Lorraine Heath - Rogues in Texas 02 by Never Love A Cowboy

Author:Never Love A Cowboy [Cowboy, Never Love A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-02-05T17:55:39+00:00

"I thought a stampede was a cowboy's worst nightmare."

Magpie nodded. "That, too."

Harrison looked across to the opposite bank, where Kit sat astride his horse, Jessye beside him. A shiver slithered up his back at the sight of the crude crosses visible just behind them. "What do those markers symbolize?"

" Graves ," Magpie said somberly. "Most cowboys can't swim. One or two are bound to lose their grip on the saddle horn and drown."

"Do you swim?"

"Nope, that's why I hate fording a river." He released a bravado yell and kicked his horse's flanks.

"Bloody hell," Harrison grumbled as he followed, urging his horse down the steep bank into the choppy water, a brown that carried the hint of red, as though it reflected the blood of those who'd died within its depths. He tried to ignore the shadow of foreboding surrounding him as he contemplated the fact that they were not only crossing a river but they were also leaving the laws of Texas behind and trampling into Indian Territory .

The low bawling of the cattle increased in tempo. He heard the clack of horns hitting horns. The strength of the rushing water slamming against him surprised him. He feared it might be taking the cattle off guard as well. The orderly procession appeared to be reversing itself, the cattle turning as though they sought to return to the Texas border.

Magpie grabbed the back of his saddle and twisted his body around, concern etched in his features.

"They're getting mired in the quicksand at the bank!"

"Mired at the bank?" Stunned, Harrison watched as the cattle milled around the riders and themselves, swimming in a circle, closing ranks until they looked like a raft of horns. "There's miles of bloody bank!

Let's move them down."

Magpie nodded. He turned, then jerked back as a steer swung his head around, his lethal horns cutting across man and beast. In horror, Harrison watched Magpie's horse roll and heard Magpie's panicked yell as he lost his grip on the saddle horn and slipped backward into the river.

Hampered by the water and the circling beasts, Harrison made a feeble attempt to kick his horse into action. It released a high-pitched neigh and balked at going forward. Harrison saw Magpie's head bob up and the terror in his eyes just before he went back under.

He heard a crack of thunder that sounded like a gunshot. A steer flipped to its side, and a hole opened.

He saw Magpie's hand reaching up. Gripping the saddle horn with one hand, Harrison slid into the water, wedged his way between his horse and the steers, and grabbed Magpie's flailing hand. Magpie broke through to the surface. Harrison jerked him toward the horse. "Climb on!"

Gasping for breath, Magpie shook his head.

"Damn it, man, I can swim!" Harrison roared over the din of frightened animals and rushing waters.

Relief swept over the younger man's face as he nodded and awkwardly scrambled onto the saddle.

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