“I already know what it is,” Franchard said, taking a sip of coffee. “You’re quittin’ the Rangers, right? Leavin’ today?”

“I told you I’d think it over,” Pritchard said, “and I have. I’ve got unfinished business up north.” He unpinned his cinco-peso star and slid it across the table.

“So I heard,” Franchard said. “Your conversation with Rube Gaines was very enlightening. Always wondered about that scar on your noggin. Now I know where you got it, and how you earned your last name.”

“I figured Atherton was as good a name as any.”

“Well,” Franchard said, looking over at Maggie, “guess what? You ain’t the only Ranger turning in his star. I’ll be quittin’ the Rangers, too.”

Pritchard’s eyebrows jumped.

“Don’t look so surprised. I was gettin’ tired of rangerin’. It took almost thirty years of fightin’ battles out of a saddle to finally find a place and somebody worth fightin’ for.” He reached out and took Maggie’s offered hand. “I believe I’ll be stayin’ in the New Mexico Territory. Gonna make this here town my home.”

“I’m happy for you,” Pritchard said. “If there was ever a couple of folks who deserved their bite at the apple, it’s you two.”

“Why don’t you stay?” Maggie said. “Most of your Ranger friends are staying. They’re going to make Magdalena their home, also.”

“Is that true?” Pritchard asked.

“It is,” Franchard confirmed. “Sergeant Finley is going to marry that ginger gal he’s sweet on, and at least fifteen of the other Rangers have decided this is where they want to settle down. I think the women they’re settling down with have something to do with it.”

“I reckon so,” Pritchard said.

“Finley was a miner,” Franchard went on, “before he was a Ranger. He checked out the mine. He says the vein’s still rich with silver. He told me it wouldn’t take much to blast away the debris covering the entrance. We could dig those men out, bury’em proper, and get the mine operatin’. Magdalena could have a future again. You’re welcome to be part of it.”

“I thank you for the offer,” Pritchard said, “but I’ve got to be movin’ on.” He looked over at Bina, smiling at him, and gave her a smile in return. “It’s about time I sorted things out between the feller I am and the feller I used to be. Not to mention, there’re some folks got a reckoning comin’.”

“I’ll bet they do,” Franchard said. He pushed the cinco-peso star back across the table.