Cooper was in a league that I had yet to learn about. He was easy with his affection, often touching my hand or waist, smiling, taking every proper opportunity to kiss me. Marriage did not frighten or challenge him, it was simply what he wanted. That thrilled me. He seemed to know that our life would not be an easy one.

We'd argue, have troubles and problems, along with the hard won right to live in this country, against nature, animal, and Indian. Despite that, Cooper made it clear he looked forward to facing all that with me by his side. I loved him for it.

"In the spring," I said suddenly, putting my hand on his chest.

"The spring? You want to wait that long?" he already knew what I was referring to.

"It's so beautiful here in the spring," I persuaded him. "The flowers are blooming, the air is sweet, and the sky is the richest color of blue. Please? Can you wait that long for me?"

He chuckled and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"If that's what you really want, yes, I'll wait until spring."

"Kiss me, Coop,"

"No, it'll spoil you then what good would you be?" he teased, eyes sparkling.

"Cooper," I warned mimicking anger and he laughed.

Sweeping me into his arms, he did kiss me, all the tenderness and softness that a kiss should be, but with a fiery passion boiling just under the surface. My flesh tingled where his fingers touched me and I shivered pleasantly in his arms. Coop noticed and I smiled at him, burying my face against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat, smell the scent that was him, sweat, earth, and tobacco, and I smiled again. Unexpected but very welcome, my love for him was growing by the day.

Watching as he rode over the rim the next morning, when he stopped to look back I waved vigorously, seeing Coop lift his hat in return. He had said he would be back in about ten days, weather permitting. He'd taken Grace with him, for he needed two pack horses. I watched for a long while after Coop disappeared, noticing how suddenly empty and quiet it was, and I felt more alone in that moment than I had in a year. Wrapping arms around my shoulders I turned back to the cabin, knowing I must keep myself busy or go mad.

Cooper had been gone four days when an outfit came riding cautiously over the rim. I could tell by their manner and wary approach that they were outlaws, suspicious of anything new and unproven. I was not afraid, but took up the Colt revolving rifle and met them some distance from the cabin door.

There were eight of them, hard bitten and rough, weary with the long miles and little sleep. The one out in front was my height, and shaped like a barrel, his thick brown beard combed, his dark green eyes wary and cool. The man just to his left was like a younger version, and I guessed that they were kin, probably father and son.

"You Miss Stone?" the older one spoke at last, after sizing me up, his gaze lingering on the loaded rifle. He'd noticed my limp.

"I am," I kept my voice level but friendly. "Who are you, sir?"

"Levi Womack an' this," he jerked his thumb over his shoulder "is my boy Bly."

I didn't like the way Bly was looking at me, but I read nothing in Levi's eyes but near exhaustion.

"Lit and set, won't you?" I invited, then added "please leave your weapons with your gear. You're among friends here,"

Levi stopped in mid-dismount, looking sharply at me.

"I ain't puttin' my gun up for no reason, beggin' yer pardon ma'am."

I shifted the .44 caliber rifle in my hands a little, casually lifting the barrel to line it up with his third coat button.

"You're more than welcome to find another place to stay, outside Blue Water." I spoke just loud enough for him to hear me. I'd no wish for him to lose face in front of his men.

"You're askin' a lot of me ma'am, bein' just introduced an' all."

With what Cooper called my best smile, I beamed up at him.

"I put together a fine spread, Mister Womack, and no one within fifty miles makes bear sign like I do."

I saw his eyes light up, and the men who heard me shifted in their saddles. They'd been a long while without a home cooked meal, and few of them had ever even seen a doughnut, let alone eaten one. Levi stepped from the saddle, a wry grin on his face.

"You drive a hard bargain ma'am, but I've a mind to accept." He turned to the other riders. "Swing off and unload, ain't no need for gun play here, and it's me sayin' it." I knew he added that last bit for his own authority, so any disobedience would be a challenge to his leadership, and I was grateful.

The living room, though large, seemed filled with the presence of so many men of bitter look and savageness. They each seemed to require their own space, one or two bunks separating where each man chose to bed down. Evening was still a couple hours away, and I put on a pot of coffee.

"Would you gentlemen like some food, or would you prefer to sleep first?"

Some of them seemed uncomfortable with the use of the term and shifted, keeping their eyes down. Levi spoke for them.

"We'd be grateful for some grub, ma'am, a man can go longer without sleep than food."

"It will take a little while for so many, so please, feel free to wash up outside, then help yourselves to coffee. I'll call when suppers ready."

I said it so expectantly that they stood and moved to obey before they realized they'd been asked to wash up and be presentable for supper at a real table. One muttered something under his breath to his companion and then they chuckled and the word spread. Soon they were all smiling, but filed cooperatively outside to the large bucket of fresh water I kept there, and began washing. I was startled to notice only one man still sat in the corner, and he was nearest the kitchen. Bly.

"Heard there was a woman up here offerin' food an' shelter, but tain't nary a word said 'bout you bein' so pretty."

"Is that so?" I deliberately turned my back on him as I began pulling out food for nine.

"What's a girl doin' out here alone anyhow?" I heard him stand and heavy footsteps came closer. "You should have a man about the house, to care for you,"

"I need no one to care for me, Mister Womack," I turned to face him, the large carving knife held almost too casually in my right hand. There was no point in mentioning Cooper, as he was much too far away to do any good. "Black Ash told me that I was game enough to 'strap a saddle on a buckin' bronc and ride to the Devil's front door to personally bring him God's message of doom.' That was how he put it, at least."

I saw Womack's eyes widen a little at that. Obviously he'd heard of Judd Ash, and respected what he'd been told.

"You knew Black?"

"He raised me, he and Smitty, Frank Gin, Pat Hinkle and half a dozen others," I went to the pantry and lifted the cellar door before I spoke again. "I'd hate for you to be late for supper, Mister Womack, and the others will be finished washing soon. I have a very fine cut of meat, and I don't want yours to get cold."

Without waiting to see how he'd react to that, I descended into the pantry and cut a large portion of buffalo from the hook. I had a Dutch oven and several large skillets and by now I was accustomed to making meals for groups. In less than twenty minutes the cabin was smelling of savory steak and rice, vegetables, doughnuts, coffee and homemade bread and gravy.

Levi and his men sat around quietly, drinking coffee and smoking, and I figured they had little to talk about but the lawless things they'd been up to. Smiling a little to myself I opened the ball.

"How'd you hear of me, Mister Womack?"

Levi glanced up briefly.

"Word on the road, said a friendly woman would give food and shelter to peaceful folk," he hedged a little, though we both knew they rode the other side of the law.

"We'll I do hope you'll be good enough to pass the word on when you hit the trail again. Visitors is my only source of news in the country."

He grinned slyly at me, his eyes twinkling a little.

"I can't say that a proper lady would tolerate the kind of folk we may run into." A man called Pike joined in.

I kept my eyes on Levi as I grinned back.

"Your people do not worry me, mister, I can handle myself and plenty more. Besides, I would think that out-...I mean, men on the road would like to have somewhere to stop and rest for a few days. The farther off the path the better," I suggested mildly.

"You may be onto something there, ma'am, sure enough,"

"I'm never from home, Mister Womack," I directed my statement to Levi, "So I'm a little out of touch with what's happening. Have you heard any news? I hear we are still at war with Mexico, and the Indians are uprising."

"I reckon this country still got a few growin' pains," Levi agreed gravely. "Our boys down Mexico way are givin' the boot to them Mexican soldiers, General Scott walkin' mighty big. I figure it won't be much longer 'til the white flag shows."

"Wars over," piped in a younger man with almost black hair and light brown eyes. "I got me a brother down that way, and he writes my folks. There's a ceasefire an' peace talks goin' on 'cause them Mexicans are licked."

"Old news." Pike spoke up again, rolling a cigarette. "Santa Anna made one last attempt to defeat our boys by cuttin' them off from the coast. General Rea laid siege to Puebla, where our injured boys are holed up. Old Santa Anna met up with 'im there, joinin' forces but a bunch of fresh faces an' guns marched up under General Lane. They put a stop to it, but..." he blew a column of blue smoke, expression pensive. "War is rippin' this land apart, an' plenty a families too."

That started them talking, and soon the room was buzzing with conversation, men long on the trail batting around idle talk, jokes, and easy conversation. I knew it was a rare thing for them to relax and feel at ease, and it made me glad they felt safe to do so here.

Womack and his gang stayed for five days, and by that time Cooper had not yet returned. Unease settled in my stomach, though I told myself there was no need to worry he was not due for another two or three days yet. Still, I found myself speaking to Levi as they readied to leave.

"If you should meet a man by the name of Cooper Todd, would you tell him Miss Lorelei Stone is expecting him to call?"

Levi's eyes smiled though his lips did not move.

"If'n I was a younger man with an honest occupation, I'd call on you myself," he swung into the saddle and smiled kindly down at me. "If I get word of him, I'll hurry him along." He glanced at the darkening sky. "He'd best not drag his tail, you'll be three feet deep in snow by week's end."

"I'll hope for the best," I tried to sound confident. Levi Womack glanced around my cabin and seemed contemplative.

"You know, this is a fine idea, havin' an outta the way place to hole up an' rest for a spell. Smart thinkin', an' highly appreciated ma'am."

"Thank you, and safe travels,"

"Safe as we can make 'em ma'am, much obliged."

I watched them until the group was over the rim and gone, but I still stood there, as if by will I could summon Cooper to appear. He did not and my heart began to sink. I told myself nothing was wrong, but the feeling remained. Day after day I looked toward the rim and each day the emptiness was crushing. Where was Cooper?

It was over three weeks later that I received any news, and it was from a drifter who just stayed for a meal. He saw my books and we swapped novels. I gave him three and he gave me two plus half a dozen dime books I'd not heard of. He hadn't heard of Cooper Todd, but told me that Bly Womack had been killed in a gun battle. He'd been drinking and thought he was good enough to challenge a man his better. I felt no pity for Bly, but thought of Levi, and felt badly for a man to lose his only son.

I was alone for two long weeks during a wild blizzard that seemed to have no end. I didn't leave the cabin except for firewood, grateful it was stacked just outside the door. My trips into the pantry were becoming depressing and worrisome. I had no way to get more food for myself, and I was running dangerously low.

Sitting at the fireplace one night, rocking gently back and forth reading, I heard it. A soft scuffling; a shifting sound that did not belong with the howling winds outside. The snow had stopped sometime that afternoon, but gale force winds still raged. Picking up my rifle I cautiously got up and made my way to the window by the front door. Keeping to the side of it, I edged the curtain away to peer outside.

In the darkness, all I could make out was the wild flicker of aspen leaves just beyond the corral. Ready to dismiss the sound, I saw a flash of movement right at the front door. Stiffening, lifting the rifle in readiness, I frowned, trying to see what it was. The longer I stared, the more it seemed to be in harmony with the winds that whipped around the corner of the rock walls.

Easing to the door I cracked it open, glancing down. A large bundle wrapped in deer hide sat on the porch. Punched through the hide to hold it closed was an arrow.

Cautiously, keeping an eye on the yard beyond the porch I stooped and pulled the hide bundle inside, closing the door against the cold wind. Leaning the rifle barrel up against the wall I lifted the deer hide and set it on the table, pulling the arrow loose. Before I opened the flaps of hide I knew what was inside. Pe-na-koam had caught and butchered a deer for me, and left it outside.

The meat was fresh, but nearly frozen, and the amount of it would last me sometime if no one came by. I smiled a little and set about putting the venison in the cellar to keep. Though needed, I knew this gift was a dangerous bid from the Blackfoot warrior, making his intentions known.

Two days later the bad weather broke and the sun burned brightly in the pale blue sky. The air snapped with cold and my breath misted in large puffs of steam as I went outside. As had become my custom I glanced toward the trail and was surprised to see someone approaching. I immediately recognized Grace and my heart gave a wild leap. Cooper! Finally!