Heather's Choice by Shirleen Davies

Author:Shirleen Davies
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Avalanche Ranch Press LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“I’m ready, Quinn.” Caleb finished filling his saddlebags with the food the women had prepared, swallowing the piece of bread Kyla handed him. They’d done nothing else except fill their canteens and double check the cinches of their saddles.

“So am I.” Deke walked up to them, holding the reins of his horse.

Swinging up into the saddle, Quinn gave a brief nod to his mother, who stood on the porch with her hands clasped in front of her. “Let’s go.”

The three rode north, touching the spurs lightly to the sides of their horses, moving into a gallop. Ian and the others in their group, except for Brodie, volunteered to ride along. He needed to get back to town and his wife, Maggie.

Quinn refused their help. They were needed at the ranch. Even though he knew the women would object, whoever killed their man was still out there. He had no intention of leaving the women alone to face them.

They continued for no more than thirty minutes when riders approached from the north.

Caleb reined up Jupiter. “It’s Colin and the lads. And the women are with them.”

“Aye, they are.” They didn’t miss the relief in Quinn’s voice. He saw Emma lift her arm, then drop it to her side. Quinn moved forward, his gaze locked on her.

Within minutes, they’d met the group, Quinn dropping to the ground and running to Emma. Lifting his arms, she put her hands on his shoulders, letting him pull her out of the saddle. Wrapping his arms around her, he tugged her to him.

“Ah, lass. You scared me.” He whispered the words against her ear. Placing a hand under her chin, he lifted her face. “I thought…” Words failed as he looked into her eyes.

“I’m fine, Quinn.” Getting on tiptoes, she leaned up, kissing him. “We’re all fine.”

Caleb watched, then moved his gaze to Heather. She stared at him, causing his heart to beat almost painfully in his chest. Nudging Jupiter forward, he rode up next to her.

“Are you all right?” He studied her, seeing no wounds or other injuries. What he wanted to do was run his hands over her, discover for himself that she was fine.

“Aye, Caleb. I’m fine.”

“I know you’re wondering what happened, and we’ll be explaining it all.” Ian motioned everyone to circle around him. “For now, all I’ll be saying is we found the cattle and merged them with the rest of the herd. The ranch hands at the Estrada place are watching them.” He glanced at each of the women. “And we might not be here now if the lasses hadn’t come to our rescue. Now, I’m tired and ready for food. I’ll save the rest for later.” Turning his horse around, he headed toward the ranch, the others following.

Quinn didn’t let more than two feet separate him from Emma on the ride back.

Although they didn’t touch or say more than the few words, the same held true for Caleb and Heather.

Deke rode behind Coral, never dropping his gaze from her back.

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