When Love's Gone Country - By Merri Hiatt Page 0,44

When the turn was complete, he could see several more twists ahead. “We need to keep our eyes open. If they stop and hide out of sight like last time, we might not see them before they see us.”

They slowed their pace and made a habit of scanning the woods. It took longer, but they had to be certain they weren’t walking into a trap.

Fifteen minutes later the woods became sparse. Fewer and few trees gave them cover and they all felt vulnerable.

The waterfall could be heard nearby, but not seen. The rushing whirr of white water was much closer. They crested a small hill on their bellies and found Bart and Red sitting on the other side down by the river bed.

“There’s the double y,” Brad said.

“It’s beautiful. Funny how both of the y’s to the right are so slow and the ones to the left are so wild,” Court said.

“I think there are more rocks to the right, and it’s shallower. When the sun hits the water, I can see right to the bottom,” Alex said.

Bart and Red stood close, pointing to areas at the river’s edge, then huddling close to confer some more.

“What now?” Courtney asked.

“We wait for the calvary,” Alex said.

“When Frank and Emma show up, my guess is they’ll have Bart and Red escorted off the premises for good.”

“Seems a bit anticlimactic,” Court said.

“You want more drama?” Brad asked.

“Well, something could happen to make it a bit more exciting. All we’re doing is lying on a hill. Big whoop!”

“I’ve had enough excitement,” Brad said.

“Here, here,” Alex concurred. “I need a vacation from this vacation.”

“Maybe we should have stayed at Moon Spirit Lodge and forgotten all about coming to the ranch,” Brad said.

“I’ve had fun. Just a different kind of fun. And I really liked working with the horses, they—”

“Sh.” Brad pointed to the right. Jacob walked toward Bart and Red.

“What’s Jacob doing here?” Alex asked.

“Is he alone?” Court asked.

Alex felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on edge. “I don’t think so,”

Two men traced Jacob’s footsteps, guns drawn.

Courtney started to get up, but Brad held her down. “Not yet. We have to see what they’re up to.”

“They’re going to hurt him. We have to do something,” Court said.

“Wait,” Alex said. “I know what you’re thinking, but wait.”

Courtney’s adrenaline was pulsing through her veins. She wanted to kick those men in the teeth and gouge out their eyes. How dare they put Jacob into such a dangerous position.

They watched as Jacob began taking off his clothes.

“What in the hell?” Court asked.

Realization dawned on Brad. “They’re going to make him find it, the healing well. Damn cowards. They won’t go in those rapids, but they’ll risk Jacob’s life.”

“Who can swim?” Alex asked.

“I can dog paddle, a little,” Brad said.

“I sink,” Alex said.

“I can swim,” Court said. “I used to be a life guard during the summer.”

“You’re it, then,” Alex said.

“For what?”

“Follow me.”

They shimmied back down the hill until they were sure no one could see them, then they stood up. Alex led them down river, explaining. “When Jacob goes in the water, you swim upstream, find him and lead him underwater back to where we are.”

“The current is strong here. I don’t know if I can. And, I don’t know if Jacob can hold his breath that long.”

“We have to try. It’s our only chance. No one from the ranch is coming and they’re about to send Jacob to his death.”

“Ferocity of love,” Courtney said as chill bumps ran down her arms. “I’ll find him, and I won’t let go.”

About thirty yards upstream they heard a splash as Jacob dove into the river.

Courtney stripped down to her undergarments and slid into the water. Her vision was blurry, but she squinted and headed against the current. It would be easier on the way back. She began to count, one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand.

She knew the men’s attention would be focused on Jacob. She stayed close to the river’s edge, came up for air once, then took one huge breath and slid to the bottom of the river, moving upstream at the same time.

She searched for signs of an arm or leg, but saw nothing. She had begun counting again, but was having a hard time keeping track. The rapids made ripples along the edge of the riverbed, allowing for little light to seep through.

When her lungs began to ache for oxygen, she pushed herself further upstream. Ferocity of love, dammit! She wasn’t leaving without