“I don’t know, but we’d better go find out,” Jesse at once replied. It had been long enough to conclude Tater wasn’t coming to supper. Everyone had just about finished eating. “And we’d best all go together,” he added, knowing there was safety in numbers.

Booth got up from the table and told Trip they were going back to the cabin, which was at first no concern to Trip. “You and Jesse can go back,” he said. “I’ve already made some plans for some better company than you jaspers.” He winked at Josie, who responded with her most enticing smile.

“You’re gonna need to go back to the cabin with us,” Booth said. “We’ve got a problem and we’ve got to fix it right now.” When Trip started to complain, Booth nodded toward Josie and said, “That’s gonna have to wait. We need to get back now and see what’s keepin’ Tater from comin’ to supper.”

“Who in hell cares why Tater . . .” Trip started to protest again, but one look at the stern expression on the faces of both brothers persuaded him to give in. “Ah, hell,” he muttered, and looked at Josie, who was also disappointed. “I’ll be back after I find out what’s goin’ on,” he promised.

“Let’s go,” Booth prompted. They paid Bodine for the supper, plus a bottle of whiskey to take with them, and filed out the door.

Disappointed by their early departure as well, Bodine walked out on the porch and watched them ride off toward the narrow path by the river. “There ain’t a doubt in my mind, those boys are the ones that done for that party of church folks. And they’re settin’ on a whole pile of money.” He turned to Dinah Belle when he heard her come up behind him. “And I’m aimin’ to get me a chunk of it before they ride outta here.”

* * *

The path to the cabins led through a heavily wooded area and was only wide enough to ride single file. Booth led the others along the path, now shrouded in heavy darkness. Halfway back to the cabin, he pulled his horse up hard when he suddenly met a horse coming toward him, causing him to back into Jesse’s horse. He saw a moment later that the saddle was empty. Then he realized it was Tater’s horse, wandering loose. He immediately pulled his. 44, which prompted Jesse and Trip to do the same. “Keep your eyes open,” Booth warned. “That’s Tater’s horse!” They started up again, pushing Tater’s horse in front of them until reaching a wide spot in the path where Tater’s horse moved aside. “Grab his reins, Trip,” Booth said as he rode by the riderless horse.