Two Rivers Isle careful, i might shoot you by mistake

colt wasn't no romantic. nor sentimental. colt could not even be called material for longer'n a two week prairie marriage before he got restless and started wanderin off away from whatever woman had put up with his fool ass for a fortnight.
but iseul spoke in her way of few words with heavier meaning. trust. friend. peace. deputy. shit he shoulda gotten from reno but never did. things colt had always earned in blood or taken from others. iseul offered it like it was nothin.
briggs couldn't comprehend it; he sensed no pending transaction over his head, but still, his wariness sharpened.
and colt burned where she touched him, stiffening a little in surprise as her breath peeked through the hairs along his shoulder. "ah — sure. yes, iseul. i'm yer deputy." friend?
"an' i kin aim — i aim — t'be more friendly."
he cleared his throat, viciously uncomfortable, and tossed a glance downstream. "snake hunt afore i git back?"