He held a rifle aimed at her.
Her mouth went dry as a sunbaked rock. She couldn’t speak, even if she knew what to say. What to ask. Looking down the darkness of that barrel seemed to make all the colors around her far more vivid.
She could die. All he had to do was pull the trigger, and a bullet would slam into her body, destroying bone and organ. Would it hurt? Or would death be instant?Let it be instant.
But she couldn’t succumb yet. Her sisters needed her. Riley needed her.
Forcing her focus to lift above the rifle’s barrel, she locked her eyes with his. “What are you doing?”
The corners of his mouth curved. “Just protecting whatI worked so hard for. It’s taken me a lot of years to find this many prime horses.” He nodded toward the peak behind him. “And that’s why I need you to walk calmly over that rise up there.”
She started to shake her head, but he lifted the rifle a little, tucking it tighter into his shoulder. “You’ll go quietly right now, or else I’ll simply take care of you here. I’d rather do it over the ridge where the shot won’t spook the horses, but one way or another, these are your last minutes on earth. Then, after you come your sisters, then your fella and his friends. I’ll not be leaving any of you alive to spread the word about these horses.”
A cold dread started in her throat and plunged downward. How had he acquired these horses? Especially the ones her father had sent to Steps Right?
So many questions she needed answers to, but for now the best thing might be to walk up the slope like he asked.
She started forward, one tentative step at a time. He motioned with the rifle for her to pass him, and she shifted a little to walk in an arc that would keep her out of arm’s reach. The movement didn’t seem to bother him. At least he didn’t grab her, though the weapon could do damage enough.God, show me what to do. Help me get out of this.
Would Riley or Rosemary come looking for her soon?Let them come. Lorelei knew she was walking the pup, so she at least would be wondering about her by now.
Slim closed in behind her, but his step was so light, she barely heard how close he was. Not until the hard poke of the gun barrel jabbed the center of her back.
She nearly lurched forward but managed to stay upright and lengthen her stride. Now that they were close enough,she could smell the odor of sweat that proved the man was long overdue for a washing. Bile churned in her middle, but she focused on maneuvering the rocks and the steep incline.
After a moment of climbing, she glanced back at the horses, at the old bay mare that had to be the one her father sent to Steps Right all those years ago. She didn’t dare look back for long, lest Slim’s finger get impatient on the trigger.
But she managed one more glance back to find the stallion with the white markings on his ears. He was sniffing noses with another horse, his arched neck and long mane making him look regal, despite the age that showed in his angular lines.
That must be a mare he was sniffing, something she’d seen often while growing up on an active horse ranch.
Something about the mare...
Realization jerked through her, and she sucked in a breath. That couldn’t be. But the markings were right. She was about the size of Bessie.
Could this man have snuck into their camp and stolen Dragoon’s mare? Anger surged through her. After Dragoon had trusted him—even paid him—to race the horse. But maybe that had been this thief’s method all along. He must be behind the rest of the horse thefts as well.
She steadied her voice to keep from breathing hard when she spoke. “I see you were the one who stole Dragoon’s mare. Is that how you selected the others here? Got paid to race them, then took the ones you liked?”
“Of course it is.” He barked the words as he jabbed the rifle in her back again. “Now shut up and walk. My men are waiting for my signal to come in and move the herd.”
“Your men?” He wouldn’t be able to manage such a largegroup of horses by himself. He’d need at least a half-dozen helpers on horseback, maybe twice that many.
“Sure. There’s plenty of fellas in these parts who’ll do a day’s work for good pay and keep their mouth shut.” He poked the rifle in her back again, this time a little lower. “Faster.”
The pain only increased her anger, but she held her tongue. She’d find a way to get free. Maybe one of his hired hands would help her. They wouldn’t look the other way while a woman was murdered. Would they?
But saving her would also mean their crimes would come to light. Would they risk it?
She probably had a better chance of being saved by her sisters and Riley. Once she was over the rise, she would have to figure out a way to stall Slim. How long would it take Riley and the others to find her tracks? They would be distracted by the horses, as she had been. Would they even be able to pick out her prints in this rocky terrain?God, give them wisdom.
Or maybe she could slow him down now, give the others time to leave camp and come into view so they would see her and Slim before she crossed the peak.
But even though she tried to slow so gradually he didn’t notice, the barrel jabbed her back before she’d taken three more steps.
“Move faster.” He didn’t even sound out of breath as he growled the words, though she was nearly panting from the ascent.
She surged forward into the same pace she’d kept up before. While she climbed, she slid a sideways glance to the mountain where the others should appear any minute.Maybe they were already there, staring down at the massive herd below. If so, she needed to get their attention.
