Page 7 of Cowboy

Once he had the trailer hooked to his truck, they loaded the two horses and all the tack and gear. She ran inside and brought him back a large backpack with ropes, cantilevers, and grappling hooks. Apparently, she was a full-service mountain facility. His cooler was now filled with waters and food, and the first aid kit ready for the worst-case scenario.

“Well, good luck,” she said, staring up at him. “This is my cell phone number if you need to get ahold of me, but the signal out there will be for shit. I’ve gotta get back into town and have a talk with Willie. If I find out anything else, I’ll call that fancy phone of yours, but I doubt you’ll get a signal.”

“Trust me, ma’am, I’ll get a signal.” She nodded and started to walk away, then walked back toward him, giving him a hug.

“Be careful. You never know what’s out there. And, thank you.”

He chuckled as she hurried away from him, speeding back toward the little town. Inside the cab of his truck, he made the call he knew he should have made three days ago.

“Benjamin! How are you?” said Blade.

“I’m good, Dad. Listen, I have a story to tell you.”

CHAPTER FOUR

“We’re looking at the satellite photos now, Cowboy,” said Ace. “That’s a lot of terrain to cover.”

“According to her grandmother, she left Los Angeles three days ago at her usual time of 0800. The flight plan I sent you was the same one she filed every time she went. We should be able to find an area to search.” Ace and Doug narrowed the search area, given her flight plan, and Doug immediately spotted something that shouldn’t be there.

“Damn,” muttered Doug, standing beside Chipper. “I think that’s it.”

“Where?” said Ace.

“There. The silver object you see in the trees. I think that’s it. I’m not sure anyone could have survived that.”

“Well, send me the coordinates, and I’ll check it out. If nothing else, I’ll bring her back to her grandmother. Also, see what you can find out about Liconitis. Is there anything new on the radar with him? Any noise on the web?”

“We’re checking now, son,” said Blade. “Looks like if you park at the mouth of Three Rivers, you’ll be able to take the horses and get to her. Probably a full day’s ride.”

“I’m here now. I’ll check in with you guys later,” he said.

“Cowboy?” said Eric. “If you need help, call us, and we’ll be there, brother. It wouldn’t take any time at all for Chipper or Evie to drop some men down to you.”

“Thanks, Eric. I’ll check in with you in a few hours.” The men all looked at one another as the call ended.

“What do you want us to do, Blade?” asked Cam.

“I want you to listen to my son,” he said. “He knows what he’s doing, and we’ll wait to hear from him. I’ll help you follow up on Liconitis and see what he’s been up to.”

“Alright,” nodded Luke. “Let’s find this girl.”

The horses were well-trained and used to walking the narrow trails of the park. He pushed them the first few miles, then slowed as the trails became narrower and more treacherous. Using the coordinates that the team back home sent him, he carefully followed to where he hoped he’d find a plane and at least one person alive and well.

Stopping along a stream, he allowed the horses to drink, and he did the same. In his pack, he pulled out two apples and gave one to each of them, petting their necks. He ate one of the sandwiches Clarice had made for him and then continued.

“Come on, boys, let’s find your girl.”

Cowboy was almost ready to stop and camp for the night when he caught a glimmer of something in the tree. As he moved closer, sure enough, it was a damned plane, nose down, suspended between branches.

“Shit,” he muttered. Tethering the horses, he grabbed the rope and secured it to a big limb. Climbing up the side of the tree, he was able to look into the open side door. “Hello? Is anyone in here?”

“H-help,” said a weak voice.

“Hold on,” he said, securing the rope around his waist. Testing his weight in the plane, he heard it creak, but it stayed put. Shining his flashlight around the space, he finally saw where the voice was coming from. The cockpit.

“Hey, hey, are you alright? Let me look at you,” he said, shining the light in her face. She had a large gash across her forehead and bruises on her neck and shoulders, probably from the seatbelt.

“H-help,” she whispered with her eyes still closed.

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