Of Peaks and Prairies (Paradise Valley Book 1) by Vivi Holt

Author:Vivi Holt [Holt, Vivi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-07-12T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Thomas bent down to study the dry and dusty prairie. It was obvious which way the cattle had gone – the grasses lay flat directly to the east. The campsite lay behind him to the west and the sun sat directly above him, boring into the top of his Stetson. He climbed onto Alto’s sturdy back and pushed him into a gallop.

It wasn’t long before he saw the stragglers following the rest of the herd. They’d slowed to a trot now and some were even nosing around in the grass looking for a place to graze. He could hear the cowboys at the front of the herd, still some distance away – the crack of a whip, a shrill whistle.

The booming echo of a rifle? His heart leaped into his throat. Why were they shooting? The Jayhawkers must be up front with his crew. Surely they wouldn’t be so foolish as to engage the Jayhawkers in some kind of shootout?

He made his way around the outside of the herd and soon saw Dan up ahead. Dan was banking the herd to the left, turning them in on themselves to balk and mill around in confusion. The rest of the crew were stretched out in a line, flanking the longhorns and pushing them forward. He pulled up alongside Dan, tipping his hat in a casual salute. “How’s it going?”

Dan nodded in response, “We managed to pull them up. Should be able to get them back to the campsite now.”

“What was the shooting about?”

“That was the Jayhawkers. They made off with about two hundred head. Sorry, boss – we couldn’t stop them.”

Thomas slapped the pommel of his saddle. “Those scoundrels! Well, what’s done is done. You couldn’t help it – they were armed and I’d told you not to engage in a gunfight. I don’t want any of you risking your lives that way. Thanks, Dan.”

Dan nodded again and signaled to the men to drive the cattle back. The sun was heading down the edge of the sky, and the cattle, bathed in sweat and tired from their sprint across the prairie, hung their heads and trotted west under its warming rays.

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