“Colonel Prime is a bit opinionated,” she said when they were back at the hotel. Steve pushed open the wooden shutters to allow in a soft breeze. It was cooler at night now, the heat of the day evaporating quickly.

“Typical military officer.” Steve shrugged out of his coat and tossed it on the back of a chair. “They’ll name a fort or street after him when he dies, and talk about what a good leader he had been. In a few years, no one will remember who he was.”

“You’re in a strange mood.” She began to remove the pins from her hair, letting it fall around her shoulders and face. Her head ached; too much cigar smoke and stuffy conversation, she thought. She felt so irritable and on edge.

As she brushed her hair, perched on the edge of the small tufted chair that seemed oddly elegant in a hotel that provided only the minimum of luxuries, she watched Steve at the window. He braced himself on one arm, staring into the street below as if watching for something—or someone.

“Where’s Paco?” she asked.

“Probably in a cantina telling some pretty girl how brave and strong he is. He has better sense than to agree to attend supper at a military post.”

“Yes, why did you accept the colonel’s invitation, Steve? It must be because of Jim Bishop. Oh, I’m right, aren’t I? Did you know when you went there that this Mr. Lott would be waiting to talk to you, to ask your advice about his railroad?”

“Ginny love, you ask far too many questions. It’s late. Get some sleep.”

“Are you coming to bed—? Where are you going, Steve! You can’t be going out again! Ever since we arrived in Texas, you’ve been secretive and—and sneaky.” Frustration made her careless, and her vow to hold her tongue was forgotten as he began to buckle on his gun belts. “Just tell me what is going on. I’d like to know why you sent our baggage on with those armed guards who look like bandits. There’s more to it than you’re admitting to me, and I know that, too. Why did you feel you had to meet with Colonel Prime and that Mr. Lott? This is all Bishop’s doing, I know, but do you think I’m so foolish as to tell anyone things that aren’t supposed to be told?”

“Christ, Ginny, it’s not that and you know it. You know how mysterious Bishop likes to be. If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t know who was going to be there tonight. I just had a message that I was to accept the colonel’s invitation to join him for supper.”

He raked a hand through his hair. He looked very tired. She rose from the chair and went to him.