“Look at it!” one of the men shouted. “All hers, all gone!”
“Don’t get too close,” Wilder said. “Enjoy the view, then mount up. Nothing left here now but ashes.”
Blaze’s eyes burned with tears and smoke. He pressed himself against Rachel, trying to shield her as best he could behind a small bush.
“It’s not over,” he whispered. “We’ve got to stay alive. They’re still out there. But we’ll find a way.”
They stayed there, watching as the Buckeye home and barn were consumed by fire. The heat pressed against their faces. Sparks rose high, carried by the wind, fading into the darkness above the desert.
Chapter 4
“Hey...wait a minute,” one of the Riders called from the yard, his voice sharp over the crackle of the burning ranch. “Did...did they move?”
“What do you mean?” another shouted, scanning the shadows.
“They were gone! We finished ’em off, right?”
“No! I saw ’em. I swear I saw somethin’ move behind that sagebrush!”
Wilder cursed, his silver tooth gleaming in the firelight. “They ran for it. We shouldn’t have let them go. They might go to the law.”
“They...maybe,” the first rider said, uncertainty in his voice. “Little brats.”
“Damn it,” Wilder spat. “Circle ’em! Don’t let ’em get away! After ’em!”
“Mount up!” another Rider yelled, swinging onto his horse. “They’re heading for the edge of the desert!”
Blaze’s heart leapt in his chest. He and Rachel had been so close to being trapped, yet the chaos of the fire had given them a narrow window. He heard hooves pounding, the shouting growing louder, and knew they had no time to waste.
“Come on! Move!” Blaze hissed, grabbing Rachel’s hand and yanking her from the brush.
“But, Blaze...” Rachel’s voice trembled, and she stumbled over a rock.
“No time! Just run!” he snapped, hauling her upright.
The heat of the fire was still on their backs, the glow of the ranch lighting up the smoke-choked night. Sparks flew past them, and the smell of burning wood and hay filled their lungs.
A shout rang out. “There! They’re moving!”
Blaze didn’t look back. He pulled Rachel across the open field, their boots sinking into the dry dirt.
“Don’t stop!” he said. “Keep low!”
“They’re gonna—” Rachel choked on a sob.
“Shh! Not a word!” Blaze warned, ducking behind a small rise. He pressed her down, hearing the unmistakable clop of hooves. “Riders!”
“Damn it! They’re getting away!” Wilder’s voice cut across the night, sharp and furious. “Split up! Don’t let them reach the desert!”
“Blaze, they’re coming!” Rachel whimpered.
“I know,” he said, grabbing her hand again. “We’ve got to keep moving. Follow me.”
Gunshots cracked through the night, whistling dangerously close. Blaze dove to the ground, dragging Rachel with him behind a gully. Dirt sprayed up around them as bullets struck the ground, splintering rocks and kicking up dust.
“Faster, Blaze! We can’t let ’em catch us!” she cried, her voice tight with fear.
“I’m trying!”
