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"I regard myself as a woman who has seen much of life.” – Belle Starr describing her life shortly before she was murdered in 1889.

Hurd was surprised to see no carriage outside the farm. Even though it was very late, Laura had not returned. The path from Sabbath was not perilous, so Hurd had no reason to be worried. Too much.

He sat and waited for an hour more, according the the old clock. Then he went to the bedroom. He tried to read something, but he was too nervous after the meeting, and tired. At some point, he must have dozed off to sleep.

A gentle touch waked him up. It was Laura, looking at him. He had not heard her come in. Nor change her clothes into something more comfortable. Her hair was flowing freely, but there was a concerned expression on her face.

-Hurd, is it true?, she asked. Her voice was calm, each word spoken in a soft tone but there was determination in her. And something else. Disappointment maybe. Hurd did not know how long she had been there, looking at him without waking him up. As if he was some kind of a stranger.

Hurd woke up startled.

- Wha...?

He looked back at Laura for a long moment, puzzled. He felt disoriented. What time was it? True? What was true?

- What do you mean, Laura? I-it's so late, where have you...? What took you so long?

-The folks in town… They´re saying you killed a man. In Bannock, she said in a calm voice. She did not want to talk, only listen to what Hurd had to say. She did not want to argue, but too often, the words unspoken were the ones that really hurt.

- I... oh, God... - Hurd got off bed and sat next to her, trying to compose himself. He scratched his face while he gathered his thoughts, then started talking slow and calm.

- Laura... Listen, I dunno what you've heard, but I'm gonna tell you myself what happened in Bannock. Remember I told you we met there with Mr. Bronson to finish business and we had some drinks and all, right? Well... there's a bit more to it than that. We was in good spirits and so tired after the drive, and the boss had all these bottles ready for us... You know I'm not a hard drinker, but I guess I got carried away... - he was looking to the dark night across the window, but he could felt Laura's stare on his face like a burning sunray - We got drunk. Heavy. The next I recall was stumblin' down the street, shootin' our guns like mad men. That part's hazy...  We got out of hand. I'm not proud of it, that's why I didn't tell you. There was no point anyway. It'd either be nothin' or... - he finally confronted her gaze, his eyes full of regret - ...you'd end up knowin' anyway.

Hurd got up, went to the window and stood there looking outside. He sighed.

- Now there's a man in town. Name's Maddox. He's Bannock's Marshal and he's lookin' for us. He claims a man took a bullet that night and died. When Mr. Bronson told us, I said... I said I'm sure I didn't shoot nobody. We were firin' in the air and at some bottles. And there was but a few people in town... - he turned to Laura. He could lie to Mr. Bronson and his men, to Vern, even to himself. But he couldn't lie to her - The truth is that I can't be sure.

-We´re tryin´ to build somethin´ here, Hurd, she said facing away trying to hold back the tears. -It ain´t much, but it´s more than ... It´s somethin´. I don´t wanna throw it away. Be careful. You´re a good man. Tender and kind. But this world of ours, it ain´t good. And it sure ain´t kind.

Laura stared at Hurd, and closed her eyes for a second. There was another thing she needed to say. She owed that much to Hurd. -That lawman. I saw him ride into town. I know him from Canyon City. Memories of her past life seemed to take her away for a moment. Ten years was apparently not enough to heal the wounds in her soul. -Jered, he ain´t gonna back down. And you ought to think for yourself. Make your own mind. The Bronson men, they´re not all like you. I´m afraid, Hurd.

- Laura, don't take me wrong. I'm just bein' honest here. Because it's you. We're together in this, whatever happens, so I want you to know the truth. - Hurd made a firm gesture with his hand open, an unusual spark in his eyes - That said, believe me, I will stand my ground if it comes to that. You and this farm is all I have. We gonna have us a good life here. West Shelby County, remember? - he half-smiled briefly at their old joke, then lowered his voice to a mere mumble, like talking to himself - Ain't no stupid stroke o' bad luck gonna change that.

Hurd ignored Laura's words about the world not being kind. She used to talk like that when she thought Hurd was being too naive. He knew sometimes he might sound a bit... idealistic. But he was no coot. He just liked to make things right. Or at least try. And he was aware not all men were like him. If Laura knew the ideas that had been going round his head all day...

- You know Maddox? - Hurd wasn't expecting that, and he remained quiet for a moment. An avalanche of questions formed in his head, but he managed to hold them back; he was always very cautious when asking Laura about his past. And yet, this whole situation was exceptional. And he was being fully honest to her tonight. And... - he couldn't overlook it now - she had come home oddly late. This time, he felt entitled to ask. – So... What's the story, Laura? How well you know him?

And as Hurd made the question he realized that, though he was curious and worried about what Maddox had been to Laura, what he wanted to know even more was what kind of man he might be facing.

-It was a long time ago. But I know him, like a woman can know a man such as him. He will do what he considers right. Whatever the cost. There was nothing soft in him before, and I don´t think he has changed. I don´t know if a man like him can change... That´s all.

She wanted to stop Hurd from asking further. She preferred the doubt of silence and questions unanswered to the hurt of words spoken in anger. It had all happened such a long time ago she had nearly forgotten. Until she had seen Maddox riding into town. –No point diggin up the past, Hurd. What we´ve got is here and  now… She forced a smile to her face, and repeated: West Shelby County, eh?.

Then she got up from the bed, but turned around and looked at Hurd again. –It sure is worth fightin´ for, ya know? But it ain´t worth dyin´ for. Nothin´ is.

Laura felt tired and empty inside when she left the bedroom to put her night gown on. Then she came back and lied next to her man in the dim light of the bedroom. She watched him silently, as he stared at the ceiling. –Go to sleep. Tomorrow it´ll be another day.

She wanted to say it was all going to be OK. She wanted him to say that to her. But she knew there was no comfort. And no healing for the wounds she carried.