Weve spotted cattle haulers parked about two miles away. Theyre heading out. The south-boundary sheriff bit out the information like an order. Visibility is falling. Well do our best to track em down. Can you handle the ground pursuit?
Ten-four. He pocketed his phone. The horse skidded to a stop, sod flying from beneath steeled hooves. The suspect hed hit had vanished. Granger knelt on the ground.
Ive got one set of tracks. He sounded more than angry. Frank Granger was a big man, and he looked like the abominable snowman, flecked with white, bristling with outrage. When his daughter rode close, the fury was tempered with affection.
A close family, that was plain to see, and Ford understood. Hed grown up in one, too.
Weve got three men on foot. Ford dismounted, casting around for signs of another set of boots in the snow. Theyve split up. Ill take this one.
The sheriff and I will follow this pair. Autumn pulled a small flashlight from her coat pocket and shone it on a second set of tracks. Dad, will you be all right alone?
Be careful was Grangers only answer. Already he was riding his horse fast around a copse of cottonwoods, lost in the night and storm.
Nice of you to ride along with me. Ford mounted up and signaled his horse with his heels.
Least I could do. You dont know the lay of the land. As if that were her only reason, she didnt look at him while she drew her mare to an abrupt stop at the crest of the hill. The snow is coming down fast. Were going to lose them.
The trails gone. The snow fell faster, feathery wisps coating the high mountain plains with an iridescent glow. He could see the gleaming bare branches of the cottonwoods, the long stretch of a pasture, a huge milling herd of cattle, which were dark splotches against the pearled rangeland. A platinum gleam of a river wound through it all. No sign of anyone else in this vast open landscape.
Theyre heading for the river. Without chopper or trucks, there was no other quick escape. This is your land. If you were him, what trail would you take?
This way. She plunged her horse down the black side of the slope, disappearing from his sight. The wind whipped her hair, making her appear fearless in the night. She left him with a sense of wonder as he followed her lead through the dark. Although he couldnt see her, he could sense herthe plod of a horses hooves ahead, the faint hint of her silhouette, the curve of her shadowed arm as she cradled a rifle. She was magnificent, and his heart noticed.
Hard to deny the way his pulse sped up and slowed down at the same time. Ford swiped snowflakes off his face with his coat sleeve. When he should have been scanning for any sign of the rustlers, his gaze returned to her. Autumn rode out of the shadow of the hillside, as mighty as a Western myth, as beautiful as the snow falling.
I see something! Her voice vibrated with excitement. Maybe well catch the varmint
I see him. How he noticed anything aside from her was a total and complete mystery, but a faint black blur at the corner of his vision drew his attention. He whirled toward the suspect, pressing his knees tighter against the horses side. The animal responded, leaping into a fast canter. He leaned low, ignored the slap of mane against his face, adrenaline spiking again. Snow closed in, falling furiously, cutting off the world and the image of a man leaping off the riverbank in a swift dive. Gone. By the time Ford reached the steep ledge, the boot prints were filling and whiteout conditions closed in. Disappointment gripped his gut, bitter and harsh. Breathing hard, he hauled his phone from his pocket, but it wouldnt connect. He checked the screen. No bars.
The helicopter wouldnt help, anyway. Autumn slid off her horse and joined him on the bank. Thats a swift current.
Maybe I can still catch him. He fumbled with his zipper and gave it a tug. Cool air hit him in the chest. He shivered with cold although he couldnt feel it. His senses were heightened. The gurgling rush of the swift, deep river hid sounds of a swimmer, but he wasnt ready to give up yet.
Ford. A soft, mittened hand landed on his own. Her voice drew him and calmed the beat of adrenaline charging through him. Time slowed, the world stopped turning and, in the odd gray light of a nights snowfall, she gazed up at him with caring. Let him go. Your life isnt worth risking over him.
He tried to shoot at you. He could have shot at you, is what he didnt say. He could have hit you, even killed you. The words wadded in his throat like a ball of paper and refused to move. He couldnt speak for a moment, but he could pray. Thank You, Lord, for that piece of grace.
Im fine, thanks to you and Dad. Her hand remained on his in silent understanding. That was some pretty fine shooting. Youre not bad for a city boy.
A compliment? Thats a surprise.
Dont I know it. No one is more stunned than me.
Still think Im not too ugly?
Were talking of your sheriff skills, Sherman, not your other qualities.
The sweet warmth of her alto wrapped around him like a cloak, keeping the cold at bay. For the first time in years he didnt feel alone. It was hard to tell in the storm, but he thought he saw a twinkle in her deep hazel eyes. Teasing him when she meant something more serious.
He knew teasing was easier. He avoided serious whenever he could. Hed gotten enough of it in his line of work to last him a lifetime. Youre welcome, he choked, finally able to get out the words. Now you owe me.
Me? I owe you? She tossed her head, sending snowflakes flying off her silken curls, bracing her feet like a gunfighter ready to draw. We dont know if it was your bullet that winged him or my dads. Im sure it wasnt yours. You arent used to shooting off the back of a horse.
How do you know that? Because Im a city boy?
Youve got skills. I want to deny it, but I cant. She drew away, reaching for her horse and leaving an imprint on his hand that cooled without her near. She hopped onto her horse, hefted her rifle into the crook of her arm and swiped at the snow clinging to her face. I havent heard any shots, so that must mean Dad and Justin didnt run into trouble, either.
As long as theyre safe. He braced one palm on the geldings warm back, grabbed a handful of mane and hopped up. Snow had closed in, and all he could see of the river was a faint shadow. Im going to ride the riverbank for a spell. That waters cold. No one can stay in there for long.
Youre a stubborn man, arent you?
I prefer to call it determined. He gritted his teeth against the cold, ignoring the vicious bite of the wind as he faced into it. A little storm isnt going to stop me.
Then Id best come with you. She whirled her mount away from home, coming closer, and a ghost of a smile curved her soft lips. Had he noticed before how pretty her mouth was? It looked like summer itself, always smiling. Undaunted by the storm, she gave her mares neck an encouraging pat. Its been a while since Bella and I had an adventure. Besides, its not as if I can leave you out here on your own, city boy.
Maybe Im not as much of a city boy as you think. It was his turn to make her wonder about him. As he pressed his horse into a fast walk, leaving her to follow, he felt her curious gaze on his back. Was she as interested in him as he was in her? It was going to be fun finding out.
Maybe Im not as much of a city boy as you think. It was his turn to make her wonder about him. As he pressed his horse into a fast walk, leaving her to follow, he felt her curious gaze on his back. Was she as interested in him as he was in her? It was going to be fun finding out.
Clearly, she had misjudged Sheriff Ford Sherman. Autumn could admit when she was wrong. He rode Lightning as if he belonged on the back of the dappled gray quarter horse, sitting tall and straight and in command. Although the storm and the night fought to hide him from her, she caught glimpses of him on the trail ahead of herthe straight line of his back, the cut of his profile and the dark glint of the rifle he carried.
So, what was the mans story? Did she really want to know? Judging by the kick of her pulse, maybe not. Perhaps it was better to stay in the dark, to let her curiosity about him go unanswered. Maybe it would die a quiet death and she could bury her interest in the man right along with it. The wind changed, gusting hard against her face, and she ducked against the slap of snow. Thunder cracked overhead.
Time to head in, Sheriff. She cupped her half-numb hands to shout into the gale. Thunder means lightning. I dont know about you, but Id rather not get hit by it.
Hey, Im up for new experiences.
She couldnt see his grin, but she could hear it. She didnt want to like him, but she did. He had a good sense of humor and an inner grit she never would have guessed at.
I just wish we could have found them. The veil of snow parted just enough to give a glimpse of the man gazing in the direction of the rolling river, wistful, nail-tough, not wanting to give up the chase. They couldnt have lasted in that river long. Not with ice forming along the banks. They would have to get out, and if they did they wouldnt be moving fast.
It runs off our land and to a county road. My guess is they climbed out at the bridge and its too late to catch them. Time to give up the chase, Sheriff. She didnt know why she reached out, but when her hand found the hard plane of his forearm the bite of the arctic cold vanished, the rush of the wind silenced and the night shadows ebbed. Its getting too cold for Bella.
Then we head in. He didnt move away. The moment stretched as if time itself had ceased moving forward and no snow fell. I know its a lost cause hunting anything in this storm, but I had to try. Now Ive got only one question.
Whats that?
Do you know the way home? Because I dont.
Follow me. She urged Bella around with a touch of her heel. The cold returned with knife-sharpness, and the snow stung her face as the wind beat her with a boxers punch. Time kick-started, and she lost Ford in the sudden swirl of the storm.
Whew. Cant believe its getting worse. He eased up alongside her, sticking close. Let me guess. It always snows like this here. Its something else the mayor didnt tell me when I agreed to take this job.
Im tempted to say yes, but that would be too cruel. They left the river bank behind and headed into the dark night. We can get weather like this, but not often.
I dont remember this in the local forecast.
It wasnt. The local news comes out of Jackson, so its not always accurate for us. This morning Dad said a big storm was coming, so he and Justin cancelled their trip to Casper.
Your dads a pretty good weatherman.
A good rancher has to be. You get to learn the way the air and winds feel before a big storm. Dad is especially good at it. Her teeth should have been chattering from the cold, but the brunt of the wind didnt hit her because Ford rode at her right side and blocked it. Had he done that on purpose? She listened to another peal of thunder. Sounded as if it was moving farther to the southeast. Good news. So, are you going to fess up?
About what?
About where you learned to ride and shoot like that. He wasnt as good as her dad, but he was close, and not many men could say that. She didnt want to respect him, but she couldnt help it. Arent you going to tell me?
I could, but it would make a better story over dinner. Maybe Friday next week? Although she couldnt see more than a hint of his silhouette, she knew he was smiling. She just knew it.
Will you ever stop? She was not about to fall victim to his charm.
Not until you say yes. The thing is, he didnt sound charming in that flattering way insincere men did. Without her prior assumptions about him, he came across as an honest, solid guy. He lowered his voice a note and drew his horse closer. Heres a warning. I can be persistent.
Then I would be smart to keep you at arms length, wouldnt I? Tempting not to. Very tempting.
Then thats a no go for Friday? I could make it Saturday night if thats better for you.
Awfully confident, arent you, city boy?
I can sense you weakening.
Strange, because she could sense it, too. Without her eyes to deceive her, she saw more of him in the dark than shed witnessed in broad daylight. He rode bareback like a pro. He hadnt once commented on how unladylike it was to pack a Winchester and track rustlers.
Careful, Autumn, or youll start liking him, and you know where that leads. She rubbed her hands to keep them warm. Her insulated gloves were not doing their job, which meant the temp was falling fast.
Well? Can I pencil you in for Saturday dinner?
Thats the night before my brothers wedding. She was surprised at the hint of regret she heard in her words, and more surprised at the twist of regret she felt.
Wedding, huh? Do you need a date for that?
You are persistent. She was rolling on the floor laughing, or she would be if the ground wasnt covered in wet, icy stuff. His laughter joined hers rising on the wind, and her heart lightened. Yes, it was very tempting to like the man, but did she dare?
Im a fair shot because I did time on SWAT and a hitch in the army out of high school. His voice changed, grew richer and deeper as if with memories both good and difficult. She would have given anything to be able to see his face, to read the emotions revealed there.
You were in the army? She couldnt say why that came as a surprise to her. Maybe because from the moment theyd met she had wanted to keep him at a distance.
I learned to shoot on my granddads property in Kentucky.
Kentucky? As in horses?
He was a trainer, but he kept his own stable. Its where I learned to ride.
She had leaped to far too many conclusions. A small twist of shame spread through her, something that not even the bitter cold could dull. And when you and your grandfather would sit and read Westerns together, it was in Kentucky?
Technically in his house in Kentucky.
Impossible to miss the amusement in his voice. Embarrassment flooded her. You didnt know anything about cattle. What was I to think?
You were relying on what you knew of me. Im sure Tim, the mayor, had no problem telling everyone I was from a big city.
It caused a big ruckus at the town meeting, since all the ranchers on this end of the county showed up demanding the council hire someone sympathetic to our needs. I was in that room, so I know. She remembered how outraged several ranchers had felt when the new hire had been announced. My dad said we ought to give you a chance, and I can see he was right. I guess I expected someone much different from you.