Sorry about the weird formatting gaps here...I just couldn't get them evenly spaced!! :-0

It took three days to get there. The cabin was comfortably sized, with one bedroom that held three bunks, and four more in the living room. The fireplace was large, the table made of solid wood, maybe Bigtooth Maple, which was sturdy and long lasting. Everything carried a layer of dust, and the air stale, but soon Ranse had a fire going.

I limped slowly around the room, wiping dust from the table and pulling the blankets off two of the bunks nearest the fire. Ranse took them from me and shook them out in the doorway before giving them back. We were careful not to touch, or to speak.

While I slowly remade the beds using my good arm, he went to see about the horses, exploring the small corral and stable just behind the cabin. By the time he came back I had a good fire going and was making coffee. Dropping our gear in the corner he dug out all the makings for a meal, bringing it over. Our fingers crossed as Ranse handed me the last of our frozen lion meat, and for the briefest moment they stayed in contact.

It was the first time we'd touched in days. I looked up into his eyes just as he pulled away, and though I knew it would be there, the thick veil over them hurt. Whatever we were, or were not, I'd been left to decide for myself. Ranse had closed himself off from me.

We stayed at the cabin for the next two weeks, Ranse leaving daily to scout the terrain. Although he regularly brought back small game, mostly I think it was to be away from me. I left the cabin one morning to find him packing enough supplies for several days. The stallion was already saddled, the chestnut packhorse ready, and still he didn't look at me. 

"That's a lot of food," I commented neutrally, not trusting what was happening. Black eyes swung toward me but jerked away at the last minute. His shoulders were stiff.

"I'll be back. Wait for me," was all he said, riding away without looking back. I really didn't expect to see him again, but a week later Ranse returned, bringing enough supplies to last us until we reached Blue Water.

Although he still took the pains to teach me to read, now he sat across from me, only occasionally getting up to help me with the difficult words. We were at this when he suddenly looked up, dusky features creased in a frown. He shushed me with a sharp gesture and soft footed it to the window, standing well off to one side, peering outside almost without moving the curtain. Then I too heard it.

"Hello the cabin!" The stranger's voice was deep and full.

"What do you want?" Ranse called back, slipping the thong off his revolver. I stiffened but didn't get up.

"Warm place to sleep fer the night an' some coffee!" came the answer.

Ranse studied the man outside for a moment then went to the door and pulled it open with his left hand, standing to the side of the frame.

"Fire's hot and coffee's on, lit and set if you're a mind to, only move nice and easy."

I heard the crunch of snow under heavy boots and the steady shift and crackle of the white powder as the man approached.

"All right with you if I set my horse up fer the night first? He's come a far piece an' could use a rest."

"Welcome to it mister," Ranse replied, "come on in when you're ready."

He shut the door behind him and turned to face me, a slight crease on his dark brow. He looked right at me and shook his head.

"You wanted a place off the trail, this is what it will be like. The man outside is a wolf from the high country, and plenty dangerous. Mind what you say and keep your ears open."

"How do you know?"

"I've been around a while," was his cryptic answer.

"Is he an outlaw, Ranse?" I felt little fear, having been raised by Judd Ash, but not all were alike.

"I suspect that he's seen his share of trouble, but don't brand a man until you see him in action."

"I'll make some coffee, but what about food?"

"Make up something hearty, Lilli, out here we share and share alike." He paused. "Don't say anything about us. It might be better for you to let him make his own assumptions."

"Because we're not married?" I prompted, but he just looked away, the stiff line of his lips my only answer.

Doing as he told me, we soon heard the stomping of boots outside the door as our guest knocked snow from his feet. The thick stew of cougar, potatoes, and onions as almost ready when the door opened. Turning, I caught a glimpse of green eyes and a mop of curly dark brown hair. The man swept off his hat as he noticed me.

"Pardon me, ma'am, I didn't-" his voice cut off all of a sudden and I felt my heart stop.

"No, it can't be," looking directly into my eyes, he stepped forward but I only moved my lips, no words coming out.

"Lorelei? Is that you?"

"Joss...!"

Flinging myself into his open arms, my feet left the floor as he spun me around in a fast circle. Tears sprang into my eyes as I clung to him, laughing and crying at the same time. Joss! I couldn't believe it! For a single moment I forgot my pain, but gasped sharply when they prodded at me.

"Lilli, you hurt?" he set me down at once, backing away to look in my eyes. He noticed the wrapping around my arm and frowned. "What happened?"

"I'm fine, Joss, I had a bit of a tumble some weeks ago, and it still pains me, but I'm fine."

I downplayed the shudders of agony inside me, but glancing sideways at Ranse I knew he could tell how I was hurting. He said nothing though, and did not move. I looked back at Joss to find tender love and concern in his eyes. It warmed me.

"Don't worry about me! I'm fine Joss, really," He folded me again into his arms, squeezing just a little and I laughed.

"Lilli, I never figured to see you again! I looked an' looked that night, but you'd up an' disappeared!" He had my face cupped in his hands, looking straight into my eyes. "Where you been, girl?"

"Some men found me, took me in. I was safe...you saved me,"

"It wasn't enough -" he began but I cut him off.

"That night wasn't your fault, Joss! We were children, left on our own, surrounded by Indians, it's a miracle any of us lived through it."

He was about to say something to that when his eyes fell on Ranse and he came to a complete standstill. I could almost feel him stiffen, his eyes clearly suspicious of the half-breed standing there. I had a notion he'd seen Ranse before.

"Who's this?"

"Joss, this is Ranse. He's taking me to Big Sky Country. Ranse, this is my brother, Joss Stone."

"You married?" His accusin' tone reminded me of the fragile nature of a woman's reputation, but I couldn't lie to him.

"No, he is my friend."

"Friend?" it was a cutting sound, but Joss' eyes weren't on me. "That a fact."

The two men approached each other warily, as if taking the measure of a potential enemy. Suddenly I realized that's what they were. Every western man was always thinking of the next step, knowing that each person he met could potentially be his last. The thought frightened me.

As they shook hands, I could see the tight grip on either side. Muscles flexed, testing each other. It was more for character than physical power, I suspected. When they let go, I wasn't certain who'd won but they seemed to have reached a truce. For now.

"Coffee's ready, why don't you two have a seat?" I gestured to the table and they took chairs on opposite sides.

Pouring us all a cup, I served up the lion meat stew. We ate in silence as Ranse and Joss finished sizing one another up. Ranse evidently decided he was not worried, casually pulling out his pipe and tobacco while Joss took out the makings for a cigarette. I was surprised despite myself.

"When did you start smokin'?"

I caught a brief grin from Ranse but it was hidden quickly behind a puff of smoke. Joss paused, studying me, then grinned himself.

"It's been near seven years, Lilli, a man changes in that time."

"I guess that's so," Leaning across the table I took his hand as he struck a match. "I'm so glad to see you."

Grinnin' good-naturedly at me, he lit his smoke then flicked the match into the fire. Taking several puffs before responding, his grip on my fingers stayed tight.

"It's good to see you too, Lilli, I been missin' you somethin' fierce."

Mostly ignoring Ranse, Joss told me then of what he'd been up to in the last six years. He'd met up with a cattle drive outfit six days from home and joined in, pullin' his own weight and learning the ropes. He went through Texas then back up the trail to Missouri, working for a man named Carson Flack. He stayed on for two years, and then had a serious altercation with the foreman. It ended with the man bleeding out from a .36 slug, and Joss lit a shuck.

After that he drifted the line, working from one brand to another, travelling across the country. Gaining a reputation for himself, he grew into a man it was not wise to cross. Wearin' a badge for a time in Santa Fe, then again in Alta, he never settled anywhere. He knew men like John Chisum, Kit Carsen, and Oliver Loving. Lately, he'd taken to bounty hunting, which is what he doing now.

"Huntin' a man by the name of Ted Parr. He's wanted fer murder and cattle rustlin' in Arkansas an' Texas, a two-hundred-dollar price on his head, dead or alive."

"Joss, you wouldn't actually kill him would you?"  I was having a hard time seeing this lean, hard bitten man as my dearest brother. Joss lifted his brows at me for a moment then nodded. Ranse said nothing.

"I surely would, Lilli, it's them or me, ever' time. Fer some reason, no one ever wants to come quiet." He used a tone that didn't sit well with me, but I dismissed the feeling. It had been a long time.

"Joss...I, I just," Closing my mouth before I could make a fool of myself, I shook my head. "Never mind."

I'd not seen him in almost seven years, and he was well along in his own life now, I hadn't the right to put my opinion in. I was his little sister after all, and what I thought counted for less than nothing. Near grown myself, I didn't need him looking after me either. As if no time had passed between us at all, Joss leaned over and took my chin in his hand, his green eyes reading mine.

"I been at this a long time, Miss Lorelei Stone, an' I know what I'm about. So stop yer frettin' about me."

It made me smile, and I put my hand over his.

"I'll do my best, Joss, I promise to make you proud of me."

That night I lay settled into my blankets in the bedroom, happy warmth in my stomach. Even for a brief time, I had family, and it was a good feeling. Joss had come in to say good night, and we had whispered our childhood prayers together, and just for old time's sake we softly sang Amazing Grace. I could hear Pa in Joss' smooth deep accent. Just nodding off to sleep, male voices popped me wide awake and I strained to listen.

"'Ranse' is it? Seems I've heard somethin' of you," it was Joss that spoke, his voice stiff and somewhat flat.

"Well I've been here and there a time or two," Ranse replied, his smooth voice cold. "People hear a lot of things."

"What I hear ain't so flatterin', Apache half-breed, killin's, men disappearin' in the middle of the night, workin' girls taken advantage of. That girl you're travelin' with now is my sister-" Joss started but Ranse cut him off.

"What if she is? I've been taking care of her longer than you have."

I could almost hear the tension snapping in the next room. When he spoke, Joss's voice held a dark edge to it that made my throat close tight in fear.

"Have you, now? 'Taint married to her, just what is it you're after, buster? What's in this fer you?" I heard a chair scrape as one of them got to their feet. From Ranse's words I knew it had been Joss.

"Sit down, Stone, getting bent out of shape will accomplish nothing." I heard the distinctive tapping of Ranse's pipe as he knocked the ash out and knew he was putting it back in his vest. I could see the smooth movements in my mind's eye.

"Answer my question!" Joss' voice sparked with anger. "Why is Lilli travelin' with a half-breed in the middle of nowhere? Where are you takin' her?"

I felt my heart still as I heard Ranse's chair scrape on the floor as he slowly pushed to his feet. His voice came out a harsh snarl.

"Stone, I got no fight with you, and I can see Lilli set's store by you, so I'm going to give you a warning, just one. That's the second time you've called me half-breed. Do it again, you'd best be smiling or reaching for your gun!"

There was a moment of absolute silence in which I knew Joss was weighing his options, and his chances. I'd never seen either of them use a handgun, but something about Ranse spoke of much practice and natural skill. I hoped my brother would back down.

"Meant no offense, just, she's my sister, an' my only kin. I...I worry."

It passed for an apology and I sighed in silent relief. It was silent for a while, and I was just drifting off again when Joss spoke, quiet enough to perk my attention.

"I know who you are, an' I don't like what I've heard about you, but that's the afterclaps I reckon."

I'd never heard that one before but assumed Joss was speaking about it being too late to change my choice of traveling with Ranse. My guide remained quiet, so I listened carefully.

"Listen Ransom, I can't stay on here, not right now, an' Lilli, well...she won't understand. You've got her this far, can I trust you to take her safe the rest of the way, wherever she's goin'?"

It took me a moment to register the name, and I stiffened a little. Ransom? Eli Ransom?

"I watched over her up to now, I'll treat her as my own," his honeyed tone answered agreeably.

"Just keep her safe," Joss responded.

Soon I could hear him settling down for the night, and shortly afterward Ranse did the same. In the quiet I let my mind revisit all I'd ever heard of Eli Ransom. I could barely believe it was the same man I'd known for over two months now. How could I have not seen it? How many stories had Smitty told me of him? How many times had his name been spoken in a quiet whisper around campfires and remote cabins?

The stories were endless.