Page 42 of At Love’s Command

Another man turned. “I got ya, Granger.” He gave Charlie a shove in Matt’s direction. “Make yourself useful, rich boy. Oh, that’s right. Ya ain’t rich no more, now that Daddy cut you off. Gotta dirty your hands and work for a livin’ like the rest of us.”

Charlie’s face tightened in anger, but he kept his mouth shut as he stumbled toward Matt.

Without looking up, Matt gestured toward the opposite end of the long branch. Charlie moved into position, bent, and lifted. Matt took the lead, carrying his end toward the juniper bush he’d hidden behind moments ago.

It only took a few steps for Charlie to start grumbling. “Where are we taking this?”

“Shut up and move,” Matt ordered.

Just a little farther. Then Preach could scatter the horses. Matt adjusted his hold on the branch, sliding closer to Charlie.

“This is stupid, Granger. There’s no point—”

Matt lifted his head and looked Charlie full in the face. The kid’s brows shot up in shock. Then alarm lit his eyes. His gaze immediately darted back toward the camp.

Matt didn’t hesitate. He dropped the wood, drew his gun with his left hand, and wrapped his right arm around Charlie in a move that would look like a friendly embrace to anyone who happened to glance their way. What they wouldn’t be able to see was the pistol pointed at the underside of Charlie’s chin.

“Settle down. I’m a friend. Your sister hired me to rescue you.”

Charlie’s face cleared. “Jo’s here?” His attention darted around the canyon as if his sister might be waiting behind the juniper bushes. “Where?”

“I’ll take you to her. But we have to move now.”

He expected the kid to become compliant at that point, but Charlie had the gall to shake his head.

“I can’t. I have to be there for the ransom exchange. If I’m not, my father will never hand over the money, and Taggart will kill him in order to take it.”

“Your father’s not coming.”

“What?” Shock and hurt flickered in the kid’s eyes before something harder took over. “Guess that tells me where I rank in his esteem.”

Matt’s impatience climbed. “You can be mad at your father later. Right now, we’ve got to get you out of here.”

Before Charlie could make up his mind, the screaming neighs of frightened horses pierced the air. Horses reared and charged. Their hooves pounded the ground as they ran for freedom. Men shouted and sprinted toward them, adding to the commotion.

“We have to go. Now!” Matt dragged Charlie toward the back of the canyon where the rope waited.

Preach was already halfway up the wall.

Charlie finally quit dragging his feet and started running in earnest. Matt drew a second weapon and watched their backs as they raced to make their escape. A spooked horse nearly took him down from behind, but Matt kept his feet and his grip on his weapons.

“Burkett’s escaping!”

The cry went up right as Charlie reached for the rope. He stopped. Looked behind him.

“Get going!” Matt ordered. “I’ll cover you from behind. I’ve got men at the top who will protect you.”

Still Charlie hesitated.

Matt shoved him with his shoulder. “Go!”

The kid grabbed the rope and started to climb. Matt stood his ground at the base of the cliff and faced the outlaws charging his way.

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

The first shot from above brought the outlaw leading the charge to his knees as he grabbed for his thigh and buckled. The second shot took out the pockmarked man in the blue kerchief, who dodged a horse only to fall backward when a bullet hit his right shoulder. By the time Wallace added his ammunition to the mix, the outlaws were actively retreating and seeking cover.