Hunter tossed another piece of wood onto the fire, sending…

““Hunter tossed another piece of wood onto the fire, sending up a spray of live coals, a few of which fell in Tom’s lap. Tom scrambled backward and tried to shake them off, no easy feat with his hands tied behind him. In the process he lost his balance and toppled sideways. Hunter squatted by the fire and draped his arms over his knees, his gaze fixed on the feeble flames while Tom struggled to sit back up. The Comanche’s eyes shone with that peculiar light Loretta was coming to recognize as laughter. After a long while he said, “When the sun rises, we will leave. You will be set free, old man.” Tom didn’t look as if he believed that. His eyes still glowing with that somber amusement she hated so much, Hunter glanced at her. “I make no grief behind me.” The muscles along Tom’s throat stood out as he struggled to speak. When he finally did, the words came out in a squeak. “And what about her?” “She goes with me.” “I’ll b-buy her from ya. R-rifles, I can get rifles. And cartridges.” There was no mistaking the interest that bit of information sparked in the Comanche. Loretta’s heart soared with sudden hope. “You have rifles?” “I--um, no. B-but I can git ’em.” Hunter studied Tom at length, then slid his gaze to Loretta. “Please,” Tom whispered. “There’s other gals you can steal. Don’t take this one. Let her go home to her family.” Breaking off, he licked his lips. “She ain’t done you no harm.” After a long while, Hunter returned his attention to the fire. “This Comanche does not sell his women. Not even for rifles. She goes with me.” “Why this girl?” Hunter tossed a sliver of wood onto the flames. “Another will not do.””

— Catherine Anderson