They stared at me, but I had nothing else to offer. Just because I was a woman didn't mean I knew how to heal hurts and dress wounds! They should be thankful I could cook as well as I could!

"Surely you men have seen worse cases than this! You have had to live in lands without a doctor within a hundred miles. What do you suggest?"

"Without alcohol I'm at a loss, ma'am," Gable frowned. "I can patch holes, but he's broke on the inside."

Limping slowly around the room, I racked my brain for something to suggest. What if this man died? Would they want revenge? I could only imagine they would. What could I do?

I turned and looked at Miller, pressing my lips together; studying him as though the distance would help. Then I frowned and looked again. What was that? Moving slowly back to where he lay, I handed the rifle to Gable and grabbed Miller's hand pulling it into the light.

The skin was mottled red and purple, the flesh rough and bumpy, like dry, cracked paper. A thick almost rash-like abrasion went up his arm almost the elbow. I looked sharply at Gable.

"Was it like this before?"

He looked closely at the hand then shook his head.

"No ma'am, it was red around the hand a bit, but we figured it was 'cause of the fight."

I almost laughed with relief. I knew what to do!

"Jae, run and fetch me some fresh snow, several handfuls. Gable, scrounge around and see if you can find any baking soda, I need at least a fourth of a cup. You," I pointed to a third man. "Please see if you can get some oatmeal into some warm water and bring it over, quick!"

They instantly moved to do as I asked while the last man held back.

"What is it ma'am?"

"It's an allergy, he's reacting to something that he ran into outside. It probably just pricked his skin, or maybe he got the juices of the broken plant on his hand, I'm not sure. If the reaction is strong enough, people can die. My little sister Bess was allergic to bee stings, only we didn't know it until she got stung. Luckily Pa knew what to do. It's not the same thing here, but I'm hoping it's close enough."

I had Jae strip off Miller's socks and pack the snow around his feet, drawing the heat from his body. Not having as much baking soda as I had hoped, I sprinkled it liberally over Miller's upper arm. Once the rash was covered, I wrapped it loosely with a strip of torn sheet. Miller's hand and upper wrist I dipped into the oatmeal bath and left it there. Asking Jae to keep a sharp eye on Miller's toes, I reminded them of the risk of frostbite. Now, all we could do was wait.

~~~

"You have a good deal of grit ma'am," Gable took my offered hand, shaking it solemnly. "I'd hate to be the one who crosses you on a bad day."

"You flatter me." My smile was friendly.

The group had been with me for almost six days, the time it had taken Miller to be well enough to ride. His body had been beaten worse than we'd thought. Three days passed before he could even get out of bed. Today they were headed out. He looked sullen, and had been quiet since waking up.

I did not try to persuade them from going, as Ranse was also up and around. I wanted no more trouble. So smiling up at the good-natured man who held my hand, I shook his hand firmly.

"It's been an adventure, Mister Gable, but you are welcome back anytime." I put the emphasis on 'you', without drawing undue attention to it. Coughing softly told me he noticed.

"Good day, ma'am, sorry we can't leave nothin' behind for you. If'n I'm in the area and can spare some, I'll leave a passel of grub for you."

"Safe travels, good-bye,"

I watched them make their way through the snow and up onto the rim, then drop over the other side one by one. When I turned around, it was to face Ranse, who'd come outside and stood leaning against the doorway. The puffiness in his face had all but vanished, and he walked upright with no indication of pain, though I knew his ribs were still knitting. His dark skin hid the faded bruises and just glancing at him, Ranse looked almost normal. He was casually puffing on his pipe, but his eyes were anything but casual.

"You've done well for yourself, Lilli,"

"Thank you," I wanted to step past him, but something warned me to keep my distance. It was a faint, telling expression in his eyes, settled into the corners of his mouth.

"You still firm on marrying that drifter?" he was looking right at me as he said it.

"Yes."

"You didn't sound so sure of that, the other day," he commented loftily, arching a brow at me, daring to grin.

"What are you talking about?" tone sharp, my heart skipped a beat.

"You said you wanted 'a solid man who's not afraid to fight with you and for you'." he partially quoted my words. "I'm not afraid, Lilli, I'll die fighting to protect my own, and I'm standing right here."

Horrified he'd heard me, my fingers clenched into fists as words fled my mind. I had to say something!

"You were awake?!"

"Only just enough."

"Well, I wasn't speaking about you, I meant Cooper," the quiver in my voice irritated me.

"He's not here, and I'll lay odds he's not coming back. How long has it been, Lilli, six weeks, seven?"

"Don't say that!" Anger and fear built inside me at that thought but I fought to control it. "He'll come, anything could have happened, you know that as well as I do!"

"Exactly," his gaze hadn't left my face. "Men die alone and unburied every day."

"Don't, Ranse, just stop," backing away, as if I could block his words with distance, I shook my head. Stepping off the porch he approached me, leaving his pipe on the stoop. I tried to escape him, but he cut the distance quickly, his stride long. Caught gently by my shoulders, I couldn't look at him.

"You claim to not be a foolish girl, but if you can't accept the hard reality of life out here, that's exactly what you'll be, Lilli."

"He's overdue, that's all!" My protest was valid, but I still felt like a stubborn child. "He'll come, I can feel it, Ranse, he'll come back!"

"No. Lilli, if he was coming, he'd have been back by now." Patient, honey smooth, his voice was persuasive. "Death is the only force strong enough to keep a man from such a beautiful woman."

"Don't say such things to me," tears welled in my eyes as I glanced up at him. "Why are you doing this?"

His hand lifted, almost touching my cheek but stopping just short.

"I've been waiting for you to grow up."

"What...I don't understand," skin flushed, I was suddenly very aware of his scent, the heat of his skin, and how close he stood to me.

"Lilli, don't you-" before Ranse could finish, he caught sight of something behind me and he eyes narrowed.

Out of habit his hand dropped to his gun, though he left it in the holster. Turning, we watched a long line of Indians ride over the rim, a quiet line of eleven warriors, from what I could see. I glanced at Ranse.

"It's Pe-na-koam most likely," straightening my jacket I brushed hair from my face. "He comes by every so often, I think he wants to marry me." I let the statement drop casually but Ranse began to scowl.

"Pe-na-koam, he told you his name?"

"Yes, why?"

"Their names are special to them, Lilli. The people believe names hold power, like magic. If he'd told you his, then he's unafraid of you. If Pe-na-koam thinks you're free he'll come for you,"

"He thinks I'm married," keeping my chin up, I tried to hold his gaze without fidgeting. "Cooper came along at the right time,"

"Ah," I saw a flicker of something I didn't like in Ranse's eyes but we had no time to debate it. Pe-na-koam and his braves were starting to appear at the mouth of the valley, and I went inside the house for my .44 caliber rifle. I liked the Indian well enough, but we did not have a trusting relationship.

Ranse had not moved when I came back out, but the party was coming closer. Stepping just ahead of him, but off to one side, just in case, I waited quietly for them to come near. The braves stopped in surprise when they saw Ranse. Pe-na-koam was in the lead and he slowly slid off his pony and approached me, his eyes on Ranse. I had an eerie feeling they knew who he was.

"Red Hair waits for her man to return?" the Indian asked me.

"Yes, he is not here right now." I gestured toward Ranse. "This is my friend, he is welcome here, as you and your people are."

Pe-na-koam turned dark eyes on me at last, his gaze seeming to search my face, and then he waved forward a warrior who had hung back. The Indian came forward leading a horse loaded down with butchered meat and some sacks of grain.

"This is for Red Hair, so Pe-na-koam and his braves are always welcome here."

I smiled, though I held back a little.

"Thank you, your kindness is greatly appreciated." Stepping forward I held out my hand, but the proud Indian scowled at it. "Will you stay for coffee?"

The Blackfoot brave shook his head, his eyes never leaving mine, pointedly ignoring my extended palm.

"We take some if Red Hair has it."

I took that to mean they wanted the grounds so I turned toward the cabin. Out of the corner of my eye I glanced at Ranse and got the barest nod of his head. Giving them gifts was a good way to keep the peace. It took me but a minute to get a sack together and I took the last of my sugar and bundled that with the coffee. Ranse was speaking quietly to Pe-na-koam when I came back outside, though they stopped when I approached.

"This is for you and your braves," I handed off the sack. "I gave you the last of my sugar also."

"Red Hair good woman," the Indian spoke deliberately. "She fit for a warrior,"

"I have one but thank you." I did not move, nor glance over at Ranse.

Two Indians unloaded the food stuffs they had brought and set it in the snow, and I left it there as I watched them ride away. Only when they dropped over the rim trail did I turn my eyes to Ranse.

"What were you saying to him?" I asked the question bluntly, looking directly at the man I'd trusted with my life and safety.

Ranse grinned slightly at me, pausing a moment before he responded.

"Are you worried, Lilli? I know him, by reputation at least, and he's heard of me. We were ... coming to an understanding."

"About what?" I was skeptical, feeling more than a little unease. What had Ranse done?

"About what I would do if anything should ever happen to you. He seems to think you're fair game."

"I don't like it,"

"What's to like?" Ranse glanced at the trail then shifted back to me. "He'll either take you by force or kill you. That's just his way, Lilli."

"I wasn't talking about him, I was talking about you!"

His eyes snapped with a little hint of devilry as his mouth twitched in a grin that he stifled.

"Oh? What bothers you, Lilli?" almost too casual, his smooth tone reminded me of the story of Susie Walsh. Something told me to be careful, but I'd known him too long to keep my mouth shut.

"You take liberties with me, and I don't care for it. I am engaged, and I don't want you treating me as though I'm a toy that is here for your entertainment! Cooper Todd is a good man, and I'll not hear anything disparaging about him, not from you, or anyone!"

This time he did smile at me, and I tightened my jaw to keep from smiling back. This growing feeling inside only made me angrier.

"If that's what you want, Miss Lilli, that's what you'll get."

He spoke the truth, because for the next two weeks he stayed with me Ranse hardly spoke at all, and when he did it was with prim formality and respect. He worked hard, clearing snow for a walkway between the corral and the barn, laying up plenty of firewood for me, and he made a trip into the hills and brought back more meat, venison, wild goat, even some buffalo, plus native roots and vegetables to supplement my larder.

In the evening he sat at the fire, idly smoking his pipe looking outside as I read aloud from one of the books. It was peaceful and quiet, and in those times, I forgot that we were punishing each other for things long ago left unsaid or undone.

When he did get ready to leave, we spoke not a word. I watched him saddle the appaloosa, feeling upset and relieved all at once. Ranse wasted no movement, left nothing unchecked or to chance. He knew as well as I that a minor thing could mean the difference between life and death, and only a fool takes chances. When he at last swung into the saddle I came forward and lifted a burlap sack up to him, tying it behind his saddle.

"That's the last of my coffee and a good amount of antelope," I said quietly.

"Thank you,"

The stallion shifted impatiently so I stepped back, not looking up at him. What had I to say anyway? Eli Ransom confounded me, confused, and scared me, awoke strong emotions in me that I did not trust, but I could not shake them. I didn't want him to leave, but how I needed him to!

"Good-bye Miss Lilli Stone, thanks for your hospitality," his voice was soft and rich, but I could not bring myself to look up at him.

"Safe journey, Ranse,"

I was looking down, watching as the stallion's hooves turned and headed off, crunching in the snow. Instead of feeling better I felt worse. Lifting my gaze, I was in time to see Ranse twist in the saddle looking back at me. My breath caught in my throat as he whirled the horse around and came back, reaching out to catch my suddenly outstretched hand. My foot caught the stirrup, pushing up as Ranse drew me onto the leather, his arms slipping securely around me.

I went willingly, meeting him as man and woman have met for centuries, full of passion and warmth. His hands buried themselves in my hair then slid down my back, tugging me closer. It pulled a low moan from me, his mouth curling into a smile as our kiss deepened. A series of powerful explosions erupted in my belly, Ranse holding me tighter as I trembled.

Was this what it was supposed to feel like? Breathless, exhilarating, burning hot - my fingers dug into the hair at the back of his scalp. I felt more than heard the soft growl of his response, fingers clenching tighter at my hips.

For long moments we clung to each other, hearts beating as one. Gasping for breath, finally parting, my cheeks were flushed, his dark eyes glinting with dangerous heat as we stared at each other. Ranse leaned his forehead to mine, his breath hot against my cheeks. I closed my eyes as his lips pressed against my jaw, cheeks, then my nose and forehead.

"Lilli-" but I lifted my fingers to his lips, trembling. Whatever he was about to say, I didn't have the courage to hear it.