A Grave for Lassiter by Loren Zane Grey

back down the mountain.
    â€œWhy in hell didn’t Adams tell us it was Lassiter?” Marsh muttered. “We’d have come shootin’ instead of swingin’ our fists.”
    Lassiter rode close, which caused Marsh’s bloodied face to look apprehensive. “Either one of you ever make a move against Mrs. Vanderson, I’ll be on your trail. Once I start after a man I never quit till I get him.”
    Both of them seemed impressed.
    Lassiter rode fifty yards back up the road to see if Adams might have ignored Lassiter’s warning and gotten help either from his mine or the village nearby. But there was no sign of anyone.
    When they were about four miles from the mine, Lassiter told Melody to halt the wagon. He ordered the pair off the tailgate. “Now you can walk.”
    Clouds had sailed in to darken the sun. A chill wind had come up during the last mile.
    â€œCut us loose, Lassiter,” Marsh whined as he looked at the ominous sky. Pines rustled in the wind. A large pine cone plopped to the ground and rolled onto the road.
    â€œJust start walking, boys,” Lassiter said. “And if you get any grand ideas about coming after us, I guarantee you’ll never see another sunrise.”

Chapter Eleven
    As nightfall approached, he found them a campsite, sheltered from the road by a stand of pines. After watering and feeding the mules, and putting his black horse on good grass, he went hunting. All he could bag was a large jack rabbit.
    He built a fire and skinned the animal, then broiled the meat on flat stones.
    She sat so close to him that he could feel her tremble.
    â€œYou’re frightened up here, just the two of us,” he said. “Don’t be. Nothing’s going to hurt you.”
    â€œI’m not afraid as long . . .” She turned and looked at the play of firelight across his strong features. “As long as you’re with me,” she concluded in a low voice.
    When they had finished eating, she licked grease from her fingers. “Never have I tasted anything as good as that rabbit.” He shrugged. Then she whispered, “May I say something, Lassiter?”
    â€œSure, go ahead.”
    â€œYou were marvelous today. Simply
marvelous.”
    â€œAdams figured to give you trouble. I gave him some instead.”
    â€œThat poor man was badly frightened.” Laughter bubbled from her lips. Then she sobered. “I haven’t been very nice to you and I’m sorry.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter now.”
    â€œFor one thing, it was such a shock to see you alive when I thought you were dead. And then there were the things Vance kept saying about you. . . .”
    â€œSuch as?”
    â€œThat you intended to cheat Uncle Herm.”
    â€œI would never cheat Herm Falconer. Or anybody, for that matter.”
    When it started to sprinkle, he got several tarps from the freighter and made a bed for them under the wagon where they’d be out of the rain.
    â€œWe better be together tonight,” Lassiter said. “It’ll be freezing up here before morning. We’ll need the body warmth of both of us.”
    Light from the dying fire was reflected in her eyes as she thought about it. Then she gave a deep sigh and said, “I guess it’s the only way.”
    By the time he pulled off his boots, the rain had turned into a downpour. He lay under the wagon, his back to hers.
    â€œIt’s no feather bed,” he said over his shoulder, “but it’ll have to do.”
    She reached back under the tarp for his hand. She gave it a squeeze. “I’d be afraid out here alone. But not with you along.”
    â€œI sleep light. If I hear anything in the night, I’ll be ready.”
    Then she made an impulsive move. Sitting up under the wagon, she leaned over him. The feel of soft lips against his cheek was surprising. He didn’t say anything. But after the hectic experience of the late afternoon, the