent citizens of the valley had done.
" But we needed the money, and Hank and the girls need cooking and cleaning and 
laundry done just the same as everyone else. Besides, I don't know what gives 
anyone the right to get on their moral high horse about it all. If there weren't 
men willing to pay for a lady's company, then those girls wouldn't have been 
lured into what folk call a life of immorality.
" And if women had more opportunities, were treated with more respect, as if 
they were capable human beings instead of household drudges and baby makers, 
maybe girls wouldn't turn to the life in the hope of getting easy money or 
escaping their miserable lives at home, " Reb argued fiercely.
Walker stared at Rebel silently as she warmed to her theme, and with a defiant 
toss of her head Reb declared, " Be like that, then. I don't care what you 
think, Walker Pritchard. I haven't done anything wrong, but if you don't want to 
stay at the ranch for fear of what people are going to say, or because you don't 
approve of the way I choose to help make ends meet in this house, then you can 
get right back on your horse and leave now. "
" Now just hold on, don't get so fired up about it all, " Walker protested. " I 
didn't say anything about the morality or otherwise of your working in the 
saloon, it's just that I think you might be taking on too much work. I first met 
you rounding up horses and mending fences, and now I find that you run the 
entire homestead and most of the valley's economy as well. I know your father is 
grieving, but your mother has been dead for over three years. I know your 
brother is clever, but his extra studies mean you have to do all the chores 
yourself.
" Now I discover you're working in the saloon at night till all hours, doing 
their cleaning during the day, and then taking in extra laundry and ironing for 
half the town. I don't give a hoot what the old biddies in Grange think about 
your working in the saloon. I admire you for it. But sooner or later, something 
has got to give, and you'll be worn out by the time you're twenty if you keep 
this up! "
" Thanks for the advice, but I have little choice at the minute. We need a good 
crop, we need a good herd, and those mares needed looking after so I can get the 
best price for the healthy foals I pray they'll have. I'm grateful to you for 
not judging me, Walker, but just remember, in two years time when I am twenty, 
you'll be long gone, and I'll still be here with this ranch and my family to 
support, " Reb argued.
" if you don't work yourself into an early grave first, Rebel! " Walker chided.
" I've got to drop off this ironing at Simon's and some leather goods at the 
store, before I go to the saloon, so if you'll excuse me, I haven't got the time 
to stand here listening to your lectures, " Reb hissed as she gathered up the 
piles of men's clothes and women's petticoats and underclothing and stormed out 
of the door. She headed for the stables at breakneck speed, and Walker started 
to run after her.
" Rebel, wait! " Walker shouted, but she was gone, and there seemed little point 
in chasing after her. He couldn't tell her the truth, nor could he go to the 
saloon with her to help with the work. He might pop in for a drink later, but he 
might just as well spend the evening quietly with the slightly less fiery Amos 
Whitaker, and see what he could find out.
Walker also wanted to take a walk around the homestead to see what things he 
could help with. Now that he had a better idea of the family's affairs, it 
didn't seem quite so hopeless as he had imagined, but the Whitaker family was 
still in a difficult situation regarding Alexander Greer, and Rebel had no life 
of her own.
Walker decided that he would ride around the three sides of the ranch early in 
the morning, and give a professional assessment of the land. Even if Walker 
didn't really find anything, he could pretend, couldn't he?
A small smile lit Walker's face, and he inhaled deeply, convinced he could smell 
Rebel's clean fragrance in his nostrils. Yes, he'd ride over to the saloon 
tonight for a drink, and hopefully another stimulating conversation with the 
fascinating Rebel Whitaker.

CHAPTER THREE
Reb rode into town in the wagon loaded with supplies for the shop and the 
ironing for Simon Gilmore, Sue Gibson, and Hank Rigby and the three girls who 
worked in the saloon. She was still fuming over Walker's criticism of her 
actions, but then he could never hope to understand how much the ranch meant to 
her. It was more than simply her home, it was her entire way of life. She didn't 
want to slow down, take things easier, for to do so might be admitting defeat, 
and she was damned if she was going to let Alexander Greer take away everything 
she had worked so hard to build.
But Walker had had some good ideas about how she could bring in more money, so 
after talking quietly with Simon for a few moments, as she pottered around his 
small kitchen making him some supper, she broached the subject of him renting or 
buying his smallholding now that he was more prosperous.
" Sure thing, Reb, I'm only sorry I never thought of it before. I have a good 
pile of savings now, so the next time you come, we can settle things between us, 
" Simon quietly apologised.
" It's not your fault, really, and I'm sorry I even have to bring it up. It's 
just that if Greer did foreclose for any reason, you'd be homeless. You're the 
lawyer and justice of the peace, so you draw up the papers, and you can mark the 
boundaries out the back. You can't have the whole property because of the shop 
next door, but leave yourself room for a garden or a bigger stable or something 
like that, " Reb insisted.
" We will have to do the whole thing legally, so that means someone else will 
have to be involved with the negotiations and witness the agreement. How about 
Mr. Samuels from the bank? I'll have to go see him about my money being 
transferred to you anyway, " Simon suggested.
" Good idea. I'll go over and see him first thing Monday morning, so I can count 
up my pennies and we can work out a fair price. "
" I'll come with you. I haven't got any appointments for first thing Monday, " 
Simon said, consulting his diary while Reb put his linens away in the wardrobe.
" I'll pick you up in the wagon at eight-thirty, then so we can be there for 
nine, " Reb offered, as she moved to the kitchen to ladle out the stew she had 
been heating up for him.
" I'll be ready, " Simon agreed, and after she had set out the food for him, and 
also his nightwear, and done a few more small cleaning chores, she headed next 
door to the shop, and helped Sue lay out the new items.
The shop was a simple rectangular building, with shelves on either side, and a 
large counter which stretched along the entire width of a third wall. Sue sat at 
the counter knitting, and greeted Reb cheerfully. She was a petite, vivacious 
brunette with lustrous brown eyes, and would have been considered beautiful by 
the men of the town were it not for her leg braces and crutches.
" I'm glad you're here. I have some things I wanted to talk over with you, and 
we need to look over the accounts. "
" I have to talk to you as well, and you're right, I didn't look at the books 
last time, I was in such a hurry, " Reb admitted ruefully.
Reb was pleased to see many figures entered in the books, and after adding them 
up and then deducting money for the Shoshone and for Sue's wages, she counted 
out the rest for herself, and tucked it safely in her trouser pockets.
" I've already paid for the latest shipments of buckles and beads, so this is 
mine free and clear. It sure will come in handy, " Reb sighed.
" Are you in some sort of trouble over money, Reb? " Sue asked worriedly.
Reb briefly explained her financial problems to Sue, who listened 
sympathetically, and said, " Then in that case we should increase all the 
prices, fifty cents apiece, and these new items can fetch even more. These 
leather coats and jackets alone are worth at least five dollars more than you've 
been asking, and you'd do even better if you expanded. My mother knows a man in 
Laramie, who's been real interested in the leather goods and jewellery. If you 
can get more of these items from the Indians, we can sell them in his hotel for 
big town prices, " Sue suggested persuasively.
" It sounds like a good idea, but who would bring the things to Laramie? "
" Bob Tucker, the stagecoach driver, would be happy to help. I've already asked 
him, and he said since he has to drive that route all the time anyway, it's no 
trouble to him to bring the things down. The man in Laramie says he can put the 
money straight in the bank if you have an account with the First National. "
" I sure do. Great, Sue. Thank you. That's a wonderful idea. If we mark up these 
items, and send these leather goods and those necklaces to Laramie, we'll be 
making a small fortune, " Reb said enthusiastically.
" No, Reb, a huge fortune, if you can get the Indians to produce more. "
Reb shook her head slowly. " There's only so much leather my cattle produce, and 
the process is time consuming for the Shoshone without modern equipment, vats 
and so on. "
" Get Axel Swensen to make them some wooden vats, and get some more hides from 
some of the ranchers nearby. I'm sure they would be glad to not have to ship 
their hides across the state. Even if you offered them a lower price, they would 
be saving money on shipping costs, " Sue pointed out.
Reb looked at the account books again, and jotted down some sums. " You know, it 
might just work at that. "
She raised her aqua eyes from the ledger and looked at Sue closely. " I can see 
you've been doing a lot of thinking, young lady. Any particular reason for this? 
" Reb demanded gently.
Sue flushed guiltily, and confessed, " It's just that when you first took me on 
in this here shop, I was so grateful, all I wanted to do was make you proud of 
me, live up to the confidence you had shown in me. My ma thought I would fail, 
but I think we've been quite successful.
" I can also see how you are so stretched thin now by all the things you do 
around town, Reb, that I want to help. It was one thing when your brothers were 
off at the war, but now that they've passed away, don't think we all don't know 
who is responsible for holding the ranch together. I've heard rumours that that 
stranger Alexander Greer is planning on being the new owner of the Bar T, and it 
just doesn't seem fair after all the work you've put into the place, " Sue 
explained.
" If that's all you're worried about, Sue, then don't bother your pretty little 
head, because it will never happen, not over my dead body, " Reb said 
vehemently.
" But there's another reason for my little plans, Reb. I want to buy the shop 
and the land from you. You know we're only renting from the Tucker family, Ma 
and me, and we thought maybe you wouldn't mind giving us a chance to buy the 
shop and the land. We'd add on some living quarters at the back, and well, then 
I would feel a bit more worthy of Bob, " Sue confided.
" You men Bob Tucker's proposed to you! " Reb squealed in delight, and hugged 
the tiny crippled young woman to her.
" He has, but I want to come to him as more of an equal. Me and Ma and my little 
brother don't want to be no burden to him or anyone. I know his father will hit 
the roof when he finds out, but Bob is old enough to marry where he chooses, and 
we could make a good home together away from his Daddy and the big ranch. Bob 
loves driving the stagecoach. He doesn't want to settle down miles from nowhere 
and break horses for the rest of his life. "
" Well, that is the best news I've had in ages. I have to come into town on 
Monday morning, because Simon has offered to buy his property next door. If you 
can get Bob to stake a claim out back for how much land you think you need, 
he'll draw up the papers and Mr. Samuels at the bank will see to everything. "
" And I want to be partners in the store, not just working for a wage anymore, 
so I'll go over now and ask Simon to draw up a partnership agreement between us, 
" Sue said firmly.
" That's a great idea, Sue, " Reb hesitated, " but you'd better make it an 
agreement three ways. I want to include the Shoshone on any piece of paper like 
that that we would have to sign. "
" I'll get Simon to do it tonight, then, and you can pick it up in the morning 
after Church and go see Stalking Wolf, " Sue offered.
" Good girl, you'll make one hell of a business woman. Must get to the General 
Store before they shut, so if you don't want a lift home, I'll head on, " Reb 
said, opening the door.
" No, I'll pop in and see Simon, tell him the good news, and then walk home, " 
Sue replied.
Reb's eyebrows raised slightly.
" I don't want to be on these crutches for the rest of my life. I can walk home 
by myself, even if it does take me an hour, " Sue said with quiet dignity.
" Well, then, enjoy the fine night, and I'll see Simon in the morning, and 
collect you from home on Monday at around quarter to nine so we can go into the 
bank together. " Reb waved her goodbyes, and drove the wagon on up the main 
street to the saloon. She unloaded all the ironing, and ran through the swinging 
doors at the speed of light.
" Sorry I'm late. Been taking care of business, " Reb mumbled over the mountain 
of petticoats, and scurried up the stairs to the waiting women, who helped Reb 
sort the items into four piles.
Reb went back down with Hank's pile of clean clothes, and saw to her relief that 
the bar was nearly empty.
" Rebel Whitaker, where in the name of all that's holy have you been? The food 
ain't even started yet! " Hank growled.
" I'll do it right away, Hank, it will be ready in no time, " Reb reassured him 
as she scurried into the kitchen and began to chop onions as if her life 
depended on it. She had brought some huge slabs of beef from home which she ran 
through a mincer, and once she got the beef on to cook, she went back out to the 
wagon and
fetched some green beans and ham and a vat of stew she had prepared for the 
family's supper. She had left the rest on the range back home for her family and 
Walker to eat.
Reb chopped some dried tomatoes and added water to the mixture, and soon her 
homemade chili was happily bubbling away on the range as she began to bake 
potatoes and boil rice, and then turned her attention to making the corn bread.
Her next trip out to the wagon produced several loaves of bread and some apple 
pies, a basket of eggs, some home cured bacon, and a vat of baked beans.
Hank looked over all the food and sniffed appreciatively.
" Here's breakfast and dinner for tomorrow, " Reb said, indicating the eggs, 
bacon and beans, " and there are two roast chickens as well I'll bring in in a 
minute. "
" I'll get them, " Hank offered.
" Oh, and could you drop off this shopping list in the General Store for Mr. 
Furness, and ask him to put it all in my wagon if you're heading out there? " 
Reb asked, as she dusted her floury hands on a cloth before fishing into her 
pocket for her shopping list. " Here's the money, " she added, but Hank had 
already turned away.
" You and I are going to have a little talk when we get back, " Hank said over 
his shoulder, and Reb's heart sank into her boots. She hadn't been that late, 
but maybe Hank was cross. Or maybe he was tired of the same food day after day, 
and night after night. Reb knew her mother had left a pile of recipes somewhere 
in the house; maybe she should dig them out and try some new dishes for the 
saloon's customers.
When Hank reappeared in the doorway of the kitchen a short time later, Reb began 
to apologise. " Look, I'm sorry about being late, and I'll turn up early 
tomorrow to make up the time. And if you're sick of the food, well maybe I can 
come in early mornings and afternoons for a little while to do you nicer 
breakfasts and dinners, and clean the place up better. "
" No, Reb, I have no complaints about anything like that, " Hank denied. " I 
want to talk to you about your wages, and about how much food you're bringing 
from your ranch to us. I don't figure I've been paying you fairly, and it's 
about time I set that to rights. I want to give you higher wages, starting as of 
last month, and I've paid for those groceries at the General Store. I also want 
to give you this for all the beef and bacon, and the girls and I all agree we 
need to pay you a fairer price for all the washing and ironing you're doing. "
Reb stared wide-eyed at the wad of bills Hank placed on the table, and looked at 
his handsome, hawk-like face. " That's far too much, and you know it. All right, 
so everyone in town has been gossiping about my financial affairs, " Reb 
bristled, " but I refuse to take charity from anyone, do you hear! "
Reb turned to leave the kitchen but Hank grabbed her by the shoulders and pinned 
her up against the wall.
" Damn it, Rebel, you are the stubbornest women I ever met, and that's the God's 
honest truth, " Hank exclaimed loudly. " Honey, this money ain't charity, and I 
don't need no village gossips to tell me what I can see with my own eyes. You do 
far more work around here than we pay you for, and with a big family to look 
after, you should be paid better wages. It was just a casual arrangement at 
first, and I didn't really think you'd stick it. You stated out washing glasses, 
then you offered to do our washing and ironing, next it was the cooking.
" Look at this place, Rebel, " Hank indicated with a sweep of his hand. " You've 
built it up all by yourself into the fine place it is now. Tablecloths and 
napkins, proper dishes and cutlery that belonged to your mother, and even ladies 
come in here for a meal on a Saturday night because your food is so good. It was 
you idea to have a separate bar and restaurant, and hell, Reb, you even put up 
the wall with your own two hands. You bring all the baking from home, and the 
meat is from your own livestock. I figure it's about time you're paid what 
you're worth around her, because me and the girls would hate to lose your help.
" And even if we did decide to give you a hand for a change, it's only because I 
can name dozens of people you've helped over the years I've known you, from the 
goodness of your own heart, and I figure it's about time me and the rest of the 
town started to pay you back. "
" So this has nothing to do, then, with the fact that half the town seems to 
know that Alexander Greer is trying to foreclose on my mortgage, " Reb scoffed.
" No, Rebel, it doesn't, I swear, " Hank insisted, and pinned her up against the 
wall again more firmly as she tried to struggle free of his grip.
" Is there some sort of trouble here, Reb? " she suddenly heard a livid voice 
demand, as Walker stepped into the kitchen, fury sparking in his eyes as he saw 
the two of them together.
" N-n-no, not at all, Hank and I were just having a mild disagreement, " Reb 
stammered, so astonished was she to see Walker there.
" Then may I suggest you unhand the lady, Mr. Rigby, and sit down outside to 
have your little chat? " Walker stated coldly.
Hank's eyes narrowed dangerously, and Reb hung onto his upper arms to prevent 
him from taking a swing at Walker.
" It's all right, Hank, this is Mr. Walker Pritchard, you remember, the man 
asking about my ranch this morning. He wasn't trying to interfere, he was just 
worried about me when he found out I was a young girl working in a saloon, " she 
added hastily, with emphasis on the word 'saloon.'
Hank's tautened muscles began to relax, and he pulled Reb away from the wall and 
into the secure circle of one of his arms. " Yeah, I remember, and I'm glad to 
see he's interested in protecting you, Reb. He's just a stranger here, and he 
ought to know better than to poke his nose in to affairs that don't concern him. 
But since he's a friend of yours, I'll let the matter pass, Rebel.
" Look here, Mr. Pritchard, we protect our own in this town of ours, so you have 
no call to worry about this little lady here. Why don't you go on outside and 
let one of the ladies pour you a drink while I finish discussing this private 
matter with my girl here, " Hank said with a small smile.
Reb cringed at the thought that Walker might believe they were a couple, for 
indeed, though Hank was handsome in a lean, tough sort of way, he was nearly 
forty to her eighteen, and more of a father than a boyfriend in all the time 
they had spent together.
" If the lady is sure, " Walker asked Reb, and she nodded.
" Thank you for worrying about me, but everything is fine, really, " she 
answered.
Walker took one last look around, and his eyes widened as he noted the huge wad 
of money on the table. He shot a look of contempt at Rebel that she couldn't 
interpret, and stormed out of the kitchen into the bar.
She moved out of Hank's arms and began to stir her chili. Hank came up behind 
her, and put a hand on her shoulder. " Now, about that money, you've earned it, 
so you take it, and not another word of argument about it. "
" Oh, no, the money, " Reb groaned, for now she was certain Walker's withering 
look had been because he had misunderstood her business with Hank.
" If it isn't enough, you only have to say, " Hank offered, but Reb shook her 
head.
" It's not that, it's Walker Pritchard. He saw the money, and I'll bet you every 
penny of it he thinks I've been working for you upstairs, " Reb groaned.
To her amazement, Hank laughed. " Then he's a damned fool, honey, and his 
opinion ain't worth shinola. Any man in his right mind can see that you're not a 
woman who can be bought. "
" Thanks for the vote of confidence, Hank, but I still feel terrible about that 
money, like it's a handout or something. "
" It isn't, I told you. Hell, you can ask the girls. We all had a meeting and 
agreed you were working far too hard and were worth a lot more. We don't want to 
lose you, " Hank said, patting her on the shoulder before moving to sit on a 
small stool in the corner.
" As for your other remark about Greer and the mortgage, well, that was what I 
really wanted to speak to you about. I won't pretend I haven't heard the 
rumours, but I want to offer you a way out of your problems. Your horses have 
been getting finer every year, and I've been thinking of starting back up again, 
you know, back to my old life of wrangling. If you were willing to sell me part 
of the pasture close to town, and one of your stallions and a mare, and some of 
the foals when they are born, I figure I could have me a good spread, and get 
out of the saloon entirely, " Hank proposed.
" What would you do with the saloon? " Reb asked, astonished.
" Sell it to the girls, so they can do as they like with it. I don't care. 
Horses were always my first love, and I don't care if it takes every penny I've 
got, I'm going to try all over again. "
" I hope I'll be more reasonable than to take every penny, but are you really 
sure about this, Hank? It will be a big step, and the foals aren't even born 
yet. Plus are you sure you're not really doing this for me, to help me out now 
that you figure I'm in a tough spot? " Reb observed quietly.
" It will help us both, don't you see? " Hank warmed to his theme. " The ranch 
is far too big for you with Pierce and Bryce gone, and you working all the hours 
under the sun with only your father and sisters to help. But truthfully, it is 
something I've been dreaming of doing for a long time, and this way it would 
suit us both. You pay off the mortgage, keep the ranch, I get the horses and the 
land I need to raise them on, and I reckon we could go into partnership, you 
know, crossbreed our stock, buy more horses from further afield even. After all, 
I couldn't find a better partner, since I've taught you everything you know. "
Hank and Reb grinned at each other in silence, remembering all his lessons while 
she had been growing up.
Just then Abigail popped her head around the door. " Two orders of chili with 
roast potatoes to table four, please, " she requested, " and Hank, someone had 
better start pouring more beer around here! We can't keep up. "
Hank went outside, while Reb ladled out the food onto plates, and thought about 
Hank's proposition. It certainly seemed as if all of her problems were melting 
away one by one. She knew Simon, Sue and Hank were all just trying to be kind, 
but at the same time, why not take their proffered help? It wasn't charity, for 
they would all benefit from their deals with her. And as Walker had said, there 
was no point to all Reb's hard work if she was still going to lose the ranch and 
all of them were going to be badly affected by Greer's possible foreclosure.
When Reb went outside to the restaurant area to serve the food, she noticed 
Walker at the far corner, sitting at the bar staring into his drink. She tried 
to meet his eyes, but he avoided her glance, and so she went over to Hank and 
said quietly, " I've thought it over, and I accept your proposal. I know you're 
probably mainly doing this out of charity towards me, but I'm damned if Greer is 
going to run me out of Grange. If you go see Simon Gilmore, he'll start drawing 
up the papers, and we are all going to the bank first thing on Monday morning to 
settle my financial affairs. "
" Hot damn! I'll be ready for you! Honey, you and I are going to have the best 
offspring this state has ever seen, " Hank cheered, as he picked Reb up and spun 
her round.
" I'm going to go see the good justice himself and tell him the good news, so if 
you don't mind looking after the bar for a few minutes, I'll be on my way, " 
Hank beamed as he planted a kiss on Reb's cheek and ran out of the bar double 
time.
Reb went behind the bar and began washing glasses in the bucket.
" You can't be serious about marrying that man, " Walker barked out when the 
silence became intolerable.
" Don't be silly, what ever gave you that idea? " Reb denied hotly.
" The proposal, the justice of the peace, the offspring, it all sounds like 
you're not just working upstairs for him, you're warming his bed, " Walker 
sneered.
" I don't work upstairs, and Hank and I are not a couple. Not that it is any 
concern of yours, but he and I are going into the horse breeding business 
together, and that money you saw in the kitchen was back wages and money for 
food for all the cooking I do. If you're so willing to think the worst of me, 
it's a wonder you don't just ignore me and let me go to hell in my own way. "
" Not if it is going to take the rest of the family to hell with you, Rebel 
Whitaker! Your father would be destroyed if he thought you were selling your 
body to keep a roof over their heads, " Walker snapped.
" Well, I'm not, so let's jut drop the subject. And even if I were, it is no 
business of yours! So while I am grateful for your concern, and the good ideas 
you've given me, you can just keep your scathing opinions about my shortcomings 
as a human being to yourself, " Reb raged.
" I have no reasons to explain my actions to you, but just so there are no more 
misunderstandings between us, I'll tell you know that I plan to settle up with 
Greer on Monday and still retain my maidenly virtue. It may take every penny I 
can lay hands on, but Simon, Sue and Hank are already helping me financially, 
and I haven't even spoken to Axel Swensen or Stalking Wolf yet. With any luck, 
they'll fall in with my plans, and I'll buy back that promissory note before 
Greer does any more damage to the ranch, " Reb said proudly, but froze as the 
man she most feared and dreaded walked up to the bar.
Greer was a burly man of medium height with reddish hair, and the coldest steel 
grey eyes Reb had ever seen. He had a thick beard, and though he always dressed 
in very flashy suits, there was an underlying coarseness about him that 
suggested he was a fraud, or had made his money by less than savoury means.
Reb couldn't be sure how much Alexander Greer had heard of her conversation with 
Walker, but he looked mad enough to spit. He demanded a whiskey gruffly, and sat 
down at the table nearest the bar, where he cast his brooding glance around the 
room.
His eyes lighted on a tall, lanky stranger with bright blond hair pomaded back 
slickly, who was talking to Abigail, the only girl who was still downstairs 
chatting to customers. The conversation seemed fairly animated, judging from the 
laughter which tinkled in the room, and Reb thought she could detect a foreign 
accent as she listened to the man's cultivated voice murmuring softly to his 
companion.
Reb busied herself around the bar collecting glasses, serving food, and washing 
dishes in the kitchen, anything to avoid being near Greer.
Walker could sense Rebel's underlying tension, and under the pretext of looking 
around the place, kept a constant eye on the man who had obviously been causing 
Reb all her troubles. He tried to meet Reb's gaze once or twice, or draw her 
into conversation, but he could see she was still angry with him because of his 
unfair accusations, and preoccupied with running the saloon in Hank's absence.
Walker took a good look around at the saloon. It was a large rectangular two 
storey building built in wood, with two huge plate glass windows and a swinging 
door at the front. The bar ran the length of the room which served as the 
saloon, and jutted about half way into the restaurant area, which was divided 
from the saloon by a sturdy wooden partition which stretched up to the bottom of 
the balcony. Where the bar ended, the staircase to the upper storey began, and 
Walker guessed that the balcony above led to the girls' rooms where they did 
their 'entertaining.' The far wall of the restaurant divided it from the kitchen 
where Rebel cooked, which took up the whole width of the back end of the 
building.
About an hour passed, in which Alexander Greer got steadily more drunk, until 
finally he began to shout for Abigail to give him some attention too.
Reb knew Greer was just out to cause trouble, because for one thing he hated 
Abigail because she was a Negro, and for another, he was probably taking 
advantage of Hank's absence to get at her. Greer had made threatening remarks in 
the past, but now as Reb tried to casually walk past him to the bar, he 
overturned his table, sending glasses flying in every direction, and stomped 
towards Abigail and the blond stranger.
" Listen here, if all you're going to do with this whore is talk, then she's 
mine, " Greer sneered, his face red with anger and drink.
" I think the lady has the right to decide who she wishes to spend time with, 
old chap, " the blond man said crisply, as Abigail backed away from Greer.
Greer's reply was to pick up a chair and smash it over the stranger's head, 
before lunging at Abigail, ripping the bodice of her gown, and slapping her a 
stinging backhander across the face which caused her to crumple onto the barroom 
floor like a rag doll.
Walker jumped off the barstool, but Reb insisted, " Stay where you are, Walker! 
I'll handle this. "
Greer drew his pistol, and Reb put her hands up. " You can see I'm unarmed, 
Greer, as is this man here you've just bashed over the head. If you want a fight 
with me, take off that gunbelt, and we'll do this outside before anything else 
in here gets broken. "
Greer smile evilly, and said, " Sure thing, Missy. It'll give me great pleasure 
to show you who's boss here. But first I'm going to have me a good time with 
this here trashy black whore. " Greer made another grab at Abigail, who cringed 
against the wall and looked at Reb beseechingly.
" Leave her alone, Greer! You want an argument, you come on outside and we'll 
settle this once and for all, " Reb challenged.
Greer turned his gun on Reb again, and began to head for the door.
" Are you so much of a coward you'd beat up on a young woman? " Walker demanded 
fiercely, and Greer's bloodshot eyes turned angrily towards the insult.
" Who are you callin' a coward, mister! " Greer declared, his eyes narrowing 
slightly, before he moved closer. " Seems I've seen you somewhere before! "
Walker changed the subject quickly, before Greer could say any more. " You're a 
coward to beat on that defenceless man and woman, and pick a fight with a young 
girl. "
" Then maybe I'll pick on someone my own size, and show you who's the coward! " 
Greer bellowed, as his gun came up again and pointed straight at Walker's chest.
Reb moved like lightning, acting on instinct to save Walker from Greer's genuine 
threat. She grabbed Greer's wrist and twisted it with a snap, and Greer dropped 
his weapon with a shriek of pain. She brought the arm up behind his back and 
twisted again, and kneed him in the back of his legs. Just as Hank came walking 
back in, Greer went flying out the swinging doors face first, and Walker heard a 
crash and splash as he went through the horse rail and landed in the drinking 
trough.
Walker gaped at Reb for several seconds, and then asked, " Where on earth did 
you learn how to do that? "
" Stalking Wolf taught me the fine art of self-defence. Now let's get these two 
here cleaned up, " Reb replied breathlessly as she quickly moved over to the 
stranger who lay prone on the floor. Blood was running out of a gash in his 
head, and a quick look at Abigail told Reb she would have some bad bruises and a 
black eye for a week or two.
" Hank, go report this to Simon, and make sure you charge Greer for the broken 
glasses and furniture, as well as for Abigail's lost wages. No one's going to 
want her looking like that. Oh, and you'd better get Doc Morrison out to take a 
look at this man, just in case. "
" I'll call for the Doc on the way back. Will you be all right here? " Hank 
asked concernedly.
Reb's aqua eyes met Walker's stormy black ones. " I'll be fine, Hank, Walker's 
here with me. "
Hank went back out the swinging doors, while Walker went behind the bar to pour 
more beer for the customers, who began discussing the fight in awed tones. Reb 
took Abigail into the kitchen and clapped a bit of raw meat on her bruised eye.
" Can you walk? " Reb asked.
The dark skinned girl nodded.
" Then I need you to get me your sewing kit so we can take care of that man's 
cut, ok? "
Abigail headed up the stairs, while Reb brought out some hot water and a towel.
" He's bleeding pretty bad, " Walker observed, but Reb said, " It looks worse 
than it is. So long as there aren't any splinters, he'll be fine. " She peered 
into the man's eyes and was satisfied he had no concussion. Then she mopped up 
the blood and applied pressure to the wound.
Abigail came down with her sewing kit, and Reb cut short the hair around the 
gash.
" I need some whisky, and a pair of tweezers. "
Abigail went to fetch them, and Reb gave the wound one last clean with the 
whisky and then dipped the needle into the spirits before starting to sew.
" Any idea who this man is, Abigail? " Reb asked as she worked.
" Says he's called Barclay Townsend, from India. He's come over to study 
ranching in America, and to climb the mountains, " Abigail supplied. " He said 
he wanted to stay at a real ranch, asked if you had room for him. "
" From India, you say? Must be from England originally. Some welcome to town he 
got, " Reb added grimly
" That Alexander Greer is an animal, " Abigail sniffed. " Thanks for getting rid 
of him. "
" My pleasure, " Reb said sincerely, as she finished stitching Barclay's head.
" You've done a fine job, " Walker praised. " And thank you for saving my life 
as well. He was mad enough to shoot me, I could tell. "
" Just so long as you're all right, there's an end of it now. Forget it ever 
happened, " Reb said frostily.
" No, Reb, you saved my life, and I'm going to pay you back just as soon as I 
can, " Walker vowed.

CHAPTER FOUR
Fortunately for Reb, the rest of her evening working at the saloon proved 
relatively uneventful after her altercation with Alexander Greer. Hank had 
returned soon after with Doc Morrison, a cynical man in his late thirties who 
pronounced Reb's treatment first rate, and demanded acidly why they had wasted 
his time fetching him out in the first place when he obviously wasn't needed. 
His grim mouth set into a thin smile, and he tousled Reb's curls fondly.
" In that case, Doc, you might as well stay and have a drink, " Reb suggested, 
and Doc sat down at the bar in front of Walker, who was starting to get the hang 
of bartending. Gradually throughout the evening, everyone made their way over to 
Walker to learn more about him, and he certainly began to get a fuller picture 
of Reb's life in the valley.
" Rebel? A great girl, the best, " Hank confided. " I know you thought something 
funny was goin' on between us before, Walker, but I swear to you, she's been 
like the daughter, or even son, I've never had. I've known her nearly all her 
life, and she's always been the driving force behind the Bar T. Anything she 
didn't learn about horses on her own, she came to me about, and she's a 
first-class wrangler. And she knows her sheep, cow and pigs, too. She has the 
guts to try anything once, and if she needs to know something, she learns as she 
goes along. The other ranchers around here have come to respect and admire her. 
It hasn't been easy for her, her being a woman and all, but I guess Grange has 
just got used to her the way she is. "
" What about her two brothers. Didn't they bother with the ranch? "
" Oh, sure, they did some of the chores, but Pierce was spoiled rotten, a 
bookish sort of lad who spent most of his time studying and drawing, " Hank 
shrugged.
" What about the other one, Bryce I think he was called? " Walker asked.
Hank and Doc Morrison exchanged sharp looks, and Hank finally said, " Now there 
was a wild one. A good lad deep down, but easily led astray by the Barrett boys. 
Had lots of uppity notions, like his mother, about class and such like. Wouldn't 
get his hands dirty unless he had to, but he had some good points as well. I 
know he gambled, but he always believed he was doing it for the family, to save 
then from poverty. "
" How did Reb feel about them? " Walker asked quietly.
Doc Morrison replied, " They were her brothers. They had their faults, and she 
was well-aware of them, but never once did Reb begrudge them anything. They were 
a close family, and loved each other unreservedly, for all their problems. Reb 
was pretty cut up when the war ended and neither of them came home. They were 
typical lads, a bit thoughtless and careless, but decent at the back of it all. 
They sure seemed to have improved a lot the one time they ever got home on leave 
about two years back. "
" True, they did seem a lot steadier, and certainly more loving towards Reb and 
their father. I guess the war made them grow up and appreciate their fine home 
Reb helped build for them a lot more. Reb's a rare one, there's no denying it, " 
Hank maintained. " Not only is she a top rancher, but she can cook, clean and 
sew with the best of them. Her mother saw to that. A fine lady, her mother, 
though I get the feeling she never really adapted to life out here very well, 
though she put a brave face on it. She and Amos were happy enough, I'm sure, but 
it wasn't what she was brought up to, if you know what I mean. "
" Amos and she were from England, weren't they? " Doc Morrison chipped in.
" That's right, they were. Very queenly, Reb's mother, " Hank said at length, 
trying to find the right words to give Walker a clear idea of what Reb's mother 
had been like.
" Nothing like Reb, that's for sure, " Doc Morrison laughed, and Walker frowned 
darkly.
" No, don't get me wrong, Walker, it's a favourable comparison. Mrs. Whitaker 
was always a bit standoffish, hoity-toity, you know. Reb is the exact opposite. 
She gets on well with everyone, and I've never heard her say an unkind word 
about a single person in all the years I've know her, " Doc declared solemnly.
Most of this and the other snippets of information Walker received during the 
course of the evening only confirmed his own judgment that Rebel was generous to 
a fault, warm-hearted, and chock full of the most unexpected talents. Where any 
criticism of her was voiced, it was mainly concerning her boyish behaviour, but 
most of the people he spoke to expressed the hope that she would eventually grow 
out of that phase.
Certain others expressed concern over her friendship with the Indians, and 
blacks, but Doc Morrison was quick to jump to her defence. " If it hadn't been 
for Reb's friendship with them, we would never have survived that flu epidemic a 
year ago. Stalking Wolf and his wife risked their lives to bring us medicine. 
Are you forgetting how many people had already died, and all because we were too 
stubborn and prejudiced to take their help when it was first offered? "
" As for the question of emancipated slaves, " Doc Morrison continued, " dozens 
of young men, including Reb's own two brothers, laid down their lives to win 
freedom for the slaves. Now that they are free, no one wants them! It's a 
disgrace, that's what I say. I for one am glad Reb let Simon Gilmore stay. He's 
been a first rate lawyer around here, and he's helped many of you for free, or 
for whatever little you could offer him in exchange, even if it was only a few 
potatoes or a half dozen eggs.
" Poor Abigail there wouldn't have had any chance in the South by herself after 
her family were killed, and while I know many of you wouldn't hold with 
prostitution, how else can a girl who knows nothing except about how to pick 
cotton earn a good living?
" Reb took her in after the young Barrett boys over in the next valley abused 
her, and it was her choice to come here to the saloon. Reb didn't throw her out, 
she helped Abigail with learning how to cook, sew, read and write. Reb couldn't 
have done more for the girl, and I admire Abigail's spirit in refusing to be 
treated as a slave any longer, " the Doc concluded.
Walker stored away all this information and more, and observed Reb closely 
throughout the night. She was friendly to everyone in a polite sort of a way, 
and he could sense that many of the men were attracted to her. But as for a 
special man in her life, there didn't seem to be any one in particular. She 
moved around efficiently, collecting glasses, serving food, and occasionally 
going over to look at the stranger, whom they had put on a pallet under the 
stairs until they decided what to do with him.
Reb knew Walker's eyes never left her, and she wondered what on earth he found 
so interesting about her working in a saloon. He's probably trying to catch me 
doing something immoral, she thought wryly, and so she ignored him most of the 
evening.
Reb also noticed he certainly seemed to enjoy talking to the other two girls who 
worked upstairs, Mary and Martha. Maybe he's trying to find out more information 
about me, and discover whether or not I do work upstairs, Reb determined 
angrily. Damn Walker Pritchard. Who the hell did he think he was poking his nose 
into her business?
Mary, a thin girl with red hair and green eyes, sidled up to Reb at one point 
during the night, and purred, " Honey, wherever did you find him? He is 
gorgeous! And such a gentleman! Almost too much of a gentleman, if you take my 
meaning. If I even thought he was interested in me, I'd do it just for the sheer 
fun of it. "
Reb carried on smiling, but her face felt frozen, and not for the first time she 
wished she was far prettier and more feminine as she watched Mary laugh and chat 
easily with Walker.
Not to be outclassed by Mary, the third girl who worked in the saloon, Martha, 
with brown hair and blue eyes, made sure she sashayed up and down past Walker as 
often as she could, bending over as much as possible across the counter as she 
picked up mugs of beer in order to show off her ample cleavage.
At one point she nudged Reb, and prattled, " I think he likes me, don't you? He 
can hardly keep his eyes off me. "
" That's hardly surprising, Martha, since you've done everything you can to grab 
his attention, " Reb observed wryly.
" I hope you're not sore at me, Reb, " Martha sniffed. " I mean, I know he's 
your new ranch hand and all, and I wouldn't blame you one bit if you wanted him 
warming your bed, but a customer is a customer, though in his case I'd do it for 
nothin', he's so, so ..... "
" Infuriating? " Reb supplied through gritted teeth.
" Good-looking, I was going to say, " Martha burbled. " You sure don't seem to 
like him much, Reb. "
" I don't think he likes me, that's for sure. If looks could kill, I'd be six 
foot under, " Reb insisted.
" I'd better get back to him then, " Martha whispered. " He's mad at you for 
taking up my time. "
Reb endured the rest of the night somehow, though she felt an irrational desire 
to tear the hair out of Mary's and Martha's empty little heads on more than one 
occasion. Her heart went into her mouth several times when she saw him walk 
towards the stairs, but the side door to the outhouse was right next to it, and 
she breathed a sigh of relief.
Really, what on earth is the matter with you girl? He's nothing to do with you, 
so why should you care if he goes upstairs, she scolded herself soundly. Anymore 
than he should care if I did go upstairs to entertain the men. All the same, 
they seemed to keep a close eye on one another the whole evening.
As the night finally drew to a close, Hank apologised for not having any room to 
put the still unconscious stranger. But they all agreed that in his condition 
they couldn't simply bring him to the hotel and dump him.
Reluctantly, Reb agreed to take him home in the wagon, and as the saloon began 
shutting up for the night, she, Hank and Walker all helped carry him out to the 
waiting vehicle.
" I'm starting to regret this already, " she said through gritted teeth as she 
helped heave the prone form onto the back, and then returned to help clean the 
glasses.
" No, Reb, you have enough to do when you get home with taking care of that man. 
Just tidy away the stuff in the kitchen, and I'll take care of the rest, " Hank 
promised.
" Thanks, Hank you're a dear. "
" Don't tell anyone, though, or they'll start asking for credit, " he teased. " 
I'll see you Monday at the bank, bright and early. "
" Bright and early, partner, " Reb grinned. " Don't forget. "
" Forget! I'll have a helluva hard time trying to think about anything else from 
now until then. Damn, my own spread again. It's a dream come true, and I have 
you to thank for it, " Hank said gratefully, and hugged Reb to him.
" Don't thank me yet, Hank. It won't be easy, and there's still a long way to go 
until the foals are born, reared, and broken. Anything can happen from now until 
then, " Reb warned.
" Don't try to dampen my enthusiasm. Nothing's going to happen. Every-thing's 
changing for all of us now, and I've just got this feeling in my bones that it's 
going to be good. "
Reb finished in the kitchen and went out to meet the waiting Walker.
" Do you want me to drive? " Walker offered. " You look exhausted. "
" Thanks, that would be great, " Reb sighed, and curled up closer to Walker on 
the wagon, partly for warmth, and partly to keep from being jolted off of the 
box. They rode along in companionable silence, and soon Reb felt herself 
drifting off to sleep.
" We're here, Rebel, " she heard a distant voice murmur, and she felt her cheek 
being stroked, before a kiss was planted on her lips. Reb snuggled closer to the 
delightful sensations the warm body beside her could produce, and the kiss 
deepened.
" Mmm, " she whispered as Walker ended the kiss before he went too far. A loud 
groan awakened Reb to her surroundings, and she sprang away from Walker 
guiltily, her hand to her mouth.
" Good Lord, are we home already! " she declared in an artificially high voice, 
as she tore around the wagon to get as far away from Walker as possible. " Mr. 
Townsend, are you awake? "
There was another groan by way of reply, but no sign of consciousness.
" Damn, we're going to have to carry him again, " Reb muttered.
" Where are you going to put him? I'm already in your brothers' room, but it's a 
bit crowded for two, " Walker observed.
" I know that, I'm just thinking. Daddy doesn't like me using his and ma's old 
room, but it's either there or on the parlour sofa, and I'm sure he's too tall 
to fit. Just keep an eye on him for a few minutes while I get the bed ready. "
" I'll come with you. He ain't going anywhere in the state he's in, and it'll be 
quicker if I help you. "
Reb wanted to avoid Walker as much as possible, but there was no point in being 
standoffish about it. It was best just to pretend the kiss had never happened, 
and get on with the job of putting up the stranger for the night.
She went into the small cupboard where she kept all their sheets and towels, and 
soon she and Walker were stripping the bed of its dust cover, and putting on the 
clean sheets. They brushed against one another in the small confines of the 
room, and their hands touched several times as they made the bed.
Reb coloured in confusion, and was glad the darkness hid her embarrassment. Even 
across the room, Walker seemed so larger than life, such an overwhelming 
presence. Maybe this is what all women dream about, she wondered, as she stuffed 
pillows into fresh cases. You meet a man, you share things together, and 
suddenly it's like he's the only thing you can concentrate on.
Suddenly Reb tripped over Walker's booted foot in the dark, and began to fall. 
Lightning quick, his arms reached out to steady her, and he grabbed her under 
the arms, his palms caressing her intimately.
" Walker! " Reb gasped, with both delight and shame, as she felt her nipple jut 
out against his warm hands.
" I'm sorry, " he whispered, moving his hands down to her waist, but still 
holding on. " I didn't want you to fall. I didn't mean to seem rude. "
" It's all right, it was an accident. I'm back on my feet now, so you can let me 
go, " Reb murmured shakily, shocked at her swift response to even his lightest 
touch. Avoiding his shimmering glance in the moonlight, she bent to gather up 
the dusty sheets as she took one last look around the room.
Her parents' room was relatively plain so far as decorations were concerned, but 
the furniture was good, and there was plenty of it. There were two wardrobes of 
clothes, and several dressers and trunks which Reb had never even looked in. 
Once again, Reb decided she would have to clean out her mother's possessions, 
and see if there was anything she or the girls could use. She ran her hand along 
one of the dressers thoughtfully, until she caught Walker's eye.
" Father's kept this room and the parlour and sewing room as a shrine to mother, 
but after three years it's about time we all started getting on with our lives, 
" she explained quietly as Walker came over to stand by her side. " If I get the 
money for Greer, we won't have much left over, so we sure won't be able to 
afford the luxury of new clothes. I'm going to go through Ma's things whether 
Daddy likes it or not, and make up some new dresses for the girls, and new 
shirts for Patrick. "
" And for yourself, Rebel? What do you need? " Walker asked suggestively, 
pulling her closer to him and stroking her hair.
" I don't need anything, " Reb said breathlessly, terrified of the intimacy of 
Walker's embrace as he held her even tighter.
" We all need someone, something, Rebel, " Walker replied smoothly as he began 
to plant tender kisses on her brow and cheek.
Reb knew he was working down towards her lips, and though she was curious about 
kissing him again, fully awake this time, she knew it would be a dreadful 
mistake on her part to give in.
" We must get the stranger in here to bed, " Reb insisted as she pushed slightly 
at Walker's broad chest until he finally released her. " It's freezing out 
there, and he's injured, remember. "
" Yes of course, how could I forget. Never mind your own needs and desires 
Rebel, just make sure you look after everyone else first. I'll just wait in 
line, shall I? " Walker bit out, before stomping out of the bedroom, and onto 
the porch. He knew he was being unfair, but his desire for her raged within him 
like an inferno, and yet he knew he couldn't, mustn't, shouldn't, allow himself 
to want her.
Reb bit her tongue before she could utter a stinging reply. Really, he was 
impossible. What on earth could he want from her? Surely he couldn't actually 
find her attractive, he was just playing some new game. But Barclay Townsend was 
still outside, wounded, in the wagon, so whatever Walker's game was, she had 
more important things to attend to.
Reb shook her head to clear her fuzzy thoughts, and her shoulders pulled back 
stiffly, she marched out to the wagon to join Walker.
" Hank isn't here to help now, " Reb frowned, " so how about if you get up into 
the wagon and push him down his way? "
" Anything the lady wants, " Walker smirked, but did as he was told.
Reb grabbed the man by his booted ankles, and eventually after a great deal of 
pulling and heaving, they managed to get Barclay safely into the bed.
" I'll just loosen his clothes, then unharness the team and turn in, " Reb said.
" No you won't, Missy. You're not touching him. I'll loosen his clothes, and 
then take care of the horses. You get in bed and have a rest. It's well after 
one, and you'll be exhausted tomorrow if you don't get some sleep. "
" All right, " Reb agreed meekly, recognised the truth of his words. She didn't 
want to incur any further wrath on Walker's part by telling him she would have 
to get up again at four to start her chores.
" Thanks for your help, I'll see you in the morning, " Reb whispered, and 
clumped down the corridor to her own room, where she stripped off her clothes, 
and not even bothering with a night dress, fell exhaustedly into bed.
True to his word, Walker loosened Barclay's clothes and pulled off his boots, 
before covering him with the bedcovers, and heading back out to the waiting 
horses. He felt bone weary, but dreaded going to bed. He wanted Rebel to get a 
good rest, but knew that even through two bedroom walls she might hear his 
nightmare-tormented shrieks and come to him in the middle of the night. That he 
knew he couldn't bear. The thought of her in a nightdress comforting him sent a 
tremor of desire through him, and Walker wondered how long he would be able to 
restrain himself from seizing hold of Rebel and pressing his advances if they 
lived under the same room day after day and night after night.
" I've got to leave. I've just got to carry out my plan and set the wheels in 
motion. The rest is beyond my control. She's not the girl for me. I don't belong 
here. I don't want love or responsibility to a family. I have my own life back 
east, where I can do as I like, " Walker muttered over and over again as he 
groomed the horses until he couldn't lift his arm anymore.
At last, convinced he was finally tired enough not to dream, Walker allowed 
himself to stagger wearily into the house, and was asleep before his head even 
hit the pillow.

CHAPTER FIVE
As the first rays of dawn began to filter through the lace curtains the next 
morning, the rooster crowed loudly outside Reb's window. She opened one eye 
drowsily, and heard the small carriage clock in the parlour chime four. Though 
she would have given anything to stay in bed, she knew Sundays were in some ways 
her busiest day of the week, so with a groan she heaved her aching limbs about 
of bed and pulled on her most tattered pair of trousers and one of her oldest 
shirts. She went over to the basin and splashed some cold water on her face and 
neck, and shivered in the thin cotton clothes she was wearing.
She went into the kitchen and began to stoke the fireplace and load wood into 
the range. Then she got her baking supplies down from the shelves, and soon she 
was up to her elbows in flour as she kneaded the loaves vigorously and set out 
all the bread pans. Each morning she baked forty loaves for herself and the 
town, and so she had to rise early to get the dough made and proofed.
Once that chore was started, she went into the hen house to collect all the 
eggs, and put them in small wooden cartons Axel Swensen had made for her, six 
eggs in each box to take to her customers in town. Then she went to muck out the 
stables and feed the horses and pigs, before heading out to the pasture opposite 
the house to feed the sheep. Once she had brought in more firewood, she would go 
milk the cows, along with her father, who by this time was up out of bed.
The two of them would then divide the milk into small bottles and jars, and Reb 
would take a quick run into town to make her milk and egg deliveries in time for 
the townspeople's breakfasts.
When she returned from town at about seven, it was time for her own family's 
breakfast and for the bread to bake. The large range could hold ten loaves at a 
time, and while the bread baked, Reb would whip up a mountain of pancakes to 
have with butter and maple syrup, or sometimes made bread dipped in egg and 
fried, or bacon and eggs. Sometimes she would even let the children have a treat 
and allow them a couple of homemade sausages apiece. They had a small smokehouse 
out the back, and Reb cured much of the meat produced on the ranch herself, in 
order to preserve it through the long winter. She also smoked the fish which she 
and her father caught in the river, and which she sold for a good price in town.
This morning, being Sunday, they had sausage and eggs as a special treat, but 
Reb simply nibbled at a piece of bread, since she was conscious all the time of 
the two extra mouths that had to be fed.
She had checked in on Barclay Townsend several times, but he seemed no nearer to 
waking, and Reb wondered if she should send Patrick into town for Doc Morrison. 
When Walker came out staggering sleepily at half past seven, she asked his 
opinion on the matter.
" I reckon you ought to send for the Doc, Rebel, because I think you're plum 
crazy, " Walker jibed bad-temperedly, astonished that he had slept so long for 
the first time in years on the very day he needed to get up early and get on 
with his plans.
Reb's aqua eyes flashed defensively. " Just what have I done wrong now? "
" Look at this place. You've been up for hours, haven't you? The fire, the wood, 
the milk and eggs, the mountain of bread! " Walker indicated, pointing at each 
offending item in turn.
" Well, we all have to eat, don't we? " Reb countered.
" True, but must you be the only one in this damned house who works? " Walker 
sniped sourly.
" Father helped with the milking, " Reb defended her parent.
" And I'm sure if I go out there, I'll see the pigs and sheep fed, the horses 
mucked out and fed, and you'll have done it all by yourself, " Walker rebuked 
her.
Reb coloured at the accuracy of his assumptions. " I always have done those 
chores, and I still do them. Just because you're here doesn't mean everything on 
this ranch has to change. "
" You're wrong there, Reb, it is all going to change, starting now, " Walker 
retorted, and then realised he had said too much, when Reb quirked one eyebrow 
at him challengingly.
To his astonishment, he heard himself say, " You should have called me to help 
you this morning. That's what I'm here for. Slavery is over now, Rebel, or 
hadn't you heard. "
" That's not funny, and you know it, " Reb sulked, and turned her back to him to 
take out the loaves and put ten more in.
Once she had finished that chore, she began to make pastry dough for apple, 
blueberry, and blackberry and apple pies.
" Here, give me an apron and a rolling pin, and I'll give you a hand, " Walker 
offered exasperatedly, starting to roll up his sleeves, but Reb shook her head.
" No, you're meant to be a farm hand around here. Eat your breakfast while it's 
hot, or get out of my kitchen, " she insisted, but Walker argued, " I am a ranch 
hand, and will do anything around this ranch than needs to be done. So give me a 
rolling pin, and stop arguing. You really are the most ornery woman I've ever 
met! "
" Me, ornery! I like that! Ever since you barged in here you've been acting like 
a bear with a sore head! So eat your breakfast, have a cup of coffee, and get 
yourself washed up for church. I can manage just fine on my own, " she added 
petulantly, but Walker elbowed her out of the way, and began to roll out rounds 
of pastry with a vengeance.
Reb watched him silently for several moments, until she was forced to concede, " 
You do that pretty well. Who taught you? "
" I had a very indulgent mammy who let me play in the kitchen, and a whole 
passle of sisters who had the undignified habit of liking to cook, " Walker 
smiled, beginning to enjoy himself as he came more fully awake.
" A mammy? Then you were raised in the South? " Reb asked, surprised.
" I thought my accent might give me away. Though I'd been in the North for about 
ten years before the war started, I figured the accent was still pretty strong. 
"
" No, not really, you sound like someone from the North to me. What state where 
you reared in? "
" I was born on a plantation just outside Richmond, Virginia, but the tobacco 
and cotton life didn't suit me, so I went off to the coal mines to earn my 
fortune. "
" And did you? " Reb asked, gazing at his expensive black shirt, waistcoat and 
trousers speculatively.
" Did I what? "
" Did you earn a fortune? You couldn't have been all that poor if you came from 
a plantation, " Reb remarked astutely.
Walker looked at her sharply for a few seconds, and put down his rolling pin. " 
Let's just say that I have a rather stubborn streak in me, like a certain lovely 
young lady I know, and wanted to do what was right for me. I left home to seek 
my own way in the world when I was eighteen, and left the plantation to my 
sisters. Richmond was burned at the end of the war, just before Lee surrendered 
at Appomattox. "
" Oh, Walker, I am sorry. I didn't mean to bring up a sore subject. "
" It doesn't matter. Besides, you have a right to be curious about your new 
house guest, " he commented casually.
Just then, the tall blonde stranger appeared in the kitchen doorway, and looked 
around him confusedly.
" Where on earth am I? " he asked dazedly.
" I'm Rebecca Whitaker, and you're in my home. You were hit over the head last 
night by a local troublemaker, Alexander Greer, and we didn't know where to take 
you. Abigail, the girl who worked at the saloon, said you were looking for 
somewhere to stay, so I brought you here and put you in one of the spare rooms, 
" Reb explained quickly, as she ran over to Barclay before he fell.
She placed the swaying form in a chair, and went over to the range to pour him a 
cup of coffee She poured another cup for Walker, and placed it near him as she 
walked passed, and then handed the other to the man in the chair.
" I think I remember some of it now. Rebecca Whitaker, do you say? Pleased to 
meet you. I'm Barclay Townsend, of London and Calcutta, a traveller in search of 
some unspoilt wilderness, " he smiled charmingly as he held out his hand to them 
both in turn.
Reb noticed his eyes never left her face and figure, and Walker's hackles began 
to rise at the other man's open appraisal of Reb.
" And I'm Walker Pritchard, the ranch hand. I help Rebel look after things 
around here, so if there is anything you need, just come to me. "
Reb returned to her dough, and began cutting lattice tops for the pies, while 
Walker continue to roll out pastry crusts and crimp the edges with a fork.
Barclay finally stopped staring at Reb and began to look around the rest of the 
house. " I must say, this is a charming little place you have here, " he beamed.
" When I awakened, with the cozy little room and the delightful smells I 
detected coming from here, I was convinced I had died and gone to heaven, " he 
added suavely, his white teeth glittering.
" What a pity you're only here with us then, Mr. Townsend, " Reb said slightly 
coldly, on the alert against this man's debonair demeanour.
Barclay could detect Reb's coolness instantly, and decided to try a different 
tack. " I am so grateful to you for taking me in last night, and of course I 
wouldn't dream of imposing, so thanks very much for the coffee, and if you'll 
just point me in the right direction, I'll be on my way back to town. "
" Don't be silly, Mr. Townsend, you've had a nasty bump on the head, and you 
haven't even had breakfast yet. You're welcome to stay as long as you like, if 
you are really interested in learning a bit more about life out west in America. 
In any case, you must have something to eat before we head into town for church. 
"
" I assure you I can pay for my room and board, " Barclay said hastily, as he 
fished in his pocket for some bills.
" Don't be silly, if you want to lend a hand with the chores, then you can work 
off your keep, " Reb offered.
" Really, that's very kind of you. I accept your offer. You just tell me what 
needs to be done around here, and I'll do it, " Barclay proclaimed.
Just then Reb's brother and sisters came out for breakfast, followed a few 
minutes later by Reb's father Amos, dressed in his Sunday best.
Introductions were made all around, and Barclay looked a bit dazed as the family 
chattered away companionably, and Amos filled them in on the family history. He 
turned to stare at Reb and Patrick when Amos explained that his two eldest sons 
had been killed in the war, and once again, he began to examine Reb with renewed 
interest as she moved around the kitchen attending to her loaves and pies.
" Aren't you going to sit down and join us, Rebel? " Walker demanded in an 
undertone as he came over to the range to pour himself more coffee.
" No, thanks, I've already had something, " Reb lied, and Walker challenged her.
" No, you haven't, and I know why, so don't try to pull the wool over my eyes, 
Rebel Whitaker. You don't eat because you're always worried that there won't be 
enough to go around for everyone. You've been starving yourself for months so 
your brothers and sisters can get the lion's share of the food, " Walker 
contended.
" They need it more than I do, " Reb shrugged.
" Don't be silly, Rebel. You've settle for third, fourth, fifth or even sixth 
best all your life, haven't you? " Walker asserted. " Why don't you start 
worrying about yourself and what you need a bit more for a change? "
" Please, Rebel, come over to the table and have something to eat, " Walker 
coaxed more gently when he saw her hang her head in order to disguise the fact 
that her eyes had begun to tear.
" No, really, Walker, I've already had something, and I have to get on, " Reb 
sniffed, wiping one eye with the back of her hand impatiently. " We must go to 
town before church, so I can help Simon Gilmore with his breakfast and things, 
and there's also the bread and pies to deliver to my customers and the saloon. "
When Walker saw Reb's tears, he felt as though he'd been kicked in the guts by a 
mule. In spite of his promise to himself that he would do his best to keep his 
distance from Rebel and conclude his business at the Bar T ranch as rapidly as 
possible, he urged, " All right, then, if you won't sit down, then let me help. 
What do you want to do with these pies? "
Reb looked at Walker silently for a few moments, and admitted slowly, " The last 
of the bread is coming out now, so we can start baking the pies, and if you 
could go harness the horses and bring the wagon around, I have to drive up to 
the Swensens to pick them up for Church, and then load the wagon with all this 
food. "
" If you let Patrick go with me to show me the way, I can go pick up the 
Swensens, and we'll load the wagons together, " Walker pointed out.
" And I'll help harness and saddle the horses, " Barclay volunteered, coming up 
behind Walker to see what they had been discussing so privately.
" That's very kind of you, Mr. Townsend, but you've only just got here. "
" All the more reason for me to start making myself useful, and please, 
everyone, just call me Barclay. "
" All right, Barclay, I accept your offer. Let's see, if Daddy drives the wagon, 
we'll need three horses, Walker, and the two cart horses. And I'm really sorry I 
left you to do it last night. I was so tired I just forgot all about it. Oh, and 
the supplies from the General Store will still be in the wagon as well, " Reb 
suddenly recalled. " You'll have to unload them before you go to the Swensens. "
" No problem, Patrick and I will help, won't we, " Barclay announced, sending a 
look across the room at the sluggish young eleven-year old boy which brooked no 
refusal.
While Reb attended to the pies, the men brought in all the bags of flour and 
sugar, and other items, and placed them wherever she indicated. Reb started to 
enjoy having so many helpers for a change, and was astounded at how meekly 
Walker received her every order. His attitude was certainly a far cry from his 
hostile one of earlier that morning.
But perhaps Barclay Townsend's presence went some way towards explaining 
Walker's newly-gained placidity. He laughed, made jokes, and chivvied the other 
two shamelessly, no doubt in an effort to show Reb that she wouldn't regret her 
generosity in allowing him to stay. He sang snatches of bawdy songs in a loud 
tenor voice while he worked, and danced around the kitchen with a bag of flour 
in the most ridiculous fashion. Even Reb laughed until her sides ached at his 
irrepressible good spirits, until Barclay suddenly grabbed her and began 
waltzing her around the floor.
Reb made a token protest, but she was carried away in the large man's arms, and 
finally Walker cleared his throat loudly and declared, " Do you mind if I step 
in? "
" Not at all, old fellow, " Barclay grinned, and proceeded to twirl Walker 
around instead!
Reb's eyes widened in amusement, and to Walker's credit he played along for a 
few seconds as the children giggled hysterically.
" Out in India there was a great shortage of women, so the men often had a knees 
up in the barracks with each other, just for a laugh and to remind them of home, 
" Barclay informed them breathlessly when he sat back down. " I hope I didn't 
offend you, Mr. Pritchard. "
" Surprised, yes, offended, no, " Walker laughed, and with a last look at the 
still tittering Rebel, went outside for the last of the supplies.
Then he and Barclay disappeared into the barn to saddle the horses, while the 
girls wrapped the loaves in some soft cloths and placed them in two big crates 
by the door.
Once the horses were saddled, Walker called to Patrick, and they got into the 
wagon.
" Can I come too? " Barclay asked.
" Sure, why not, " Walker said, as he squeezed over to make room for Barclay on 
the box.
Patrick occasionally gave directions, but for the most part the road to the mill 
was fairly straight. The road looked as thought it only led towards the 
mountains, but when they arrived at the Swensens' homestead, Walker could see it 
was the perfect spot for a mill. A large river skirted the foothills and was 
lined with trees. In a small clearing were two large two-storey buildings. The 
river bank was steep and sheer enough to easily accommodate a water wheel, only 
in his case there was a second wheel.
" We mill our own grain up here as well, with Axel's help, " Patrick said, as he 
excitedly pointed out the sluice gates and the mill pond which Axel had created 
out of a natural pool in the river. " Axel lives there with his wife and two 
girls, and that's the grain mill yonder. "
Axel and his wife Annalise were both in their late twenties, and looked 
extremely careworn and weather-beaten, Walker observed to himself when he was 
introduced. But then he could see why. He had built up his mills from nothing, 
and created the most magnificent furniture Walker had ever seen.
When Walker admired his handiwork, Axel said simply, " We are very lucky to have 
so many beautiful trees, Mr. Pritchard. If you and Mr. Townsend are planning to 
stay for a time, I could use your help with the logging one day. Reb and her 
father always help as well. "
" We could make a party of it, after the harvest, " Walker suggested, and the 
plan was assented to.
" I will finish these pieces for her to bring to the shop to sell by Tuesday, 
and then I am afraid, gentlemen, it will be time for the sheep shearing, then 
the foals' arrival, then the harvest, so don't look forward to it too soon, " 
Axel warned them.
" On second thoughts, perhaps I won't stay after all, " Barclay teased. " I had 
no idea it would be like this, one never-ending round of hard work. Even on the 
tea plantations in India, they got a rest. "
" Reb seems to take it in her stride, though, " he added, more to himself than 
the others, and Walker again felt a burning pang of jealousy he couldn't even 
begin to fathom.
Walker studied Barclay's classical blond good looks, with his striking blue eyes 
which oddly reminded Walker of someone, though he couldn't place him.
Barclay was cultured, sophisticated, and polished, even when he was dressed in 
ordinary work clothes and was busy saddling horses. He moved with an easy grace 
which made Walker feel clumsy by comparison, and worse still, Barclay seemed to 
have more than his fair share of charm.
Walker thought of his own black hair and dark eyes as a complete contrast to 
Barclay's appearance, and for once in his life felt unsure of his ability to 
compete.
Now, hold on, Walker, he berated himself. Compete for what? Reb isn't some 
possession to be squabbled over, and in any case, he couldn't stay. He had his 
business back East to attend to. And he knew even in the space of less than 
twenty-four hours that Reb would never leave her home. Even if she did love him 
in return, how could he ever expect to compete with the ranch?
Love.... Walker shook his head. Now he really was being ridiculous. He had only 
just met Reb, and he had never been in love with any woman, let alone a scrawny 
eighteen year old so boyish he had first mistaken her for a young lad. But then 
he remembered the beauty he had seen fully revealed as Rebel had risen from the 
tub, and the kisses they had shared the night before. True, she might stomp 
around in trousers and a shirt, but she was nothing if not womanly in all the 
ways that counted, Walker decided.
The Swensens gave the two men a brief tour around both mills, and then it was 
time to hop into the wagon and head back to the house. Barclay stared sharply at 
Walker, and silently took the reins up in his strong hands.
" It must be this place that causes us to daydream, " Barclay observed quietly, 
and Walker looked up, startled.
" You haven't listened to a word I've said for the past mile, have you? " 
Barclay accused gently. " Dreaming of a certain lovely young woman with eyes the 
colour of the Atlantic? "
" Wondering what this place would like in the winter, that's all, " Walker 
invented, and saw Barclay smile smugly.
" Near enough then, if you're thinking of staying on that long, " he quipped.
" Now look here, Barclay... " Walker protested, but Barclay interrupted.
" I really don't blame you, Rebel and the entire Whitaker family and the land 
are all lovely, but can you stick the pace? And they certainly don't have a lot 
of money, now do they? "
" No, they don't, but how dare you try to suggest I'm interested in Reb for what 
I can get out of her! " Walker spat.
" Good, so at least you've admitted that you are in fact interested and your 
intentions are honourable, " Barclay chortled.
" Oh damn, there's no talking to you, Barclay Townsend. You twist everything 
around so, " Walker complained as he took the reins angrily and drove on, trying 
to sort out his emotions.
" Don't be angry. A man would have to be blind not to see that you like her. But 
I must admit to feeling a certain closeness and fascination for the girl myself, 
so I'm warning you now, if she decides she likes me best, I hope there will be 
no hard feelings, " Barclay said, with a sharp look.
" And what about you? Are your intentions honourable as well, or are you just 
after the ranch? " Walker demanded, tight-lipped.
" Like you, my dear fellow, I have no need of a ranch out in the wilderness, but 
I can offer Rebel a sophisticated, comfortable, and genteel lifestyle back in 
England. Can you say the same? "
" I'm not so sure about the sophisticated, since Pittsburgh is just starting to 
develop now, and Richmond was nearly burnt to the ground at the end of the war, 
but things can be built better than ever before now that this silly war is over, 
and I hope you won't think I'm boasting when I say that I am a fairly wealthy 
man in my own right, " Walker affirmed calmly, trying not to let his anger at 
the younger man's assurance and presumption boil over.
" I see, so it flatters your ego to treat Reb like a charity case, " Barclay 
mocked.
" Not at all, " Walker barked, his temper rising even further. " I like her, 
though she is so stubborn she won't let anyone help. It's not charity, it's 
helping her keep her family together in spite of everything they've been 
through, with the loss of their mother and two brothers, and the sheer struggle 
for existence living here entails. "
" I see, " Barclay said quietly.
" That's it? No snide remarks, Barclay? " Walker asked incredulously.
" No, of course not. You've made your feeling perfectly plain, and I hope it all 
works out the way you wish, " Barclay stated, and turned around to chat to the 
Swensens in the back of the wagon the rest of the way back to the house.
Walker wasn't sure exactly how, but he was certain that Barclay Townsend had 
discovered everything he'd wanted to know about himself, and Rebel as well. 
Walker reflected uneasily that he just wished he knew to what use Barclay was 
going to put all his newly-gained knowledge.

CHAPTER SIX
Reb was in the kitchen taking out the last of the pies as she heard the wagon 
approach, so she ripped off her apron and ran into her room to change into the 
one good dress she owned. It had been one of her mother's old ones, and was 
hopelessly tight around the bosom and at least six inches too short. Even worse 
than that, though, was the colour, a drab olive green which made her skin and 
hair look positively yellow.
Reb stabbed a few hairpins into the knot she had made at the top of her head, 
and then pulled a few golden curls down to frame her face. She yanked on her 
boots once again, and raced out to the kitchen just as the door opened and 
Walker popped his head in.
" You ready, Rebel? " he asked, and stopped short when he saw what she was 
wearing. Ridiculous though the dress looked, he could see how feminine Rebel 
really was. He grew breathless with desire as she moved around the room 
gathering up items to load into the wagon, and the seams of the gown strained 
around her bosom.
" Here, let me help you, " Walker said hastily, grabbing items until his hands 
were full and he could get safely back outside.
What on earth is wrong with you, man? She's a young girl, hardly more than a 
child, in the ugliest dress you've ever seen, yet your falling about like an 
adolescent school boy. Snap out of it. You will do your allotted task, get the 
whole thing started at any rate, and go back home where you belong. Reb is not 
going to complicate your life any more than she already has, Walker scolded 
himself roundly, but as he saw Barclay and Rebel laughing together, he knew that 
putting her out of his mind was not as easy a task as he pretended.
Finally the wagon was loaded, and Reb jumped into the saddle of her chestnut 
stallion Prince, and led the way to town. She went into Simon Gilmore's and 
helped him get dressed and into his wheelchair, and then served him breakfast 
while Patrick and the two younger men did the bread and pie round for Reb. Amos 
read the paper to Simon and the Swensens while Simon ate, and the girls helped 
Reb with the housework.
When the wagon reappeared, Amos drove the children to the church at the top of 
the town for Sunday school, and Reb went next door to the shop to look over the 
books and inventory Sue had updated the night before after Reb had brought all 
the new items from the Shoshone.
Upon arriving back at Simon's she was delighted to discover Simon and Walker 
playing chess together, and Barclay washing the dishes after Simon's meal and 
then turning to mend the kitchen door, which frequently got stuck.
Reb sat down with Simon's sewing basket and began to darn socks, and Barclay 
placed himself next to her and proceeded to regale her with tales of his 
adventures in India. Many of them were amusing, and she hardly noticed the time 
pass, until Mrs. Swensen, just back from the General Store with her husband, 
reminded Reb that the service was at eleven, and they still had to pick up Sue 
Gibson.
With Barclay's help, they got Simon and his wheelchair safely into the wagon, 
and headed for the Gibson house. Axel pulled the crippled girl up onto the back, 
and the small party rode on to the church.
Walker was immediately conscious of the many stares their group got, and 
particular the freezing looks directed towards Reb when she dismounted from her 
horse, her short skirts flying up to reveal at least a foot of bare leg, to help 
Sue and then Simon out of the wagon.
The path was very rocky up to the church, and as Reb began to heave the chair 
upwards, Walker's patience nearly snapped. No one would look at Simon, and to 
Reb's civil greetings not a word was said in reply except by Hank and two 
elderly ladies whom Walker concluded must be the Wright sisters.
" Here, Reb, let me push him, " Walker offered quietly.
" I can manage, thank you, " Reb said edgily, but Walker put his hands over hers 
on the handles, until she had to slide out of the way and allow him to take 
over.
Walker kept up a stream of chatter with Simon and Barclay, who helped the young 
crippled girl up the path gallantly. The cheerful demeanour of the two newcomers 
with Reb caused all eyes to turn that way in spite of the townspeople's obvious 
attempt to ostracise Simon and Sue, and a small hum of conversation started up 
all over the church yard. Just who on earth were those two fabulously handsome 
men, one so dark, the other like a Greek god, and what on earth were they doing 
coming to church with Rebecca Walker and her pair of charity cases?
As Reb began to walk ahead of Walker, he called her back on a pretext. " Where 
would you like to sit? " he improvised.
" We always sit at the back, to keep the wheelchair and crutches out of people's 
way, " Reb confided softly.
Walker glanced at her sharply, and Reb recognised a defiant set to his jaw. He 
took her arm and placed it firmly in the crook of his arm, before marching 
jauntily up the aisle with her and Simon. Barclay and Sue were not far behind, 
and soon Reb could hear a scramble of feet as the three Walker and two Swensen 
children were released from Sunday school to join their families.
Reb seethed inside as she felt all the eyes of the church boring into their 
backs whilst they sat right at the front. Damn Walker, just what was he trying 
to prove? He really was the most meddlesome man at times.
But perhaps it is just his way of showing he cares, she reflected. Not just 
about me and my family, but about other people less fortunate than himself. 
Curious, isn't it, she suddenly realised, he's only been here a day and yet it 
seems like we've known each other a lifetime.
Reb came out of here reverie as Walker handed her a prayer and hymn book, and 
the congregation stood for Reverend Wheelock's entrance.
Even the Reverend looked slightly taken aback to see Reb's family with Simon and 
Sue in the front pew, but he wasn't nearly as shocked as Mr. Barrett and his 
family.
Mr. Barrett was one of the largest landowners in the region, who came to the 
Grange chapel every week in spite of the fact that there was an equally good one 
a shorter distance away from his home in the small settlement of Summit, and who 
treated the front seats as his God-given right.
He practically sat on Barclay's lap before realising that the pew wasn't empty 
as usual, and a snigger went though the parishioners. None of them liked the 
blustering, at times cruel man, but many worked for him because they couldn't 
get a living anywhere else. They enjoyed every minute of his discomfort as he 
had to walk back up the aisle with his family to seats in the rear.
His comment of, " The damned impudence of some strangers! " caused the 
suppressed laughter to gush out, since he was too thick skinned to realise that 
remark might equally well apply to him in the town of Grange.
Reverend Wheelock smiled broadly, and began the sermon with the remark, " Well, 
it's so good to see such bright, smiling faces at the front for a change, and 
some new faces at that. "
A loud harrumph from Mr. Barrett sent them all off into gales of laughter, but 
the rest of the service passed off without incident, and Reb allowed the sermon 
to wash over her as she tried to determine how she could get last night's stew 
to stretch to serve Walker, Barclay and the Swensens as well as the rest of her 
family. Though her stomach growled ravenously, Reb knew she would have to go on 
short rations again. Luckily there were plenty of potatoes and vegetables, and 
there were also the beets she had boiled and pickled the night before as well. 
With some bread, and apple pie for dessert, they might just manage if she ground 
up the last of the beef in the larder, added a few more carrots and some water, 
and didn't have any stew.
That brought her around to her next problem, slaughtering one of the beef cows. 
She had been putting it off for some time until she could find people willing to 
buy the meat, but now with the extra mouths to feed, she would have to do it 
that day. She caught the eye of Mr. Furness from the General Store on her way 
out at the end of the service, and took him to one side.
" Where were you last night, Reb? " the elderly man beamed. " We all missed you 
at the store. "
" I was really busy working and cooking at the saloon. I'm sorry I couldn't come 
in myself, and many thanks for loading the wagon. Hank did pay you, didn't he? "
" He did indeed, young lady. "
" Listen, Mr. Furness, I know this is an imposition, but I was wondering if you 
would be willing to sell some of my meat in the store. Between the saloon and my 
growing family, plus two house guests, I find I'm going to have to kill another 
bullock today. Would you be willing to buy some of it, so it won't go to waste? 
I can cook and smoke the rest if you're willing to buy some. I'll ask around 
town if anyone else needs any, but apart from Simon and Sue, the Swensens and 
the Wrights, it's sort embarrassing... " Reb trailed off.
" Don't be silly, Reb, it's no trouble at all. Plenty of people will want to buy 
your top quality meat. I'll take a ride out and see you this evening, if I may? 
"
" That's fine. I'll see you then, " Reb waved, as the rest of the party moved up 
to join her.
One by one she managed to talk to the rest of her prospective customers, and 
arranged for Mr. Furness to bring the meat into town for them once he had 
fetched his own.
Axel Swensen volunteered to help set up the smoke house and carve up the 
carcass, and Reb accepted gratefully.
She also managed to speak to a few of the ranchers about their hides according 
to her agreement with Sue, and found they were all willing to do business. 
Walker wondered blackly what she looked so pleased about after conversing with 
half of the men in the town of Grange individually, but Reb was too busy 
counting pennies in her head all the way home to notice his dark looks in her 
direction.
Unable to bear being shut out, Walker rode up beside her as they neared the 
ranch, and remarked flatly, " You seem very preoccupied. Anything I can help 
with? "
" No, just thinking, " Reb smiled, and she wondered how on earth she was going 
to escape his sharp eyes to go and kill the bullock waiting for her in a 
separate pen in the barn.
Walker knew she was up to something, but he also respected the fact his jealousy 
was more than likely unfounded and that she didn't need him to interfere. After 
all, what did he know about a farm? He could also tell that she was slightly 
peeved over his attention seeking in the church, but had decided for the sake of 
peaceful relations between them not to mention the matter. Why was it that every 
time they spoke to one another, sparks seemed to fly?
Walker knew it wasn't simply part of her character, for she laughed and chatted 
easily with the others, especially with Barclay, he noted enviously. But every 
time he said anything to her, she bristle like a porcupine, and told him to mind 
his own business.
Perhaps he should try a different approach. Instead of criticising her, he 
should just let her carry on. After all, even if his plan did succeed, she would 
still have a great deal of hard work and extra burdens if she did elect to stay 
on the ranch. No, not if, when. Walker knew that no matter what, Reb would never 
leave her beloved Bar T ranch. The only thing he could do was make her life as 
easy as he could without giving away any of his secrets.
Once Reb returned home, she changed back into her grubby work clothes and began 
to heat up the meal. Axel went outside to gather wood, and taking a bucket and a 
sharp knife, he attended to bleeding the bullock to spare Reb's feelings. That 
was her least favourite part of ranching.
" What was that noise? " Walker asked, but Reb shrugged, and fibbed, " One of 
the cows lowing in the field, I guess. "
" It sounded a lot closer than the field, " he noted, narrowing his eyes to 
stare at Rebel, for she was certainly acting suspiciously.
" Did it? I didn't notice, " she muttered, as she began to heap up plates and 
avoiding glancing in Axel's direction as he reentered the house.
Reb caught Walker's eyes on her again when she did not sit down at the table, 
but merely picked at her potatoes and vegetables from a small plate while she 
made coffee and rewarmed the pies she had made that morning.
" Don't tell me you've already eaten, because I've been watching you, Rebel. 
That food wouldn't keep a bird alive. You need some meat inside you. "
" I'm fine, really. "
" Here, take some of mine. "
" No, honestly, Walker, I don't want any. I'm not that hungry. It's unusually 
hot today, " she refused, pushing his plate away from her, and silently 
imploring him with her eyes not to make a scene in front of the others.
" Right, well, then you're going to have two helpings of pie to make up for it, 
" Walker insisted, before sitting back down in his chair.
But as soon as Walker's back was turned, Reb disappeared into the barn and began 
to dissect the bullock carcass, cutting it into choice cuts with her sharp 
butchers' knives. Her apron became soaked in blood, and the heat in the barn 
with the sun beating down and the door closed was stifling.
Axel came out to join her ten minutes later when he had finished his dinner, and 
helped carve while Reb brought some of the meat into the smokehouse. Once or 
twice she heard Walker call to her, but she hid in the smokehouse, and overheard 
her father say she had gone to see the sheep.
Reb and Axel finished the job neatly and efficiently, and Axel took the cuts he 
wanted, and handed Reb a large wad of money.
" Axel, this is far too much, " Reb protested.
" Yes, but it's your meat we eat, your trees which keep us going, so I think it 
is about time I started paying you back. "
" Really, Axel, there's no need, " Reb denied.
" Ah, but there is. I have talked to Sue and Simon about their buying their 
houses and land from you, and Annalise and I would like to do the same. If you 
are willing, I would like to go to the bank with you tomorrow to make the same 
arrangements as Sue to buy my house and mill, and some land, and to go into 
partnership with you for the trees and furniture we sell together, " Axel 
offered.
" Oh, Axel, that's the best news, really. Of course you can come. I don't want 
to have any dealing with Alexander Greer after last night, " Reb said firmly, as 
she briefly recounted to Axel the terrible attacks on Abigail and Barclay the 
night before.
" I don't blame you, my dear. Greer is a dangerous man, and greedy. He might try 
to foreclose on the mortgage for the least little reason if you don't pay him 
off soon, and then where would we all be? No, I will give you all I have to pay 
you back for the chance you have given us, and equal terms in the partnership. "
" I couldn't take that much, especially as Sue is buying the shop where we sell 
the furniture, " Reb disagreed, as she wiped the sweat from her brow. It was 
sweltering inside the barn, and all she wanted was a swim in the river and a 
nice cool drink of lemonade.
" You can and you will, so no arguing. I'll work out a separate arrangement with 
Sue about the shop. Now, I think we're just about finished here, so let's put 
this meat into piles for Mr. Furness, Sue and Simon and the Wrights, " Axel 
suggested, piling the meat into four heaps of varying sizes, " and then you can 
drive us home and go to see Stalking Wolf. "
Reb nodded and staggered weakly out into the blazing August sunshine. There was 
a drumming inside her head, her throat was parched, and her limbs felt like 
lead. Sheer force of will kept her on her feet, but just then Walker came around 
the corner looking for her, and roared, " Reb, where on earth have you been! "
He took a second look at her and exclaimed, " My God, are you hurt? "
Reb's only response was to crumple to the ground in a dead faint.

CHAPTER SEVEN
Walker caught Rebel just before she hit the ground, and laid her down gently on 
the nearest pile of hay.
" Are you hurt, Rebel? Speak to me! What happened, " he urged in a ragged voice 
as he began to pull aside her apron and examine her body for wounds.
He frowned when he could find none, and just then Axel came out of the barn, 
wiping his hands on a bloody cloth.
" What the hell have you done to her! " Walker bellowed, grabbing the younger 
man by the throat and shaking him
" Nothing, we were slaughtering cattle, that's all, " Axel managed to choke out.
" Then why did she faint? " Walker demanded fiercely, though he relaxed his grip 
on Axel a small degree.
" No enough food, the heat, the sight of all the blood? " Axel rasped, and 
Walker finally let him go as both bent down to look at Reb more closely.
" It's the heat, definitely, and you can see she's worn out. Let's get her 
inside, out of the sun. Silly girl, she forgot her bonnet again, didn't she, " 
he tisked as Walker picked her up in his arms.
" I'm sorry, Axel, I shouldn't have jumped to any conclusions. I don't know what 
came over me, " Walker muttered by way of apology.
" That's all right. At least it shows you care for her, Walker, though in future 
I hope you'll do it less physically, at least with me, " Axel replied, with a 
rueful rub at his throat.
Once inside, Annalise Swensen took over the nursing duties, and Reb soon came 
around after her face and hands were bathed in some cold water. Walker hovered 
concernedly in the background, and Reb smiled when she saw him.
" I guess I gave you a good scare, judging from the look on your face, " she 
commented wryly as she began to sit up.
" You sure did, and I don't plan on letting you do it again. Reb, you must lie 
still now, " Walker insisted, gripping both her shoulders and pressing her back 
down onto the mattress. " You've been overdoing it, not getting enough sleep, 
not eating. Sunday is meant to be a day of rest, and for once in your life 
you're going to sit around and do nothing. "
" But Walker, I have to go see Stalking Wolf, and the horses have to be 
exercised, the animals have to be fed, and... " Reb began to recite.
" Barclay and I will take care of all of that. If you are feeling up to it 
later, perhaps you can see Stalking Wolf, but in the meantime you are going to 
stay right there. "
" I'm not staying in bed. I'll sit in a chair out on the porch, but I am not 
lying here all day. "
" Fine, if you promise to sit still until five o'clock this evening, and you're 
no longer dizzy, we can go see Stalking Wolf. You're not expected in the saloon 
tonight, are you? "
" I was going to go, yes, but not to do food or anything. Hank doesn't bother on 
Sundays. Not enough customers. "
" I'm sure Hank won't mind if you miss one night, and I promise I'll look in and 
see if he needs a hand, " Walker determined, as he lifted Rebel in his arms and 
brought her outside, where he sat her in a rocking chair well-protected by the 
shade of the porch.
" Now, which horses do you want me to start with? " Walker asked.
" Thunder and Queenie, then just go down the row until they've all had a turn, " 
Reb replied sleepily.
" Fine. Barclay, oh Barclay, can you give me a hand here. If I start on the left 
and you on the right, do you think we can give each of these fine beasts a 
gallop? "
" My pleasure, " Barclay enthused as he headed for the stables.
Annalise came out to ask Reb about their plans for their Sunday meal, and put 
some of the fresh meat into the range to roast, while Axel popped back and forth 
between the smoke house and the vegetable patch, helping dig up carrots and 
parsnips for the meal, and making sure the smokehouse fires were smouldering 
well.
Emily and Catherine came out to join Reb, and she told them to get some of their 
books so she could continue their reading lessons with them, while the two 
Swensen girls, too young to read, but interested in the stories, played with 
their dolls on the porch. Reb read along with her sisters, correcting their 
mistakes, and then made them practice writing on their slates.
Walker gazed at Reb, her lovely face relaxed and happy, surrounded by the little 
girls and Annalise Swensen, and his heart ached. He knew he felt more for Reb 
than he wished to, and the sight of the women all together reminded him of his 
six sisters at home in Richmond. True, his sisters were all several years older, 
and all raven-haired instead of blonde, but it made Walker yearn for the 
homelife he had had before his argument with his father and the dreadful war 
which had split many families asunder, including his own.
After lessons, Reb began to do the mountain of sewing which always seemed to 
reappear every few days. She darned socks, hunted in her jar for matching 
buttons, and once she was finished, she finally stood up and went into the 
bedrooms to put all the items away in the owners' dressers.
Walker kept Reb in her sights the whole time, and as she returned to tidy her 
sewing box, he called, " What are you up to now, Missy? "
" I put the clothes away. Have you got any sewing? "
" No, none, but thanks for the offer. "
" I'm going to go inside where it's cooler, so I'll see you later. "
" All right, but I'm going to have Annalise keep an eye on you, " he warned.
" I promise not to overdo things, " Reb reassured him as she opened the screen 
door and disappeared from view.
With her father safely in the vegetable patch digging, Reb went into her 
parents' room and began looking though the dressers and wardrobes. Many of the 
things were like new, and even some of the dresses in the first wardrobe she 
opened were not too old-fashioned looking. Reb didn't really remember having 
seen any of them on her mother, and decided she must have made them for herself 
before she died.
But upon closer inspection, Reb saw why they had never been worn. Her mother had 
been very thin and dainty, and almost half a foot shorter than herself. The 
dresses had all been made for Reb, probably as a present or trousseau. There 
were two dozen in all, in a rainbow of colours, and though Reb was moved to 
tears by the generous offer, there was far more there than she could ever hope 
to wear or use.
One gown, a travelling or riding outfit, hit her eye. It was in midnight blue 
with black trimmings, and the skirts, though full, were split down the middle so 
that she could sit astride a horse. The matching petticoats for the outfit were 
hanging beside it, and Reb took the dress into her room to hang it up in her own 
wardrobe.
She looked over the others critically, but many of them were rather low cut and 
far too colourful for her simple tastes.
The underclothes and petticoats were confections of white lace and ribbons, but 
again totally unsuitable for wear out on the frontier.
Poor mother, Reb sighed to herself. Always the grand lady, in spite of being 
miles from no where in the middle of the wilderness. I suppose if she were alive 
now I would be a great disappointment to her, being such a tomboy.
" Don't be silly, my dear, any mother would be proud of you for all your 
accomplishments, " Walker soothed, and Reb gasped. She hadn't even been aware 
that she'd spoken the words aloud, and certainly hadn't heard Walker come in.
" I didn't mean to startle you, Reb, I just wanted to make sure you were 
resting, that's all. I knocked at your door and looked in when you didn't 
answer, but you weren't there. I'm sorry, I was a bit worried, so I came to find 
you, " Walker explained. " I didn't mean to intrude. "
" You aren't intruding, Walker, really. I'm glad you're here. You can come in 
and help me decide what to do about all these things. Mother made them for me 
and they look as though they've cost a small fortune, but, well, I would feel 
ridiculous in them. They're for a grand feminine lady, not a girl like me. "
" Oh no, not a woman asking me for my opinion on clothes, " Walker threw up his 
hands in mock horror. " Whenever most women do that, it's only an excuse for me 
to flatter them. "
Reb's face froze, and Walker wished he could cut his tongue out.
" Sorry, Reb, I didn't mean that the way it sounded. You're not like most women, 
I know, and you probably wouldn't believe me even if I did try to flatter you, " 
he soothed, stroking her back affectionately.
Slightly mollified, Reb said, " I asked because you come from a town, you'll 
know what's suitable and what isn't. "
" They all look fine to me, " he said, glancing through them. " My best advice 
is
to try one on, and see how it feels. All young girls grow into women with time, 
remember, even you, Rebel. Besides, your Sunday gown, if I may say so, doesn't 
exactly suit you, and if you get any taller, Simon is going to have to arrest 
you for disturbing the peace, " Walker joked, casting a look at her long legs 
which seemed to go on forever.
" Which is your favourite? " Reb asked after an agony of indecision. " I've 
already picked out a midnight blue one, but this pink and that orange would just 
look silly on me. "
" What about this white one? " Walker asked, and Reb blushed to the roots of her 
hairs as they both realised that it had been placed at the back of the wardrobe 
for a special reason. It could be nothing other than a wedding gown, and 
Walker's black eyes turned stony.
" Anything you want to tell me, Reb? "
" It was mother's wishful thinking only which caused her to make that, believe 
me, Walker. I've never even been courted by anyone, let alone thought about 
getting married to them. After all, I am only just eighteen, and mother's been 
dead for over three years, " Reb defended herself.
" In any case, you have to keep that one, " Walker remarked flatly, and after 
putting aside the dress and veil on the bed, he looked at a warm and soft 
woollen black and white large-checked plaid. " This would be warm and practical, 
and look, there's even a heavy black cloak to go with it. And this wine coloured 
velvet, again, it's very warm. Here are two summer weight ones, in floral 
prints, simplicity itself. They're not too fine, now are they? " Walker asked, 
taking each gown out in turn for her to admire.
Reb conceded, " They look all fight to me, but only if you're sure. I mean, 
would your sisters wear something like these gowns? "
" Well, my sisters are all black-haired like me, but yes, they are modest gowns 
suitable for a young woman, and not too showy. "
" Right, then I shall keep those six, but what should I do with the others? "
" Ask Mrs. Swensen if she would like them, or you could ask the girls in town, " 
Walker suggested, before going back outside to get some fresh air. Really, 
choosing clothes for a woman, whatever next, he thought to himself angrily.
" That's a good idea, " Reb mused, and soon Annalise was exclaiming over the 
beauty of the gowns, and decided to buy four of them from Reb, in spite of her 
protests that she didn't want the money.
" Don't be silly, child, these dresses would cost a fortune if I went to the 
dressmaker in town, so the least you can do is let me pay you something for 
them, " Annalise insisted, as she called to her husband to come inside. A 
bargain was struck, and once some of the underclothing was decided upon, Reb was 
over a hundred dollars richer.
" I just wish I had some things for the girls and Patrick and my father, " she 
complained to Annalise as she began wrapping up the rest of the dresses and 
underclothes in brown paper.
" What do you plan on doing with the rest of them? " Annalise asked with raised 
eyebrows as she watched Reb work.
" I thought of asking the girls in the saloon if they were interested in them. "
" A good idea, but you could also offer Mrs. Bates in town a trade. These 
dresses and things, in exchange for some fabric for shirts and dresses. And if 
you make some for my little girls as well, I will pay you. The two mills take up 
nearly all my time these days, and the children are growing so quickly. "
" All right, Annalise, I'll try it. And I'll do your sewing as well. There are 
some patterns in my mother's sewing room, so if you let me finish up here, I'll 
have a hunt round for them. "
" I'll finish giving you a hand here, and then I'll go out side and put on the 
vegetables before we head off home, " Annalise said.
" Oh, there's no need to go so soon. If you're cooking the supper here, you 
might as well stay and share it with us, " Reb invited.
" I'll just go ask Axel, but I think he will agree. "
Reb finished wrapping up the gowns, and went into the sewing room, where bits of 
cloth and ribbons and clothes in need of repair lay scattered about the place. 
Reb was convinced her young sisters had done most of the damage, no doubt using 
the room to play dress up in on rainy days when she and her father were out 
working on the ranch.
Reb could see she had a lot of sorting to do, but the big cabinet which 
contained most of the important sewing notions was locked. Reb couldn't remember 
the last time she had gone in there to look for anything, so she had no idea 
where the key was. Stroking the beautiful walnut cabinet fondly, Reb knew she 
didn't want to break it open either, so she gave up on it for the moment and 
began to sort out into piles the things strewn everywhere.
Many of the clothes were several years old, so the children would have outgrown 
most of them, but once they were repaired, a button put on here and there, or a 
small tear carefully mended, they could be used by someone. The dresses were 
just right for Annalise's two girls, and Reb was sure she had seen Mrs. Bates 
take second hand clothes from people. If she brought in her mother's gowns and 
Patrick's clothes, she might be able to make a trade.
When Reb stooped to pick up a cotton reel that she had dropped on the floor, she 
discovered a dozen bolts of cloth under the table, many of them unused. Her 
mother had obviously hoped to make a larger trousseau for Reb, and some things 
for herself and the rest of the family before her untimely death prevented her. 
There were fine linens for shirts and baby clothes, and some plain heavy fabrics 
for skirts and blouses.
" How are you doing on the sorting out? " Walker poked his head around the door 
to enquire. In spite of himself, he couldn't seem to keep away from her long, 
and he was still worried that she might be overdoing things. He had been 
hovering around outside in the corridor and in the kitchen, and had overheard 
her entire conversation with Annalise Swensen.
" Just fine. Look at all this stuff. It's like an Aladdin's cave, and I haven't 
even got the main cupboard open yet. "
" You can start making those clothes for the girls now, and let Mrs. Swensen 
have these things. I'll go in the other room, fetch the things, and load the 
wagon if you like. We can go into town to see the girls at the saloon, and go 
see Mrs. Bates, " Walker offered.
" You don't have to come with me, Walker, it'll be dull for a man, " Reb said 
coolly, recalling his previous sarcastic remarks.
" Perhaps so, but I don't like you driving around in the wagon on your own, you 
still look exhausted, and you'll need help loading and unloading the wagon when 
you get into town, so I'm coming with you whether you like it or not. "
He began to remove the bolts of cloth from under the table, and as he left the 
room he called to Barclay to get the wagon harnessed again.
Reb and Walker worked on together side by side, sorting, stacking, until Reb got 
the room reasonably clear.
" Are you sure you want to get rid of all this stuff, Reb? After all, you and 
your family need clothes too. "
" I'm not even sure if Mrs. Bates will do a trade, but if she does, I'll get 
some second hand clothing for the girls and Patrick, and I will keep one bolt of 
linen for some shirts for Daddy, Patrick and myself. The rest of these things 
can go, and we could even turn this room into a library for Daddy or Patrick. "
" I peeked in the parlour. You sure do have a lot of books. It is just like a 
library. "
" You know, now that you mention it, Walker, I've been thinking lately of 
starting up a lending library, on all the shelves in the shop. And now that we 
are going to be selling a lot more items in Laramie, including Axel's furniture, 
we'll have the room. I'll try out the idea out on Sue, and see if she can cope. 
We could charge an annual membership of say a dollar apiece, and give them some 
library cards to check out two at a time. "
" What do you think your father will say? " Walker frowned. " Don't you think 
you're going a bit fast getting rid of so much so quickly? "
" What use could we possibly have for all this fancy cloth, or all those elegant 
gowns? And the books won't be lost forever, they'll be benefiting far more 
people than they would just sitting in the parlour gathering dust. I know they 
were mother's and his, but he can hardly object if it is going to help the 
entire town, " Reb reasoned.
" In that case, and if you are sure, then go ask him, and I'll start loading the 
wagon as soon as he gives the idea the okay. "
Reb's eyes sparkled and her cheeks glowed.
" What's wrong, Rebel? You haven't got a fever or anything, have you? "
" No, no I'm fine, it's just, well.... "
" What is it? "
" It's just that ever since you arrived yesterday, things have never stopped 
happening. It's almost as though I've been sleepwalking for the past three 
years, and I've finally come awake. "
" Glad to be of any help I can, " Walker declared softly, and dragged himself 
away from Reb before he did something foolish like kiss her.
Reb's father was not absolutely delighted with the idea of a library for the 
town, but he even admitted in the end that it was too fine a collection of books 
for only one family to benefit from. Apart from the family Bible and " Pilgrim's 
Progress, " the two most battered and worn books in the collection, Barclay and 
Walker began to load the rest into the wagon.
" These two books came with me from England, and I would never part with them. 
But as you say, Reb, we gathered the rest over the years whenever we had any 
spare money, and it isn't as if they are of any great sentimental value. It'll 
be good if the town can enjoy them as well. I'll go out to the barn and find 
some wood to make a sign for the new library, " Amos said.
" Should we take these bookshelves as well? " Walker asked.
" I think so. We can divide the shop in half with them There are four there, so 
if we put them down the middle of the shop, two each back to back, we can have 
the jewellery and leather goods on one side, and the books on the other. "
" Whatever the lady wants, " Walker said , unconsciously reaching out to stroke 
her long blond hair, which was beginning to come down in glorious disarray over 
her slender shoulders.
" Oh, dear, I must look a mess. I'm still wearing these old clothes. I'll go 
redo my hair and put on some other clothes for supper, and then we'll go to 
town. Annalise, we're going to town to see Mrs. Bates. Do you need anything? " 
Reb called as she scurried away from Walker's touch like a frightened rabbit.
" No, not at the minute, but you will remember the girls' dresses, won't you? "
" I'll manage something. Do you want a ride home? "
" The wagon looks pretty full, Reb, but we can always walk. "
" Why don't you stay, Axel, keep my father company, play checkers or cribbage or 
something. The girls are all off playing in the barn, so it's no trouble. "
" Fine, and I'll clean up after the meal, " Annalise offered.
" That's settled then. I'll get cleaned up, and if you can call the girls and 
Patrick in to get washed, we'll eat in ten minutes. "
" It will be ready, " Annalise promised.
Reb went into her bedroom and took down her hair. She plaited it into a thick 
rope which hung down her back, and then put on a less threadbare pair of black 
trousers, a chemise, and a loose, softly flowing blue shirt which she rolled up 
the cuffs on. She pulled on her boots and crammed her hat down on her head, and 
strolled into the kitchen just as the family was sitting down to supper.
Walker looked at her appraisingly as she entered the room, and she shrugged. " 
No point in spoiling my new dresses jumping in and out of the wagon unloading 
the books and things, " she observed quietly as she sat down next to him on the 
long bench, the only seat at the table not full. The length of their legs 
pressed tightly together, both of them could hardly swallow their food, let 
alone make small talk, so aware were they of each other.
" No, of course not, no point at all, " Walker agreed mildly at length, but all 
the same, he disliked seeing Reb give away her lovely clothes when there would 
soon be no pressing financial need for her to do so. But then Reb would not 
thank him for anything that smacked of charity. Let her do her best to pay off 
the promissory note in her own way, Walker decided, and when she fell short, 
then he could make his move to help her.
But Walker was underestimating Reb's ability as a business woman, and all of the 
transactions that she had made thus far had swelled her coffers considerably. As 
she rode into town by Walker's side in the wagon, she did her sums in her head 
again, and at her first stop, Mr. Furness' General Store, where she dropped off 
the meat to save him the trouble of a ride out to the ranch, she was delighted 
with the generous price he offered.
" I think we should make this a permanent, regular arrangement as well, Reb. If 
you slaughter one animal a month, and keep on smoking it and so on, I'll buy it 
from you, and the pork and chickens and lamb too. If you could let me have 
twenty chickens and five lambs and a pig by the end of the week, I'll make it 
worth your while. The town is growing, Reb, and we need to feed the people 
somehow, " Mr. Furness assured her, when she protested that he was being far too 
extravagant
" In that case, if you're sure you need all that, then I agree. Is that what you 
want each month? Because if it is, we'll have to get the hens to start having 
more chicks. "
" That's about right, I think. I'll let you know if is less for more If you 
deliver it to me the first of each month, I'll pay you this much each month, " 
he whispered, scribbling down a sum on a piece of paper for Reb to see.
" You have yourself a deal, " Reb said, and instead of shaking her hand, Mr. 
Furness pressed a wad of bills into her hand and waved her and Walker goodbye.
" You look like the cat that swallowed the canary, " Walker remarked as they 
walked back to the wagon together.
" I've got so much money all of a sudden this is like some incredible dream, " 
Reb confided.
" In that case, let's hope you don't wake up. "
" You don't think I'll be able to get all the money together, but I'm over half 
way there, Walker. I will do it, I will, " she insisted.
" I'm sure you will, you are one ornery woman, " Walker teased, as he lifted her 
up onto the box, and she giggled down at him.
His lips moved towards her cherry-red mouth, but Walker was suddenly conscious 
of the many eyes upon them as people took their Sunday stroll, down the main 
street of Grange, and he backed away almost shyly.
" Come on, let's go see Sue about the library next, " Walker said, as he got 
back onto the box.
Sue was delighted with the idea, and insisted on coming into the shop to help. 
She shifted things off the shelves on the right hand wall while Walker brought 
in the bookcases on by one, and Reb gave the whole place a good dusting. Then 
they laid the stock out again on the various shelves, and Reb began to put the 
books in alphabetical order. Walker looked admiringly at some of the book 
titles, and held back " The Pickwick Papers " to borrow for himself.
Reb peeked at his choice of title. " Oh, " The Pickwick Papers, " she laughed. " 
That's one of my favourites. "
" Mine too, " Walker said softly.
" We can take turns reading it out to the family at night, " Reb suggested, and 
Walker's heart thumped in his breast.
That's what the Whitaker family had become virtually over night. His family. He 
liked them all, and even the flirtatious Barclay Townsend seemed to fit into 
their makeshift family circle so well, as did Sue and the Swensens and their two 
children, Walker reflected.
A knock at the door brought Simon, balanced on a crutch. Reb helped seat him on 
a chair over on the right hand wall, and he began to admire the books and help 
put them on the shelves as well.
" What a marvellous idea, Reb. I'm sure it will be a great success. I know 
Summit and Newcastle are only a few miles distant, but none of them have a 
library. I'll bet everyone will want to join when they find out, " Simon opined.
" I hope not, there won't be enough to go around, " Reb said worriedly
" Don't be silly, there are hundreds of books here, plenty for everyone, " Simon 
mumbled as he stooped down to look over some new titles. " The only problem will 
be my deciding which two to read first. "
When they had finished loading the shelves, Simon lent them a hammer and nails, 
and Walker proudly hung on the outside post the 'Library' sign Reb's father had 
made.
" There now. Everyone will know by the end of the week that we're open for 
business, " Reb smiled, looking at their work admiringly.
" Reb, have you manage to speak to Stalking Wolf yet? "
" No, not yet, Simon. I have one more trip to make, to see Mrs. Bates, and then 
I'll go. "
With a quick farewell, Walker, Reb, and Sue drove away, and they delivered the 
young girl home on their way to visit Mrs. Bates, who lived up near the chapel.
Though surprised to see Reb at first, the birdlike elderly women listened 
patiently to Reb's proposition, and was delighted with the many things Reb had 
brought to show her.
She was especially pleased with the gowns, since they were already made and 
would do many of the young women in Grange with only a few minor alterations.
" I know you do second hand clothes, Mrs. Bates, so I hoped you might have some 
dresses for Emily and Catherine while I'm here that we could barter for. "
" It so happens I have just the things, from a woman whose girls are six and 
eight. They might be a bit big on them now, but you know how fast children grow. 
Now if you don't mind helping me hand putting all these lovely things on that 
rail, Mr. Pritchard, I'll show Reb all the things I have, " Mrs. Bates smiled.
Reb came away with a whole wardrobe for her sisters and the Swensen girls, 
several skirts and blouses for herself, and a purse several hundred pounds 
richer, Mrs. Barclay having given her a more than fair price for the bolts of 
fabric.
" Now, if you would consider doing some sewing for me, I'd be ever so grateful, 
" Mrs. Bates begged as they loaded the wagon. " With all these things, and only 
one pair of hands, it is going to be hard to keep up. "
" I know there are heaps of girls in the town my mother taught how to sew, oh 
years before you arrived here from Denver. Mrs. Bates. Why don't you see if some 
of them would be interested in earning a bit of extra money? "
" What a good idea, I think I will. Can you think of anyone in particular? " 
Mrs. Bates asked.
Reb gave her a few possible names, and finally the wagon was loaded. With a 
happy wave to Mrs. Bates, they headed into the mountains on their way to see 
Stalking Wolf at the Shoshone camp.

CHAPTER EIGHT
Walker drove the wagon to the Shoshone reservation, which adjoined Reb's ranch 
via a small pass through the mountains. As the land stretched out before him, 
and the slanting rays of the setting sun bathed everything in a crimson glow, 
Walker suddenly realised he was happy. He felt as free as a bird, and the warm 
young woman by his side filled him with a new zest for life he thought he had 
lost during his many years attending to nothing but business, and during the 
dreadful war he had manage to survive.
He realised Reb was right about what she had said to him before. It was as 
though he had spent the past fifteen years of his life sleepwalking, or worse 
still, going through life with blinkers on. His desire to make his father proud 
of him, to achieve something without taking a penny of the family money, had 
left Walker with little time for the genuine pleasures of life.
During the war there had been very little pleasure, though Walker recognised now 
that his main motive in joining up had been to try to live again, to experience 
real feelings and emotions instead of being cocooned against anything unpleasant 
or meaningful in his prestigious Pittsburgh office.
The war had made him come face to face with the man he really was, not the man 
he had tried to become to please his father. He had discovered a liking for 
poetry and literature, leaned how to paint, held his men's hands as they 
screamed for their mothers in the agony that was the aftermath of battle for all 
too many young soldiers under his charge. Before the war, whenever Walker had 
had a cave in in the mines, he had simply sent compensation money, and had 
believed self-righteously that he was doing everything he could for his workers. 
If they had ever dared complain about working conditions, he had accused them of 
base ingratitude.
Only in the real world, in the army camps, had Walker learnt his mistakes. He 
had seen former miners, desirous of serving their country, with tuberculosis, 
black lung, and all the other unspeakable diseases and injuries a life in the 
coal mines of Pennsylvania could produce. Life lost its beauty for a time. 
Having seen everything in the glowing colours of the rainbow for so long, the 
war had turned everything black.
The friendship of two unusual young men in his battalion had helped him see 
things in colour again, had awakened him to all the things his expensive 
education had failed to teach him, and now he had come here to Grange to find 
the last piece of the puzzle. Once he had met Rebecca Whitaker, it had all 
fallen into place. He was finally able to see the complete picture, and yet it 
was not the one he had expected to find. Last night was the first night since he 
had joined the army that his sleep hadn't been disturbed by horrifying 
nightmares, and as he held the reins securely in his hands, Walker realised that 
he had finally stopped shaking. Even a bird breaking cover didn't startle him so 
much that he either shot at it or ducked for cover the way he might once have 
done.
" You're very quiet, " Reb worked up the nerve to say. So pensive did Walker 
look, that she was reluctant to disturb him. Yet she could tell he was lost in 
his own private hell, and wanted to be of some comfort to him, as he had been to 
her.
" I was just thinking how happy I am, " Walker answered sincerely. " I know that 
doesn't sound like much to you, but I was always a man who took his happiness 
and welfare for granted. Now I look at so many people, men I served with in the 
army, or Simon and Sue, who have to struggle for every bit of pleasure they get 
out of life, and it makes me sick to think what a self-satisfied prig I was 
once.
" During the war, I fell into black despair. I was so self-indulgent I believed 
I would never be happy again. But the war made me come to terms with the man I 
really am, and with my own mortality. I now recognised that I'm by no means as 
bad a man as I thought, but nor am I the philanthropist I flattered myself I 
was, " Walker confessed.
" I don't know what you were like before the war, but I can tell you now that 
you are one of the best men I've ever known. "
" How on earth can you tell that after only a day's acquaintance? You're just 
trying to humour me, child, " Walker sighed.
" No I'm not. I can tell. You do everything without fuss or complaint, and do it 
even before it's asked of you. You won't take any pay for your work either, that 
I know. So why are you helping us? What can we possibly hope to offer you? The 
only thing we have worth anything is the ranch, and as you well know we are up 
to our eyes in debt. A selfish man would run a mile from us, but you've stuck by 
me, even when I was sick today. My only regret is I have nothing to offer that 
would even begin to repay you, " Reb replied.
" Your value is beyond measure, more than you can possibly realise, Rebel. You 
touch the life of everyone you meet, and your gift is you don't even realise it. 
You do it without effort, without even being conscious of how you affect people. 
You have intelligence and wisdom beyond your years, but beyond that, is the 
wisdom of the heart, " he indicated, moving his hand to rest it on her chest in 
an intimate gesture which left Reb breathless.
" I would tell you that you re indeed the finest woman I have ever met, but you 
wouldn't believe me, or would be needlessly jealous at the comparison with all 
the fine society ladies I've know, and think I was simply trying to flatter you.
" Have you known many ladies? " Reb asked quietly.
" Rebel, I'm thirty three to your eighteen, nearly twice your age, so just think 
of the number of people you know and multiply it by a hundred. Out of that 
number of my circle of acquaintance, I would say half were ladies, but though I 
found them delightful diversions for an hour or two, I have never been serious 
about any of them, " Walker answered truthfully.
" So you've never been in love, ever? " Reb asked incredulously.
" No, my dear, my heart remains completely untouched by those society dames, 
though they have tried hard enough to ensnare me, and I doubt there is a woman 
in the world who could make me fall in love with her, " Walker answered, with a 
blazing look which Reb couldn't quite interpret.
She remained silent for the rest of the journey to Stalking Wolf's camp, and 
though Walker wondered what she was thinking, it seemed too close, too intimate 
a question to ask. He had to go home to Pittsburgh, or even Richmond, sooner or 
later, he reminded himself for the hundredth time. There was no point in 
prolonging his stay, for to do so would only put him at risk of doing the very 
thing he had just told Rebel he would never do: fall in love.
The Shoshone encampment was beyond Reb's ranch, accessible only through a narrow 
pass about twenty feet wide through the mountains which lined her ranch on three 
sides. The gap in the mountains was concealed by a large thicket of trees, and 
as they prepared to enter the pass , Walker asked, " That wooden hut over there. 
What's it for? "
" I use it to store supplies, mostly, " Reb informed him. " The weather is very 
unpredictable in the mountains, and when a storm rages it's best to take cover. 
We've just been riding through my summer pasture, but I haven't allowed the 
herds to come here because of all the trouble with Greer. But normally I would 
come up and do some hunting and fishing, and my father collects me in the wagon 
at the end of the week to bring home everything I've caught. "
" Don't you ever get lonely out here? " Walker wondered aloud, taking in the 
awesome silence of the mountains.
" How could I? I have all I need here, and if I do wish for company, I go to the 
Shoshone, or go home to the ranch. "
The answer left Walker feeling oddly disappointed, so with a last glance at the 
hut, he drove the wagon through the winding path. He began concentrating on any 
features of the landscape which could assist him in his plan. The river which 
divided Reb's ranch diagonally into two came from a high plateau above, 
cascading down into a waterfall before gradually flattening out into a wide 
river bed. It looked perfect to him, but he wanted to get a look at the plateau 
to be sure.
" Do you ever climb the mountains? " Walker asked, trying to keep his voice 
casual.
" Sure, whenever I get the chance. There's almost a natural staircase just 
around that corner, and we go on picnics. If you look up much higher, you'll see 
a second water fall, and a natural pool. We go swimming in there all the time in 
the early summer, but we've been so busy lately we haven't had the chance. Maybe 
we can do that while you and Barclay are visiting. "
" It sounds perfect, " Walker grinned, certain his plan was going to succeed.
He drove into the Shoshone camp, and all of his preconceptions about the life of 
the Indians were blasted to pieces. True, they did live in tepees, but all he 
had been told about ruthless savages was shown to be false. The camp was 
organised around a large wooden lodge, and he saw another four large wooden 
buildings, one at each corner of the camp. All of the Indians greeted Reb with a 
friendly wave, and a little boy ran to tell the chief she was there, as Reb gave 
Walker a brief tour of the wooden houses, where he saw many of the Indians 
employed in tanning leather and manufacturing coats, shoes and other items out 
of the skins.
" So this is the business you started. I am really impressed. These things are 
lovely, " Walker enthused.
" We think so. Just make sure you bring plenty back east with you as souvenirs 
when you go home, " Rebel teased, but at the nonchalant mention of his leaving 
Grange, Walker felt as though he had been kicked in the guts.
" You sound anxious to be rid of me, " Walker accused coldly.
" Not at all, I was thinking of your sisters, making sure you take them back a 
nice present or two for when you see them again. Though I should think it will 
be enough of a present for them to have you home, " Reb added sincerely, and 
again Walker felt as though someone had grabbed his heart and squeezed.
As they walked back to the lodge side by side, Walker observed someone raise a 
hand in welcome to Reb, and she walked directly towards him.
" Stalking Wolf, this is my new friend Walker Pritchard, come to visit you to 
learn more about the West, " Reb introduced him, and the two men shook hands.
Stalking Wolf was a tall, straight-backed warrior in his late thirties with many 
beads and feathers to show his status. He was wearing simple buckskin breeches, 
and carried a medicine rattle in his hand.
" I am pleased to see you, daughter. There is much trouble in the camp, and I 
have never seen this illness before. "
Reb was embraced by the warrior briefly, and taking her hand, Stalking Wolf led 
her into the lodge, where about ten of the Indian children were lying, being 
sweated for fever. All their jaws and necks were puffy, and Reb exclaimed, " Oh, 
Lord, the mumps. Where have these children been? "
" We went to the children's Sunday school picnic last week. Reverend Wheelock 
invited us. "
" One of the children must have been infected. I've already had it, so it 
doesn't matter about me. They will recover, with rest, and plenty to drink, but 
you must stay away, and all the men and pregnant women, " Reb said quietly as 
she moved from pallet to pallet examining the sick children carefully.
" It is very serious? " Stalking Wolf asked flatly.
" It could be, especially for men. Doc Morrison explained to me that many men 
cannot have children after they have had the disease, and if the women don't 
miscarry, then the babies might be born deformed, " Reb said dejectedly.
Walker and Stalking Wolf gazed at he in horror, but Walker cleared his throat 
and said, " I've had the mumps already, as a child. What do you want me to do to 
help? "
" We'll make each of the children comfortable, and then the mothers and fathers 
must stay away. We will fetch water, and food, and they must stay in here for at 
least two weeks, until we are certain there are no new cases. If there are, they 
must come in here to be treated, " Reb outlined.
" How long before we will know how many are ill? " Stalking Wolf demanded.
" Another week at the most, with any luck. You must not nurse them, Stalking 
Wolf. You'll become ill yourself, and your wife is expecting, " Reb advised.
" It's too late. I've been with her. I may already have passed it on to her, " 
Stalking Wolf said resignedly.
" It might not be too late, but on the other hand, you might give it to her if 
you see her again. No, I 'm afraid you'll have to stay here in the lodge, but 
stay away from the children, " Reb advised.
" No, Reb. I am the chief and the medicine man. It is my duty. "
" Well, I'm not going to waste time arguing with you, my friend. You know the 
risks and must decide for yourself, " Reb stated bluntly, as she began to roll 
up her sleeves.
Walker and Reb laboured to get the feverish children a bit more comfortable, 
bathing their scalding foreheads with cool cloths, while Stalking Wolf brought 
in food supplies and water and found some older women willing to volunteer to 
tend to the children. Three more cases were brought in by the time they had 
finished seeing to each of the ten children, and Reb rubbed her aching back 
wearily, and pressed her other hand to her forehead.
" You're not well enough to be here, Reb, " Walker scolded. " Sit down before 
you fall down. "
" I'm all right, really, Walker. I was just thinking. We need to get something 
to bring this fever down, and I know Doc Morrison has some medicine to help. "
" I also have special herbs and teas, " Stalking Wolf added.
" I know, but this is different, especially if any of the men in the camp become 
ill. It's the heat of the fever, you see, that does the damage. We need some 
wooden vats, and tubs, to fill with water to put the children in so we can lower 
the fever that way, or ... "
" Or what? "
" Stalking Wolf, I'll be back soon. Make your teas for the children, and I'm 
going to get some medicine from Doc Morrison. I'll bring him too if he is able 
to come. Then we need to get Axel, go to the mill, and see Hank, " she informed 
to Walker as she ran for the wagon and jumped onto the box.
Walker jumped up beside her as she began to drive away at a breakneck speed.
" I can tell you have an idea in your head, so let's have it, " Walker drawled.
" The vats I was going to have Axel make for the dyeing process will be handy 
for this, so I'm going to tell him what we need, and get him to start making 
them straight away. He can ride back home to the mill on one of my horses, and 
then we'll pick up the vats on the way back. You and I are going to have to stay 
at the camp as well, because my brother and sisters, and the Swensen girls as 
well, haven't had the mumps yet, so we'll pick up some clothes and food before 
we head out. "
" Damn it, Rebel, the children were all at the Sunday school today! " Walker 
agonised.
" Let's just hope anyone who was already sick stayed home, but I'll have to warn 
father to prepare for the worst. "
Reb tore into the farmyard, sending chickens squawking for cover, and leapt off 
the box and onto the porch in one bound.
" Father, Axel, we have an emergency! "
Reb quickly explained about the vats she wanted made as she ran down the hall to 
her room to get some shirts and another pair of trousers, which she tied into a 
bundle, before moving over to the linen cupboard for sheets and towels, which 
Walker began loading into the wagon for her. He popped into his room to get some 
clothes as well, as Barclay hovered about, unsure of what to do.
" Do you want me to come with you, Reb? " Barclay asked. " I've had the mumps as 
well. "
" It's kind of you to offer, Barclay, but with me away for goodness knows how 
long, I could really use you here to take over my chores, " Reb appealed to 
Barclay, taking the hand he stretched out towards her.
Walker frowned blackly when he entered the room and saw Reb holding Barclay's 
hand, but Annalise took Reb's other one in her own, and declared, " I will stay 
too. Your brother and sister need looking after, and my little ones may already 
be sick as well. And I will do your baking tomorrow morning, if Barclay will 
help me with the milk and eggs. "
" We'll all help, " Amos reassured his daughter, as he came up behind her and 
gave her a big bear hug. " Go see Doc Morrison, and go back to the Shoshone as 
soon as you can. Don't worry about us, we'll manage just fine. "
Reb looked around the kitchen one last time as Annalise hurriedly packed a bag 
of provisions for Rebel and Walker to take with them.
" Come on, Rebel, everything will be fine here. They have to learn how to get 
along without you sometimes, you know, " Walker urged, as he put his arm around 
her and led her towards the wagon.
" I'll come down at eight to fetch the milk, eggs, bread and pies, and then I 
must go to the bank to make the final arrangements about the ranch so I can pay 
back Greer. I'll see you then, " Reb waved, as Walker drove the wagon down the 
road towards town.
Once in Grange, Reb tried to find Doc Morrison at several houses, but it was 
apparent that the mumps had indeed started to spread through the town, and even 
when she did finally find him, he had very little medicine to spare.
" I've been waiting for a shipment from Laramie for over a week, so this is all 
I can give you, I'm afraid, " he apologised, offering her a half-full bottle of 
quinine.
" No, I can't take it. We'll have to manage somehow, " Reb frowned, as she 
patted the older man on the arm, and left him to his work.
" But Rebel, you saw how sick the Indians were. What are we going to do if you 
don't use that medicine? " Walker blurted once they were back out on the main 
street.
" I have another couple of ideas in mind, so come on. I want to see Sue Gibson, 
to see if she can help. "
Reb drove the wagon to the Gibson house, and told Sue about the emergency.
" Do you want me to come out and help nurse them? " Sue offered kindly.
" No, no, Sue, something much simpler than that, though you are a dear for 
suggesting it. Can you get hold of Bob Tucker, and ask him to call in at the 
mail depot in Laramie to see if there are any packages for Doc Morrison? He 
needs some more medicine desperately, and he's been waiting for it for ages from 
Laramie. "
" What sort of medicine? "
" Quinine, it's called. "
" Don't worry, then, Reb. You leave it to me. If it isn't there is Laramie, 
we'll find some way of getting some, " Sue reassured her friend, as she began 
scribbling instructions hurriedly for her brother to take to Bob.
" I'll send this now, and ask him if he'll be willing to do a special trip for 
it. I'm sure he'll say yes, " Sue promised.
" Thank you, Sue, and thank Bob for me too. I won't forget this. I'll see you 
tomorrow, bright and early, to go to the bank. "
" But Reb, you have enough to do without worrying about the business. We can do 
it some other day. "
" No, Sue, the arrangements are all made. We'll do it tomorrow, never fear. I 
want to be free of Greer, and once that's settled I can take care of the 
Shoshone for as long as they need me, " Reb persisted, and with a last wave she 
climbed back up onto the box.
" The mill next? " Walker asked, amazed at the whirlwind of power that was Rebel 
Whitaker once she got started on a course of action.
" Nope, the saloon. "
" I'm sure Hank will understand about you not working tonight, " Walker 
reassured her.
" It's not about my job. I need to buy some blackstrap. "
" Rebel, really, your language and sense of timing are....! "
" Shut up, Walker, and drive! "
Walker glowered at her, and Rebel snorted with laughter. " You should see your 
face, Walker. You look madder than a skinned rattler. "
" You'd better have a good explanation for all this, or I'm going to paddle your 
behind and give you a bit of lady-like decorum, " Walker threatened blackly.
" Just another one of my hare-brained schemes, that's all, " Rebel quipped.
When they reached their destination, Reb banged on the side door of the saloon 
as Walker managed to slowly back the wagon into the narrow passageway as he had 
been instructed. Finally Hank came down the stairs, muttering, " All right, all 
right, I'm coming. "
" Sorry to interrupt your Sunday nap, Hank, but I need a favour. I need as much 
liquor as you can spare for the Indians, " she asserted.
" Are you crazy, Reb? " Hank stormed. " You know what'll happen if they start 
drinking the stuff. They'll go plum crazy, and go on the warpath. "
" That's not true and you know it, Hank, " Reb yelled. " Besides, they ain't 
gonna drink it, they're going to wash in it. They have a epidemic of mumps, and 
their fevers are sky high. Please, I'll pay you for all of it, only just get it 
out of the cellar and me and Walker will load it onto the wagon! "
Hank paused to consider what Rebel had told him, but he was obviously reluctant. 
" Reb, now, I don't know. What will the townspeople say if they find out I 
helped you help the Indians, gave them liquor! "
As Walker entered the side door to see what was going on, Reb's temper exploded. 
" Hank, are you suggesting I let the Shoshone die to save my butt with a bunch 
of old maids who hate me anyway? I won't tell them if you don't, and if they do 
find out, I'll take full responsibility. Come on, Hank, we're wasting time 
arguing. Get the crates so we can be on our way. "
" All right, but if anyone does find out, I'll say I didn't know nothing about 
it. "
" Fine, fine, but let's get a move on, " Reb agreed hastily.
" I'll let you have all the gin, and most of the bourbon, but I'll hang on to 
the whisky and brandy if you don't mind. "
" Anything, Hank, really, just hurry, " Reb urged.
All three of them loaded the wagon in the end, though Hank grumbled the whole 
time.
" I'll square up with you tomorrow, Hank, when we go to the bank, I promise, and 
thank you for your help, " Reb said sincerely as Hank placed the last of the 
crates onto the back of the wagon.
" Hell, don't mention it, Reb. If you really think it will save their lives, 
then it's on me. I'll see you in the morning at the bank. "
" Thanks, Hank, you're an angel, " Reb hugged him.
" Only a fool argues with a skunk, a mule, or a woman, " Hank taunted playfully, 
ruffling her blonde curls affectionately. " Look after yourself, girl. "
Walker observed their exchange glumly, wishing he could be as close to her as 
the other people in Reb's life seemed to be, yet at the same time knowing he 
simply had to go back east no matter what he felt about her.
" Are you still going to tan my behind for me, Walker? " she asked flippantly, 
as she noticed his dark looks in her direction.
" Nope. Don't reckon it would do much good, not with a woman who can get madder 
than a skinned rattler when she doesn't get her own way, " Walker joked, a broad 
grin breaking out despite his bad humour.
" Sorry I lost my temper, " Reb apologised.
" That's all right, it was for a good reason. But I hope you're hare-brained 
scheme works, whatever it is, or I'm going to take a crate of that stuff into 
the mountains and get drunk for a week. "
" Sounds like a good idea to me, " Reb sighed.
" Good Lord, she swears like a trooper, and even swills gin, " Walker exclaimed 
in mock horror.
" Don't forget that fact that also I play cards and work in a bawdy house, " Reb 
yawned, as she relaxed against Walker on the seat.
" You vixen, I'm utterly bewitched by you, " he murmured softly against her 
thick blonde hair, as he snuggled closer to her, and then headed for Axel's mill 
at the top of the ranch.

CHAPTER NINE
By the time Rebel and Walker got to the mill, Axel Swensen had made four large 
vats for the Shoshone, and Walker loaded them on the wagon while Reb stopped 
long enough to let the horses be fed and watered.
" I'll collect the other vats tomorrow, after we've finished our business at the 
bank. Can you be ready at eight? "
" Sure, Reb, anything you say. Good luck, and here, take some of this corn meal 
and this beef for them as well. "
" Thanks Axel, I'll tell them you send your best wishes. " Reb smiled 
strainedly, as she took the reins and turned the horses' heads back towards the 
Shoshone camp.
" You still haven't told me why we need a saloon full of liquor, but I'm sure in 
that amazing head of yours there must be a good reason, " Walker said, as he 
snaked one arm around her slender waist and drew her close.
Reb allowed herself the luxury of feeling his strong arm support her on the 
seat, and recounted, " I remember when I had the mumps along with my brothers. I 
was about four. We had a different doctor then, who drank like a sponge. He told 
my mother to give me some whisky to fortify me and bring down my temperature. I 
was very ill, and when they tried to pour it into me, I spilt it everywhere. But 
it did cool me off, on my skin, so my mother bathed me with the rest of the 
bottle, and I got well a lot quicker than Pierce or Bryce did. "
" So you think if we dip them in to vats of the stuff, we might lower their 
fevers more quickly? "
" It's worth a try. All I know is it worked with me. "
" There's always cold water as well, " Walker reminded her.
" We can fill two vats with water from the river, and two with the alcohol, and 
see which works best, " Reb suggested.
When they arrived back at the Shoshone camp, Walker and Stalking Wolf unloaded 
the vats, while Reb started bringing the cases of liquor into the lodge.
The Indian chief's eyebrows raised when Rebel explained her plan, but two of the 
women in the lodge began to uncork the bottles and fill two of the vats, while 
four other women fetched water from the well.
Reb moved over to one of the children, who was by now delirious, and began 
removing her clothes.
" Is that vat ready? " she called to Walker.
" Just about, " Walker nodded, and Reb brought the girl over and immersed her in 
the vat, which reeked of gin.
" You really are the damnedest woman, Rebel Whitaker, " Walker smiled, as he 
wrinkled his nose against the smell.
" You're just going to have to take me as I am, then, Walker Pritchard. I'm too 
set in my ways to change for anyone now, " Reb sighed, as she cradled the 
child's head so it wouldn't slip under the surface of the gin.
" All right then, it's a deal, " Walker said, his eyes glowing.
Reb gazed up at him, her aqua eyes trying to interpret his meaning, but just 
then another child began to rave deliriously. Reb took Walker's hand and placed 
it behind the child's head, and Reb turned away to attend to the sick boy.
Walker's hand tingled where her fingers had touched him, and in spite of 
himself, his eyes longingly followed her every move in the room .
After another ten minutes in the vat, Stalking Wolf could see that Rebel's 
scheme had worked. " She is much cooler, and has stopped her screaming, " he 
observed in awed tones.
" I think we should put all the children in the tubs, taking turns for about 
twenty minutes each, " Reb directed.
The water tub worked well, but the vats of gins and bourbon reduced the 
children's fevers much more quickly, and just in time too, for suddenly several 
of the Shoshone braves were brought in with symptoms of mumps.
" Good Lord, look, Walker. Five of them! Get them into the vats now. The 
children will be fine, I'm sure, but the men need to be attended to straight 
away, " she said urgently.
They managed to squeeze the five braves into the four vats, and so the cycle of 
placing the sick patients in and out of the tubs continued.
Reb worked ceaselessly, in spite of Walker's injunctions to slow down and have a 
rest. Still, though the situation was serious, he enjoyed being able to spend so 
much time with her, and at least one of his questions about her had been 
answered. She certainly didn't begrudge anyone her time or help, and was an 
excellent nurse. And he knew that she didn't mind looking after physically 
handicapped people; Simon and Sue were testimony to that. All of Walker's plans 
seemed to be falling into place.
Fortunately, no new cases came into the lodge during the night, and though four 
women came in early in the morning, at least none of them were expecting a 
child.
Finally, at about seven, all of the patients were resting comfortably, and Reb 
sat down to eat some pemmican, and review her progress with Walker and Stalking 
Wolf.
" It has worked, my daughter, " Stalking Wolf sighed, placing his hand on Reb's 
shoulder. " We owe you much for all your help. I don't know what we would have 
done if you had not come, had not brought all these things to help us. "
" I'm only glad I did come in time to help, " Reb smiled.
" Why did you come today, Reb? You were just here two days ago for the leather 
goods, " Stalking Wolf puzzled.
" it nearly slipped my mind in all of the excitement, but I wanted to talk to 
you about the vats for tanning and dyeing and so on, to make your life easier, 
and I wanted to see if you and the tribe would be interested in making more 
leather goods if I were to get more hides. I've made a deal with some of the 
other ranchers in Grange, and Sue wishes to buy the shop and go into partnership 
with you and I, three ways. "
" I don't understand, a partnership? " Stalking Wolf stared.
" You know, you sign a document, and after the costs of the materials, anything 
else left over will go to the tribe to keep. "
" What do we have to do to make this partnership? "
" Go with me to Simon Gilmore and sign the papers. That's all. But only if you 
are willing. It will protect your interests, and you can put the money in the 
bank to save it, in case of hard times. We have just traded with each other for 
food and blankets and tools before now, but the business is expanding. We want 
to sell your things in Laramie, maybe even further away than that, so we want 
you to benefit, " Reb highlighted her scheme briefly.
" You, a white women, would do this for us? " Stalking Wolf inquired.
" Why not? We've always been partners, regardless of our differences in skin 
colour. I need to pay off the mortgage on my farm, so I need to reorganise my 
businesses and sell some land. Sue wants to buy the shop, and we want to do 
business with you, if you are willing to make more things for the shop, " Reb 
explained patiently, when she saw how stunned Stalking Wolf was at her proposal.
" I will have to talk to the tribe when the sickness has passed, but I am sure 
they will agree. Thank you, Reb, for treating us like humans instead of animals. 
Many of our people cannot even call the land their own because of the white 
man's laws. "
" Well, this is one time the law is going to protect instead of harm you, 
Stalking Wolf. And just as I have been your daughter all these years, you have 
been a second father, teaching me about the land, the hunt, about horses. It is 
the least I can do to repay you for all your kindness. I didn't like to mention 
this while everyone is so ill, but you see, I must pay off the mortgage this man 
Greer has been hounding me for. I don't want to lose my land, for then we would 
all suffer, you as well as my family. "
" We would indeed. You tell me what you wish me to sign, and I will sign it, " 
Stalking Wolf avouched.
" I must go into town now to finish this business with Sue and the lawyer and 
the bank, but I will come back again to see how you are, and I shall leave 
Walker here to help, " Reb said, rising to go.
" Then may I suggest, daughter, that you change your clothes? You are very 
dirty, and smell like bourbon, " the Shoshone chief said with a faint smile.
" Thank you, Stalking Wolf, that's a very good idea, " Reb laughed, crinkling 
her nose in disgust.
Reb changed into a more respectable looking pair of jeans and a matching black 
blouse, and tied her hair up into a subdued knot at the nape of her neck. When 
she raised her eyes, she saw Walker watching her from across the room. Reb 
blushed furiously, and began to walk out of the lodge without speaking to him.
" Wait, Rebel! Do you want me to come with you? " he panted, running after her 
through the camp.
" No, Walker, one of us should stay here in case there are any more sick people 
who need looking after. I'll be back soon, I promise, " Reb vowed, avoiding his 
glance. She felt stark naked in front of him whenever he turned his incredible 
dark eyes upon her.
" Listen, Reb, about this business of selling your land... " Walker began, but 
Reb shook her head.
" No, it's the only way to get Greer off my back, so I have no choice. "
" But Reb, I.... "
" Geez, Walker Pritchard, you've got more wind than a bull in green corn time. I 
haven't got time to argue with you! I'm doing it my way, and that's final. And 
if I hear you so much as think the word 'ornery', I'll skin you alive, do you 
hear? " she chided.
Walker decided not to pursue the matter, since she was so obviously determined 
to stick to her own course of action. " All right, on one condition, and that is 
that you promise me we haven't been eating dog meat, " he grimaced, holding up a 
strip of pemmican.
Reb chuckled mildly. " No, Walker, it's not dog. I know people have probably 
told you they all eat dogs, but it's mainly the Arapaho and the Dakota tribes, 
not the Shoshone, at least not unless sits been a really bad year and they're 
desperate. It's buffalo meat. "
" Thank God, " Walker sighed. " Now I can eat my fill. Besides, even if it was 
dog, it still tastes a helluva a lot better than the embalmed beef and salt pork 
they gave us during the war. "
" Good, enjoy it, and look after yourself, Walker. I'll be back soon, and try 
not to argue with every Indian in the camp the way you do with me, or you'll 
start your own frontier war, " Reb advised, as she clicked to the horses to 
start.
" Yes, ma'am, " Walker smiled meekly, and let her drive away. He knew she was 
convinced that she had won that round, but Walker was also a person used to 
getting his own way. He would put his plan into action just as soon as the 
Shoshone no longer needed his help. Now that he was up here at the north end of 
the ranch, he had the perfect chance to set the wheels of his scheme into 
motion.
Reb's morning in town went as smoothly as she could have hoped. Simon had drawn 
up all the papers, and once she arrived at the bank with her friends, they 
marked down the land each was willing to purchase on the title deeds and map of 
the stake they had claimed. Mr. Samuels from the bank was most apologetic about 
having been forced to sign over her promissory note to Alexander Greer in the 
first place.
" I had little choice in the matter, my dear. The new United States National 
currency is coming in, instead of these old notes from individual state banks. I 
needed to get as much cash together as possible before they made the change. A 
lot of people were hoarding cash during the war, and it's made the money supply 
tight. I can see several of those hoarders right here in front of me, " he 
grinned.
" I understand, Mr. Samuels. I know you had no choice. But if the sales of the 
land are all acceptable to you legally as our witness, then I'm glad you did 
sell the promissory note. Your bank has benefited, and I've done something I 
should have done years ago, divide up the ranch and let these good people own 
their own land, " Reb replied.
Sue Gibson, Simon Gilmore, Axel Swenson, and Hank Rigby all looked over their 
papers carefully before signing, consulted the map to make sure it had been laid 
out correctly, and then each in turn handed over their cash to Reb.
" Mr. Samuels, you're the banker. Can you count all of it up for me? "
Mr. Samuels checked the total three times, patiently counting up all the 
pennies, nickels and bits, as well as the crumpled notes.
" Well, is it enough? " Reb asked anxiously.
" More than enough. You have five dollars extra, " Mr. Samuels smiled. " I'll 
have one of the cashiers draw up a banker's draft for you to give to Mr. Greer, 
and I must say I am very pleased it's all turned out so well. "
Reb decide not to mention all the broken fences and harassment Greer had 
subjected her to in the short time he had been in Grange, though from the look 
on Hank's face, she knew he could read her thoughts.
Once out in the August sunshine, Rebel shrieked joyously, " I'm free! I've done 
it! " and threw her hat up into the air.
Hank spun her around, and Axel and Sue hugged her. Simon, sitting in his chair, 
said, " This calls for a celebration, but not until you hand Greer the banker's 
draft. Let's go over and see him now, and have a drink at the hotel bar. "
" I'm buying! I have five whole dollars to spend! " Reb giggled.
Hank accompanied her up the stairs of the hotel to Greer's room, where they 
knocked on the door and waited patiently until he answered.
" Well, well, lookee here, Abner, if it isn't little Miss Whitaker, come to make 
her monthly payment. A bit early, aren't you sweetheart? Guess this pretty 
little thing done got all her days mixed up, " Alexander drawled, and once 
again, Reb wondered what his game was. He had expensive clothes, and an 
expensive horse and guns, and yet he acted like the lowest field hand at times.
" No, Mr. Greer, I haven't got the dates mixed up. I've come to pay you all 
right. Here's a banker's draft from the First National for the total sum of two 
thousand dollars to pay back that promissory note of mine you have. So if you'll 
just sign this slip of paper here for a receipt, and give me the note, our 
business with each other is at an end. "
Greer's handsome face turned to granite as he stared at the check she held out. 
" Where did you get all that money! " he demanded harshly, grabbing her by the 
elbow and shaking her.
Reb yanked her arm away angrily. " How do you think I got it, robbed a bank or 
something? I sold part of the land, and some of my livestock and other things, 
and I work hard in the saloon and you know it. I earned this money, so if you'll 
be good enough to sign, Hank and I will be on our way. "
" You can't sell any of that land! " Greer roared. " It reverts to me if I 
foreclose. "
" Wrong, Greer, " Hank butted in. " It was a promissory note, not a mortgage, 
and Mr. Samuels himself at the bank witnessed me and the others buying the land. 
She's paid you off, and that's an end of this affair, do you hear? "
Greer snatched the check with ill concealed fury, and signed the stub, which he 
practically threw in Reb's face.
" Get out, both of you! " he snarled.
" Not yet, Mr. Greer. There is the small matter of my promissory note back 
first, please, " Reb gritted out.
Greer went to a strongbox in the desk and drew out the paper. Reb saw some other 
papers inside that had an oddly familiar look about them, and a large pile of 
money, before Greer slammed the box shut and shoved the promissory note in her 
face.
" There it is, Miss Whitaker, but this won't be the last you'll hear from me, I 
can promise you, " he hissed in her ear, and Reb steeled herself not to recoil 
from him as she stared into his pale grey eyes which glittered dangerously.
" Thank you so much, Mr. Greer. Good day to you, " Reb said woodenly, and 
escaped out of the room as quickly as possible to join her waiting friend.
" He was mad enough to swallow a horned toad backwards, " Hank remarked as they 
went down the stairs. " You'd think he'd be pleased to have his two thousand 
dollars back. There's just no accounting for some people. "
" He knows the ranch is worth far more than that, I guess, " Reb speculated. " 
He probably thought he was going to drive me out, and get the ranch for cheap. 
Forget about it, it's over now. I don't ever want to lock horns with Alexander 
Greer again, " Reb added with a suppressed shudder, as she walked into the bar 
to sit with her friends.
After a beer apiece for the men and two glasses of lemonade for the ladies, the 
little gathering broke up. " I'd love to stay, folks, but the Shoshone need me 
back at the camp, and I still have to stop in back home to make sure everything 
is all right there. Sue, thanks for what you did about the medicine yesterday, 
you and Bob. Doc Morrison said to tell you you were a life saver. Hank, I guess 
you know I won't be coming to work tonight either, not when Stalking Wolf needs 
me. "
" Don't worry, Reb, Abigail can do the cooking while you're away. Take the rest 
of the week off to help out, and if the Shosohone get better, as I hope they 
will soon, then use the time to get on with the farm chores, " Hank advised.
" I will, and thanks. I'll see you Friday, though. I couldn't let you down on 
your busiest night, " Reb promised.
Reb dropped Sue and Simon off at the shop and headed back to the homestead with 
Axel. Annalise seemed to be coping well, and so far none of the girls seemed to 
show any signs of mumps, though Reb knew it was early days yet. Patrick, home 
from school to avoid possible contagion, was helping Barclay and her father in 
the fields, and for once seemed to be enjoying himself.
Reb waved to them, and Barclay came bounding up to her like a frisky young 
puppy. " How are you, Reb? Is everything all right? "
" It seems to be. Here, Daddy put this in a safe place. It's the receipt for the 
promissory note. I've paid off the debt to Greer. We have four dollars left in 
the world at the minute, but don't worry, I'll carry on working hard, and things 
can only get better from now on. "
" You've paid the two thousand dollars! " Amos gaped.
" I have indeed. I wanted Greer to be paid off so we wouldn't have the threat of 
foreclosure hanging over our heads continually. I've sold Simon and Sue the 
house and shop, and a bit of land, and the cow pasture closest to town and two 
of the horses to Hank, and the mill to Axel. "
" What will we do with the cows? " Amos asked.
" I'll move them up to the summer pasture now. The grass is as high as my, um-- 
" Reb said, but her father looked at her warningly, and Barclay laughed.
" You get to back to the Shoshone, and we'll round them up and lead them there, 
" Barclay reassured her.
" Thanks, everyone, I'll see you soon, " Reb waved, as she headed back to the 
Indian camp.
When Reb arrived, she heard a terrible keening sound, and realised it was coming 
from inside the lodge. Fearing the worst, Reb ran through the lather flap, and 
saw Stalking Wolf kneeling on the ground, clasping his wife to his chest.
" What is it, what's happened to Running Deer? " Reb asked urgently
" She was in the tent, alone. She didn't tell anyone she was sick. Our child, I 
think she is losing it. "
" Get me some logs, " Reb demanded as she looked under the older woman's dress 
and saw blood dripping down her legs. " I don't know if this will help, but 
maybe if we keep her legs elevated, and she lies completely still, it will pass. 
"
The women brought some logs and made a support which raised the ill woman's legs 
a few feet in the air. Stalking Wolf brought some herbal mixture which Reb 
helped her sip slowly. Reb wiped Running Deer's face with a cool cloth, and 
talked to her about all she had been doing since they last saw one another, 
until gradually the woman's pain eased, and she was able to sleep.
" Do you think she'll be all right? " Walker ventured to whisper to Reb, after 
hours of watching her tend to the Shoshone chief's wife.
" I can't say for sure, Walker. All I know is I can remember my mother having to 
lie like that for months when she was expecting my sisters, so it does work 
sometimes, " she replied quietly, as Stalking Wolf returned to sit by his wife's 
side.
Reb rose and walked over to a corner of the lodge, and turned to face Walker, 
her aqua eyes reflecting her fears. " She's lost a lot of blood though, and I 
think the baby may be dead anyway. I don't feel any movement at all. Perhaps 
it's a blessing in a way. It would be terrible for her to carry the child around 
for months, only to have it born a cripple. "
" But Simon and Sue, they manage.... " Walker began.
Reb cut him off bluntly. " It's not the Indian way, even with these advanced 
Shoshones. One more mouth to feed, a handicapped child who can't hunt or fish, 
is a burden to the whole tribe, and against nature. It would just be abandoned 
to the forest to die. It sounds cruel, Walker, I know, but out here it is 
survival of the strong, even if they have to use the weak to keep themselves 
alive. "
Walker stood stone-faced for a few moments staring at the fire. " It's not 
really so different from our society after all, " he said bitterly.
" If you are talking about yourself and how you made your money in spite of your 
father, even if you did make mistakes, Walker, you were young, the same age I am 
now. You're entitled to a few youthful follies, " Reb consoled him.
" But you never did that, take advantage of the weak for your own gain. You 
helped your brothers along, then Sue and Simon and Axel, when you were younger 
even than you are now. "
" Then you can thank my parents for instilling me with good values, " Reb 
shrugged.
" No, because your brothers weren't always like you, were they? In time they 
came to recognise your value, " Walker remarked.
Reb looked at him sharply. " You almost sound as though you knew them. "
" Hank and Doc Morrison both told me pretty much the same as you did about them, 
that's all, " Walker lied.
" Then you know that people do learn from their mistakes, " Reb comforted, as 
she took his hand, and with her other caressed his bristly cheek. " Look at me, 
Walker, please. I can see this is important to you. Walker, for all I know, you 
may be on the run from having done something terrible, but even if you did, you 
have more than made up for it now with what you've done for me and the Shoshone 
in the past two days. Only a man with a heart of gold would have come out here 
to nurse complete strangers, and I'm sorry if I haven't had the chance to thank 
you for it. I really am very grateful. Try not to torment yourself with guilt 
over things which can't be changed. "
" Who knows, perhaps I can change them after all. "
" I hope so, if that's what you really want, but even if you don't succeed, at 
least you tried to make a difference. Remember that, will you? " she said 
softly, stroking his cheek again once more before moving back to Running Deer.
" If you want to go lie down now and get some rest, I'll wake you in a few 
hours, " she whispered to Walker.
" No, you've been up all night as well. You should sleep, " he reminded her.
" Not until I'm certain that Running Deer is a bit better, " Reb shook her head.
" All right, I'll lie down, but you make sure you wake me if you need anything. 
"
Reb sat down by Running Deer's bedside again, and Walker gradually fell into an 
exhausted slumber. Not for the first time that day, Reb wondered what miraculous 
stroke of fate had brought Walker here to Grange. Ever since she met him, she 
had been attracted to him, and she could feel the palpable currents of desire 
run between them every time they looked at one another. He had made himself 
indispensable around the farm and reservation in the midst of this crisis, and 
yet he came from such a different world, it was almost frightening.
I'm scared of losing him, she acknowledged to herself sadly. But one day he will 
leave, go back east, and I'll probably never see him again.
As the night passed slowly, Reb found herself wondering what Walker would be 
like as a lover. The few kisses they had exchanged, his casual touches, had set 
her on fire. But he himself had said he would never, could never fall in love. 
Reb wanted a spark of desire in a relationship with a man, but more than that, 
she wanted trust and respect. She knew that Walker felt that for her, but she 
had the distinct impression that he was always holding something back. She 
didn't really believe he had done something dreadful, or if he had, it was due 
to the war rather than any flaw in his character. The war had made men do 
terrible things, she knew that from her brothers. But the war was over, and 
surely Walker, like so many others, could be happy out West creating a brand new 
life for themselves.
Reb smiled at the thought, but pushed it away abruptly. No, there was no point 
in indulging in idle fantasies. Walker had duties and responsibilities in both 
the North and South, a duty to his job as well as his family and ruined 
plantation if nothing else. He wouldn't waste his time on her ranch for much 
longer.
Running Deer groaned, and Reb saw that she was a deathly shade of white.
She smiled at Reb faintly, and said, " I'm so glad you're here. I have to tell 
someone my mistake, and perhaps in time you will be able to tell my husband. "
" Mistake? I don't understand. "
" I am not having a child, am I? " Running Deer whispered, pressing Reb's hand 
to her rock-hard and painfully distended abdomen. " It doesn't move or kick, 
does it? "
" No, you're right, it doesn't, Running Deer. But Stalking Wolf seemed so 
positive that you were expecting again, " Reb puzzled.
" My monthly courses disappeared, that is why. But I think we both know the 
truth. "
" It must be a growth, " Reb groaned. " I can send someone for Doc Morrison, to 
try to remove it.... "
" It's too late. By the time I knew the truth, I knew I was dying. No, don't 
mourn for me, my friend. The chief and medicine man of the tribe cannot have an 
invalid for a wife. Please understand, and one day when he is calmer in his 
grief, you may tell him. "
" No, Running Deer, you mustn't give up so easily. We can try to fight this, " 
Reb begged, but Running Deer pressed her hand harder into her stomach.
" It's too late, you know it is, my daughter. "
A sudden spasm racked her thin body, and as Reb examined her more closely she 
saw that the older woman was having a massive haemorrhage.
" What should I do? " Reb agonised aloud as she tried to stanch the flow of 
blood, but Running Deer, rapidly losing consciousness, pleaded, " Do nothing, 
child. Let me die in peace. I'm so weary of all the pain. "
" I'll get Stalking Wolf. "
" Please, but not a word, " she gasped, and Reb ran to wake the chief.
He hurried to his wife's bedside, and he and Reb held her hands, until with a 
final sigh Running Deer closed her eyes, never to open them again.
Stalking Wolf began to keen, and the other Indian women in the tent gathered 
around to join him. Reb stepped back from the circle of mourners, but Stalking 
Wolf made a sign for her to stay. She stood listening to the chanting for 
several minutes, until a new howling penetrated her conscious.
Looking over at Walker's pallet, Reb saw him thrashing about, and heard him 
scream unintelligibly as if he were dying.

CHAPTER TEN
Reb ran over to Walker as he lay screaming in terror, caught up in the throes of 
his terrifying nightmare.
" Walker, Walker, it's all right, you're just dreaming. Walker, wake up, " Reb 
demanded, as he flailed about wildly, and knocked her flat on her back.
Reb gathered herself up from the floor, and managed to dodge Walker's swinging 
fists as she pinned him down by his shoulders onto the mat, and sat on his chest 
while he bucked like a bronco.
" They're dead! They're all dead! But it wasn't his fault! They were betrayed. 
Don't do this! He's innocent! " Walker shrieked.
" Walker, it's me, Rebel! Walker, wake up! "
Walker opened his eyes, and stared at her wildly. " It's you, thank God, you're 
all right, " he sobbed, as he hugged her to him, and began to weep.
" Of course I am, I'm fine, " Reb reassured him, and for a moment he looked at 
her as though he didn't recognise her.
" It's you, Reb, it's you, " he muttered confusedly. " It is you, isn't it? "
" Of course it is. Who did you think it was? " Reb tried to make light of it, 
but she was completely confused about Walker's ravings, and wondered if he were 
having some sort of breakdown.
" I don't know, I had this awful dream, about one of the battles in the war, and 
then I saw you, and then you disappeared again. Then I saw, I saw.... " Walker 
muttered, shaking his head as he tried to concentrate on the fleeting images.
" What did you see? " Reb asked as the silence became painful.
" I saw a deer, " he puzzled, with another shake of his head.
Reb paled, but said nothing, simply cradling Walker's head against her as she 
settled down to lay by his side. " It's all right, you're safe here, it was just 
a dream, it wasn't real, " she soothed.
" That's just it, Reb. It was all real. I lived through it. I never had any 
brothers, but because of the war I've lost all my dearest friends. It was 
horrible. "
" Tell me about it, if you want to, " Reb asked, stroking his hair tenderly, and 
settling down on the pallet close by his side.
Walker took a ragged breath, and said, " I joined up not because of any noble 
patriotism, but because I wanted some adventure. I was tired of working in a 
coal mine, and wanted some excitement. Nothing prepared me for the fact that I 
was sent to fight in Maryland and Virginia, and ended up being asked to kill the 
men I had grown up with. Admittedly I had never had many friends as a youth, too 
spoiled, I guess, but the men in my company and I bonded together. There were 
six of us, who all got promoted after Bull Run. We went the distance of the war 
together, until nearly the end. "
" Was it as terrible as the newspapers said? "
" Worse, I think. Some of the battles were like scenes from Dante's Inferno, 
hellish. We took a terrible beating at Fredericksburg, and at Chancellorsville, 
but even though we won at Gettysburg, I think in some ways that was the worst 
battle of the whole war. I was told later by one of the surgeons that over fifty 
thousand men died in those three days. At Cold Harbour last year we lost seven 
thousand Union soldiers within the first eight minutes of the battle, " he 
recalled with a shudder.
" Good Lord, " Reb sighed.
" Even worse than the men, were the horses, " Walker continued, trying to 
exorcise his ghosts. " We shot them deliberately to help cripple the enemy, and 
the cavalry horses were torn to pieces by shells. I saw about eighty or ninety 
piled up on less than an acre of land after one battle. One of them was even 
still standing. He'd got jammed up against the side of a tree. I hated putting a 
bullet through them, but it was the kindest thing all around. "
" Of course it was, " Reb reassured him, though she was shaken by his horrifying 
revelations.
" I shouldn't be telling you all this, " Walker muttered, trying to pull away 
from her searching gaze.
" No, go on, if it helps. I want to understand. My brothers told me some things 
in their letter, and when I saw them that last time. I need to know what they 
died for, Walker. Tell me. "
Walker cleared his throat and continued. " But in spite of all the horrors, the 
terrible conditions, we fought on, the six of us, and we never even considered 
deserting, though many others on both sides did. After nearly five years of 
lice, dysentery, typhoid and pneumonia, not to mention tuberculosis, and minor 
injuries for each of us, we had had just about enough. Living on bully soup and 
desecrated vegetables, with hardtack full of weevils, sapped our morale. I guess 
it felt like the war would never be over. "
" Desecrated vegetables? " Reb asked.
" They were dried turnips, parsnips, and onions, with other vegetables thrown in 
that we couldn't really identify. We were given them in a block to boil in 
water. "
" No wonder you look so thin and underfed, " Reb commented softly.
" You think I'm bad now, you should have seen me just after the war ended in 
April, " Walker sighed.
" What happened to your friends? "
Walker took a deep breath. " They were all killed. It was silly really. One of 
the new captains walked right into a trap. The Confederates had sent over a 
informer with false information. We thought we were going to win a decisive 
victory, help end the war, but they were all shot down like dogs. I should have 
been with them, but at the last moment I was called upon to push forward with 
the remainder of my troops while the Confederates were busy hacking the rest of 
my regiment to pieces. "
" Oh, Walker, I'm so sorry. But they were orders, they had to be obeyed, " Reb 
soothed.
" And where did I have to attack? " Walker reminisced bitterly. " Richmond. On 
the third of April of this year, I burned my own hometown, then marched on to 
Petersburg, which we also effectively destroyed. We chased Lee to Appomattox, 
where he surrendered six days later. I never knew what happened to the rest of 
my men until it was all over, General Sheridan was so intent on taking the 
offensive. "
" There was nothing you could have done, even if you had known, " Reb said 
earnestly.
" No, of course not, " Walker said flatly, and Reb knew he wasn't convinced.
" Walker, there's something you're not telling me here. This is war we're 
talking about. What do you think you could have done if you had been there? "
" The orders were confused, and in the mop up after the battles, with so many 
casualties, they were looking for scapegoats to blame. My best friend was 
accused of fraternising with the enemy, of deliberately leading his men into the 
ambush. He was tried and courtmartialled, in spite of already having been 
crippled and blinded in the battle. "
Good lord, that's barbaric! What happened to him? " Reb exclaimed. " He died of 
his wounds before they could shoot him, " Walker said at length.
" That's positively inhuman, " Reb fumed. " All that time you fought, all those 
years, and that's how it ends? In front of a firing squad? "
Walker nodded. " So the war ended, I went home to a ruined plantation, and found 
my six sisters living in dire poverty, and my parents both dead. After all this 
time, I don't know what I fought for. Everything I've touched, every person I've 
come into contact with, I've hurt in some way. "
" No, Walker, that's not true. You came here to help the Indians, they're 
getting well, " Reb argued.
" I can't take the credit for that. It was your quick thinking that saved them, 
not mine. "
" And all the help you've given me. I've paid off Greer now, I'm a free woman, " 
she beamed.
" You got all the money? " Walker asked, astonished.
" I have four dollars left in the entire world, but the ranch is ours again, and 
there are worse things in life than being poor. "
" Being alone, " Walker muttered.
" You don't have to be alone, Walker, that's just it. The past can't be erased, 
but it can be learnt from, " Reb said reassuringly, hugging him to her. " You've 
made friends here, you like it here. You can stay if you really want to. "
Walker's self-restraint snapped as she pressed her softness to him 
unconsciously, and kissed her with all the pent up ardour his body possessed.
The kiss seemed to go on forever, but just then a new set of mourners took up 
the keening for Running Deer, and Walker broke off his kiss and sat up.
" What is it? What's happened. Oh, God, Running Deer. I forgot all about her! "
" She died peacefully just before you woke up, " Reb admitted quietly.
" The baby killed her? " Walker asked.
Reb met his black eyes for a moment, and she looked away.
" What is it? Tell me. "
" You must promise not to say anything to Stalking Wolf yet, " Reb warned, 
before recounting all that had passed between herself and Running Deer in the 
last moments of the Indian woman's life.
" She was so brave to put up with that pain, with no morphine to help ease her 
sufferings, " Walker moaned in disbelief.
" It was her choice, we have to respect that, mourn for her, and learn from her 
example. "
" Such a waste, just like the war. "
" It's like I told you before, the Shoshone sacrifice themselves so that others 
might live, just as you were willing to sacrifice yourself to help the slaves. I 
know you think you're selfish and spoilt, but that is exactly what you did, 
Walker. You were prepared to lay down your life for your fellow man, and I can 
only admire you for it. Now, why don't you try to get some more sleep? "
" No, no, it's your turn, I must get up, " Walker insisted, but he looked 
bone-achingly weary.
" I tell you what, I'll stay here. I'm cold, " Reb offered boldly, and Walker 
gazed deeply into her aqua eyes.
" Do you know what you are suggesting? " Walker whispered.
" I know I seem very independent and self-sufficient to you, but I need warmth 
and affection and comfort when I'm unhappy, just like everyone else, Walker, 
just like you do if you're willing to admit it, " Reb confided.
" Come here, then, before you collapse with exhaustion, " he said, holding the 
blankets up for her to crawl under.
Walker kissed her tousled head, and making himself more comfortable, he pulled 
Reb tightly to his side, and slept a dreamless sleep. Reb, comforted, wept a few 
silent tears for her dead friend, until her sobs quietened and she began to 
slumber peacefully.
Walker and Reb remained at the Shoshone camp until the end of the week, by which 
time they were reasonably sure that the epidemic had been contained. No new 
cases had appeared for several days, and fortunately, none of the pregnant 
squaws seemed to have suffered from the illness. Reb was optimistic that 
everyone was on the road to recovery.
All except for Stalking Wolf, who seemed very distant and moody for the rest of 
their stay at the camp, and looked at Reb inscrutably every so often. As she was 
taking her leave, he thanked her coldly for all she had done, but she could see 
the effort it cost him to say it.
Reb tried to get him to reveal his feelings openly, by stating, " You know we 
did everything possible to save Running Deer. You can't blame anyone for her 
death. It won't bring her back. She chose not to tell anyone she was sick 
because she thought it would be for the good of the tribe. "
" I blame myself, because I gave her the disease, but more than that, I blame 
you all, you white people, who brought the disease with you, who have ruined 
things that have been unchanged for centuries. You brought the mumps! My people 
could have all died, or been left without children to carry on the tribe, " he 
hissed.
" But Reb and I helped save the tribe, didn't we? " Walker butted in.
" But you didn't save my wife! " Stalking Wolf spat angrily.
" The disease didn't kill, her, Stalking Wolf, " Reb pointed out.
" No, but it caused her to miscarry! " he insisted.
Walker opened his mouth to argue, but Reb shook her head. " No, Walker, there's 
no point. Stalking Wolf will grieve for his wife for a time, but perhaps when 
his pain had lessened, he will see thing more clearly. We'll go now. When you 
wish to have us back, you may send someone with an invitation. For now this is 
goodbye, Stalking Wolf, " Reb said with a dignified lift of her chin she climbed 
onto the box and Walker sat beside her and took up the reins. He clicked to the 
horses, and soon they were heading back to the ranch.
" Don't pay attention to what he said, Reb. He was just upset about Running 
Deer. He didn't mean it. "
" I know, Walker. It's just that I get the feeling a great deal of damage has 
been done, and his trust in us has been dented. "
" But how could anyone have deliberately infected them? It's unthinkable, " 
Walker said disbelievingly.
" That's just it, it isn't so unthinkable. Some of the Cheyenne down south in 
the next territory were wiped out because they were given blankets that had been 
used by typhoid patients. Doc Morrison told me they all died the most horrifying 
deaths. "
Walker sighed. " That may be true, but the people of Grange all seem very decent 
to me, your family, Sue, Simon, and certainly Reverend Wheelock. The Indian 
children going to the picnic and catching the mumps was an accident. I don't 
blame Stalking Wolf for being upset, but Running Deer died for a different 
reason. The sooner you tell him the truth, Rebel, the sooner we can put this 
whole episode behind us. "
Reb smiled wanly. " I will try, but not now. I just hope you're right, Walker. I 
feel like I've lost two of my best friends, not just one. "
Walker went to put his arm around her, but just then there was a whoop from the 
woods, and Barclay came riding towards them. Walker pulled the horse to a halt 
and Barclay reached down for Reb's hand, and pulled her up into the saddle in 
front of him.
" I'm so glad to see you. Are you all right? " Barclay said, hugging her to him 
and kissing her on the cheek.
Reb laughed at his exuberance, and relaxing against his chest, rode home slowly 
with Barclay, while Walker drove the wagon along behind, fuming all the way.
When Reb arrived back at the homestead, Barclay dismounted first, and reached up 
to help her town. Walker was convinced she lingered in Barclay's arms far too 
long, and scowled blackly at the younger man, who merely grinned and escorted 
Reb into the house.
Once inside, Reb was relieved to see that her sisters and the Swensens girls 
were all well, and that Annalise had kept the whole ranch running smoothly in 
her absence. She went over the household accounts and lists of customers, and 
began to set the water on to boil for the laundry and a hot bath for herself and 
Walker, who both looked as though they hadn't washed for a century and still 
reeked of bourbon and gin.
While the water heated up, Reb moved her things into the sewing room and made up 
the small bed in there, in order to avoid any risk of spreading the disease to 
Emily and Catherine by sharing their bed as usual. Walker stared at Rebel 
broodingly, for he didn't know how he was going to bear being separated from her 
again. They had slept in each others arms every night at the camp after Running 
Deer's death, and though he had managed to restrain himself from pressing his 
advances, he couldn't repress his irrational desire to be with her every moment 
of the day and night.
But now that Rebel was home, her never-ending round of chores began again, and 
that night when she rode off to work in the saloon, Walker forced himself to 
stay behind. He had to leave Grange and the Bar T ranch, he simply had to go 
before he went mad with desire and longing.
Walker waited until Amos and the rest of the family went to bed, and saddled his 
horse. Finally putting his plan into action, Walker rode back up towards the 
Indian pass. He climbed the mountain, where he planted the gold nuggets he had 
brought with him from the stores of his mining company in Pittsburgh in the pool 
under the upper falls. Then, heading into Grange, he stopped off at the 
telegraph office, and sent the message his miners in Pittsburgh had been waiting 
for weeks to hear.
The hot weather had continued throughout their stay at the Shoshone camp, and on 
Saturday morning, after their chores and milk run, breakfast and the bread and 
pie round runs in the wagon, Reb insisted it was time to bring in the harvest.
" This run of fine weather can't last forever. We need to bring in the wheat, 
corn, rye, and barley now, and the girls can pick the apples and other fruits 
off the trees at the back of the house. We also have to fill the root cellar, 
and then dip the sheep and shear them. "
" One thing at a time, Reb, " Amos counselled. " We'll get out the scythes 
first, and do the grain so we can give it to Axel to mill for us. You're right, 
it's late in the year, and the weather can't hold much long. If we do that, do 
you suppose Barclay and Walker could do the root vegetables, and look after the 
new foals? They should be arriving any day now. The girls will do the fruit, and 
you can boil up the preserves. Then we can all do the corn husking together. "
" Anything you want me to do, I'll do it, " Barclay promised, patting Reb on the 
shoulder before heading out to the vegetable patch, whistling a jaunty tune.
Walker was angry at having to spend the day with Barclay, but at least the 
vegetable patch on the side of the house would afford him a view of Rebel as she 
worked in the fields.
The whole family worked on throughout the day, only pausing once, when Reb began 
to shriek and jump up and down.
" Get it out! Get it out! " she cried, and Barclay ran over to help her rip down 
her trousers, which continued to wriggle on the ground all by themselves.
" It's only a mouse, " Barclay reassured her, after poking the pants with a 
shovel, and shaking a bewildered field mouse out of one of the legs.
" Thank God. It felt like a huge spider or a rat or something, " Reb laughed 
shakily.
" One of the ties on your legs must have come undone, " Barclay remarked as Reb 
pulled her trousers back on, and tucked her baggy knee length shirt back into 
the top of them. Barclay took hold of the two leather thongs and tied them 
around each of her legs, and she tucked the bottoms of her trousers more firmly 
into her boots this time.
" I defy any unwelcome guest to get into those trousers now, " Barclay joked.
" Really, Barclay, what will people think! " Reb scolded, embarrassed, until she 
too fell to giggling.
Walker watched the whole exchange with a furious eye, and felt a burning in the 
pit of his belly as he saw Barclay touching Reb so intimately. They seemed to 
grow closer and closer with each passing day, and Walker was felt completely out 
in the cold as they laughed and chatted companionably over a drink of cool water 
from a canteen which they shared, before separating to go back to their 
respective chores. Reb's aqua eyes turned to Walker to invite him over, but he 
turned his back on her petulantly and stalked away.
Two days later, when they began the corn husking, Barclay managed to get the 
best place side by side with Reb as they went up and down the tall row, while 
Walker had to tag along behind Amos and Patrick as they watched the old man and 
followed his instructions.
Walker couldn't see what was going on because of the height of the stalks, but 
the singing and giggles, and steady flow of conversation for two days until the 
task was finished, were torment to him. Every time he saw them together, he was 
conscious of what a striking couple they made, with their fair hair and 
complexions, and unusual blue green eyes. How could Reb desire him, a black 
haired, brown eyes man nearly twice her age, when she could have a youthful 
golden Adonis?
Driven by his unspoken desires, Walker tried to spend time with Reb in the 
mornings when she got up at four, but Barclay had started to rise early as well 
to help her, and assisted in the kitchen with the bread and pies while Walker 
was left with most of the outside chores.
Walker tried even harder to spend time with Reb in the evenings, but at the 
saloon she was never on her own, and could seldom stop long enough to have a 
conversation.
Finally Walker could stand it no more, and blurted out, " I want you to take me 
to the mountains tomorrow. I have to go back east soon. I've stayed far too long 
as it is, and it's the one thing I really want to do before I go back home. "
" I see, " Reb responded coolly, hurt by the blunt way in which Walker had 
bluntly told her he was leaving. " Well, I don't see any reason why we can't all 
have a picnic tomorrow, since everyone on the farm has worked so hard to bring 
the harvest in. "
Walker groaned silently to himself. When he had proposed the trip, he certainly 
hadn't intended on the whole family being with them, but it was too late to say 
anything about it now.
" It sounds lovely, " he forced himself to say, and sat sullenly at the bar for 
the rest of the evening staring into his beer.
Reb gave up trying to fathom Walker's many changeable moods after her 
conversation with him regarding the picnic. No matter what she did, Walker never 
seemed to be satisfied, and she felt he had been standoffish ever since they had 
returned from the Shoshone camp. The fact that they were hardly ever alone never 
occurred to her, for she was accustomed to never having any time to herself. And 
even when they were alone, the best Walker ever managed to come up with was a 
conversation about the ranch, or the weather, which continued hot and sunny.
Despite Walker's annoyance over his romantic interlude being ruined, a festive 
group set off the next morning for the falls with a wagon full of goodies and 
some towels for the swimmers.
They made a line up the passageway to the plateau, and handed up the food from 
the wagon to the top of the ledge by passing the baskets upwards, and with Amos 
in the lead, they eventually all climbed up and admired the breathtaking view. 
Walker felt a touch of vertigo as he looked down over Reb's valley, and saw the 
river and the homestead as small specks in the distance.
" It's beautiful, " he breathed, and tried to put his arm around Reb's waist. 
But Barclay beat him to it, picking her up and running over to the large pool, 
where he hung her over the water and threatened to drop her.
" No, Barclay, I'll be soaked! " Reb squealed in mock terror.
Barclay said, " Right then, if you don't want to be dropped, you have to pay the 
forfeit! "
" Which is? " Reb giggled.
" A kiss! "
" Barclay! Really, " Reb protested, pushing at his chest futilely as she 
continued to laugh.
Barclay dipped her even lower, but suddenly lost his balance and dropped Reb in 
the pool with a huge splash. He only just managed to keep himself from falling 
in by landing on his hands.
" Barclay, that was not funny, " Reb spluttered, as she rose from the water, her 
hair dripping everywhere in rat tails. Walker nearly fainted as he saw the thin 
fabric of her clothes cling revealingly to her womanly curves.
Reb rose from the pool long enough to take off the shirt and trousers, and clad 
only in a thin chemise and a pair of short trousers, she pushed out into the 
pool and floated on her back.
" Do me a favour, Barclay, lay my clothes out to dry on a rock somewhere, will 
you? " Reb asked, handing the garments out to him casually.
" Do I get my kiss? " Barclay teased.
" Certainly not, you dropped me on purpose! " Reb said indignantly.
" I didn't, really, and you shouldn't be so unkind, my lady of the lake. I'm 
mortally wounded, " Barclay claimed in hurt tones.
Reb stood up and went over to examine Barclay's hands, which had been scraped 
raw on the rocks.
" Here, Emily, give me one of those towels, " she called to her sister.
" We should wash the gravel and grit out, " Reb frowned. " Get in and we'll run 
them under the falls. "
Barclay hesitated for a moment, but then began to peel off his clothes until he 
wore only his drawers. He stepped into the pool, and waded over to Reb, while 
Walker looked on grimly.
" It's freezing! " Barclay exclaimed.
" The water comes off the mountains What do you expect? Now come on. "
Reb held Barclay's hands under the waterfall's cascade, and Walker burned with 
jealousy at the intimacy they were sharing right in front of him. Damn it, she 
was half naked, standing next to a man who was early naked, he thought 
indignantly, and began to pull off his own clothes. The little girls and 
Patrick, however, prevented him from doing anything foolish, by grabbing him and 
pushing him in head first.
Walker spluttered and thrashed as he was submerged in the icy pool, and came up 
with a gasp and tried to get his bearings. By that time, Barclay had come out of 
the freezing water, and after Reb was certain the bleeding had stopped, she 
said, " I'll wrap it in a towel when you've had enough swimming for the day. "
Barclay sat on the edge of the pool, while Reb helped her sisters into the water 
and began happily paddling with them. Patrick waded in gingerly, and sat in the 
shallows splashing and looking at the rocks on the bottom.
To Walker it seemed an eternity before Patrick suddenly exclaimed, " Look Reb, 
look at those shiny stones at the bottom there. "
Reb knelt down in the water, and brought up several small glowing stones in the 
palm of her hand.
" Is it gold? " Catherine asked innocently.
" No, it couldn't be, could it? " Reb said uncertainly as she stared at the 
rocks glinting in the bright sunshine.
Amos came over to the side of the pool, and declared at length, " You know 
something, I think it really is gold. " He took out his penknife, and scraped 
each of the three rocks in turn.
" Reb, Patrick, I think we've struck gold, " he crowed delightedly, as all eyes 
gazed at him for confirmation.
" Is there any more down there? " Emily asked excitedly, and soon Rebel had 
brought up the ten sizeable nuggets Walker had planted in the pool the week 
before.
" Daddy, how much do you think they're worth? " Reb asked quietly.
" I don't know, girl, it depends on the quality. A couple of thousand, I guess. 
It could be more, you know. "
" But, Daddy, we've come to this pool hundreds of times, and never found 
anything like this before. What's it doing here now? " Reb frowned.
" Maybe we just never noticed, or maybe the earthquake we had a while back might 
have brought something down from higher up the falls, " Amos speculated.
Reb nodded. " I remember, the end of June it was, wasn't it? "
Walker sighed in relief, and said brightly, " This is certainly a wonderful 
piece of luck for you. I tell you what, I have some contacts in the mining 
business. We can get some men out here to do a survey, and I'll make sure you 
get a fair price for the gold. "
" Do you know much about gold? " Barclay asked quietly. He had been looking at 
Walker closely ever since the gold had been discovered by Patrick, and observed 
his complete lack of surprise or interest.
" I'm mainly a coal miner, " Walker laughed.
" But you are a miner, are you? Though you do have some fancy tackle for a 
simple coal miner, don't you? " Barclay remarked astutely.
" I was a miner, and worked my way up to mining engineer, " Walker said, trying 
to stick as closely to the truth as possible.
" So in your humble opinion, what should Reb do? " Barclay asked.
" Register the find in town, and then a mining surveyor can come out, look at 
the property, and organise some miners to come out and do the prospecting for 
her. "
" You make it sound so easy, " Barclay insinuated.
" Why would we need a survey and miners? Couldn't we work it ourselves, if we 
wanted to? " Reb asked.
" You have enough to do with a ranch to run, and mining can be dangerous, 
especially up here in the mountains. You'd do better to leave it in the hands of 
some reliable professionals, " Walker advised.
" Well, if you really think so, Walker, " Reb said hesitantly, " then maybe I 
should head into town and do as you say. Who can I register the claim with? "
" Go to Simon and then the bank, register a claim there, and leave the nuggets 
with Mr. Samuels to look after for you, " Walker advised smoothly.
" I can't believe it, it's so incredible, " Amos beamed.
" Yes, incredible, " Barclay echoed.
" Does this mean we're rich? " Catherine asked excitedly.
" Well, not exactly, but pretty well off, " Reb smiled broadly, still staring at 
the nuggets in her hand.
" Let's all go into town right now! " Patrick said enthusiastically.
Reb looked up and replied, " But I don't want to spoil the picnic. Come on, 
we'll eat first, and then go back down into town. "
There was a chorus of protests, but Walker said, " Now, now, Reb's right, 
there's no call to get all excited and let good food go to waste. And your 
sister promised me a trip up to the top of the mountain, so we'll all have a 
swim, eat, and then head to Grange after. "
The children agreed in the end and returned to the pool to splash about happily 
and look for more gold, but Barclay seemed to have lost his good humour, and as 
he pulled his clothes back on, said, " I think we should go into town now, to 
see what Simon has to say about this whole matter. "
Reb could sense the nervous energy of both men, and as she stooped to retrieve 
her own clothes, she said quietly but firmly, " Sorry, Walker, but I agree with 
Barclay. The sooner we find out if this is really gold or not, the better. Your 
trip to the summit will have to wait. But I tell you what, you told me you draw 
pictures, didn't you? We can come up here again tomorrow at sunset. It's Sunday 
again tomorrow, so I won't have to work at Hank's. I promise you, the view will 
be spectacular, and well worth the wait. "
In the face of the pleading look Reb gave him with her earnest aqua gaze, Walker 
knew he had no choice, and assented to her plan.
Amos, oblivious to tension amongst the three young people, said jovially, " If 
this is really gold, Reb, you won't ever have to work at Hank's again! "

CHAPTER ELEVEN
News of the Whitaker family's good fortune spread like wildfire through the town 
of Grange, and inevitably came to the ears of Alexander Greer as he was greeting 
a newcomer from off the Laramie stagecoach. His brother Abner had brought him 
word of Rebel's gold strike, and his face turned purple.
" Looks like they found it before we did, that's all, " the newcomer shrugged, " 
but if it's as rich a find as everyone says, there will be plenty left for us 
once you kick her off the land. "
" I can't kick her off, she's paid off the promissory note! " Greer gritted his 
teeth so hard that they ground together audibly
" How, using the gold? "
" No, she sold some of the land to other people. "
" Any of this land she sold something we'd be interested in? " the stranger 
asked, looking at his nails casually.
" I doubt it. The main parcels were street front property here in town, apart 
from the lumber mill at the top of the property. "
" And who is her neighbour in the mountains? "
" The Shoshone Indians own that land, so no luck there, " Greer growled.
" Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Indians don't own land. They are allowed to 
remain on it if it suits our esteemed government to permit them to do so. But if 
they stand in the way of er- progress, well, they can always be relocated to a 
reservation. "
" John McClellan, just what in hell's name are you suggesting, " Abner scowled.
" That we go up there right now, do a survey, and stake a claim of course, " 
McClellan replied smoothly, taking out a cheroot and lighting it.
" But the Indians won't allow it! " Abner protested.
" I guess you haven't heard about the Indian rising over at Mud Springs and Rush 
Creek, " McClellan said casually.
" Those places are miles away, " Greer frowned.
" Who's to say the Indians aren't working in concert, starting a war on two 
fronts, if the Shoshone here do decide to get uppity about being relocated? "
" This is crazy talk, " Abner remonstrated angrily, and began to storm out of 
the bar.
" Lower your voice, little brother, and come back over here, " Alexander Greer 
demanded as he caught up with Abner and grabbed him by his lapels until he 
calmed down. Abner shook him off, and reluctantly returned to the bar where 
McClellan was waiting with a sardonic smile on his face.
Greer said softly, " I agree with you, Abner, really. James here seems to be 
willing to stir up a hornets' nest a bit prematurely. I think I can find a 
simpler way around our difficulties. If we claim that Rebel Whitaker knew all 
long about the gold, then we can say that the mortgage was set unfairly, and 
she'll have to pay more. I happen to know she's given me her last penny to pay 
off that promissory note, so if the price is set high enough, even with her gold 
strike, she still won't have enough money to buy back her ranch from me. "
Abner calmed down slightly when he realised his brother was siding with him for 
a change, but he still didn't relish the prospect of throwing the Whitaker 
family off their land so dishonestly.
" Alex, you know yourself, it was a bad debt from the start. We thought we were 
onto a sure thing, that we were just going to come out here and take over. How 
were we to know that Amos Whitaker was still alive, or that the sister wasn't a 
helpless female who would be willing to hand the ranch over to us without a 
murmur? "
" That's it, I've been a patient man up until now, but I'm going to get what's 
mine one way or the other, " Alexander Greer boasted.
" But it ain't rightfully yours! Hell, Alex, I've seen you lose ten times as 
much as this ranch is worth in one night at the poker tables! Let's just get out 
of Grange. All we have to do is get on a Mississippi river boat for a week, and 
we'll be onto a winning streak again. Forget the Whitaker ranch. We were lied 
to, tricked by a bragging young boy with no sense, and there's an end of it. No 
harm done, really. "
" Yes there is! They've been holding out on us, I'm sure of it. They knew there 
was gold there, I tell you. And if there wasn't, then why is that man who calls 
himself Walker Pritchard hanging around? "
" You mean.... " Abner frowned.
" That's right, he's after the same prize as ourselves, and you know it. "
McClellan's eyes glittered in the dim light. " Walker's here in town? " he asked 
flatly.
" That's right, he is, " Greer confirmed.
" Then he spells big trouble, and you know it, " McClellan drawled, with a sharp 
glance at Greer which he couldn't fail to interpret.
Oblivious to the undercurrents of the conversation, Abner protested 
disbelievingly, " I thought he was the boy's friend! "
" Where cards and mines are concerned, that man is no one's friend, " Alexander 
Greer declared bitterly.
In the end, after some further persuasion, Abner agreed to help file charges 
against Rebel, while McClellan declared he would go up to his room to settle in.
The two Greer brothers went to the bank and to Simon Gilmore to file their 
accusations against Reb, while McClellan, disregarding the Greers' tactics, 
unpacked his surveying equipment and headed over towards the livery stables to 
hire a horse and a sturdy mule for his excursion into the mountains.
A second trip to the mountains took place the next day, when Reb insisted Walker 
and Barclay come up to the waterfalls as night began to settle over the valley. 
The orange and red of the sunset gave the whole mountain a romantic shimmering 
appearance, so that Walker began to think his mind was playing tricks on him. He 
rubbed his hands on several different rock formations, and suddenly began 
climbing to the top.
Reb and Barclay were sitting on a ledge having a drink from the canteen, and Reb 
jumped up to call after Walker, " Wait, you mustn't! Let me go with rope first! 
it isn't safe! "
But Walker, his heart pounding in his chest, scrambled up the rock face like a 
man possessed, bruising his shins and scraping his hands and elbows raw, until 
he reached the next level, and the next. At each level, he examined the rocks, 
and groaned. When he finally reached the summit, he sat down with his head in 
his hands, and looked outwards over the valley in despair.
" Good Lord, what have I done! " he blurted out, tears of frustration and dismay 
springing to his eyes.
" Walker, Walker, where are you! What are you doing? " Reb called, as she made a 
more sedate ascent to where Walker sat with one hand over his eyes. " Oh, Reb, 
I've been such a fool, " he raged as she and then Barclay climbed up to face 
him.
" What do you mean? If you're telling me there isn't really any gold here, I 
don't care. What we found is more than enough to keep us comfortable for years 
to come, " she smiled gently as she knelt down and prised his hand away from his 
eyes to look at him.
Barclay stared hard at Walker, but Walker avoided those piercing blue eyes, so 
oddly familiar and yet strange to him.
" What do you mean, Walker, you've been a fool? " Barclay exhorted. " What have 
you done? "
" I should have looked yesterday, while we were here, instead of allowing you to 
tear off down to Grange, and sending for those mining engineers to do the 
survey. There's not only gold here, and plenty of it, but silver, copper, tin, 
and lead, all over these mountains, and those over there, by Axel's mill. I 
can't believe I didn't see it before, " Walker groaned.
" How could you have, you've only been here once, haven't you? " Barclay said 
suspiciously.
" Yes, of course, but I should have looked yesterday, " Walker mumbled guiltily.
" We can send a telegram saying it was all a mistake, " Reb said cheerfully.
" It's too late, the claim has been filed, everyone knows all about the gold by 
now! " Walker sighed.
" Would it really be so bad to have a mine here? " Barclay asked quietly.
" It will ruin the valley. They would divert the river, blast the mountains. In 
a few months time, the valley floor would be covered in debris and silt, and 
certainly wouldn't be suitable for livestock. "
Reb stood silently gazing at the valley, and then turned to Walker. " It's 
simple, then. I just won't mine it. We'll leave it all here where it's been for 
thousands of years, and pretend it doesn't exist. "
" But don't you understand, Reb, if you did mine it, you would be one of the 
wealthiest women in America once the mines were up and running, " Walker spelt 
out for her though it cost him an effort to say it.
" What good would the money be to me if I lost the ranch? " Reb argued.
" But you would all be financially secure, the entire family, and the people in 
Grange would benefit from the newfound wealth as well. "
" There is that too, but even with only a small amount of gold, we've all 
benefited, " Reb replied.
" And prospectors will want to come, people will want to mine illegally, " 
Walker warned.
" They'll mainly be after gold and silver, they won't waste their time with lead 
and copper, the really heavy mining, " Reb shrugged.
" Reb's right, it shouldn't have to destroy the whole valley. We'll just say a 
mistake was made, and stop the engineers from revealing the full results of 
their survey, " Barclay maintained. " They're all excited in Grange now, but 
once the surprise wear off, the whole thing will blow over eventually, and Reb 
can keep the valley the way it is. "
" Are your sure that's what you want, Reb? Think of it, you could afford the 
best of everything, be a fine lady, treat your family to all the things they've 
had to do without for so many years, " Walker cautioned, thinking once again 
about his primary reason for having come to Grange to help Reb in the first 
place.
" I don't think Patrick and the girls have suffered too much in the past few 
years. With the money from the gold in the bank, and the ranch, which is now 
fully ours, we will do just fine, Walker. I'm surprised at you of all people 
suggesting that money could buy our happiness, " Reb said coldly, and turned 
away from Walker's imploring gaze.
" No, Walker, don't try to talk her into ruining her home for the sake of a few 
lumps of stone, " Barclay insisted. " Reb doesn't need the money. Her family's 
interests will be well-looked after without the mines. "
Walker seethed as Barclay put his arm around Reb and said, " It's getting dark, 
we should go home now. "
" Yes, you're right, and since Abigail is ill, I promised Hank I'd come in 
tonight to help clean up, " Reb replied, as she began to climb down to the 
bottom of the falls again.
When all three had safely reached the valley floor again, they headed for home 
in the pitch darkness. Walker rode silently behind Barclay and Reb as they 
trotted along together, chatting amiably about a possible hunting expedition 
before Barclay had to return to England.
" I think my business will be done here soon, " Barclay said meaningfully.
" And what business might that be? " Reb asked.
" I think we should be alone when I tell you, " Barclay answered mysteriously, 
and Walker fumed to himself, Damn it, he's going to ask her to marry him!
Walker desperately wondered what he could do to stop Barclay from taking away 
the woman of his dreams, but in an agony of jealousy and uncertainty, the 
unwelcome thought of having to return to Pittsburgh intruded upon his thoughts. 
And of course he would have to go to Richmond to check on how things were 
progressing there.
Walker toyed with the idea of telling Reb the truth, and after pacing around his 
room for an hour, he charged into town on his sturdy mare to confront Reb and 
tell her the real reason for his visit to Grange, and to hell with the 
consequences.
But the scene which greeted Walker in the saloon could only be described as 
sheer chaos, as men swamped Reb on all sides with questions and offers of 
partnerships in her new mines on one hand, and accusations of her being a cheat 
and a liar on the other.
" Hank, Hank! Would you tell me just what the hell is going on here! " Walker 
demanded furiously.
" That there mining engineer who just came into town went up into the mountains 
to look at Reb's claim, and mapped out a whole survey. He says there's gold, 
silver, copper, tin, and lead enough to make all of us rich if we start staking 
our claims right now, " Hank shouted above the din.
" But it's Reb's land! They can't do that! " Walker protested.
" Greer is accusing Reb of tricking him over the value of the land, not 
admitting she's known all along it was worth a fortune because of the mineral 
wealth. Greer wants at least ten thousand for the Bar T ranch, and the surveyor 
reckons the rest of the ore laden ground is worth another ten. "
" What do you mean, the rest! " Walker shouted, grabbing Hank by the shirt 
collar.
" The land on the other side of the pass, of course, " Hank said, impatiently 
shaking free from Walker's grip. " What the hell is wrong with you, Walker! "
" Don't you understand, Hank, that's Shoshone land! " Walker bellowed above the 
pandemonium.
Hank looked momentarily taken aback, and then shrugged. " You can't halt 
progress, son. It will be a great thing for the whole town, I'm sure. The 
Indians can easily find another place to live. I mean, it isn't as if they own 
it. They wander around from place to place like vagabonds. "
Walker's temper boiled, and he tried to make his way over to Reb before he said 
anything to Hank that he might live to regret.
" What's going on here? Leave the lady alone this instant! " Walker demanded, as 
he pushed he way through the crowd to Reb's side.
" She may be a woman, though it's hard to tell in that get-up, but she sure 
ain't no lady, " one of the hecklers shouted.
Walker's response was lightning quick, as he smashed his fist into the man's 
jaw, and the rest of the crowd backed away at his thundering fury. " I don't 
know what you all think she has done, but just leave her alone. Either have a 
drink at the bar, or get out, " Walker roared.
" She cheated Greer, paid him two thousand for the land when it was worth far 
more, and Greer's going to make her pay, " another loud-mouthed bar patron 
supplied for Walker's benefit.
" Is this true? " Walker asked Reb. " Is Greer taking you to court? "
" I only just found out about it all when I came into town. But worse still, 
they're talking about talking the Shoshone land! People are filing claims all 
over the place based on the survey. What am I going to do? " Reb pleaded.
" I don't know, Reb, I just don't know. This whole thing has got way out of 
hand. "
" Don't I know it, and now you start beating up on Hank's customers and throwing 
them out, " she grumbled as Hank glowered at her lividly across the saloon.
" I was just trying to help, for pity's sake! " Walker justified himself.
" Don't you think you've done enough already, Walker? Just leave me and my 
family alone! "
" Why are you blaming me! " Walker shouted exasperatedly.
" You're the one who sent for the engineer, weren't you? Well, he's here now, 
and look at all the trouble he's caused. "
" I sent for him, but that man isn't.... "
Walker broke off as he followed Reb's line of vision and saw James McClellan 
sitting with the Greers at a corner table, sharing a bottle of whisky amongst 
themselves.
Their eyes met, and McClellan sauntered over to Walker coolly. " Well, well, if 
it isn't Walker Pr-- "
" Pritchard, yes, you've heard of me, you bastard, so you'll know that if Greer 
wants a fight on his hands for the land, he's going to have to come through me, 
" Walker snarled, his fists bunching as McClellan laid a hand on his shoulder 
placatingly.
Reb threw up her hands in horror. " What are you going to do, Walker, fight the 
whole town with your bare fists? I give up, " she huffed, as she began to gather 
glasses form a table.
McClellan said in an undertone, " You know damned well, Walker, if I tell 
everyone who you really are, it will look even worse for her than it does at the 
moment. Sure, you might even be able to win against Greer and let the young lady 
keep her land, but once we go in to stake our claims on the property next to it, 
it will wreck the valley anyway. Why don't you persuade her to sell up 
peacefully, and leave the land free for real experts to take over and do what 
needs to be done. "
" Over my dead body, McClellan. I'm not going to let Greer take away everything 
she's worked so hard for, and that other piece of property is owned by the 
Shoshone. I'll fight you through the courts for years if I have to, all of you, 
but you're not going to run them off! "
" I wouldn't do that if I were you, Walker. I can well understand your 
entertaining a certain fondness for the girl, she certainly has got spark, I'll 
give her that. But what do you think this town is going to say when they find 
out who you really are? A case of coming in to protect your own interests, 
tricking the people out of a fortune? You have a certain reputation as a greedy, 
ruthless bastard, if you don't mind my saying so, and I'm sure there must be 
laws about fraud or false pretences we could use against you. I'm sure the lady 
will have something to say about you posing as a simple field hand, insinuating 
yourself into the family circle, allowing the family to trust you when all the 
time you're an impostor. "
" Do your worst, McClellan. I don't give a damn what happens to me, but you are 
not going to hurt Reb or her family, do you hear! " Walker snarled, as he 
grabbed McClellan by the jacket and shook him.
" Well, we won't then, if you are prepared to be reasonable, " McClellan smiled 
smugly, as he dusted off his jacket and looked into Walker's eyes.
" What do you mean, reasonable? " Walker spat.
" You back off so far as the land claims of the Shoshone are concerned, and 
we'll let the Whitakers alone. Sure, we'll make them a good offer for the ranch, 
but Greer won't try to take her to court over the promissory note. We might even 
consider a partnership with her. She won't lose out, no matter what, and 
whatever way she decides, she and the family will have wealth beyond measure. "
" And the Shoshone? How do I know you won't harm them? "
" We're miners and businessmen, not killers, Walker, " McClellan said smoothly. 
" The Indians will be given a chance to move before we set up operations, and in 
any case, there will have to be an auction for the sale of their land before 
that. "
" And what if I buy the Shoshone land? " Walker hinted.
" I wouldn't if I were you, not unless you want Reb to lose everything. And they 
certainly won't take your money once they find out you're the owner of WPP 
mines, " McClellan pointed out smoothly.
Walker knew for the moment he had to leave well enough alone, and just then he 
saw Reb coming their way.
" I'll talk to her, " Walker agreed.
" That's all I ask, Mr. Preston, " McClellan said with an ironic bow, as he went 
to rejoin the Greers.
" He got your name wrong, it's Pritchard, " Reb said suspiciously.
" It's a very noisy room, " Walker lied.
" I thought you knew him? " Reb demanded.
" No, that is to say, I may have met him once a long time ago, but no, my 
engineers haven't arrived yet. "
" Your engineers? "
" Yes, you know, my friends, " Walker said, flushing guiltily.
" And what were you going to talk to me about? " Reb persisted.
" The Shoshone land, it's going to be put up for auction, and he suggested you 
might want to put in a bid, make it a joint mining venture. "
" With Greer? To ruin the ranch and destroy the Shoshone homes? You must be out 
of your mind, Walker! " Reb sniped, as she spun away from Walker and headed 
towards the refuge of her kitchen.
Walker ran after her, determined to make her listen. " Maybe it wouldn't be so 
bad? You could start up the ranch and a reservation on the other side of town 
with the money you'd be getting. You wouldn't have to leave completely, and 
you'd have riches beyond measure, " Walker argued.
" But it's my home, the house I was born in! And even if that didn't matter, 
what about the Shoshone? What about their village, their lodge? They've buried 
their dead there, it's their home, their whole life. I can't just turn my back 
on them. "
" What do you plan to do? " Walker asked, with a sick feeling he knew exactly 
what Reb was about to say.
" I'm going to buy the land and give it to them so that no one will ever mine in 
this valley and ruin it. "
" Reb, you can't, it's impossible! "
" I can and I will. We can't let those men take their land away from them. I 
have to stop Greer. "
" But the reserve price is ten thousand dollars. You have four dollars left in 
the whole world. Where are you going to get the rest? "
" I'll sell all the livestock, " Reb said with a defiant air.
" It still won't be enough, " Walker insisted.
" I'll sell more of my own land, then, " Reb vowed desperately.
" But Reb, then the ranch really will be destroyed, with all your land and 
livestock gone! "
" I'll get by, I always have. I can continue to work for Hank, do my baking, and 
trade with the Shoshone. At least the valley will be safe, " Reb aid petulantly, 
as the tears threatened to fall.
" I can help you, " Walker heard himself say, but Reb's look cut him off without 
another word.
" You've already done enough, Walker. You've come here to see the west, and you 
can see how fast it is disappearing. You've climb your mountain, and brought 
nothing but despair to this valley. It's about time you left, Walker. Your work 
here is finished. "
" No it's not, Rebel, not if you are going to put yourself in the poor house to 
save the Shoshone. "
" It's none of your affair, Walker Pritchard, so just butt out! I shall see 
Stalking Wolf in the morning, and tell him what's happened. "
" I wouldn't, not after the way you left things with him the last time you 
spoke. Besides, they'll have to send out a government official to notify them of 
the auction and their having to move. "
Reb sighed. " We have to go logging with Axel tomorrow, and then there's the 
sheep shearing, and the last of the foals have yet to be born, " she said, 
thinking aloud. " I'll know my finances better then. You're right, I'll leave it 
for now, while I do my best to raise the money. There's no sense in raising 
false hopes. "
That was the end of their discussion for the moment. Walker knew that he harder 
he pressed Rebel to do things his way, the more she would resist him. True, the 
word 'ornery' sprang to mind on more than one occasion, but in his heart, Walker 
knew Reb wanted to do the right thing, and he really couldn't blame her.

CHAPTER TWELVE
The next few days at the Bar T ranch were the busiest yet, between the 
Whitakers, Barclay and Walker helping Axel Swensen with the logging for timber 
for furniture and firewood, and shearing the hundred or so sheep on the Whitaker 
farm. The last of eight healthy foals were born, and Walker often found Reb 
pouring over her account books late into the night as she struggled to find ten 
thousand dollars to save her ranch in case Greer's lawsuit went in his favour.
Walker knew he should act, but fear for the safety of others now that McClellan 
was involved kept him silent. He worked on the ranch all his waking hours, 
finding chores to do to take his mind off his worries, and watched Rebel from 
afar. Their relationship had deteriorated to the point where she got up and left 
the room whenever he came in, and when they were forced into each other's 
company at mealtimes, she sat silently, casting suspicious glances in his 
direction every so often.
An uneasy truce developed between them when Hank Rigby rode out to the ranch at 
the end of the week with the welcome news that Greer's case against Reb over the 
promissory note had been dropped, but Walker was convinced that even though the 
Bar T was now safe again, Reb would not back out of the Shoshone land purchase 
even though it meant certain ruin for the family.
Walker knew he should either leave or tell Reb the truth. Leaving would help her 
cause, but he loved her, and wanted to stay. Telling her the truth would most 
certainly hurt her, and then she would most probably never want to see him 
again. So, selfishly, he remained at the ranch, desperately trying to find a way 
to reveal his complicated and dangerous secret.
But Walker was not given much opportunity to see Rebel alone, as she doubled her 
baking and cooking, made butter and cheese for the General Store, and trebled 
her milk and egg runs. Walker saw the meals at the table dwindle to porridge in 
the mornings, thin soup and cornmeal for dinner, and Indian pudding, also made 
from cornmeal, with succotash, for supper.
Walker got no help in persuading Reb to turn away from her folly by any of the 
family, for the Whitakers agreed with her in principle, and Barclay cheerfully 
praised Reb's cooking no matter what inedible mush he was served up. He worked 
on the farm night and day by Reb's side, without complaint, and helped her with 
all the small businesses such as the baking and even the shop in town.
Walker hoped to have a private word with her before the auction about giving up 
her plan to buy the Shoshone land, but nearly fainted when she stood in the 
pulpit the following Sunday, and asked the Grange townsfolk for help.
" I know we all have something of value, however small. If we put all our things 
together, we could buy the land at auction, and the Shoshone could keep their 
homes, " Reb pleaded with a stunned congregation.
" It ain't their land. Indians can't own land, " one man shouted.
" It ain't their land. They'll pick up and move when the buffalo do, so it won't 
matter to them what happens, " another man added.
" They have settled homes, trade, make handicrafts. If you force them to leave 
their valley, they will starve, " Reb persisted.
" Who cares, they're only Injuns! " a third man shouted.
Reverend Wheelock rose out of his chair and scolded them all for their 
uncharitable attitude, until there was a lull in the storm.
Reb declared, " I have the gold I found, and l am willing to sell all my animals 
and pastures to stop this mining from destroying our valley. All the trees, 
animals, grassland, will be ruined by the mining process. Please, can't we all 
work together to get the ten thousand, and leave things the way there are? "
" How do we know it isn't a trick, so you can get the whole valley for yourself 
and make even more money! " someone spoke up from the back of the church, and 
Walker recognised the voice as McClellan's.
Doc Morrison rose to her defence, " Reb isn't like that. She's always been a 
generous woman, and there isn't a person in this town she hasn't helped. She 
wouldn't betray Grange, not for money, not for anything. And the Indians have 
helped us, with the flu epidemic, and when the harvest failed two years ago. I 
bet you can all remember as well the year the snow came and we had nothing for 
Christmas because the trails were blocked, and they fed us through the winter 
though their own had to go without. We have lived in peace here for many years, 
and I don't wish for that state of affairs to change over a measly handful of 
gold nuggets. Some of you may have short memories about all the Shoshone have 
done for us, that, but I remember everything they've done to help us over the 
years, and I pledge every penny I have to Reb's cause. "
A furious murmuring spread through the parishioners, and then Hank stood up at 
the back and cleared his throat, and Abigail rose shyly by his side. " I've sold 
the saloon, and pledge the money to Reb to help the Shoshone, " Hank avouched.
Abigail said timidly, " I know I speak for all the girls when I say that we will 
sell the saloon to the highest bidder, and give the money to Reb, so long as the 
buyer promises to let us stay on to work. "
The church fell into a stunned silence.
" Abigail, you can't do this! You've worked to hard to buy that saloon. You're 
all giving up your freedom! " Reb pleaded to the woman who stood resolutely at 
the back of the chapel.
" I lost my home in the war, and I been a slave before. This town is the only 
home I got left , and I'll be a slave again if it stops other people from having 
their lives destroyed, " Abigail said with quiet dignity.
" And I pledge the church roof fund, " Reverend Wheelock asserted, in spite of 
the angry murmurs from the congregation.
" We pledge all our savings from the wool business, " the elder of the Wright 
sisters declared in a shaky voice as she struggled to rise to her feet.
" I will sell the shop to the first person willing to give me a fair price, " 
Sue insisted.
" Sue, you can't! You and Bob! " Reb argued unhappily.
" Will just start out with nothing, like a whole lot of other folk in this town 
did, like a whole lot of folk in this town would have done if you hadn't helped 
them, " Sue smiled gently, and Axel and Simon and then Hank both rose in turn to 
pledge their properties, which they had just acquired from Reb.
" Your homes, your land.... " Reb sighed.
" It's the principle of the thing, Reb, " Simon maintained.
" Then you'll all come to the ranch to live if the properties are sold. We will 
manage somehow, all of us. "
" Of course we will, " Axel hugged her.
" Is anyone else willing to help? " Reb asked, searching the sea of stunned 
faces in front of her.
" No? Well, thank you to all who said they would help, and who knows, perhaps it 
will be enough. Just in case it isn't, next Saturday I shall have an auction of 
all my livestock and household goods. If you won't give me the money, then all I 
ask is that you let me have the best prices you can afford when I sell up. I 
will have Simon Gilmore draw up the papers stating that the land is to be given 
to the Shoshone in perpetuity as they call it, so you won't think I am taking it 
all for myself, " Reb announced, and lifting the skirts of her blue dress, she 
marched out of the chapel with her head high.
James McClellan, lurking in the shadows at the back, caught Walker's eye as he 
tried to follow her.
" I can see your powers of persuasion weren't up to the task, " he smiled 
sourly.
" No, I couldn't stop her. But since she's going to go so far, since her other 
friend are behind her, I might as well back Rebel up as try to fight her, " 
Walker asserted.
" Then you'll live to regret it, Walker Preston, " McClellan threatened.
" I've lost her no matter what, " Walker shrugged, as he moved toward the door. 
" I might as well do what I think is right. "
" Be careful you don't lose more than the girl, " McClellan advised.
" The hell with you, McClellan. Do your worst, " Walker sneered, as he pushed 
past him and ran after Rebel.
But Reb was in no mood to listen to his criticism. When she saw Walker heading 
for her, she swung up onto the back of Barclay's horse, and ordered him, " Ride, 
now, like the wind. "
Barclay spurred his horse, and galloped down the main street of Grange until 
Walker's infuriated shouts were no longer audible.
" I finished the last of the planting and thought I'd come into town to see how 
it had gone. I guess it didn't work out the way you had hoped. "
" No, not quite, " Reb sighed, as Barclay slowed his horse and she dismounted. 
Walking side by side up the road, Reb recounted what had just happened at the 
church.
Barclay was impressed with the generosity of her friends, but had many 
reservations about her whole scheme. " Maybe it isn't worth it, to give up 
everything you and the others have to help the Indians, " Barclay argued.
" It isn't the land or the mine, it's the principle of the thing. They are my 
friends. I can't just stand by and let Greer win. "
" But what about your family? They will all suffer if you do this, " he reminded 
her earnestly. " After all, the minimum price is ten thousand dollars. Who knows 
how much it might go up to in an open auction. You might all sell up and still 
not have enough to beat Greer. "
" That's just the chance I'll have to take. Don't you see, if Greer wins, the 
town will be destroyed anyway. "
" Reb, the Bar T is your home. I thought you would rather die than give up the 
ranch, but I guess I was wrong. "
" No, you're right, it's just.... " Reb sighed.
" You can't have it both ways, my dear. You'll either have to say goodbye to the 
Indians or lose the Bar T. "
" Then I will have to lose the Bar T, because the Indians will surely die if 
they have to go, " Reb said firmly.
Barclay looked at her for a few moments, and then asked, " If you decided to 
sell up and leave, where would you go? "
" Oh, Barclay, don't ask me that! " Reb began to weep, as she walked ahead of 
him up the valley towards the house. " I don't want to think about it. "
" Well, what do you think about coming back to my home in England. Just think, 
Patrick would have a good education, and your sisters would be brought up as 
proper young ladies. "
" All that takes money, " Reb sighed.
" You would have money if you gave up the ranch and went ahead with the mining, 
" Barclay pointed out.
" It would chase away all the animals and ruin the river. I've lost everything 
no matter what way I look at it, " Reb sighed.
" No, you've found out who your true friends are through all this hardship, the 
people willing to back you up without question. I want to add my number to that 
list. I would never let anything happen to you or your family, you know that, 
Reb. Not after you've taken me in and been soon kind to me. I'll lend you the 
money you need, " Barclay declared, " but only if you'll promise to marry me, 
let me look after you, take you home with me to England. "
" Oh, Barclay, it is kind of you to ask, to help me out of a bind, but I 
couldn't. This is my home, and I am not going to give up without a fight. "
" Then you won't marry me? " Barclay blinked, with something akin to relief.
" You've been a wonderful friend, Barclay, but that's as far as it goes, I'm 
afraid, " Reb said gently.
Barclay smiled brightly, and stroked her cheek with his thumb before kissing her 
softly on the brow. " Well, let's be optimistic about all this. After all, 
anything can happen. You might change your mind. The offer is still open. 
Anytime you say the word, Reb, we'll be married. "
Reb opened her mouth to insist her answer was final, but a noise behind them 
caused them to turn, and Walker stood in the path, his eyes black with fury.
" I want to speak to Reb, alone! " he barked.
" You and I have nothing to say to each other, Walker, in private or otherwise. 
I thought you were my friend, and would support me, but you've done nothing but 
argue and try to block my way. I know you don't approve of what I've done, but I 
have no other choice, " Reb said hotly, as she fought back the tears which 
threatened to spring up over her sense of his betrayal.
Walker, convinced she had assented to Barclay's proposal, grabbed her by the 
elbows and shook her until her head lolled back and her aqua eyes gazed up into 
his livid black ones. " Rebel, listen to me, you mustn't do this.... "
" No, I won't listen, " she shrieked, holding her hands over her ears, her eyes 
glittering with hatred over his seeming deception of the Indians and her own 
ideals. " You've done nothing but tell me how wrong I am ever since you arrived 
here, Walker, and it's over now. This is my life, and I will take care of my 
friends and family, no matter what the cost. "
" Rebel, I don't want to fight with you, I want to explain... " Walker pleaded.
" There is nothing to explain, " Reb taunted. " I saw you with that man 
McClellan, and he's in on this with the Greers. Don't bother to deny it, I know 
what I saw, what I heard. I can't trust anyone now. The whole town has let me 
down except for my few friends, and I swear to you, I don't care about myself, 
I'll do anything to buy the Shoshone land, " Reb raged, the tears beginning to 
fall fast.
" Barclay, I'm sorry you've wasted your time planting, if we are going to lose 
the ranch. It was kind of you. We'll go out on that hunting trip I've been 
promising you, and we'll just forget about all this for a while. "
" I'm coming with you, " Walker stated, but Reb shook her head.
" No, only Barclay. I don't want to ever see you again, Walker, do you hear. Go 
to your friend McClellan. Maybe he'll be interested in all you've heard and seen 
today. Just make sure you're gone by the time I get back. "
" But Reb! "
" Goodbye, Walker, " Reb said stonily, and crashed into the farmhouse and 
slammed the door of her room behind her.
Barclay and Walker looked at each other for several moments, and Walker sighed. 
He turned back to his horse and remounted.
" You're not really leaving, are you? I thought you cared more for Reb than 
that! " Barclay shouted angrily.
" You've heard the lady. She was pretty definite that she never wanted to see me 
again. Besides, what does it matter, since you've already proposed. "
" Only to help her out of a tight spot! If you love her, Walker, then for God's 
sake, fight for her! " Barclay urged.
Walker shook his head resignedly. " You're a decent man, Barclay, but the truth 
is, and this is the absolute truth for once in my life, I've lost her, and I 
deserve to. I've stumbled about blindly, worried about my own feelings, my own 
pride, and by hiding the truth I've destroyed the very thing I wanted to 
protect. So I'm going now. It's finished between us. I'll do what I can for her 
once I'm back east, but there's no point in my clinging on to the vain hope that 
she might love me in return. I should have known it was hopeless from the start. 
"
" Your clothes and things, the rest of the family. You can't just pick up and 
leave without saying goodbye! " Barclay argued desperately.
" Nothing matters any more now. I'm going to try to repair the damage I've 
caused, " Walker sighed.
" What will you do? "
" Anything I can, and to hell with the consequences. Take care of her, Barclay, 
" Walker requested, as he shook hands with the other man.
Barclay clung on to Walker tightly. " Don't go, Walker. Whatever has happened 
between you, tell Reb the truth now, before it's too late! " he pleaded.
" Even if I did, she'll hate me. I must fix this, but I can't win back Rebel's 
love once she finds out all I've done, " Walker said resignedly.
" You planted the gold in the falls, didn't you! But why? Because you wanted the 
mines? But you yourself admitted you didn't know the mountains were mineral 
rich. I was there! What's going on, Walker! " Barclay demanded furiously.
" Say nothing to her or anyone, do you hear! " Walker insisted as he wheeled his 
horse around and began to ride towards Grange.
" But Walker, if all you really wanted were the mines, then why are you leaving, 
just when you've won? You didn't put the gold there to take the land from Reb, 
you were trying to help her! "
" Say nothing, Barclay, please! Please! It means danger for people I care about 
deeply if the whole truth comes out prematurely, " Walker begged, as the blonde 
man hesitated and finally let go of Walker's bridle.
" All right, I won't tell Reb, but if I don't hear from you by Saturday, I'll go 
ahead with my own plans, " Barclay said, waving his hand in a final farewell.
Barclay went back inside the house, and drafted several telegrams to take with 
him to town, and took out a sheaf papers, which he read over and over again. 
Finally he took out from around his neck underneath his shirt a small locket 
with two miniatures and a lock of hair within, and sighed.
" It's not the money, it's the principle of the thing, my love, isn't it? " he 
said to the most recent of the two pictures. " But if I go ahead and help Reb, 
I'll lose everything we've ever wanted.... "
Barclay shut the locket, and rode to town slouched in his saddle as though his 
world had come to an end.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
When Barclay returned from his mysterious errands in town, he knocked on Reb's 
door and asked cheerfully, " How about that hunting and fishing expedition you 
promised me? "
" There's no point now, since we won't be needing any winter stores if we're 
going to be leaving, " Reb sighed.
" Don't be so despondent. Miracles might happen, we might get the land after 
all. "
" Yes, but at what cost? All my friends putting themselves out of their own 
homes? " Reb grumbled.
" They've offered all they have to help protect this valley and stand up for 
what they believe in, just as you have. You've got the house and the 
outbuildings, you've got sewing and baking and other talents to fall back on. 
You will survive this, Reb. We can start getting the old ranch hand's quarters 
ready just in case they all need new homes, but I have a feeling things will 
work out fine.
" Besides, you could always sell what you catch, and at any rate, without you 
here to help them, the Shoshone might have a hard winter. You could give the 
kill to them, " Barclay pointed out.
" You're right, I suppose, " Reb admitted grudgingly, as she began to gather 
weapons and food together.
When her father returned from Grange with the wagon, Reb and Barclay loaded 
their provisions and bedrolls into it, and discussed what had to be done with 
her father.
" Don't worry about the wagon, I can take the milk and eggs into town in the 
small cart if I get the wheel fixed. " Amos smiled gently. " And I will take up 
Barclay's suggestion, and get all the outbuildings cleaned and cleared, just in 
case. Where's Walker? Isn't he going with you? "
" No, Father, Walker's gone. "
" Gone? Gone where? " Amos asked confusedly.
" I don't know, just gone, " Reb sighed, and then shook here head. " It doesn't 
matter, he's not coming back. We can clear out all the boys' things now. "
" Reb! " Amos reproached her sadly.
" It's a perfectly good bedroom, and even if they had returned, none of their 
clothes or things would fit them! " Reb argued impatiently.
" No, but they would fit you, the shirts at least, though the trousers will be a 
bit long, " Amos replied thoughtfully.
" Whatever you think Daddy, that's what we'll do. "
Amos said decisively, " I think it's about time the dead made room for the 
living in his house, Rebecca, and I am sorry if I've been a burden to you for 
the past three years, you who have had so many other cares and woes to contend 
with. "
" It doesn't matter, Daddy, it's finished now. The old life is gone. Things will 
never be the same for us again. "
Barclay clapped his hand on her shoulder and laughed, " No, things can only get 
better from now on, and I've got a funny feeling they will. "
Amos laughed too, and waved goodbye as they rode away from the house and up into 
the mountains.
Reb and Barclay journeyed off deep into the woods, searching for deer, and 
through the mountains onto the plains, searching for buffalo. Barclay was a 
charming companion, but Reb brooded, and missed Walker more than she cared to 
admit. Reb enjoyed the peace and solitude of the woods, and Barclay was an 
unfailingly charming companion, but all the same, she longed for Walker to look 
at her with his inscrutable dark eyes, touch her with his strong, firm hands, 
talk to her in his deep thrilling tones.
Reb's torment at the loss of Walker was nothing compared to Walker's sufferings. 
He nearly turned back to Grange a dozen times, but eventually Walker rode on as 
far as Laramie, where he put up at a hotel and sent many messages to Washington, 
Richmond and Pittsburgh, and sat back to wait for his replies. He got drunk 
every night, and dreamt of a pair of aqua eyes that had once gazed at him with 
what he had felt sure had been love.
You've lied to her, for the best reasons, but still lied, Walker reminded 
himself bitterly. There's no word from Washington. You can't tell her without 
risking the very thing your trying to save. Leave it, he persuaded himself.
But all the same, by Thursday evening, Walker couldn't stand being apart from 
Rebel any more. He paid his bill and went to the hotel stables to collect his 
horse, and he began riding towards Grange as though his life depended on it.
When he arrived there, it was early Friday morning, and McClellan greeted him 
from the steps of the hotel.
" Well, well, Mr. Preston, excuse me, Pritchard. We thought you had forsaken 
this little hamlet in favour of the charming if somewhat grubby Pittsburgh. "
" It was foolish of me to ever consider letting low-life bullies like you and 
Alexander Greer dissuade me from doing what's right, " Walker hissed, trying to 
restrain himself from punching McClellan's smirking face.
" You'd better watch your step, Walker. I never make an idle threat. If you 
stick your nose into this business, you'll be sorry, very sorry. Greer will see 
to that, and I won't lift finger to stop him. "
" You always were more gurgle than guts, McClellan, " Walker taunted.
" Why you bastard! " McClellan snapped as he began to pull out his gun.
" Try it, just try it, " Walker jeered, as he pulled his own gun out of its 
holster in a flash. " I seem to recall you couldn't hit a bull's ass with a 
handful of banjos in the army. And I don't know why you're so anxious to get 
mixed up in this whole affair. Surely the Confederate general who bribed you to 
betray our battalion must have offered you enough to live on for the rest of 
your life, " Walker mocked.
" You'll pay for this, Walker! " McClellan threatened.
" I already have, by ever thinking you were a friend of mine, and sponsoring you 
for a promotion that got my real friends killed, while you put the blame on an 
innocent man and walked free, " Walker hissed.
" You've just signed your own death warrant, Walker Preston, " McClellan barked, 
as he stormed away, and Walker turned to meet the puzzled eyes of Simon Gilmore.
" You're back, uh, Walker, " he said, clearing his throat uncomfortably. " I 
need to tie up some loose ends about the auction with Reb. If you're going out 
to the Bar T, tell her that her own auction is Saturday, and the auction for the 
Shoshone land is the following Saturday unless someone comes up with the reserve 
bid before then. "
" So Greer hasn't come up with the money? "
" No, I hear he's trying to persuade certain members of the town to come in with 
him, old Mr. Tucker and Barrett, but most of them are pretty reluctant to trust 
him. After all, we don't know hardly anything about him. He may not be all he 
pretends, " Simon said casually, though with a sharp look at Walker.
" If he was so dishonest he tried to take the ranch from Reb not once but twice, 
then he can't be trusted over a gold mine, that's for sure, " Walker remarked, 
as he finished watering his horse and moved to mount again.
" You helped Reb before, Walker, when she needed it most. Have you come back to 
do it again? " Simon demanded.
" I'll fight those men to the death if I have to, but Reb will keep her ranch, 
and the Shoshone will keep their land, " Walker vowed.
" Don't forget then, the auction will be Saturday if we can't get all the money 
together ourselves, and the first ten thousand in cash buys the land, or else 
the auction is the following Saturday. "
" I won't forget, " Walker promised as he rode towards the Bar T.
When he arrived, Amos was delighted to see him, but told Walker that Reb and 
Barclay had been gone since Sunday, and wasn't sure when they'd be back.
" Well, the auction is tomorrow, " Walker reminded him.
" So they might be coming back tonight, " Amos reasoned. " You might as well 
wait here for them, then. "
" They took the wagon? You're not going up to meet them? "
" That's right. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to fix up the old bunkhouse. 
It needs a few repairs on the roof. I think the weather's going to break, and 
some of the slates fell off after the earthquake. "
" I need to ride back to Grange, to the telegraph office. I've just had an idea. 
I'll be back, and then I'll help you mend that roof, Amos. "
" Don't be long, that storm is coming, I can smell it. "
True to the old man's word, by midday the sky had darkened as though it were 
night, and Walker began to grow anxious as a lightning bolt came down and spilt 
a tree in half right near the homestead.
" I'm going out to look for them! " Walker insisted.
" They could be miles away. It's too dangerous! " Amos shrieked above the rising 
wind, but Walker saddled his mare and pressed on towards the mountains. He 
hadn't ridden more than ten minutes when the sky opened up, sending torrents of 
freezing rain down on him. Walker took shelter under the trees briefly as he 
tried to get his bearings. The stinging rain blinded him , and his horse jumped 
at the least little noise. He peered out into the gloom. Damn it , Reb, where 
are you? he wondered, as the tempest raged on.
Walker and Reb were on their way through the pass when the sky sent down its 
deluge.
" We're never going to make it to the Bar T in this! " she shouted.
" We can't stay out here! "
" There's a hut through those trees, can you see it? "
" I can't see a blasted thing! " Barclay shouted in reply, but he turned the 
horses in the direction Reb had indicated.
They rode into the clearing, and Reb determined that the storm was actually 
worsening. Throwing her rain gear over the carcasses to help protect them from 
the pouring rain, she said to Barclay, " Unharness the horses! They'll only bolt 
with the wagon and hurt themselves or smash it to pieces. "
Reb leaped down off the box, and moved to the side of the wagon to unhook the 
harness. Suddenly one of the horses reared up, terrified, and at first Reb 
thought it was just the thunder which had scared him. She managed to get the 
rest of the harness off, before it knocked Barclay aside and stampeded away. 
Barclay fell to the ground with a grunt and a sharp intake of breath, as Reb 
hung onto the other horse long enough to unhook it as well. It too reared up in 
terror, hooves flailing, and then thundered off after its companion.
Reb turned to offer Barclay a hand up, and only then did she see what the horses 
had, the rattlesnake that had bit Barclay on the chest as he lay winded on the 
ground. She took out her gun and shot it before it could strike again, and 
Barclay, now white with fear and realisation of where the stinging pain had come 
from, gasped , " Oh, please, Reb, don't let me die! "
" You're not going to die! " Reb insisted fiercely, though she was anything but 
sure. " Come on, get up and into the hut, now! "
She grabbed Barclay's arm and pulled him up, supporting him as she half led, 
half carried him into the shelter, the swirling wind nearly knocking them to the 
ground.
The cabin door flapped about wildly in the wind, but she tore Barclay's shirt 
off with frozen finger and in spite of his shocked protests began to suck the 
round and spit out the venom just as Stalking Wolf had taught her many years 
before.
" No really, you can't, " Barclay mumbled, as he locked his fingers into her 
hair and tried to pull her head up, but Reb shouted, " It's the only way! Lie 
still. "
Walker, stumbling through the trees, saw Reb and Barclay in the hut together 
through the open door, and was convinced they were making love. He could 
scarcely breathe as he began to storm towards the hut, but pulled himself up 
short just in time.
If she loves him, who am I to interfere he thought, as he watched them together. 
A blast of wind flung the door tightly shut, and Walker's view was blocked. 
Walker sat down among the trees as the rain continued to pour, and though he 
knew he ought to get out of the rain, there didn't seem much point in what he 
did any more. He had lost Reb, that was all he could think.
Inside the hut, Reb laboured to help Barclay, who was convinced he was mortally 
injured, and began to rave. Reb went over to the fireplace and got small blaze 
lit, before searching for a bottle of whisky she kept for emergencies, and 
taking out her pen knife.
" I'm going to sear the wound with this, now, Barclay, as soon as its hot, so 
here, drink some of this, and try to be calm. "
Barclay's panicky ravings didn't seem to make much sense to her at first, since 
he was talking about people and places in India and England about which she knew 
nothing, but gradually, as he got drunker in an effort to fight the pain, Reb 
began to sit up and listen carefully.
" Barclay, do you know what you're saying? " Reb stared, angry but also 
relieved.
" I'm sorry I've been so selfish, and I should never have asked you to marry me 
under false pretences. I wanted to get the full measure of you, see how far you 
were prepared to go to get the money. I was afraid I would lose everything. 
Selfish of me, really, when you were ready to give everything you had to save 
the Shoshone. "
" Except myself, " Reb smiled gently.
" Except yourself. I'm so sorry, Reb, I'll make it up to you, really I will. I'm 
sorry I ever doubted you. "
" Lie still, don't upset yourself, " Reb soothed. " It doesn't matter now. The 
only thing I care about is you getting well. I know the wound is sore, but here, 
the knife will seal it, and you'll start feeling better. "
Reb drew the red hot blade out of the fire, and sat on Barclay's chest as she 
pressed it to his chest. Reb wrinkled her nose at the stench of burning flesh, 
and Barclay fainted dead away.
Once he was unconscious, Reb stripped off her and Barclay's soaking clothes, so 
that when Walker ventured to look in the window, he saw Barclay completely naked 
and sound asleep, while Reb moved around the hut getting food and drink together 
in nothing but a blanket draped around her slender form.
Walker wanted to run into the hut and put his arms around her, but what was the 
use? She loved Barclay, she had to be, to be there in the hut with him like 
that. Walker thought about riding back to Laramie, but with the storm he knew he 
wouldn't get very far. And though Reb had fallen in love with Barclay, he still 
owed her an explanation and some help. After all, Barclay might not have seemed 
so attractive to Reb if she hadn't been prepared to sell everything she owned to 
help the Shoshone.
Walker decided he would tell Reb the truth, or most of it, to stop her from 
auctioning all her things in the morning, and then be on his way.
Walker dragged himself away from the hut, and returned to the Bar T, where he 
helped himself to Amos' medicinal bottle of whisky, and eventually collapsed 
into an exhausted slumber.
When Barclay came awake several hours later, his head throbbed, and he shivered 
uncontrollably, but he felt well enough to sit up and eat some soup Reb had made 
on a the small tripod in the fireplace.
" I seem to remember making a complete ass of myself, " Barclay shook his head 
ruefully. " I wasn't dreaming, was I? "
" No, you weren't. You've told me everything. I'm only sorry you didn't trust me 
enough to tell me long before this. "
" I am too, Reb, but so much was riding on this, I had to be completely sure you 
were my cousin, Isabella Dickinson's daughter, and that you weren't going to 
just take the money and run. I wouldn't have blamed you if you had, though, your 
being in such desperate trouble with Greer when I first arrived. "
" I suppose I ought to be angry with you for being suspicious of me, thinking I 
was going to take your inheritance or something, " Reb said at length, " but in 
a way I don't blame you. It was unfair of your father to leave you an estate 
crippled by debts, while giving me all the railroad stocks and bonds. But I have 
never heard anything about mother's jewels, and surely in all the years we 
struggled, if they really existed, she would have sold them when we most needed 
the money. "
" And I resented you, thinking you were living in the lap of luxury, while I 
struggled and starved out in India. Maybe the jewels were what she used to buy 
the ranch in the first place, " Barclay wondered.
" Or maybe they didn't exist, it was just your mother's irrational jealousy, 
that caused your father to quarrel with my mother and drive his only sister into 
the arms of a man they believed to be unsuitable. "
" You could be right. They were probably just a product of my mother's deranged 
mind just before she died. "
" More than likely, but maybe, just maybe.... " Reb wondered.
" What are you thinking? " Barclay inquired softly.
" I think my mother's fondest wish was for myself and my two brothers to become 
fine society figures. I told you about all the gowns she made for me secretly. 
Maybe the jewels were her way of achieving her dearest wish? "
" Perhaps, Reb, but surely you would have found them when you were cleaning out 
all her things, " Barclay argued, as he shakily took another mouthful of soup.
" I suppose so, " Reb sighed, until she sat up straight. " The cabinet! The 
locked cabinet in the sewing room! "
" Do you think it's possible she put them there? " Barclay asked dubiously.
" If she hid them anywhere, it's there, " Reb said decidedly. " She always 
called it her treasure trove, and never let us play in it, no matter how hard we 
begged. There are dozens of small drawers and compartments in it. The jewels, if 
they exist, could be in any one of them. "
" But even if we do find them, what then? "
Reb thought for a moment. " We can take them to Denver. It's only two days ride 
away from here by coach and train. We can get the best price for them, buy the 
Shoshone land, and in the meantime I can cash in all the stocks and bonds your 
father left me, and give them to you so you and Genevieve can marry and rebuild 
the estate in Somerset. "
" But it's your money, I can't let you do that! "
" You just offered to help me by selling your land in England, debt-ridden 
though it is. Don't be silly, Barclay. I will have more than enough once Greer 
is out of the way. But there's no point in counting our chickens before they've 
hatched. The jewels may be long gone. I appreciate your father trying to make up 
for the wrong he felt he'd done to my mother, but that was almost twenty-five 
years ago, and there's no point in you and your fiancée having to pay for his 
generosity. "
" Your mother must have been a brave woman to run away from the manor house and 
elope with the local school master. "
" Perhaps I am a bit like her after all, " Reb laughed, as she began to eat her 
own soup.
" I'm sorry if my proposal ruined things between you and Walker, " Barclay 
remarked quietly a few minutes later.
" It didn't, not really. I get the feeling Walker knew something about the 
mines. I think that's why he came in the first place, maybe completely 
innocently, maybe on purpose because Greer put him up to it. Just think about it 
for minute, Barclay. I reckon from some of the things he said and did that he 
knew about us long before he met me, maybe was sent to make friends so I would 
trust him, and sell the land to him, so Greer would get it behind my back 
anyway. "
" I don't think it's true, or even if it was, it wasn't long before he changed 
his mind. I really think he was in love with you, Reb, " Barclay said quietly.
" I thought so too, but he certainly cleared out very quickly after I fought 
with him over taking Greer's part concerning the Shoshone land. I don't know 
what to think now, and in any case it doesn't matter. He's gone now, so it's 
over. "
Barclay recalled Walker's promise that he would be in touch by the end of the 
week, and wondered if he would keep his word, or whether he had indeed vanished 
without a trace.
" How are you feeling now? " Reb asked, trying to change the subject.
" I still keep seeing things with a yellowish sort of tinge to them, and I am 
freezing cold, but I think I'll be all right. Thank you, Reb. You saved my life, 
I know you did, and I'm going to do whatever I can to repay you for that and all 
your kindness, " her new found cousin vowed.
" Don't mention it , Barclay. Just go back to England as soon as you can, get 
married, and be happy. "
" I was sort of thinking I might stay, you know, now that things are sorted out 
between us. The estate back in England is a ruin anyway, and I reckon I could 
have a much better spread of horses out here. "
" Barclay, are you sure? I mean, I would be delighted, so would Daddy, but what 
about Genevieve? "
" She was willing to go out to India to join me, before I returned home when my 
parents became ill. I think America is far more hospitable and civilised for a 
white woman. As soon as we get to town, I'll cable for her to sell the Somerset 
estate, and meet me in New York off the first available ship. After all, you are 
the only family I have left now, so maybe we were all meant to be together after 
so many years apart. "
" Well, that's the best news I've had in ages! " Reb beamed. " I'm glad you're 
going to stay, and I'm only surprised I never noticed the family resemblance 
before. You're very like my brother Pierce. "
" Listen, I think the rain's easing off, " Barclay said suddenly.
" I hope so. I'm glad of the hut, but I can't wait to get home. "
" What should we do then? "
" I think the best plan is to break open the cabinet and search it. Then if the 
jewels really are there, I'll go to Denver. And if they aren't, then hopefully 
the arrangements you've made to telegraph funds to the office here, and an 
auction of my things, will raise what we need, " Reb said optimistically.
" I'm not sure how much the stocks are worth, but even if we don't meet the full 
ten thousand, we have your plan to fall back on. "
" Do you think you're fit to walk? " Reb asked after another hour, when the rain 
had finally stopped.
" I feel very tired, but the suspense is killing me. Let's get our clothes on 
and go, " Barclay grinned.
Reb turned her back to Barclay, and they both got dressed quickly. " We'll have 
to leave the wagon until tomorrow, I'm afraid, " she said peering out into the 
darkness.
" Don't worry about it, let's just get back to the Bar T. "
After another hour, they saw the ranch house loom on the horizon, and Barclay, 
though weary, began to walk more purposefully.
" What time does the stagecoach leave for Laramie? "
" At seven. "
" If we hurry, we'll have just enough time to search, get some dry clothes, and 
ride into town. "
" Should I tell Daddy? "
" Maybe not. Maybe just surprise him. He might feel very hurt that your mother 
held out on him all this time, or he might argue with you to keep them if he's 
known about them all along. "
" I think if he did know, he would have used them to help us long before now, " 
Reb whispered, as they tiptoed into the house.
She lit a candle and took her pen knife out of her pocket as they headed for the 
sewing room.
Reb prised open the lock and looked at Barclay in the dim light. " Well, this is 
it. You look in those drawers, I'll search these. "
True to Reb's word, the cabinet literally had dozen of compartments, and Reb and 
Barclay sorted carefully through ribbons, buttons and bows in an effort to find 
anything of value. Items rolled onto the floor as the search became more 
frustrating, and finally Reb stood back with a sigh, and said, " There's nothing 
here, nothing. "
" I'm sorry Reb. The way my mother talked, I was sure they really did exist, " 
Barclay apologised.
" Well, no matter, " Reb said, trying to conceal her disappointment. " It's 
still a lovely piece of furniture, that will fetch a handsome sum at the 
auction, " she pointed out, running her hands over the carved wooden strip which 
ran the length of the drawers and divided them in half. Suddenly there was a 
loud click, and as Barclay looked down into the secret drawer he gasped.
" Good God, Reb, look! "
Reb had to stretch up high to peer in, but as Barclay raised the candle higher, 
the glint of rubies and emeralds shone unmistakably.
" Quick, find bag or something, and empty the drawer. We've got to get on that 
coach! " Reb urged, as she began pulling the earrings, necklaces and bracelets 
out of the velvet-lined drawer.
The matching carved strip at the bottom of the cabinet revealed a further cache 
of jewels, and Reb felt like laughing almost hysterically.
" All these years of struggle, and all the while this treasure was right under 
our noses. "
" Your mother had a dream, didn't she, and she was nothing if not determined 
that you would have a better life one day, " Barclay remarked, as they finished 
loading the last of the jewels into a bag.
" It looks like she got her wish. Come on, let's get our clothes together and 
go, " Reb instructed excitedly.
Reb went into her room and took out her small collection of dresses, which she 
rolled up and placed in a large carpet bag along with the bags of jewels. As she 
left her room, Barclay came out into the hall with his case, and asked, " All 
ready? "
" Yes, I think so. I'll just leave a note telling Daddy we've gone to Denver, 
and to pick up the wagon from the hut. Oh, and to fetch our horse from the hotel 
stable. We'll just take one if that's all right, to save him trouble, " she 
whispered, as she moved out into the kitchen. " I'll also tell him we can cancel 
the auction now. "
Barclay spotted the nearly empty whisky bottle on the table as Reb searched for 
pen, inkwell, and paper, and scribbled her note.
" I'm sure my father would be amazed at how this has all turned out so well, in 
spite of his dire predictions of doom and disaster. A toast, my dear, to 
elopement, and new families! " Barclay said jovially, as he took a swig from the 
bottle and then passed it to Reb.
" To elopement, and new families! " she echoed, as she took a drink from the 
bottle, and moved to gather their cases while Barclay went out to saddle a 
horse.
Walker, his head befuddled by drink and the early hour, overheard Reb's last 
words as he came stumbling out of his room to investigate the noise he had 
heard.
Clad only in his long johns, he staggered over to the window in time to see Reb 
hand the bags up to Barclay before climbing up onto the back of the horse with 
him.
Walker ran out onto the porch to call them back, but it was too late. Walker 
felt a sick feeling in the pit of his guts that had nought to do with the whisky 
he'd consumed. " They're eloping! God, she's going to marry that man to save the 
ranch.... "
He sat down in the chair, with his head in his hands, utterly defeated. " She's 
marrying Barclay, " Walker muttered, as he tried to recall the way they looked 
at each other, and compared it to the glances they had shared in the Shoshone 
camp and afterwards
" She doesn't love him, she couldn't. She loves me. Only I let her down, didn't 
I? I've made so many mistakes with her. Maybe I should have told her I loved 
her, instead of trying to run away all the time.... "
Despite the pounding in his head, Walker stood decisively. " She's not going to 
make an even worse mistake than I have, and be forced to pay for it for the rest 
of her life. I have to stop her! "
Walker stomped into his room and got dressed quickly. Then he ran out to the 
stables to saddle his horse, and soon he was thundering down to the road to 
Grange as fast as his mount could carry him.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Barclay and Reb rode into town just as the stagecoach was leaving Grange.
" Wait, Bob! Wait for us! " Reb called, waving frantically, and finally Bob 
Tucker spotted her and pulled up the horses.
" We have to get to Laramie! " she explained breathlessly, as Bob told her 
apologetically that there were no seats left.
" Come on, then, Reb, you and your friend there can ride up here with me, " Bob 
offered kindly, and reached down to pull her up.
Soon they were speeding towards Laramie, and Walker was left far behind. When he 
rode to the hotel he was told there wasn't another coach until the following 
day, and he gritted his teeth in frustration.
" There's always the old fur trader's pass, Walker, if you're in a real hurry. "
" What do you mean? "
" The coach has to go all the way to Laramie, and then you go down to Denver on 
the train. The Overland Pass goes east, then south, and the coach and train stop 
to rest and change horses or take on fuel and pick up passenger. If you head for 
Rawlins and Craig, you'll be in Denver in two days' time, I'm sure of it, " 
Hector the telegraph operator reassured him.
Walker nodded grimly, and said, " Draw me a map if you can, while I go to the 
store to get some provisions. "
The coach journey seemed to go on forever, for as Hector had predicted, it 
stopped to pick up and set down passengers, and baggage, and finally when they 
did reach Laramie, Barclay and Reb had a long wait for the train, which was 
running late and still had to be fuelled even when it did arrive.
Reb used the time to find a ladies' waiting room, and washed some of the dirt 
off herself. Then she changed into one of her floral dresses and threw a shawl 
over her shoulders.
" Love the gown, Reb, but somehow the cowboy boots don't quite go with it, " 
Barclay teased.
" How much longer are we going to have to wait in this heat? " she panted, as 
she fanned herself with her hand.
" I don't know, but I'm still freezing. "
" I'm sorry, Barclay, I forgot all about that damned snake in the middle of all 
the excitement. "
" I'm fine, really, just very tired. I'll sleep on the train. "
" Once we get to Denver, we can both get some rest, and then find a buyer for 
the jewels, " Reb whispered, as they were told they could now begin to board the 
train.
Finally, early on Monday morning, Reb and Barclay pulled into Denver station, 
and Barclay, white with exhaustion, led Reb over to the nearest hotel, where 
they asked for two rooms, and signed for them under the name of Townsend when 
the clerk looked at them suspiciously.
As they trudged up the stairs to their rooms, Barclay said, " I don't know about 
you, but I need a bath and some food, and then a nice long sleep. "
" Sounds like just the ticket, " Reb nodded wearily, before stopping a passing 
maid to ask for a basin of hot water and some breakfast to be brought up to her.
" There's a ladies' lounge downstairs at the side of the reception area. I'll 
meet you there at noon, all right? "
" If you're sure you're up to it, " Reb assented cautiously
" Just try and stop me! " Barclay smiled, albeit somewhat wanly.
Reb unlocked the door of her room, and after putting her bag down at the foot of 
the bed, went over to pull the curtains, and began to unbutton the high collar 
of her dress as she waited for the hot water and food to arrive.
Walker, following the fur trader's trail that Hector had mapped out for him, 
rode on all day and throughout the night, stopping only when he had to eat some 
food and rest his horse. The pass through the mountains had been clear, in spite 
of the snow covered peaks that loomed above him. Once in Rawlins, he had changed 
horses, and his fresh mount, a spirited stallion, had taken him all the way to 
Craig at a breakneck pace.
In Craig he had managed to change horses again and have a hot meal, and the 
nearer he got to Denver, the angrier he became. He loved Reb. How could she have 
been so foolish not to see it, and run off with Barclay? It had never occurred 
to him to bare his soul to her, true, but this time he would let her know how he 
really felt, and woe betide the pair of them if they put up a fight.
In this bellicose frame of mind, Walker rode into Denver, and began to check 
hotels for any party called Townsend or Whitaker.
Upon the advice of a helpful clerk who assured him that the hotel near the 
railroad station was his best place to start, Walker thundered to the station 
and tied up his horse at the front of the hotel. He made inquires at the desk, 
and knew with grim satisfaction that he had found his quarry.
Walker stormed up the stairs two at a time, and knocked on Reb's door loudly.
Reb, thinking it was her hot water and breakfast come at last, flung open the 
door unthinkingly, and stood rooted to the floor with shock.
" Walker, what are you doing here? " Rebel gasped.
Walker pushed Rebel inside the room roughly, and backed her up until her legs 
hit the bed while the door swung shut behind him with a thud. Rebel's knees 
buckled, and though she clung onto Walker's shoulders for support, she was sent 
sprawling onto the coverlet.
" I don't have to ask you what you're doing here, now do I? " Walker gritted, as 
he took in the expensive decor.
" What do you mean? Surely it's not a crime to go on a trip to Denver? " Rebel 
declared with an angry toss of her head as she struggled to rise from the bed.
" Don't play me for any more of a fool that you already have, Rebel. You and 
Barclay are eloping. It's as plain as the nose on your face! "
" Walker, you don't understand! Let me explain! " Rebel argued
" There is no explanation for this! You don't love Barclay! You love me, only 
you're too proud and stubborn to admit it! You're too proud to admit you love 
and need anyone except your family, and I can see why you'd be willing to marry 
Barclay. He's glamorous and charming, and can give you all the financial support 
you need to help you save the Indian reservation. But Barclay doesn't love you! 
He doesn't even know who you are except as a gorgeous body and a pretty face to 
decorate his home back in England, " Walker snarled.
" Now hold on, Walker, before you say anything else you're going to regret! " 
Rebel demanded, only to be silenced with a blistering kiss.
At length Walker ended the punishing kiss, and asserted, " But it's not worth 
it! You love your ranch, you love the wild West, you love living in America! You 
could never be happy in England or anywhere else except the place where you were 
born and reared, the place you've sweated blood over ever since you could dig up 
a field or sit astride a horse. Money won't buy you love or happiness if you're 
going to have to leave behind everyone and everything you've ever cared for! "
Rebel ceased struggling as Walker's eyes bored into hers, and in spite of the 
fact that he had obviously misunderstood her errand to Denver, she recognised 
the truth of his words. How well he understood her in some ways, and how little 
in others. Surely he couldn't think her so greedy as to marry for money, no 
matter what the reasons? And how dare he presume to interfere?
Rebel's spirit stirred at the injustice of his accusations, and she rebuked 
Walker haughtily. " Even if all this were true, just what gives you the right to 
interfere in a matter which is none of your concern? I shall marry whom I 
please! "
" You're mine, only mine! " Walker claimed. " From the moment I first saw you, 
you've haunted me day and night. I'm not going to let you go without a fight, 
Rebel Whitaker, do you hear? I love you, not for you figure, or your face, 
though both are beautiful. I want to touch you inside, in the deepest core of 
you, body and soul. I want to be one with you, with no secrets or separate parts 
of your life that you won't let me near. "
Reb was stunned by the violence of his passion, but her temper rose in the face 
of his towering anger. " It sounds more like ownership than love, and I'm no 
one's slave! " Reb argued hotly as she struggled to rise from the bed. " You say 
you know me in one breath, and accuse me of all sorts of mercenary behaviour in 
the next. If that's what you really think of me, just get out, Walker! Is this 
what you came back from wherever it was you ran away to tell me? I'll decide 
what to do with my life, and you have no part in it after this little stunt! "
" If you won't marry me, I'll make damned sure you don't marry anyone else! " 
Walker vowed, as his mouth covered Rebel's again. Her gown shredded in his hands 
like paper as he reached for her breasts, and for a moment Rebel was too stunned 
to fight back. This shouldn't be happening, her mind screamed, but as Walker 
showered her with kisses, the less rational side of her nature took over, and 
she began to kiss him back ardently. How she had missed him, despite her trying 
to shut him out of her mind, she admitted to herself ruefully, as her arms 
looped around his neck and her fingers laced through his thick black hair.
After an eternity, he lifted his lips and demanded, " Tell me you want me, 
Rebel. No more lies and evasions, the whole truth. "
" Oh Walker, I can explain, " Rebel sighed through her bruised lips, as he moved 
his head lower to kiss her throat and began to work at the fastenings of her 
corset.
" I don't need any explanations, my love, I just need you, " Walker murmured as 
he stroked her bare breasts reverently.
" Walker, we mustn't, this isn't right, " Rebel gasped, but Walker pressed his 
weight back onto her as he brought his face level with hers again.
" It is right, because we're right for each other. Let me show you, let me love 
you as a woman should be loved, Rebel, " he urged, as his lips found hers again.
Rebel pulled her mouth away. " Barclay will be wondering what happened to me, " 
she protested insincerely.
" Damn him, you're mine, and the only man whose going to be meeting you at the 
altar is me. "
" Walker, stop this now! You've got it all wrong! Listen to me! "
Her last words were practically shrieked as Walker yanked off the rest of her 
clothes with a sweeping flourish.
" And I'm telling you, you're mine! You're crazy if you think I'm going to step 
aside and let Barclay have you. Admit it, you love me! "
" You're the one who's crazy, " Rebel countered, as Walker began to remove his 
clothes.
" Damned right I am! You drive me crazy with longing, Rebel, and I'm going to 
finish this business between you and Barclay in the only sane way I can, " 
Walker muttered, as his boots flew in opposite directions and his breeches 
dropped around his ankles
" Walker, my God! " Rebel gasped, as he pushed her back down onto the bed and 
their bare legs intertwined.
" Don't play the wide-eyed innocent! I saw the two of you together in the hut 
Friday night with hardly a stitch on! Why do you think I followed you here! " he 
accused bitterly.
" You were at the ranch? You came back? Why? " Reb gasped, as he stripped off 
his shirt and moved towards the bed again.
" To tell you I loved you, of course. Only Barclay beat me to it, didn't he? But 
I don't care. You're mine, no matter what mistakes you've made, " Walker rasped.
" Walker, if you don't stop now you're going to regret this for the rest of your 
life! " Rebel threatened, her eyes widening in fear.
" I'll regret it for the rest of my life if I do stop! " Walker declared, as he 
began to caress her all over. His tongue plundered her mouth, and Rebel knew 
there was no way she could fend him off. He was too powerful and aroused, and in 
any case, did she really want him to stop? After all, she did love him, didn't 
she?
The hands pushing at his shoulders slid up to loop around his neck, and her 
tongue mingled with his as she began to kiss him back with all the pent up 
ardour her slender frame possessed.
Walker sensed the change in her, and with a sigh of relief knew he had won. He 
longed for her so much it was painful, but he tried to be gentler with her as he 
shifted the weight of his body so he wouldn't crush her. One hand slid down to 
the juncture between her thighs, and he teased the soft flesh there until he was 
certain she was ready for him.
Rebel's resistance fell away under his onslaught, and she felt like a rose about 
to blossom as the strange and exciting sensations coursed through her body. Her 
hands feverishly began to explore Walker's body, marvelling at the steel under 
the soft flesh. As her hand moved lower, Walker shifted between her thighs and 
whispered shakily, " Whoa, Rebel, you mustn't, not now. "
Sensing her own power, Rebel moved against him. With one powerful thrust she and 
Walker became one, and both gasped simultaneously, Walker with shock, Rebel with 
pain.
" Rebel, oh Rebel, why didn't you tell me the truth? " he gasped, as he tried to 
pull away.
" It doesn't matter, Walker! I want you! Please, I need you now! " she begged, 
as she arched her hips against him, seeking to bring him even deeper into her to 
ease her aching need.
Walker tried to hold back, be more gentle, but his all-encompassing desire for 
her sent him plummeting onwards towards their earth-shattering climax. Rebel's 
body ceased to be her own as Walker possessed her completely, each sure stroke 
bringing her higher and higher to the pinnacle of pleasure.
" Walker! " Rebel cried, as the tears sprang to her eyes, and her body trembled 
out of control.
" My love, my love, " Walker murmured against her ear as he poured into her. He 
was so out of control that he thought his climax might last forever, but 
eventually they both stilled, and Walker rolled them both onto their sides and 
smoothed Rebel's golden hair back from her face. Tears glistened on her cheeks, 
and Walker felt like kicking himself for having been such a callous brute.
" I'm sorry, Rebel. It was all a mistake. I'm such a fool, " he muttered as he 
began to kiss the tears away.
" The reasons were wrong, but you were right about all the rest. I've wanted you 
from the minute I saw you, but I never thought you would ever want someone like 
me. It wasn't a mistake, not unless you're disappointed in me. You must have 
known a lot of exciting women in your time, and I'm afraid I can't compete. "
" You're sure right about that, Rebel. You're in a class by yourself! You should 
have told me you were a virgin. Now I've ruined you, " Walker sighed bitterly.
" Hang on a minute! I thought that was the intention anyway, to make sure I 
couldn't marry any other man! " Reb said angrily. " And as I also seem to 
recall, you didn't give me any chance to explain anything! You barged in here, 
offered me a scathing harangue about my moral shortcomings, and tore my clothes 
off! Just when, during all of this, did I get a chance to tell you I was a 
virgin! "
" You're right of course, " Walker said distantly, as he sat up in the bed and 
began to gather his clothes from the floor.
" Where the hell do you think you're going! " Reb demanded disbelievingly as he 
began to pull his trousers back on.
" To find a preacher to set this all right, " Walker said flatly.
" I don't believe you just said that. This isn't the Middle Ages, and in any 
case, I was a willing participant. You don't need to marry me just because 
you've deflowered me! " Rebel sneered.
Walker winced at her words, and turned his back on her as he moved to search for 
his boots.
" Walker, listen to me a minute, " Reb demanded. " You didn't listen to my 
explanation before, you were so fired up, but I have the right to some say in 
all of this. So you sit down right in that chair, and hear what I have to say. "
Walker meekly sat, but avoid her gaze. Rebel wrapped herself in the coverlet, 
and sat down on the arm of his chair.
" Walker, I was out at the hut that night with Barclay with because we were 
caught in that big thunderstorm. We weren't lovers, we took off our clothes 
because they were wet. I saved him from a skittish rattlesnake, sucked the 
poison out, and he was grateful, that's all. And he's never been a suitor for my 
hand, ever, just a friend. "
" Please, Rebel, what kind of a fool do you take me for! I saw you together with 
my own eyes! And even if last night was all as innocent as you claim, don't deny 
that Barclay's been after you ever since he came to town, using every excuse he 
could to be alone with you.... " Walker argued, as he rose from the chair and 
began to pace around the room.
" I know what it must have looked like, and for a time I thought he was paying 
court to me as well, but a girl sort of knows about these things, and I could 
see he was interested in me in a different way. "
" Sure, he wants to be your brother, " Walker scoffed.
" Cousin, actually. "
" What? "
" I wouldn't pretend that his motives were a hundred percent pure, since it has 
something to do with a legacy, but he's my cousin from England, and he came to 
look for me about some money I've inherited through his father, who was my 
mother's brother. We weren't eloping, we were coming here to sell my mother's 
jewellery, and for him to pick up some funds from the telegraph office to defeat 
Greer once and for all about the Shoshone land, " Reb revealed.
Walker stared at her in stunned silence for several moments.
" So you're in the clear. None of you have to sell up, or clear off, or hand the 
land over to Greer? " he whispered.
" I'm not sure what the jewels are worth, but the estate in England is quite 
valuable, even if it is encumbered with debts. I was going to let Barclay have 
some of the stocks and shares to keep the place going, but he wants to sell up 
and move to Grange. There's more than enough money to provide for all of us. 
He's engaged to be married already, and is sending for her to come out here so 
they can make a fresh start, " Reb smiled.
" Why didn't you tell me all this before? " Walker asserted.
" I only found out myself when the rattler bit Barclay. There's little time 
before the set date of the auction. I must sell these jewels for the best price 
I can to match the ten thousand dollar reserve price set for the Shoshone lands. 
There's still a long way to go before all these financial matters are settled, 
so I will buy the reservation, and then just carry on as before until I know how 
much the jewellery and shares are really worth, " Reb explained.
" I can't believe this! It's too much to take in! " Walker shook his head.
" How do you think I feel? I'm overwhelmed, and there will have to be a great 
deal of discussion in the family and with the Shoshone as to what to do for the 
best regarding the gold and silver mining. But we will have plenty of time for 
that now, once the sale goes through and Greer is out of our lives forever. Once 
we settle up with the Shoshone, we can start making other plans for the future. 
"
" In that case, since you are independently wealthy, you won't need to marry me, 
" Walker said quietly.
" Need?! " Reb exploded. " Since when have I become a whore! No, don't answer 
that. It was about five minutes ago when you took advantage of me, " Rebel 
hissed angrily, as she stood up and moved toward the door.
" Get out, now! "
" I didn't call you a whore, " Walker protested.
" You did when you accused me of being willing to elope with Barclay to get 
money for the reservation, and you did it again when you seemed to say the 
marriage you just offered me was now out of the question, since I was 
financially secure and obviously didn't need your money, not that I ever knew 
you had any in the first place, " Reb spat as she began to hunt for her clothes 
and moved to turn the knob to open the door. " So far as I know, you're just a 
simple mining engineer, remember? "
Reb, I didn't mean it the way it sounded... "
" You did mean it. You even said you'd marry me to protect my good name now that 
I had been 'ruined' by you! And to think I was so stupid as to ever believe 
myself in love with a man as low down and untrustworthy as you, " she sniffed, 
as the tears began to fall.
" What did you say? " Walker demanded.
" I love you, you great oaf. I'm sure it is some satisfaction to you that you 
fooled me so completely. "
" Fooled you? " Walker echoed, alarmed.
" I thought you were a decent man! You said you loved me before, but as soon as 
you'd had me.... " she trailed off in a whisper, as she began to pull clothes 
out of her suitcase angrily in an effort to find something decent to wear.
" Rebel, I'm sorry, this is all a complete muddle, " Walker sighed, before 
moving over to the bed and sweeping all of her belongings onto the floor
" What did you do that for? " Rebel wailed, as she sat on the edge of the bed 
hopelessly and began to weep in earnest.
" Because I have a better use for the bed, and you sure as hell won't need any 
clothes. "
" No, Walker, don't, " Rebel protested brokenly as the coverlet was stripped 
away, and once again she found herself trapped in Walker's arms.
" Enough words, my love. Anything I say seems only to make things worse. Actions 
speak louder than words, so I want to show you how much I love and worship you, 
" Walker murmured as he stroked her bare flesh adoringly.
" You do love me, then? " Rebel asked tearfully as she stared at him searchingly 
with her great aqua eyes.
" More than life itself, but just in case you have any lingering doubts.... "
Rebel melted in his arms, and soon she was stripping Walker's clothes off as 
they sought the incredible fulfilment which only each could give .
Much later, Rebel sighed. Walker looked at her questioningly, and she spoke her 
mind. " I'm sorry for all the doubts and misunderstandings. I should have 
listened to you instead of trying to be so independent. And about being so 
standoffish. I guess I'm just not used to trusting outsiders, and I was 
frightened of my feelings for you, frightened that you would just ride away one 
day and leave a gaping void in my life. In the end I drove you away that day, 
and spent the whole hunting trip sick at the thought that you were gone forever. 
"
" I'll never leave you again, Rebel, ever, that I can promise you. You'll just 
have to get used to having me around the ranch from now on, " Walker smiled.
" The day are going to be long and hard, but if the nights are going to be like 
this, " she grinned, stroking his muscular chest, " then I think I can tolerate 
you. "
" Just say the word, and we'll be married straight away, " Walker promised.
" There's really no hurry, my love, " Reb murmured against his lips. " All of 
this is so sudden, it's taken my breath away. "
" In fact, " Walker said, getting carried away with his ideas, " What could be 
better than being wed right here, right now, in Denver. We can take a bit of a 
honeymoon break if all is well with the auction, and ... "
" Whoa, Walker, hang on a minute. We really don't have to rush into this. 
There's no obligation on your part, " Reb argued.
" I know that, I want to marry you! "
" I think you were goaded into thinking of marrying me by your sense of rivalry 
with Barclay, and now by your sense of guilt over having bedded me. "
" That's not true! I want to marry you more than anything in the world because I 
love you, and I know you love me. It's not some competition, " Walker hastened 
to reassure her.
" Then please respect my wishes in this when I say we should wait, at least 
until we're both sure, and until we can make some proper arrangements back home 
at Grange. Just think how hurt my family will be if we leave them out! Not to 
mention the townsfolk. I know I'm not exactly their favourite person, but they 
all mean well, and will be delighted that I'm finally going to settle down as a 
respectable married woman. "
" Surely you don't give a hoot about those old biddies after all the nasty 
things they've done? " Walker asked incredulously.
" No, I don't but if we have to live in the town, and our children have to grow 
up with their children, we have to observe the decencies and invite all of them 
to the wedding. "
" The food would stick in our throats, " he grumbled.
" No, it won't. We haven't done anything to be ashamed of, but it would look as 
though we had if we eloped. Besides my love, you wouldn't want to cheat us out 
of a special day, a gown, flowers, a cake? " Reb smiled
Walker knew she didn't really care about any of those things, but as she had 
said, the proprieties had to be observed in her small town, and he wanted Rebel 
to have a special day when the whole town saw just what a beautiful and gracious 
woman she had become.
" I agree, but what if you are already with child? " Walker frowned.
" Darling, I'm not talking about a long time, a couple of weeks to get the 
licence, and organise things back home with Reverend Wheelock. Unless of course 
you don't trust in my love, and think that in the space of a few weeks I might 
change my mind, " Reb accused.
Walker cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably. " Not at all, I just want 
you all to myself, and the wait will be agony. "
" Who says you have to wait? We can stay here in Denver for a few days, as long 
as we've travelled so far, " she smiled seductively, igniting the flames of his 
passion anew.
Much, much later, Rebel forced herself to get out of the bed, and poked her head 
out the door, where the tepid water and ice cold breakfast were still waiting 
for her.
" Where are you going? " Walker asked drowsily.
" I'm meant to be meeting Barclay down in the lobby in about fifteen minutes. I 
want to sell the jewels, wire the money home, and tell Daddy about our wedding, 
" Reb beamed as she poured water in the basin and began to wash herself.
" This inheritance, I wonder about it, " Walker said with a frown.
" Why? Barclay says it's mine now that Pierce and Bryce are dead. "
" Under what terms did you inherit the property from your uncle, exactly? " 
Walker asked, running his fingers through his hair in an oddly nervous gesture.
" As eldest surviving child of my mother, Isabella Townsend Dickinson, " Rebel 
replied, as she began to pull on some fresh underwear and her petticoats.
" Look, Rebel, this business with your cousin is all very well, but you don't 
need Barclay's help if you're going to marry me, and I don't want you to sell 
your mother's jewellery. There's no need. I'll wire home for some money, and 
take care of all this for you. Keep it in the family, so to speak, " Walker 
protested.
" It is in the family, he's my cousin! Please, Walker, I'm not going to take a 
penny from you when I have all these rings and necklaces which are no use to 
anybody. They have no sentimental value, since I didn't even know they existed 
until I cleaned out mother's sewing room, and what would I want with diamonds 
and pearls anyway? I'm going to be a rancher's wife, " she smiled, as she 
finished dressing.
Walker felt sick inside. He should have told her the truth about himself long 
before now. Nor could he risk revealing all without facing the strong 
possibility that he might lose her.
" But what if something goes wrong with the inheritance? What if some sort of 
mistake has been made? " he argued earnestly.
" Nothing is going to go wrong, Walker, so stop worrying, " Reb tried to 
reassure him, astounded by his negative attitude towards her wonderful good 
fortune. " We have to defeat Greer, so I am going to get the best price I can 
for the jewels, and if it still isn't enough, Barclay will lend me the rest 
until matters are sorted out in England. "
" Rebel, I really think... "
" Now, what are you going to do today? " she asked as she put the finishing 
touches to her golden hair. " Are you going to come with me, or would you like 
to stay here? "
" No, sweetheart, I'm coming with you, " Walker insisted as he began to get 
dressed slowly.
" Look, Walker, I know there are some things you want to tell me about the mine 
and Greer, but I think I know everything, and I forgive you. "
" Did Barclay say anything, because if he did.... "
Reb shook his head, and said, " No, but I think I can figure everything out, and 
I forgive you for hiding things from me. Let's just forget about it all, wipe 
the slate clean. I don't want to spend all my time arguing with you. So I call a 
three day truce. "
" Rebel, " Walker opened his mouth to protest.
" No, Walker, I've had enough earth shattering revelations for one week. Let's 
just get to know each other, day and night, and start making up for all the time 
we've wasted, " Reb cajoled, as she stretched up the length of Walker's body to 
kiss him passionately.
" All right, truce, " Walker sighed, though she could see the effort it cost him 
to say it.
" Don't be so pessimistic. It will all be fine, I promise, " Rebel reassured 
him, as she stroked his tanned cheek and planted a last kiss on his lips. " 
We'll have the rest of our lives together to sort this all out. "
" You're right, of course, I'm worrying needlessly, " he said, kissing her back 
passionately. " And as you said before, we don't make a trip to Denver every 
day, so we might as well make the most of this opportunity. I want to take you 
shopping, to the theatre, wine you and dine you. What do you say? Could you 
stand being pampered with the best of everything that money can buy? "
" It depends. "
" On what? "
" On whose company I am in, and where you're staying tonight, " Rebel batted her 
eyelashes at him coquettishly.
" You are going to be with me every moment for the rest of our lives, so if you 
don't mind sharing the bed.... " Walker breathed, as he nuzzled her neck.
" I'm used to sharing, though you're a lot bigger than Catherine and Emily, " 
Reb giggled.
" Come on, hussy, let's get out of here before I take advantage of you again. 
We're going to paint the town scarlet by the time we're finished here. "
" What about Barclay? "
" He's welcome to join us in our prenuptial celebrations. What do you think 
he'll say? "
" I think he'll be delighted. He even said to me that he thought you were the 
right man to tame me, " Reb admitted.
" You're not that wild, " Walker observed with spark of mischief in his eyes, " 
though at times this morning I was sure I had bedded a tigress. "
" You bring out the worst in me, you always have, " Rebel scowled playfully.
" Geez, ma'am, if that was your worst, I'd really hate to see your best. I might 
never walk again, " Walker teased.
" Oh you, " Rebel said as she tickled his ribs, and they melted into each 
other's arms again as they kissed each other hungrily.
Finally, Reb broke away, and insisted, " We must meet Barclay or he'll be 
worried. I want to get my money problems solved once and for all, and then we 
are going to have a day to remember. "
" We sure are, Rebel. Whatever you heart desires, you can have. "
" I want you, " she murmured shyly as they began to descend the stairs of the 
hotel arm in arm.
" I love you more than anything in the world, Rebel, just remember that, " 
Walker declared solemnly, and Reb smiled softly up at the man she had come so 
close to losing.
" I hope you'll be around for a long time to come so you can keep on reminding 
me of that fact, " Reb said as she held Walker's hand firmly, and they walked 
into the lounge to tell Barclay their news.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The next two days were the happiest Reb had ever known, as she and Walker did 
indeed paint the town of Denver red. Barclay, having got over his astonishment 
at Walker's reappearance, and laughing in embarrassment over his duplicity and 
the seemingly incriminating events in the hut, said, " I'm delighted for you 
both. Thrilled would be a better description. I am really sorry everything took 
on a whole different appearance from what was intended, and to tell you the 
truth, I didn't stop to realise that what I thought was a little harmless 
teasing might seem to you to indicate that I was interested in Rebel 
romantically. "
" Well, you did propose to her, Barclay, " Walker said wryly.
" I know, but only to help her out of a tight spot. I was relieved when she said 
no, since that only confirmed to me that she loved you above anything else, even 
the ranch. "
" I've been a blind fool not to see it myself, " Walker sighed, as he took Reb's 
hand and kissed it.
" When's the wedding to be, then? "
" As soon as decently possible, " Reb smiled.
" Quite right, wouldn't want to get the Grange social circle's wind up, would 
you? " Barclay joked.
" Certainly not. I've already scandalised them about the Indians' land. The 
Townsend, Whitaker and Pritchard families will have to tread carefully until 
they're accepted as they are, but I think they will come round in the end. "
" I hope Genevieve likes it out here, " Barclay wished.
" Barclay, if she loves you, she'll understand what this place has come to mean 
to you, has come to mean to all of us, " Walker reassured him.
" Well, if we are finished with the explanations and the happy reunion, can we 
please go sell these rocks? " Reb quipped impatiently.
A tour of the town revealed four jewellers' shops, and Reb pointed out, " We'll 
try them all. Here, Walker, you take these, Barclay, you take these, and I'll go 
to that one on the corner, and see what price he offers. Then we can meet up 
outside my shop and try the last one together. "
Even selling only a few of the pieces, they came out with several thousand 
dollars apiece, and Barclay crowed in delight. " You're rich, my dear! Rich! The 
man is simply dying to buy more. "
" Let's not be hasty, here, " Walker cautioned. " After all, they are family 
heirlooms. "
" But don't you see, if I sell them all, Barclay can get his estate out of debt, 
and I won't have to touch the stocks and shares? "
Barclay estimated his needs, and he returned to the shop with Reb and Walker and 
sold several more necklaces and bracelets for the sum he had named in dollars.
" What are you doing? " Reb asked quietly as Walker took out his billfold.
" Buying a wedding band for a certain young lady I know, " he murmured, as he 
seized her left hand and tried several on her ring finger.
Barclay took his money to the telegraph office to wire to Genevieve, and then 
they went to the bank to deposit the rest of the jewels safely until they 
decided what to do with them. Then they went on a shopping spree, buying new 
clothes, and after returning to the hotel to change, they headed downstairs for 
the finest meal the establishment could offer.
" I think I should go back to Grange, give the reserve price for the Shoshone 
land to the bank, and then the matter will be settled, " Reb stated over a 
fabulous dinner complete with champagne.
" But Reb, you've only just got here, and you and Walker need some time on your 
own. I tell you what, I'll take the banker's draft back, so I can pack up my 
things and get ready to head east, " Barclay suggested.
" You are coming back to us aren't you, Barclay? " Walker asked.
" Of course, but I've told Genevieve to come straight over on the next boat to 
New York, and I want to start getting things ready for her. If you don't mind, 
and are willing to loan me a bit of money to start up, I'd like to take over the 
old bunkhouse, just until we sell the land in Somerset and get back on our feet. 
"
" Mind? Of course not, I'd be delighted, " Reb smiled. " Here's the other five 
thousand, " she said, passing the pile of notes to Barclay under the table. " 
Put up the money for the Shoshone lands, and whatever is left over, buy yourself 
some household things. And don't forget, tell Reverend Wheelock to read out the 
first banns for us on Sunday. "
" Really, Reb, keep some money for yourself! " Barclay urged.
" No need, I have everything I want right here, " she grinned, as she took 
Walker's hand and he kissed hers.
The little party broke up soon after that, with Barclay going up to pack to 
catch the early train to Laramie, and Reb and Walker anxious to be alone with 
one another. Reb felt slightly shy as she entered the room and Walker followed, 
but as soon as he wrapped his arms around her, she felt her self-control snap. 
Reb began to undo the buttons on his shirt, and stripped off his cravat with 
nimble fingers. Walker worked at the back fastenings of her gown, and as soon as 
they were both bare, he moved to turn down the lamps.
" No, don't, I want to see you, " Reb breathed, as he looked at her uncertainly.
" I can't believe you're here with me like this. I keep thinking It's a dream, 
that I'm going to wake up and find you gone. "
" This is no dream, " he murmured reverently, as he began to stroke her 
quivering flesh. His hands moved up to free her hair from its confining snood, 
and it fell down her back in a golden cascade. Walker stroked it sensuously, and 
Reb could almost feel herself purr.
" What are you thinking, my love? " he whispered as he laid her on the bed and 
saw the smile playing about her lips.
" I'm convinced I'm in heaven, " Reb sighed as she ran her fingers through his 
hair, and opened her mouth as she gave himself up completely to his lovemaking.
Much later, all passions spent, Walker sat up against the headboard of the bed 
and uncorked a bottle of champagne he had left cooling in a basin.
They shared the wine as lovers should, sipping from the glass and then each 
other's lips, and Reb giggled.
" You're turning me into a wanton woman. "
" You always were, you know. Strutting about in your trousers, without a corset. 
The sway of your hips is enough to send any man wild. I shall have to keep you 
locked up and find you the biggest crinolines to wear to help restrain you and 
prevent you from shocking the neighbours, " Walker teased.
" Did you really love me from the first moment you saw me? "
" I'd be a liar if I said that. I must have been suffering from temporary 
blindness, because at first I could have sworn you were a boy, swaggering around 
like the lord of the wild, but one sight of you emerging from that bathtub, and 
yes, I was completely smitten by your feminine charms. "
" Just as I was smitten by your rugged good looks, as the saying goes, " Reb 
quoted.
" My, my, you haven't been reading penny romances, have you? "
" One or two, " she admitted. " We ladies have to find out what you gentleman 
like, don't we? "
" How about some hands on, practical experience, " Walker coaxed.
" I'm afraid of hurting you, " Reb said, blushing.
" It's all a case of doing what comes naturally. Just relax, and touch me where 
you want to. "
Walker had ample reason to regret his advice, for Reb proved a most inquisitive 
lover, and as the first rays of dawn shone through the curtains, he pleaded for 
mercy.
" Reb, really, if I didn't know better, I'd say you learned how to handle your 
men at Hank's! "
" Am I not normal, then? " Reb said with a frown.
" Let's just say, I've never met anyone quite so eager to please, " Walker 
gasped, as he took a drink of champagne to dampen his dry mouth.
" Do I please you? " Reb asked as she nuzzled his bristly cheek.
" After that performance, how can you doubt it? " Walker panted. " But I aim to 
please as well, so I'm going to ring for a maid to bring us up a nice hot bath. 
"
" A reminder of your first falling in love with me? "
" Damned right. I wanted to lather you all over then, and I'm not going to wait 
a minute longer, " he vowed, pulling a towel around his midriff as he rang the 
bell and made his request to the maid who appeared outside the door a short time 
later.
True to his word, Walker lathered Reb everywhere from top to toe, and even 
washed Reb's long hair, before drying her all over and wrapping her in some 
luxurious soft towels. Then he lowered himself into the tub, and Reb moved over 
to scrub his back. As her hands slipped lower under the water, Walker's desires 
raged, and with a firm tug he stripped Reb's towel off and pulled her into the 
water with him.
" Walker, really, the floor, " she spluttered, and gasped as his intentions 
became all too clear.
" Walker, we can't, it's indecent! It's impossible, " Reb giggled, as he slipped 
her along his thighs until they became one again.
" Oh my, " she breathed, before his lips took hers in a blistering kiss. Small 
cries came from the back of her throat as he took her to peak after peak of 
pleasure, and only when both were fully spent did they finish their wash in the 
now cold water, and began to dry each other and get dressed.
Walker busied himself shaving in the mirror while Reb struggled with her many 
new undergarments. When she finally announced she was ready, Walker turned 
around, and was stunned by the transformation.
" What's wrong? I know my hair is still wet, but... "
Walker moved over too her and kissed her so passionately her knees went weak.
" What was that for? " Reb whispered against his lips as he paused to draw 
breath.
" You are so lovely, I just can't help myself, " Walker confessed as he stroked 
her petal soft lips with his thumb.
" And you're so handsome, you take my breath away, " she murmured as she stroked 
his hair down where it was beginning to stick up in the back.
" Are you ready? We have a long day of shopping ahead of us if we're to get your 
trousseau, and we need to also stop off to get tickets for that concert tonight. 
"
" I feel terrible, you know. We should have got up to see Barclay off on the 
train, " Reb reproached Walker
" I think Barclay will understand, circumstances being what they are. "
" I know, I know, " she sighed. " I don't want anyone to intrude on our time 
together either. Am I a terribly selfish person? "
" Not at all, just sensible and besides, it's exactly the way I feel as well, " 
he confirmed, as he kissed her again.
" Reb, about all this money of yours, " he began to say, but Reb shook her head.
" No you don't, Walker, you're not going to spoil our lovely time by talking 
about business. I want to have a couple of completely carefree days and nights 
with you before I have to go back to Grange and live in the real world again. 
For now, I want to dine on nectar and ambrosia, and your intoxicating kisses. "
Walker held her tightly, and once again managed to escape from telling her the 
truth. It was an omission he was to regret bitterly.
On Thursday evening, Reb and Walker dressed in their best for a special dinner 
dance being given in the hotel that night as a sort of harvest festival for the 
people of Denver.
" We were very lucky to get tickets at all, " Reb commented as she played with 
her hair, trying to put it up in various ways that would make her look more 
sophisticated. Her gown, a present from Walker, was exquisite, a white silk 
confection with an overdress of black lace.
" We certainly were, though now that I see you in that gown, I'm beginning to 
regret purchasing it. "
" Why, does it look dreadful on me? " Reb pouted worriedly.
" No, it's just that every man in the room will have his eyes on you the whole 
night, you look so lovely. "
" So long as it's your eyes looking at me, I don't give a fig about the rest. "
" No chance of changing your mind and us having a nice quiet romantic evening up 
here by ourselves, is there, my love? " Walker breathed, as he kissed the nape 
of her neck.
Reb's aqua eyes looked up into his dark ones candidly, and she replied, " Your 
wish is my command, " and pressed herself against him until his desire burned 
between them.
" No, no, it's not fair, " Walker blurted out as he pulled away. " I promised 
you we would go to the dance, Rebel, and to the dance we shall go. "
" I feel just like Cinderella, " Reb said as she pirouetted in the middle of the 
room. " But really, Walker, if you don't want to go, I'm quite happy staying 
here. "
" No, my darling girl, we shall go to the ball, but do me a favour, will you, 
and make sure you remember where you left off when we come back here afterwards, 
" he said throatily.
" Anticipation is half the pleasure with you, " Reb drawled, as she ran her 
hands over his shoulders boldly, until he tucked one roving hand firmly in the 
crook of his arm, and escorted her down the stairs to the ballroom.
The evening passed by in a swirl of chatter and a sea of faces, as Reb and 
Walker ate their meal, listened to the singers, and then waltzed and polkaed 
their way throughout the night.
" Are you having a good time, darling? " Walker asked once, as Reb sat 
breathlessly and ate some of the ice cream he handed her.
" Wonderful. I've never been to a dance before, except a barn dance, " Reb 
bubbled.
" Then how did you learn to waltz so well? "
" Mother used to give me and the boys dancing lessons, and even Daddy joined in 
occasionally. "
" A remarkable family, " he beamed, stroking her cheek tenderly. Then the men 
standing nearby engaged Walker in conversation, and two of the women with them 
stopped to compliment Reb on her dress.
Reb observed Walker's manner with all of the people he came into contact with. 
He was charming, sophisticated, and certainly a far cry from the tongue-tied, 
serious man he had been when she had first known him. This is where he belongs, 
for all of his talk of being a miner, she reflected, and a small frown creased 
her features.
" What's wrong, Rebel? " Walker asked, as he crossed the room to her side.
" Nothing, what could possibly be wrong? " she smiled forcedly.
" You looked, I don't know, ill at ease. "
" I was just thinking how at home you look in an elegant suit, in a ballroom, 
dancing with all these lovely women. "
" You're not jealous are you, Rebel? Surely you believe me when I say you're the 
only woman I've ever loved. "
" I do believe you, Walker, really, " Reb sighed. " It's just that the truth has 
to be faced up to some time. Cinderella's ball always comes to an end at 
midnight, and she loses her Prince Charming. "
" Yes, but Prince Charming seeks out his darling, and manages to sort out the 
false from the true, and put the slipper on the person who most deserves his 
love. "
" I guess I've allowed my love for you to blind me to the truth about some 
things in our relationship, things about you, " Reb said seriously.
" And I have wanted to tell you the whole truth, you know I've several times, " 
Walker reminded her.
" Tomorrow, Walker. I don't want to spoil our evening now, it's been too 
perfect, " Reb said tenderly, her eyes shining up at him revealing her love.
" No matter what tomorrow brings, my dearest Rebel, remember it's always been 
you, and only you, that I've done all these things for. I think I was in love 
with you, or an idea of you, the perfect partner for me to spend my life with, 
even before we ever met. Once we did met, I knew my life could never be the same 
again, " Walker confessed sadly.
" You sound like you blame me in a way, " Reb stated.
" I do blame you, darling. You addle my brain with your kisses, and I never want 
to let you go. "
" Then you'll never have to, " Reb vowed, as he stooped to kiss her.
" Come on then, little princess, another dance? " Walker invited, and took her 
hand to help her rise to her feet.
Just as they reached the edge of the dance floor, however, two tall men in dark 
day suits blocked their way, and one of them laid a hand on Walker's shoulder.
" Are you Walker Pritchard Preston, of the WPP Mining Company in Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania, and the Seven Oaks Plantation of Richmond ,Virginia? "
Walker, too stunned to reply, simply nodded.
" We are arresting you for the murder of Bryce Whitaker, on the night of June 
10th, 1865. Please let go of the young lady, and come with us. "
" Murder, Bryce.... " Reb repeated to herself in a whisper.
" Rebel, listen to me, I can explain, this is all a mistake! " Walker roared 
above the sound of the orchestra as he was forcibly dragged away, but Reb's 
blood pounded in her ears, and as Walker disappeared from the ballroom, Reb sank 
slowly to the floor and let oblivion claim her.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

When Reb awakened the following morning, her head throbbing, her stomach 
churning, she found herself in her hotel room with a stern-looking nurse in a 
starched white apron standing by the bedside. Nearby, a doctor was just opening 
his bag to begin his examination of her.
" What happened? Why are you here, doctor? Where's my husband? "
" it seems there was a certain amount of unpleasantness at the dance last night, 
and your er- husband was arrested. I have no interest in the particulars of the 
case, but you have had a nasty shock, and need complete rest, " the doctor, a 
fussy little man in an immaculate suit, said gruffly.
What Reb had hoped was only a nightmare came back with terrifying clarity.
" Walker, Walker! " she began to cry, but the nurse held her down as the doctor 
forced her to drink some bitter-tasting liquid.
" I must go to him, there's been some sort of mistake! " Reb screamed, but she 
could feel the medicine making her drowsy already, and in any case, did she 
really want to see the man accused of murdering her brother?
" My God, is that why he came to the Bar T? Because he knew Bryce, felt guilty 
about murdering him? " Reb shuddered, as she hugged her arms tightly to herself 
and fell back onto the pillows. Or worse still, thought he could try to get the 
land somehow through killing her brother? Was that why Greer had come? Had he 
known Bryce as well?
These questions haunted her dreams for the next day and night, as she wept, 
raved, and the doctor tried to calm her by sedating her heavily. Finally, on 
Friday night, she awoke to find Barclay sitting by her bedside alone. The doctor 
and nurse had both been dismissed, and Barclay held Reb's hand as he soothed, " 
Sush, it's all right, I'm here. "
" Oh, Barclay, thank God it's you. They wouldn't let me go to Walker, see him, 
find out what's going on. Please, Barclay, go to the prison, find out what 
Walker's been accused of. "
" I've been there already, but they wouldn't let anyone speak to him. I heard 
all about it as soon as I got off the train, and went straight over to the 
prison to see if there was anything I could do to help. I've cabled Simon to 
come straightaway to help with Walker's defence, but the news isn't good, I'm 
afraid. "
" What exactly has he been accused of? The men who arrested him said he had 
murdered my brother Bryce, but it's unthinkable, " Reb muttered confusedly.
" That's the charge, I'm afraid. According to three eyewitnesses, Bryce and 
Walker got into a fight over a gambling debt in Richmond. Bryce apparently 
signed a paper stating that the bearer of the note got the Bar T. The witnesses 
say that Walker lost the game, and angry at his losses, shot Bryce dead and 
stole the paper. The paper was found amongst his belongings out at the Bar T. It 
looks bad that he has been out here trying to ingratiate himself with the 
family, and that there's been gold found on the land, " Barclay outlined.
" Surely Walker couldn't have know about the gold before he came out here. Sure, 
the ranch would have been valuable, but enough to kill Bryce for? " Reb gasped.
" One witness says that Bryce had bragged frequently throughout the years he had 
known him that there was gold in the hills. No one could do anything about it 
while the war was still raging, but once peace came, Walker took the claims 
seriously, and when he couldn't cheat Bryce out of the Bar T, he murdered him, " 
Barclay said carefully, trying to keep his voice neutral.
Reb lay back against the pillows, her mind numb. She remembered the times she 
had shared with Walker on the ranch day after day, when they first met, trying 
to find some indication of his truth or innocence.
" Do you still want to see him? " Barclay asked quietly as Reb closed her eyes 
again.
" I'm so full of laudanum I don't think I can even get out of this bed, " Reb 
muttered. " Can you ring the bell for some coffee, and then I want you to get 
some paper and pen and ink, and write down what we know so far. I don't think 
Walker did it. I think someone else is behind all this, trying to discredit 
Walker and get him out of the way. Barclay, can you try to find out the names of 
the witnesses so I can speak to them? "
" Reb, it's very late, the offices will all be closed, " Barclay reminded her.
" I don't care, find someone who is willing to tell you something, anything that 
might help us clear Walker. "
Barclay nodded. " I'll do my best, and come straight back. Have a wash, drink 
your coffee, and wait for me, all right? "
Reb nodded obediently, and as soon as Barclay had gone she swung her shaking 
legs out of the bed and went over to the basin to scrub her face and teeth. Then 
she combed her blonde hair until it crackled, and plaited it down her back into 
a thick rope. She pulled on some clean underwear and a fresh gown, and sat down 
at the desk by the window.
Reb sat for ages as she wracked her brain trying to remember anything strange 
that Walker had said or done when he first arrived, and how he had behaved when 
the gold had been found. Reb also recalled the conversation she had overheard 
between Walker and McClellan, and suddenly began to scribble furiously.
Barclay tapped on the door a few hours later, and as soon as he entered the 
room, Reb declared fiercely, " Walker is innocent, I know he is. He never knew 
Bryce was dead, he was shocked when I told him. Sure, he might have shot him 
just to wound him, and Walker could put in a case for manslaughter, but I'm 
certain I know who Walker really is. They called him by his real name when he 
was arrested. He is Walker Pritchard Preston. "
" That's right, they said so at the jail. Does the name mean anything to you? "
" I'm certain that he's none other than Colonel Walker P. Preston, Bryce and 
Pierce's commanding officer in the Union army. They were friends, Barclay! He 
wouldn't have killed my brother over land, I'm sure of it. "
Barclay looked relieved, and patted her on the shoulder. " I'm glad you've come 
to that conclusion on your own, without any prompting from me. I've had my 
suspicious about who's been responsible for getting Walker arrested and why. 
After all, how many people apart from your family knew he was here in Denver?
" It has to be Greer and McClellan, trying to get revenge on me because I bought 
the Shoshone land. "
" That's right. If you look at the only three names on the witness list, you'll 
see they are Alexander and Abner Greer, plus James McClellan. And McClellan is 
the one who claims he was in the same regiment as your two brothers, " Barclay 
revealed.
" So if Bryce had boasted about gold, McClellan at least would have known about 
it, " Reb speculated. " I think I remember my brothers mentioning someone called 
Jamie in their letters. "
" It's going to look bad for Walker, though, when they reveal in court that he 
is the owner of the WPP mining company back in Pittsburgh. It's going to look 
like he did want the land himself for the gold and minerals to expand his mining 
empire, " Barclay cautioned.
" I know, I know, but Walker might have just decided to help my family out, you 
know. I mean, since he knew what to look for, he might have decided to come out 
to see whether or not Bryce's claims were true. Then if they were, he would have 
had a chance of helping us out now that Bryce and Pierce were dead, if he felt 
concerned for us being left on our own after the war, " Reb argued.
" People might twist his presence and his motives and say that Walker wanted to 
take advantage of the murder. "
" I know, Barclay, but he's not like that. You know he's not. "
" Honey, you don't have to tell me. I could tell from the moment he met you he 
loved you, and he even told me on the first day I arrived that his intentions 
towards you were honourable. He could have just come out, tried to help you 
financially and then left, but he didn't. He stayed on at the ranch for weeks, 
and I am certain it's because he loved you and didn't want to leave. "
" Damn that gold strike. If it hadn't been for those nuggets... " Reb sighed.
" Reb, I think I'd better tell you now, Walker admitted to me that he planted 
them to help you out. He wanted to make sure you and the family had money, but 
knew you were too proud to accept what you would have described as charity. "
Reb's aqua eyes gazed at Barclay in disbelief. " Are you sure about that? "
" Don't you remember our second trip to the mountain, when he was so angry with 
himself for not having seen the mineral wealth before? " Barclay reminded her. " 
It's because he wasn't really looking for gold or silver. He just planted the 
nuggets in the waterfall, planned the picnic, and only after did he look around 
and notice what had been staring him in the face all along, only he'd been too 
befuddled by a pair of aqua eyes to pay much attention. "
" Oh, Barclay, then it's because of me that he's in prison, " Reb lamented. " He 
was trying to help me, and McClellan must have warned him he'd make trouble if 
he didn't talk to me, try to persuade me into making a deal. I think Walker was 
frightened for me, wanted to protect me, only they've gone after him instead. "
" And it might only be a matter of time before they come after you, especially 
now that Walker is safely out of the way, " Barclay warned.
Both sat silently for a few minutes contemplating that awful possibility.
At length Barclay asked Reb, " What do you think we should do? "
" I think we should telegraph Pittsburgh and Richmond to explain what's 
happened, and wait for a reply. "
" I'm all set to head off for New York. I could stop off at either of those two 
places on the way, see if I can get someone to speak up for Walker, or find 
witnesses to the murder in Richmond, " Barclay offered.
" Would you? " Reb said, her relief evident on her lovely face. " It would be a 
huge help, I'm sure. Walker has no one to speak up for him at the moment. If 
even one witness could come forward, we could expose the Greers' lies for what 
they really are, revenge. "
" I've already checked trains, and I can head east first thing tomorrow morning. 
The trial has been set for four weeks' time, so we should have a defence 
organised for him by then. What are you going to do in the meantime? " Barclay 
asked, as he began to pace up and down the room restlessly.
" Stay here, I suppose, " Reb shrugged. " I must see Walker first thing in the 
morning so he doesn't think I've abandoned him. "
" Reb, I don't like to say this, but I think you should go home. The atmosphere 
in Grange is very tense at the moment, almost as though they are expecting 
trouble. Mrs. Connally at the boarding house has been told to clear all her 
rooms and get ready to billet soldiers, " Barclay announced. " I'm worried, I 
don't mind admitting it. Oh, and Hector said he remembered that Greer was the 
one who asked him where you and I and Walker had gone, so that answers another 
question about Walker's arrest. "
" That's right, it was Hector who told Walker about the quick route through the 
mountains down here to Denver. Damn Greer, and damn McClellan. But do you know 
what seems even odder to me about this whole affair? "
" What is that? " Barclay asked, as he grew tired of pacing and threw himself 
onto the bed wearily.
" If Bryce was really murdered, and not killed by skirmishers the way his death 
report said, then why was that other man killed? "
" An inconvenient witness? " Barclay shrugged.
" I'm not so sure. Walker told me a story about a Union officer who led his men 
into a trap, and another man got the blame even though he was innocent. If 
McClellan and Walker had been friends throughout the war with Bryce and Pierce, 
then who were the other two men of their set of six friends the Walker told me 
about? " Reb wondered.
" Not the Greer brothers, surely? " Barclay guessed.
" No, I don't think so. Alexander Greer recognised Walker vaguely that night he 
beat you over the head. If they had been good friends it would have been more of 
a shock on both their parts seeing each other in Grange. Walker and McClellan, 
on the other hand, spit fire when they saw each other again. You know, the more 
I think about it, the more McClellan has to be the key to this whole thing. He's 
a mining engineer, can probably spot the ore even better than Walker. They might 
even have been friends in the mines before the war, " Reb speculated.
" Or rivals. Did you ever stop to consider that McClellan might be trying to 
even up old scores? " Barclay pointed out astutely.
" I hadn't thought of it before, but now that you mention it, the valley is far 
too valuable a proposition for him to just turn his back on. "
" Which is why I think you should pack your things and get on the first train 
back to Laramie. I think there's going to be trouble now that Greer and 
McClellan think you're tied up here with Walker, " Barclay urged.
" But won't they be stuck here as well, as witnesses for the prosecution? "
" Not necessarily, not until a couple of days before the trial. "
Reb rose and gazed out of the window into the darkness as she contemplated what 
to do for the best, and reached a difficult decision. " All right, I'll go. 
Simon's coming to help Walker, so I'm going to head home and gauge the situation 
there. If you get any word from either Pittsburgh, or Richmond, you send a 
message to Simon here and to me at home, do you hear? "
" Yes, ma'am, " Barclay said, ruffling her hair.
" If I hurry I can still catch the cargo train this morning at two, " Reb said 
determinedly as she began to open her bags and stuff her clothes into them, 
while Barclay took down a copy of her notes and formed a plan of action of his 
own.
" Thank you for going, and if you could, get a message to Walker saying I'll see 
him soon. "
" I'll do my best, but he's in maximum security. "
" Pay a guard to buy Walker some extra food and blankets if you can manage it, " 
Reb suggested.
" Really, Reb you are becoming more unscrupulous by the day, " Barclay teased.
" Walker is suffering because of me, because of the Shoshone land deal. If I had 
listened to him , hadn't been so stubborn, then... "
" Then the Shoshone would have been rounded up like animals and forcibly 
relocated, and you would have never seen them again. Walker will come through 
this, you'll see, " Barclay comforted as he placed both hands on her shoulders. 
" I would like to believe the just and true will triumph over the wicked. "
As Reb shoved the last of her belongings into her bags, she clicked them shut 
firmly and declared, " Let's hope they do, Barclay, because if they don't , 
Walker is going to hang for a crime he didn't commit. "
Reb's exhausting journey back to Grange was made far worse by her anxiety over 
Walker's predicament and her uncertainty over what she would find once she got 
home. Reb prayed that Barclay's dire predictions of trouble would prove 
unfounded, but all the same, she had to be prepared for the fact that the Greers 
would do anything to get the mining rights to the valley.
Reb had Bob Tucker drop her off outside of the town the following evening, and 
she walked home in the near darkness. She didn't want the Greers to know she had 
returned; it was best to catch them off guard if she could.
Reb trudged on up the road, concealing herself in the trees whenever she heard 
any noise. She wondered at the glow in the sky as she headed closer and closer 
to the house, and was certain she smelt smoke. Dropping her bags and hitching up 
her skirts, Reb ran as fast as her legs could carry her the rest of the way to 
the Bar T.
When she arrived, she could see that everything was all right at the homestead, 
but the glow in the sky had grown brighter, and Reb called out to her father, " 
Daddy, Daddy, it's me! I think the mill's on fire! "
Amos came running out instantly, and they ran to the barn to mount their horses.
" Patrick, take care of your sisters! " he called, and they thundered up the 
road to the Swensen homestead.
The scene of devastation which greeted them made Reb's heart turn over. " Axel! 
Annalise! " Reb screamed, as the flames ripped through the lumber mill like 
wildfire.
" You can't go in there! " Amos shouted, but Reb was already charging through 
the front door in spite of the sparks showering down everywhere.
" Axel! Annalise! Rose! Beth! " she choked, as the black smoke billowed through 
the house.
She found the little girls hiding under the stairs up into the loft, and pulled 
them out quickly.
" Your mother, where is she! " Reb demanded, shaking Rose, the eldest, who was 
wide-eyed and dazed with fear.
" She went to look for Daddy hours ago!' she said as she pointed towards the 
roof.
Reb picked them up and ran for the door, and pushed them through the narrow 
opening ahead of her. There was a sizzling noise, and the lintel collapsed just 
as Reb went through, knocking her to the ground and pinning her legs. She 
screamed as the scorching wood bit into her flesh, but Amos grabbed her by her 
armpits, and crawling on her elbow she managed to pull herself free.
" Axel! Annalise! " Reb shouted again, as she staggered to her feet.
A glimpse of white in the water of the mill pond caught her attention, and she 
jumped into the water and fished out the prone body of Axel.
Her hand came away reddened with blood from the back of his head, and she wasn't 
sure if he was still breathing. " Daddy, take care of him! I must find Annalise! 
"
There was no sign of Reb's friend anywhere, but as she searched what was left of 
the property, she found a broken arrow.
" Oh Lord, Daddy! Did the Shoshone do this? "
" Now, don't jump to conclusions, " Amos puffed, as he laboured to help Axel by 
beating on his back to pump the water out. " Just because there is one arrow, 
doesn't mean they did it! "
Reb paled. " That's it! It's the easiest way to clear the Shoshone! Provoke them 
into going on the warpath, and send in the army to put down the rebellion. "
" Who would do such a thing? " Amos bellowed above the roaring flames.
" It has to be Greer. Either he burnt the mill, and left this arrow to 
incriminate the Shoshone, or he was provoked them into rising up with all this 
talk of auctioning their land and relocating them, " Reb shouted.
Amos sat back on his heel and shook his head. " He's dead. Hit his head and went 
under the water. God only knows where Annalise is. "
" Maybe they took her? "
" I don't know, but I think we'd better put him on the horse and get home, right 
now, " Amos insisted, hauling the body onto the back of his steed before 
mounting, while Reb lifted the girls onto the back of her mount and leapt up.
They rode back to the house silently, and when they arrived, Reb tucked the two 
little girls into bed with her sisters, and then began to get weapons and 
ammunition and food down off the shelves.
" Daddy, here, get some buckets, fill those barrels outside from the well. I'm 
damned if they are going to burn us out, whoever they are. "
Patrick came out and pumped the pump in the kitchen furiously, filling up every 
bucket and container in the house, while Reb loaded all her guns, and Amos 
cranked up the bucket in the well repeatedly, filling the rain barrels outside.
" Listen! Listen! I hear horses, coming this way! " Amos called as he ran back 
into the house.
" Patrick, douse that lantern, don't let them see you moving around in here, " 
Reb ordered, as she desperately wondered what to do to save her family.
" Daddy, we have to hold them off long enough to get the children to safety. 
Take Axel's body off the horse, and bring it around to the back. I'll hand the 
children out the window to you. Patrick and the girls can make it into town if 
you go up the road with them and hold off anyone trying to follow them. "
" Right, I'm going. Cover me, " Amos ordered, as he took up two pistols and two 
rifles.
" Patrick, you go to Hank's. Abigail will look after you. But don't say anything 
about Indians, do you hear? Just say there was a fire, and I'm out here trying 
to sort things, do you understand? " Reb demanded, shaking Patrick roughly.
" Y-y-yes, he stammered, as he trembled in fear.
" Come on, now, lad, you have to be my brave boy, and save your sisters and poor 
little Rose and Beth. Break that window, and I'll pass them out to you and 
Daddy. Ride like the wind, Patrick! " she added with a shriek, as from the front 
of the building there came a noise that to the untutored ear would have sounded 
like an Indian war cry.
" That's not Shoshone! They come silently, " Reb said to her father as he 
stopped to listen. " Get them out of here, now. "
" Be careful, Reb! "
Reb ducked low and returned to the front of the house, where she pushed the 
heavy table up against the front door as the shadowy figures rode nearer. A 
swish of arrows nearby told her they were setting the house on fire, and Reb, 
throwing all caution to the winds, smashed the bore of her rifle through the 
glass window, and began to shoot at the intruders. She had to buy time for the 
children to get to safety, and needed to draw their attention away from the road 
for as long as possible so her father wouldn't be caught out in the open.
Reb fired and loaded repeatedly for what seemed an eternity, until the return 
fire diminished, and Reb prayed fervently that she had run them off. The smoke 
from the fire began to choke her, and she ran to the parlour and saw that the 
fire had begun to take hold of the curtains and upholstery.
Her already burnt legs throbbed as she ripped the curtains down and stamped on 
them, then used them to smother the other small patches of fire that had 
started. Then she moved back to the sewing room, which was also ablaze, and ran 
back and forth with several buckets of water until she was satisfied that the 
fire was out.
Reb wondered dazedly where her father was, and since the shooting had stopped, 
she pushed the table aside and ventured out cautiously to see if the roof were 
on fire. It was blazing in small patches, but since it was mainly made of slate, 
it had not spread too quickly.
Reb dunked her buckets into the rain barrel, and doused the roof repeatedly, 
until the sound of horses' hooves coming towards the homestead alerted her.
Reb turned to flee into the house, but her way was blocked by a Shoshone brave. 
A shot rang out, and then she heard a body fall to the ground. Peering into the 
gloom, she saw that her father had staggered to the front of the house, and 
tried to shoot the brave. He now lay on the ground gasping and writhing in 
agony.
Reb struggled with the Indian briefly before swinging her leg behind his knees 
and pushing against his chest with all her might. As the brave hit the dirt with 
a thump, Reb ran to her father's side, and checked him for injuries. But though 
he moaned in agony, she couldn't find mark on him anywhere.
" It's my heart, " he rasped. " Leave me, save yourself! The Indians. The fire, 
look, the roof! " he wheezed, as the remaining flaming patches continued to 
burn. " I'm not leaving you, the house can burn for all I care, " Reb declared 
stoutly, but rough hands seized her from behind, and as she was pulled to her 
feet, Stalking Wolf rode into the clearing and dismounted to face her.
" Thank God you're here! My father, I think he's dying, and the house is 
burning! Please, Stalking Wolf, help me! " Reb pleaded desperately.
Stalking Wolf's reply was a stinging backhander which knocked Reb to the ground. 
The pain rocketed through her head, but she held her sore jaw and rose to her 
feet again with as much dignity as she could muster.
" You ask me to help you, you who have betrayed us! " Stalking Wolf sneered.
" Please, Stalking Wolf, if you really think I have done something to you, then 
the quarrel is between the two of us only. Let my father live, save my house, 
and you can do as you like with me. "
Amos groaned, and Reb knelt down by his side again.
" It's all right, this is all a mistake, Stalking Wolf doesn't mean what he 
says. He'll help me put out the flames, and let me get the wagon to take you to 
Doc Morrison, " Reb said tearfully, as she stroked her father's silver hair 
tenderly.
" No, I'm dying, I can feel it. Take care of the children, Reb, and God bless 
you, my child. "
" No, Father, no! " Reb begged.
" I have always been so proud of you, daughter, more than words could ever say, 
" Amos sighed, and with that he closed his eyes and breathed his last.
" Daddy, Daddy, please, don't leave me! " Reb cried, but Stalking Wolf took her 
by the shoulder and pulled her to her feet roughly.
" He is gone. You cannot help him. Come, now. "
" I'm not coming with you while my house burns to the ground! " Reb rounded on 
him angrily. " It's the place where I was born, and lived my whole life. If 
you're here to kill me, then do it now, so I can die here as well. But if you 
don't want to kill me, then help me save it, let your warriors fill those 
buckets to douse the flames! "
Reb stalked over to the rainwater barrel defiantly, and dipped in another 
bucket, which she then flung up to the roof.
Stalking Wolf stood staring for a moment, before he commanded some of his braves 
to help her.
But the flames continued to lick at the roof of the parlour, and Reb ran for a 
ladder and leaned it against the roof before seizing the axe she used for 
firewood and clambering up to the top of the house, her skirts billowing wildly 
in the wind.
" This is madness, let it be, " Stalking Wolf shouted impatiently, as Reb hacked 
at the roof and pulled the burning debris off the top of the house with her bare 
hands, and it showered onto the ground.
But Reb laboured on, and soon fire was out. Reb, blackened and burned, her gown 
soaked from her swim in the mill pond and the water the Indians had continued 
splashing onto the fire, dropped the axe, and moved to descend from the ladder.
Suddenly the side wall of the house gave way with a groan, and Reb was hurled 
into the gaping hole head first. The sofa and pile of curtains in the parlour 
helped break her fall, but even so, the impact knocked her unconscious. Stalking 
Wolf stormed into the house in search of Reb, and found her lying unconscious on 
the floor.
He knelt to see if her heart still beat, and once he had determined that she was 
still alive, he commanded two of his men to take her. The Shoshone lifted Reb 
onto the back of a horse and carried her back to their lodge in the mountains.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Reb opened her eyes and looked around her surroundings warily. The tepee was 
bare, and she was alone. She sniffed her clothes and wrinkled her nose in 
disgust at the smoky stench. Her hands and legs throbbed, but she could see 
someone had taken the trouble to put some soothing ointment and bandages on her 
burns. Reb struggled to sit up, but her head felt as though it would explode, 
and as she rubbed her hand across her face, she cried out and tenderly felt her 
swollen jaw.
An Indian woman's impassive face peered thought the flap of the tent for a 
moment, before disappearing again, and then Reb heard repeated the sound that 
had awakened her in the first place. A woman was shrieking nearby, and Reb knew 
with fearful certainty that it was Annalise's voice she had heard.
Reb pushed herself up onto her knees, and crawled out of the tent on all fours. 
The blisters on her hands burst, but she ignored the pain as she heard another 
cry, and called, " Annalise! Where are you! "
" Reb, Reb, I'm here! " came the tormented howl, and Reb got to her feet and 
limped to the tent at the edge of the Indian settlement. She burst through the 
flap and collapsed onto her knees by her friend's bed.
Annalise lay on a pile of blankets, the muscles of her neck cording as she bore 
down, and let out another scream.
" Good Lord, the baby! But you're weeks too early! " Reb groaned, as she held 
her friend's hand and bathed her face with a cool cloth one of the Indian women 
pressed into her palm.
" It was awful, Reb. Axel was trying to repair the mill wheel, and he fell in. I 
didn't know. I went out to call him to supper, and found him laying face down in 
the water, " Annalise wept. " I knew you weren't home, and the Indians live 
closer to us, so I came to them for help. On the way here, the cattle stampeded, 
and I was knocked down and trammelled. The Indians found me, tried to help me, 
but the baby started anyway. Rose and Beth, where are they? I've been laying 
here for three days worrying about them, and about you. Stalking Wolf said you'd 
had a terrible fall. "
Reb paused to let Annalise's revelations sink in. She'd been unconscious for 
three days? Finally she replied, " They're safe in town with Patrick and my 
sisters. You said the cattle were stampeded. Did you see anyone, hear anything? 
"
" I thought at first they were Shoshone. The men were dressed liked Indians, but 
their leader had red hair. I think it was that man McClellan who was looking 
around the mining sites, but I can't be sure. It sounded like his voice. "
" How many men were there? "
" About ten, I think, " Annalise gasped, as another contraction ripped through 
her slender body.
" I'm going to go find Stalking Wolf, get him to give you something, " Reb said, 
but when she turned around she saw that Stalking Wolf was already in the tent, 
and frowning at her darkly.
" You cannot escape my anger, Rebel Whitaker, you know that, " he stated flatly, 
but Reb shook her head.
" Look at me! Do you think I am trying to run away? Even if I were, how far 
would I get when I can barely stand? Besides, you should know better, Stalking 
Wolf. You're the one who taught me to stand and face my enemies, and fight 
fairly.
Please, help her, give her something for her pain. "
" There is still the matter of your betrayal to settle between us. Why should I 
help the whites when all you have done is try to kill us and take our lands? " 
Stalking Wolf accused bitterly.
" It's not true! We have always been friends, until those strangers came to the 
valley. Are you going to let them come between us? "
" The man, tall, with red hair, came to say we had to move from our land because 
you and your friends, the Swensens and others, had all put your money together 
to buy our reservation. He said you were partners with that man Walker Pritchard 
to mine the area for gold. He said we would have to leave, or you would call the 
army into move us forcibly, " Stalking Wolf accused angrily.
" Surely you know me better than that after all this time. The man called 
McClellan is friends with Greer, who was trying to steal the ranch as I told 
you. They are trying to cause trouble between us, get it to look as though you 
are rebelling so they have an excuse to get the army to come in and wipe you 
out. Please, the soldiers may be on their way even now. Get the women and 
children to safety in the caves over the hills, and be prepared for an army 
visit. "
" You are lying. You bought our land! He told us. "
" Yes, I did, because it was the only way to prevent them from selling it at an 
open public auction. I did it to save you, not cheat you! Here's the title deed, 
" Reb said, fishing it out of the bosom of her ruined gown. " And here is the 
paper which signs it over to the Shoshone tribe in perpetuity, which means 
forever, " Reb said, offering him both papers to scrutinise
Stalking Wolf stared at them quietly for several moments, and then sneered, " It 
may say this, but it does not mean the agreement will be honoured. "
" Stalking Wolf, the partnership between us still holds. I have not deceived 
you, you must believe me. Your real enemies are the men who dressed themselves 
as Indians and stampeded the cattle through your village. They also burnt the 
mill and tried to burn my house. You were there last night, you saw what it was! 
Go out and find the bodies of the men I shot, and you will see that they are 
white men dressed as Indians! "
" Who are these men? " Stalking Wolf demanded angrily.
Reb rubbed her forehead and made an exasperated gesture with her hand. " I don't 
know. McClellan is a mining engineer. They could be miners trying to get at the 
gold. I sure hope the townspeople of Grange haven't gotten involved. But my 
cousin Barclay told me that they were preparing for the arrival of soldiers in 
the town. Why should soldiers come here, unless they were told by someone that 
there was going to be trouble? "
" I don't believe you. You have brought nothing but bad luck to me since Running 
Deer died, " Stalking Wolf stormed, backing out of the ten as Annalise began to 
scream again.
Reb scrabbled through the tent flap on her hands and knees and shouted, " 
Please, listen to me! I didn't let her die, she let herself die. "
Stalking Wolf swirled around and struck Reb full in the mouth. Reb fell on her 
back in the dirt, and blood streamed out of her nose, but she leapt to her feet 
and grabbed Stalking Wolf by the tassels of his shirt and shook him.
" Listen to me, damn it! " Reb raged, eyes blazing as she spat blood. " Running 
Deer didn't die of the mumps, nor did she have a miscarriage! She died of a 
growth. There was no baby. She concealed the truth from you to help you save 
face with the tribe. "
" You lie, " Stalking Wolf muttered, but he didn't push Reb away or strike her 
again.
" Running Deer told me before she died that the medicine man and chief of the 
tribe could not be seen to have a sickly wife, so she never told you the truth. 
She was very brave. She died so that others could live, so that you could go on 
being respected by the tribe. The pain must have been terrible, but she did it 
for you. Don't let her sacrifice be for nothing. Don't let her death turn you 
into a pale shadow of the warrior you once were, and don't let Greer and his men 
win because you wish to blame me for your wife's death, " Reb appealed.
Stalking Wolf blinked at her in the bright sunlight as though seeing her for the 
first time, and he took her by the elbows and pushed her aside. " You will 
remain her at the camp while I consult the spirits over you fate. "
" But.... "
" You will remain, " Stalking Wolf dictated.
Reb sighed. " Stalking Wolf, I will stay, but the soldiers will be coming soon. 
Get the women and children to safety, I beg you! "
Stalking Wolf's eyes swivelled in her direction fleetingly, almost as though he 
were afraid to look at her, and at last he nodded.
" I will tell my people. "
Reb watched his beck as he stormed off, and then returned to Annalise, who was 
still in pain, and now hoarse from shouting.
" Do you remember when Rose was born, " she whispered, as Reb mopped her face.
" How could I forget. Right there in my barn it was, and poor old Axel and you 
without a penny to your names or a place to live. "
" And you took us in and saved us. And now he is gone. But you have saved my 
daughters again, haven't you? Haven't you? "
" They're fine, really, " Reb reassured her.
" I heard what you told Stalking Wolf about the mill being burnt. Are they still 
alive? " Annalise wailed.
" Yes, they are, they're fine, I promise you by all I hold sacred. "
" This baby, if anything happens to me, you will look after it, won't you? " 
Annalise pleaded.
" I will, Annalise, of course I will. You don't have to worry, everything will 
be just fine. "
A shout outside cause Reb to look up, and she listened intently.
" Riders coming, a lot of them. I'll be back soon. Try to rest and conserve your 
strength, " she said to her friend urgently
" I will, " Annalise whispered as she closed her eyes wearily.
Reb hobbled across the camp to where a skirmish had broken out between soldiers 
and several young braves.
" Stop it, stop it, " Reb shouted, pushing them apart, and looking at Stalking 
Wolf as he stood impassively watching the hostilities.
" What is going on here! You have no right to come storming into this camp and 
start beating these braves, " Reb raged as she pulled another soldier off an 
Indian lying flat on the ground, and marched up to the commanding officer, who 
had just started to draw his weapon.
" These Indians burned the mill and the Whitaker ranch, and killed all the 
homesteaders, " the lieutenant in charge answered coolly, as he gave his men the 
order to continue rounding up the Shoshone.
" That's news to me, since I am Rebecca Whitaker, and Mrs. Swensen from the mill 
is here at the camp. "
" You're Rebecca Whitaker? " the lieutenant gaped.
" That's right, and this ismy land, mine and the Shoshones, so I'll thank you to 
leave! "
" But your father, and Axel Swensen. They're both dead, and we are still looking 
for bodies in the rubble of the buildings, " the lieutenant frowned.
" Axel fell and hit his head and drowned in the mill pond, and my father died of 
a heart attack. Who told you there had been an Indian rising? " Reb demanded 
impatiently.
" Mr. McClellan in town said he had heard a rumour about there being trouble out 
here, " the young officer replied sheepishly.
" The rumour is true all right, Lieutenant, but that's because he started the 
trouble in the first place. Go to my homestead, and you'll find several dead men 
dressed as Shoshone who tried to set fire to the house and kill us. Stalking 
Wolf and his men came just in time to save me and the house, but my father had 
had a heart attack from the shock of the fake Indian attack, and there was 
nothing any of us could do for him. My brother and sisters and the Swensen girls 
are safe in town. I rescued the little girls from the burning mill, and got my 
family out of the ranch house just before the attack. "
The lieutenant looked at her as though he were trying to disprove what she had 
said. Reb exclaimed exasperatedly, " Fine, if you don't believe me, go ask Mrs. 
Swensen, she'll tell you. "
The lieutenant looked from Reb to Stalking Wolf and then dismounted from his 
horse. " Where is she? " he asked firmly.
Reb led the way to the tent, while Stalking Wolf held up a warning hand to the 
Shoshone and followed. They waited outside while Annalise gave her version of 
events.
She stated flatly, " The Shoshone helped me, they saved me. I would have been 
dead if they hadn't rescued me after the cattle stampeded. They were not 
responsible for the attacks or the unfortunate deaths in the valley. Just go 
now, and leave us in peace. Go find the men who are really responsible, and stop 
persecuting the Indians just because they have red skin. "
The lieutenant came out looking shamefaced, and stared at Reb as she lifted her 
chin and said, " Well, Lieutenant er-- "
" Johnston, ma'am, Lieutenant Morgan Johnston of the 65th Cavalry Division, 
United States Army, " he replied shamefacedly.
" Well, Lieutenant Johnston, have you found out all you need to know? "
He approached her closely, and said quietly so that Stalking Wolf couldn't hear, 
" I'm not sure what is going on here, but if you're both being held hostage, 
tell me now and we will rescue you. "
" Do I look like a hostage? " Reb scoffed in disgust, though she knew her nose 
was still bleeding.
" Why are you so bruised then. Are you sure they haven't been beating you? "
" I fell off a ladder trying to put out the fire on the roof of my house. 
Lieutenant Johnston, I've told you the truth, and so has Annalise. Take your men 
and go. This is my land, the Shoshone are my tenants for life, and if there are 
any more trespassers the Shoshone and I are fully within our rights to protect 
our property. Now I would be grateful if you could make sure my brother and the 
four girls are well in the saloon, and make arrangements for Axel's and Daddy's 
funerals for me. "
" Won't you come back to town with me, then? " Lieutenant Johnston asked, 
surprised.
" I can't leave Annalise in her condition, " Reb shook her head, as she escorted 
the lieutenant back to his waiting horse.
Lieutenant Johnston cleared his throat and apologised, " I'm sorry about your 
father and friend, and about this whole misunderstanding. It's just that there 
have been rumours of an Indian uprising, just like the ones in the eastern 
Nebraska territory. We've been given orders to keep the Indians contained, round 
them up and put this area under martial law if necessary to keep the peace. "
" The Shoshone are contained in this valley if people just leave us alone, 
Lieutenant Johnston, " Reb said coolly, quirking one eyebrow . " So I suggest 
you go find the troublemakers who attacked my home last night, and keep the 
peace by not harassing us any further. "
The soldiers remounted, and as the last of them disappeared through the mountain 
pass, Stalking Wolf turned to Reb and stated, " I am sorry I hit you, and that I 
doubted your word. I have been wrong about this whole matter. I must consult the 
spirits of my ancestors, and sort truth from lies. "
" The wounds will heal, Stalking Wolf, with time. I have never lied to you, and 
I'm not going to start now. We got rid of the soldiers, but Greer and McClellan 
won't give up that easily. If they've brought hired guns to town with a promise 
of riches, we are still going to have to fight, " Reb contended.
" And if we fight, the soldiers will punish us anyway. "
" They can't punish us for defending ourselves, can they? " Reb smiled sourly.
" What do you suggest, Reb Whitaker? " Stalking Wolf asked at length.
" Call the braves together, to see if we can come up with a plan, " Reb 
requested, as she went back to Annalise's tent.
" How are you? "
" I've felt better, " Annalise smiled wanly.
" Thank you for what you told Lieutenant Johnston. I heard you while I waited 
outside, and Stalking Wolf did too. "
" Stalking Wolf is so angry with you? Why? "
" He thinks we were trying to buy the land to mine. McClellan came here and lied 
to him. "
" What will you do now? "
" I don't know, Annalise, but I have to do something, " Reb sighed. " I'll be 
back. "
Reb walked over to the mountain pass, and then peered upwards. She paced out 
measurements, and looked at the trees near the camp. Stalking Wolf stood outside 
the lodge looking at her, and she came running up. " I have an idea. Will you 
support me at this meeting or not? "
Stalking Wolf stood silently for a few moments, and then cleared his throat. " I 
will not promise, but I will hear what you have to say. "
" That's all I ask, " Reb smiled, as she ducked down to enter the lodge.
When it was her turn to address the Indian assembly, Reb stood to argue her case 
forcefully. " The pass is about twenty feet wide, but only fifteen feet at its 
narrowest points. I suggest we build a barricade of trees at those points, with 
a series of concealed trenches both in front and behind. That way they will have 
to come through two sets of defences to penetrate the camp, and if they get 
bogged down between the two walls, we can pick them off from the mountain ledges 
above, " Reb outlined as she drew a diagram hastily in the dirt on the floor. " 
We can fortify the camp as well, and as I've said before, evacuate the women and 
children and the elderly. Anyone who can fight, remains behind to protect the 
camp and guard their retreat. "
" But if we fight the soldiers... " one brave began to argue.
" They won't be soldiers. Lieutenant Johnston believed me when I told him the 
truth, that the Shoshone were not responsible for the attacks in the valley. No, 
these men are miners, out for the gold in these mountains.
" If Greer and his men move against us, they are in the wrong, and we have every 
right to defend ourselves. This is my land and yours. We own it, do you 
understand? I bought it for ten thousand dollars, it is true, but have signed it 
over to the tribe. It is your home forever, and you as property owners under 
United States law are entitled to defend it. If Greer and his men come up that 
pass, we will repulse them by whatever means are at our disposal.
" But we must decide now. As soon as the naive lieutenant goes back to Grange 
and reports what I have told him, Greer will come, I'm sure of it, " Reb 
proclaimed.
Stalking Wolf nodded, and the braves of the tribe debated Reb's plan, and took a 
vote while Reb waited silently in a corner of the lodge.
Reb wearily followed the arguments, but in the end Stalking Wolf turned to her 
and said, " We will do it. What do we need to defend our homeland? "
" Shovels, axes, moss, tall grass, branches, and a lot of hard work, " Reb 
smiled. " Let me have a horse, and I will go back home and to the mill to get 
the tools and all our weapons and ammunition. "
" You're not well. I'll send some men to get these things, " Stalking Wolf 
insisted, as Reb sat down wearily, her head spinning.
" I'm fine, really, but if you have any of your magical tea, I would be 
grateful, " she groaned. " And if you could go see Annalise? "
Stalking Wolf brewed her up an evil smelling concoction to relieve her aches and 
pains, and Reb took his advice for once and rested. She sat glumly, remembering 
Walker's predicament, and feeling so far away from him and helpless. But his 
trial was still days away, and the Shoshone needed her help if they were to 
survive. She sat in the lodge until the braves returned with the axes and 
shovels, and the men split up into working groups.
The Indian encampment was a hive of activity as the women packed up food and 
other provisions, and gathered the children together for the trek into the 
hills, while the men chopped down trees and dug ditches for the defences.
" And we need two barricades here and here, " Reb called, as she set another 
detail to work piling up rocks and the wooden vats Axel had made into shelters 
for the Shoshone just in case anyone did manage to break into the camp.
" At least six feet deep, so they can't climb back out again, " Reb indicated 
when she went to check the progress of the ditches.
Reb interrupted Stalking Wolf as he laboured, and pointed out, " We will have to 
organise your best shots into watches. We will need them to safeguard the pass 
around the clock, and be prepared to pick off anyone who does get into the neck 
of the ravine. Get you weapons and mine together in a central location, and we 
need another watch behind those barricades, just in case they do break through. 
"
" They won't, not through all that, " one brave marvelled, but Reb looked at him 
coldly.
" Don't be so sure. You don't now how greedy Alexander Greer is. "
Reb went off to spend a few moments out of the blistering sun with Annalise, and 
told her of their progress as she lay weakly in the tent. The baby was still 
stubbornly refusing to be born, and the young woman was exhausted.
" Reb, I hate to say this, but even if the Indians are safe, they will overrun 
the ranch. They've already stampede the cattle through the pass from the summer 
pasture. What about the sheep and horses? "
" The cattle are fine, Stalking Wolf rounded them up. And you have to remember, 
Hank, Sue and Simon own the bottom pieces of land. It's up to them to defend it. 
As for the homestead, I just have to resign myself to losing it. "
Stalking Wolf, overhearing their conversation, said, " Perhaps you should go 
back, defend your own home. "
Reb pushed some damp tendrils of fair hair away from her brow with the back of 
her hand, and shook her head. " It would be one against many. I wouldn't stand a 
chance. I'm better off here, and I'm not leaving Annalise in any case. "
" But Reb, you'll lose everything, " Annalise pointed out.
" That's starting to sound like the story of my life, " Reb said resignedly.
The two women spent a fitful night in the small tent, Annalise still in pain 
despite Stalking Wolf's remedies, and Reb haunted by the death of her friend and 
father, and her fears for Walker, so far away in Denver.
As Reb watched Annalise suffer, she called to Stalking Wolf, who was on watch at 
the inner barricades, and exhorted, " Look, she is certainly going to die if we 
don't do something to help her. The labour has gone on for far too long. "
" The baby is facing the wrong way. I can't get it to turn, " Stalking Wolf 
admitted at last.
" Then we'll pull on the feet, get it out that way, " Reb argued.
" It is very risky, you know that. "
Reb alleged, " They'll both die anyway if we don't do something. Please, 
Stalking Wolf, I know you feel you have cause to hate me, but.. "
" I was wrong, and I am sorry, Reb. Truly sorry, for ever doubting your 
sincerity, or desire to help my dying wife. I will help you. What do you wish me 
to do? "
Reb got some cords ready, and managed to loop one around the baby's ankles as 
Annalise bore down with a shriek.
" Pull! Pull steady! " Reb gritted, as she reached in and tried to get hold of 
the baby's tiny wrist. At her third try, she succeeded, and pulled the wrist 
down with a powerful pop.
" It's coming, " Stalking Wolf called as he strained on the cords, and within 
moments, a lusty baby boy, small but lively, slid out, and Annalise fainted.
" How is she? " Reb panted, as she watched Stalking Wolf examine the unconscious 
woman.
" Exhausted. But I think if she rests, and her will is strong, she will be fine, 
" he finally replied.
Reb rubbed the baby's shoulder, and managed to press the joint back into the 
socket. " There, we will bind it up, and rub it every day. There shouldn't be 
any permanent damage. Bryce got stuck in a tight spot once, and that was the 
only way to get him out, " Reb explained when Stalking Wolf looked at her 
inquiringly.
Stalking Wolf and Reb cleaned the baby and put fresh blankets on the bed.
" I'll go back on watch. You sleep now, " Stalking Wolf commanded.
Reb for once didn't argue, but lay down wearily in the tent with the baby 
cradled by her side, and fell into a sound sleep. Her last conscious thought was 
an image of Walker's handsome face.
Far away in Denver, Walker desperately struggled not to think of Rebel. He had 
been in his maximum security cell for a week now, without a word from anyone. 
Though he was certain she believed him guilty, and had abandoned him to his 
fate, a small part of his foolish heart prayed for a miracle, that Rebel would 
come to him and tell him she still loved him in spite of everything....
Walker shook his head, and gazed up into the night sky despondently. " Where are 
you? Can you see the same sky, Rebel? " he whispered longingly. " Please God, 
please let her come, or else I'm truly lost. "

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
When Reb awoke late Thursday afternoon, the sun was high in the sky, and the 
only sounds she could hear in the Shoshone were the murmur of voices, and birds 
singing. Reb rubbed her eyes and sat up to speak to Annalise, but saw with only 
one glance that she had slipped away while she herself had slept unawares.
" She said not to wake you, " Stalking Wolf revealed when he came into the tent 
a few minutes later and saw Reb crying over her lost friend.
" Damn it, I did everything I could to save her. "
" Of course you did, Reb, but she didn't want to live after her husband had 
gone. I can understand how she felt. She just gave up, and slipped away without 
an ounce of regret or struggle. I have wanted to do that too, many times, since 
Running Deer died, " Stalking Wolf confided.
" As I would too if Walker were dead, " Reb sighed.
" She was a strong woman, she bore much, but she died at peace, knowing you 
would look after her children. She was tired of fighting. It is a hard life out 
here in the west for women. "
" Don't I know it, " Reb sighed. " And I am tired of fighting as well, Stalking 
Wolf. Ever since Greer came to the valley, he has cast blight over our lives, 
and I wish he were dead. "
" Reb, it is not like you to be so unforgiving, " Stalking Wolf scolded.
" I know, I just want all of this it to be over, I want things to go back to the 
way they were, before Greer came, before the gold was discovered, before the 
terrible war that took my brothers from me. "
" They can't go back and you know it, Reb, anymore than I could hope Running 
Deer would come back to life. Besides, are you saying you wish that Walker had 
never come to the valley? " Stalking Wolf demanded.
" Yes and no. He was the one who caused this chaos by finding the gold. "
" But Greer was greedy for your land long before Walker came. Walker has come to 
you, you have found each other through fire and water, earth and air. The 
spirits have told me. Fire destroys, true, but the ashes can be scattered to 
bring new life, to fert--? "
" To fertilise, to make grow, " Reb completed Stalking Wolf's sentence.
" The past is finished, the future doesn't exist. There is only now. "
" No, there is a future for all of us if I can somehow get out of this trouble 
with Greer. I can't believe the people of Grange are so anxious to ruin their 
town by allowing troublemakers and cutthroats into the valley to mine for gold. 
"
" Yet this gold would help us all, would it not? " Stalking Wolf observed.
" If we treated the land with respect, " Reb agreed.
" Well, then perhaps some compromise is possible. Find trustworthy miners who 
will help you. "
" Walker sent for them, but they haven't arrived yet. "
" And Walker, where is he? "
Reb explained all she knew of his arrest, and Stalking Wolf shook his head. " 
This man, Greer, he is a terrible enemy. Like a snake with no rattle. Beware. If 
we are fine here, perhaps you should back to Denver to see Walker? "
" I can't leave you, not with the soldiers just waiting for any sign of trouble. 
The trial isn't for another three weeks anyway. "
" All right, if you think this is best, but Walker needs you, of that I am sure. 
"
" He knows I love him. He will wait for me, " Reb said with a sureness she 
wished she really felt. " I'm staying, Stalking Wolf, for as long as you need 
me, and as long as I can before the trial in three weeks' time. "
Reb took her turn on watch in the hills later that day, enjoying the peace as 
she watched the sun set over her valley. The sound of horses' hooves made her 
press closely against the back of the ledge, as she peered around the corner.
She counted about a dozen men riding towards the first set of concealed ditches.
" Hold your fire, " she whispered loudly to the brave waiting on the next ledge, 
who gave a bird call as the prearranged warning signal, and then made twelve 
peeping sound to indicate the number of attackers.
Reb prayed that none of the townspeople of Grange had decided to become involved 
with Greer's schemes, and watched as the first three horsemen rode over the 
covering of branches, and went crashing down into the first ditch. Two more men 
slid in, before Reb heard McClellan call a halt, and had his companions 
dismount.
One man scouted up ahead, and tumbled into the second ditch. A second man leapt 
over it, and scouted further on up the ravine, but before could reveal the 
presence of the third concealed ditch, a shot rang out, and the men scrambled 
for cover.
When no more shots rang out, McClellan called, " Is Rebecca Whitaker here? I 
want to speak to her. "
Reb crawled down from her ledge and went over to Stalking Wolf, who stood at the 
edge of the second wooden barricade. " What should I do or say? "
" What ever you think is best, " Stalking Wolf stated calmly.
" I'm here, McClellan. What is it you want, exactly? " Reb called into the 
darkness.
" I want to make a deal so no more innocent people get killed, " McClellan 
replied. " Come out here so we can parley. "
" So you can shoot me dead, you mean, " Reb countered. " No thanks, McClellan. 
Say what you have to say, and leave. And if you think I am going to believe for 
a moment that you want to talk peace when you've trespassed on my land with 
twelve armed men, they you must reckon I'm crazy. "
" The army is just waiting in the town to catch the Shoshone making trouble. Be 
reasonable, sell us some of the land, and we can come to some sort of 
arrangement mutually beneficial to everyone, " McClellan said in a wheedling 
tone.
" And just why in hell's name should I deal with you, " Reb said firmly, " when 
I have all the aces up my sleeve? The land is mine. If I die, the Shoshone still 
keep it. The ranch is mine, and even if you finally do succeed in burning it to 
the ground, I will rebuild it as many times as it takes until you get the 
message that I am here to stay. No deals, not now, not ever. "
" Then would you be willing to trade some land in exchange for Walker Preston's 
life? The Greers and I won't testify against him for murdering you brother, if 
you give us just the mountains here in this pass to mine for gold. "
Reb's breast caught in her throat, but she declared steadfastly, " I've already 
told you, no deal, McClellan. "
" I thought you cared for him! " McClellan said incredulously.
" According to you, he murdered my brother. Why should I give up my land to help 
him? " Reb challenged bluntly.
" Perhaps Greer and I made a mistake, " McClellan insinuated.
" If I accepted your offer, the mining would clog the rivers, ruin the mountains 
and chase away the animals and wildlife that the Shoshone need to live on. No 
deal, McClellan. Save your breath and go. Nothing you could say could possibly 
make me change my mind, " Reb maintained.
" I can see how you might not trust me, but believe me, it's nothing personal. I 
promise that you can go with us to the justice of the peace, and we will get the 
charges against Walker dropped, " McClellan coaxed.
" McClellan, why the hell should I trust you? You even sold your own comrades 
for a price, didn't you? At the end of the war, you lay down for the 
Confederates for price, and let some other poor soul take the blame, didn't you? 
" Reb accused astutely.
" It was Walker, I swear, " McClellan protested after a lengthy silence.
" Stop wasting my time. I know Walker better than that, and he is as innocent of 
that charge as of the murder of my brother. I would suggest you watch what you 
say in court, McClellan, or we might have to send a telegram to Washington 
asking them to reopen the treason case, " Reb threatened boldly, though she 
prayed silently that McClellan wouldn't call her bluff.
" Now, there's no need for that, " McClellan muttered. " We'll just be on our 
way, Miss Whitaker. There was a bit of a misunderstanding here, but I think it's 
all been cleared up now, " he said, as he mustered his men and gave them orders 
to leave the horses in the trenches and fall back.
Reb heard them move off, but she whispered to Stalking Wolf, " Don't trust him. 
He'll be back. "
Less than an hour later, the small force tried to charge the barricades again, 
and throughout the next two days, skirmishes erupted all over the front line, as 
McClellan's men tried to penetrate the Shoshone defences.
" We have plenty of food and fresh water, but sooner or later we are going to 
run out of ammunition, " Reb sighed after a particularly violent bout of 
fighting early Sunday morning.
" We could send some braves over the hills to get more arms from the 
neighbouring tribes, " Stalking Wolf suggested.
" That would be playing right into McClellan's hands, " Reb asserted. " If the 
army got wind of it, they'd say you were rebelling for sure. We'll just have to 
rely upon good old bows and arrows, small logs, stones, anything we can throw 
down on their heads, " Reb advised.
These tactics conserved ammunition for a further two days, but Reb grew weary of 
the siege, and was anxious to get back to Walker in Denver. The longer she was 
stuck on the reservation without word of his situation, the more frustrated and 
worried she became.
" Walker's been in prison for two weeks, and I don't even know what he and Simon 
are going to have ready for his defence at the trial, " Reb voiced her fears to 
Stalking Wolf late one night as they stood sentry duty together.
" Then go, Reb. Walker needs you more than we do. We can manage here, and 
perhaps you could send us some more ammunition? "
Reb shook her head. " I'm not leaving you and the baby here. McClellan could be 
waiting just around that corner to shoot me dead. "
In the end, events took an unexpected turn in Reb's favour when Hank and Doc 
Morrison came up the pass, and called for Reb.
" I'm here, Hank! What's been happening in the town? " Reb asked as she 
scrambled to the top of the first barricade.
" The men in the town who supported McClellan have backed down, and most of the 
miners he brought in seem to have fled. The army closed off the town two days 
ago, but just before the roads were blocked, some of Walker's friends from the 
WPP Mining Company arrived and helped even up the score a little, " Hank 
informed her as he climbed over the fence and hugged Reb.
" I suppose the homestead is in ruins? " Reb sighed.
Doc Morrison laughed. " You do have some friends, you know, Reb. Hank and I and 
the Tucker boys have been looking after things for you, and now Walker's men are 
standing vigil. I have no idea what happened to the cattle, but the horses, 
sheep and so on are all in their pastures safe and sound, and all the buildings 
are still standing, if a bit worse for wear. "
Reb laughed delightedly, and hugged both men again. " Thank you, both of you. I 
don't now how I'll ever repay you for all your help. "
" Come home, to us, Reb. That would be payment enough. McClellan and the Greer 
are gone, the valley is safe, " Hank reassured her.
Reb consulted with Stalking Wolf, and then went to fetch the baby to hand to 
Hank.
" Here, you look after him for me, won't you, until I get back from Denver. 
Patrick and Catherine will help you. "
" I sure will, Reb. Don't you worry about a thing. He's awfully cute. What's he 
called? "
" He hasn't got a name yet, but I figure Amos is as good a name as any, " Reb 
said grimly, as she blinked a few times to hold back the tears.
" Aren't you coming with us, Reb? " Doc Morrison asked.
Reb shook her head. " Not until I am certain this isn't another trick on 
McClellan's part. Remember the Trojan horse? Plus, I want more ammunition for 
the Shoshone, to defend our land if they do come back. I'm not leaving until I 
know they can look after themselves without me. "
" But Lieutenant Johnston.... " Doc Morrison protested.
" Then don't tell him who it's for. Just get it here! " Reb insisted.
Hank returned on Wednesday morning with several wagon loads of guns and 
ammunition, and Reb finally climbed over the barricades and jumped onto a 
waiting horse.
" I'll be back, Stalking Wolf. We have it, we hold it, to the death, " Reb 
called.
" To the death, " Stalking Wolf vowed, as Reb headed back to her beloved ranch.
" I almost didn't recognise you in your Indian outfit, " Hank laughed as she 
rode along.
" You should have seen my other gown, " Reb laughed bitterly.
Reb went to town to see the head of Walker's mining team, looked in on the 
children at the saloon, and then paid a visit to the lieutenant in charge of the 
soldiers. They were all billeted at the boarding house near the church, and Reb 
stormed into the lieutenant's make-shift office at the back of the house 
unannounced.
" No Indians in here! " Johnston shouted, until he saw Reb pull her hat off, 
sending her tousled blonde hair tumbled down to her waist.
" And what's wrong with Indians? I want these hostilities, I want this stalemate 
ended, do you hear me, Lieutenant Johnston? This is my land, my valley, and I'm 
not having some two-bit carpetbagger like McClellan destroy it all. You would 
have moved against the Shoshone without a second thought if they had done 
anything to the mill or the homestead, but McClellan and Greer have gone free 
for the exact same crimes! Now, you either you do your job of keeping the peace 
here, or get out before the tensions in Grange reach breaking point. "
" Look here, Miss Whitaker, I have my orders, and they are that I am required to 
police the Shoshone. "
" But the Shoshone aren't the ones who have broken the law, Lieutenant Johnston! 
You want to police someone, then get up off your butt and police the Greers and 
their cronies, or else get the hell out of my valley! " Reb fumed.
" The Greers and McClellan aren't here. Whoever is causing the trouble it isn't 
them. "
" Then it's men hired by them, you fool. How could you have let them go? " Reb 
roared, as she pounded her fist on the lieutenant's desk in frustration.
" I couldn't keep them here, not without proof. "
" Then round up a few men they associated with here in town, or any of their 
hired hands if they haven't all escaped, and get proof, damn it! " Reb scowled.
She took a deep breath, and demanded, " And what's this I hear about the army 
blockading the town, Lieutenant Johnston? "
" I had orders to prevent the hostilities from escalating by stopping all supply 
wagons and stages from entering Grange, " Johnston replied coolly.
" What were you going to do, starve us into submission? " Reb taunted 
accusingly.
" No, it was to prevent the Indians from getting reinforcements, " Johnston 
answered, obviously taken aback.
" Or to prevent me or the town from getting any help, you fool! Must I spell it 
out for you? " Reb stormed, as Johnston looked completely mystified.
" McClellan has been behind all this right from the start, hasn't he? He sent 
for army forces under the pretext of there being a rebellion, and planned to 
start trouble. He wanted to murder the Swensens and my whole family, and blame 
the Shoshone. Then all he had to do was watch you and the Indians kill one 
another so he could take over! He certainly didn't plan on leaving any witnesses 
to tell you the truth! "
" There were rebellions in the east.... " Johnston attempted to justify himself.
" Those Indian attacks were miles away! You've played right into McClellan's 
hands all along! For God's sake, Lieutenant Johnston, end the blockade, open the 
roads, " Reb begged exasperatedly.
Johnston sat slumped in his chair, defeated. He said quietly, " I will have to 
report this whole affair to my superiors, but I think I can safely say that your 
version of events seems to be the more truthful of the two. I will do what I 
can, but it may take time. "
" That's all I ask, Lieutenant, that you do your best, and stop McClellan's men 
from doing any more damage, " Reb said flatly, she turned on her heel and 
stalked out into the bright sunshine.
Reb went back to the Shoshone reservation, and told Stalking Wolf of her 
conversation with Lieutenant Johnston.
" So we have won? " Stalking Wolf asked, amazed.
" Not yet, but soon. Be vigilant, always, until you hear from me again. If I 
can't be here in person, I will send Hank or Doc, do you understand? "
" Yes, Reb, we will do as you say, and wait to see you again. What will you do 
now, go to Denver? "
" On the coach in the morning, " she nodded.
" Go with God, then, my child. May the spirits look after you. "
" And Walker, " she prayed.
Reb gathered a few things from the camp, and Stalking Wolf offered her a new 
pair of suede breeches and a long overgown. " The clothes suit you, and they 
will bring you luck, " he said simply, offering her the exquisitely beaded 
buckskins.
" They are beautiful, thank you. But what will the people on the coach say? " 
Reb teased.
" Running Deer made them before she died. Wear them tomorrow. They will bring 
you luck on the longest journey of your life, " Stalking Wolf insisted, and Reb 
tossed her head arrogantly when she saw the intensity of his gaze.
" Let the old biddies be shocked, then, " she laughed. " I'm going home now, to 
have the first bath I've had in weeks, and then I'll put them on. Thank you for 
everything. "
True to her word, Reb went home to her empty house, and began to boil water for 
a bath. She pulled the tub into her bedroom, and soaked and scrubbed for ages 
until she finally felt clean. She dried her long golden hair by the fire, and 
pulled on the Indian clothes, enjoying the feel of the soft suede, like a 
soothing caress, against her skin. Reb moved around the house restlessly, 
eating, reading, but the silence was oppressive.
Unable to sit still, Reb gathered a few things together in a bag, and took one 
of the horses out of the stable. She headed straight for the saloon, and went in 
to see the pitiful orphans which were the result of McClellan's vendetta against 
her.
Reb dandled the baby until the other children demanded a story, and they all 
curled up by the fire together and talked quietly until at last it was their 
bedtime. Reb tucked the six children in, and went downstairs to see Hank. She 
poured herself a large drink for the bottle of whisky on the table, and sat back 
with a sigh.
" It makes me sick every time I think of how close I came to losing them all, " 
she said, trembling. " If I hadn't come back that night... "
" But you did come back, and they are safe here with us, until you come back 
from Denver, " Hank patted her on the shoulder, and let her cry.
" Hank, really, you and Abigail, and the girls, I can't thank you enough for all 
that you've done, " Reb sniffed.
" Don't mention it, you'll only embarrass us. What are friends for? " Hank 
smiled. " Little Amos, huh? Don't suppose you could make his middle name Henry, 
could you? "
" Sure thing, you deserve it for all you've done for the whole family all these 
years, " Reb said, planting a kiss on his leathery cheek.
" Stay here the night with us all, Reb, " Abigail encouraged. " I don't like the 
idea of you being out there on the homestead alone. You have to come into town 
again to get the stage anyway tomorrow morning. "
" All right, I will, thanks, " Reb assented.
" And don't worry, I'll look after the ranch while your away in Denver, " Hank 
promised.
Reb went upstairs and shared the largest bed with her two sisters, but sleep was 
a long time coming. Not a night went by that she didn't long for Walker to be by 
her side, holding her, loving her....
That way lies madness, she scolded herself, as she flipped over onto her other 
side impatiently. There was no sense wishing for things she couldn't have. If 
Walker were found guilty, then there would be no more shared nights of passion 
for either of them.
Alone in his cell, Walker's thought ran along similar lines, but Walker's bitter 
sense of Rebel's betrayal burnt even hotter than his desire for her. " Damn 
Rebel Whitaker. I thought she loved me... " he muttered to himself over and over 
again, as he gazed up at the night sky again as he always did whenever his need 
for her grew too much to be borne.
" But you lied to her, Walker, about everything. Why should Rebel believe you, 
when you've done nothing but deceive her? And even if she did trust you, how are 
you going to save yourself? By sacrificing something she holds dear? Even if you 
tell the truth, Walker Pritchard Preston, you're a dead man. Forget about Rebel. 
She's better off out of the whole rotten affair. "
Walker settled his head on the pillow more contentedly as he reached the end of 
this logical assessment of his desperate situation, and at last he closed his 
eyes to sleep. However, despite Walker's brave resolve, " But I love her, " was 
his last conscious thought.
Back in Grange, Reb rose early the next morning to catch the coach for Laramie. 
She kissed all the children goodbye while they slept, and managed to forced down 
some bread and honey and a cup of coffee Hank insisted on serving her as she 
slipped a few last items into her bag.
When Reb stuck her head out of the saloon door, to her surprise, she saw a big 
crowd gathered outside the hotel entrance.
" Tell Walker we're thinking bout him! " one man shouted.
" Give 'em hell, Rebel! " someone else called.
" Why is everyone here? " Reb asked, as Hank sauntered up behind her with her 
bag.
" They want to show how much they admire you, and what you've done. Greer has 
left a pretty sour taste in everyone's mouths, " Hank said with a grimace.
" Thanks, everyone, I'll tell Walker when I see him again, " Reb waved.
Sue came up to Reb and announced, " I'm going with you and Bob and my mother. 
We're all going to Laramie to pick out some things for the house. " " Wonderful, 
it'll be good to have some company to keep me from brooding. "
Sue's mother Mrs. Gibson and the Wright sisters were already on board, and Reb 
began to feel quite festive as they headed off to Laramie in the crowded coach. 
They had some difficulty, however, at the army road block, and Reb tapped her 
foot impatiently as the soldiers slowly moved the cumbersome barrier out of the 
way.
She gazed out the window with Sue, who remarked, " Good lord, you'd think Grange 
was really Fort Knox. They've got it sewn up tighter than a drum. "
" I hope Lieutenant Johnston does lift the blockade. Supplies and so on are 
going to get tight in town if things don't ease up, and I wouldn't like the 
valley to get the reputation of being a trouble spot just because of Greer's 
antics. "
The coach rattled through the heavy log gatepost, and finally they were headed 
to Laramie. Reb was riding backwards in the coach, and her eyes began to close 
as the other four women made small talk. Reb smiled at the bemused looks they 
gave her beaded and tasselled Indian costume, and Mrs. Gibson casually fingered 
the soft material, and expressed her approval.
" Warm and comfortable, is it? "
" A darned sight better than hoop skirts, " Reb laughed.
" What about corsets? " Sue asked.
" The Indian ladies seem to do just fine without them, " Reb grinned, enjoying 
the shocked looks on the Wright sisters' faces.
Reb began to doze, when suddenly she felt the whole carriage jolt, and the wind 
was knocked out of her as something landed squarely on her chest. She felt 
herself tumbling backwards, and struggled for breath as she clung to Sue's prone 
form, as she felt the coach sail through the air and land on its side. Once it 
had stopped rolling over, all of the women lay dazed in the carriage, but Reb 
was the first one to move.
" Dear God, please let them be all right, " Reb prayed to herself silently, as 
she struggled to get her legs free from the tangle of limbs in the coach. She 
thrust open the heavy carriage door and pushed herself up through the doorway 
with her arms, though her left wrist was throbbing and she still couldn't catch 
her breath.
Once seated on the side of the coach, she looked around, and saw Bob's prone 
body about fifty yards away from the wreckage. She staggered over to him, and 
felt for a pulse. His eyes were glazed, and he groaned. Reb went for a canteen, 
but she knew better than to try to move him.
" Bob, Bob, can you hear me? Try not to move. Your back and neck, I don't know 
how badly you're injured. How far are we from Grange? I fell asleep. "
" About fifteen miles. The next town is Wind River, twenty miles away, so you're 
going to have to go back to Grange, " Bob rasped.
" What happened, can you tell me? "
" Look for yourself, behind us. Someone's gone and dug up the road on this side 
of that steep hill, and covered the hole with branches. Any wagons or horses 
going down couldn't see it and would certainly be wrecked, and coaches going up 
would get stuck and block the road, " he rasped.
" It was deliberate? " Reb asked incredulously.
" Greer, it has to be. The road was clear last night on the way back from 
Laramie. "
" I have to go see to the women. Lie still, " Reb commanded, as she dragged 
herself off the ground and hobbled back to the coach.
Reb managed to clamber back inside the upturned vehicle, and examined each woman 
in turn. Sue wasn't too badly injured because Reb's body and her own hoop skirt 
had broken her fall, but with her leg braces it was very difficult to get her 
out of the coach.
" Come on, you push off, I'll pull, " Reb encouraged, and eventually she heaved 
Sue out of the interior, and lowered her safely to the ground below. " Go to 
Bob, give him some water. I'm going to see if I can do anything for you mother 
and the other two. "
Reb scrambled back inside, though her ribs and wrist ached with the effort, and 
tended to Mrs. Gibson next. Sue's mother was bleeding badly from a gash in her 
arm, so Reb shredded the woman's petticoat and tied the bandage expertly.
But one Wright sister had a bad head wound, and the other a broken leg and 
fainted away when Reb probed her injury to see if the break had been a clean 
one.
" Can you hold the bandage on the leg? I know it looks terrible, and it is very 
cramped in here, but the only thing that's going to stop her bleeding to death 
is pressure on the injury, " Reb counselled Mrs. Gibson.
" I'll try, but it could be hours before anyone finds us, " the older woman 
blubbered.
" I'm going to have to go back to Grange. "
" You can't leave us here! What if the Indians came and attacked us! " Mrs. 
Gibson shrieked.
" Mrs. Gibson, if I don't go back we'll all be dead from lack of water or our 
injuries. In that case the Indians would be doing us a favour. I've got to go 
get help! "
Reb hoisted herself back out of the carriage, and gazed with horror at gnarled 
mass of flesh and bones that had once been the stagecoach team. The two front 
horses were both a good as dead, so Reb took Bob's revolver and put them out of 
their misery. The other two horses were badly bruised, but one of them looked as 
though it could stand the ride back, and Reb laboured to free it from the tangle 
harness.
" I'm going now, hang on until help comes, all right? " Reb called to Sue.
" Aren't you coming back for us? " Sue asked.
" I have to get to Denver. Walker is going to wonder what's happened to me, " 
Reb argued, more to convince herself than Sue that she simply had to leave them 
behind and go for help for them and her beloved.
" It'll be easier to tell him what hasn't, " Sue smiled wanly.
" I'll be as quick as I can. Just hang on, all right? Take care of Bob, your 
mother will just have to cope inside the carriage, " Reb whispered as she hugged 
her friend, and then mounted the dazed horse and headed back to Grange for help.

CHAPTER NINETEEN
Reb's progress seemed agonisingly slow as she and the wounded horse cantered 
back to Grange. All the while she wondered how she was going to manage to get to 
Denver now that the road was blocked and the stagecoach wrecked. It would take 
her days by horse, unless....
Reb's next obstacle was the army roadblock outside Grange, but she knew she 
could not afford to delay. She spurred the mount on with the heels of her boots, 
and miraculously gathered enough speed to clear the barrier with only an inch to 
spare.
The soldiers posted at the gate shouted at her to stop, and fired a few 
half-hearted shots in her direction, but Reb rode on to the town, and shouted, " 
Coach wreck! Coach wreck! " as she practically fell out of the saddle and into 
Doc Morrison's arms.
The passersby gathered round her as they took in her story, and as the men began 
to mobilise a rescue party, Reb raced into the telegraph office to tell Hector 
to notify Laramie and the other towns on the route that the coach would not be 
coming.
" Ask the next town Wind River for help. It's going to be damned hard to clear 
the wreck and fill the holes back in, and they'll have to check that the road 
hasn't been sabotaged in other places as well. "
" Will do, " Hector replied.
" And listen, you told Walker about that old fur trader's route down to Denver, 
didn't you? "
" I did indeed, " Hector replied.
" Does anyone else know about it? Like Greer, for example? "
" He might do. He did ask about how Walker had gone to Denver. "
" Did you draw him a map? "
" No, I sure didn't, " Hector said indignantly.
" Well, draw me one, and I'll be back for it. I need a horse and food, and have 
to see the lieutenant. "
Reb stormed into the soldiers' temporary headquarters for the second time that 
week, and Lieutenant Johnston choked on his coffee when he saw her come in 
covered in blood.
" God, if anything you look even worse than the last time I saw you, " he 
exclaimed, before apologising for being so ungallant.
" An insult from you is worth a hundred compliments from idle flatters, 
Lieutenant Johnston, " Reb quipped, before briefly explaining about the coach 
wreck and asking Johnston for some bandages to tie up her sprained wrist.
Johnston's aide de camp brought in a medical kit, and Johnston peeled back the 
sleeve of Reb's gown as she sat exhaustedly in a chair.
While he tied up her wounded wrist, she said, " Look, I know we haven't exactly 
seen eye to eye on this affair, but Greer and McClellan are behind all the 
trouble, and now they've dug up the only road in and out of the town and wrecked 
the stage. It means no vehicles, supplies, or people coming in or out, for you 
or the rest of Grange. It has to be for a reason. "
" They're already gone, so what does it matter? " Johnston shrugged, as he 
snipped the bandage off the roll and tied the ends securely around her arm.
" I think he's using the old fur trader route, " Reb speculated. " It's the only 
other way in or out of the valley. Hector in the telegraph office is drawing me 
a map. It's my only chance of getting down to Denver now that the road is 
blocked and there's no stagecoach.
" I think they're hiding in that pass, regrouping their forces. Remember, Greer 
and McClellan had no idea I was going to be here. They thought I would be busy 
in Denver with Walker Pritchard, a man whom they are falsely accusing of murder. 
So now they need another plan, since the fake rebellion and wholesale Indian 
massacre they had hoped for didn't happen. "
Lieutenant Johnston gave her a puzzled look, but she waved his questions aside 
impatiently.
" It doesn't matter, there's no time to explain about Walker now. I love him, I 
have to go to him before it's too late, and that pass is my only chance. As soon 
as I get some things together, I must go. But I'm begging you to trust me, 
before more lives are lost. I can't stay, and someone has to look after the 
safety of the people here. "
" What exactly do you want me to do, Miss Whitaker? " Johnston frowned.
" I'm asking you to be on the alert, that's all, and if you could spare the town 
some men to help with the coach wreck, we would all be very grateful, " Reb 
sighed.
Johnston remained silent as he gently helped Reb scrub the dirt and blood off 
her face, and tried to make up his mind about what to do for the best. " All 
right, I'll do as you ask, but you need help as well, Miss Whitaker. If they are 
in that mountain pass, they might try to kill you. "
" I wouldn't want to take any men away from the defence of the town, " Reb 
argued.
" I think I need to send out a scouting party anyway, so I'll send ten men with 
you. Get your things ready, and meet the escort here in half an hour. "
Reb finished scrubbing her filthy hands in the basin of water the lieutenant had 
poured for her, and smiled. " I'm very grateful, Lieutenant Johnston, really. "
" Then perhaps when this is all over, Miss Whitaker, and if you can find an item 
of clothing that hasn't been torn, burnt, or spattered with blood, you'll do me 
the honour of having dinner with me at the saloon. "
" My pleasure, so long as my future husband has no objections, and you call me 
Reb instead of Miss Whitaker in that snotty way of yours, " Reb grinned.
" Reb as in Rebecca? "
" Or Rebel. "
Lieutenant Johnston grinned broadly " It suits you, really. "
" Thanks, " Reb said holding out her uninjured hand for him to shake.
The Lieutenant began to shout orders to his men, and went to the General Store 
to gather her provisions, and over to the saloon to pick up her stallion.
" He's the best horse in the valley, I have to take him, Hank, " she sighed. " 
But I will also have to sell him in Rawlins when I get down that far, " she 
said, consulting her map.
" A real pity, " Hank lamented, " but you've got to do it. "
" I'll make it up to you. The best horses money can buy on a trip to Kentucky, 
once things are back to normal, " she promised, as she held up the glass of 
whisky Hank had poured for her, and he clinked his own glass against it.
" I'll hold you to it, " Hank grinned.
Hank lifted the saddlebags over the horse's back, and gave Reb a leg up as she 
struggled to mount without using her injured wrist.
" Be careful! "
" I will. Caution is my middle name! " Reb teased.
" You mean danger, don't you? "
" It's better than Henry, " she joked, as she trotted down the main street to 
meet up with the soldiers.
" Right, company, move out! " the sergeant ordered, and Reb rode at the front of 
the party as she pushed her battered body to breaking point in her desperate 
quest to get to Denver.
As Reb had suspected, McClellan's men were lurking in the pass. The smell of the 
horses gave away their presence, and the party of eleven dismounted and crept 
cautiously up to the plateau where the miners had made their camp. One cavalry 
horse shied, and shots rang out as the to groups began to fire on each other. 
Reb still had Bob Tucker's revolver, but only four bullets left. Looking around 
desperately, she crawled on her hands and knees to where one of the dead 
soldiers lay.
A booted foot stamped on her injured arm as she reached for the dead man's gun, 
and though Reb screamed in agony, she yanked at her assailant's foot with her 
free hand and sent him flying over the ledge and down into the cavern below. She 
grabbed the gun and managed to quickly undo the dead man's ammunition belt 
before rolling over several times and scrambling for cover behind a tree.
" She's over there, men! Fifty dollars for the man who takes her alive! " she 
heard McClellan's voice shout
The soldiers were taking heavy losses, and most of their horses had scattered.
" Fall back, fall back! " Reb called, as the inexperienced troops stumbled about 
blindly now that their sergeant was dead.
Reb inched her way back to where they lay in a tangle of boulders, and advised, 
" You must work together, an organised retreat. Cover each other, make sure you 
all take turns shooting so the others have a change to load. Come on, there's 
five of you left. You have to get back and warn Lieutenant Johnston, do you 
understand? "
One of the men nodded, and the soldiers all reloaded their weapons shakily. " 
Now, I'm going to draw their fire. They'll all go for me, and you can use the 
opportunity to escape, " Reb instructed. " I'm too good a chance for McClellan 
to pass up. Just tell Lieutenant Johnston that if McClellan shows up with any 
papers concerning my lands with my name on it, he's to arrest him for murder, 
and tell him I'm sorry we won't ever get to have that dinner together after all. 
"
" We can't let you go out there by yourself, ma'am, " one soldier protested.
" Listen, boy, this man has already killed or injured a half dozen people. Five 
more ain't gonna mean squat to him! So I'm going, and you get your tails out of 
here pronto! "
Reb strapped the gunbelt around her slender waist, and reloaded her two pistols. 
" Get ready! Now! "
Reb dodged bullets as she ran tearing along the ledge, and swung from the branch 
of a cottonwood tree across the narrow gully to a further ledge. She scrabbled 
up the rock face, tearing her nails and palms and sending a shower of rocks down 
the steep slope.
" There she is! After her! " McClellan yelled, and Reb could hear several men 
racing after her in hot pursuit.
Reb knew her only chance was to pick the enemy off one at a time, but to do that 
she needed a good vantage point She climbed higher, and found a rocky outcrop 
with a small hole through which she could aim her weapons.
Reb picked off the first three men, but McClellan, enraged, ordered the others 
to climb up and surround her. Reb fired off another few shots, until both 
barrels were empty, and reloaded with trembling fingers.
" Walker, Walker, I'm coming, wait for me, " Reb prayed under her breath, as she 
clicked the second barrel into place.
Suddenly one man came up and grabbed her from behind. Reb bent her knees and 
flipped him, sending him sailing over the rocky outcrop, while she dived for 
cover and fired off a round at another man coming at her from the right.
Reb had fended off that assault successfully, but she began to fear her 
situation was ultimately hopeless. She was trapped, with no food, water, or 
horse. Her attackers could just sit and wait for her to fall asleep or starve, 
and there was no guarantee that Johnston would send any more men up the pass to 
her rescue. No, there was one more alternative, Reb concluded, as she wracked 
her brain to recall the lay out of the mountain range she hadn't visited since 
she was a little girl.
Reb decided to make one last desperate bid for freedom. McClellan would expect 
he to head back to Grange, but if she headed for the lakes, she could press on 
to the next tiny hamlet in the foothills.
" She's on the move, go after her! " McClellan bellowed as Reb broke cover ran 
for the summit of the mountain. Luck was on her side as she clambered up the 
slope and became partly concealed by Walker a wreath of cloud that hung low over 
the peak. Her feet slipped on the snow covered ground as Reb neared the top, and 
the icy air burned in her lungs.
" Don't be stupid, Reb! We're not going to harm you, I just want to talk, make a 
deal! " McClellan's voice came to her frighteningly close through the eerie 
mist.
" I know your deals, McClellan, and the answer is no. I'd rather die than let 
you destroy the valley. "
" That can easily be arranged, but you will sign it over to me first, " 
McClellan gloated as he approached her hiding point with the help of the sound 
of her voice, convinced that he had her cornered.
" Never, McClellan. And I've told Lieutenant Johnston not to believe a word of 
such a paper if I do turn up dead, so you might as well accept the fact that 
you've lost. "
" Damn you! I'm going to kill you with my bare hands, " he shrieked, and Reb, 
finally reaching her destination, jumped into the icy lake and felt the current 
began to sweep her down the rock face.
McClellan could only gaze in astonishment as the water swirled around her, and 
she went under. At first he thought she was drowning, but too late he saw the 
waterfall which plunged a hundred feet down into a pool below.
" After her! " he shouted, as his feet slipped and he lost his balance.
But Reb was already long gone, and as she surfaced from the bottom of the pool, 
she swam towards the edge, and let the second cascade carry her even further 
down the mountain.
She swam the length of the second lake, and found a lone tree branch to cling on 
to to keep her buoyant as she allowed the current to carry her along. Her knees 
and elbows were scrapped and battered, but the thick animal hides she wore 
absorbed some of the impact, and Reb knew if she could tolerate the rough ride 
she would save herself miles of walking.
At last, limp with exhaustion, soaked to the skin, and trembling with cold, Reb 
found herself on the valley floor, as the river calmed and levelled out to 
meander gracefully through the narrow pass She pulled off her boots to empty the 
water out of them, and wrung out the hems of her sodden garments. Reb took a 
long drink from the icy river to fill her empty stomach, and grimaced as she 
pulled back on her soaking boots. Rising to her feet shakily, Reb began her long 
twenty mile walk to the next village, and prayed she would find some assistance 
and a decent horse there.
Reb reached the small hamlet of Pinedale at midnight, and knocked on the first 
door she came to. The young couple who eventually opened the door to her looked 
shock and wary as they held the lantern high to take a better look at their 
unusual visitor. Reb felt as though her bones were made of jelly, and shivered 
uncontrollably as she explained, " I escaped from bandits in the fur trader's 
pass, and walked all the way here. Please, I've got no money, no food or water, 
and no horse. I've lost everything, but I have to get to Denver as soon as 
possible. My-my husband is very ill, I must get to him. "
The woman, a dark haired beauty who introduced herself as Sally Stevens, pulled 
Reb in and led her over to the fire.
" You warm yourself up here and take off those Indian things. You look like you 
been through the wars. Caleb, put some water on to boil, and I'll fetch you some 
fresh clothes. "
" I haven't got time.I need a horse. I have to be on my way! "
" Land sake's child, are you plum crazy? You can hardly sit up in that chair, 
let alone astride a horse, and it's freezing outside. Stay the night at least, 
and start again in the morning, " Sally urged.
" I don't want to put you to any trouble, and I have to get on. "
" You ain't going to do your man no good by making yourself sick as well, so 
just sit there while we get everything ready, and no more arguments, " Sally 
said with a determine lift of her chin.
Reb slipped out of her suede clothes, which Sally tried to scrub clean on the 
washboard. Dressed in an old flannel gown, Reb sat by the fire and ate hungrily 
the bread and stew Caleb handed her.
When the bath tub was ready, Reb gratefully sank into the tub and felt her 
aching muscles relax. Sally tisked when she saw the bruises and cuts which criss 
crossed Reb's body from head to toe.
" What are you, a rider for the Pony Express or something? " she demanded as she 
dabbed at the worst of the injuries with a soapy wash cloth.
" No, just a rancher, trying to protect my land from outlaws, with six children 
to raise and a sick husband in Denver, " Reb replied through her chattering 
teeth.
" Honey, you ain't old enough to have that many kids, " Sally said 
incredulously.
" My brothers and sisters, " Reb sighed.
" You'd better get out of that tub, Reb, before you fall asleep, " Sally said 
suddenly, and Reb realised she had nodded off. She stood up slowly, and Sally 
wrapped her in the flannel gown again and helped her dry her hair by the fire, 
brushing out the many tangles while Reb grimaced.
" Now, you lie down there on the cot by the hearth, and we'll wake you in the 
morning. "
" You haven't seen any men coming though the pass, have you? "
" No, no one. "
" Just be careful if you do. I don't want them to find me. They're very 
dangerous men, and I think they know I'm heading for Denver. "
" Don't worry, we'll keep you safe, " Caleb Stevens promised, his eyes glowing 
with admiration for the beautiful girl in the strange Indian garb.
When Reb next opened her eyes, bright sunshine flooded the room, and though her 
muscles still ached and she was ravenous, she felt a lot better than she had 
done when she'd first arrived at Sally and Caleb's farm.
" Welcome to the land of the living, Sleeping Beauty. You've been sleeping since 
you came on Thursday night. "
" What day is it? "
" Saturday afternoon, " Sally smiled.
" I've got to go! " Reb insisted, as she swung her feet out of the bed and 
grabbed for her clothes warming by the fire.
" Now hold on, have some dinner first, chicken with roast potatoes, and then 
Caleb will saddle the horse. I've packed up a bedroll and some food for you. "
" Sally, I am really grateful, but I must hurry, Walker needs me, " Reb said as 
she yanked on her leather trousers, and pulled the suede gown over her head.
" All the blood and shreds and stuff, you look terrible, Reb. You can't let your 
husband see you like that! Take one of my dresses, " Sally frowned.
" No time, I have to get on, and I have a long ride ahead of me. A gown would 
just get in the way, " Reb argued as she tugged on her boots.
" Well at least take my winter cloak then. It's warm and you can use it as 
another blanket. "
" Thanks Sally, you're an angel. As soon as I can, I'll come back and repay you 
and Caleb for all your kindness. "
Caleb came in shortly after, and they sat down to eat.
" Those men you were talkin' about? " Caleb drawled.
" What about them? "
" I think one of them, tall with red hair, came through yesterday morning, real 
early, riding hell for leather. "
" At least I know he's ahead of me, then, not chasing after me, " Reb sighed, 
but all the same, she worried about James McClellan getting to Denver ahead of 
her.
" Listen, just to be safe, don't go to Rawlins, " Sally advised. " That's the 
way that low down bandit will be heading. "
" That's right, Reb. If you go down to Rock Springs, then on to Green River and 
Vernal, you can cut straight east and on to Craig that road. "
Reb nodded. " Rock Springs, Green River, then Vernal it'll be, and thanks. "
Her horse saddled, bedroll packed, and warm cloak tied securely around her, Reb 
began her long ride to Rock Springs.
" Good luck, Reb, hope your husband makes it, " Sally called.
" So do I, " Reb murmured to herself.
The two day journey to Denver seen interminable to Reb, for all the horses she 
was able to trade for at the only villages along her route were nothing like the 
top quality mounts she was used to, and she had to rest and water them 
frequently. The weather also worked against her, for the skies opened up, 
hurling down rain and hailstones on several occasions, so that Reb had to 
dismount and take cover under whatever scanty shelter she could find in the 
bleak landscape.
All the while she longed desperately to reach her journey's end and see Walker, 
but it wasn't until Tuesday afternoon that she finally reached the outskirts of 
Denver. She dug her booted heels into the thin sides of the poor hack she was 
riding, and managed to get a trot out of it as she headed for the prison.
Once there, however she received the shocking news that Walker was not in his 
cell, he was in the courthouse for his trial.
" But it wasn't meant to be until Thursday! " Reb exclaimed in horror
" The circuit judge had some openings on his calendar, " the guard shrugged, and 
Reb bounded into the saddle and raced to the tall imposing white building in the 
middle of the main square on the other side of town.
When Reb arrived at the courthouse, there was a huge crowd outside, and Reb 
struggled desperately to push her way through to the door.
" No more spectators, the court is full, " a uniformed man said, pushing her 
back.
" No, you don't understand, I have to go in there, I have to present evidence to 
the court, " Reb shrieked above the din.
" Sure you do, dearie, " the man said, restraining her. " That's what they all 
say. But the trial is over anyway. The judge is just coming in now for the 
verdict. "
Reb could hear the court clerk order, " All rise, " and caught a glimpse of a 
black-robed judge as he entered and sat down at the top of the room. She 
couldn't see Walker, but she knew he had to be there somewhere.
" Please, let me through! " Reb begged, and the guard looked down at her pinched 
white face.
" I'll try, but it's going to be tough with this crowd. "
Through the open doors Reb heard the judge's deep voice intone, " Walker 
Pritchard Preston, the jury has found you guilty of the murder of Bryce Whitaker 
on the night of the tenth of June 1865. All that remains is for me to pass 
sentence upon you for your crime. You will be taken out of the Denver Prison 
tomorrow morning at dawn and hung by the neck in the town square until you are 
dead. May God have mercy on your soul. "

CHAPTER TWENTY
After the guilty verdict on Walker had been announced, the entire court was in 
an uproar. Reb tried to reach Walker as he sat upright in the dock in the far 
corner of the room, but her way was blocked by the throng of spectators 
attempting to leave the building.
" Walker! Walker! I'm here! " Reb shouted, but the guards were leading him out 
of the side door, and she only caught a fleeting glimpse of his rigid back as 
she pushed her way forward.
" Simon! Simon, I'm here! What on earth's been going on? " Reb cried out, as she 
tried to reach her friend, and collapsed onto his lap as her tears began to 
flow.
" Reb, my God, where have you been? Look at your clothes, your face! What's 
happened to you? " Simon exclaimed.
" It's a very long story, " she wept into his shirt front, and Simon patted her 
on the shoulder, and let her cry.
" We'll wait here until the court clears, and then go over to the hotel and get 
you a room, " Simon soothed, as he rubbed her back and offered her a 
handkerchief to dry her eyes.
Reb accompanied Simon obediently to the station hotel, and signed for a room 
there before promising Simon that she would eat something and rest just as soon 
as she got back from the jail.
Reb waited for ages in a futile attempt to gain admittance to the prison, but it 
was crowded with visitors and new inmates, and she was told there would be no 
chance of her seeing Walker until that evening.
Despondently Reb returned to the hotel at last, and over a meal in his room 
Simon recounted the saga of the trial to her, the corroborating testimonies of 
McClellan and the two Greer brothers that Walker had shot Bryce down in cold 
blood over a gambling debt, and above all Walker's refusal to let the only 
person who could give him an alibi come forward.
" I don't understand it. If Walker's innocent, then why won't he help himself? " 
Simon agonised.
" I don't know, I just don't. Did you ask him? " Reb inquired softly.
" I did, heaps of times. He said that a promise was a promise, and that if this 
person came forward, then if would only make things worse. "
" He's protecting someone, that's for sure. But who could it be? His sisters? "
" Maybe, but if he was hoping to help them, the only thing he's done is sign his 
own death warrant. If we'd had even one witness to speak up for him, it wouldn't 
have gone so badly for him, but with the Greer brothers and McClellan putting up 
a united front, and me being a black lawyer, the trial was over almost before it 
had begun, " Simon sighed.
" Now look here, Simon Gilmore, don't you go blaming yourself. It was Greer and 
McClellan who started all this, and lied through their teeth to harm Walker. And 
they wouldn't have done it if we hadn't fought over the ranch and the Shoshone 
land. Maybe I should have just let him take the ranch, started over somewhere 
else. The price I've paid for it has been far too high, " Reb sighed, as she 
described to Simon the fires and other events that had occurred at Grange since 
she had last seen him
" Oh, Reb, thank God you're all right, and that the whole situation didn't 
spiral out of control. "
" I've saved the Indians, and the ranch, but my father and Axel and his wife are 
all dead, and now on top of that, I've lost Walker forever, even though he's 
innocent, " she remarked bitterly.
" You can't blame yourself. You had no way of knowing how far those men would go 
to get their hands on the gold. It's a mercy you weren't all killed. "
" Listen, Simon, they're going to need you back at Grange to sort out the legal 
boundaries and so on now that things have quietened down. Can you get on the 
train and head back home tonight? "
" Sure I can, but I really think I should be with Walker right to the end, don't 
you? " Simon insisted.
" There's nothing you can do now, and I'm sure he'll understand when I tell him. 
Go back to Grange, Simon, talk to the Lieutenant in charge, a man called 
Johnston, and above all, see if you and find any proof against Greer. I want him 
to pay for what he's done. Talk to Hector, he'll be able to help, and if you 
find anything, cable the authorities here, and arrest him before he disappears. 
"
Simon reluctantly agreed to leave, and Reb packed up his belongings neatly, and 
helped him to the railway station.
" You be careful now, do you hear me, Reb? "
" I will, I promise. Good luck, Simon. "
" Tell Walker, well, just tell him, won't you. "
" Of course, " Reb waved, as the train pulled out of the station.
Reb noticed the strange looks many Denver residents cast in her direction as she 
walked up the platform slowly, and finally looked down at her disreputable 
appearance. She went to the General store to buy a ready made dress in blue 
cotton with lace trimmings, but once Reb returned to her room, she simply sat 
numbly in a chair, not even bothering to change her ruined clothes, as she 
attempted to come to terms with the fact that Walker was sentenced to die at 
dawn. Gazing around blankly, she realised it was the room she and Walker had 
shared together so happily just a few short weeks ago, and she broke down and 
wept as though her heart would break.
As the church bells chimed eight, Reb stirred, and running a brush through her 
dishevelled hair quickly, she threw her cloak over her torn Indian clothes and 
made her way once more to the prison.
After an agony of waiting, the young officer in charge of the jail allowed Reb 
to go to Walker's cell, but cautioned her, " I don't know if he's going to speak 
to you, ma'am. He asked us to make sure not to disturb him, turned the reverend 
away and all. "
" He'll see me, I know he will, " Reb whispered, as she trudged through the 
stinking corridor, taking in her surroundings with growing horror.
At last they reached a dark, dingy cell at the far end of the building. " A lady 
to see you, Mr. Preston, " the guard announced, but Walker replied, " I don't 
want to see anyone, just leave me alone. "
He lay on the wooden bed with his arm over his eyes, and Reb grew bold enough to 
say, " It's me, Walker, Rebel. Please, let me in so I can speak to you. "
" Why, so you can berate me for not telling you the truth, that I knew your 
brothers, and demand an explanation as to why I murdered Bryce? " Walker 
sneered.
" No, Walker, I know you didn't murder anyone. I've come to explain where I've 
been, why I haven't been here with you even though I've longed to be by your 
side, " Reb countered pleadingly.
" Do you expect me to believe that? " Walker mocked. " And even if it were true, 
you don't owe me any explanations, not after what I've done. "
" Please, Walker, I can't talk to you through these bars. Tell the guard to let 
me in, " she demanded, as she unwittingly took off her cloak, and Walker gasped.
" Reb, what happened to you! " he gasped as he saw her torn and bloodied dress. 
" Your face! Your hand! "
" Let me in, my love, and I'll tell you everything, " Reb pleaded.
Walker nodded to the guard, and soon they were in each other's arms, kissing 
each other hungrily before sinking onto the bed.
The guard cleared his throat, and said, " I'll check on you in a few hours. Call 
when you want me. "
" Reb, Reb, I can't believe you're here. I'd given up hope, and thought you 
believed the things they said about me, " Walker murmured as he showered her 
face with kisses.
" Never, never, Walker. Didn't you get any of my messages? "
" No, nothing, but maximum security prisoners don't usually get any privileges, 
so that's probably why. I've been so worried, and so miserable. I thought you 
hated me. "
" My poor darling, how could you ever have doubted me? It must have been hell. I 
love you, Walker, and would trust you with my life. I wanted to be here, you 
don't know how much, but I had to go back to Grange and got trapped by one 
emergency after another. There's been desperate trouble because of Greer. I knew 
the court trial was just a way to keep you and me out of the way while McClellan 
and the Greer brothers moved onto the next phase of their plan, " Reb soothed as 
she stroked his shaggy mane of thick black hair.
" It's been weeks, where have you been? I've missed you so, " Walker asked, as 
he held her to him, and they made themselves more comfortable on the narrow 
wooden bed.
She briefly recounted all that had befallen her since he had been arrested, 
omitting only Barclay's attempt to find any evidence in his favour, and told him 
what she knew of the trial from Simon.
Walker was horrified as he heard the details of the fires, Stalking Wolf's 
kidnap, the deaths of Amos and Annalise, the terrifying stagecoach accident, and 
Reb's desperate struggle to get to Denver to be with him, but Reb insisted, " 
It's all over and done with now. I want to talk about your trial. "
" There's nothing to talk about, darling. It's over, and they've found me 
guilty, " Walker said resignedly.
" I don't understand, Walker. If you have a genuine alibi, then why won't you 
name the person. Is it another woman? Because if it is, I'll try to 
understand... "
" No Reb, not another woman. There's never been anyone else in my life, only 
you, my love. Please, try to understand, and come to terms with the fact that 
tomorrow morning I have to get up on that scaffold and meet my fate. I need to 
be brave, I can't allow myself any lingering hopes that I might be saved, or any 
lingering doubts that I am doing the right thing, or else I'm lost, " he pleaded 
softly in her ear, as he held her to him tightly.
" I've been scared in battle plenty of times, but I swear to you, Reb, I've ever 
been so frightened as I am now. During the war I had nothing to lose but my 
life, and I counted that as pretty worthless anyway. Now I'm going to lose you, 
and the wonderful life we've had together, and it's almost more than I can bear, 
" Walker confessed.
" Then don't do it! Tell the truth. The governor of the territory can give you a 
stay of execution if you can get this witness to come forward! " Reb begged.
" No! " Walker insisted, shaking her by the shoulders. " No, it's impossible, 
believe me. It is a point of honour, and without my honour, what does my life 
mean? It hasn't meant much up until now, but it's not too late to die with 
dignity for a just cause. Please, Reb, let it go. There's nothing anyone can do 
now. "
Reb cried as though her heart would break in two, and Walker held her tightly to 
him as he tried to stem his own tears from flowing.
" Reb, I need you to be brave for me, and not ask me any more questions, " 
Walker rasped, and cleared his throat. " I have to be strong tomorrow, and I 
need you by my side at the end. I don't want to beg or plead for mercy like a 
coward. "
" What do you want me to do? " Reb sniffed.
" Stay with me until the end, walk out there into the square by my side, your 
head held high. Keep me strong by being strong yourself, and let them see me die 
with dignity. "
" Please, Walker, don't do this! I don't care about your point of honour! I love 
you! I don't understand why you're doing this! Don't ask for me to just stand by 
and watch you die, because I can't do it, " Reb wept.
" Don't you think I want to live with you and be happy? Do you think I want to 
leave you all alone, your father dead, with six children to look after? Can you 
imagine the torment I'm going through, Rebel, wanting to go home with you to the 
ranch, yet being stuck here in this cell? But the truth stands between us like 
an appalling dark shadow. I swore by all I hold sacred that I wouldn't reveal 
someone else's secret, and I have to hold to that.
" Even if I broke my promise, I would still be guilty of a capital crime in the 
eyes of some people who don't know all the facts of the case. Either way I will 
hang even if I tell the truth, and someone else would die with me.
" I've tried to sort all this out, but it's too late, don't you see? " Walker 
agonised.
He moved his mouth to cover hers, and his kiss told her more than words could 
ever say.
Walker finally lifted his lips, and begged, " My love, please don't cry. Perhaps 
it's for the best. Maybe there's some purpose to my death if I protect the lives 
of those I love, and leave you my money to buy up as much land as you can to 
protect the Indians and the buffalo, the whole way of life here in the west. 
I've been nothing but selfish throughout my life, until I met a certain Whitaker 
family and they taught me the true meaning of love and friendship, " Walker 
smiled gently.
" Oh, Walker, I can't believe we've found each other only to be separated again, 
" Reb wailed, as she gazed up into his mournful dark eyes, and saw the light of 
love shining within them.
" If you are a good Christian my dear, as I know you are, then we can both be 
certain we shall see each other again in a better life. I have a sneaking 
suspicion I haven't been so sinful that I shall be condemned to hell, so I hope 
to see you in Heaven, where you shall most deservedly go, " Walker smiled 
lovingly down at her.
" Do you really wish me to be there with you tomorrow? " Reb asked, clinging to 
him fervently.
" I know it is awful of me to ask, but I am afraid of making fool of myself on 
the scaffold. I need you to help me be brave, you who are the bravest person 
I've ever known. I know it will be terrible for you, but I want your face, your 
incredible eyes, to be that last thing I ever see on this earth, " Walker 
breathed, kissing her deeply again as Reb melted into his arms.
At length Reb was able to pull her lips away and answer, " Yes, Walker, I will 
stay by your side, though it will be the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I'll 
sit by you tonight if they'll let me, and we'll go out there together tomorrow 
morning and show them just what an honourable and proud man you really are. "
" I knew I could count on you, my darling. I don't know what I've ever done to 
deserve your love, " Walker breathed.
" You've always been there by my side when I've needed you. It's the least I can 
do for you, " Reb replied as she enfolded him in her arms and cradled his head 
against her bosom.
" I was so frightened when you vanished. I thought you had given up on me, 
believed me guilty, " Walker admitted in a small voice.
" No, Walker, never. I've always loved you. The shock was terrible when you were 
arrested, but I understand your reasons for remaining silent, even if I do wish 
I could get you to change your mind and save yourself instead of protecting this 
mysterious friend. But I know your decision upon the matter, we've already 
argued about it, and I would have us spend our last hours together in peace and 
harmony, so I'll say no more about the subject. "
" Geez, Reb, I don't think I'll be able to stand the silence if we don't fight 
about something, " Walker teased, and she began to weep again.
" Why don't you go back to the hotel for a little while, so I can write out my 
will. When you read it, you'll know what to do, and understand everything. "
" But Walker, don't you have anyone else you have to leave money to, your 
sisters for example? " Reb asked selflessly.
" They were already provided for under my father's will. I refused to take 
anything from him, though he did actually leave me the plantation. I gave it to 
my eldest sister, and though much of it is in ruins, it has the potential of 
being a fine estate with the right manager. "
" It sounds lovely. I wish that together we could see the place where you grew 
up, " Reb sighed.
" Perhaps you can go to Richmond some time, see my eldest sister, the one I'm 
closest to, and explain it all to her in person. I don't know where she is now, 
I've had no reply to any of my telegrams, but maybe you'll be able to find her. 
"
" If you wish me to, Walker, then write down what I need to know, and I promise 
I shall go and see her. "
Walker gazed out into the deepening twilight, and Reb moved to go.
" No, you can't leave just yet. This is the last sunset I shall ever see, and I 
want you with me now, and for my last dawn on this earth, " Walker requested.
" Then I'll stay, " Reb said, kissing him firmly, and her arms looped around his 
neck as they sat cheek to cheek gazing out through the bars of the dingy cell.
Reb went back to the hotel to have a quick bath and change into her blue dress, 
and then went out to the General Store, where she bought some food and drink, 
and several warm blankets to take back to Walker in the prison. Just as she was 
leaving, she spotted a copy of " The Pickwick Papers, " and bought that too.
" You're back, " Walker looked up in relief as he sealed a letter with wax and 
pointed to the papers on the desk.
" I've written to my sisters and also made out my will, which a local lawyer was 
kind enough to come and attest to. Give his packet of letters to my eldest 
sister when you see her, and this is for you for after, well, after I'm gone. "
" I've brought some roast beef and apple pie, and some wine and whisky as well, 
" Reb said, as she laid out the blankets on the bed.
" If I didn't know any better, I would say you were trying to seduce me, " 
Walker teased playfully.
" Would you mind? " she grinned.
" No, but the guards keep passing back and forth. What would they think? "
" That's true, " she sighed, as she moved away from him and sat on the chair.
" I'm glad your face is a picture of disappointment, but the good news is, when 
the town goes to sleep at midnight as usual, the guards will be discreet enough 
to leave us in peace until morning, " Walker smiled lazily.
" Oh Walker, you haven't bribed them, have you? "
" No, I haven't, I promise. I just think they feel sorry for me, and if I didn't 
know better I'd think they were almost hoping I'd escape tonight. "
Reb's eyes widened. " Well, why don't you? If they're prepared to look the other 
way, then go! "
" Reb, I would be hunted down and shot like an animal when they finally did 
catch up with me, " Walker shook his head regretfully.
" But they might never catch you, Walker! We could escape up to Canada. Stalking 
Wolf would help us! We could go to England with Barclay! We'd never have to come 
back here again, " Reb pleaded excitedly.
" Don't you think I've thought about all those possibilities? " Walker raged. " 
But what kind of life would we have always having to look over our shoulder, 
hoping no one would ever discover my real identity? I would have to leave behind 
my family, all I've worked to build in Pittsburgh and Richmond, and you, you 
would have to leave behind all your family and friends to be the companion of a 
fugitive. Think of the children! Would you abandoned the six of them to be 
homeless orphans for my sake? No, Reb, better to end my life now with some 
dignity, than be treated like a common criminal on the run, or tormented by 
guilt over my unspeakable selfishness for the rest of my life. "
" But at least it would be a life! If they hang you tomorrow then it would all 
be for nothing. If you escape, we could get a chance to clear you somehow, get 
your friend to finally come forward, " Reb urged desperately.
Walker scowled, and admitted, " I am tempted, I won't pretend to you that I'm 
not. But the consequences of running away might be incalculable for the Shoshone 
and the rest of the valley. Where would the Shoshone and your family be without 
you if you came with me? No, it's too selfish of me. Running away could only 
hurt the people I love most, especially you. Your father is dead. The children, 
the whole valley, they all need you. "
" And you always call me ornery, " Reb muttered, but she could see the truth of 
Walker's words.
" Come, my love, we're fighting again already. I thought you said we would spend 
our last night in peace together. Read me some of 'The Pickwick Papers' while I 
close my eyes to rest them. I don't want to be red eyed tomorrow lest people 
think I have been crying, nor do I wish you to weep in front of them. You will 
be brave to the last, as I shall try to be, won't you my love. "
" I promise I will try to be, Walker, " Reb asserted with a proud lift of her 
chin, and she opened the book and began to read aloud, as Walker closed his eyes 
and prayed for a miracle.
Much later, the jail settled down for the night, and apart from a visit from the 
prison chaplain, who offered Walker what spiritual comfort he could, they were 
left alone.
" You know, " Walker said suddenly, " maybe we should have the chaplain come 
back. He could marry us here and now, if that would make you feel better. "
" It's a lovely idea, Walker, but only if it would make you feel better. I have 
a feeling I might break down when he says 'until death do us part,' " Reb 
sniffed.
" Perhaps you're right, but all the same, I can't help worrying about your 
welfare long after I am gone. I want you to be looked after, and I want everyone 
one to know how much I loved you. "
" I know it, what does anyone else matter? " Reb reassured him.
" And if there is to be a child, " Walker muttered more to himself that Reb.
She pulled away, and Walker's head lifted. Looking directly at her, he said 
softly, " That's what's different about you. How long have you known? "
" Almost straight away. By the end of the week I'd started getting sick in the 
mornings, " Reb confessed.
" Oh, Reb, I feel so terrible, leaving you on you own with a burden like this. 
All I've ever wanted to do was help you, and in the end I've caused nothing but 
trouble for you and your family, " Walker groaned.
" Don't you dare say that, Walker Pritchard Preston. I love you. If you hadn't 
come into my life when you did, I would have never known the meaning of true 
love. Maybe you're an angel, sent here specially to make me happy for a short 
time before returning back to heaven where you belong. You've brought a taste of 
heaven into my life in the short time we've been together, and I have no 
regrets, none, do you hear? The baby is a blessing, a part of you I can always 
have with me even if you are gone, do you understand? I love you, and I don't 
want to lose you. But if I have to give you up, I'll have your child to remind 
me every minute for the rest of my life of all the wonderful things we've 
shared. "
Walker turned away to gaze out of the window, his fingers squeezing the bridge 
of his nose.
" I shouldn't have told you, I'm sorry, " Reb said tearfully.
" No, it's not that, it's just, oh damn it Reb, I don't want to die, not when I 
have so much to live for! " Walker groaned.
" Then tell the truth! " Reb pleaded.
" They would kill me anyway, don't you see! " Walker bellowed. " It's hopeless. 
"
Reb put her hand to her mouth, sick with grief and fear. " I can't stand this, 
Walker. I'll go mad if I have to sit here like this any longer. I have to do 
something! I refuse to let you be killed for a crime you didn't commit! Guard! 
Guard! "
" Where are you going! Reb, you promised you'd stay with me! " Walker reproached 
her.
" I'll be back, I swear I will. "
" But where are you going? " Walker pleaded, as the turnkey came to let her out.
" I need some air, that's all, Walker. I'll be back! " Reb said, as she ran from 
the prison frantically and headed for the hotel, her half formed plan her last 
desperate hope.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Reb stormed into the hotel foyer, and breathlessly consulted the guests' ledger. 
Lifting her skirts high, she ran up two flights of stairs, and searched along 
the corridors wildly until she found the number she was looking for.
She rapped on the door firmly, and after what seemed an eternity, Abner Greer 
finally opened his door. He was still fully dressed apart from his jacket, and 
Reb could tell he was having as much trouble sleeping as Walker and herself.
" May I speak to you, Mr. Greer? " Reb begged in a quiet tone.
" I'm not so sure we have anything to talk about, Miss Whitaker, " he replied, 
as he began to swing the door closed again.
Reb pushed it back open, and said, " Please, I'm not here to make a scene or 
berate you, I just want to talk. "
" I'm not so sure. If Alexander or McClellan find you here we're both dead. "
" I wont tell if you won't, " Reb declared, pushing past him and seating herself 
in a chair by the window.
Abner poured two glasses of whisky, and apologised, " Sorry there isn't anything 
else, but I figure if you work in a saloon, you won't have any objections, Miss 
Whitaker. "
" Call me Reb, please, Mr. Greer, " Reb said tensely as she took a hearty gulp 
from her glass.
" I'm Abner. My brother has always been Mr. Greer, " Abner said sourly, as he 
sat across from her and clunked his glass down on the table roughly. Reb could 
see he had been drinking, and was in a very irritated frame of mind.
" Does Walker Preston know you're here? " Abner asked quietly.
" No, of course not, he would never send me to plead with anyone for favours or 
assistance, and in any case I wouldn't want to give him any false hope if you 
refuse to help me. "
" And why should I help you, when you've stood in my way of a fortune? " Abner 
spat.
" Because there is more to life than money. There is honesty, decency, honour! 
Are you so lost to honour that you would let an innocent man die for a crime 
someone else committed? I'm pretty sure that you didn't kill my brother, but 
either McClellan or your brother Alexander did. "
" No, it can't be true.... " Abner looked genuinely astonished.
" Well, those papers, that deed to the land had to come from somewhere! " Reb 
argued impatiently. " You really were at the poker game that night, weren't you? 
"
Yes, yes I was, but... "
" But what? "
" I left early, just after Walker as a matter of fact. And when I left, Bryce 
was still alive. "
" But Bryce had been boasting about the ranch having gold on it, hadn't he? " 
Reb guessed.
" Yes, I did hear him say that once or twice in the short time I knew him, but 
none of us really ever took it seriously. You know, people always boast about 
their homes when they're homesick. We never believed him about Grange, about 
your family, though meeting you now, his talented kid sister, I can see Bryce 
never lied or exaggerated about any of it, " Abner smiled grudgingly.
" Then how well do you know this man McClellan? "
" He liked to gamble, helped my brother in some sort of business deal just 
before the war ended. I thought he was friends with Bryce and Walker. Towards 
the end, we were all put in the same company like, me who had lost their normal 
battalion. We weren't great friends, but we knew each other. I knew your other 
brother too, Pierce, God rest his soul, the poor bastard. "
Reb glanced at Abner sharply, and demanded, " What do you mean, why did you say 
it like that? "
" Because of all the trouble he got into after Appomattox, when he was accused 
of treason. He died of his wounds before they could put him up against a wall 
and shoot him. McClellan would have been shot too, only he came back as an enemy 
prisoner of war, wounded and tortured, so they let him off. "
" Was this before or after the business deal? " Reb asked sharply.
Abner stared moodily into his empty glass, and sloshed more whisky into it 
before declaring, " The deal was that if we were to deliver certain messages on 
the quiet to other commanders in the region, he'd pay us in gold once the battle 
was over. It was very dangerous, but we agreed. McClellan didn't come back for 
weeks, but when he finally did, he paid us in gold, just like he promised. That 
night we went out to gamble, and I saw Bryce, and Coutts and another man called 
Clarkson, all alive at the saloon when I left. "
" These men, Coutts and Clarkson, could they testify to when Walker left the 
saloon even if you aren't willing to tell people what you just told me? " Reb 
asked.
" No, ma'am, Coutts is dead, and Clarkson is back in Richmond for all I know, " 
Abner stated flatly.
" Dead? "
" Those rebel skirmishers, I suppose. They say two were killed but.... " Abner 
hesitated.
" But what? What are you trying to tell me, Abner? " Reb persisted.
" All right, all right, I'll tell you. What the hell, you can't prove it one way 
or the other, and I need to tell someone the truth, " Abner growled, and ran his 
fingers through his hair.
" I'm listening. "
" We were all gambling that night, me, McClellan, Alex, and Walker Preston. 
Walker left first, and then Bryce, Coutts and Clarkson came in. McClellan had 
wanted me to stay on for another few hands, had practically begged me to, but as 
soon as those three came in, he said I should go home because I looked tired.
" I sorta wondered why he was so anxious to get rid of me when a moment before 
he had insisted I stay, but McClellan always was a moody devil, and the men 
didn't cross him if they knew what was good for 'em. When he told me to go, he 
looked mad enough to spit, so I didn't bother to argue with him, I just grabbed 
my cash and left.
" I walked down the main street a piece, and seen Walker come out of the 
doctor's surgery with some medicine he said he had to take to his sister out on 
the plantation before he returned to camp that night.
" Walker's plantation was just a bit further up the road than the camp we were 
billeted in, so I left him at the gate, the sentry would have seen us, I 
suppose, and Walker headed on.
" But while I was standing at the gate having a smoke with the guard, I 
remembered I'd left my rain gear behind in the bar, so I thought I'd better go 
back for it. Nothing worse than sentry duty in the pouring rain, and someone 
would have stolen my waterproofs for sure.
" So I went back to town, and as I neared the saloon, I heard shots. I thought I 
heard McClellan's voice as well, just before, but I couldn't swear to it. When I 
got to the alley, there was no one around, but I saw three bodies laying there, 
yes sir, definitely three. Only the report said two were dead, but I figured it 
was a mistake somewhere, and didn't think any more about it.
" All I know is, it was Coutts, Clarkson and your brother Bryce, but the report 
left Clarkson out. I ain't sure what happened to Clarkson. Guess the skirmishers 
got him, and he dragged himself away and was found later. "
" But if Bryce died with Coutts, and it wasn't skirmishers, it really was 
murder.... "
" Then they were killed by the same person? But why? Coutts and Clarkson were 
fine men, good officers, everyone said so, but never had a penny to their names. 
Money couldn't have been the cause, " Abner scratched his head.
" It doesn't matter, Abner, not now. We may never know the truth, but I beg you, 
tell the authorities what you've told me. You are Walker's only hope of an 
alibi. You walked all the way to the camp with him, and then turned back. He 
couldn't have got back to the saloon before you and shot those men without you 
seeing, now could he? " Reb argued persuasively
" No, no, I guess not. I've never stopped to think in all of this who really was 
guilty. Alex said it would be so easy, but having a man's death on your 
conscience isn't as simple as he made out, " Abner said regretfully.
" Look, Abner, I know you've perjured yourself, but if it is to save a man's 
life that you now tell the truth, they won't go hard on you, " Reb urged.
" No, I can't do it. I'm in this up to my neck already. If I admit I've been 
lying, my brother and McClellan will kill me! "
" And when I get proof about what you've all been up to in Grange, you might all 
hang, " Reb threatened.
" What do you mean? Me and Alex have been in Denver all this time, doing a good 
bit of gambling. Why, what's happened? " Abner appealed, when he saw the hard 
look in Reb's eyes.
Reb told Abner of the fires, the Shoshone defence of their camp, the stagecoach 
wreck, and the attack in the fur trader's pass.
" My father, and Annalise and Axel Swensen are dead because of what those men 
have done. It was a miracle that my family and the two little Swensen girls 
weren't killed, and that their little brother survived that cattle stampede. 
Four innocent women and Bob the stage driver have been injured, and could have 
been killed. I won't even bother to say what would have happened to the 
Shoshone, because we both know they would have been wiped out.
" If you and Alex really were here in Denver, and had no idea what he was up to, 
then help me punish McClellan. Save yourself before it's too late. Don't let 
yourself get dragged down to his level. Tell the truth about Walker and my 
brother's murder, and let the real killer get his just desserts, " Reb concluded 
forcefully.
Abner sat numbly for several moments and suddenly pounded on the table violently 
with his fist before rising to pace around the room. " Damn it! Damn! I knew it. 
That McClellan is an animal. He'll stop at nothing to get that mine. "
" Would he even murder someone for it? " Reb stressed.
Abner slouched in his chair.
" Please, Abner, I beg you to help Walker. Please, just tell the truth? " Reb 
entreated.
Abner Greer slouched in his seat, and Reb gazed at his stolid expression as the 
minutes ticked past.
Reb returned to the prison a short time later, her heart heavy. She doubted she 
had convinced Abner, and knew she could not betray any lingering sense of hope 
to Walker or he would get suspicious. She vowed silently they would have one 
last night together that both would remember for a lifetime, come what may.
" The guards at the gate gave me your regular clothes, and they will wake us in 
time for you to have a bath and shave and breakfast, " Reb explained as she laid 
down the pile of articles next to the wash basin.
" Yes, we must go out in style, mustn't we, " Walker breathed against Reb's 
hair, before seating her on the bed. He knelt down and pulled off her boots, 
before reaching up to pull down the frilly pantalets beneath her gown.
" I'm glad you don't wear hoops or corsets, " he murmured as his long fingers 
ran up her legs to part her thighs.
" Oh Walker, " Reb sighed, as her head lolled back against the concrete wall of 
the cell, and she abandoned herself to the pleasures only he could give. Walker 
moved between her thighs and drew his hips level with her own. " What this lacks 
in finesse it makes up for in love, you know that, " he breathed as he covered 
her mouth with his own, and pressed deeply inside her.
Within seconds both had climaxed, and Reb rested her flushed face against his 
shoulder as he lifted her up and sat down on the bed himself, somehow managing 
to keep them still joined.
" One flesh, one heart, one love, always, my lovely Rebel, " Walker vowed, as he 
stroked her tumbled hair back from her flaming cheeks, and gazed deeply into her 
aqua eyes.
" Always, Walker, " she echoed, as he began to move inside her again.
Keeping her skirts draped over them in case anyone should look in the cell, she 
sat astride Walker, and squeezed him with her muscles until both began to 
tremble, and Walker had to smother Reb's desperate little cries with his mouth 
as her passions spiralled out of control.
" Here, lie down, you must be exhausted after that long ride, " Walker said 
several minutes later, and Reb teased, " It wasn't long enough for me. "
" I hope it's a bit more comfortable than your trip from Grange, though, " 
Walker joked as he lay facing her side by side in the narrow bed.
" You're a naughty man, " she said playfully, as he stroked her breasts through 
her dress, and began to make love to her all over again.
" You wouldn't deny a condemned man his last meal, now would you? A month in 
this cell has left me with quite an appetite. "
" I'm starving myself, " she whispered, as their kisses deepened. She tried to 
hold back her tears as she lost control of her body and emotions, but Walker 
could feel the dampness on her cheeks and as he kissed her eyes tenderly, he 
urged, " No tears, please, Reb, you promised. "
" They're tears of joy you silly man. Walker, I love you so much, I can't 
believe we were ever so lucky as to find each other, " Reb sighed she kissed 
him.
" But then it wasn't really luck, was it, " Walker admitted.
" No, it wasn't. You should have told me you were my brothers' friend, but you 
didn' t want me to know what charitable acts you were going to perform on our 
behalf. "
" I didn't want to complicate your life, have you feel beholdened to me. But I 
swear, Rebel, not a day went past that the boys didn't sing your praises, and 
long to be home in Grange. In the end, I couldn't resist the temptation to come 
out and see it all for myself. Before I knew it, I was in love with you, and I 
honestly didn't want to be. I thought my life was settled in Pittsburgh, until I 
had to go back to Richmond, and then I realised how much I missed country life. 
But Richmond was ruined. It was no longer the home I had known as a child.
" Yet my six sisters were there, and I couldn't be sure the would be happy in 
Pittsburgh. Then I thought, why not make a whole fresh start out on the 
frontier. Suddenly the impossible seemed possible, especially when I thought you 
were running off with Barclay. I would have told you I loved you sooner, but it 
wasn't easy for me to get past all the deceptions I had practised. "
" They were for the best of reasons, darling, let's not talk of it now, " Reb 
soothed, as she brushed his hair back from his forehead.
" Then you forgive me? " Walker smiled up into her eyes.
" If you love someone, there's never any need for forgiveness. I love you 
Walker, so the rest doesn't matter now. "
At six in the morning the guards came for Walker. He and Reb were already 
sitting on the edge of the bed, and Walker had combed her hair and plaited it 
for her, so that it hung sleekly down her back. She had washed in cold water 
from the basin, and Walker could swear she glowed as she looked up at him 
lovingly.
" You look simply ravishing, darling, " Walker said as he took one last 
appraising look at her.
" Are you sure you don't mean ravished, " Reb teasedsotto voce .
" Beautiful, noble, and brave, and beyond that words fail me. "
Walker was led away to a small cubicle, and Reb was allowed to stay as he 
bathed. First he shaved himself clean, before sinking wearily into the tub. He 
lay there drowsily while Reb scrubbed his hair and back, and then helped him dry 
himself and get dressed. He wore his best pearl grey suit which he had purchased 
with Reb in Denver, and as he did up the front of his crisp white shirt, he 
said, " You'd better help me with my cravat. "
" But... "
" My best silk one for the occasion, though I will have to exchange it for a 
hemp one. "
Reb's breath caught in her throat, and she looked at him reproachfully.
" Don't please, Walker. I'll cry. "
" I'm sorry, my love, I didn't mean it. " Walker kissed her hastily, as she tied 
the wisp of silk with trembling fingers.
" There, picture perfect, " Reb remarked as she gazed at the handsome man who 
stood before her. " This is the way I'll remember you, always. "
They brought Walker's breakfast, but he merely sipped a cup of coffee, which he 
held to Reb's pale lips as they sat waiting for the guards to return.
Walker suddenly laughed. " There must be a million things I ought to say to you 
now, but I can't think of a thing. My mind's gone blank. "
" It's all been said, my love, " Reb smiled as she kissed the hand that held 
hers tightly.
" I know you will look after things, will protect the valley and see that 
everyone in Grange is provided for. You always were a Lady Bountiful, even when 
you were poor. And whatever fate has in store for you and the children, try to 
be happy, Reb. I wouldn't want all this to blight your life forever. Oh, and if 
the baby is a boy.... "
" I know, I know. Walker it will be. "
" It had better be a boy, " Walker said with a grin. " There are far too many 
wild women in your family already. Patrick doesn't stand a chance. "
" You like me wild, admit it! "
Walker placed on had softly on her bosom. " I think the word I always used to 
describe you was ornery. Wild was your mother's word. But I love you, Rebel, and 
wild or otherwise, you have a heart of gold. You made your family so proud, just 
as I've been proud to have had your love, however briefly. "
Walker's smile quickly faded as he could hear keys being turned and booted feet 
approaching the cell.
" It's time, " one of the guards announced, and held up a pair of manacles 
questioningly.
" That won't be necessary. Let's get this over with, shall we? " Walker said 
with a mocking grin, as he stood, straightened his jacket, and took Reb's hand.
" Come, my dear, we have a pressing appointment, and mustn't keep them waiting. 
"
Walker tucked her hand firmly into the crook of his arm and together they walked 
with sure strides out into the bright sunshine.
A crowd had assembled in the town square. Walker only hesitated for half a 
second as he saw the scaffold waiting for him.
" He's not here, " he murmured to himself.
Reb too was looking around her, trying to find Abner, who was nowhere to be 
seen.
The guards led them up onto the platform, and Reb had to stop her knees from 
shaking as she felt all eyes upon her. The local justice of the peace and 
sheriff were standing at the top of the stairs, and the justice cleared his 
throat and said, " I'm Nate Fletcher, Mr. Preston. We'll wait a few more 
minutes, but if he doesn't arrive soon, I hope you'll allow me to fulfil your 
last request. I have all the papers right here. "
" Thank you, sir, that's very kind of you, " Walker said stiffly.
Reb turned her eyes up to Walker's rock-hard profile, and she could feel the 
muscles in his arm tense.
Walker moved his other hand to dig down into the pocket of this waistcoat, and 
as an afterthought, he pulled his watch and fob out and pressed them into Reb's 
palm. " For our son. It was my father's. "
Reb took it with trembling fingers, and swallowed hard to prevent herself from 
howling with grief.
" I'll treasure it always, " Reb promised.
The crowd began to grow impatient at the delay, but suddenly the prison chaplain 
could be seen pushing his way through the throng, and Nate Fletcher announced, " 
The condemned's last request was to be allowed to marry his fiancée, and 
Reverend Barnes has been kind enough to agree to perform the ceremony. "
A few nervous titters and some shocked gasps greeted the announcement, and 
Walker clung to Reb's hand.
" You don't mind, do you? It's just that I would be a lot more settled in my 
mind if.... "
" it's a lovely idea. Thank you, " she said, nodding, as the reverend bustled up 
the steep wooden stairs.
" I'm sorry to be so late. I was visiting a death bed, " the thin man apologised 
breathlessly, clutching his Bible to his chest..
The justice of the peace and the sheriff acted as witnesses to sign the marriage 
documents, while the chaplain proceeded with the ceremony. Though it was the 
hardest thing either of them had ever done, they recited their vows in clear 
voices that were audible throughout the square.
" I promise to love honour and cherish thee all the days of our lives, " Reb 
vowed, as Walker placed the ring he had bought in the jewellers' the month 
before on her left hand, and they were pronounced man and wife.
There wasn't a dry eye in the crowd as they kissed, and when Walker finally 
lifted his lips, he whispered, " Now, be a good girl, Mrs. Preston. Go down 
there, and stand right at the front where I can see you. "
" I love you, " Reb cried, clinging to Walker one last time, before releasing 
him, and walking toward the stairs.
The minister and sheriff offered her a hand to assist her, but with a stiff back 
Reb lifted her skirts high and swept down to the ground, her eyes almost 
unseeing. She turned the corner of the stairs, and suddenly saw Abner standing 
in front of her. Their eyes met, and Abner gave a tiny nod.
" Please, this execution must be stopped. I have proof that this man is 
innocent, and I admit I have lied in court to convict him! " Abner's voice rang 
out clearly in the cool morning air.
Nate Fletcher and the sheriff were taken aback, but summoned Abner up to the 
platform to give his testimony.
Abner repeated everything he had revealed to Reb the night before, and 
concluded, " So you see, sirs, I know I lied, and I expect you to punish me. My 
brother persuaded me to do wrong for gold, and I allowed my greed to get the 
better of my judgment. I don't care about being punished, I deserve it. All I 
want is for an innocent man to go free. "
Nate Fletcher and the sheriff consulted each other in aggravated whispers, and 
the judge who had sentenced Walker was sent for while the crowd and Reb waited 
with baited breath. Reb risked a peep up at Walker, but his dark eyes told her 
nothing of this state of mind. He simply stared at her, until Reb looked down in 
embarrassment.
When the crotchety old judge arrived, however, he took a very unfavourable view 
of Abner's testimony, and argued, " But you are already down on record as having 
sworn you were a witness to the murder. You can't change your testimony now, and 
there is no new evidence in the case which would suggest to me that I should 
grant a stay of execution. "
" What if I could get papers in my brother's possession that belonged to Bryce, 
to prove that Walker wasn't the murderer. They're in Alex's strong box back at 
the hotel! " Abner offered desperately.
" What would these papers prove anyway, that you all knew him? You've all 
admitted it in the court. You say you lied for money before, what's to say to 
you aren't lying for money now? " the judge shouted.
" No, I'm telling the truth now! " Abner maintained staunchly, though he could 
see that his brother and McClellan had arrived to watch Walker's execution, and 
were staring daggers at him.
" No, there is no case for granting a stay of execution unless new evidence 
regarding the crime is brought to light. Proceed with the hanging! " the judge 
commanded.
" But, Judge Perkins, if there is new evidence, and he is already dead, what 
will it matter! " Nate Fletcher argued furiously. " Please, postpone this for a 
while. "
" I am on my way to the next state. I haven't any time to waste. Proceed with 
the execution! "
" No, you can't ! Walker! Walker! " Reb cried, as she moved towards the stairs.
Walker had stood impassively throughout Abner's testimony, his posture showing 
neither relief nor surprise. He looked down at Reb now and shrugged.
" They don't care about justice, they just want an eye for an eye, a tooth for a 
tooth. Thank you for trying to help, Abner, but it's no use. Goodbye, Rebel, my 
love. "
" Walker! Please, Judge Perkins, don't do this! " Reb shrieked, but Walker's 
voice interrupted her plea for clemency.
" Rebel, don't beg him for my life. It would be pointless. Now stand where I can 
see you, and let's get this farce over with, " Walker stated firmly with a proud 
lift of his chin, as he began to undo his cravat, which he folded and put in his 
pocket.
" I'm ready. Just do it. "
The hangman offered Walker a hood, which he refused, and tried to tie his hands, 
but he showed Reb that he was holding one of her hair ribbons, and then he 
clasped his hands behind his back and declared again that he was ready.
Reb's heart hammered in her chest as the noose was slipped over Walker's head, 
and her blood pounded in her ears. She almost didn't hear the voice cry out, " 
Stop! Stop that execution! " and even when she registered the words she didn't 
dare turn around to look for fear of having her hopes dashed once again.
" This is pointless, sir! " the judge bellowed. " If you are another man trying 
to offer further testimony, the case is finished. He has been found guilty of 
murder and he shall hang! "
" But no murder has been committed! " the voice declared close to Reb's ear, and 
she turned to stare at the three tall blond men who had pushed their way to the 
base of the platform.
" Barclay! Thank God! Pierce! "
Reb gasped incredulously, as the third man announced loudly, " I am Bryce 
Whitaker, and as you can see, I'm very much alive. "
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
After Bryce's earth shattering announcement, the crowd was stunned to silence, 
and Reb ran to her brothers and embraced them both.
" Bryce, it's you, it's really you! " she laughed almost hysterically, and the 
murmur in the crowd rose to a shout.
" He's alive! Preston is innocent! "
But the judge fumed, " Bryce Whitaker is dead! This is just another pack of 
lies. "
" No, I'm not. Iam Bryce Whitaker, and I'm telling you the truth. McClellan shot 
me in the alley and left me for dead, but I crawled away to the Preston 
plantation, where they hid me. My friends Coutts and Clarkson were murdered, and 
I switched my papers with Clarkson's so that Greer and McClellan would think I 
was dead and wouldn't come after me again. I went to Walker's plantation, and 
his sister gave me food and money and came with me to Pittsburgh to help me get 
a job in Walker's mines. "
" And why would these two men wish to murder you? " Nate Fletcher asked 
seriously.
" Because all three of us had proof that James McClellan had betrayed the Union 
forces to the Confederates for money just before the attack on Richmond, and the 
Greer brothers helped him. They delivered bogus messages telling us to attack a 
ravine, and just as McClellan had arranged, the Johnny Rebs were just waiting 
for us. Clarkson and I were captured by the Confederates, but we kept our bogus 
orders written in McClellan's handwriting. Coutts tried to testify on behalf of 
my brother Pierce, but Pierce got the blame for McClellan's misdeeds and was 
court-martialled and sentence to death. We were still prisoners until June, but 
by the time were got out, it was too late for my brother. He was dead, " Bryce 
said, with only a flicker of an eye betraying his lie.
" We weren't even sure McClellan was alive until another we ran into him in that 
saloon. Sure, I made out a title deed and gambled the ranch with him in a poker 
game, but as a matter of honour. If I won, McClellan had to turn himself in, if 
I lost, he got the Bar T. I won, but he shot me anyway, and stole the title deed 
to the property. He also killed the only other two men who knew proof positive 
that he was the traitor, " Bryce concluded.
" All of this can be verified, I suppose, " the judge said sarcastically.
" It can if Alexander Greer is willing to tell the truth about the events of 
that night so he doesn't hang with McClellan for being a murderer as well as a 
traitor. "
" How do I even know you are the real Bryce Whitaker, " the judge spluttered.
" The Greers know me, and my sister, and my cousin, and my brother Pierce. "
Pierce stepped forward and said, " I was with Walker the night of the murder. I 
am his alibi, but because I was falsely accused of treason after McClellan 
managed to pin the blame on me, I couldn't come forward until now. "
" Then you're not dead? " Judge Perkins spluttered.
" No, but only because Walker saved me from the prisoner of war camp and hid me 
on his plantation. "
" In that case he is guilty of harbouring a traitor! Continue with the 
execution, " the overwhelmed judge shouted.
Nate Fletcher shook his head. " No, I believe him. There have been crimes 
committed, but not by Walker Preston, so I say that he is free to go. I want the 
sheriff to arrest that man McClellan. "
" Damn you, Walker, you always did have nine lives! " McClellan shouted. " But 
your luck really has run out now! "
Reb moved by sheer instinct as she pounced upon McClellan just as his gun 
cleared the holster. She wrestled for possession of the weapon, until a 
thunderous roar went off near to her ear, and she felt herself thrown backwards 
as the bullet tore into her.
" Reb, Reb! " she could Walker's voice calling from far, far away, before her 
world went black.
Walker paced up and down for hours, praying that Reb would open her eyes. She 
had lost a great deal of blood, and the surgeon who removed the bullet from her 
shoulder wasn't very optimistic.
" She's exhausted. Much of her strength is gone. If she doesn't get an 
infection, she might pull through. But if the wound festers, well, you've been 
in the army, you know... " the doctor trailed off.
Reb's brothers, Walker's sisters, and Barclay, along with his fiancée Genevieve, 
looked in on Reb in the clinic, but didn't like to intrude upon Walker's time 
with her.
" Send a message to us at the hotel if you need anything, " Pierce whispered.
" Are you still in danger? You shouldn't have come! " Walker scolded.
" I had to, to save the best friend a man could ever have, and to hell with the 
danger. "
" But when the army finds out you're still alive, they'll shoot you. "
" Not when they have the real culprit, McClellan. In any case, your telegrams to 
Washington paid off. They found me not guilty, and reinstated me posthumously. "
Walker hugged Pierce and clapped him on the shoulder delightedly. " When did you 
find out? "
" The message came when we were in Pittsburgh to fetch Bryce on our way here to 
help you. "
" You came even knowing what the consequence could have been? "
" Walker, if you hadn't saved me from that Confederate prisoner of war camp, 
paralysed and blind as I was, I would have been dead anyway, " Pierce declared 
earnestly. " I'm just glad we got here in time. "
" So am I, believe me, but it won't make a damned bit of difference if Reb 
doesn't pull through. "
" She's a tough girl, just like I told you. "
" Everything you told me about her is true, and more. You-you don't mind that I 
married her, do you? "
" Only that you didn't manage to do it in Grange, but if you're willing we could 
have the biggest wedding the territory has ever seen if you give your consent 
for me and Bryce to marry your sisters Lucinda and Arabella. And Barclay and 
Genevieve can tie the knot as well. It will be a real family occasion. "
Walker looked stunned, and then laughed uproariously. " Mind! I'm thrilled! But 
when, how? "
" Silly questions, old man. Love at first sight for both of us, of course. And 
how can anyone say why they fall in love? It's for a million and one little 
reasons. " Pierce smiled.
" I'm thrilled, and so will Reb be when she finds out. And I am so glad you're 
all right now. You are, aren't you? "
" I'm still very stiff walking, and the eyesight is dim, but thanks to Lucinda 
I'm a whole man again in more ways than one. She's my support, my vision, and 
the light of my life. "
Pierce shook hands with Walker, and kissed his unconscious sister, before 
leaving them alone together. Walker splashed his face with some cold water, and 
then returned to maintain his vigil by Reb's bedside.
Around midnight Reb opened her eyes, and whispered, " I've just been having the 
most wonderful dream, Walker, that Bryce and Pierce were still alive, and you 
were proven innocent. I was dreaming, wasn't I? it can't be true. I must be dead 
if you're here and I've seen them again. "
" No, my love, it's all true. Bryce was in hiding from McClellan, he went to the 
plantation and then moved on to Pittsburgh to stay with my second sister 
Arabella to work in the mines. Pierce was also in hiding at the plantation, 
after being falsely accused of treason. I couldn't let him die, so I passed a 
badly disfigured dead body off as him. He was still alive, but blind and 
crippled, and he didn't want you to be lumbered with a paralysed fugitive. He 
loved you too much to expect you to make that sacrifice. "
Reb listened as Walker patiently told her the whole story from the beginning, 
and then sighed. " You came so close to being hung. I nearly died when the judge 
said Abner's confession was irrelevant. "
" It took guts for Abner to try to help me in spite of his brother and 
McClellan. If he comes through his trial all right, we should do something for 
him, " Walker insisted.
" But I blame you too, Walker! Why didn't you just tell the truth! It would have 
saved so much heartache all around, " Reb scolded lovingly as she kissed him.
" It wasn't my truth to tell. Pierce was the only one besides Abner who could 
give me an alibi for the night Bryce was supposedly killed, but Pierce swore me 
to secrecy concerning his still being alive. He was blind, crippled, and a 
fugitive, and I had broken the law by swapping his identity with that of the 
dead man in the hospital, and harbouring a convicted traitor. I had little hope 
of clearing him, and was afraid what would happen to my sisters in Richmond if 
word got out about what I had done.
" Pierce was so adamant about not telling you he was still alive, and I wanted 
to know the truth. That's why I came to the ranch in the first place. I thought 
at first that you were some sort of selfish witch who would just find Pierce a 
burden in his condition, but it didn't take me long to realise that Pierce was 
trying to protect you.
" You already had enough burdens on your time, and on the ranch and the little 
money you had, without having to cope with a blind, crippled brother on the run.
" When I saw what you went through, taking in laundry, shearing sheep, working 
in the saloon and all, I just couldn't tell you the truth, at least not straight 
away, " Walker confessed. " I was afraid I might make things worse, or be thrown 
in prison myself, and then I really couldn't have helped any of you. "
" I can understand your point of view, but Pierce is my brother, and no matter 
what, he would never have been a burden. I wish you had been honest with me 
right from the start. It would have save all of us a great deal of grief and 
misunderstandings. "
" But there was a more selfish reason, Rebel, for my not telling you the truth. 
I wanted to be with you, be by your side, win your love. I had hoped to marry 
you and take you back to Pittsburgh or Richmond, but I soon realised I could 
never win over your ranch, your family. I grew to love them as well, and believe 
me, I knew if I ever forced you to choose, I would lose you. So I hoped you 
would see I was indispensable around the farm, that I could fit in as part of 
your life. "
" You did fit in, from the moment we met and you helped me round up the horses. 
You didn't have to try to win my love by performing the twelve labours of 
Hercules! I loved you for yourself from the minute we met. And since you knew 
how much my family meant to me, you should never have kept Pierce's condition 
from me for so long! " Rebel protested.
" Damn it, Rebel, I wanted you to be happy! For once in your life, I wanted you 
to not have to worry about anyone or anything except yourself. I would have told 
you about Pierce in time, and remember I had every hope he might eventually 
recover the use of his limbs or his sight or both, as well as be acquitted of 
treason, in which case we could have just put the report of his death down to a 
silly mistake on the part of the Army, and you would never have had to know what 
part I played in the whole scheme of things.
" As for the money situation, I planned to help you without you ever knowing. I 
couldn't stop you from selling up to Axel and the others no matter how hard I 
tried, but I still put my plan into action. I planted those gold nuggets we 
found in the falls. I thought you could live off the money from the nuggets and 
the fake mine I was going to have the men set up. Then, if Pierce did eventually 
decide to come home, you'd all be well looked after, " Walker confessed.
" I had no idea that Greer and McClellan had tried to kill Bryce over the title 
deeds to the ranch, or that Bryce had made sure he was reported dead so they 
couldn't try to murder him again once he found out his first attempt had failed.
" The last time I had seen Bryce at that damned poker game, he was alive and 
happy. I couldn't believe it when I arrived here and you told me he had been 
killed in Richmond, but the skirmisher story made sense in a way. Feeling was 
running high against the Yankees because of the carpetbaggers, " Walker 
explained.
" That's why you were so hesitant to let me go ahead with all the plans I had 
made concerning the ranch and the inheritance in England. You knew Pierce was 
still alive, and hoped he would come back to us. You should have told me the 
truth then, Walker, but you still didn't. Why not? " Reb demanded.
" I made a promise to Pierce, Rebel, and I never go back on my word. But you 
found out anyway. I don't understand how Barclay tracked Pierce down? Or Bryce 
for that matter, " Walker marvelled.
" I admit that when you were first arrested, so many things didn't add up, that 
I had my suspicions, and thought you might really have come out here to get your 
hands on the ranch because of the gold Bryce had been boasting about which 
really didn't exist. But I remembered McClellan called you Preston, and then I 
guessed that you were the commanding officer my brothers had told me so much 
about. Murdering Bryce over a gambling debt just didn't tally up with the man I 
had come to know and love. Then I knew you were innocent, I just had to find 
some way of proving it, so I sent Barclay east to do some investigating. "
" You tried to help me even though you knew it was possible that I was guilty? " 
Walker asked in disbelief.
Reb shrugged. " I felt angry, hurt, and betrayed that you had lied to me, but I 
loved you all the same. It didn't take me long to figure out that if you had an 
alibi but weren't willing to use it, you were protecting someone. If you were 
protecting someone, there had a to be a good, honourable reason. Barclay went to 
Richmond with the facts, and it was simply a matter of them coming here to clear 
up the whole tangled web of lies. "
" I can't thank you enough for your blind faith in me. If you hadn't sent 
Barclay to Richmond, I might have hung. I couldn't explain about Pierce without 
risking his life and leaving myself open to another capital charge. "
" I knew there was a good reason, and that's why I begged Abner to tell the 
truth. I 'm grateful that he decided to do the honourable thing, and that Pierce 
and Bryce got here in time to clear the whole matter up. I can't believe how 
close I came to losing you, " Reb sighed as she snuggled against his chest.
" Don't I know it. When I had to climb that scaffolding, I was sure I was done 
for. But It wasn't nearly as bad as standing on the platform with the rope still 
around my neck waiting for McClellan to shoot me, only to see you fall to the 
ground. I really thought my life had ended then, " Walker breathed against Reb's 
hair as he hugged her to him tightly.
" I'm afraid I won't be doing too many chores for a while, " Reb joked.
" Reb, my love, you won't be doing any. We have money, the ranch is safe, the 
family are all provided for, the Shoshone are secure in their reservation, so 
the only thing you have to do is sketch out some plans for a new house for us 
with plenty of bedrooms for all the children, and if I catch you lifting a hand 
to do anything other than sewing or changing our babies, I'll horsewhip you, is 
that clear? " Walker growled in mock ferocity.
Rebel giggled as his eyes sparked passionately. " When can we go home? "
" As soon as you're well. "
" At least it's only my shoulder. "
" And as soon as we get back, we are having a proper church wedding, with all 
the trimmings, so all of Grange can see what a lucky man I am. "
" Have I ever told you how much I love you, Walker Pritchard Preston? "
" Once or twice, but you can say it a million times if you like. I'll never get 
tired of hearing it, and it will take that many times before I'm convinced what 
a lucky man I am, that you're really mine, " Walker smiled joyfully.
" I am yours, now and always, " Reb vowed, kissing his gently, " and thank you 
for all you've done. I know Bryce was wild even before the war, and I'm sure we 
have you as well as your sisters to thank for the fact that he finally got back 
to us in one piece a wiser and more sober young man. But I am doubly grateful 
for everything you've done for Pierce. He was always a special young man, and 
I'm glad you recognised that, and tried to protect him. I can never even begin 
to repay you for the way you saved his life after the court-martial found him 
guilty, and all the medical treatment and help you and your sister gave him. "
" There is one way of repaying myself and my sisters, and also Barclay for all 
he's done, if you are willing to consider it, " Walker grinned like a cat.
" How on earth would that be possible? " Reb smiled gently.
" If you'll agree to let the six of them share our wedding day back in Grange. I 
wanted it to be a special day just for us, but under the circumstances.... "
" Oh Walker, that's the loveliest idea I've ever heard. Thank you, " Reb sighed 
as she kissed him fervently.
" What, no argument from you? Have I succeeded in taming my wild little she cat 
after all? " Walker joked as he stroked her face lovingly.
" Don't count on it, " Reb said with a grin. " In fact, why don't you get in 
this bed and find out just how wild I can really be. After all, it is our 
wedding night. "
" Rebel! Really! " Walker blurted, shocked.
But as her hands moved even lower, Walker kissed her fiercely, and observed, " 
Wilder than ever, but promise me you'll stay that way for the rest of our lives. 
"
" Always, Walker, with you by my side, " Reb said lovingly, as she eagerly 
pulled her new husband into the bed.

Other Domhan Books
If you enjoy romance, you will love Domhan!
Contemporary Romances:
Heart's Desire by Sorcha MacMurrough Domhan Books ISBN: 1-58345-031-9 
$10.00/£4.99
160 pp paperback 5 x 8 "
Nurse Sinead Thomas rescues the hospital's handsome architect Austin Riordan 
from a life-threatening situation. She accepts his offer to be his private nurse 
over the Christmas holidays, but gets more than she bargained for as they grow 
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168 pp paperback 5 x 8 "
Zaira Darcy literally bumps into the man of her dreams in an elevator. Dashing 
Brad Clarke, Hollywood's hottest new director, working alongside her in New 
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past, and the double life she leads, threaten to destroy any chance of happiness 
the two might have. Zaira must lock horns with her ex-husband Jonathan one last 
time to save Brad's life, even if it means sacrificing her own.

Historical Fiction:
The Faithful Heart by Sorcha MacMurrough Domhan Books ISBN: 1-58345-023-8 
$12.95/£6.99
204 pp paperback 5 x 8 "
Ireland, 1536
Who has murdered Morgana Maguire's brother, poisoned her father, and stolen most 
of her clan's ships? There are just a few of the pressing questions Morgana must 
find answers to if she and her one true love Ruairc MacMahon are ever to find 
happiness in each other's arms. Set against the backdrop of Renaissance power 
politics during the reign of Henry VIII, Morgana and Ruairc must fight not only 
to win each other, but to protect all of Ireland from civil war and foreign 
invasion.
Don't miss her other saga of Renaissance Ireland,The Sea of Love
The Fire's Centre by Sorcha MacMurrough Domhan Books ISBN: 1-58345-025-4 
$12.95/£6.99
264 pp paperback 5 x 8 "
Riona Connolly is willing to do anything to save her family from starvation 
during the Potato Famine. So when she meets the handsome Dr. Lucien Woulfe, who 
offers her post at his clinic, it seems a dream come true. But their growing 
attraction is forbidden in the straight-laced society of Victorian Dublin. Riona 
and Lucien must walk through the fire's centre to secure their happiness before 
it is destroyed by the evil Dr. O'Carroll and the vagaries of Fate.
The Hart and the Harp by Sorcha MacMurrough Domhan Books ISBN: 1-58345-030-0 
$12.95/£6.99 288 pp paperback 5 x 8 "
Ireland, 1149
Shive MacDermot and Tiernan O'Hara agree to wed to end a five-year feud between 
their clans. Though an unlikely alliance at first, Shive begins to fall in love 
with her new husband. She soon realises the murderer of her brother is a member 
of her own clan. How can she win Tiernan's love and prove to him she is not the 
enemy?
Shive undertakes an epic struggle to save her lands and Tiernan's from the 
ambitious Muireadach O'Rourke, determined to kill anyone who opposes his bid to 
become high-king of all Ireland. Will she prove worthy of Tiernan, or will he 
believe all of the vicious lies about her supposed love for another, and become 
her enemy himself?
Hunger for Love by Sorcha MacMurrough Domhan Books ISBN: 1-58345-005-X 
$12.95/£6.99
244 pp paperback 5 x 8 "
Historical Fiction, Romance, Ireland
Ireland and Canada, 1847
Emer Nugent and her family are evicted from their home at the height of the 
Potato Famine in Ireland. Forced to emigrate to Canada, they endure a harrowing 
journey on board a coffin ship bound for Grosse Ile. Emer, working as a cabin 
boy to help her family's financial situation, meets the enigmatic Dalton 
Randolph, the ship's only gentleman passenger, who is not all that he seems. 
They fall in love, but darker forces are at work against them. Emer's duty to 
her family forces Dalton and she to separate. Will they ever be able to overcome 
the obstacles in their path to true love?
This incredible saga of love, adventure and intrigue continues in the second 
volumeThe Hungry Heart, also available from Domhan Books.
Excerpts from a review by author Carolyn Stone:
" Thrilling from first to last. Both volumes are historically accurate, with 
wonderful characters. I felt as though I was really there every step of the way 
with Emer and her family, and the books certainly were an eye-opener about some 
of the lesser-known details of what really went on during the Famine. 
Well-researched, with great romance and suspense, it is also a moving tribute to 
the courage of the Irish spirit, which refused to be cowed by such tragedies. A 
joyous read from first to last, and a winner for anyone interested in all things 
Irish. Don't miss the sequel The Hungry Heart; sheer brilliance from a masterful 
storyteller. "
The Hungry Heart by Sorcha MacMurrough Domhan Books ISBN: 1-58345-006-8 
$12.95/£6.99
232 pp paperback 5 x 8 "
Historical Fiction, Romance, Ireland
Canada and Ireland 1847-1849
Emer Nugent leaves her lover Dalton Randall to search for her family in the hell 
of the Grosse Ile quarantine station. The land of opportunity is nearly the 
death of them all. Dalton is deceived into thinking Emer is dead by his father, 
and is about to marry the daughter of a business rival when he meets Emer again. 
Outraged that his plans for keeping the two apart have failed, Dalton's father 
has Emer arrested on false charges and transported back to Ireland.
But the Ireland she returns to is on the brink of civil war. Emer finds herself 
unwittingly embroiled in the 1848 rebellion, and is put on trial for her life. 
Dalton must travel half way across the world to try to save her before it is too 
late.
This incredible saga of love and adventure begins with the first volume, Hunger 
for Love , also available from Domhan Books
Excerpts from a review by Carolyn Stone, author of In From the Cold:
" This second volume of the saga of Emer Nugent and her family certainly doesn't 
disappoint. Suspenseful, moving, romantic, I was on the edge of my seat 
wondering how on earth the book was going to end. Fast-paced, tightly written, 
it was a pleasure to read such stirring book on the topic of the Famine and the 
less well-known 1848 rebellion in Ireland. The secondary characters too have a 
vivid life of their own, and I love the men especially: compelling, sexy, and 
ever so brave. They form an excellent foil to the strong heroine.
Like the first volume, Hunger for Love, it is well-researched, and a moving 
tribute to the courage of the Irish spirit, which refused to be cowed by the 
tragedy of the Famine and its colonial status. Both books are joyous read from 
first to last, and a winner for anyone interested in all things Irish. If you 
haven't read Hunger for Love, yet, you are in for a real treat. This worthy 
conclusion to Emer and Dalton's adventures is sure to please as well. "
Scars Upon Her Heart by Sorcha MacMurrough Domhan Books ISBN: 1-58345-011-4 
$12.95/£6.99 232 pp paperback 5 x 8 "
Historical Fiction, Romance, Napoleonic Wars
The Iberian Peninsula 1811
Lady Vevina Joyce and her brother Wilfred are forced to flee Ireland after being 
falsely accused of treason. On the road with Wellington's army, they meet an 
unexpected ally in the enigmatic Major Stewart Fitzgerald. Side by side they 
fight with their comrades in some of the most bitter battles of the Napoleonic 
Wars. Can Vevina clear her name, protect those she loves, and stop the Grand 
Army from taking over the whole of Europe in a bold and daring move engineered 
by the person responsible for her family's disgrace?
Is Stewart really all that he seems? Appearances can be deceptive....
Review by Carolyn Stone:
" I loved it. Fast-paced, intelligent, with sizzling romance to boot. The women 
are compelling, the men intelligent and sexy! Even if you don't know anything 
about the history of the Napoleonic wars, it completely sweeps you up into the 
action. The many twists and turns Ms. Mac Murrough provides are worthy of the 
finest mystery novelists, and the ending is superb. A cracking good read. I dare 
you not to finish it in one sitting! "

The Sea of Love by Sorcha Mac Murrough
ISBN: 0-7388-0069-4 Hardcover Xlibris imprint
ISBN: 0-7388-0070-8 Paperback Xlibris imprint
CD-rom 1-58345-049-1 Domhan Books
Wrongfully accused of murder, Aidanna O'Flaherty's only ally against her evil 
brother-in-law Donal is the dashing English-bred aristocrat Declan Burke. Saving 
him from certain death, they fall in love, only to be separated when Declan is 
falsely accused of treason. Languishing in the Tower, Declan is powerless to 
assist his beloved Aidanna as she undertakes an epic struggle to expose her 
enemy and save her family and friends. She must race against time to prevent all 
she loves from being swept aside in a thunderous tide of foreign invasion....
The Sea of Love by Sorcha Mac Murrough
A review by Jacinta Carey, author ofThe Wildest Heart
" A rousing read; I loved it. Well-researched, with spellbinding characters and 
sizzling love scenes, it has all you could want in an historical novel and more. 
It was an action-packed novel from start to finish. I can't wait to read more of 
Ms. MacMurrough's books on Ireland and its tumultuous history. "
Call Home the Heart by Sorcha MacMurrough
Young widow Muireann Graham Caldwell is left destitute by her dissolute husband, 
Augustine, killed in a shooting accident on their honeymoon. Faced with a choice 
between returning to her stifling parents in Scotland or taking a chance on 
running her own estate, Muireann finds an ally in the broodingly handsome 
Lochlainn Roche. He has secrets of his own to keep. As the Potato Famine rages 
across Ireland, can Muireann save her new home Barnakilla? Can she and her 
estate manager ever have a future together? Does he even love her? Or has he 
been using her all along....
Journeys End by Sorcha MacMurrough
Enya Kavanagh stays behind alone in an old villa to nurse her fiance Gerald 
MacManus, who is in a coma. Enter his brother Dominick, a commando, on a secret 
mission destined to turn the tide of the war.
Despite their concern for Gerald, they come to realise they have always loved 
each other.
But their idyllic life at the Villa San Stephano is not all it seems. A series 
of strange events culminating in a horrific murder forces Enya to confront the 
truth about Gerald and her past if she is ever to win Dominick's love.
From Anzio to Rome and beyond, Enya must struggle to stop her enemy before all 
of the Allies plans for the invasion of Normandy fall right into the great 
Rommel's own hands.
Romantic Thriller:
Contemporary Romance/Thriller
Ghost From the Past by Sorcha MacMurrough Domhan Books ISBN: 1-58345-029-7 
$10.00/£4.99 180 pp paperback 5 x 8 "
Thriller, Romance, Suspense, Mystery
Biochemist Clarissa Vincent's fiance Julian Simmons was killed in a terrible 
explosion five years ago. Or was he? Taking a new job in Portland, Oregon, 
Clarissa sees a man at the airport who could be Julian's double, and is suddenly 
propelled into a nightmarish world of espionage and intrigue. She must struggle 
to save her family and the man she has always loved from the ruthless people who 
will stop at nothing to achieve world domination.
Other Great Romances:
Castles in the Air Evelyn Trimborn
Poverty-stricken Irish aristocrat Alanna Lacy is at her wits' end. Enter 
property developer Bran Ryan, who offers her a way out of her desperate 
financial situation-marry him! Faced with her father's disapproval, and Bran's 
spiteful ex-fiancée, can they build a future together, or will all their dreams 
go up in smoke?
Heedless Hearts Evelyn Trimborn
Young, inexperienced Marielle gets more than she bargains for when she takes on 
the role of live-in housekeeper for soon-to-be-wed architect Tristan 
Fitzmaurice. Sparks fly from the moment they meet, and though they struggle 
against their growing attraction, the heart is heedless when it comes to 
love....

Forbidden Fantasy Evelyn Trimborn
Rose Gray is one of America's top romance writers. So why is it she can't ever 
seem to meet Mr. Right?
Luke Byrnes changes all that when he bursts into her life unexpectedly.
Will it be " Happily Ever After " or " The End " ?
Sizzling, sexy, and definitely one for devoted romance readers, it is also a 
good-humoured look at the genre we all love.
The Art of Love Evelyn Trimborn
Struggling Dublin artist Shannon Butler gives a hugely successful show. Enter 
her estranged adopted brother Marius Winters, hell-bent on revenge. He accuses 
her of robbing him of his share of their dead father's estate. Thrown together 
by circumstances, they try to make up for the mistakes of the past. Despite all 
their differences, they grow ever closer. But Marius' lying ex-wife threatens 
any chance of happiness they might have. How can Shannon prevent her new-found 
love from leaving her forever?
Falling in Love By Lidmila Sovakova CD Rom $8.00 Disc book $5.00 Ebook download 
$4.00
ISBN: 1-58345-024-6 5 " x 8 " paperback forthcoming
This is a poignant tale of love, loss, and the search for happiness of a young 
girl growing up in turbulent times.
The sequel isThe Sophisticated Lady , coming soon at Domhan Books.
The Frosted Mirrors by Lidmila Sovakova CD Rom $8.00 Disc book $5.00
Ebook download $4.00 ISBN: 1-58345-026-2 5 " x 8 " paperback-forthcoming
This is the story of Rinaldo, a young boy who adores his mother and will do 
anything for her approval. But she is oblivious to all else except the creative 
muse which drives her poetry, and her cat.
The story is also of a painter who is doomed to fall in love with them both.
The sequels areThe Scarlet Maze andThe Eye of Medusa , available in Spring 1999!
Lidmila was born in Prague, where she lived until emigrating in 1970, to England 
and then to Germany- eventually settling in Paris in 1982. Multilingual, Lidmila 
received MA's in Russian, Czech and French at Charles University in Prague, a 
Diploma of English Language and Literature from the University of Cambridge, 
England, and a Doctorat d'Etat in French Literature in France. She has worked as 
a labourer, teacher, journalist, and university lecturer before finding her 
niche as a novelist.
Her first novel 'The Drowning of a Goldfish' was published originally in France, 
in 1984 and won the prestigious Association of French Writers (ADELF) European 
Prize for fiction that year.
In From the Cold Carolyn Stone 12.95 ISBN 1-58345-007-6
Cambridge scientist Sophie Ruskin is propelled into a world of espionage and 
intrigue when her father disappears on his way to an important 
advanced-technology conference. Adrian Vaughan, handsome, enigmatic, but haunted 
by his past, is assigned train her as a spy to win her father's freedom, or 
destroy his work before his kidnappers can create the ultimate weapon. But 
Adrian's fate soon lies in Sophie's hands, as she travels two continents to save 
his life, win his love, and fight for the freedom of an oppressed, war-torn 
Russian Republic.
The quick brown fox jumped over theBig lazy dog. Then the fox was trapped by the 
lazy dogs big brother. The two theGiant foxes and ate him alive.
The quick brown fox jumped over theBig lazy dog. Then the fox was trapped by the 
lazy dogs big brother. The two theGiant foxes and ate him alive.
The quick brown fox jumped over theBig lazy dog. Then the fox was trapped by the 
lazy dogs big brother. The two theGiant foxes and ate him alive.
The quick brown fox jumped over theBig lazy dog. Then the fox was trapped by the 
lazy dogs big brother. The two theGiant foxes and ate him alive.