His father had taught him never to involve himself in another man's war.
But Samuel Cole had also taught him something else.
"If you see a man drowning," his father had once said, "don't ask first whether the river belongs to you."
Ethan sighed.
"You still have the same problem."
Tomas raised an eyebrow.
"What problem?"
"Too many enemies."
For the first time, the old Apache smiled.
"And you?"
"I have three horses that seem determined to get me killed."
Tomas laughed.
Then a movement among the cottonwoods caught Ethan's attention.
Three young women emerged from the shade.
The first carried a rifle.
The second carried a bow.
The third carried a medicine bag.
They walked toward Tomas.
The oldest had dark hair braided over one shoulder. Her eyes were steady and direct.
"This is my eldest daughter, Mara."
The second woman looked at Ethan with obvious suspicion.
"Lena."
The youngest smiled faintly.
"And Ana."
Ethan nodded politely.
"Nice to meet you."
Mara looked him over.
"You don't look like a fighter."
"I'm not."
"Good."
Ethan blinked.
"Why?"
"Fighters usually think they know everything."
Lena laughed.
Ana covered a smile.
Tomas looked at Ethan.
"Tomorrow, my daughters will help defend this valley."
Ethan glanced at the three women.
"You said twenty men were coming."
"They are."
"And you have three daughters."
"I have three daughters who know these mountains better than any twenty hired guns."
Mara stepped forward.
"We don't need rescuing."
"I wasn't offering."
"Good."
Tomas studied Ethan for several seconds.
Then he said something Ethan did not expect.
"My daughters have been promised to men from three different families."
Ethan frowned.
"That's none of my business."
"Perhaps."
Tomas looked toward the western ridge.
"But tomorrow may change many arrangements."
A distant gunshot cracked through the valley.
Every person froze.
Then another shot echoed.
Boone shied sideways.
Mara immediately turned toward the ridge.
"Scouts."
Tomas's expression became hard.
"They came early."
Ethan looked at the water.
The war for Dry River had begun.
And whether he wanted it or not, he was standing in the middle of it.
The attack did not come immediately.
That frightened Ethan more than an immediate assault would have.
Men who intended to fight openly did not usually send scouts first unless they were measuring an enemy.
For the next two hours, the valley remained unnaturally quiet.
Tomas divided the defenders into small groups.
Mara took the northern ridge.
Lena disappeared into the rocks overlooking the western trail.
Ana remained near the families, preparing medicine and water.
Ethan watched them work.
None of the three behaved like frightened young women.
They were soldiers.
Not because they wanted glory.
Because they had been forced to become capable.
Late in the afternoon, Ethan found Mara sitting on a ridge above the spring.
"You've been following me," she said without looking at him.
"I've been walking."
"Quietly."
"Old habit."
She finally looked at him.
"Why did you stay?"
Ethan shrugged.
"I wanted my horses."
"You could have taken them."
"I know."
"But you didn't."
"No."
Mara studied him.
"My father trusts you."
"My father knew yours."
"That is not the same thing."
"No."
Silence settled between them.
Then Mara said, "The company doesn't really want the water."
Ethan looked at her.
"Then what do they want?"
"The valley."
She pointed toward the mountains.
"Railroad engineers came here six months ago. They measured the pass. They marked the slopes. The company wants a permanent route."
"And the water gives them leverage."
"Exactly."
Ethan nodded.
Mara turned toward him.
"My father says you know something about the old survey."
"I do."
"Can you prove the company has no legal claim?"
"Maybe."
"Then why are you still here instead of getting the document?"