Author's Note: Chapter Ten is short, but Chapter Eleven is already written, so it will be up soon. It was actually one of the first scenes I wrote for this story back in December, so I'm finally excited to put it up! I thought about combining the two, but in the end, decided to split them. Don't worry, you won't have to wait long!

Chapter Ten

It took two days by train for Mattie to get to Austin, though it felt much longer.

Her mother had kissed her goodbye after making her promise to bring LaBoeuf back to Arkansas when she could. She had packed lightly, though at the last minute she included her father's pistol inside her satchel along with her toiletries. Somehow it was comforting to know it was there, though she couldn't put into words why that was so.

She didn't sleep well on the train due to a crying baby coupled with her anxious thoughts, so when the train pulled into the station she was exhausted. The sky was white with impending snow and the air was bitterly cold. She wrapped her coat tightly around her body and went to find the station agent.

She immediately asked him where the Rangers kept their headquarters, and having obtained directions, set off on foot through the sparsely crowded streets. She found it exactly where he had told her and, her stomach flip-flopping, went up the stairs and opened the large wooden door.

Upon entering, a young man in the front immediately stood up, removing his hat.

"Please, I must speak to the Ranger LaBoeuf," she said in polite urgency. "Will you tell me where I might find him?"

The man, taken aback by her directness, noted her missing arm. His eyes widened in recognition.

"One moment, miss," she man replied, and left her for a minute before returning.

"Please follow me. My captain wishes to speak to you."

Mattie followed the man back to an office where a man, surprisingly young for a captain, greeted her and removed his hat.

"You must be Mattie Ross," he said offering her a chair.

Mattie eyed the man suspiciously, declining his offer with a slight shake of her head. She was too fidgety to sit down.

"Pardon me, but how do you know my name?" she asked, unable to keep her curiosity out of her voice.

The Ranger smiled at her with far more understanding that she felt comfortable with.

"Every Ranger knows who you are Miss Ross. You are the woman who shot Tom Chaney." He nodded at her empty coat sleeve. "And that is how I know you are she."

Mattie didn't know what to say to that.

"My name is Titus Crawford," he said, tipping his hat."At your service."

"Pleased to meet you Mr. Crawford," Mattie acknowledged, "but I am looking for Mr. LaBoeuf. Can you tell me where I might find him?"

The Captain shook his head regretfully.

"I'm sorry Miss Ross, but LaBoeuf rode out of here this morning chasing three men who left a man dead in a saloon after their poker game went bad. Never even waited for backup before he tore out."

He played with his hat, as if trying to find the right words.

"You should know Miss Ross, he has been reckless," he said finally, "as if he didn't care if he were killed or not."

He slicked back his hair with one hand, and looked down at his hat.

"It ain't my place—"

"Please," Mattie said hurriedly, taking a step towards him.

"—but he hasn't been the same since he returned from Fort Worth."

"I am unsure of what you mean," Mattie said, her heart beginning to beat faster.

"Well, you know how he likes to talk," he said with a rueful smile.

"Yes."

"He spoke very highly of you these last few years. How you had 'more grit in your skinny little body'— pardon me miss— than twelve men put together. We couldn't get him to shut up about you, really. Then after the Roberts Gang, he told the boss he was staying in Fort Worth, because he had to keep an eye on something. Of course, we all knew it was you. Then when he returned last winter… " he trailed off, looking at her uneasily.

Mattie's heart was thudding against her ribs so loudly she could hear it in her ears.

The Captain met her eyes and held them with his intense gaze.

"He loves you," he said softly after a moment.

Mattie let out the breath she had been holding.

"Yes, I know."

And she did.

"That's why I have to go after him. What direction did he ride out? And I will need a horse. I took the train from Yell County, and I do not have my own."

Captain Crawford looked shocked

"Well, I'll be!" he let out with a laugh, and then apologized.

"Pardon me, Miss Ross. It is just that I am not accustomed to such directness from young women, nor finding them a horse so they can go riding off into the desert."

Mattie tilted her chin up defiantly.

"You will find I am not like most women, Captain Crawford."

The Captain nodded his acceptance and put on his hat.

"So be it. Now let's go find you a horse."