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Sally’s body ached. The day dragged on as a bitter, biting wind blew. A snowstorm had come upon them the night before and they’d stayed put, huddled together for warmth, hoping the storm would soon pass. By morning it had cleared and they’d set out.
She’d seen nothing but snow and rocks for miles. They were out of food, and except for the rare jackrabbit Moss had shot at and missed—no buffalo, deer or elk had been spotted.
Moss had shot prairie dogs and sage hens on the Kansas trip but he was older now, a filmy haze beginning to cover his once clear blue eyes, and his aim was slow.
Sally had collected roots to put into a stew, if only they could find game to add to it. Hunger gnawed at her belly. It didn’t do to dwell on food when there wasn’t any to be had. She glanced down at her hands, the red knuckles raw from the wind.
Now there was too much snow for her to find roots and wild vegetables. Despite her attempt to think of something besides their lack of food, her mind kept returning to it as the never-ending trail gnawed away her hopes like the constant hunger inside her belly.
The mules moved sluggishly and Moss called them to a halt. “Time to rest ’em,” he said. “We’ll walk.”
Sally dismounted then carried Carolyn on her hip. Tides of weariness and despair engulfed her whole body. The trail was relentless and she had no idea how far she’d have to go to find Luke and Matthew. But she would walk until her legs gave out if that’s what
it took.
Moss checked his mules over and muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
“Is there any water?” Sally felt as hollow as her voice sounded.
Rob handed her his water pouch. It was almost empty. She offered it to Carolyn then drank from it before wiping her mouth. They wouldn’t have more water until they stopped to build a fire and melt more snow.
“Mama, I’m cold.” Carolyn began to cry. “I don’t want to go to Texas. I want to go home. I’m hungry.”
“We can’t go back to our old home, sweetheart. But soon we’ll have a new home in Texas.”
How would she ever provide her children with a new home? Doubt crept in. What if they didn’t make it to Texas? What if she didn’t find Matthew? The thought was almost more than she could handle. Doubts had been dogging her for the last few miles and now she was too tired to fend them off.
Her back ached between her shoulder blades, and her heart was filled with a deep sense of loss for the son she might never see again. Each day on the trail drained more of her strength.
“We’d best move on,” Rob said.
“Carolyn can ride Critter.” Moss patted his favorite mule. “She’s light an’ ole Critter don’t mind.”
But by evening, Critter could go no farther. The old mule stumbled and sank to her knees.
“Take Carolyn,” Moss said in a harsh raw voice.
“Why?”
“Don’t ask me, dagnabbit, just do it!”
Rob gestured for Sally to bring Carolyn over to stand beside him and his horse. He stood in front of Carolyn and covered her ears. Then he gave a nod to Moss.
Sally understood when a shot rang out.
Moss stood holding his gun, tears in his eyes.
Rob released Carolyn.
She wrapped her arms around Sally’s skirt and began to cry. “Mama, why did he shoot Critter? I love Critter.”
“I know, sunshine.” Sally hugged her back; thinking of how everyone she loved had gone away until she was left with only her children. “It’s hard to say goodbye.”
Moss stood silently blinking away his tears. He’d been terribly attached to his mules and had traded all but his favorite for fresh mounts. And now that one too was gone.
“He had to do it,” Rob said. “The old mule gave out. She was in pain.”
Moss put away his gun. His whisper was hoarse. “Poor ole Critter.”
Rob began to remove the saddlebags and spoke to Sally. “We need to lighten these loads.”
“I don’t know what we can do without.”
Moss growled, “Nothin’ ye can do without.” He began tossing her things on the ground. “Food and water. Ye have to have ’em. Ye see them here?”
“No.” She pursed her lips.
He picked up her sewing kit. “Plannin’ to do yer fancy stitchin’? Mebbe ye ken sew up our stomachs when we get hungry. Here’s a fancy little plate. Think ye ken use that when ye ain’t got nothin’ to put on it?”
Her mouth dropped open and she recalled his earlier hostility. Why was he so angry with her? It wasn’t her fault his mule was dead.
Moss stalked off.
Rob had remained quiet. Now he spoke. “Sally, he just lost his favorite mule. And he doesn’t have the load he was paid to deliver. He’s right. We can’t take all those things.”
His cool manner irked her. His belongings weren’t being thrown around.
Rob sorted through and rearranged until he was satisfied. Moss sat on a rock cleaning his fingernails with a knife. When Rob finished, Moss stomped back.
“Wasted half the day fiddlin’ with them female gee-gaws.”
They left behind everything but their bedrolls, one pan, the rifles, Sally’s wooden box, which held her Bible and the whiskey. She didn’t see the harm in taking her silverware but Rob said they’d eat with their fingers.
They only had one horse and one mule between them.
This journey had been nothing like she’d planned. She longed to confess her doubts to Rob. She had to talk to someone, and Moss wasn’t speaking to her.
“Nothing has gone the way I thought it would,” she said.
“How did you think it would go?” Rob spoke in an odd, yet gentle tone.
“I thought we’d be in Texas by now, along with my furniture. I never dreamed we’d be in all this trouble and traveling on foot.”
He didn’t reply but watched her with steady eyes. She grew uneasy under his silent scrutiny and turned away, trying to hide the pain of steadily losing everything she could call her own. He always saw too much. Awkwardly she cleared her throat.
Moss spoke. “I warned ye trail rides is hard an’ long, especially with children.”
“I know you did.”
Rob watched her, his thoughts unreadable. “Life has a way of turning out different than you plan.” He turned away.
Was he referring to her life or his?
He didn’t speak of his past. And she hadn’t the nerve to ask him, knowing she’d hear of more bad things Luke had done. Things that put Matthew in harm’s way. Things she didn’t want to know when she was too far away to do anything about them. When she was too far away to save her son.
Moss spoke to his mule. “I’d tell her what I think ’cept she wouldn’t never listen. Has to larn the hard way.”
“Do you think we’ll ever reach Texas?” Sally asked with despair. Her head swirled with doubts, as strong as the river that had tried to carry her away.
“It won’t be for lack of trying.” Rob set his jaw. “We’ll do it. I’ll see to that.”
Before now, she’d never considered they might not make it to Texas. The thought of losing Matthew was more than she could bear. She could only keep going and pray they’d reach Texas safely.
That night she got down on her knees and prayed with her daughter before they slept. “Lord, help us reach Texas safely. Help me find Matthew. Keep us in your sight as we travel this desolate trail. Amen.”
Carolyn whispered, “And send me a new papa.”
Sally choked back tears as she listened to Carolyn’s small voice. Her last waking thought before drifting into sleep was that she had to keep going. She had to press on and make a better life for her daughter.
Rob had tried to keep his distance though it was difficult with such a winsome child. He shouldn’t get attached to the little girl, but Carolyn’s small voice asking God for a papa broke through his resolve. His eyes misted.
Poor little darling. Praying for a papa.
He brushed away the moisture in his eyes.
Luke had plenty to answer for. Rob’s eyes narrowed in the dark. Plenty.
To Sally the current of the North Canadian River appeared strong and lethal.
They came upon a flat, barge-type boat that sat heavily on the side of the river. Normally it would have been used to transport traders’ goods. It seemed strange to see no one about. They’d use it to cross.
Rob smiled at Sally. “Don’t worry. I’ll see you both safely across.”
The dark circles ringing her eyes showed she had slept no better than he. The shadows had deepened with each difficult day and it was obvious her spirits were low.
She looked at him through exhausted eyes. “I hope your luck holds.”
He’d been lucky enough to shoot two rabbits the night before, and that kept the hunger pangs at bay.
She was lucky he’d saved her from drowning. The thought of crossing another river made her stomach turn, but she would trust him in this.
Once the horse and mules were loaded, Moss pushed off one side with a pole while Rob pushed off the bank.
They hit shallow water and the boat scraped bottom on part of a sandbar. The swirling brown waters of the Canadian coursed around and past them, but for now the river let them be and the crossing was uneventful.
Sally breathed a sigh of relief. This river wouldn’t take her with it like the other one had tried to do.
Running Water, the old Indian had called her. It was a good name. She’d survived the running water.
The river keeps on going, just like me. I will keep on going until I get to Texas. Until I find Matthew.
She’d felt listless all day, but Rob’s encouragement buoyed her spirits. It was strange how he seemed to know just what to say to keep her going and just the right time to say it.
She regarded him with curiosity. What sort of a life had he led? She wished she knew more about him.
Her thoughts filtered back to the day they’d met. She’d been afraid of him at first, yet he’d been kind. Despite the fact he clearly hated Luke, he hadn’t taken it out on her.
She hesitated, watching his profile. In some ways, she felt as if she knew him though she knew nothing of his past.
“Mama, when can I have a new dolly?”
Carolyn’s rag doll had fallen apart after the soaking it had taken from the river. And all that was left of her sun babies were the few seeds Sally had stored in the wooden box.
She’d fixated on wanting a new dolly ever since they’d left their home. And Sally had promised.
“Yes, sweetheart, we’ll find you a dolly in Texas.”
“I’m tired, Mama. When can we stop?”
“Soon, sunshine, soon.”
Rob approached Sally. “Set her down. I’ll take her.”
She put Carolyn down. Her hip and her back ached as she bent then straightened.
Rob lifted Carolyn onto his shoulders.
She giggled “whee” as she bumped into his hat.
“That won’t do.” He removed his hat and placed it on Sally’s head. “Keep the sun off.”
She looked up at him, flustered.
His smile widened.
Carolyn quit whining and made up songs about the new dolly she’d been promised.
Rob said to Moss, “Now I know why Sally calls her sunshine. I’ve never seen a happier little girl.”
They soon reached the outskirts of an Indian village near the South Canadian River. Smoke rose from the dozen teepees clustered together. A dog ran out, barking.
“Ever been here before?” Moss asked Rob.
“No.”
“What kinda Injuns ye reckon they are?”
“Could be a tribe from up north, here for the winter.” Rob glanced behind them. “We need food and horses if they’ll trade.”
“Humph. If’n they’ll do it.”
“Move slow. Just because no braves met us coming in doesn’t mean they aren’t nearby.”
“We ain’t got nothin’ left to trade ’em.”
Rob didn’t reply.
As they rode closer, Sally saw only women, children and an old man who sat outside his teepee.
Rob raised his hand in greeting. The old Indian raised his but didn’t speak.
As they stopped, Rob set Carolyn down. “Go to your Mama.”
She ran to Sally.
Carolyn’s chatter had worn him out. That must be the reason women talked so much. They were born that way. He watched as Sally hugged her daughter close.
Sally didn’t chatter like most women. She had a shy way about her, and he’d seen from the very first it wasn’t only her fear of him that made her back away. He was a much better reader of people than he’d been before he spent time in jail.
He turned his attention back to the old Indian, who gestured to the men to sit then called for his woman to come out of the teepee. He spoke and she offered them water in a gourd.
They each drank eagerly, then the old Indian spoke again and the woman led Sally and Carolyn away.
The woman who led Sally to the Canadian River walked with a gracefulness she’d never seen before, her long braid swinging behind her back. They stood in silence by the river as Sally washed the dirt from Carolyn’s face and hands, then cleansed her own in the cool water.
A fish swam by and the woman laughed as Carolyn tried to catch it with her small hands.
Then she led them back to the camp.
Later, she brought fish, and Sally and Carolyn ate. After they finished, a little girl came over to Carolyn and they began to play.
Sally watched Carolyn anxiously. No words were necessary for the children. They found it much easier to communicate.
The men had commenced trading. The old Indian kept shaking his head, his eyes drifting back to their rifles.
“Old timer, can you part with that rifle to get Sally to Texas?” Rob asked.
“No. Trade your’n.”
“I’m not the one who promised to take her there. That foolish agreement was yours.”
Moss spat. “I’m a dang fool.” He squinted. “Ain’t got nothin’ else he wants. Dagnabbit, first my wagon, then my mules, an’ my load an’ now my gun.” He shook his head. “This ain’t no good.”
Rob reached for the gun before Moss could change his mind and held it out to the Indian for inspection.
The Indian gave him a wide smile, which crinkled up the lines in his dark cheeks and his missing teeth. He grasped the gun and gestured to the two horses Rob had indicated.
Rob nodded with a smile.
The deal was done. The animals and rifle for two fresh prime horses.
Sally traded her corset for a pair of soft doeskin moccasins. Her shoes had worn through the soles, but as she slipped the moccasins on and set her old shoes to the side, a child ran up and carried them off as if he’d captured a prize.
“We’d best not linger,” Rob said as he and Moss packed the horses. They’d travel faster now.
Sally’s feet felt wonderful in the soft moccasins. She stretched her toes. Why would anyone want to wear shoes when these were so much more comfortable? Why would anyone want to wear a corset?
No wonder Indians didn’t take easily to white men’s ways. She supposed it was a curiosity to the other woman.
The woman’s dress was lovely. Beaded and soft like the moccasins. Sally wondered how it would feel to wear one. Maybe a squaw’s life wasn’t so bad. Surely this woman’s life had been no worse than Sally’s. She had a serenity Sally could only dream of. What was her secret?
But as Sally remembered how fierce the braves had looked when they surrounded them, she shivered. No, she wouldn’t want to be at the mercy of such a fierce warrior.
What was she thinking? She’d had enough of violent men. If she ever married again, it would be to provide a father for her children and he would have to be a kind and loving man.
“Ye trust that Injun?” Moss asked.
Rob had asked the Indian how to find Red River Station and the old man had pointed west.
“Yes. He’s Cherokee.”
“What’s that got to do with anythin’?”
“I was in jail with a man who was half-Cherokee. He was a man of his word. Indians have more honor than most white men I’ve known.”
“Humph.” Moss nodded at Sally who rode watching them. “The two of ye make a pair, takin’ up fer Injuns.”
Sally’s eyes widened when Rob said he’d been in jail. She regarded him with renewed fear and awe.
Moss hadn’t missed her reaction. “What were ye in fer?”
“Murder.”
Sally gasped, her arms tightening around Carolyn.
She’d known the minute Rob said he was in jail that he’d done something terrible. You didn’t go to jail unless you did something bad. The man was a murderer. An outlaw. But how was he connected with Luke?
“Who did you kill?”
Leave it to Moss to ask the questions she’d never dare.
“I didn’t kill anyone. Then.”
It was clear things had changed once he got out. The look on his face said he had no distaste for killing and his tone brooked no further discussion of the subject.
They rode in silence, an occasional song from Carolyn filling the air.
When they reached the South Canadian, crossing the river was easy. Sally breathed a sigh of relief. Now with fresh horses it seemed possible they would find Matthew again.
But Moss wasn’t pleased since giving up his rifle.
“I wished I’d never set out on this here trail,” he said to Rob. “From now on I won’t take no women nor babies anywhere’s. It’s bad luck, jus’ like them sailors say. Ain’t had nothin’ but bad luck since we started.”
So he blamed Sally for his bad luck. Maybe he was right. Maybe bad luck followed her wherever she went.
“Luck is what you make it,” Rob said. “Sometimes luck is what happens when you aren’t aware of what’s going on.” He glanced at Sally. “You can change your luck if you’re willing to accept the consequences.”
She wasn’t sure what he was trying to tell her, but the sooner she changed the subject the better. “How far is it to Red River Station?”
“Ain’t I told ye not to ask? Always puttin’ bad luck on us, ain’t we had ’nough?” Moss rode off.
She didn’t know why he kept snapping at her.
Rob rode next to her and they watched Moss ride away.
“What has him so upset?” Sally asked.
“A man needs his gun and his horse to survive.”
“Well, he’s got a horse now.”
“But he hasn’t ridden far enough to feel like it’s his. And he doesn’t have his gun. It isn’t something a woman would understand.”
Now he sounded like Luke. Always talking about what a man needed. Never thinking she might have needs. She didn’t understand men. Maybe they were all selfish.
Rob watched her expression. He could see how Luke had fooled her. She honestly didn’t understand men. She had no idea of what it took for a man to give up the things that made him a man. The things Moss had given up taking her to Texas.
“The old man made quite a sacrifice for you, Sally.”
Puzzled, she looked at him.
“He’s given up everything for you. His wagon and mules, those were his livelihood. He lost his load. Now he’s given up his gun. It isn’t like he’s your kin. He doesn’t have to do anything for you.”
Sally felt stunned. She’d always thought of Ozzie Moss like a grandfather or an old uncle. She’d been young when he took them to Kansas. He’d looked after her.
But she was grown now and Moss was the one who needed looking after. She’d been acting like a child. Never thanking him, expecting him to behave as if he was kin. He wasn’t.
“You’re right.” She looked to where Moss rode up ahead. “Will you take Carolyn?”
“You know that I will.”
She handed Carolyn over then raced up beside Moss.
He scowled at her sideways.
“It was mighty nice of you to trade your gun for the horses.”
He grunted. “Humph.”
“I can’t tell you how much it means to have you take me to Texas to get my son back.”
“I give my word.”
“Yes, you did. But I’m sure you’d no idea how hard it would be. What sacrifices you’d make.”
“Humph.”
“Well, I want you to know it means the world to me. You’re the only family I’ve got, Ozzie, other than my children. I know you aren’t really kin, but you feel like family to me.”
“Confound the gal,” he muttered as his old eyes watered. “She don’t even let me be mad at her.” He blinked a few times.
“You’ve a place at my hearth any time, Moss. When you get too old to ride, you come stay with me.”
“Well, now.” He choked up. “Well, now.”
They rode quietly together.
After a while Rob and Carolyn caught up with them. It looked to him like they’d made up. That was good. But he hoped he didn’t have to play peacemaker again. It was a role he wasn’t used to.
This was the strangest journey he’d ever been on. He wouldn’t mind getting his hands on a bottle, finding a woman and sleeping for a day. If it weren’t for Sally he’d have found a woman by now. But she filled his thoughts.
She was completely different from May Belle who’d always been the center of attention, who constantly flirted and was unhappy unless surrounded by a crowd of people. He’d mistaken her vivacity, her demand for his attention for love.
Sally had a shy manner. Self-conscious in the way of those who didn’t like being the center of attention. Her mannerisms told him this, like the way her hand rose to play with her brooch when she was nervous, or the way she blushed under his gaze. And that combined with the sensuality bubbling beneath that surface attracted him more than any woman ever had.
More even than May Belle.
He couldn’t act on the attraction he felt for her, and the pent-up desire built with each day on the trail. There was no release here on the trail and no chance he’d leave her alone for even a quick interlude in the saloon.
Every time he left her alone, she took off without him.
As evening settled in, Sally heard a coyote howl. She saw no one nearby. No sign of life, only earth and wind. The howling blew out across the land, sending a chill down her spine. She shivered.
Carolyn’s eyes grew wide. “What is it, Mama?” she whispered. “Is it wolves?”
“No, sunshine, they’re called coyotes.”
“Coyotes are something like a wolf,” Rob added. “Both will eat little children. Stay near your Mama and don’t go wandering off when we make camp.”
Sally glared at him. Why would he want to scare her little girl?
“Don’t worry, Sally, I’ll shoot any that comes near. They’ll stay away unless they’re hungry.”
Now he was trying to scare her. Well, she wasn’t going to let him know it had worked. He probably wanted her to fall into his arms again. But that wasn’t going to happen, despite her growing attraction to him. Despite the way she longed for him to hold her again.
She’d noticed how much attention he paid Carolyn. The closer they got to Texas, the more he changed. Carolyn liked him and it would be easy to fall for the handsome maverick. But she wasn’t going to forget who he was and what he was here for.
She had to figure out a way to keep Rob out of the way until after she’d dealt with Luke and had Matthew back. There were too many things that could go wrong. Simply being in another man’s company was enough to set Luke off.
A week after their wedding, she and Luke had gone to a barn dance. He danced with her once then went out back to drink whiskey with a few other men. He’d been angry when he returned to find her talking with a nice young farmer. Luke had accused her of cheating.
She’d been a loyal wife, but he had looked for reasons to be angry. He’d hurt her that night after his rage built all the long way home. And he’d enjoyed hurting her.
He’d kill Rob if he knew Rob had kissed her. She couldn’t let anything like that happen.
But she also didn’t know how she’d keep Rob away from Luke until she got Matthew back.
She’d have to think of something soon.
The sun slowly eased down behind a scrub oak on a lone hill. Its red glow framed the tree in black.
A coyote stood underneath howling to his mate, sending his call across the desolate plain.
“Ain’t that one o’ the purtiest sights ye ever seen? This here’s why I love the trail. Follow it long ’nough an’ it gives ye somethin’ back.” Moss seemed happy for a change.
They made camp as the sun receded behind the hill.
Yes, it was beautiful here, but deadly too. Sally couldn’t see the coyotes. Hearing them but not knowing where they were kept her awake.
By morning she was tired and cranky and her eyes burned from sleeplessness as she made coffee.
The others woke to the scent.
She glanced down at her work-worn hands as she rinsed out the coffee pot. Her nails were cracked and dry, her knuckles red and rough. When she got to Texas, she’d have a good meal and take a long, hot bath.
Her hair was a tangled mess, though the others didn’t seem to notice. They all looked as rough as she. No man would find her attractive. Yet she’d have to either find a job or a husband once she had Matthew back. She hadn’t fixed up for a man in years. Her looks had been wasted on Luke. Completely wasted.
Rob watched Sally.
She was a rare beauty. He’d been on the trail with her long enough to see her at every time of day, and what he’d seen only made him appreciate her more. She wore no paint as other women chose to wear. Her beauty was natural yet she didn’t seem aware of it.
He enjoyed watching her calf as she slipped down from her horse and the way her limbs moved as she stretched and as her hand rubbed the stiffness from the back of her neck. The way she looked and the way she moved made him want to gather her in his arms.
She was more enticing than a roomful of painted ladies. Sally was the real thing.
He glanced away, ignoring the tight knot in his throat, the aching need to look at her.
Moss stretched. “Time was I’d be up afore the sun,” he told his horse, now named Coal Miner. “These bones ain’t gonna take this much longer. Too bad them two ain’t married,” he muttered, watching Sally and Rob. “Tarnation, I done promised her I’d take her to Luke, an’ I’m a gonna do it. ’Course I ain’t promised nothin’ else.” He chuckled. “Never ken tell what’ll happen. Mebbe Luke will get himself shot a’fore we git there.”
His words startled Sally, but before she had time to react to them, she saw Indians in the brush.
She caught her breath. This time there’d been no warning.
They waved weapons and made war whoops as arrows started to fly. She barely had time to shout to Rob before one struck Moss in the shoulder, and he cried out before slumping over.
Rob had dropped on one knee and was firing his rifle. He wounded several before the small but fierce hunting party turned away, retrieving their fallen warriors.
Sally exhaled and turned to Moss, his complexion pale.
“Is anyone else hurt?” Rob asked, concern filling his face.
“No,” Sally said.
He looked at Moss. “We’ve got to stop the bleeding.”
She tore a strip off the bottom of her underskirt to tie around the wound.
Rob grasped the arrow, but as he tried to pull it out of Moss’s shoulder the shaft broke.
“Damn.” He looked at Moss, who sat clenching his teeth. “I’m sorry.”
“Wish I had me some whiskey. It do deaden the pains.”
Rob gave him what was left. “I wish I had more to give you, old timer.” He tied the cloth strips around the wound and stood. “Can you ride?”
“Yep. Ain’t the first time I been shot.”
They rode until midday when they reached a stream and stopped to water the horses and refill their water jugs.
Sally cleaned Moss’s wound, and tore more strips to wrap it. She held back her tears.
So much had happened to Moss, and it was all her fault. She should never have asked him to take her to Texas.
She tore up the rest of her petticoat to stop the bleeding after rinsing her hands in the stream.
“We won’t stop until we reach Red River Station,” Rob said.
Sally feared for Moss as she watched Rob help him onto his horse. He was so weak. And she worried even more when he dozed in the saddle and Rob led his horse.
“How old do you suppose he is?” Rob asked.
“It’s hard to tell,” Sally replied. “Do you think he’ll be all right?”
“He needs a doctor soon. He’s lost a lot of blood.”
Sally was concerned about Moss. She had dragged her old friend into her problems and she could not bear to lose him this way. All on account of her. They had to find a doctor, but what if they moved him when he shouldn’t be moved? What if that made him worse?
Rob frowned as he checked his gun. “One bullet left. Damn. We need to keep riding.”
Moss moaned.
“Moss needs to rest,” Sally said. “And bouncing around in that saddle can’t be good for him. It will start the bleeding again. Please, let’s stop. We need to rest too.”
Rob’s glance raked her up and down. She knew she looked a sight in her torn dress and no petticoat and with her legs exposed and her feet adorned in the Indian moccasins.
“We can’t stop. He’ll be in his final rest if we don’t keep going.” Rob urged his horse faster. “Keep up with me.”
Sally tightened her arms around Carolyn and rode after him.
They rode through the night until morning broke through the clouds. Rob couldn’t remember a time when he’d had less sleep.
Carolyn pointed to the sky. “Look, Mama, a hawk.”
“That’s no hawk,” Rob said.
Sally looked up. The vulture spread its wings and swooped as it followed them.
You want Moss. Well, you can’t have him.
Moss’s groans had given way to silence. He hovered on the brink of consciousness.
They pressed on and by nightfall, finally approached Red River Station.
Sally hoped they’d find a doctor. Moss’s situation had grown more desperate.
It was dark, and the outskirts showed no sign of people.
An owl screeched at their approach. Sally felt like screaming along with it. Would Moss make it? She couldn’t bear the thought that if not for her, he wouldn’t be in this trouble. Moss was right. She’d brought him nothing but bad luck. She didn’t want to think of losing him.
And if he didn’t make it, how would she find Matthew?
She’d be alone with Rob.
Sally eyed his back and his broad shoulders. She didn’t want to contemplate what he would do if he had her alone on the trail. But her mind filled with all the possibilities.