Very good, Valdez said.
They might not find me!
Whats certain in life? Valdez asked. He got the bandana between Daviss teeth and tightened it, making the knot. There. When its light stand up and carry your saddle down the hill. Theyll find you.
He would have liked to hit Davis once with his fist. Maybe twice. Two good ones in the mouth. But hed let it go; hed cut him fairly good with the Remington. Mr. R. L. Davis was lucky.
Now a little luck of your own, Valdez thought.
They walked the horses through the darkness with ridges and shadowed rock formations above them, Valdez leading the way and taking his time, moving with the clear sound of the horses on broken rock and stopping to listen in the night silence. Once, in the hours they traveled before dawn, they heard a single gunshot, a thin sound in the distance, somewhere to the east; then an answering shot far behind them. Tanners men firing at shadows, or locating one another. But they heard no sounds close to them that could have been Tanners riders. Maybe youre having some more luck and youll get through, Valdez thought. Maybe St. Francis listened and hes making it easier. Hey, Valdez said. Keep Sister Moon behind the clouds so they dont see us. They moved through the night until a faint glow began to wash the sky and the ground shadows became diffused and the shapes of the rock formations and trees were more difficult to see. The moment before dawn when the Apache came through the brush with bear grass in his headband and you didnt see him until he was on you. The time when it was no longer night, but not yet morning. A time to rest, Valdez thought.
They moved into a canyon, between walls that rose steeply and were darkly shadowed with brush. Valdez knew the place and the horses snorted and threw their heads when they smelled the water, the pool of it lying still, undercutting one side of the canyon.
The Erin woman moved around the pool while Valdez stripped off the bridles and saddles to let the horses drink and graze freely. He watched her, looking past the horses, watched her kneel down at the edge of the water and drink from her cupped hands. Valdez took off his hat and slipped the heavy Sharps cartridge belt over his head. A time to rest at dawn, before the day brought whatever it would bring. He moved around the pool toward her.
Are you hungry?
She looked up at him, shaking her head, then brushing her hair from her face. No, not really. Are you?
I can wait.
Are you going to sit down?
If youre not going to stand up, Valdez said. He went down next to her, touching her hair, feeling his finger brush her cheek and seeing her eyes on him.
He said, Gay Erin. Thats your name, uh? What was it before?
Gay Byrnes.
He took her face gently, his palm covering her chin, and kissed her on the mouth. Gay Erin. Thats a good name. You like it?
Its my name because I was married to him.
What do you want to talk about that for?
I dont want to talk about it.
Then dont. Do you know my name?
Valdez.
Roberto Valdez. How do you like Roberto?
I think its fine.
Or Bob. Which do you like better?
Roberto.
Its Mexican.
I know it is.
Listen, Ive been thinking about something.
She waited.
You heard me tell him I dont know if Im going to give you back or not.
I told you before, the Erin woman said. I dont want to go back.
Thats what you told me. Valdez nodded. All right, I believe you. Do you know why? Because its easier if I believe you. If I think about you too much, then I dont have time to think about other things.
What do you think about me?
I think Id like to live with you and be married to you.
She waited. Weve been together two days.
And two nights, Valdez said. How long does it take? He could see her face more clearly now in the dawn light.
Her eyes did not leave his. Youd marry me?
I think I know you well enough.
I killed my husband.
I believe you.
Ive been living with Frank Tanner.
I know that.
But you want to marry me.
I think so, yes.
Tell me why.
Listen, I dont like this. I dont feel right, but I dont know what else to say. I believe you because I want to believe you.
I say to myself, You want her? I say, Yes. Then I say, What if shes lying? And then I say, Goddam, believe her and dont think anymore. Listen, I couldnt do anything to you. I mean if he says, I wont give you the money, shoot her, you think Id shoot you?
She shook her head. No, I didnt think you would.
So dont worry about that.
I never have, the Erin woman said. I may have been feeling sorry for myself, but I didnt lie down with you just because I wanted to be held.
Why did you then?
She hesitated again. I dont know. I wanted to be with you. I still want to be with you. If Im in love with you then Im in love with you. I dont know, Ive never loved a man before.
Ive never been married, Valdez said.
She took his hand and brought it up to her face. I havent either, really.
Maybe we can talk about it again. When theres time, uh?
I hope so, she said.
Believe that, Valdez thought, and dont think about it. He gave her R. L. Daviss Colt revolver and that sealed it. If she was lying to him she could shoot him in the back. She had already killed one man.