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The one that registered, shoot to kill.
Granger automatically stepped out of his path of fire, his face having paled considerably.
Zac possessively hooked his arm around her waist and stood like a stalwart guard beside her.
Prudence showed no signs of protest. She was too shocked to respond.
Granger finally managed to gather some courage, though he kept his distance. "And why isn't Prudence returning to Boston?"
Zac’s stare was so intimidating that Granger took another step back.
"Simple," Zac answered. "She's my wife."
Another step back appeared to add a notch to Granger's courage. "You mean 'rich' wife," he said. His remark was highlighted with an ugly laugh.
Zac's expression didn't waver. It was as though Granger's barb had hit steel and bounced off. But his response was chosen well. "Wife, Granger, in every sense of the word."
Granger burned a bright, furious red. He sputtered and mumbled, attempting to contain himself and his mounting wrath. But his tongue would not hold, and he directed it at the one person he felt certain of intimidating. "Prudence, how could you lower yourself? Circumstances forced, him to marry you. Circumstances did not force you to share his bed. Your conduct is appalling."
"Enough, Granger!" James interrupted angrily. "This is a private matter and should be discussed as such."
"There's nothing to discuss. Prudence is staying with me," Zac calmly informed them all.
Prudence felt on the brink of tears. In her emotional state, she was close to breaking down. Granger wanted her for her family's money. Zac's reason, she supposed, was obligation. He had lain with her, taken her virginity, and felt obligated. No one, absolutely no one, loved her.
"I think it best we return to the house and settle this matter," Prudence suggested with a normalcy to her tone she didn't think possible.
"A wise idea," her father agreed, his glance straying to the three people standing in front of the store.
"They're friends, Father," Prudence said, reassuring him. "They will understand this outburst."
James nodded his head but couldn't help but glance again at the three, especially the woman standing behind the gentleman, the one with the long, dark hair.
Prudence saw his hesitation and weariness. "Would you like to meet them?"
James wasn't certain if he wanted to, but he nodded his head in favor of his daughter's suggestion, anyway.
Prudence held Zac's hand as she, along with her father, walked toward the trio.
The introductions were made. Bertha was her usual boisterous self, while Silver Fox stayed back somewhat in the shadows of the storefront porch.
Prudence noticed her father's preoccupation with Silver Fox. His glance darted often to her, and he seemed confused and unsure. His response to questions put to him was hesitant and distracted. She assumed the long trip had taken its toll and decided it was best she take him to the ranch so he could rest.
Good-byes were casually issued, as well as handshakes.
James was about to take his leave, when he turned one more time and stared most strangely at Silver Fox.
Prudence suddenly became alarmed as her father turned pure white.
"Oh, my God!" James cried and took a step forward, toward Silver Fox. She had retreated farther into the shadows, like a frightened animal.
"Papa?" Prudence questioned, fearful of her father's strange actions.
James stepped swiftly forward and halted a few inches from Silver Fox. He reached his hand out, but she backed away. His voice was low, yet rich in pain. "Lenore!"
Prudence, on her way toward her father, stopped dead still. Zac wasted no time in coming up behind her.
"It is you, isn't it, Lenore?" James asked for reassurance, though it wasn't necessary. His wife might have gotten older, but she was just as beautiful as the first day he had met her.
"Yes, James, it's me."
If it weren't for Zac's strong arms around her, Prudence would have collapsed to the ground.
"I don't understand," James said sadly. "All these years I tried, but I couldn't understand why you left me."
Tears filled Silver Fox's eyes and spilled onto her cheeks. "It is difficult to explain."
"You didn't love me?" James asked the question that had haunted him for so long.
"Oh no, James, I love you more than anything in the world," she argued, her hurt evident in her labored tone.
"Then why?" he demanded, suddenly angry for the wasted years.
"Because I loved you so much. That is why I left."
James shook his head. "That doesn't make sense."
"Nothing makes sense," Granger cut in caustically as he walked up beside James, "particularly the fact that your wife is alive and is a half-breed, which makes your daughter part savage. That should make for some startling gossip in Boston."
Prudence felt the sting of his words and the fact that what he said was true. She was part Indian, or as he put it, part savage. Tumultuous feelings overwhelmed her. Silver Fox was her mother. Silver Fox was part Indian. Silver Fox had known all along that Prudence was her daughter and had allowed her to go on hurting.
