But no one stood in the spot where she’d come around the slope. Why hadn’t they started looking yet? Was Riley still so hurt by her refusal last night he no longer wanted to even see her?
New pain washed through her. Riley would come after her, no matter how she’d hurt him. It was his nature to protect those he loved. And he loved her, he’d not been lying about that. Maybe even as much as she loved him.
She had to have the chance to tell him. But what if they didn’t reach her before Slim put a bullet through her? Panic welled in her throat.
At least Rosie knew how she felt about Riley. If this man ended Juniper’s life, her sister would tell Riley the truth. Juniper hadn’t spoken to Rosie about her plans to seek Riley out this morning, but her sister knew she planned to accept his proposal if he was still willing.
At least Riley would have that knowledge.
But she would still be leaving him. Not by choice, not this time. Hopefully the grief of loss would be easier knowing that.
A new panic welled in her. Slim had said after he killed her, he would go after her sisters and then the men.God, you have to stop him.
Was there a way to take him out? Her own life would already be coming to an end, so if she could save those she loved in the process, she had to do it.
But how? Turn and wrestle the gun from him, then club him with it? She probably wouldn’t be able to hit him hard enough to do real damage, for he’d fight back. Push himdown the slope? Perhaps the incline would be steeper on the other side, but what they had just climbed wouldn’t hurt him much unless he struck his head on a rock.
They finally reached the top of the slope, and she sucked in as much air as she could manage. Her side ached like a knife pierced it, but she didn’t dare press her hand there. She couldn’t do anything to make him suspicious.
“Keep moving.” The barrel poked her back again, propelling her forward and over the rise.
This side was even less steep than the other, with a gentle boulder-strewn slope falling partway down before the ground leveled off into a flat grassy area.
Where was the native village? Clearly, that had been one more lie. He’d admitted to stealing horses from the rendezvous, but what of the two that belonged to Steps Right? If these were her last moments on earth, she wanted to hear the truth.
She swallowed to bring moisture into her mouth so she could speak, and she worked to keep up a steady pace. “It looks like you’ve stolen from more than just the trappers at the rendezvous. At least two of those horses belonged to a Peigan Blackfoot woman.”
He snorted. “I suppose you’re talking about those two your father sent with me. That old woman never saw them. Your father stole more than half my furs, so those horses were my due.”
Shock nearly made her stumble, but she scrambled to keep her footing. She worked to keep herself moving at a quick pace so she didn’t anger him. She desperately needed him to answer this next question. “How did you know my father?”
Another snort. “He never told you about me? Figures.” Bitterness laced the man’s tone.
He was silent a moment as she maneuvered down a steeper section. When he spoke, his voice came a little less gruff. “Folks ’round here known me as Slim, but my real name is Sampson.”
Sampson. He couldn’t be. She had to stop herself from turning to study him. “I know you. You were my father’s partner. The one he went West and spent the entire winter with.”
A humorless laugh bit the air. “I thought he was a decent fellow. It wasn’t until we got back to Virginia that he swindled me.”
Anger mixed with dread in her belly. Papa never would have cheated this man.
But that meant Sampson—Slim—had stolen the horses her father sent West with him. They never made it to Steps Right. She never received the gift of thanks for saving Papa’s life.
The barrel dug into her back, and she locked her jaw as she forced herself to pick up her pace. “So you kept the horses all these years in retaliation?”
“They were prime horseflesh. Could tell that right off. Fast runners, can ride fifteen miles every single day without tiring. That stallion throws the same in his offspring too. Got me a contact with the cavalry that pays just fine. Half o’ that herd’s goin’ to them come August.”
“You sell the cavalry stolen horses.”
“Well.” He drawled the word. “Not all of ’em are stolen. Some I raise myself.” They were nearly down the short slope, and he raised his voice. “That’s far enough. Don’t turn around.”
Fury flashed into fear. Was this the moment he’d shoot her? She turned to see what he planned to do.
“Git back around!” he yelled.
But she’d seen enough. He’d positioned the rifle in the crook of his shoulder—firing position. This was the end.Lord, be with my sisters. With Riley. Protect them and give them a wonderful life.
“Now say your prayers, because you’re about to meet the Almighty.”
