Deborah Camp Read Free

you.”
    His lips moved before his hoarse voice came out. “Go ahead. Shoot me.”
    “Get up!” She kicked him in the side.
    He winced. “Can’t.” To prove it, he tried to prop himself up on his elbows but didn’t quite make it. He fell backwith a labored breath and slipped into that dark, peaceful place again.
    “Hey!” Cassie bent over him. “Wake up!” She glared at him, but it didn’t do any good. He wasn’t listening. Cassie looked around her at the cabin and the chestnut that was standing by the water trough as if he were afraid to leave it. What was she going to do now? she wondered. She looked at his dark face again. Who the hell was he?
    The chestnut whinnied and lifted his head, his ears straining forward. Hearing the rattle of wheels and the tapping of hooves, she hurried around the cabin and smiled with relief when she recognized Jewel’s buggy. Lifting an arm, she swung it over her head in a rambunctious welcome as she slipped the gun back into her waistband. Jewel would know what to do. Jewel always knew what to do with men.
    The buggy rolled to a stop and Jewel tied off the reins. “Howdy, Cassie!” Her green eyes moved to take in the fresh grave. “Lordy, lordy! I heard about Shorty, but I couldn’t believe it. Somebody shot him in the back?”
    “Yes.” Cassie swallowed hard as she helped the older woman down from the buggy. Her hands brushed over a red satin sleeve that ended in a lacy cuff. “You sure look pretty today.”
    “Thanks, honey.” Jewel smoothed her skirt and pinned Cassie with a serious look. “You doing okay?”
    “Yes … well …” Cassie looked over her shoulder and a frown pinched her face. “I got me a heap of problems. Glad you came.”
    “What kind of problems, hon?” Jewel asked, turning to place her parasol on the buggy seat. “Somebody been here bothering you?”
    “He’s still here.” Cassie nodded toward the pump. “He’s out cold.”
    “Who?”
    “Don’t know.” Cassie ran a hand down her face and felt as if she were ready to drop. “He came riding up and he just fell off his horse. I don’t know if he’s drunk or … or what.”
    “Let me take a look at him.” Jewel moved with short,snappy steps, and her full skirt swirled around her legs. “He’s probably drunk.” Jewel chuckled when she saw him. “What’d you do? Try to drown him?” She leaned over and squinted into his face. “He’s …” She straightened as if someone had pressed the point of a knife into her back. Eyes wide and startled, she looked at Cassie. “Ever seen him before?”
    “No.” Cassie tipped her head to one side to pick up the signals Jewel was trying to suppress. “Have you?”
    “Don’t think so.”
    Cassie glanced at the stranger again. “He’s the one out cold, not me.”
    “What are you talking about, girl?” Jewel asked, laughing a little as she bent at the waist to look at him again.
    “I’m talking about you not telling me the truth. I ain’t stupid. You do know him, don’t you?”
    “I can’t be sure,” Jewel said with an exaggerated sigh. “I think it’s just that he looks like somebody I used to know a long, long time ago when I was about your age.” She glanced up at Cassie and smiled. “He’s pretty.”
    “Didn’t notice. He looks dirty and sweaty to me.”
    Jewel smiled and brushed back his black hair with her pudgy hand. “I don’t think he’s drunk. He looks sickly to me.”
    “He said he was thirsty. He wanted to help dig Pa’s grave if I’d, give him and his horse a drink.”
    “And you wouldn’t?”
    “No.” Cassie squared her shoulders when Jewel delivered a chastising frown. “I’m out here alone. I thought he was up to some no good, and he probably was!”
    “Maybe.” Jewel’s eyes narrowed swiftly. “What’s this?” She touched his shoulder, then tore open his shirt. “Lord have mercy! He’s been shot, honey. It’s bleeding again.”
    “What?” Cassie moved closer and stared at the wad