Free Wild Horses by D'Ann Lindun

never been.
    Castaña didn’t know if she was more worried about Martin or Jake. “Martin knew the Apache-Sitgreave like the back of his hand. If he didn’t want to be found, he wouldn’t be. Jake, on the other hand, was a different story. He came from Phoenix, unfamiliar with this rugged land. Her loyalty was to Martin, but she couldn’t help but worry about Jake, too.
    Staton broke into her thoughts. “We need to make a plan of action. If two injured men were on the trail, we would’ve seen them this morning. I’m thinking we need to split up and spread out.” He motioned to the Search and Rescue team leader. “Ron, split your team up as you see fit. Perez, you stick with me. Miss Castillo, go with whichever one of Ron’s men he decides on.” He bent and took the pot from the fire and offered everyone else a cup. “I have flares in my saddlebags, but make sure you don’t start a forest fire if you use them. And only use them if you find a body or someone who needs serious medical care.”
    Castaña didn’t argue, although she didn’t want to be bogged down by having someone with her. At least she had some help to hunt for Martin. She addressed Ron. “Who’s with me?”
    “Me,” Patty quickly volunteered.
    Relieved not to be with one of the two obnoxious men, Castaña nodded.
    “Are we going to meet somewhere at a certain time?” Ron asked.
    “How about here by six tonight?” Staton suggested.
    Everyone nodded.
    Castaña held her tongue. She had her own agenda. If convenient, she would be here at six, but if she were hot on Martin’s trail, she’d send Patty back. She went inside the cabin and packed a lunch, making enough for two. Patty had brought her own food, but if they found any of the missing men, they might be hungry. She filled her thermos with hot coffee, and then offered the rest to the others. While everyone topped off their own thermoses, she stowed her food in her saddlebags. She wrapped her sleeping bag in a tight roll to tie behind her saddle.
    Patty came up beside her. “Are you ready?”
    “Yeah, let me close the cabin and I’ll be set.”
    Patty mounted her roan mare while Castaña put away her supplies. Seeing the others had already left, Castaña swung aboard Gato. “I’d like to head west.”
    “Sure, but why?” Patty reined her horse alongside Gato. “The rain washed away any tracks, so we don’t know, but don’t you think the men headed back the way they came?”
    “I’m not looking for them specifically. I’m hunting my brother.” The trail narrowed and they fell into single file as they wound up the ridge. Castaña leaned forward and gave Gato plenty of rein as he plunged up the steep trail. “He’s missing.”
    “Why didn’t the sheriff’s office call out S&R?” Patty called.
    Castaña risked a glance over her shoulder. “They don’t think Martin is hurt. They think he took off because he murdered two BLM agents. I know he didn’t do it, but they don’t see things my way. They think Martin shot those men and took off to protect himself.”
    “Why doesn’t the sheriff’s office have a full scale manhunt going on? I haven’t heard anything about this,” Patty said.
    “I don’t know what’s in their heads, but so far they aren’t accusing him, just saying they want to talk to him,” Castaña said. “I just got here a couple days ago and all I know is what I’ve told you. But Martin’s girlfriend is expecting a baby and he’s been gone for more than a week with no word to her.”
    “And you think he’s in trouble?”
    “Absolutely,” Castaña said.
    “Then let’s find him.”
    • • •
    By 10 A.M. the sun had warmed Castaña enough she needed to remove her jacket. She reined in and shrugged out of her coat. Patty, too, took off her outerwear. They sat silently, taking in their surroundings for a minute. Pine trees rimmed the small meadow and grass grew to the horses’ knees. The smell of pine and the pleasant, yeasty scent warm