The short man shrugged. “I’ll give you a hundred dollars, your horse, and your life if you’ll go tell the girls to come out unarmed. That includes that little woman you’ve got traveling with you.”

Trapper shook his head and caught a glimpse of his rifle leaning against the ravine wall. If he rolled, he could grab it and get two, maybe three shots off before the men around him could raise their guns. But, the shadow in the fog standing twenty feet back might be ready. If so, Trapper would only get one man before he was shot.

The odds weren’t with him this time, but he had no choice. He had to fight.

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Emery opened her eyes. Trapper wasn’t holding her. Looking around, she realized he was gone. All was quiet. He was simply scouting around, checking on the horses, nothing more.

Maybe he’d gone to gather firewood for a meal before they started out.

She closed her eyes for a moment and remembered how he’d touched her. Very few words were spoken. He’d told her how he felt about her with his light strokes.

There was no time for words now, or maybe ever. He was a drifter who might not want to settle. But, last night, she’d felt cherished and his touch would stay with her no matter what happened next.

As quickly as she could, she changed into her clothes. They all needed to be dressed by the time he got back. One by one she woke the girls. Before they were finished dressing, she heard a horse stomping, as if the devil was chasing him.

No breakfast. They’d be moving out soon, she guessed.

One and Two shoved on their boots. “That’s Midnight,” One whispered.

They were gone before Emery could stop them.

She ordered the three other girls to stay put and ran to the opening where One and Two had disappeared.

Branches caught her skirts for a minute, and she wished she’d been smart enough to buy Levi’s like the others had.

Both girls were trying to calm Midnight.

“His right front leg is cut,” Two said as she cried. “He won’t let us close.”

Emery didn’t know much about horses, but she’d watched Trapper. He always talked to the horse before he touched the animal.

“Easy, Midnight. Easy. I’m not going to hurt you. Easy.”

Midnight watched her, his eyes still fired with panic.

Emery kept talking. “I wish you could tell us where Trapper is. Did he go looking for you? Trapper will be worried about you.”

The horse seemed to calm a bit as her soothing voice continued. “We want to help you, Midnight.”

Finally, he stilled.

Number One touched the rope around his neck. “I’ve never seen Trapper put a lead rope on Midnight.”