Page 10 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas

“And eat at least two baskets of Rachel’s famous buttermilk biscuits,” Ginny said. “These are better than those at the Eagle’s Nest.”

“Not quite,” Rachel responded. She looked at Eliza. “May Covington is the pastry and breakfast chef at the hotel. She can bake anything.”

“Her husband is lucky,” Lydia quipped.

Rachel chuckled, again turning toward Eliza. “May is married to Caleb, one of Gabe’s deputies. They’re a wonderful and generous couple.”

Eliza took a bite of the fluffy biscuit, letting it melt in her mouth. “My goodness, you weren’t kidding. These are delicious!”

Rachel beamed at the compliment.

“So, what’s on your agenda today, Eliza?” Ginny asked before taking a sip of coffee.

“Oh, I’m not sure…” Eliza’s voice trailed off.

“Well, I’d like to show you more of the ranch,” Rachel said. “It’s a gorgeous day for a short ride. We won’t get too more like this until spring. I recall you mentioning how much you enjoy riding.”

“Yes, I do, and seeing more of the ranch sounds wonderful,” Eliza said, excited at the idea. She hadn’t been riding in ages.

“It’s settled then,” Rachel said. “We’ll saddle up after breakfast and explore some of the ranch’s acres. We won’t go far from the house. If the weather changes, we want to get back here in a hurry.”

Chapter Five

Rachel and Eliza finished their breakfast and headed out to the barn to find their mounts already saddled. Rachel checked over the two sturdy ranch horses, a pinto mare named Dancer for herself and a chestnut mare named Maple for Eliza.

“Maple has a sweet temperament but plenty of spirit,” Rachel said as she tightened the cinch.

Eliza stroked her mare’s neck, talking in a low tone before mounting up. Rachel swung into Dancer’s saddle with practiced ease.

“We’re going to head north. I want to show you the hay barns.”

They rode off, the chill winter air biting but also invigorating. Rachel pointed out the different landmarks as they explored a few acres of the expansive ranchland.

Eventually, they came upon a storage barn filled with hay. “We keep hay stored over the winter to make it easier to feed the cattle.”

Rachel reined Dancer next to an opening about three feet above the ground and six feet wide, motioning Eliza over. Inside were huge piles of loose hay.

“There’s one more farther out. Dax and Luke wanted to decrease the time needed to cut and store the hay. This is the second year they’ve been used, and both seemed pleased with the new routine.”

Rachel reined north again. Eliza followed, taking in the beautiful landscape dotted with cattle grazing from mounts of hay.

As the sun rose high above them, Rachel decided to head back. When they reined their horses south, a cold wind picked up. Both mares tossed their heads and whinnied. Attempting to calm them, the women stilled when a chorus of eerie howls sounded behind them.

Eliza’s heart leaped into her throat at the same time Rachel drew her rifle from its sheath. When the howls came again, she fired off two warning shots. The sound reverberated across the open range, loud enough for those at the ranch house to hear. Maple startled beneath Eliza, whinnying in alarm. She fired twice more before turning toward Eliza.

“Wolves.” Rachel’s voice held a hint of fear. “We’d better get moving.”

Eliza needed no convincing. She squeezed Maple’s sides, spurring the mare to follow Rachel and Dancer. Her pulse thundered in her ears, louder than the drumming of hooves on frozen ground.

They raced back to the ranch, their horses kicking up plumes of snow in their wake. Adrenaline coursed through Eliza as she leaned low over Maple’s neck, urging the mare to keep up with Rachel.

Eliza breathed a sigh of relief when the ranch house appeared on the horizon. She spotted figures pouring out of the house, rifles in hand. She recognized Spencer’s tall frame, along with Dax and Bull. Rachel slowed her horse as they reached the assembled group.

“What happened?” Spencer called out. “We heard shots.”

“Wolves,” Rachel said.

Eliza dismounted on shaky legs, reclaiming her balance when Spencer put a hand on her shoulder.

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