Jess lifted his Stetson and hooked it on the saddle horn. The breeze tossed his hair and cooled him some. Taking the bandanna, he swiped again at the sweat trickling down his temples.
Suddenly he heard a screech and glanced up. An eagle soared by, its brown feathers highlighted against the blue sky. He’d give anything to be that bird right now and be able to peer down at the earth with his sharp vision.
Swift Eagle was Daya’s name for him. If the situation wasn’t so desperate, he’d laugh.
The eagle cruised across the canyon one more time. Jess watched until the eagle disappeared from sight and then he lowered his gaze. Suddenly he halted the unconscious scan of the cliff and stared. Something didn’t look right.
In seconds, Jess retrieved the field glasses Real Tall Man had put in the saddlebag. Sure enough, there was an unusual formation in the rock. It looked like a cave.
The images of Autumn that he’d seen in the flames came to mind. It had to be the cave Real Tall Man had said she was trapped in.
New hope began to build as he hobbled the horses. Before he took off, he grabbed a flashlight and a canteen. Now to get to that opening.
The climb was easy at first. The venture into the ruins at Coyote Springs had reminded him of the dangers of climbing in boots. He couldn’t take any risks of injuring himself now. After he’d climbed over the loose shale and only had sheer sandstone left, he slipped off his boots and continued barefoot. Fortunately, he was on the eastern side of the canyon and the sun hadn’t heated the stone yet.
After long minutes, he made it to the hole. He refused to contemplate the possibility that it was a dead-end cave. In this dry desert, Autumn didn’t have much time left. If she was in fact still alive, she’d need water before the day was out.
Loose rock tumbled as Jess reached the edge of the opening. Hoisting himself into it took little effort. Before he fully landed inside, he was scrambling into the interior. It was indeed a cave, and from the musty odor and cool air, it went deep into the earth. Jess flicked on the flashlight and crawled into the dark cavern.
“Autumn.” His shout reverberated against the rock. He shouted again and crept farther into the shadows. “Autumn.”
Autumn closed her eyes to the sound of Jess shouting her name. The hallucinations were getting worse. She knew she was dizzy from dehydration. There wasn’t much time left. She had to get out now.
I can do this, Autumn repeated over and over as she walked slowly toward the opening. She wanted to scream, but she didn’t. She reached out for the wall. It was smooth. She felt along the slick surface. Suddenly her fear receded, to be replaced by hope. Sandstone wasn’t smooth, it was rough. She trailed her fingers along the wall. Unless hundreds of hands had passed by, leaving body oil to polish the rock.
She would have shouted with relief, but the emotion constricted her throat. She was anxious now to find the end of the tunnel.
She paused. A light flickered ahead of her. Beams danced across the walls. It wasn’t the steady glow she’d followed toward the caverns that were exposed to sunshine. This light shifted around like a ghost.
She had died.
Stopping to rub her eyes didn’t help. The beams continued to float around her. Then she saw the apparition, only it wasn’t ghostly. A loud clatter of metal hitting against rock echoed in the tunnel. The light danced crazily. Jess’s face appeared and Autumn screamed. This vision seemed too real. Surely she’d died.
Jess cursed.
Autumn fell to the floor, stunned.
“Autumn.”
Suddenly, strong arms were around her. Warm flesh was pressed against hers. Jess’s voice penetrated the shock. It was really him. She grasped the front of his shirt and pulled herself against his chest.
“You’re alive. He told me I’d find you here.” His voice caught. “I didn’t believe him.”
Giant sobs racked her body as she absorbed the human strength passing from Jess to her. She still couldn’t believe he was here. It had to be a dream. The sound of his voice vibrating against her ear reassured her that he was flesh.
“I thought you were dead. I didn’t think I’d ever find you.” He muttered many things, and if she’d paid attention, she would have noticed they were repetitious.
It didn’t matter. She was alive. Jess had found her. He would lead her out of this hell.
“Have you had any water?” he asked.
She shook her head. Thirst warred with the need to be held. She didn’t want him to let go of her while he uncapped the canteen. Her need must have been obvious, because he managed to do both.
Life-giving water trickled down her throat as his heartbeat pounded reassuringly in her ear. If he’d allowed it, she would have guzzled the whole jug, but he only let her have tiny sips.
“We’ve got to get you out of here. Are you hurt bad?”
Instead of answering, she gripped his shirt and held him close. She didn’t want him to let her go. His hands covered hers and gently he pried her fingers loose.
“Follow me. It’s not far to the entrance.”
She tried to move but couldn’t. “Don’t let go, Jess. Don’t leave me.”
“I’m never going to leave you.”
His words reassured her, but she still couldn’t release her hold.
“It isn’t far, sweetheart. Just hang in there for me. Let go and stay close behind me. I won’t leave you.”
Closing her eyes, she willed the panic to subside. Jess was right. The sooner she let go, the sooner they would be out of here.
Slowly, she loosened her fingers. Jess shined the flashlight between them.
“Look at my face, Autumn. Follow me out, slowly.”
He eased himself toward the exit. She tried to grab him but he backed away.
“Come on now. You’ve gone this far. You can do it.”
Afraid he was getting too far ahead, she screamed. “Wait. I can’t…”
Jess reached for her, but she headed toward him on her own.
“I’ve got to get out of here,” she gasped.
“Stop it!” he commanded as he grabbed her shoulders. “Don’t get hysterical on me.”
She struggled. “Jess.”
“You’re all right, Autumn.” He pulled her into his arms. “We’ll make it—I promise you,” he told her.
She clung to his words. They were her lifeline of hope. The hysteria subsided, until finally she believed. “I’m sorry,” she apologized.
“You’re dehydrated and irrational. Don’t think—just save your strength to move.” He brushed his lips against her temple. His touch sent a ripple of courage into her heart.
“You know, you’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met.” Admiration sounded in his tone and she tilted her head back.
“You can say that after what I just did?”
“I don’t know any woman who can keep calm in the wake of a flash flood, hike alone in isolated canyons, eat rattlesnake for dinner…” he brushed back a strand of hair that had caught on her collar. “Keep fighting to survive—even in this.” He gestured toward the darkness. “I’ve never met a woman like you—with your courage, stamina, and adventurous spirit.”
Her heart started a new beat while her breath caught.
The flashlight beam wavered when he shifted.
“It’s all right,” he whispered, just before his lips brushed hers.
His fingers smoothed across her skin until he’d tangled them in her hair. His breath feathered her lips as he came closer and closer, until finally they met in a kiss. All of her fear and anxiety evaporated with his touch. His arms tightened until she flinched in pain.
He drew back. “You’re hurt.”
“A little,” she whispered, unable to speak past the emotion constricting her throat.
He felt along her ribs. “Do you think you have broken bones?”
She grasped his fingers and stilled them. “No, I’m just bruised. They must have whacked me pretty good.”
“Yes. I saw. I was
afraid they’d killed you.”
“Tell me what happened. I don’t remember.”
“Later, when we’re out of here.”
He started to shift her out of his embrace, but she clung to his shirt. “You thought I was dead, but you kept searching.”
“I wasn’t sure whether you were alive or dead, but in any case it wasn’t my faith, but Real Tall Man’s. He helped me find you.”
“How?”
He didn’t reply, but she felt the shudder that raced through him. She traced his jaw with the back of her hand. He grasped her wrist and kissed the tips of her sore fingers.
“Your grandfather performed a stargazing ceremony for you.”
Joy brimmed forth. Real Tall Man had gone to the trouble of a ceremony. Suddenly she wanted out of the cave, but it didn’t seem like she could go on.
She opened her eyes and focused on the sandstone walls colored an ominous black. Her heart plummeted. “I’m not sure I have the strength, Jess.”
He tightened his hold on her shoulder and cupped her cheek with his other hand. “What kind of talk is that? We’ll get out of here—I promised, didn’t I?”
“Yes, but…”
“Hey—where’s the positive thinking you practice so well?”
She took a deep breath, knowing he was right. She had everything to be thankful for. Jess’s arms were around her. There would be no more hours of agonizing loneliness and fear in the dark caverns.
“I’m ready now. Let’s go.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear.”
He gave her a light squeeze before easing her away from his body. As he backed up, she brushed the tears from her face and focused on the sight of his long frame filling the narrow passageway.
Progress was slow. Since the tunnel was too narrow for him to turn around, Jess had to inch his way backward. Metal scraped the rock, the sound eerie when it echoed. The sandstone scratched the raw flesh of her hands and knees, but none of this mattered now. They were on their way out. Soon she would be free. The knowledge poured strength into her pitiful reserve of will.
They crawled in the tunnel. Some places were so narrow that she wondered how Jess had managed to get through to her. He had difficulty in a couple of places, especially going backward.
Even though she was smaller than Jess, the trip wasn’t much easier for her. Between her low energy and her injured flesh, each step was painful and labored.
When daylight finally peeked from around Jess’s body, a new reserve of energy pushed her onward. The end was in sight. She wanted desperately to be out of the cave where she could breathe fresh air, see the land, and hear the sounds of life.
She crawled faster, only to bump into Jess. Her knees gave out and she crumbled to the floor, moaning as pain rocketed through her.
Jess gripped her arm and pulled her upright. “Take it easy now. We’re almost out of here.”
“Let’s go, then.” Urgency filled her.
“You’re doing fine. Stay close to me.”
His movement kicked up dust, but she didn’t fall back. She’d eat the powdered dirt just to stay near him. Suddenly they turned a bend and bright light filtered through the shadows.
“We’re almost there.”
Her heart raced. She wanted to push past Jess and scramble to the end.
Light blinded them as they stepped out into the sunshine. Welcome heat melted the icicles of fear. They’d made it. She tamped back the tears of relief and gave thanks for their freedom.
She opened her eyes and glanced at Jess. He was watching her with admiration. “We did it.” Wonder sounded in her voice.
“I’m proud of you. I know how hard that was.”
“I wouldn’t have made it without you.”
“Don’t underestimate your strength, Autumn. You have a powerful mind when you set a goal.”
His praise boosted her spirits. Thankfully, she moved into his embrace.
.
CHAPTER 14
At first the hot air felt good, after being in the dank and musty cave. But by the time Jess helped her descend the rock wall, the heat took its toll. Without water to drink, she’d become too dehydrated to protect herself from the effects. The water Jess had given her from his canteen hadn’t been enough.
Half walking and half sliding down the shale that was crumbled at the base of the cliff, Autumn stumbled. Jess caught her to him.
“I can’t go much farther.”
“There’s a spring just a few yards ahead.” He supported her with his arm around her waist until they reached solid ground. Without further comment, he bent and placed his other arm behind her knees and lifted her against his chest.
At first she started to protest, but then she gave into the safe feeling of being cared for. Now that she didn’t have to concentrate on where she stepped, she took advantage of her position and absorbed her surroundings. She had no idea how good it would feel to hear birds sing, see the green cottonwood leaves flutter in the wind. She didn’t even mind the pesky fly that buzzed around her face. He was evidence of life, and she welcomed all of the signs.
Behind her, a horse snorted. She turned to see that they were approaching a grove of trees. Two horses stood munching on the few blades of grass next to the spring, but Autumn soon lost interest in the animals. Her full attention focused on the crystal water.
“I could drink that spring dry,” she told him.
He shifted her weight and spoke, his voice candid yet firm. “I’m sure you could, and that’s why I’m not letting you near it. When you’re dehydrated like this, you have to take it slow.”
She understood the logic and knew desert survival. It didn’t stop her from longing for the cool liquid. “If I promise not to drink, will you just set me down in it?”
“I’m not stupid.”
She looked at him. “No? I was afraid of that.”
He smiled as he placed her on a patch of grass beneath one of the trees. If she’d had the energy, she would have walked to the water by herself, but her muscles refused to obey her command. She finally contented herself with watching Jess as he went to the horses and took several items from a saddlebag. Next he knelt and dampened a clean bandanna.
“This ought to make you feel better.” He wrung out the cloth as he approached.
The moisture from the cool bandanna seeped into her parched skin. She closed her eyes. Jess gave her a sip of water and returned to the spring to dampen a small towel.
With care not to hurt her bruises, he wiped away the dirt covering her face, neck, and arms. Autumn relaxed and let each pat soothe away a small portion of the anguish she’d suffered in the cave.
“Do you want to talk about it yet?” Jess asked.
Did she? She wondered as she glanced at the blue sky. Talking would bring memories of fear and death. “I suppose I should,” she managed in a shaky voice.
“Do you know what happened to you?” he asked.
She explained about following him in the morning. “I couldn’t imagine why you’d gone. I’ll have to admit, I was getting concerned until I came across the fire.”
“I was hiding in the rocks along the cliff behind their camp. I was hoping to see how many were there before I charged.”
She flinched. “Something I should have done. Why didn’t you warn me?”
“When I saw you coming, you looked like you knew where you were headed. I figured you were going to meet them.”
Autumn stared in surprise. “You don’t mean you thought I was working with them?”
“It seemed that way until you grabbed that rifle.”
“There were times in the cave when I thought the same thing about you.”
“What do you mean?” His surprise matched hers.
“I saw two men at the fire, then someone hit me from behind. It could have been you.”
A puzzled frown creased his forehead as he considered her words. “You thought it might have been me?”
“No.” She covered his hand with he
rs, stilling his cleansing. “Real Tall Man told me to trust you.”
“And you believed him.”
“It wasn’t just that.” She stared into his eyes. “I don’t know what happened between us, but one thing I do know—you would never hurt me.”
His eyes closed and she read remorse. Unless she was still hallucinating, she sensed a change in his feelings toward her. He was treating her like he had before, only this time, there seemed to be an added intensity. She started to ask him about it, but he questioned her first.
“What happened when they hit you? Did you know the men?”
She shook her head and told him the conversation she’d overheard.
“Someone hit me on the head. I don’t remember a thing until I woke up in the cave.” She grasped his wrist and stilled his ministrations. “My uncle’s body was in the cave. I thought he was part of it until I found him dead. They wouldn’t have killed him if he was working with them, would they?”
“No. He was trying to find the men, too.”
He placed his free hand over her fingers and squeezed. The warm flesh contrasted with her parched skin. As he continued to minister to her cuts, he explained what he’d seen.
“Why did you leave that morning? How did you find them?” Questions reeled in her head. “Did you plan for me to follow you like that?”
“No, I woke up and felt restless, so I climbed up that big rock just outside our camp.” He paused and absently caressed her cheek. “When I got to the top, I started looking around and saw a light. I figured it was the gunman’s camp.”
“That’s how you managed a direct route to the spot?”
“It must have made me look suspicious in your view, but that’s how it happened”
“Why didn’t you wake me up?” She shifted slightly. “We could have set a trap.”
His deep sigh brought her attention to his face. “I didn’t want you hurt. I was afraid something might happen.” She tried to straighten, but he gently pushed her down. “You followed. Then we were all in a mess. When I saw that man attack you, I knew there was trouble. I started for you, but they let me have it. Bullets were flying everywhere. Before I could get closer, they’d shot your uncle and hightailed it out of there.”
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