Worth the Coming Home by Owens Lisa M

Author:Owens, Lisa M. [M., Owens, Lisa]
Language: nld
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“WHERE? What should I do?”

“At normal speed, like you’re not aware of them, let’s saddle up and move out. They’re near where the fence problems have been.”

“How—”

“Reflection off binocs. I don’t know how many guys. Now pick up the blanket, and let’s move toward the horses.”

I did as he said, setting my pace to match Dane’s and mindful the whole time that he was putting himself between me and whoever was watching us.

“Lead

us

out

of

here

without

any

backtracking. Can you do that?”

“How fast?”

“Whatever’s normal.”

Yeah, right. What’s normal when you’re imagining a target on your back and a high-powered rifle pointed at it?

“We really shouldn’t go too fast, because of the bad light. Horses could step in a hole.”

“Then go slow. And look for a way to get a hill or trees between us and them.”

We set off, Dane always behind me. After what felt like forever but was more like fifteen minutes, he moved Hector even with Hurricane and me.

“It’s okay. We’re out of sight and range. Head for home.”

“Who could it be?” I asked, though I knew Dane had no way of knowing. I had to talk about it, maybe to shake off the fear. He seemed to understand, because he began figuring out possibilities with me as we made our way up and down the hills toward home.

“Jesse discovered the downed fence right after I arrived. And you didn’t have any problems before that, right?”

“Right. None.”

“So what else happened around then?

Anybody pick a fight with anyone on the ranch?

Anything new or different happen?”

“I got Hurricane just before you arrived.”

“That’s it?”

“Yeah.”

Dane didn’t say anything.

“Hanson? You think….”

“He’s a possible. He’s been awfully interested in how you’re doing with this horse, even showing up when he’s not wanted.”

“What do we do?”

“I’m thinking.”

He didn’t say anything more. I focused on getting us home without incident as the horses walked in and out of shadows and near blackness.

I knew where we were, but for the first time in my life, I wished I’d left a light on at home. Steering for it would have eased the jitters in my gut.

At the barn, Dane handed off Hector without saying a word. I led the horses inside and took care of them. I had no idea what Dane was up to.

When I left the barn, I still didn’t see him.

“Well, crap. He just went off to bed?”

“No, he’s checking your perimeter.”

Dane’s voice came from close by, and I jumped. My heart pounded in my ears, and the fear was back, gripping my belly.

“Jeez, like I haven’t been scared enough already tonight?”

“You can relax. No one’s around.” He emerged from around the side of the barn. “But you can see this barn, the corral, and your cabin from where they’ve been watching.”

“Great.”

I went inside, turning on every light switch as I made for the kitchen. Dane followed. I got two beers out of the fridge, and we sat down at the table.

“What do we do?”

“We’ll talk it over with Jesse and your uncle tomorrow. Meanwhile, I’ll spend the night here.”

“I’m not arguing, but why?”

He took a swig from the bottle and swallowed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.