9
MASON
With Laurel settled with the other women and the weather much improved, we were able to see to tasks that had been set aside. Horses to feed, stalls to muck, tack to mend. Even at the house, wood boxes needed to be filled. We were eating a hasty, cold lunch when we heard the horses. I looked across the table at Brody. His jaw clenched.
We stood in unison, and grabbed our coats. Brody took the rifle from above the door and we met the group of men on horseback. The sun was at our back so they had to squint against the bright snow. There was Sheriff Baker, Nolan Turner and three men I didn't know. The only man with a gun was the sheriff, and his was sticking out the back of his saddlebag.
"Gentlemen," I called out.
Brody stood at my side. "s**t," he muttered.
I was thinking the
