Free Northwoods Nightmare by Jon Sharpe

That’s just how it is.”
    Fargo bit off a few choice words. Taking her hand, he made for camp. When the campfires appeared, she stopped pressing against him.
    â€œWe must tell Father. Maybe you should organize a search and take torches and scour the woods.”
    â€œIf whoever it was is still out here, they’d see us.”
    â€œIt’s worth a try.”
    â€œThe men are tired and hungry. I’ll look myself come morning. If there are tracks I’ll find them.”
    â€œWhy must you be so pigheaded?”
    â€œWhy must you be a nag?”
    That shut Angeline up. She didn’t say another word until they emerged from the forest. “Thank you for the walk,” she declared, and headed for her tent.
    Fargo sighed and went to a fire where McKern and Rohan and others were hunkered. He sank down next to the old man. “Seen anyone leave camp in the past twenty minutes?”
    â€œBesides you and the pretty filly? No, I did not.”
    Rohan said, “We figured you were showing her all about the birds and the bees. But you weren’t gone long enough for that.”
    â€œShow some respect,” McKern said.
    â€œI wasn’t poking fun. It’s what comes natural. Horses do it all the time. The other night that stallion of his took an interest in one of the mares, but she wasn’t in the mood.” Rohan chuckled. “I would have loved to watch them go at it. Ever seen how big a stallion gets?”
    â€œYou are a strange man.”
    Fargo left them and went to the cook fire. He always ate with the Havards. Ordinarily he didn’t mind because it gave him a chance to talk to Angeline. But tonight she was quiet and withdrawn. No one seemed to notice. Theodore mentioned how glad he was that their journey would soon be over. Edith said as how she couldn’t wait to see Kenneth again.
    â€œIf he’s still alive,” Allen remarked.
    â€œI won’t have talk like that. He has to be.”
    â€œNo one ever has to be anything, Mother. Certainly I want to find Kenneth alive and well. But we must be realistic. This country is overrun with savages and badmen. Have you forgotten those men we buried today?”
    Edith shot a sharp look at Fargo. “I haven’t forgotten anything, thank you very much. But I won’t have you suggesting the unthinkable.”
    Theodore said curtly, “That’s enough, both of you. And, Allen, so what if this country is hard on men? Your brother can take care of himself. Spare your mother her feelings, if you don’t mind, and even if you do.”
    â€œYes, Father.”
    Cosmo, who was filling a bowl with soup, drily commented, “At times like this, I wonder why I never had a family of my own.”
    â€œDon’t start,” Theodore said.
    Fargo tried to catch Angeline’s eye but she deliberately avoided looking at him. He was about done with his stew when Theodore had a question.
    â€œHow long can you stay with us? I contracted for you to bring us here, but that was all. And I’d like for you to stick around and help us if it turns out Kenneth isn’t at Boston Bar, as we hope.”
    Fargo hadn’t given the matter any thought, and said so.
    â€œI’ll pay you however much you would like.”
    Allen stopped eating and scowled. “Honestly, Father, it’s a wonder we have any money left, the way you squander it.”
    â€œIt’s my money and I’ll do with it as I please. Don’t worry. I’ll leave you enough of an inheritance to get by.”
    â€œI expect a third, nothing less.”
    Theodore started to rise but Cosmo glanced at him and shook his head and Theodore sank back down. “You’ll take what I leave you and be glad I left you anything. And for your information, it won’t be a third. There’s your mother and you and your brother and sister. Plus a few others.”
    â€œBy a few you mean Cosmo.”
    â€œI beg your