The Conflict and the Plan

Sam had forced his way between the two girls, keeping them apart as best he could. He spoke his native tongue to Topusana, “Enough, Toppy!” Everyone else called her Anna, but he chose to be different, calling her Toppy. He was the only girl he had grown close to in the reservation. He considered her his best friend, the one in whom he chose to confide about his thoughts on the old ways being foolish for today.

Looking to Marley Sam said to her in English, “Please get into the Jeep! I did not bring you here to get hurt. How will I explain this to your mother?”

To Topusana, he spoke Comanche. “Wait! We must talk!”

He helped Marley into the passenger side of the Jeep. He saw a welt beginning under Marley’s eye. “Ouch! That’s gotta hurt!” He smiled, pointing at his own reddened eye. “Wait here. I will be back shortly.”

Turning from the Jeep, Sam turned to Topusana. He spoke his native tongue to her. “Toppy? What was that? What has my boss’s daughter done to you?”

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Embry grinned, thinking, That’s a girl! All business!

Embry sat in a seat across the desk from Kate. The office was darker, so the Ranger actually lifted his hand and removed his mirrored sunglasses. He wanted to get a clear view of this fiery redhead.

Well, Miss King,” Embry began, “I appreciate your straight shootin’, so I’m going to be straight with you. We need to use one of your buildings as an operations center. I will be sending men out to the outskirts of your property to monitor any activity, while I remain at the operations center directin’ their movements every day. If these men are using your property as a hideaway, we’ll get to them. I do want you to know, these men are dangerous. Most likely involved in one of the cartels from across the border. If you notice any strangers coming on your land, you need to bring that information to me at the ops center. In fact, you can come see me for an update as much as you’d like.”

That would give Embry more of a chance to get to know this tantalizing ginger. He wondered if she were as feisty as she was straightforward.