Why, it was experience, of course! Chase knew women very well, she reminded herself. Even as Jessie became indignant, however, she couldn’t quite bring herself to pull away.

But they had both forgotten Little Hawk. Chase released Jessie as soon as he heard the horse galloping toward them. In a second, the Indian was leaping off his horse. Chase didn’t even have time to raise his hands in defense before Little Hawk, flying through the air, caught him at the throat and threw him to the ground.

Jessie stared, wide-eyed. She had never seen such a graceful leap from a galloping horse. But why wasn’t Chase getting up to fight? He wasn’t moving. Little Hawk pulled out his knife.

“No!” she shouted at him. “Little Hawk!”

She ran forward, getting there just as he reached Chase, and stepped between them. She and Little Hawk stared at each other for several moments. Finally he put his knife away and looked down at Chase. He spoke angrily, then fired rapid signs at her.

She was confused, interpreting as best she could. “You want to know what he is to me? But I don’t see—”

She stopped, remembering that he couldn’t understand her. “Maybe you’re just crazy,” she muttered. “I can’t explain... He means nothing to me.”

“Then why did you kiss him?”

Jessie gasped. “Why, you bastard!” she cried. “You knew English all the time. You let me rack my brains to try to remember sign language, so— Oh! When I think how frightened I was, and all you had to do was tell—”

“You talk too much, woman,” Little Hawk grunted. “Tell me why you kissed this man.”

“I didn’t. He did the kissing, and he did it so you would go away; There was no other reason for it, since he doesn’t like me and I can’t stand him. And why the hell am I explaining this to you? Why did you attack him?”

“Did you want his attention?”

“No, but—”

Little Hawk didn’t stay to listen, but went to his horse. He mounted and came back, sitting looking down at her.

“White Thunder has returned to his winter camp,” he said casually.

“So you do know him?”

“I have made his acquaintance since I met you. He tells me you have no man, only your father.”

“My father recently died.”

“Then you have no one?”

“I need no one,” she answered, exasperated.

Little Hawk smiled, surprising her yet again. “We will meet again, Looks Like Woman.”

“Damn!” she swore, turning back to Chase as Little Hawk rode away. He was lying still but breathing normally. She examined his head for damage and found a thick lump. She went to the creek, filled her hat with water, and threw the water in his face.

He came up sputtering and groaning, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Did that sonofabitch attack me?” Chase asked, feeling his head. He winced as he found the tender bump.

“He could have killed you,” Jessie said harshly. “You’re not much of a fighter.”

He frowned. “What are you so riled about? Did you have to shoot him?”

“No, I didn’t have to shoot him. And I wouldn’t trade his life for yours, anyway.”

Her venom stung him. “You really hate me, don’t you?”

“Does it show?”

She moved away to saddle her horse. He was okay. She didn’t have to tend to him anymore.

With care for every movement, Chase went to his own horse to saddle up. “Why did he attack me? Do you know?” he asked.

“Figure it out for yourself, tenderfoot.”

“Damn it!” he swore. “Is it too much to ask for a little kindness from you? I’m the one who got hurt, you know.”

“And do you know why?” Jessie sneered. “Because of your showing off, that’s why.”

He looked at her thoughtfully. “Is that why you’re so angry? Because I kissed you?”

She didn’t answer. She silently mounted and rode off, leaving him to follow if he could. Chase climbed into the saddle, his head throbbing. He wasn’t sure anymore why he had kissed her, but it had been a stupid thing to do. He would make sure he was never tempted to do it again, ever.

Chapter 10

TROUBLE began soon after they rode into Cheyenne. They left their horses at the livery stable, and Jessie went on to the hotel to get a room. She hadn’t told Chase her plans, so he was obliged to follow her, wondering what she had in mind. They were barely speaking. Jessie told him where he could find a doctor if he thought it was necessary, and then she continued to ignore him. Her set features and angry stride told him she didn’t want his company, and he knew damned well that if he asked about her plans she would tell him it was none of his business.

At the hotel, Jessie signed the register, and then Chase started to do the same. But before he could even finish, the book was suddenly snatched out of his hands.

“It’s just like he said, Charlie,” the man next to Chase called over his shoulder, chuckling. “There’s a K in front of her name.”

“Do you mind, friend?” Chase said angrily.

“Oh, sure thing, mister.” The man shoved the register back in front of Chase. He grinned. “Just wanted to check something.”

As he walked away, Chase glanced at Jessie’s name. Yes, there was a K in front of it. He then turned around to see that her path to the front door had been blocked by a squat, barrel-chested fellow. The lanky man who had just left Chase came up behind Jessie and slipped her gun out of her holster before she could stop him.

Chase waited for her reaction. It would be nice to see her let loose her terrible temper on someone else for a change.

But Jessie was just standing there, her back stiff, her hands on her hips, glaring.

“So Laton wasn’t joshin‘.” Charlie laughed. “He said the name on the deed was Kenneth Jesse Blair. But I said no, old Blair must have a son somewhere. That’s who he’s left his ranch to. Couldn’t be no girl named Kenneth. Didn’t I say that, Clee?”

“Your exact words,” the lanky Clee agreed, nodding.

“But Laton was right as usual,” Charlie went on. “We got us a bona fide Kenneth here. Don’t she look just like a Kenneth?”

“Britches and all,” Clee agreed again, snickering.

“You’ve had your fun, mister, and I’ve had enough of you,” Jessie said in a low voice, looking at Clee. “I’ll take my gun back now.”

“Will you?” Clee grinned. “What for, unless you’re man enough to use it. Are you man enough?”

The men laughed, delighted at the jest. Jessie didn’t think twice before she threw a punch at Clee’s mouth. Her gun dropped out of his hand, and Charlie’s face mottled with rage. He kicked her gun out of reach and grabbed her arms.

Chase had seen enough.

“Let the lady go, friend,” Chase said, shoving Clee against a wall.

“You call this wildcat a lady?” Charlie growled.

He released Jessie, however, and she retrieved her gun. “Did Bowdre send you to harass me?” she demanded, facing Charlie squarely.

Charlie didn’t like this turn of events. Laton wouldn’t like to hear about this. If she went to him and made a fuss in front of others, he would be furious. Laton wanted to be sure no one would point a finger at him.

“Laton don’t want no trouble with you, gal. All he wants is his money. It was Clee’s idea to have a little fun with you. And we were only funnin‘. You just ain’t got no humor, gal,” Charlie grumbled.

“Oh, I’ve got humor.” Jessie smiled unpleasantly. “I’d think it was real funny if I put a ball in your gut.”

And then she said, “Just stay away from me, mister.”

“Real pleasant, ain’t she?” Charlie sneered as he and Clee watched her stalk out the door.

Chase caught up with her in the middle of the street. “Hold up, kid.” He had to grab her arm to make her stop.

“What do you want?” she snapped.

He looked at her incredulously. She was actually angry because he had interfered!

“I swear, kid, someone ought to take a stick to you. You can’t go around throwing your fists at anyone you please. Next time you might not be so lucky.”

“Who the hell made you my guardian angel, Summers?” she spat.

They were at a standoff—again. And she was right. He wasn’t her keeper.

He grinned. “I thought we agreed you would call me Chase.”

“I have a name, too, and it’s not ‘kid,’ ” Jessie said stonily.

He laughed. “Touché.” She continued walking and he fell into step beside her. “Where are you going now—if you don’t mind my asking?”

“To the sheriffs office.”

“Because of what just happened?”

“Now why would I bother the sheriff about that?” She seemed truly puzzled.

“Then why?”

“Who would know better who’s in town, who’s just passing through, who’s looking for work? I’m hoping he’ll have a few suggestions so I can finish my business today and head back to the ranch in the morning.”

“Then I’ll just come along with you, if you don’t mind,” he said. “The sheriff should be told about our encounter with that Indian.”

Jessie stopped short. “Why?”

“There could be others in the area,” Chase replied. “Don’t you think he should know?”

“No,” she said emphatically. “Look, the sheriff would only laugh at you if you started jabbering about hostiles in the area. He knows better. But if other people heard you, it could cause a ruckus. Then you’d look mighty foolish, because Little Hawk was alone, and I’m sure he’s already gone back north.”

She walked on, but Chase didn’t follow any longer. He stared after her with eyes like burning coals. She’d done it again, made him feel like a complete ass. Damned if she didn’t do it on purpose!