Free Banking on Temperance by Becky Lower Page B

better aim.”
    Despite the dire predicament, Basil grinned at Temperance’s straightforward statement of her capabilities. “I’ll take care of the one on the roof for you. If the children aren’t already on the floor, make sure they lie down so they won’t be hit by a stray bullet.” Basil waited a few moments for her to pass on his instructions to the rest of her family. Then he took aim and killed the large wolf on the top of the soddy. The wolf tumbled to the ground with a thud, further agitating the others who were circling the small dwelling.
    “I’m going to ride over and get some of the Lafontaines to help us. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Will you be all right?”
    “Yes,” she yelled through the drawn shutters. “But hurry.”
    • • •
    Joseph and his brother Gaston joined Basil as they returned to the site of the soddy within ten minutes. Rifles and guns were out of their holsters and they were ready for battle. Basil called out to Temperance to make certain everyone was on the floor before the men began to fire off their weapons. Each man picked a target, and a round of gunfire thundered through the falling darkness.
    The pack was now down to four wolves. Each man took aim on a target again and another round was fired. One lone wolf remained standing. Temperance aimed her rifle out the window, took quick aim, and fired. As the last wolf fell, Temperance opened the door and the children tumbled out, free for the first time in days.
    Temperance held the rifle under her arm, the butt end of it in her armpit, as she moved wearily toward Basil. He slid off his horse and put his hands on her shoulders. “Is everyone all right?”
    She nodded slightly, as tears welled in her eyes. “I thought we were doomed for certain this time. Those wolves just kept coming and there was no one to hear us. We ran out of food inside the house, had no firewood to make a cup of tea even if we had water, which we didn’t. Ma’s been so sick every morning, and only tea will quiet her stomach. It’s been an awful couple of days.”
    Basil pulled her into his rough embrace. “You gave me a fright. A wolf pack has caused death on the prairie more than once. But you’re safe now. You’re all safe.” Basil’s heart, which had constricted when he spied the circling wolves for the first time, finally began to unclench and slow to a normal rhythm. Temperance backed out of his embrace quickly, but stared up at him with eyes full of trust.
    “I had faith you would come sooner or later,” she whispered.
    The air sparked as their eyes met. Basil noticed the trust she bestowed on him, and took a deep breath. “You realize, don’t you, that you referred to me by my given name? That’s the first time you’ve ever done so.”
    He caught the sudden movement as her shoulders lifted. So that made her uncomfortable? He smiled.
    “It was the stress of the situation. I would never refer to you as such in the bank.”
    “But we’re not at the bank now, so it’s appropriate. Who would have guessed you were such a crack shot, though?” He smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “You killed seven of those monsters all by yourself. That’s not an easy thing to do, since they were running and darting the whole time.”
    “I’m just glad they’re all dead now. What shall we do with the bodies?”
    “Joseph and Gaston will load them up on a wagon and take them to the ranch. They’ll use the pelts to make clothing and blankets. Not much will be wasted. Their mother knows how to get the most out of an animal.”
    He caught the involuntary movement as Temperance shuddered and ran a hand over her eyes. “I’ll have nightmares about this for weeks.”
    “You’ll be all right now. All of you. I know you have a lot to take care of, having not been out in days. I’ll help you get in a supply of wood before I leave you to make the soddy right again.”
    “Thank you for coming to our aid. My family is once again in your debt.”