His Treasured Bride by Jody Hedlund & Patti Stockdale

Author:Jody Hedlund & Patti Stockdale
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Sixteen

“I wonder how long it was until Nyx regained his faculties.” Daisy dismounted a dozen feet from the narrow rim they’d soon cross. “I battered him mighty hard.”

Yesterday, after their decision to head to Fort Ashe, she and Seth traveled well into the night, finally stealing a few hours of sleep behind downed trees. Every unexpected bird squawk or animal darting across their path had left them jumpy, expecting Nyx and McKay to start another round of threats and gunfire.

“That you did.” Seth peered over the cliff’s edge with his hands folded behind his back.

She stepped one pace closer to his side, keeping a safe distance between her and the pit. Heights turned her stomach queasy. In a few minutes, they’d squeeze across a narrow ledge to reach the other side. One misstep, and she’d tumble a mile or more.

Daisy reached for the strings of her yarn necklace and leaned forward to peek into the expanse. The waning sunlight filtered through the depth, turning the bottom shadowy, yet she spied a lake, multiple boulders, a slew of pointy pine trees, and numerous craggy walls.

Goodness gracious. She stepped back two paces.

She was beginning to accept her striking of Nyx. A woman alone had to protect herself from danger. Still, if she never fended for her life again, she’d not complain.

“I’ll rest easier after we reach the other side.” The late-day sunlight glinted on Seth’s hair, turning it golden. “I suspect nobody with half a brain would cross in full darkness, not even Nyx and McKay if they’re behind us somewhere.”

She wanted to ask Seth why anyone with a whole brain would venture over the long, narrow footpath even in full daylight. But she already knew the answer. With the circuitous route Seth had led them on to confuse Nyx and McKay, this was the only way forward if they hoped to reach the coast and get to either Fort Ashe or Nanaimo.

Even so, her stomach spun at just the thought of stepping one foot onto the rim. “I assume we’ll proceed on foot.”

“Aye. Want to go first or second?”

“Neither, but I’ll follow you.”

“Keep your back against the mountain’s wall and shuffle your steps. Don’t fret over the mares. They’ll manage the narrow corridor.”

“I’ll have plenty of worries over little old me.”

He dropped his hand onto her shoulder, his eyes full of concern. “We can wait until morning if you prefer to rest now.”

Of course their pace had exhausted her, but she wouldn’t allow Nyx and McKay to gain an advantage. “Let’s be done with it, but maybe I should go barefooted.”

“It’s your choice, but there are probably thistles and sharp rocks.”

“Of course. All right, let’s proceed.”

Seth gave her shoulder a final squeeze before stepping one foot onto the rim, Cuff’s reins in his trailing hand. A few stones broke free and tumbled downward.

Daisy raised her chin and gathered her courage. She’d keep her eyes on her feet and her mind on the grassy patch that waited on the other side.

“If you take longer to advance than me, think nothing of it.

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