Her hair was braided and pinned close to her head.
She looked exhausted.
But when Harlon asked how she felt, she answered without hesitation.
“Ready.”
He studied her.
“Being ready and being rested aren't always the same thing.”
Amily smiled faintly.
“Then it's fortunate I don't have to be both.”
Harlon almost laughed.
Instead, he reached for the map.
“We'll take the old survey trail along the western ridge. It's longer, but Blackstone's patrols rarely use it.”
She leaned closer.
“What about Felix?”
“Mrs. Calder's coming.”
Amily frowned.
“Who's Mrs. Calder?”
“A widow who lives near the lower creek. Stronger nerves than most men I've known, and she's helped half the valley through difficult winters.”
He paused.
“I sent a signal from the ridge before dawn. She knows something's wrong.”
Amily looked impressed.
“You have a way of calling for help from up here?”
“Sometimes.”
He smiled.
“A lantern, a mirror when there's sun, and a few agreed signals. Mountain people have to learn how to look after one another.”
She glanced toward Felix.
The young man was sitting near the fire with his injured ankle wrapped and elevated, drinking broth.
He looked ashamed.
When he noticed Amily watching, he lowered his eyes.
She approached.
“Felix?”
He looked up.
“Yes, ma'am?”
She sat opposite him.
“I need you to answer something.”
He swallowed.
“Anything.”
“Did you know what Gideon intended to do when he stopped the stagecoach?”
Felix stared toward his hands.
“I knew he wanted your bag.”
Amily waited.
He continued.
“I didn't know he'd grab you like that.”
Her expression remained serious.
“Did you know he was carrying a gun?”
The boy nodded.
“Yes.”
She took a breath.
“Then you knew somebody could be hurt.”
Felix lowered his head.
Tears gathered in his eyes.
“I know.”
For several seconds, Amily remained silent.
Then she spoke quietly.
“I don't know what happened in your life that made you think riding with men like Gideon Pike was your best choice.”
Felix wiped his face.
“But you still made a choice.”
He nodded.
She continued.
“And now you have another one.”
He looked up.
“You can tell the truth about what happened. Even if it means admitting what you did.”
Felix stared at her.
Then whispered, “What if they hang me?”
Amily looked toward Harlon.