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gun and used that hand to press against the wound in his chest. He sucked in a breath and wheezed, “You didn’t—”
    He was cut off by another shot from Ordell’s pistol, which bored a hole straight through his heart.

TEN
    Clint felt a jolt of panic when he wasn’t able to find Allison or Joseph. He’d ridden to the spot where they’d gone and all he saw was a patch of empty woods bordering on even thicker trees. After calling their names one time, he heard them answer back. Only after he saw her horse emerge from those thicker trees did Clint finally take an easier breath.
    Since they were already deep in the woods bordering the trail, Clint led them in just a bit deeper before leading them out again.
    â€œThe trail’s that way,” Joseph said as he pointed to his left. “We’re not going the right way.”
    â€œI know, Joseph,” Clint said.
    â€œWas there gunshots?”
    â€œYes, Joseph. There were.”
    â€œHow come we’re not going back the same way?”
    Having no trouble putting the pieces together for herself, Allison patted Joseph’s head and said, “This is a shortcut. That’s all.”
    â€œWe’re still going into Westerlake?”
    â€œYes, we are.”
    â€œI want to see where the gunfight was.”
    â€œNo, you don’t, Joseph,” Allison said sternly. “No, you don’t.”
    Clint emerged from the trees a good distance from where the bodies of those riders were lying. Ordell was waiting in that general area, but spotted them quickly and rode to meet them.
    Westerlake could be seen after they crested the next big hill. It was a good-sized town with a lumber mill on one edge and a small dock giving boats access to Snake River. Joseph’s ears perked up when he heard the lively tolling of a school bell and he began anxiously fidgeting in the saddle.
    â€œIs that where my cousins go to school?” the boy asked.
    â€œI believe so,” Allison said. “We’ll see it soon enough.”
    â€œWhy not go see it now?” Clint asked. “We’ve got business to take care of, but it’s nothing Ordell and I can’t handle alone.”
    â€œAre you sure?”
    Clint nodded. “Go on ahead.”
    â€œYou’ll be staying on for a little while, won’t you?”
    â€œSure. If you can recommend a good place for supper, I can meet you there.”
    â€œI can do one better,” she said. “I can make you a supper better than any restaurant in town.”
    â€œSounds great.”
    Clint did his best to keep a friendly smile on his face as he got directions from Allison of where she would be. Her family had a house on the river side of town not far from the mill. Even though her instructions were quick and concise, she still had to hurry and spit them out before her son jumped out of his skin.
    â€œI’ll be there tonight,” Clint said. Leaning down to Joseph, he added, “Try not to scare all those kids with talk about gunfights and bears. Save something for the next day.”
    â€œI will, Mr. Adams.”
    Allison waved over her shoulder as she steered her horse toward the schoolhouse. Clint watched them leave just long enough to make sure they were on their way. When he looked over his shoulder, he found Ordell waiting there with a pleasant look on his face.
    â€œThey’re good folks,” Ordell said.
    Clint nodded and flicked his reins to follow Ordell down the street. “Too bad they had to go through hell and back just to get here.”
    â€œYeah, but it’s a tough world. Even staying home don’t guarantee you a day’s peace.”
    â€œEspecially when you’ve got cowboys gunning for you the moment you get within spitting distance of town.”
    â€œIt looked to me like you had some experience in dealing with that sort of thing.”
    â€œAnd it looked to me like you knew those boys that rode up on