Letty had vacated and then glanced nervously around.
“How’s your eye feeling?” Morris asked.
Eulis touched the one swollen shut and then ran a finger along his busted bottom lip.
“It’s some sore, but I reckon it’ll heal up all right. How about your nose?”
“Broken.”
They both thought about their injuries then glanced toward the door. It was all that stood between them and the Sister.
Even if Eulis was somewhat pissed at her for what he’d endured, he felt obligated to say something in her defense.
“She’s usually a real gentle soul.”
Morris’s eyebrows arched perceptibly, at which point he winced.
“I’m sure,” Morris said, then folded his hands and leaned back. “It’s right hot, isn’t it?”
Eulis shrugged. “It’s August.”
“Since this is my first trip out West, I’m assuming your answer means this is normal temperature for this time of year.”
“Yep.”
“When does it usually start to cool down?”
“First frost or first snow, whichever comes first.”
Morris frowned. This just reinforced his decision to go home. He could always work in Boston. At least there you had warning when the seasons were going to change.
“I’m going to catch the next stage going east,” Morris said. “What are your plans?”
Eulis glanced toward the officer’s quarters. “Not sure. Might head up North.”
“Well, when the doctor was fixing my nose, I heard that someone in Dripping Springs was looking for a preacher.”
Eulis sat up a little straighter. “Dripping Springs? Where is Dripping Springs?”
“I don’t know. You might ask the Major.”
That was the last thing Eulis intended to do, but he wasn’t going to talk to Morris about it. Still, the news that he was needed made him feel a bit better. Now all he had to do was get out of Ft. Mays without being hanged.
He was still trying to come up with a plan when Letty opened the door and came out. She was wearing a modest wrapper and the same slippers he’d seen her wear in her room back at the White Dove Saloon. It wasn’t exactly proper lady-like clothing, but she was all covered up, which was really what mattered if they were to continue their charade.
“Mr. Morris, I am finished with my bathing. I left enough water in the bucket for you, and the soap is on the table. I trust it will be enough.”
Morris was so pleased by the normalcy of their conversation that he actually bowed when he stood.
“I thank you again for sharing your soap. I won’t be long. Then maybe after we’ve bathed, we can go to the mess hall and eat with the soldiers. The doctor said that the stage passengers are always invited.”
“Good,” Letty said. “I’m hungry.”
Morris slipped past her, and in his haste to get inside, he stubbed his toe on the threshold and started to fall. On instinct, Letty grabbed him by the back of the coat near the collar and yanked. Morris flew backward, landing on his backside unusually hard, which jolted loose a rather large fart. He groaned.
“Sister Leticia, I am so—”
Letty interrupted. “Didn’t mean to grab you so hard, but I was afraid you’d fall and hurt your nose again.”
Morris was so happy she wasn’t going for her gun that he rolled to his feet. If she was willing to pretend the fart had never happened, Lord only knew he was willing to do the same.
“Yes. Thank you,” he said, then straightened his coat, raised his chin, and walked into the barracks and closed the door.
Letty looked at Eulis, then grinned.
“I got them all buffaloed, don’t I?”
Eulis frowned. “You don’t need to be so proud about it.”
Letty shrugged. “If I’d known being proper had this much power, I might have tried it years ago.”
She sat down beside Eulis and then lowered her voice.
“Talk to me.”
Eulis pretended ignorance. “Morris says that a preacher is needed in Dripping Springs.”
“That’s good,” Letty said. “But that’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.”
Eulis glanced around then hunched his shoulders.
“I can’t talk about it.”
Letty punched his arm.
“Ow. What’s the matter with you? I fell outa a moving coach, remember?”
“What’s wrong?”
Eulis sighed. In all the years he’d known Letty Murphy, he had yet to win an argument from her. But this wasn’t just about an argument. It was about his life.
“Dang it, Letty, why can’t you let sleepin’ dogs lie?”
“Who is the sleeping dog? Is it that Major? What’s his name… Banfield?”
“Canfield,” Eulis said, and then realized that he’d fallen into her trap.
“You know him, don’t you?” Letty asked.
“Sssh,” Eulis hissed.
“Then talk,” Letty whispered.
“We gotta get out of here,” Eulis said.
Letty’s