Page 3 of Property of Legend

Then two.

Then three.

The sun rises higher, and my hope sinks lower.

By the time I give up, I’m shaking.I walk the whole damn property, barefoot, dust sticking to my skin, hoping I’ll find him leaning against a fence post, hat tipped down, telling me he got delayed.

But he’s not there.

He never shows.

Hudson is nowhere to be found.

I go back to college the next day.I throw myself into school.Parties.Work.Boys who kiss soft and mean nothing.

Chapter 2

Hudson

Sophie said yes.After all these years.Said she didn’t want Paradise Falls.Said she wanted me.

Hell, I almost dropped to my knees right then and there.

Instead, I kissed her stupid.Told her to be back in an hour, and here I am, gettin’ the horse ready like it’s just another ride through the woods.

The old barn creaks, wind whistlin’ like ghosts of the past don’t want me to go.

I cinch the saddle, whisper to the mare, and that’s when I hear him.

“You ain’t takin’ her nowhere.”

I turn fast.

James Montgomery.All of fourteen, puffed-up with his daddy’s anger and too much pride.Standing there with his arms crossed, tryin’ real damn hard to look like a man.He’s still got dirt on his chin from bein’ a boy.

“Go home, James,” I say, stepping toward him slow.“Ain’t your business.”

“It is when you’re stealing my sister.And my mama’s favorite horse.Plan on killin’ it like you did the last one.”

I halted, gritting my teeth.“You don’t know what the hell you’re talkin’ about.”

“I heard you,” he snaps, voice crackin’ just a little.“You’re gonna take her away.Run off like the criminal you are.You don’t belong here, Hudson.”

I’m about to let him have it, about to drag him out by the collar, when he bolts.

Damn near faster than the horse.

I curse under my breath, leap up to finish bridling the mare, but it’s too late.

By the time I walk her out of the barn, blue lights are already flickerin’ up the lane like vultures.But they’re silent.

Two cruisers block the road.Sheriff Milton and Deputy Dix.Local good ol’ boys.One’s a drunk, the other’s dumber than a stump.

I look to the left, thinkin’ of racin’ off, but I don’t wanna leave Sophie behind.Maybe I can talk my way out of this.We can sneak off later tonight.

I rein the mare in, heart poundin’ hard.I raise both hands.

“Evenin’, officers.”

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