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gallivantin' by herself. Ah done already tol' you, nesters have been causing all kinds of trouble!"
           Blair shouldered her way around Tillie and marched into the study where Warren kept his guns. I'll take a rifle. You know as well as I do, I can shoot just as good as any of my brothers . . . maybe even better."
           "But . . . Miss Blair, that was a long time ago!" Tillie argued, chasing after her.
           "I have not forgotten how to shoot."
           Tillie was not about to give up easily. "But . . . but . . . you can't spend the night out on the range with those . . . those old hairy-legged men! Why, they are liable to . . . get the wrong notion 'bout a pretty little thing like you!"
           "No, they won't." Blair remained determined. "Coy said that the same men are still working for us, and I know they can be trusted."
           "Yes um, maybe so. But that was when you were nothin' but a skinny little girl. You're a grown woman now and. ..."
           Blair turned and stared at her pointedly. "In that case, I'll have my rifle and I am not afraid to use it. Besides, my staying out tonight is not definite. I may not be able to find them . . . unless you can tell me what general area they are in."
           Tillie stubbornly folded her arms. "Ah don't have the least notion where they are! And Ah wouldn't tell you if’n Ah did!"
           Blair snapped, "That's what I thought." Then hoping to reassure Tillie, she said in a softer tone, "I will be just fine. Don't worry about me."
           "Well, Ah will! Fact is, Ah'll worry so much my hair will turn white." Seeing that did not phase her, she added, "That is, ifn my old heart don't give out first. And it's liable to, it's thumpin' something awful." She clutched at her chest to give emphasis to her words.
           Tillie's excuses sounded so familiar but she could not allow her sudden ailments to change her mind. She was determined to teach Warren not to treat her like a child.
           Tillie, finally realizing she was wasting her time and breath, muttered, "Since you have your mind set on this, 'least let me pack you something to eat. That way, when nesters jump you, or those old hairy-legged men get evil notions, you won't meet your Maker with an empty belly! And don't you be the least bit surprised to see me standing 'fore Him, too. 'Cause if n Ah don't worry myself to death, Mr. Warren will nail my hide to the barn door for letting you go!" She slowly raised her gaze upwards, then lifted her hands. "Did'ja hear me. Lord? Just go ahead and get my place ready 'cause Ah'm fixing to come home! But Ah don't mind saying. Ah ain't ready to come yet . . . it's this child's fault, she's sending me to an early grave!"
           It was all Blair could do not to laugh. Though still determined to teach Warren a lesson, she could not do it at the expense of Tillie's peace of mind. "All right, Tillie, you win. If I promise not to join the round-up, will you promise me that you won't die?"
           Obviously relieved, she sighed heavily. Ah'll try not to. Missy."
           "Do you think your heart could stand the strain of me going for a ride ... if I promise to take a rifle for protection?" Noting Tillie's doubtful expression, Blair's voice softened, "You know how much I love horses and I have missed riding so much."
           "Well," Tillie drawled the word out slowly. "Maybe if 'n you don't ride too far from the house. . . . And you be sure and come back 'fore dark. With all them nesters prowling around, ain't no telling what kind of meanness they get into after the sun goes down." "I promise to be back before supper." Without saying another word, Blair kissed Tillie on her forehead, then whirled about and ran from the house before she could place any more stipulations on her.
     
     
           Chapter 3
     
     
           Adam Cahill’s eyes narrowed when he saw the tracks that he had been