trees broken only by an occasional pine. All around the sweet, fragrant smells of new plants filled her nostrils. Her spirits lifted, and she wasn’t sure why. One man trailed her, and another held her captive. Maybe she’d crossed the line into madness.
Last night, she vowed she wouldn’t be camping this night along the Green River, but things had changed. She hated not being in control. Of course, once Jenkins made it down the mountain, he’d be right behind them. Soon she’d learn the truth about how Morgan planned to pull Jenkins into the open. Why hadn’t he shot the animal when he saw him and Tim riding together? Maybe she’d find the answer to that too.
Jenkins was a driving fool, relentless and easily agitated when he wanted something. He thought nothing of pushing horses and men till they dropped. When the time came to find fresh mounts, he’d steal from a nearby ranch or from other outlaws who might have horses hidden in a canyon. The frightening thought spurred her on.
With a heavy heart, she turned her attention to the peaceful countryside. Twisted pine trees grew monumental against a backdrop of slate-gray rock, timeless in a territory governed by lawless men. Somehow the beauty of nature clashed with the upheaval, or maybe it merely offered a reprieve for those who seldom took the time to appreciate its beauty.
“Brown’s Park has been a favorite spot for horse thieves ever since those days following the Civil War,” Morgan said, breaking the silence.
“I didn’t know it had been used that long.”
“It borders on the Wyoming and Utah territories and the state of Colorado. Seems to stop lawmen cold and keeps them confused as to jurisdiction. Just think about all the hideaways where outlaws can winter stolen animals.”
Did Morgan think she was stupid, or was he nervous and just talking? Of course she knew those spots. She’d been to most of them, and he knew it.
About a mile south flowed Crouse Creek. Casey anticipated meeting up with familiar faces at the crossing. The creek ranked as the most secluded spot in Brown’s Park. Unfortunately, some of the most detestable creatures known to humankind roamed there. Would Morgan want to wait there for Jenkins? She had to think of something soon. From the corner of her eye, she saw he’d slung her rifle over the other side of his saddle. At the first chance, she’d get it and break loose.
“Do you want to go wading?” Morgan said.
She shivered at the thought. “We nearly froze to death last night, and now you want to catch your death of cold?”
“It might wake us up.”
“I’d rather find a place to sleep.” She lifted her hat, then tucked her hair up before plopping it back on. “Providing I live through this, are you going to let me go?”
“I could use the reward.”
Too bad he had her knife too.
“I like this time of year best,” he said. “It might be the sight of things growing or winter passing, but whatever it is, the weather makes me feel lazy.”
“I don’t want to be lazy yet.”
“Didn’t you just say you wanted to find a place to sleep?”
“I’ll sleep when I don’t have to run from somebody.” And Jenkins isn’t the only man I need to watch out for.
He stared at her oddly, and a nerve twitched in his cheek. “Casey, during those years with Jenkins, did you ever spend much time in one place?”
She laughed at his ludicrous question. “No, but I did think on it.”
The two rode farther downstream and forded the river. The water splashed up cold against her legs, and soon she chilled to the bone. Suddenly Casey felt uneasy. She noticed Morgan had glanced back more than once. Foreboding bit at her heels. Jenkins must be close behind.
Chapter 3
In the distance, the shouts of men echoed from upstream. Casey drew in a ragged breath and strained to listen.
“Jenkins is making better time than I expected.” Morgan pulled his chestnut mare to a halt. “But we need to throw ’em. I know of a cave farther downstream that’s hidden beneath a ledge of rock. Have you been there?”
“No, and I’ve ridden up and down this riverbank with Jenkins plenty of times.”
They crossed on through cold water to the opposite bank and rode on toward a wall of brown and gray rock covered by sparse growth. She studied each crack and tree that jutted from the side, but her trained eyes couldn’t find the cave.