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He’s still a few days out and couldn’t come fast on account of the cows.”
    “Cows?” Mare repeated.
    “Oh, hell,” Tull declared. “Now he’ll be mad at me. I wasn’t supposed to give it away.”
    “Why would he be bringing cows? I can’t afford to buy them. I have no money. He knows that.”
    “We rustled a herd a month ago and he kept six out just for you. As a present.” Tull swore. “About makes me sick how he carries on about you. Used to be, Cud Sten was the hardest man I knew. Then he met you and went all to hell.”
    “I’ll thank you to watch your language around the children.”
    “I’m not changing how I talk for you or anyone else. And don’t think crying to Cud will help. I’m not scared of him like some of the others are.”
    “He’s a very dangerous man.”
    “ I’m a dangerous man,” Tull said matter-of-factly. “In case you ain’t heard, I’ve put windows in the skulls of more men than Cud and all the rest put together, including that damn sneaky Rika.”
    “You’re a natural-born killer. I’ll grant you that,” Mary Harper said. “Which is why I want you on your way as soon as possible. I won’t have you around my children any more than can be helped.”
    “You have your gall. Just because you’re female, don’t think you can insult me and get away with it. And who says I’m going anywhere?”
    “What?”
    “Cud wants me to stay until he gets here. To watch over you, as he put it.” Tull’s laugh was ice and spite. “You and me can get better acquainted.”
    “Lay a hand on me and I’ll gut you. So help me, I will.”
    “Damn, you think highly of yourself. But don’t worry, lady. If I can’t pay for it, I don’t bother with it.”
    “What is he talking about, Ma?” Jayce asked.
    “Nothing, boy,” Tull said, and laughed. “You sure got some innocents, don’t you?”
    “Leave them out of this.”
    “Sure, lady. Sure. How about that coffee? I about froze riding here.”
    Fargo took a risk. He moved his head enough to peer out.
    The man called Tull was almost to the doorway. Of middling height and build, he wore a brown hat and cowhide vest. The hair that poked out from under the brown hat was black. On his right hip, in contrast to his rumpled clothes, gleamed the pearl grips of a nickel-plated Colt. He half turned in the doorway, revealing a lean face stamped with cruelty.
    Fargo drew back before he was spotted.
    Tull’s boots moved into the next room. He left the door open.
    Now Fargo could hear what was being said. And from where he lay, he could also see a small part of the main room, including part of a table and a couple of oak chairs.
    Tull took a seat, his back to the bedroom. “Hurry with that coffee, damn it. I need to warm my innards.”
    “Please, Mr. Tull,” Mary said, bringing over a steaming cup with a saucer under it. “I keep asking you.” She walked off.
    Tull took the cup and drained it in a few gulps. “Ahhh. That’s nice. Real nice. Give me another.” He shifted and stared at something Fargo couldn’t see. “What are you two looking at?”
    “Nothing, sir,” Jayce said.
    “Then quit staring.”
    “We don’t get many visitors. Even your kind.”
    “What the hell does that mean? Never mind. I think I know. That’s your ma talking.” Tull poked a thick finger in their direction. “I won’t warn you again. I don’t cotton to being stared at. Never have.”
    Mary came back, carrying the coffeepot. “Since you insist on staying, you can at least be civil.”
    “You’re a trial, lady. If you weren’t Cud’s woman, I’d get more riled than I am.”
    “Where do you intend to sleep while you’re here?”
    Tull stomped the floor with his left boot. “Right here will do. I’ve got my own bedroll, so I won’t put you out any.”
    About to pour, Mary paused. “I won’t have you under the same roof with my children and myself. It’s not proper.”
    Tull laughed. “What you want doesn’t count. It’s what Cud