Penny licked her plate. Cowboy had ladled some of the bean stew for her. With her belly full, she curled up beside the sleeping girls.
Cowboy pulled the quilt over them, then sat beside the fire for a long time.
He was happy to see the girls but disturbed by their cruel treatment.
It was painful, he knew, but what can a kid do against adults, or an overbearing brother? If he took the girls to the hospital or police, he would probably never see them again. If he did nothing, someone would eventually realize he was missing, too. D.L. would tell them about Cowboy spending so much time in the woods. The police were sure to come after them.
Cowboy awoke to the sound of a crackling fire and aroma of flying quail eggs with mushrooms.
He sat up and rubbed his eyes, then realized it was mornin
