Page 9 of Cowboy

“We’re still trying to locate any information on him. His wife is in hospice in Los Angeles. They don’t think she’ll survive the week, so it’s possible he’s with her. But that doesn’t explain who took him and left her,” said Luke.

“Well, I’m going to see if we can move out of here by tomorrow. I’m worried whoever shot that plane down might come back.”

“We’re sending a team,” said Hex, shaking his head. “No more bullshit. We’ll send a few guys your way and have them meet up with the girl’s grandmother, and she can give them directions on how to get to you.”

“That might be a good idea,” said Cowboy. They spoke for another twenty minutes, then he hung up and connected the phone to the G.R.I.P. solar-powered charger. The power needle immediately went to the right. It was a miracle device.

He watched Autumn carefully, waking her every hour to drink something and check for a concussion. When she stirred around 1400, he knelt beside her with more water.

“Pee. No more water. I have to pee,” she said, shaking her head.

“Okay, let’s see if you can put any weight on that ankle.” He carefully lifted her, and she leaned against him. She swayed but then steadied herself using his arm. Looking up at him, she stared into his face, then looked down. Taking one small step, she tested her weight on her ankle.

“Well?”

“It’s sore, but I don’t think sprained. Thank you.” He nodded, watching her limp toward a grouping of trees. Turning his back, he fixed her a plate of food and waited until she returned.

“You changed me. I mean, you changed my clothing,” she said, blushing.

“You were soiled,” he said. “I’m sure it couldn’t be helped, considering how long you were in that plane. Here. I have some food for you. I need you to eat as much of this as you can and drink.”

“Who are you?” she asked, taking her seat again.

“My name is Benjamin LeBlanc, but my friends call me Cowboy. I’m a retired Navy SEAL. I found your grandmother cussing out someone named Willie,” he smirked.

“What did that asshole do now?” she frowned.

“Well, he said you didn’t file a correct flight plan.” Her head jerked up, and she closed her eyes, regretting the fast movement. “Take it easy. Your grandmother knew it was a lie. I just happened to be in the truck stop and heard her cussing someone out and begging for people to help her granddaughter. She can be very persuasive.”

“You have no idea,” said Autumn. “My whole body hurts.”

“It should,” he said, pointing toward the plane. She slowly turned, seeing the crumpled wreckage that was once her baby.

“Damn. Liconitis. They took him.”

“You said that last night. Do you know who they were?”

“No. We weren’t in the air long, and I heard a loud bang and looked at my wing to see it on fire. I tried to keep us in the air until I could get to flatter ground, but she wasn’t having any of it. I don’t remember much after hitting the trees, but I woke up briefly and heard some men, maybe the bodyguard and someone else, mumbling about getting him out.”

“No names or faces?”

“No, I’m sorry.” She took another bite of the sandwich and then set it down. “I think I want to sleep again.”

“I’d really like it if you could stay awake just for a little while.” She gave a soft nod, staring at him. He let her stare, staring back.

“You rode the horses up here?” she said casually.

“Yep. Your grandmother again,” he smirked. “Don’t worry. I’m an experienced rider. I knew what I was doing. Once you’re feeling up to it, we’ll get you on and ride back. Or I can make a litter out of something on the plane.”

“I should be able to get on the horse. Just give me a day or so.”

“We’re in no rush unless whoever shot you down comes back,” he said. She looked back at the plane, then at him.

“Do you think they’ll come back?”

“If they think you saw something and are still alive, they’ll come back.” She didn’t say anything at all, which worried Cowboy. “Did you see something?”

“I’m not sure,” she frowned. “Before we took off, Liconitis said we had to stop in Fresno. We never do unscheduled stops, but I didn’t care. I’m on his dime. When we landed, he was talking to his men when another man pulled up in a black SUV. He rolled the window down just a little and started yelling at him. One of the bodyguards walked toward the SUV, yelling at the man to leave. I didn’t really hear anything or see anything other than that.”

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