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He could talk to the cowboys on his staff, explain the lineage of any of his prize bulls to a potential buyer and go toe-to-toe with the toughest, orneriest negotiator this side of the Mississippi, but ohter than a virgin in church

The sound of footsteps distracted him He turned his attention back to the map in front of him as Frank entered the room

“Sent Chase into town for supplies,” the older ot bad news”

Zane braced himself

“We needed a couple more tents, and we’re a saddle short”

Zane winced A tent wouldn’t be expensive, but a good saddle was “See if maybe Clay Stryker has one we can borrow If not, keep track of how much we put out for this I’ll take it out of Chase’s sus”

“Sure thing, boss”

Zane moved closer to the map “We can’t take them on a real cattle drive We’ll follow the river toward the edge of our property that borders the Strykers’, then turn west here” He indicated the spot on the map

Frank slid off his hat and rubbed the top of his head with his free hand “You’re going in a circle?”

“A big one We’ll never be more than four hours’ ride from either here, the Strykers’, or Reilly Konopka’s place”

Frank’s expression tightened with surprise “I didn’t know you’d started talkin’ to him”

“I haven’t” If he had his way, he never would “We have to stay sharp If there’s an e too far from help”

He knew he could count on the Stryker ht be a crusty old pissant of a man ould happily leave Zane out in the cold to freeze to death, he wouldn’t turn away a stranger in need

“Arrange for supplies to be delivered every day You’ll have to write up a schedule for the men Have Cookie plan a menu this afternoon”

Frank’s eyes widened He looked as if so “Boss, you’re not taking Cookie with you”

It was more of a plea than a question “No one else can cook for shit What am I supposed to feed them?”

“But without Cookie, one of the boys will have to cook for those of us left behind”