They’d reached the point where the road narrowed, with a rocky cliff on one side and steep drop on the other. Around the next corner was the top of the pass and the Devil’s Keyhole. The sun dipped behind a cloud, further chilling the air. He’d be glad when this trip ended.

They moved around the bend and stopped.

The road ended at a mountain of rocks, uprooted trees, and dirt.

*  *  *

I couldn’t decide if I’d be less miserable with or without the soaked blanket covering me. Dee Dee’s shivering matched mine. I was about to put the blanket issue to a vote when the wagon stopped.

Bram turned and looked at us. “Ladies, it looks like we’ll have to go back to Mule Shoe. A landslide has blocked our leaving.”

Dee Dee groaned, then snapped, “Let’s get to it. I’m chilled to the bone.”

“No way,” Liam said. “It’s too dangerous to back down, and it’s too narrow here to turn around. We’ll have to unhitch the horse, then use him to pull the wagon so it’s facing the other way.”

Bram jumped down. “I’m going to get a rock to put behind the wheel. Darby, if you could hold the horse’s head while Liam unhitches him. Dee Dee, get up on the driver’s seat and hold on to the brake lever.”

Before Bram could help me, I’d hopped off the back, walked to the horse’s head, and taken hold of the bridle. Bram grabbed a good-sized rock from the side of the road. As he moved toward the wheel, Liam unsnapped the harness from the wagon.

Crack!

At the sound of splintering wood the horse tossed his head, pulling me off my feet. I clung to his bridle until I regained my footing, then looked around to see what had made the sound.

Dee Dee was holding the shattered end of the brake lever.

The wagon lurched backward, gaining speed, aiming straight for the cliff edge.

“Jump!” Bram yelled.

“Dee Dee, jump!” I screamed.

Dee Dee leaped from the driver’s seat, hit the road, and rolled. The wagon flew off the road and out of sight.

I held my breath. Please, Lord . . .

Dee Dee grabbed at grasses and dirt to stop her momentum.

A loud crash echoed across the mountains as the wagon hit the bottom of the ravine.

Bram raced toward the frantically thrashing woman.

Dee Dee screamed once just before she disappeared over the precipice.

I became light-headed. My vision blurred. If I hadn’t been clinging so hard to the horse’s bridle, I would have collapsed.

Bram stumbled to the edge of the cliff and looked over, then spun away. “Oh, my sweet Lord.” His face was ashen.

Liam moved next to Bram, glanced down, then turned and vomited.