Chapter 64

“Think he’s worried?” Matthew was aboard Wind Rider. Arrow was hitched to the buckboard and none too pleased about it.

“Just about the right amount, I’d say.” I flicked the reins.

Jepsen switched from one foot to the other so that he was walking without going anyplace as we closed the thirty yards between us. Thin, spiky hair. No shirt. Faded flannel underwear stained with sweat and dirt. Probably a sesech who’d been through the mud and ended up out here after the Confederacy got whipped. He most likely didn’t have a woman to take care of him.

“Git outa here!” he yelled as we came near. “I don’t want no Injuns on my place. Go on, hear?” He fingered his rifle nervously as we entered his yard, gambling he didn’t have the guts to bite the bullet.

“I hear you, Mr. Jepsen, but I’m taking my property with me when I leave here.”