Falvey nodded. “All right.” He asked then, hesitantly, “We can be friends, can’t we?”

The girl smiled uneasily. “I don’t have any enemies, Mr. Falvey.”

“Damn it, just say yes or no!”

Karla’s eyes showed irritation, and suddenly, anger. “You don’t force friendship! It either happens or it doesn’t happen!”

“I’m sorry-”

“I’m not even sure,” Karla said, “I know what you’re looking for.”

“I’m looking for someone who acts like a human being! Is that too much to ask for?”

“It is when you ask like that!”

“I’m sorry, Karla.” He seemed suddenly very tired. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to talk the way I did.”

“That’s all right.”

“I’ll come back some other time…if it’s all right with you.”

She nodded, then watched him turn and walk back to the adobe. A moment later she heard his horse, the sound fading into the distance.

The yard was quiet.

Then, as she turned to the horse again, an arm came around her shoulders, jerking her off balance, and a hand covered her mouth before she could cry out. She struggled, her nails digging into the arm across her chest, trying to twist away, trying to turn to see who it was, then glimpsing the bare sun-blackened upper arm close to her face she stopped struggling.

She could feel his arm relax. His hand loosened on her mouth, then came away slowly, brushing her lips.

“Don’t call out.” His voice was quiet, close to her face. Karla nodded her head and the hand dropped to her shoulder.

“I’m going to take this horse. You just stand still.”

Karla nodded again. “All right, Mr. Bowen.”

The hands on her shoulder tightened suddenly and pulled her around to face him. “How’d you know who I was?” His face showed open surprise.

“I…recognized your arms.”

“My arms?”

“From this morning.”