Love's Dream Song by Leesmith Sandra

Author:Leesmith, Sandra [Leesmith, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-10-17T07:00:00+00:00

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CHAPTER 12

Jess looked up at the cliff behind him. From its height he’d spotted the camp fire earlier and seen the men moving around it. Ahead, the terrain was gutted by a large ravine. To get to the camp, he’d have to cross it.

Slowly he inched his way down the steep side, careful not to loosen rocks or make any other noise. Occasional comments reached him even though the men were out of sight.

What a stroke of luck to have found the camp. He’d smelled the smoke and had hoped it would lead to the gunman. He’d bet his ranch that one of these men was in fact the one who’d shot at them yesterday.

Arlo’s presence was a puzzle, though. He must have come across them much the same way Jess had. He wondered if Ross had, as Autumn claimed, been in the canyon yesterday. He’d soon find out.

Jess stepped across the sandy bottom of the ravine and started to climb up the other side. A new voice joined the men.

Autumn.

Jess quickened his pace while his mind reeled. She could have awakened and tried to follow him. Maybe she’d smelled the smoke, as he had. The only other possibility sent waves of dread through him. He did not want to contemplate she had planned the meeting.

Halfway across the ravine, the tone of the voices changed. Arlo shouted, his words spurred Jess onward.

“Don’t kill her. She’s innocent.”

A mean laugh drowned out Arlo’s words. “You think you can stop me?”

Several gunshots rang out and Jess dove for cover. He listened, but silence echoed in the canyon. Another shot zinged past. Quickly, he lifted his rifle and pumped lead into the air.

“Throw down your weapons. You’re surrounded,” he shouted, praying the ruse would work.

His answer was another volley of shots, this time aimed in his direction.

Jess scrambled down the ravine and ran several yards to a new location. From the direction of camp he could hear sounds of action.

He mounted the side of the steep ravine and ducked behind a large boulder, expecting more gunfire. None came. He crawled around the large stone in time to see two men riding their horses down the canyon. Behind them, attached to a lead, was Arlo’s mount. Jess swore when he saw the two bodies thrown across its back. They had to be Arlo and Autumn.

There was no further need to proceed with caution. Jess ran, pausing only long enough to aim his rifle. He knew the shots were useless—the men were already out of range, but it relieved a small measure of his frustration.

His last shot echoed as he watched the horses disappear. In the predawn light he could barely see the trail of dust, but the sight of it raised anger and dread. Where were they taking Autumn and Arlo? What would they do to them if they were still alive.

Thoughts of Maria’s body burned into his brain—the torture and mutilation. If they touched a hair on Autumn’s head, there would be hell to pay.

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