Though she knew Dick Brewer’s murder had changed the silent man who rode at her side, she had no doubt that deep in his heart Noah would remain the same. The intense pain he felt over the loss of his friend proved that his gentle nature had not been erased. “I’ve been considering,” he said as they neared Lincoln. He hadn’t spoken more than a few words for three days, and his declaration surprised Isobel. “What have you considered?” she asked. “I think it’s time we ended our arrangement.” She tried to squelch the dismay that rose inside her. “Why is that?” “We’ve pretty much wound things up. I helped you find the name of your father’s killer. I protected you from Snake Jackson and the others. You can’t testify against Evans and Snake, because the Regulators didn’t name you as an eyewitness in their first report. So you’re off the hook on that. District court will put an end to Lincoln’s troubles. Dolan might go free because of his connections in Santa Fe, but his men will wind up behind bars.”
