Twenty-SixFour riders came out of the swirling heat haze at an easy canter. Martinson, working on a new set of fences, paused, pushed his hat back and dragged his shirtsleeve across his brow. He'd toiled since early morning, hoping to do as much as he could before the sun's fury became too much. Now, close to finishing for the day, he frowned as he peered towards the approaching strangers. It was unusual for people to pass this way, unless someone from Bovey had news for Simms. Everyone knew Simms was away on government business so who these strangers were or what they might want the Swede had no way of telling. But something about them caused the hairs across his shoulders to prickle. He looked across to the cabin. White Dove would be inside, or perhaps out back. She often spent time in t
