Annie stared at the tall man, who had skin like worn shoe leather. His eyes were piercing blue, and they looked angry. His hair was iron gray, at least at the sides. Some sort of old army hat was crunched down on his head. He wore old, comfortable clothes that looked like they might have been army issue at one time, and stout combat boots encased his feet.

This was indeed a man. She almost smacked her lips in glee at the possibilities she now might have in regard to her sadly lacking social life.

A sun-bronzed hand snaked out. "Fish."

"Ah, no thanks. We won't be here that long. Fish goes bad rather quickly." She used both hands to grasp his. It was a rough hand full of callouses. The nails were cut short and clean. She absolutely loved the holstered gun at his waist. Annie almost swooned.

The man standing in front of her looked disgusted. "It's my name." When Annie just stared at him he said, "Little Fish. It's an Indian name. What's your name? Why are you here? It isn't safe out here in the desert for a woman. I don't have time to be watching out for a gaggle of females."

Annie threw her hands up in the air. "Well, Mr. Fish, I don't recall asking for your help or your opinion. I'm more than capable of taking care of myself, and what gaggle of females are you talking about? And, what's it to you what my name is? It's none of your business why I'm here. Your turn. Just for the record, I can shoot a snake's eyes out from five hundred feet."

Myra let go of her pearls to hang on to the door frame. She wondered if anyone but her knew this was Annie's version of flirting.

"And you expect me to believe that?"

There was such outrage in the man's voice, Myra found herself smiling.

Annie bristled. "Obviously, Mr. Fish, you have me confused with someone you think cares what you think. Read my lips. I can shoot a snake's eyes out at five hundred feet, and that's the end of it unless you want to bring it to a test."

Fish stepped back for a better look at the woman who was giving him what he called what for. She had spunk.

"In case you don't know it, Miss No Name, that building you're standing in is full of rattlesnake nests. The desert is full of them, so I hope for your sake that you aren't lying about your marksmanship, and I also hope you have a gun. There's no electricity in that building. It's doubtful the plumbing works. It gets pretty cold out here at night."

Myra's gaze skittered around as she looked to see if anything was slithering across the floor. She knew the others would be doing the same thing.

"I'll be leaving soon. Before it gets dark. Not that it's any of your concern."