CHAPTER NINETEEN

The sound of rolling rocks and metal shoes clinking against stone made Niki reach for her pistol. Her shaky hand fumbled to free the gun from her coat pocket, panic preventing her fingers from functioning properly. The thought of fleeing crossed her mind, fearing she would be unable to defend herself any other way, but before she could turn Storm away from the noise, Traveler burst into view.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Deuce demanded as he rode up next to her and grabbed Storm’s rein as if expecting Niki to run.

“If I had kept going up the rise I would have led the soldiers straight to the rest of you and our meeting place. I wasn’t sure if I could out-maneuver all three by myself for long with Sarah riding double. Storm’s strong, but carrying two adults up hill at a full run is a lot to ask of even him.”

“This is exactly why I didn’t want you along. You have too much faith in that damn horse and not enough fear. What if you’d been caught?”

Niki had to stifle an outburst of hysterical giggles. She had never been so frightened in all her life, except for when she saw the gun pointed at Deuce’s head. Her heart beat still hadn’t slowed to normal after it had escalated in rhythm to Storm’s pounding hooves before he left the ground. The scream she had swallowed felt as if it were festering in her gut and nausea continued to boil in her stomach. Even the previous flight from the control tower paled in comparison to her blind charge for an abyss in the dark. When she thought Storm wasn’t going to clear the gully, she was sure her life would have flashed before her eyes if there had been time. But instead of allowing Deuce to know how scared she was, she forced her voice to remain strong and calm.

“I only did what I had to. I gave you and Frank time to get Sarah and the girls to safety and I neutralized the immediate threat. The men on the motorbikes will not be a problem anymore tonight, maybe not ever. Unfortunately, the price on my head has probably risen considerably.”

Deuce didn’t ask what she had done to the soldiers. At the moment he was pretty sure he didn’t want to know. He had no doubt the truth would only make him terrified for her all over again. And, it didn’t really matter. Niki was safe.

“We couldn’t have just ridden off without you as if nothing happened,” Deuce growled. “If you’d gotten caught I would have come after you and most likely we’d both be dead.”

“I’m sorry if you think I put you in danger, that wasn’t my intent. Lacy is only six and April just ten. Those girls have their whole lives ahead of them and they need their mother. I have a lot less to lose. If Papa doesn’t make it, I have nothing left.”

The last sentence was barely audible. Niki thought she was a relatively happy person, but admitting only one person would miss her if she was gone made her fight to hold back the tears. Her grandfather had always made her feel loved, so she had never stopped to think about what her life would be like when he was gone or how alone she would truly be.

“What about me? You know you’re the most important woman in my life, always have been and probably always will be,” Deuce insisted, all traces of anger gone.

“I might have thought that at one time, but I haven’t believed it for the past five years.”

Deuce leaned over, reaching toward Niki. With his fingers under her chin he gently tipped her face, forcing her to look at him. He stared into her misty blue eyes and his heart ached.

“I’m sorry I was so mad. The thought of losing you made me a bit crazy. Come on, everyone’s waiting and they’re worried sick, and we don’t know if the other soldiers are on their way to help round us up.”

Niki nodded, afraid if she spoke she would burst into tears. She pulled her lip in and bit it until Deuce released her chin. She didn’t dare move or breathe until he turned Traveler back up the slope. With his eyes no longer on her, she exhaled and followed him into the night.

When they reached the rest of the group, Niki slid off her horse and took the jacket back to Sarah. Before she could hand Sarah the coat, the woman wrapped her arms around her and squeezed so tight Niki wasn’t sure she could breathe. She gently eased Sarah back and handed her the coat.

“I didn’t hurt you when I pushed you off did I?”

“Just a little bump on my elbow, but it’s a small price to pay to get away from those horrible men and see my girls safe. I don’t know how we’ll ever repay you all for risking your lives for us,” Sarah replied.

“What happened back there?” Frank demanded. “According to Sarah it sounded like you headed for the gully I warned everyone to stay away from, though I should have realized giving you a warning is like waving a red cape in front of an angry bull.”

Niki rolled her eyes at Frank and smiled. She had been a curious child, but he made it sound as if she purposefully looked for trouble on a regular basis. Despite his and Deuce’s comments, she had more than ample fear and generally avoided confrontations if at all possible.

“I banked on Storm seeing the gully in the dark and being able to clear the gap. I kept the bikes close until the trees thinned like you mentioned and then turned him loose and prayed. By the time the first rider saw the void he was airborne. He panicked and bailed. The other two tried to stop, but skidded right into the chasm. I doubt it killed any of them, but they probably aren’t feeling too perky right now and are definitely on foot, if they can still walk, so they shouldn’t be a problem anymore tonight.”

“Of all the crazy stunts. Bernie would have beaten the tar out of us if something had happened to you. I was just estimating ten feet wide. What if it was more or what if that gelding couldn’t clear it?”

“I figured if Storm didn’t think he could make it, he’d turn and follow parallel to the gully. If that had happened I’d have come up with a new plan. But either way, I had no intention of leading the soldiers up the hill to the rest of you. None of them veered off when you and Deuce rode in opposite directions. They were all still following me and Sarah straight up the boulder field.”

Frank shook his head and mumbled a curse Niki was glad she couldn’t hear. He wrapped his arms around her in a possessive hug and held her tight. She had no idea she meant so much to these men or maybe she wouldn’t have taken such a huge risk. At the time, her only concern was for the children’s welfare. Her own safety hadn’t even entered her mind. Everything had happened so fast she hadn’t really had time to consider the consequences.

“So how far can that old horse jump anyway?” Frank asked as he slowly eased his hold on her.

“Nine feet, six inches—the last six were pure will, heart and brute strength.”

Frank couldn’t help himself. He grabbed Niki again, hugged her and laughed.

“Just so you don’t get into anymore trouble tonight, we’re switching mounts,” Frank said as he cupped his hands, forming a step to help boost her into the saddle on his black horse behind April. Maybe Storm won’t think he’s a colt again if he’s packing me and Sarah. I out weigh you by a good forty pounds.”

Niki wanted to argue, but as the adrenaline slowly drained away, she didn’t have the strength. She hated to give up her horse—Storm felt like her security blanket as of late, but if it made Frank feel better, she’d keep quiet.

They rode through the night at an unhurried pace without further incident. They discussed making camp, but decided no one would sleep anyway, so they pressed on, knowing they would all feel safer once back at the sheep camp with Bernie and Joe. At the moment, putting distance between them and the commandeered Stephens’ ranch seemed like the wisest idea.

Niki’s arms encircled April in a comforting embrace as they rode. A storm was clearly moving in, but she forced herself not to think about the possible roar of thunder or flash of lightening. It would be difficult to instill confidence in the children if she was cowering at the thought of a mere storm.

The air was humid and the temperatures cool. The girls hadn’t had time to dress for an extended stay in the high country, but Niki was proud of their performance and their quick thinking to at least grab sweaters. The rescue wouldn’t have gone as well as it had if the girls hadn’t been so calm, mature and trusting.

“You did really well tonight. Your dad will be so proud of you and I most certainly am amazed at how you and Lacy behaved back there.”

“Is he okay?” April’s voice was soft and full of fear. “I wish Daddy was with us and maybe Mom wouldn’t be so scared.”

“Other than being worried sick about his family, the last time Deuce talked to Bob, your dad was safe.”

“Are we all going to die?” April whispered.

“Not if we have anything to say about it. We’ll just stay put and as soon as they can, your dad and Bob will come for us. They know where we’re at and they know we need help. They’ll do everything they can to get home and that’s a fact we can all count on. Those are two tough old guys who won’t let a little foreign invasion stand between them and their families.”

For the first time during the long ride, Niki could feel April relax and soon the young girl dozed off. She slowed the black horse so Deuce could catch up. Lacy slept too. The young girl looked so tiny in Deuce’s big arms and like an angel with her golden curls pressed against his dark coat. Niki glanced up and smiled at Deuce and was surprised to see him smile back. He looked so at ease with the small girl and for the first time in a long time he seemed at peace.

The sun was just beginning to rise above the trees by the time they rode into camp. Joe rose from the small fire he was tending, crushed his cigarette with the toe of his boot and hobbled over to the group.

“Thank the Lord. Bernie, they made it!”

“Have Niki ride up to the flap so I can see her with my own eyes.”

Niki waited while Joe helped April off the horse and then rode to the tent so her grandfather could see she was truly safe. His expression turned from relief to worry as his gaze focused on the black horse.

“What went wrong?”

“What do you mean?” Niki asked. “We’re all here.”

“You wouldn’t give up that cantankerous yellow horse unless something bad happened.”

Niki laughed. She hadn’t thought her grandfather would even notice much less think anything about the horse swap, but apparently everyone was well aware of how much Storm meant to her.

“Frank confiscated Storm. He thinks we get into too much trouble together.”

“Don’t ask.” Deuce walked up next to Niki, put his hands around her slim waist, pulled her out of the saddle and set her feet on the ground. “Here, let me take the horse and I’ll unsaddle him so you can help Sarah and the girls get settled. I’m sure everyone’s cold, tired and hungry.”

* * *

Bernie let it go. He was sure he’d get the whole story eventually, though he feared it might be another tale he’d rather not hear. He wasn’t sure how many more times his heart could survive knowing Niki had put herself in danger. But for now, everyone was safe and that’s all that mattered.

He hadn’t wanted her to go after Sarah and the girls anymore than Deuce had, but he also believed in her strength and determination. He knew she would be an asset in the rescue, but from the moment she rode off, he prayed he hadn’t been wrong in convincing Deuce to allow her to go along.

Bernie had no doubt Deuce would have tied her to a tree to keep her at camp if he would have asked, but Bernie loved her too much to bring back the feeling of helplessness she must have felt as a child, locked in her room, unable to help her mother whom she cherished.

He was so proud of her. She had grown into a strong self-sufficient woman with little assistance from the adults in her life. He had given her all the love he had, but he knew he couldn’t really take credit for the remarkable woman she had become. As he watched her gather Sarah’s girls in a tight hug, he prayed his stubborn boss would come to his senses before it was too late.