I dropped behind the old water trough.
The deputy near the house dove behind his patrol truck.
“Shots fired!” he yelled into his radio. “Shots fired at the ranch!”
The world erupted.
Sirens.
Shouting.
Boots running.
But all I could see was the kitchen window.
Broken.
Dark.
Sadie was inside.
“Sadie!” I shouted.
No answer.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
Another shot cracked.
This one came from the tree line.
Near the equipment shed.
Gerald was moving.
Trying to keep us pinned down.
Trying to get closer.
He wasn’t shooting at the house anymore.
He was shooting at me.
Good.
That meant Sadie was not his target.
Not yet.
I pulled my phone from my pocket.
Called Wolf.
“East pasture. Tree line. He’s got a gun.”
“I’m moving.”
“Don’t come straight in. Circle behind him.”
