What was he going to do with that child he thought? Every discussion became heated between them. For once couldn’t that child take some wise if unwelcome advice? The time for all the childish fool hardy stunts was over, that youngest needed to see reason.

A rider dismounted by him. “You need to talk to that heathen. I caint get through. Rode outa here…gun strapped on like …”

“Whoa. Not Maddie’s fault. The boys weren’t as bad. But she came by it honestly… Others gotta change first.” Liz Michael kissed Johnny, eyes drifting down to the gun on his hip.