"Is Uncle Del there? This is Barrett."

He was silent for a few minutes, listening before he responded. "I'm sorry I caused you to worry. I had a little accident. I dodged to miss a deer and ran the Car off over a hill." A pause. "Yes, I'm all right - just a bump on the head. I'm afraid the Car wasn't as lucky."

Monroe paused again, listening, and then looked at Mary Jo. "Yes, I have the information. I'll talk to you when I get back. I'm riding a mule to Pelsor with the young lady who assisted me."

Mary Jo turned her back on him. He obviously wanted a private conversation with his Uncle - as if she had no idea that he was going to spill his guts about all that valuable timber.

Around that next bend, Pelsor awaited him. She'd leave him at the walk-in clinic and he could figure out how he was going to get where he wanted to go. She'd done all she could for him. In fact, she'd done way too much already.




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