figures from the table and deposited them on her desk, closing its lid quickly on her way to the door. She didn't want to listen to what Dempsey would say about any of them.

Chapter Thirteen.

Q^^ps^Q W inn couldn't get Dempsey out of his mind.

From the time he walked out of Cynthie's kitchen until Dempsey rode out ofher yard, Kyle Dempsey was all Winn could think about. This was the man's second visit since he had moved to the bunkhouse. He told himself he was glad to be far enough away that he didn't have to smell Dempsey's cigarsmoke. However, he had come to notice that Dempsey spent more time withCynthie than Winn did.

He was still thin king about him the next day when he and Louie were hitching the wagon. He decided he hated Kyle Dempsey from the tips of his fancyspurs to the end of his foul-smelling cigar. He was beginning to wonder ifhis idea of giving Cynthie some time to think had been such a good one afterall.

Louie checked the chain Winn had fastened and said it was fine. Winn was sure Louie could have hitched the wagon faster without him, but he wasdetermined to learn. Next time, he vowed, his efforts would really help.

"Go on up to the house and get Mrs. Franklin's list," Louie said.

"We'll be ready to go in a couple minutes."

Winn nodded and began walking toward the house. At the back door he knocked, feeling as nervous as a schoolboy.Greg opened the door and laughed at him."Why didn't you just come in?" he teased.Winn smiled at the boy as he stepped inside the door."Is your mother here?" he asked."I'm here," she said. Her voice came from the table."I've come for the list, ma'am, and Cora's package. Louie and I are about ready to go."Cynthie studied him for a moment. So she was "ma'am" again. She had beenCynthie just the day before. But then Dempsey had arrived. She refused to call him Mr. Sutton. If she was his employer now, she could call him what she wished.

She got up from the chair and crossed the room, pretending to check something

in the cupboard."The list is nearly ready, Winn," she said. She was stalling so she couldwatch him for a minute. He was trying to look very dignified but Greg wa.s.swinging one arm and he wasn't going to do anything that might hurt the boy's feelings. She was sure he realized that Greg couldn't understand the change that had occurred, literally, overnight.

She smiled thoughtfully.

"Greg, honey, go check in Mama's sewing box to see if I have any more blue

thread. I think I'm almost out."

The boy ran to comply and Cynthie moved nearer

to Winn.

"I forgot to ask you yesterday how the job is working out."

Winn detected a certain amount of humor in her voice.

"Ain't fired me," he said, trying to sound like Peter.

Cynthie bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"I can fire you, too, you know." She stepped even closer.

"Thought so," he said.

Cynthie had to laugh out loud.

"Here's my list." She put it slowly into his shirt pocket and patted it.

Winn asked in a very low voice, "You flirtin' with me, ma'am?"

Cynthie started to lean toward him.

"I'll show you flirting she whispered.

She jumped back as Greg came running into the room.

"You got a whole new one and a little bit of another," he announced breathlessly.

Winn grinned. The list was in his pocket. She had already known she wasn't

out of thread. He patted his shirt pocket the way Cynthie had, and sheblushed. "Anything else, ma'am?" he drawled.Cynthie ran a finger down his dimpled cheek."Just your package," she whispered.Winn waited, not moving, and Cynthie sighed.Greg ran to the table."I'll get it," he said. Cynthie stepped back as the boy put the package into Winn's hands.

'"Bye, Winn," he yelled after his friend as he went out the door.

At the river, Winn helped Louie unhitch the wagon and added his strength to

the wheels when it was time to roll it on and off the ferry. As they bounced

over the rutted streets of Wichita, he realized that at least part of the town was star ting to feel familiar.

Louie pulled the wagon up beside the general store and set the brake.

Winn followed him off the wagon and into the store by the sound of his steps.

He waited just to one side of the door, enjoying the smells of the store.

Coffee, pickles, leather and sawdust. Winn frowned at this last one; maybe he was mistaken.

Louie was giving the list to the storekeeper, who began directing him to the various items. Louie stepped in front of Winn.

"Box weighs about forty pounds. Put it in the wagon."Winn took the box and was grateful for the warning of its weight. He turnedcarefully and stepped out the door. He listened for footsteps.

Hearing none, he crossed, found the wagon and placed the box safely in the

bed.

He was smiling when he turned to go back into the store. He had taken only a couple of steps when he b.u.mped into someone who seemed to be standing still.

"Excuse me," he said, stepping back."See, I told you," a voice said to an invisible companion."Told him what?" Winn was smiling but there was a hard edge to his voice."That you can't see." There was laughter and a little shuffling of feet as if one companion had nudged the other.

Winn knew he was facing the source of the voice so he could pretend to look

straight at him. He also knew that the man could be waving his hand in frontof his eyes. He decided he didn't care."Can't see what?" he persisted.

"Come on, Howie. Let's leave him alone." This was a new voice.

"Can't see nothin'," said the first, ignoring his friend.

"I can see you're an idiot," Winn said, knowing he was getting too reckless.

He heard slow steady footfalls that ended beside him. He didn't know if someone was taking his side or if the bullies now had him surrounded.

"What did you say?" Howie was angry now."I think he called you an idiot," came a voice next to him. Ott! This was asurprise.

"And I think I'm agreeing with him." Louie spoke from the door of the store.

"Sorry, fella," said the second stranger and, with his grumbling companion,

moved on down the walk.

"Good to see you, Reuben," said Louie, coming forward.

Ott shook hands with both men.

"Can I help you load the wagon?" he asked.

"I never turn down an offer like that," Winn said.

Ott followed them into the store and Louie indicated a sack of flour.

As Ott lifted it he commented,

"That new counter over yonder'll be nice when it's done but the place sure is

a mess in the meantime."Winn grinned. He hadn't been mistaken about the sawdust."What you say, I buy you two some lunch?" Ott suggested."Now, / never turn down an offer like that," Louie said.The cafe Ott chose hadn't yet begun to fill with the noon crowd. As soon as they found a table, Ott asked

for the day's special, smothered pheasant.Winn considered declining but he knew he would be hungry later. Besides, hehad to learn to do this sometime.

Louie seemed to sense his hesitation.

"All the meat's off the bone and it's too good to pa.s.s up." He added to the waitress, "Make that two more."

When the waitress had gone Ott asked, "Know any more about who killed that

cowhand of yours?"

Louie shook his head.

"n.o.body's tried anything else but we moved the cattle in close and posted a