Page 34 of Fool's Gold

Zeke glanced up at the bluff and then at the rocks. "This would be a perfect place for an ambush. A feller could lay up on the cliff and have all the time in the world to take pot shots at any wolves that happened by."

She shivered. "Do you think that's what happened?"

She shook off the ominous thought and turned back to the rocks. A dried pool of blood had stained the sand. There were several chipped stones littering the ground. As she bent to pick up a fragment of rock, the sound of a horse cantering their way thundered.

Rafe astride Umbriago.

Zeke turned. "Uh oh. The jig is up."

She grinned at his sour expression. She knew they were both in hot water. "Yup, Zeke, I'd say the sheet is just about to hit the fan."

He gave a dry snort of laughter, and walked toward his horse. "Like you said, I'm going to let you take the heat."

"Chicken."

Rafe stopped next to Zeke's mount. He fixed them both with a steely glare. "What in the name of heaven do you two think you're doing?"

"I just came along to keep her out of trouble, boss. I knew you wouldn't want her running around these parts all alone."

"I'm looking for evidence." Sarah wanted to get all the shouting done so she could get back to work. She didn't have time to tiptoe around Rafe's wounded pride.

He scowled and tipped his hat back. "Don't you think the authorities can do that?"

Put off by his sarcastic tone, she put her hands on her hips. For goodness sakes, she'd gone through the rigors of riding a horse again to rescue him. And he didn't seem to appreciate it one bit. "Obviously, they can't do it properly, or they wouldn't be accusing you of the crime."

Rafe leaned forward in the saddle. "What did you say?"

She frowned at his purposeful denseness. "I said, obviously not, or they wouldn't be accusing you of the crime. All three of us know there's no way you would have done it. Now, come over here. I found something."

Rafe grinned and turned to Zeke. "Why don't you head in now, Zeke? I'll take over from here."

"I can see I'm not needed." Zeke mounted his horse, sparing a smile for Sarah.

She bent down to pick up another fragment when...a shot rang out, pinging against a rock directly in front of her.

Rafe jumped off his horse, shouting, "Get down, Sarah!" He pulled the phone out of his saddlebag and tossed it to Zeke saying, "Call for help, and then get back to the ranch. I'll take care of Sarah."

Sarah hit the dirt, then sneezed the dust out of her nose. What a time for an allergy attack. Another shot ricocheted off the stack of rocks in front of her. She belly-crawled to shelter behind them and let out a scream when something stung her arm.

She twisted around. Rafe circled the trees at a low crouch. He rushed across the clearing, and another shot struck a tree next to his head. She let out a startled cry. He dove for shelter, coming to rest behind her.

She touched his arm. "Are you okay?"

He sat up. "I'm okay, but what about you?"

"I'm fine. What are we going to do? Where's Zeke?"

"He's heading back to the ranch with my phone. He'll call for help. As long as he stays behind the line of trees, he'll be okay."

Another shot pinged off the rock. Sarah pressed herself into Rafe's arms and closed her eyes.

He gritted out, "Come on, sweetheart, we've got to make a run for it. We're sitting ducks here." He pulled her toward him. "Just stay low and go in the direction I point you, okay?"

She glanced at him and knew she could trust him with her life. "What about you?"

"Don't worry about me, honey. I'll be at your back creating a diversion."

No. She frowned. "But you might get shot."

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