Free Carolyn Davidson by Runaway Page B

lead to its full length, but amiable nonetheless. Cassie settled into the saddle, lulled by the rhythmic vibration of her horse’s hooves, which blended with the sounds of the animal’s breathing.
    Ahead, the blot on the horizon spread out before her eyes, taking form and substance, sunlight glittering on metal.
    “It’s a town!” On an indrawn breath, Cassie whispered aloud her discovery. Not much of a town, she admitted to herself, now that she was getting closer. Only a cluster of buildings, to be sure. But where there were townfolk, there must be a general store. And inside that store, if Will had the hard cash to lay on the counter, they might find something to go along with the biscuits and beans they’d been eating for the past two days.
    To the north a farmhouse took form, a barn behind it, and smoke from the chimney wafted on the breeze. A dog barked sharply and Cassie squinted to seek its whereabouts. A dark smudge moved and the animal barked again.
    “I’m not gonna bother you, pooch,” she said, her words blending with a chuckle. Her hand tightened on the reins, halting her progress as she considered the distance ahead. It would take far less than a half hour to reach the settlementat the pace she was traveling, and she didn’t relish riding into its midst alone.
    Shifting in the saddle, she looked back at the horizon. Will had traveled fast once he headed out. Patches of brush and a few clumps of trees dotted the landscape, perhaps shielding him from her view. A line of trees gave mute evidence of water, over near the farm she’d taken note of, and as her eyes measured the boundary they formed, she was tempted to ride in that direction.
    A place to water her horse and splash fresh water on her own face was a welcome thought. One best ignored if she planned on doing as Will had told her. She shifted restlessly, uneasy without him by her side.
    And then she heard his whistle from behind her, like that of a hawk calling to his mate. She turned in the saddle again, shading her eyes as they swept the horizon to the south. With a quickening of her heartbeat she recognized him, there where his figure soaked up the sunlight, approaching at a hard gallop.
    His lips were thinned, his nostrils flaring, and his dark eyes were hooded as he pulled his horse to a halt. The stallion’s front hooves left the ground and he spun in a half circle as Will reined him tightly. He tossed his head, and white foam sprayed in the air.
    “What’s wrong?” Cassie asked, her eyes intent on man and horse, a bit uneasy at the stud’s antics. Will’s hardedged profile gave her a start, a grimness she had only begun to associate with him altering his features. “What did you find back there?”
    “We’re being followed. Maybe by one of those bastards from that ranch where I bought the horse.” His mouth tightened as he allowed his gaze to sweep over her. “I was afraid of this. Must be you were more temptation than I realized.”
    His frown deepened. “I didn’t want to use my gun, but I reckon I’ll have to face him down.” He looked to where the small town huddled, less than a mile ahead. “We’ll ride on and keep an eye out. My guess is that he’ll circle around and pick up our trail later on.”
    It wasn’t much of a town. On the outskirts was a blacksmith shop, where a muscular man in a leather apron plied his trade before a glowing forge. He’d allowed them a glance and gone back to his business as they passed by. Next, a white wooden church proclaimed the place to be Cooper’s Crossing, and the church to be Methodist in its leanings.
    A scattering of houses surrounded the middle of town, dogs and children playing behind picket fences. A bit farther on a small building boasted a sign designating it the bank, and beside it was the general store. Will tied their horses to the hitching rail as Cassie wearily slid to the ground.
    “Don’t buy out the place before I get in there,” he told her, his words an