"Of course I didn't plan to wear it, you ninny. That just came about because it was the better idea." She saw that she had momentarily confused her sister.

"Stop trying to guess at things it's better you don't know. What does it matter what I've done when I'm here to talk about what I intend to do?" Rennie's mouth clamped shut.

"That's better," Mary said firmly. She glanced down at Ryder. His eyes were open, and there was a barely suppressed smile on his lips.

"See?" she told Rennie.

"He's awake now, and I'm certain it has something to do with your chattering." Ryder pushed himself upright.

"I.

distinctly heard two jays squawking."

"Jays!" Mary said.

"Squawking!" Rennie said. Jarret hunkered down in front of Ryder and handed him a tin plate with scrambled eggs, corn meal, and bacon on it.

"As long as you're eating you can't get in the middle of it." Ryder saw the wisdom of it immediately. He tucked into his food and let the Marys carry on. Rennie passed the next plate from Jarret to her sister.

"You're safe enough here. The miners have no reason to come down this passage, and Jarret and I weren't followed in. Most of the men left when Jarret raised hell about the horses being gone. They're walking to where the track is being laid, hoping to get a ride into Tucson where they can get new mounts and raise a ruckus about the Apache raid." Jarret added, "They know they're lucky to be alive, but they still want to ride out. They don't think the Army's doing enough to stop the Chiricahua. At least not the band Geronimo's leading."

Ryder's brows rose a fraction but he said nothing. Mary stared at her plate. Rennie looked from one to the other.

"So it was Geronimo." Unconsciously her hand went to her hair as if to check the placement of her scalp.

"The men were right."

"I didn't tell them anything," Jarret explained.

"Around here these days it's a matter of two and two is four. The only thing that puzzled the men is why they're still alive. I didn't tell them that either, but I suspect it has something to do with you." He leveled a hard look at Ryder and saw once again that the man did not flinch easily.

It was Mary who spoke, giving the details of last night and then including in her story their departure from the Cavern of Lost Souls.

Rennie put her arm around Mary's shoulders. The affection between the sisters ran deep, and admiration formed another bond.

"I could not imagine being half so brave as you." she said, real awe in her voice. She shook her head slowly trying to take it in.

"To exchange words with Geronimo. What was it like?" Mary's smile was modest.

"Not half so bad as exchanging words with Mama."

Chapter Thirteen.

Ryder and Mary spent the day waiting for night.

The details of the escape had been mapped out at breakfast and the arrangements made by lunch. That left little besides anticipation and apprehension to fill the time until dinner and departure.

Rennie thought the tension was almost tangible.

"Here," she said, dropping a valise at Mary's feet.

"I've brought you both a change of clothes. It's time you were out of trousers, Mary. You'll raise suspicions dressed like that, not reduce them." Mary had come to appreciate the advantages of trousers. Her agreement was reluctant.

"Do as your sister says," Ryder said.

"She's right."

"I know she is," Mary snapped.

"That's why I agreed." Rennie looked over her shoulder as her husband entered the area. Her eyes warned him about the emotional climate.

Jarret nodded, understanding.

"I have horses for you to ride," he announced.

"A.

half dozen of the miners just returned, and they have two horses between them. I told them Rennie and I wanted to ride to Fort Union, and they'll let us have them. We'll ride out and meet you just beyond sight of camp. You'll be on your own after that. One of the private cars has been brought as far north as the track's been laid. You shouldn't have any trouble there." He pointed to the clothes Rennie had brought.

"Once you're wearing those, there'll be enough resemblance to fool people at a distance. You only have to stay inside and give your orders through the door, just like we planned."

"Won't your workers think that's a little odd?" asked Mary.

"Why would either of you stay inside the car and shout your orders through a closed door? That's very strange behavior." Rennie's mouth pursed in exasperation, and she gave her older sister a frank stare.

"You can't be that naive, Mary Francis." Just to make certain she understood, Rennie added, "Some mornings Jarret just can't get out of bed." Jarret came up behind his wife and slipped his arm around her middle. With a low, playful growl he nuzzled her ear.

"That's right. Blame it on me, you lusty wench." Rennie flushed to the roots of her hair. She poked Jarret in the ribs with her elbow.

"Let's get out of here so they can change. I think Mary's been made to understand, thank you very much. And you have to give our prisoner something to eat anyway."

"Very well." He let her go and pointed to the things he had carried in and dropped just inside the entrance.

"I collected the saddlebags, Army jacket, and canteens that were left up in the rocks. If you want any of those items, fine. If you don't, I'll take them to our tent later and eventually get rid of them."

Ryder nodded. He knew Jarret was trying to eliminate their trail and also reduce the chances that he and Rennie would be pegged as accomplices.

"You haven't been to the fort yourself today?" he asked.

"No. There's been plenty of activity between Fort Union and the mine, though. Since word reached the fort of the raid, they've had patrols all over the place. Jay Mac and Moira and the rest of the family know we're fine here."

"It's a wonder Jay Mac didn't come himself to make sure," Mary said.

"That would be just like him." Rennie nodded in agreement.

"We understand that General Gardner won't give any civilians permission to leave the fort right now. Ethan and Connor can't be any happier about that than Jay Mac. That's why we're returning to the fort as soon as you're safely off." There was a small catch in her throat.

Tears glistened unexpectedly in her eyes.

"And I want to see my babies."