Over the next week, Hettie stayed with Walker in his tent in the village while the sorcerers did their work. She visited with Horace and the others, caught up, mended their friendships. Daisy complained long and loud about all the people tromping through her tent—it was the most spacious one—dirtying her floors, eating her food, and jabbering about nonsense. Bear quietly explained, “This is her way of saying she’s happy for the company.”
At the end of the week, Lena and Duke arrived at Root Hill.
“Don’t see why you’d hug her after the way she abandoned us,” the grizzled outlaw grumbled as Lena clutched her tight.
“Because she’s my friend.” Lena shot him a look. “She had her reasons for doing what she did.”
“I’m glad to know you’re alive and well, Duke,” Hettie said with as much sinceri
