Compromised Hearts by Hannah Howell Page A

as well. And deserters, too, judging by the ragged uniforms.”
    “You make them sound far worse than the rest.”
    “Personal prejudice. Deserters killed my parents back in Arkansas near the end of the war.
    “Em, what we’ve got down there is refuse. No one wants ‘em. No one likes ‘em. It’s all mutual, too. They hate everybody and wouldn’t blink over stealing from their own mothers—or worse. The only thing that holds them together is that, united, they might not get hanged so quick. To put it plain, honey, you think of anything evil that you can and they’ve done it or soon will.”
    She shivered. “And they’ve found us.”
    “Near to. They certainly know someone’s up here. Can’t say for certain if they know how many or who. If they don’t, that’s in our favor.”
    “I am able to handle a gun, Cloud.” “That may be, but you’ll stay out of the way.”
    “I could be of some assistance.”
    “Em, the best help you can give me is to stay out of the way. Get Thornton and find some cover, out of sight. Oh, hell, and put out that fire. If they get much closer, they’ll sniff us out.”
    She hurried to obey his order. It was doubtful that it would stop the renegades from finding them, but she was willing to try even the smallest chance. Once the fire wasout, she hurried to get herself and Thornton out of the way.
    Using the horses and their supplies, Emily built a small barricade. She convinced James and Cloud to do the same for, although the cave was safety of a sort, they would have to expose themselves occasionally to battle the renegades.
    Sitting behind her makeshift barricade, Emily held Thornton close, advising him sternly not to make a sound. The men remained tensely waiting for the confrontation that was sure to come. She knew Cloud and James were admirable soldiers, but she feared for their lives. The odds were heavily weighted against them.
    Seeing Cloud’s saddlebags, she set Thornton aside and moved to open them. Keeping an eye on Cloud in hopes that he would not see what she was up to, she stealthily removed a pistol he had brought along to give to his brother as a gift and the box of ammunition to go with it. Quickly she sat back down next to Thornton and calmly loaded the pistol.
    Cloud had clearly not believed her claim that she could handle a gun. It did not surprise her that he would be so skeptical even though she had never made any false claims before. She was able to do so little, was so utterly helpless and incompetent out in the wilderness, that it was quite natural for him to doubt her. With all her heart she prayed she would not have to prove herclaim, but she was ready to do so if the need arose. Setting the pistol in her lap, she sat tensely watching the men, sharing their taut anticipiation.
    When one of the renegades suddenly gave a soft cry of surprise and pointed right at them, Cloud cursed viciously. He had hoped, against all odds, that the men would give up before they found them. Rechecking his pistol and assuring himself that his rifle was readied, Cloud waited. There were several ways the men could turn now. He just hoped they made all the wrong choices.
    “Since they know where we are, why’re we waiting?”
    “So we can be sure every shot counts,” Cloud replied in a cold, flat voice.
    James nodded solemnly. “How do you think they’ll come at us?”
    “I’m hoping straight on.”
    “Do you recognize this lot?”
    “Nope. Most of the ones I knew much about are dead now.”
    “Unfortunately, there always seem to be more to take their place. They’re starting up—straight at us but careful.”
    “There’s not enough cover for them to be careful enough.”
    Emily had to bite her lip to keep from crying out when the first shot was fired. She held Thornton close, giving him the added protection of her body. She kept her gaze fixed upon Cloud and James and prayed as lard as she could.
    The violence she was discovering in the West appalled her. It was