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beard. “Fact is, Lady takes a liking to somebody and they’re friends for life.”
    â€œThat’s it,” Angel quickly agreed, nodding at Manny. “I hope you’ll understand my situation. I need to change my looks and pretend to be somebody else. Is it possible to do that here?”
    â€œSure is, little lady.” Manny grinned, revealing tobacco-stained teeth. “I got just the place for you.” He motioned with his head. “Up the ladder in the hay loft. Just don’t touch Lady’s guitar.”
    â€œThank you. Maybe I could sleep up there, too?”
    â€œSure thing. Use the pillow and quilts.”
    â€œI’m most appreciative.”
    Manny frowned at Rune. “You gonna be hanging around, too?”
    â€œGuess so. I’ll go turn in this horse and buggy. Bring back my horse.”
    â€œI’ve got room. But you pay. The lady stays for free.”
    â€œFair enough.”
    Rune stepped from the buggy, walked around to help Angel down, but Manny had already set her on her feet, treating her like she was spun silk. Irritation spiked. He wanted Angel totally dependent on him, and here she already had a man to do her bidding. Probably the way she lived her life. Didn’t matter. Pretty quick, he’d turn that situation on its ear.
    When Rune had Manny loaded down with parcels, he watched Angel hurry the few steps to the livery stable. She turned, gave a little wave, and then disappeared into the dimness inside. She was like a cat landing on her feet and licking up the cream.
    He shrugged. She was what she was. He glanced around to make sure nobody had been watching them. Not a soul in sight at this time of day. As far as he could tell, they’d slipped her into the stable with no one the wiser.
    With Angel in place, it was time to turn his mind to other business. He climbed into the buggy, clicked to the horse, and set off down the street. Night was coming on and the Bend would fast be coming alive. He needed to get rid of the horse and buggy, get cleaned up, and meet up with the Verdigris Gang at the Red River Saloon.
    Most likely the V Gang had slept the day away. They’d be hung over but raring to go. In prison, they’d stored up plenty of oats to sow, and they’d been plowing fields aplenty since reaching the Bend. It wasn’t smart, calling that much attention to themselves, but Rune understood the need. If he’d had nothing on his mind, he’d probably have joined them.
    Gunfire erupted down the street, breaking into Rune’s thoughts and causing his horse to dance sideways. As he got the animal under control, he noticed the leader of the Verdigris Gang headed down the boardwalk with a satin-clad honey clinging to his arm.
    Rune slumped in his seat. Last thing he needed was to try and explain away why he’d been out of town in a buggy. He was a tagalong with the gang, so he was always skating on thin ice.
    â€œHey, Rune!” Baines Callahan called, waving and starting across the street, dragging the woman with him.
    Rune cursed under his breath, damning his bad luck.

Chapter Nine
    A ngel stood in the open front doors of Manny’s Livery Stable, contemplating nighttime in notorious Delaware Bend. She’d never seen so much rowdy behavior. Dust swirled up from the main street, spun in all directions by drunken revelers driving their horses hard up one side and down the other. They fired their pistols in the air, cursed each other, and rode up onto the boardwalks. Piano music filtered out of open saloon doors along with the smell of spilled whiskey.
    Soon she would join them, slipping into their world as Angel the Ace. When Rune had earlier brought his horse to Manny’s, he’d wanted to escort her, but she’d turned him down. She intended to start as she would continue. Independent. Now that she saw the wildness of the town, she could understand his concern. He might have been right, but she