"No."
The word came out of me before I could think about it. "She stays."
Hollis's hand went to his pistol. "Mr. Garrett, don't make this more difficult than it needs to be."
"You want her, you'll have to go through me."
It was stupid. Suicidal, even. One man against 15 soldiers. But I'd spent too many years following orders.
Doing what I was told. Letting other people decide what was right. I'd killed Matto because an officer said to fire. I'd watched prisoners mistreated because I was afraid to speak up.
I'd failed my family because I was somewhere else, following someone else's commands. I was done following commands. Hollis drew his pistol. His men raised their rifles.
I stood my ground. My Winchester held loose but ready. Then another voice cut through the tension.
"Captain Hollis, I believe you're exceeding your authority."
Marshal Tobias Quinn rode into the yard, his badge catching the morning sun. Behind him rode three deputies I didn't recognize. Hollis turned to him, irritated. "This is army business, Marshal. Stay out of it."
"This is civilian land, and Mr. Garrett is a civilian. That makes it my business. Now, I've reviewed the territorial statutes, and there's no law against what he's doing."
"And until the Dawes Act passes, if it passes, you have no authority here."
"I have authority wherever there's a potential Indian threat."
"And I see no threat. I see a woman and a rancher. If you want to press charges, do it through proper channels. But you're not taking her today."
The two men stared at each other. Hollis's face had gone red with anger, but Quinn's was calm and immovable. Whatever I'd thought about Quinn's earlier betrayal, whatever doubts I'd had about his loyalty, he was paying his debt now. Finally, Hollis holstered his pistol.
"This isn't over, Marshal. Not by a long shot."
"I expect not. But it's over for today."
Hollis remounted, gestured sharply to his men, and they rode off in formation. The sound of hoofbeats faded slowly, leaving only the wind and the creak of leather as Quinn dismounted. He walked over to me, his expression carefully neutral. "I couldn't do that again," he said quietly.
"I stood up for you today, but it cost me. Hollis will file a complaint. I'll probably lose my position within a month."
"So if you're planning to keep her, you'd better have a plan for what happens next."
"I do," I said, though I didn't. Not really. Quinn looked at Takala, then back at me.