“I’m a wonder,” he admitted with a grin.
“But you will take care of yourself—not be foolish.”
“I don’t aim to take up residence in Boot Hill cemetery if I can help it.”
“Boone and his men are dangerous characters. They are playing for high stakes. They would snuff your life out as quick as they would wink. Don’t forget that.”
“You don’t want me to lie down before Dunc Boone, do you?”
“No-o. Only don’t be reckless. I told father the same.”
Her dear concern for him went to Jack’s head, but he steadied himself before he answered. “I’ve got one real good reason for not being reckless. I’ll tell you what it is some day.”
Her shy, alarmed eyes fled his at once. She began an account of how her father had gathered his posse and where she thought he must have gone.
After dinner Jack went downtown. Melissy did some household tasks and presently moved out to the cool porch. She was just thinking about going back in when a barefoot boy ran past and whistled. From the next house a second youngster emerged.