She could take it no more. She had to do something, anything, to help Jonah and his brothers. She hurried into her bed chamber and snatched her derringer from her satchel. She’d stopped wearing it in her sleeve, but she needed it now.
After adjusting it so she could flip her wrist and draw, she returned to the main room. Maybe she should tell the others she was headed out, but they would try to stop her. She could fend for herself out there, and if she had to loiter here in the cabin another half hour, she might go mad.
So she strode across the cabin, keeping her steps light. Nobody looked at her, so she slipped out the door and into the smoky night air. In the barn, the familiar scents enveloped her. A horse nickered softly, and she made her way down the aisle until she found the gelding she’d ridden from Missoula Mills. She ran a hand along his neck, feeling the warmth of his coat beneath her palm. "Hey there, old friend. Looks like we've got another adventure ahead of us."
The saddle felt heavy in her hands as she lifted it onto the horse's back, the leather creaking as she tightened the cinch. The last time she'd ridden this horse was when she first came to this ranch. She and Jonah had been strangers, and she’d not been certain at all she could trust him. So much had changed since then. Not only did she trust him, she was ready to risk her life for him.
She swung into the saddle, and the horse took a step forward, as eager to set out as she was. She nudged him with her heels, and the gelding moved into a brisk walk. She aimed him toward a trail she’d noticed before, one that looked heavily traveled and went the direction the brothers had gone. This must lead to the mine she’dheard mentioned.
The path wound through the trees, and in the dark, she had to focus on the packed dirt so she wouldn’t lose the route. Branches reached out like gnarled fingers, catching at her hair and clothes. The farther she rode, the more the shadows closed in around her.
She strained for any sounds that would signal the presence of the Coulter brothers—the murmur of voices, footsteps through the dried pine needles. Maybe even a whistle to catch her attention if they spotted her first.
But no sounds came.
Maybe she should turn back.
They’d not had horses, so if they planned to go after the arsonists, they would need to come back to the barn for mounts. She should have thought of that and waited for them instead of setting out alone.
Foolish, overconfident girl.
Just as she was about to rein her horse around, a flicker of light ahead caught her eye. She reined in her horse and peered through the trees at the dying coals of a campfire, the embers still glowing. Someone had been here not long ago.
CHAPTER 16
Patience edged her gelding closer, scanning every part of the small campsite for signs of life. The place looked empty. When she was certain she was alone, she nudged her mount into the tiny clearing so she could get a better look. Maybe whoever’d been here had left something behind that would identify them.
A horse snorted behind her, and Patience whirled around.
A shadowy figure on horseback emerged from the trees, and her heart leapt into her throat. In one swift motion, she flicked her wrist and slid her derringer into her palm, the metal cold against her skin. She aimed it at the approaching silhouette.
"That's close enough." Her voice sounded far more confident than she felt.
The man lifted his chin, and moonlight shone on his face. Recognition hit her like a physical blow.
It washim—Douglas, the ruffian who’d accosted her by the stream that day. The one who’d threatened her…and whose eyes now held cold malice.
He regarded her with a sneer. "Well. If it ain't the little ladywho don't know when ta keep her mouth shut. Thought you'da learned your lesson last time."
Patience kept her gun trained on him, even as her pulse pounded in her ears. "Was it you? Did you set fire to Jonah's cabin?"
Douglas let out a harsh laugh. "Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. Ain't none of your concern."
"It is my concern when you threaten people I care about." Her finger tightened on the trigger. She would have to shoot him. She’d have to kill this man before he had a chance to gain the upper hand. Maybe she could get an answer first. “Why? Why are you doing this?"
His horse shifted its weight. Was he moving closer? A dangerous glint sparked in his eye. "You're a dumb one, ain't ya? Shoulda killed you last time I had the chance. Would've saved me this trouble now."
Fear coiled in her belly, but she held her ground, her aim never wavering. "Tell me why. Are there others? What do you want with the Coulters?"
In a flash, his horse lurched forward while he ducked low.
She pulled the trigger, but her shot missed high.
He wrenched her wrist. Pain lanced through her arm, and the derringer fell from her grip. She slammed her heels into her gelding’s side to keep distance between her and this man, but he’d already grabbed her reins.
She pulled her leg up to leap from the saddle, but he grabbed her arm, his grip a vise around her. His fingers dug into her flesh as he yanked her from the saddle.
She hit the ground hard, her hip and ribs bearing the brunt of the impact and knocking the wind from her lungs. She fought to suck in air, even as a single thought speared through her mind.
