In a log cabin on the wind swept plains of Wyoming, a young woman grapples with her feelings, when she encounters a mysterious stranger.
"Garrett Engle Hobourne is the name Ma’am, but really, it’s better you don't know.” He paused, “I'm not the sort of man you should get to know - too close."
“There’s a price on my head,” said Garrett, and he hesitated for a moment and looked once again into her shining eyes, “ I killed a woman…”
Garrett took a step toward the young woman, but felt her unease, and returned to the fireplace.
“Don’t remember much,” he continued ” I was out cold. When I came to, I found the teamster and three fellas shot through, and the cargo gone – but there was a school teacher on board …young. Found her in a bad way - crying out .”
“... How bad?”
“She was fair beat up, lost a lot of blood – dyin’. I tried to lift her, ease… help her, but she was hurting real bad - a wheel spoke had run her through.”
“… Oh! …What happened?”
“She begged me, to end her pain. …She begged me.”
“You mean … “ Maria’s voice dropped, and her hand braced her eyes.
“Oh.”