Free Moon Over Montana (McCutcheon Family Series Book 5) by Caroline Fyffe

Dancing took heart. She could now kill the men hunting her with ease, if she chose to. But that would only bring more white dogs sniffing after her trail.
    With a bloodcurdling cry, she spun her horse toward the dense forest and disappeared inside. She was surprised to still hear the men in pursuit. Turning to look one more time, she didn’t see the slick black ferns of a woodland spring until it was too late. Her mare slipped, going down. An upturned branch impaled Fox Dancing’s arm.
    She swallowed her cry of pain. Moisture sprung to her eyes as her horse scrambled to her feet. On her hands and knees, Fox Dancing emptied the little contents of her stomach onto the musty earth floor. Taking several deep breaths, she grasped the branch sticking out of her arm and yanked it out. She climbed to her feet, a wave of dizziness almost dropping her.
    I am a fierce warrior. Nothing can sto—
    She blinked, clearing her blurred vision and foggy mind. Large leaves and branches hid her for now, but it wouldn’t be long before the men found her.
    I won’t die like this!
    She fingered the knife sheathed in leather and tied around her waist, remembering the stories of women who had used theirs to keep from being dishonored. Sweat slicked her forehead. She dug through her pack for the soft skin wraps she’d packed, then clumsily bandaged her arm to stop the bleeding.
    All the while, the men kept coming.
    She swayed. Gulping in breaths, she wrapped her fists in her mare’s mane, and with a cry of agony, pulled herself onto the mare’s back, praying for strength to say mounted.

 
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
     
    T he hour in the bunkhouse with the cowhands had been just what Charity had needed. She hadn’t laughed so much in years. And she’d been able to put Francis’s comment out of her mind. He was hurt. He’d staked claim on her years ago, whether she wanted it or not. She’d tried often enough to let him know he was just a friend, but maybe now that the time had come for her and Brandon, he was taking it harder than expected.
    When her father and brothers arrived to begin the day’s work, she saddled up and rode over to Rachel’s. Faith and Amy were already there, children in tow. She spent the rest of the morning playing with her darling nieces. She and her sisters-in-law had planned the visit last night at Cattlemen’s, and while she would have loved to sit in on the bunkhouse meeting to hear how they would combat the lumpy jaw Pedro had discovered, she didn’t want to renege on yesterday’s promise.
    Riding back into the ranch yard on her palomino, Charity arrived just as the door to the bunkhouse opened and everyone streamed out. Eight horses were tied at the hitching rail, and a scattering of hens pecked at the dirt between their feet.
    “Charity,” Flood called. “You ready to ride? We’re going to Covered Bridge and Three Forks.”
    She waved, then rode up next to Luke, Matt, Mark, Roady, and her father. The rest of the men mounted up and headed out. “I’m ready and able. I haven’t ridden the pastures for months. I miss it.”
    “Well, it’s good you’re back, because we can use your help,” Luke said. “We’re riding in pairs to check the stock. If you find any infected animals, bring ’em back here so we can treat ’em with iodine. Another set of eyes will be useful.”
    Flood gathered his reins and mounted, as agile as any of her brothers.
    “How come you get to go with Charity, Flood?” Roady asked, a teasing light in his eyes.
    Flood gave him a stern look. “Because it’s been months since I had a ride with my daughter. She’s getting married soon, so the opportunities will be few and far between. Especially after she has a little Brandon or Charity.”
    Charity could hardly believe her ears. Embarrassed, she turned her head, and her brothers and Roady laughed.
    “You better get used to it,” Matt said. “Once you’re a married woman, you’ll hear all sorts of new things.”
    “If