Guard the East Flank by M. L. Buchman

Author:M. L. Buchman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Buchman Bookworks, Inc.

“Who’s that with Michael?”

“Durned if I know, Emma. You’re the one in the family with the eagle eyes.” Mark knew there was no doubt Michael awaited him atop three hills over. No one else would have chosen his perch on the hilltop’s curve that carefully; he and his companion sat fully silhouetted against the blue sky for maximum exposure. It also had the earliest possible view of the trail from Cutthroat Cabin, as the girls had named it last night, back toward the ranch.

“That was an M-H, wasn’t it?”

Mark sighed. “Can’t imagine why he wants me instead of you, but ours is not to question why.” He turned to the girls and laid a little Texas on them. “Got a mission for you two young’uns. Y’all make sure your mama gets home safe for me. Can you do that fer me?”

It earned him two enthusiastic nods and an eye roll. He leaned over to kiss the woman giving him the eye roll, then turned off the track. If not for that eye roll, he’d have given up the silly accent years ago. Maybe. He’d become fairly attached to it over time and it never failed to get a rise from Emma.

He let Wind Runner have his head and he soon saw that Michael’s companion was that DAP Hawk copilot. Easing Wind Runner to a walk for the climb up the hill might frustrate his horse but it gave him a moment to puzzle at the possible reasons they were all the way out here. Mark wasn’t in the habit of stepping into situations where he didn’t know at least something of what was going on.

No sign of horses, these two had walked long and hard yesterday to reach this far across the prairie. Nothing except two knapsacks and a well-doused fire about the size of a saucepan. Classic Michael, but still no clue.

“Morning, Michael. Captain Ryland.” He reined Wind Runner to a halt.

Michael nodded and Troy looked about to barf on his own boots. Well, this might be fun after all. He pulled his canteen from the saddlebags and slid to the ground. Only as his feet hit the ground did he realize his mistake.

Wind Runner had always been smart. Mark on the ground, with the tied horse’s reins still lying across his neck? Mark had only half turned by the time his horse bolted out of reach. Three strides to a full gallop and he was racing back the way he’d come. He’d catch up with Emma and the girls, trotting happily back to the barn without him. Nothing he could do about it now.

Looking southwest, he shook his head. “You just had to walk this far out, didn’t you, Michael?” It was going to be a long, long hike back to the ranch. He kept an eye out.

Wind Runner caught up with the others fast enough. Emily snagged his reins, looped them through a ring on her own saddle without so much as breaking stride, then waved as she continued down the trail and out of sight around the next hill.

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