He wore a weathered brown hat, a dark work shirt, faded trousers, and leather boots covered with road dust.
His shoulders were broad beneath the shirt, and his strong face carried a short beard.
He looked about thirty-six.
His green eyes moved from the merchant to the woman's open bag.
Then toward the people who had been laughing.
“Pick up her things,” he said.
The merchant scoffed.
“This doesn't concern you.”
The cowboy released the reins and approached.
“It concerns anybody with enough manners to recognize cruelty.”
The merchant stepped forward.
“Mind your business.”
The cowboy stopped beside the fallen bag.
He bent down, gathered the woman's shawl, and carefully retrieved the papers from the mud.
Then he looked up.
“I am.”
He closed the bag and set it securely on the wagon platform.
The woman watched him.
There was something strangely familiar about his eyes.
She could not explain it.
The cowboy turned toward her.
“Ma'am, are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Are you certain?”
“My pride is bruised. Nothing else.”
A faint smile touched his mouth.
“Pride generally heals faster than broken bones.”
Despite herself, she almost smiled.
The merchant folded his arms.
“She's your problem now, then.”
The cowboy looked at him.
“She's not a problem.”
The merchant laughed.
“You haven't tried accommodating her.”
The cowboy's expression hardened.
“Neither have you.”
The crowd became silent.
The merchant seemed prepared to argue.
Then he noticed the cowboy's size and decided against it.
He adjusted his coat.
“This conversation is finished.”
The cowboy nodded.
“Good.”
The merchant stalked back toward his store.
The crowd slowly dispersed.
A few people glanced at the woman with embarrassment.
Others continued whispering.
She stood beside her luggage, feeling exhausted beyond words.
The cowboy turned toward her.
“Do you have somewhere to stay?”
She shook her head.
“Not yet.”
“The boardinghouse is across the street.”
“I know.”
He glanced toward it.
“Have you spoken to the owner?”
“No.”
The cowboy considered her carefully.
“There's a decent woman who runs the place. But the upstairs rooms may be difficult after a journey like yours.”