Hiram stared at Hoke, assessing his statement. "You were delirious from getting shot, and just waking up. You sure about what you're sayin'?"

"It was him. He told me he read about Alicia in the paper, and he spent some time figurin' whether he should take a chance or forget it altogether. Then he said, he felt he owed it to his sister, to his whole family, to take what might be a last chance to spend some time with kin."

Hiram waved for another coffee and chewed his lip. "How come he just happened to be at Crawford Canyon when all this took place?"

"He had been in the area a while – out of sight. He was just watchin' and waitin', and he found out about me meeting Alicia, and about Montgomery burnin' my place. Turns out he paid him a visit."

"Montgomery?"

"Yep. I don't think the Double M has an owner at the moment. He learned about Houseman but he missed him in town after that fiasco with Houseman's men and the Mexicans. Never saw when I went chasing after him either, and by the time he tracked us to the canyon, I'd been shot and Houseman had taken off.

Hiram's coffee arrived, and it sat, getting cold. "So he left you there and went after them?"

"Prob'ly looked and thought I was a goner. After he caught up with Houseman, Alicia made him hurry back to me, and she worked a little miracle I guess."

"And Houseman?"

"Horn killed 'im."

They heard an audible gasp nearby, and turned in time to see the couple rise from their chairs and hurry from the dining room.

"They should have waited for the newspaper version." Hiram tasted his cold coffee and winced.

"So, get what you needed?"

"Would have preferred not to get these," He said placing his hand on the badge and papers, "but I guess you know what you want. Did he ever mention the fact that you were trying to trap him?"

"He found all that out from his niece. Didn't bring it up with me, but I could tell he thought about what he might do just the way he looked at me."

Hiram took out some money and set it on the table. "I'll need a quick word with Miss Potter before I go – just some confirmation."

"I know. Let me go up first and tell her."

"Sorry, no." He gave Hoke a sympathetic shrug. "Need it straight and fresh from the pot, son. You understand."

Hoke nodded, and watched the Pinkerton man leave.

****

"Is it all over now? Are we finished with this business?" Alicia gripped Hoke's arm and leaned close to him on the buggy, as they journeyed to the new cabin.

"Hope so. Unless your uncle decides he really didn't like what I had planned."

"He won't bother us. We talked it all out, and I was impressed with his honesty about his past actions – including Houseman and your neighbour."

"I sure would like to have heard that meeting."

"Well, however it went, you saw the results out there. The cabin will be finished before the week is out, and the Double M will be paying you a monthly fee for watering its cattle on your land."

"Payin' us a monthly fee for our land, Mrs. Easterly." Hoke turned on the seat and kissed her, letting the team lead themselves. The ceremony had been quick and dirty, with Harold as a reluctant best man, and the prisoners, all threatening and hollering from their cell windows, as the newly-weds left town.

****

The shock of sudden yelling and gunfire broke them apart, from their series of many embraces, and Hoke looked around wildly, seeing the three riders bearing down on their buggy. He slapped the reigns and shouted at the team as they took off, bouncing over the rutted trail.

"What's happening? Who is it?"

Before Hoke could answer, they heard the yells from the attackers.

"Te tengo esta vez señora. ¡No más chistes ni sombrillas!"

"What did he say?"

"I think it's something about you and your parasol."

"Those Mexicans! Again! They were in jail when we left!"

"Apparently not. Hold on." Hoke pulled hard on the reigns and steered the buggy toward a crop of boulders, pulling to a hard stop and jumping out with his rifle. "Get down here and stay low," he ordered Alicia.

The trio reigned in and dismounted in some confusion, shouting and waving their arms.

"Don't theenk a few rocks can stop theese bullets, Greengo!" Oscar fired wildly, scaring the team away a few yards. "You theenk theese ees fonny joke now, Senora?"

"I think you are a funny, silly little man!" Alicia shouted back.

"Stay down and keep quiet." Hoke admonished.

"Fonny! You theenk I fonny? You theenk theese ees fonny?" Another round of shots tore up the dirt around the boulders.

Hoke levelled his rifle and took aim, but never fired, as out of the hills came a swarm of whooping Indians, and a rain of arrows began bouncing harmlessly around the boulders. The sudden scream made him jerk back and duck, covering Alicia with his arm.

"What happened?"

"I think somebody mighta got hit. Yep." Hoke nodded, hearing one of the Mexicans cry out in pain.

"¡Oscar me han disparado! Una flecha".

"Alesandro? ¡Caramba, son esos indios locos!"

Dodging another rain of poorly aimed arrows, the trio, dragging the wounded Alesandro, scrambled to their horses and galloped off with most of the Indians in hot pursuit. Hoke helped Alicia to her feet, keeping her behind him as one of the remaining Indians approached.

"How." The leader spoke.

"How back," Hoke raised a peaceful hand. "Thanks for the help with those fellas."

"Chief Runs in Weeds is friend of white man. Just want his horses."

"I see. Well, that's our only transportation, Chief, and you wouldn't want this lady to have to walk all the way back to town would you?"

"I give her ride."

"Yeah . . . well that ain't gonna happen."

The chief turned and huddled with his men, gesticulating and grunting arguments. When he turned back, Hoke had his rifle hip high and cocked. The chief stared a moment then broke out in a big smile.

"Chief Runs in Weeds says white man and woman can keep horses." He made a sign toward Alicia. "Woman to be known to my people as, Squaw with Tongue of Wolf."

Alicia frowned and took an angry step, stopped by Hoke's hand. "My wife is honoured by your gift, Chief."

Runs in Weeds and Alicia stared at one another uncertainly, then she brushed Hoke's hand away and walked to the chief.

"Please accept this as a token of thanks, and of our future respect and friendship."

He looked at the silver, boot toe, and nodded, then gave a kind of salute, and waved his men back to their horses. With a loud, collective whoop, they galloped off after the rest of their party.

"What was that all about?" Alicia asked.

"I believe Oscar Santiago's reputation as a silly joker is a permanent brand, and they're acknowledging that by giving you that name."

"Is all this going to be an ongoing nuisance?"

"Probably, until the Indians finally catch them."

"Just what have I tied myself to?"

"A man who loves you very much," Hoke said, bringing the buggy back. She climbed aboard and settled her skirt as he climbed up beside her. "And one who is willing to overlook your penchant for riling Mexican outlaws."

"What about that Running in Weeds character?"

"No more trouble from him, you are golden to him now. Particularly with that gift – and I kinda like that, Squaw with Tongue of Wolf handle. Suits you."

He snapped the reigns as she pummelled his shoulder, laughing, and then hugging him tight.

Out of eggs, and thanks for reading.