Michael pondered that a bit. “Still not sure how she’ll take it that I have.”
“There’s the rub, Colonel.” For he’d insisted on calling Michael by his rank once he’d revealed it. “I’m not a big fan of sending extra burdens her way.”
“Neither am I. But I have…things I’ve done that don’t feel right. I’m not used to that. Claudia, she has such clear vision. I’m hoping she can see the sense of it.”
“And I’m betting that she’s at the center of the sense of it.”
“She is, sir.”
Mr. Johns inspected him a while longer. Then, with his pipe stem, Mr. Johns pointed up into the hills.
“She left two days before you came in. Might be at the Castle Creek Wilderness up that way. I can lend you a horse, as I lent her one. Only seems fair.”
“Never learned to ride, sir. Don’t have time now.” He rose to
