West

Amusement flickered across his chiseled features. "No, but you can wear my clothes while we dry yours."

After a brief hesitation, I nodded. He rose and disappeared into one doorway, through which I saw a single lantern burning, returning a moment later with folded clothing.

I took it and went into the room. It was a bedroom, tiny enough that my knees bumped the bed when I closed the door to change. The bedding was rumpled, a simple dresser along one wall, and a washbasin and pitcher on a table in a corner. His clothing was soft and well worn, patched and stitched several times with skill that defied mine after three days of Nell trying to teach me.

There was no sign of wealth in his humble home, and I tugged on the clothes with a silent vow to return the worn trousers and baggy shirt, because he didn't seem to have much of anything.

Unless he murders me. Then all bets are off. I sighed. He was quiet and intense - but not dangerous, especially since I knew the secret he and Running Bear hid in a cave. Yet I wasn't able to figure out what he wanted, how he seemed to know what he shouldn't, why Running Bear had memories of the sheriff with each of the three women Carter sent back.

My movements slowed as I dwelled on the images from Running Bear's mind. I was overthinking again, starting to stress about the unknown. It did me no good to dwell on it but was really hard to let go of.

I gathered my dress and returned to the main room of the small abode.

"Hang it there." He pointed to a rope strung across the cabin on one side.

I did so and faced him. My feet were cold, a chill working its way around my ankles.

His gaze lingered on me. I didn't know how to read the look and wished I had been able to access his empathic memories.

"What're you doing out in this storm, Miss Josie?" he asked with tested politeness that told me he already suspected something.

"My father is dying, and I came to -"

"You can't lie to me."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and returned to the hearth. He followed me with his gaze, and I found myself wishing he'd take off his shirt again. After a long moment of flustered, flurried thought, I sighed. "Are you gonna hang me?"

"Hang you?" he echoed. "You have a strange notion about me, Miss Josie." His brow furrowed, as if he was trying to figure me out. "Though I reckon you're safe so long as you keep my secret about Fighting Badger."