Ruth listened from within the mouth of the cave, where horse and daughter hid from the bounty hunter. A steady drip reverberated from roofs cave into a glassy puddle. It was a maddening sound while waiting in silence. Then a gunshot caught her by surprise and caused her heart to lurch. It was impossible to know the distance it covered.

Anna Beth hugged her mother in the cool, dampness. Ruth placed her finger on her mouth as a sign to be still without noise. She closed her eyes and held her daughter tight, whispering in her ear. "I'm sorry. So sorry you must suffer for my sins."

Little Anna studied the glistening tears in mother's eyes. She made a sign, pointing a finger at her heart, and then holding it out for her mother. She played along, as if to catch Anna Beth's beating heart.

As Luke's horse lapped at the puddle of water in the cave, mother and daughter held each other tighter to keep from shivering. Ruth's eyes fixed on the opening mouth of the cave where she waited for what seemed like hours.

The shadow of a man loomed over the cave. The defining features of a man's hat and beard formed. Dirt and gravel spilled along the edge. Ruth held her breath.

Luke appeared before the pair. A gasp turned into a sigh. Anna Beth stumbled on the slippery rocks, falling into his arms.

Anna Beth hugged Luke. In turn, he placed her on the horse. Luke waved for Ruth to join them. She grabbed his hand while his free hand tugged on the reins.

Breaking into the sunlight and sounds of silence, Ruth found the nerve to ask about the gunshot. "Heard a shot. Was it the headhunter?"

As Luke led mother daughter down a worn path, he replied. "He's likely killed a pheasant in the field, or some bird to make himself a dinner, then wait us out."

Luke helped Ruth on the horse with Anna Beth. She thought to herself that all roads lead nowhere. The law will not relent and the bounty on her head will not waiver. "Is it safe to go back?"

"For now. Ayanna has grit enough to create a false trail for him to follow."

"I owe you both our lives."

"No woman or daughter should have to be on the run when it was self-defense."

"I can't go back. My daughter would have no one to care for her. You've become her family."

As Anna Beth pressed her peach face against her mother's back, she blurted. "Can you be my Daddy?"

Her words skinned his heart. He tried to speak but choked on his own words.

As the cabin came into view, Ruth filled the weighted silence with her words. "Will you show us the way through the mountain pass west?


Luke knew it would be suicide without a guide and supplies. Ruth craned her neck to see some peaks capped with snow.



Ruth spoke from the hole in her heart. "I need to just turn myself in. It won't stop with a price on my head."

Luke led them on his horse through an opening in the brush. "You have your daughter to think about."

They remained silent the rest of the way. Ruth considered what would happen to her child without a relative to raise her back east. For the first time her mind nursed the idea of leaving her daughter behind, so she'd have a life without looking over her shoulder.

Luke walked his horse across the shallows of the creek with Ruth and Beth holding on. After crossing, Luke signaled for them to wait. He pulled his holstered colt and edged around the cabin. Then he nodded to Ruth who held the reins forward.

Inside the cabin, Luke latched the door. Ruth immediately went into the kitchen where she took a match and scraped it along the Dutch oven lighting it. She turned toward Luke, as if to ask whether she should send an unwanted smoke signal through the spout.

Luke nodded an attempt to assuage her fears. A fire was started in the oven.

Luke spoke to Anna Beth. "How bout you and me gather some split wood before darkness settles in?"

Anna's eyes lit at the idea. She bounded over to Luke. "Where's Ayanna?"

"Not to worry sweet pea, she'll be along shortly." Satisfied, she followed Luke to fetch wood near the porch.

Darkness loomed from the surrounding tall trees. What was left of the sunlight glazed over the open air and garden. If Luke was worried about Ayanna, he didn't show it.

Anna Beth held out her arms, taking several split logs. Luke took his own share. Together they retreated into the fragile safety of the cabin. As Ruth was making supper, she looked at them. Her own thoughts about the cabin and darkness surrounding them, made her feel more vulnerable than ever.

As far as Ruth knew, danger lurked. And the longer it took for Ayanna to return, the more she fought the urge to ask Luke to look for her.

As Ruth turned back to stir a pot of stew, there was a rap on the door. Luke had only just latched the door. He turned toward the door with pistol in hand.