Chapter 23
Supper was over, and night had fallen. Steve mounted Bella, intending to make a final patrol of the surrounding area. Everyone was bedded down, except for Sharps, who had the early watch. The campfires had been doused, and the camp was in darkness, silent except for the occasional snuffle from one of the animals. Even the Fox wagon was quiet, the widow having apparently—finally—shed all the tears in her.
Steve observed the kid…the young man…make his way to the perimeter of the camp, checking the horses and mules contained in a rope corral Steve had put together with Georgie’s help. Had Sharps always had such a cat-footed walk, so capable and competent and…silent?
What makes Frank think Sharps might prefer to love a man rather than a woman? Steve knew why he’d hoped that might
