Chapter 71

“Let me clean up. I smell like a horse.”

“You smell like sex.”

Matthew was in a rush. He drilled me as if I’d been gone for weeks rather than days. Once, during the height of it, a ghostly image of Raven almost put me off. The thought quickly died under my lover’s impassioned assault.

Later, as we lay fighting for breath, I told him of the attack on the way station. His response made me sit up.

“I’ve had the feeling somebody’s been watching us. I even climbed the hollow hill a couple of times looking for sign. Once I saw a flash from far across the river.”

“Could have been a long glass. Did you say anything to Pa?”

He shook his sleek head. “Didn’t see anything for sure. But after what you’ve told me, I’ll say something to him tomorrow.”

“The Mead would look like rich picking for outlaws. If they’re watching, they know our livestock are good and the farm is well tended. And they’ll know the stage pays good hard money to act as a way station.”