The Reaper's Song (48 page)

Authors: Lauraine Snelling

Zeb let out a hoot of laughter. “Come on, horses. Let’s be going.”

That night after the party broke up, the MacCallisters sat around the table in their own farmhouse.

“So you recovered from where Lubelle shot you all right?” Mary Martha asked.

“Almost joined the angel choir, but my Katy here brought me back.” Zeb took her hand in his. “I thought to go on back home with you and stand trial or whatever I have to do.”

“Whyever for? Lubelle is now a permanent resident of the asylum over to Lamblin. They say she sings to herself and points her finger like she has a gun every once in a while. I can’t believe she got so close to shoot you.”

“I can’t believe she missed, not at such close range.” Zeb took in a deep breath and let it all out. “You mean I’m really a free man?”

“That you are.”

“I been watchin’ over my shoulder so long now, it’s become second nature. Guess it’ll take some learnin’ to get over that.” He smiled at Katy. “But I got me a good woman to help.”

“Better’n you deserve, that’s for sure, after runnin’ off like you did.”

Katy patted her hand over a big yawn. “Think I’ll take your son and his mother off to bed now.” She stood, her belly showing round under her dress. She laid a hand on her middle. “Welcome to Dakota Territory, Mary Martha, and watch out for Petar. By the look on his face, I think he got poleaxed when he saw you.” Her laughter drifted off behind her as she left the room.

“Well, if that don’t beat all.” Zeb looked at his sister. “Mary Martha MacCallister, you’re blushing.”