“Keep it,” he said. “At least for now. I’m keepin’ mine, for a while, anyways. So are the others who’re staying on here in Magdalena. They don’t know back in Austin we vanquished Stiles and his gang so soon. Our superiors believe we’ll be weeks, if not months, hunting them down throughout the territories. We ain’t expected back in Texas until autumn, at the earliest. The boys a deserve a vacation from rangerin’, although they’ve got a lot of work ahead of them puttin’ this town back together.”

“Why keep the star, if I’m leavin’ you and your Ranger company?” Pritchard asked.

“Because it’s a long way to Missouri,” Franchard said. “Doors will be opened to a Texas Ranger that might be closed on a saddle tramp. Also, if you’re settin’ out to do what I think you’re gonna do, you may need to be Smokin’ Joe Atherton a while longer.”

Pritchard pinned the star back on his shirt. “Didn’t think of that,” he said.

“You can resign, along with me and the rest of the boys, come autumn,” Franchard said. “Might as well draw your Ranger pay until then. Also, I’m pretty sure you’ll run into a few outlaws on your journey who might need your brand of Texas justice.”

“I might,” Pritchard agreed, “at that.”

“What will you do?” asked Maggie.

“I reckon I’ll try to catch up with Ditch and his outfit. It’s almost May. He’s probably on his way up to Kansas with his cows, and could use a hand.”

Pritchard stood. Bina, Franchard, and Maggie walked him out of the saloon to his horse.

“I almost forgot,” Pritchard said, reaching into his pocket. “Got a present for you, Captain.”

“You can’t call me Captain anymore,” Franchard said. He put his arm around Maggie. “It’s just Tom again.”

Pritchard handed the ring he’d bought for Caroline to Franchard. “I figure you’ll be able to make use of this.”

“I can’t accept this,” Franchard said. “It cost you five hundred dollars. Besides, it was the ring you were gonna—”

“Those ghosts have been put to rest,” Pritchard cut him off. “You helped me bury them. It would mean a lot to me, knowing you and Maggie found use for it.”

Franchard accepted the ring. “I’m obliged,” he said, showing it to Maggie. “It’s beautiful,” she told him.

“You can get word to me,” Franchard told Pritchard, “at the telegraph office in Albuquerque. Me and some of the boys will be going there at least once a month for supplies. I won’t notify Austin of your resignation until you tell me to.”

“So long,” Pritchard said, climbing into the saddle. “Tell Sergeant Finley and the boys it was an honor ridin’ with ’em.” He shook hands with Franchard. “You, too, Captain.”

“It’s Tom,” Franchard corrected him.