Clemmie said, “Come into the kitchen, Josie. We’ll fix up some vittles for them to take along.”

Reluctantly Josie turned away, pausing in the door for a look back.

James said, “You-all can leave at first light.”

Rusty shook his head. “No, we’ll leave now. No use takin’ a chance on somethin’ goin’ wrong.”

Buddy-Boy gave Rusty a look that could wound if not kill. “A rabbit can run far and fast, but a patient wolf always gets him sooner or later.”

Rusty’s eyes were sad. “It was you and your brother that brought on the trouble. I didn’t want any of it. But if you ever bring any more trouble to me, I won’t stand still and be a target.” He jerked his head. “Come on, Andy.”

As he walked out the door Andy heard James say, “Clyde, you and Buddy-Boy set yourselves down. My sistersil fix you some supper.”

Clyde sat in sullen silence. Buddy-Boy said something in an angry voice; Andy could not make out the words. But James’s reply was clear. “I’m a damned sight better shot than Rusty is.”

Vince Purdy and Preacher Webb came out to the barn to watch Rusty and Andy saddle up. Vince nodded toward lightning flashes in the east. “I’m afraid you’re fixin’ to get wet.”

Rusty said, “That’s all right. The country needs rain to make winter grass. Might make our tracks hard to find, too.”

Webb said, “Normally I hate to speak ill of anybody, but there’s not much good to be said about those Oldhams.”

Vince was in a mood for a fight. “You sure you don’t want to stay and have it out with them? Leavin’ only puts things off to another day.”

Webb said gravely, “Killin’ is a mean thing in the sight of the Lord, but I believe there’s times He knows it needs to be done. God forgive me for sayin’ this, Rusty, but it would’ve been better if you’d killed the both of them that day. You may still have to do it.”

“Not if they don’t find out where I live.”

“Nobody here will tell them anything.”

Evan Gifford and Geneva heard the commotion and came out of their cabin. They waited as Rusty and Andy led their horses back toward the main house. Geneva said regretfully, “You’re leavin’ early.”

Rusty could not look at her without a feeling of loss. “Somethin’ came up.”

Evan said, “The Oldham brothers. I was with James when they rode in. If there’s anything I can do—”

“Much obliged. You can help James see that they stay here awhile.”