Rose held her breath as the horses slowed for the steeper climb to reach the fork where the trail and road diverged …thirty yards…twenty yards…ten yards. She was breathing a little easier as they turned onto the horse trail when she saw the vehicle round the bend fifty yards back and come into full view. She made eye contact with the driver, then saw the front seat passenger point towards her. The vehicle accelerated, bouncing wildly on the rough road and throwing its occupants hard against the roof.
Smokey was breathing hard, but Rose had to ignore his discomfort and drove her heels into his sides. “Last time, boy. Let’s go.” They raced down the trail, the horses rushing hooves on the rocks sounding like a stampede of a dozen animals. Behind her, Rose could see the SUV, an old Ford Bronco, rocking side to side as it accelerated up the steep section of road, going far faster than she imagined it could. “Run!” she screamed, knowing Smokey was approaching his limit. She felt one of his hooves slip on the rocks and he started to go down, then miraculously he caught himself and dashed forward, straining at the bit in his mouth.
They raced ahead, Rose ducking low, afraid to look back. From the sound of the engine, she knew the Bronco was fighting the steep grade of the last section of road. She could see, just a little further ahead, where the trail turned and dropped down, hidden from her pursuers by the trees, where they would be safe, out of range, and impossible to follow except on foot. The Bronco’s engine went quiet, then doors slammed and men shouted, followed by gunshots just as Smokey turned into the cover of the trees.
Having struggled to breathe since the Bronco came bouncing towards them, Rose finally let out a lungful of air as they rushed headlong into the cover of the trees, and further down the hillside, quickly putting more and more distance between them. Her whole body shook, and she hunched forward, grasping Smokey’s mane in her hands, squeezing, pressing tight with her legs to stay in control, knowing she didn’t have the luxury of allowing her emotions to take over.
They rode non-stop for thirty minutes, gradually slowing as Dusty labored more and more to keep up. The sound of the vehicle had faded in the distance, and the ensuing silence was a welcome relief. They approached a stream where the horses could drink and rest, miles from the men chasing her and safe from the threat of gunfire.
At the stream, Rose dismounted and stretched her legs. It was dark and cold, but there was less ice than was typical for mid-January. Rose rubbed Smokey as he dipped his head to the water. “Good boy. Good boy,” she repeated, briefly resting her forehead on his shoulder. After untying Dusty, Rose led the mare to the stream, noticing a limp as she turned. “You okay, girl?” she questioned while patting Dusty’s neck and checking the saddle. A dark streak on the right rear leg caught her eye, and Rose reached out to inspect it, drawing back fingers that were wet and sticky with blood.
Rose looked closer at the wound, finding that it was round and raw and big enough to fit her index finger in. Dusty shied away as Rose probed the edges of the wound, fresh blood still draining from it. “You poor girl.”
A short walk up the path revealed a spotty trail of blood in the snow as far back as Rose could see. Tears pooled in her eyes as she walked back to her horse. “I didn’t know you were hurt,” she said, stroking Dusty’s nose. “I’m so sorry I did this to you. You poor girl; it’s just not right.”
CHAPTER 13
Wednesday, January 18th
Deer Creek, MT
Hearing a tapping on the front door, Jennifer jumped from the couch and quickly swung the door open. “Hi, Ty,” she said, looking past him as she stifled a yawn. “Where’s Kyle? Isn’t he with you?”
Ty Lewis shook his head. “It’s just me. Can I come in?”
Jennifer stepped to the side, allowing him to enter. “I went down there, you know, but they wouldn’t let me in. Said he couldn’t have visitors.”
“I know. I saw you. That’s why I’m here. Thought you needed to know what’s going on.”
Jennifer dropped anxiously onto the couch and motioned for Ty to do the same. “When are they going to let him come home? He will come home, won’t he?”
Ty pressed his clasped hands against his mouth and took a deep breath. “I don’t know how much I should say, but things look, well, they don’t look good, Jennifer. I hate to say it, but I’m more than a little worried.”
“But he didn’t do anything. How can things be so bad?” Jennifer hurled her words at him, her hands balled into fists.
The room was dark, and the moon, being the only source of light, cast long, gray shadows over everything. The whites of Ty’s eyes stood out in the darkness, flashing each time he blinked. “Listen, I’m with you on this, but it’s not about you and me. The girl that died, her daddy is a big shot over there. He had a little grocery store and a couple other businesses, so he’s really taken care of the town for the past few months. They’re all pretty riled about what happened, understandably so.”
“It doesn’t matter who her family is. Kyle didn’t do anything.” Jennifer was nearly shouting, her voice echoing in the room.
“Hey, I believe that,” Ty said softly, holding his hands up in protest. “I believe that, but the situation looks all wrong. Kyle was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The body was found in his house, and he was the one on patrol that night. Dale and his mother both swear the girl left by midnight. No one else saw or heard anything.”
“He would never do anything like that,” Jennifer said, still worked up. “I know Kyle. He might have a bit of a temper. Everyone does. But he’d never hurt anyone that way.”
Ty looked directly at Jennifer. “There’s going to be a trial. It’ll probably start next week. It’ll be over quick, maybe two or three days.”
“Will he come home after that?”
“If they find him innocent.”
“What if they don’t?”
Ty took a deep breath. “Jenn. It’s rape and murder. It won’t be good.”
CHAPTER 14
Thursday, January 19th
Central Wyoming
Lou Thompson knelt over the injured horse, shaking his head slowly. “It’s no good, Rose. There’s nothing I can do for her.” The sun was just coming up, and the wind that swept down over the hillside and howled through the trees was cold and biting. Lou’s worn cowboy hat was pulled down tight on his head, the collar of his jacket turned up to block the wind. “She won’t stand, and it looks like she’s been laying here for quite some time.” He turned towards Rose. “She isn’t going to make it.”
“Are you sure?” Rose stood next to Lou, her hands pushed deep in the pockets of her heavy coat, watching while he examined Dusty.
“It’s a miracle she made it this far. Look how big the wound is, and there’s no exit hole so the bullet is still inside, probably lodged in her hip. Horses have a lot of muscle there, which probably slowed the bullet enough to keep from shattering the bone, but that tissue is all damaged, and she’s lost a lot of blood. The fact that she walked this far is incredible, but that’s the end of the miracle. It’s only a matter of time and how much we’re willing to let her suffer.” The wind gusted again, pelting them with snow and ice. “Let’s go inside where it’s warm.”
They walked to the big ranch house in silence, shielding themselves from the weather with their arms. Once inside, Rose took off her boots and dropped down hopelessly onto a couch near the fireplace. “It’s just not right, Lou. That horse shouldn’t have to pay for my mistakes. I should have left sooner.”