Micah poured Luke a cup of coffee. "I saw Mark in town today."
"How did he look?"
"Not too bad. He didn't want to talk to me. He was with Jake Clinton."
Luke gulped down the coffee and poured another cup. "I don't like this, Micah. I wouldn't trust Clinton to paint a fence."
"I agree," said the marshal fervently. "Let's just hope Mark knows what he's doing."
The boy in question was sitting at a campfire, drinking coffee and listening to an older man named Alvin White talk about the upcoming cattle drive. "Mark, from what Jake has told me, you're perfectly capable of riding herd up to Dodge City."
"Maybe." Mark shrugged. "I guess I'm still not sure it's what I want to do."
White said slowly, "If it's your father…"
"It's not." The boy stood up, then sat down again. "I think I've made it plain how I feel about him. It's just...it's a big job, Mr White, bigger than anything I've ever done. I wouldn't want to let you down."
"You wouldn't, son." White smiled. "You're grown enough for a man-size job. If I didn't think you could handle it, I wouldn't be offering it."
"And you'll really pay me two hundred dollars for the drive?"
White nodded. "Same as the others."
"Where are all your cows?"
"We're picking them up on the trail." White laughed at the look on the boy's face. "Not rustling, son. Some of my men are bringing them in."
Mark looked relieved and stuck out his hand. "Okay, Mr White. It's a deal!"
Jake Clinton rode in with another man. "Here he is, Mr White. Found him hanging around the saloon like he was never planning to leave."
The newcomer swung down from the saddle. "This our new hand?"
Jake nodded. "Mark McCain, meet Tom Sullivan." The boy came forward and shook hands. "Mark, why don't you help Tom with the horses so I can talk to the boss?" He watched as the horses were led away, then went over to the campfire for a cup of coffee.
"Well?" asked White.
"Well, his father is going about his business. I don't think he'll be a problem. And we do need another man now that Dan is gone."
"And you think we can trust young McCain?"
Jake said thoughtfully, "Dan trusted him. That's good enough for me, Mr White."
