Her world with Gray and Holt had become much more exciting. Still, she feared trusting it would last.
“Are you staying in there all day?” Holt’s voice came loud and clear through the door.
“I might.”
“Gray and I are going riding. We leave in ten minutes. See you.”
“Do you always have to be demanding?” Nat hollered back, but he didn’t answer her. His boots stomped across her bedroom floor as he left.
She got out of the tub and dried quickly and put on a flannel shirt, jeans, and boots. She didn’t bother with makeup or her hair other than to run a brush through the thickness. Grabbing her hat on the way out, she ran outside just as they were slowly riding off.
“Go by yourselves. I don’t care,” she yelled and started to go back in the side door. She heard a horse galloping her way. Holt grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in front of him.
“You’re going with us.” He kissed her mouth then rode to where they’d left the mare saddled and ready. He helped her over onto the saddle.
He grinned. “You may be as stubborn as me.”
“Come on, you two. We’re wasting time,” Gray said. He urged his stallion onward. Holt and Nat caught up with him.
Both of the men rode on either side of her. The crisp, cool air was invigorating. They explored a different area, and wildflowers bloomed all across the prairie. After a while, they stopped under a stand of trees to rest. Gray pulled out his canteen.
Nat took a deep swallow of the water and took her hat off to let the breeze cool her head. “When do we leave for the city?” she asked.
“Later this evening. I don’t know what time we’ll need to be in court. It may be early,” Gray said.
“Once I’m cleared I need to talk with the school where I work. I’ll see what reaction I get. Summer vacation starts in a few weeks. My guess is they won’t want me back before the fall.”
“And by then you won’t need your job,” Gray said. “You’ll be our wife.”
“I want to work.”
Both Gray and Holt looked at her, puzzled. “What if we don’t want you to?” Holt asked.
“Tough. I’m an independent woman whether married or not. There’s a high school in the next county. I’d apply for a job there first.”
“We don’t want our children raised by someone else,” Gray added.
“I’m not pregnant. When or if I have a child then I’d arrange to work part-time. Maybe tutor in our home. This is all supposition for now.”
Gray and Holt frowned at her. Nat threw her hands out. “What? Did you think a little lovemaking and I’d roll over and say ‘Yes, sir’?”
Holt leaned over in laughter. Gray stared at him like he’d never seen Holt before. Holt wiped his eyes. “I haven’t laughed this much in years. Nana is going to love you. Roll over and say ‘Yes, sir.’ I never would think that in a hundred years. It’s going to take intense negotiation with you.”
“I’m glad you agree.” She put her hat on and sprung up in the saddle. “We need to ride on to Gray’s parents’ house for the barbecue. Time’s wasting. We can’t stay too long. I have to pack.” She rode ahead of them and chuckled, remembering their expressions. Tormenting them was so much fun.
* * * *
Holt and Gray rode back behind her. “We can stay at my condo,” Holt told Gray. “Reporters might have yours staked out.”
“Probably, if they have heard about Ubel’s arrest. They’ll want to know what’s going to happen with Nat.”
“Let her talk to them. I have a suspicion she’d handle them well.”
“She is feisty,” Gray agreed.
“Nana’s expecting us to visit. After Natalie’s cleared we can head to New Mexico.”
Gray smiled. “I’d love to see Nana and get her reaction to our gal.”
“They’ll be a good match,” Holt said. “Let’s catch up with Natalie.” He urged his stallion forward and soon was riding by her side.
“I’m not sure what you two were planning,” she said. “But I’m ready for anything.” She gave them a warning glance.
“Not to worry. All we planned is to visit Holt’s Nana when you’re exonerated.”
“Oh, good. A woman to take my side.” She slapped her reins and took off flying across the wide prairie. Holt and Gray stayed close behind.
Chapter Twelve
The sound of gunfire came out of nowhere. Holt’s heart almost stopped when he saw Natalie’s hair move as a result of being brushed by the bullet. She jerked and looked around. Holt and Gray speeded to her side. Holt grabbed her off her horse and put her in front of him, and they took off for the barn.
Two more shots rang out. One creased the side of Holt’s arm, and one missed them. Gray rode to the right side of them.
“Whoever he is, he’s a damn good shooter,” Holt yelled to Gray. He moved his horse close to Gray’s. “Take her and head home. I’m going to circle back and distract him to give you time to get across the open prairie ahead. He’s keeping behind those trees to our right.” Holt gave a slight nod.
The horses slowed slightly. Gray reached across to Nat. She leaned toward him, and he swung her over in front of him. Holt let them go by and then whirled his horse to the right. He leaned down and grabbed the gun he carried in a small holster around his ankle. He headed straight toward the trees, firing his gun at the area where the man might be hiding. Holt’s stallion was well trained and responsive. He swerved back and forth, then forward. A bullet whizzed by and missed.
Holt heard the man’s horse moving rapidly through the brush. He caught a glimpse of him. He urged his stallion onward but hung back just a little. When Gray and Natalie were in the open the man slowed just enough to aim, and Holt shot him.
The shooter fell and scrambled behind a group of trees. A trail of blood followed him.
Gray was speeding across the prairie with Natalie. They were safe. Holt slid off his horse and disappeared into a thick patch of bushes. He’d seen the man still held on to his rifle. But hopefully he was short on bullets or he’d already be shooting at Holt. Holt zigzagged across to a closer tree. A bullet went by his ear much too close.
“Surrender,” Holt yelled. “You’re injured and need medical care.”
“Come and get me,” the man said. His voice was low. Holt suspected, from the amount of blood on the ground, that he was hurt bad.
“I can call for a helicopter. You’d be at a hospital getting help in less than thirty minutes.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m going to kill you and then catch up with your partner and Natalie Newlyn.”
“Why?”
The man gave a harsh laugh. “For me to know, not you.”
Holt took off at a run to the next tree, gradually getting closer to the gunman each time. Holt shot once as he ran. The man shot back, but he was a split second too late. The bullet hit the side of the tree. Holt glanced at his watch.
Gray and Natalie would be close to the cabin. Gray would have slowed down and called for help. Holt just had to wait the guy out. He didn’t want to run out of bullets. He’d have to have a clear shot to take a chance.
“I’m an excellent shot. I’ll get you next time,” the shooter warned.
“Oh, I don’t know. You’ve missed miserably so far.”
“Yeah, well, what about we both step out in the open. We’ll count to three and see who’s left standing.”
“Not a good gamble for me,” Holt said. “You have a rifle and I have a pistol.” The man didn’t respond. Holt heard coughing. “Sounds like I hit your lung. You’re going to be in real trouble soon.”
There was no response from the other man. Holt threw a rock. It made the nearby bush rustle. Nothing. Creeping carefully around the tree, he rushed to the next.
Then he knew. He whirled and shot at a clump of thick, high bushes. The man yelled out but got off a shot. The bullet hit the right side of Holt’s head. He fell to his knees. His vision blurred, and blood ran down
his face. He heard the man come out of hiding and walk toward him.
“Throw the gun away.”
Holt shook his head, trying to clear his vision. He looked up at his attacker and saw two faces overlapping. He squinted, but it didn’t help.
“I have you now. Say your prayers, sucker. This is the end.”
“It is for you if you don’t drop your gun right now,” Gray spoke out. The man turned to see Gray holding a rifle with the barrel pointed at him. “I keep one in the barn,” Gray said, motioning to his gun.
Moving ever so slowly, Holt pushed himself into a sitting position and held his gun toward the assailant’s back. “We’ve got you covered. Drop it.”
The man wavered on his feet, and blood dropped steadily to the ground. He hesitated, then let the rifle go. Gray grabbed it. He looked around at Holt.
“You all right?”
“Yes, but it was sheer luck that I realized this guy had similar training to me. He circled behind. If he hadn’t been wounded, my head would have been split by his last bullet. As it is I’m seeing two of you.”
“Sit down,” Gray directed the wounded man. He pulled a length of rope from his saddle and had Holt keep his gun trained on their prisoner while he tied his hands. The man tried to fight. When Gray bent down to put the rope around his wrists, he butted his head back toward Gray’s. Gray jerked away in time, and Holt shot the man in the arm.
“Damn good shooting for a man with double vision.” Gray grinned at him. The sound of a helicopter had Gray and Holt looking up. “The sheriff made good time.” The helo settled on a flat area near where they’d been riding. Another larger helicopter came down farther away. It was from the hospital and needed a larger space. The medics grabbed a stretcher but waited for the sheriff’s signal to come closer.
“Gray, are you and Holt all right?” the sheriff yelled in their direction.
“I’ve got the prisoner tied up. He’s in pretty bad shape. Holt has a wound to the side of his head.”
Sheriff Reardon motioned for the medics, and they hurried to the men. Seeing the prisoner’s ashen face and his difficulty breathing, they took him first.
“Fly him on out,” Holt said. “We want him to live to talk. I’ll see the doctor in town.”
“We can take you both,” the medic said.
“No. I want to stay here.” Holt saw Gray start to open his mouth, then shut it. “I’m going to be fine.”
The medics didn’t argue. The man on their stretcher looked worse by the minute. They ran to the helo and were soon a spot in the western sky.
Sheriff Reardon walked over to Holt. “I’ll fly you to town. It’s quicker. We’ll radio ahead for Doc to meet us.”
Holt started to protest. He wanted to see Natalie.
“I’m not listening to any arguments. You can tell me what happened on the way.”
“Go ahead. Nat’s safe at the ranch. I left her with a rifle.” He laughed. “I asked if she could shoot it, and she put a crease in my favorite hat.” He took off his cowboy hat and showed the men.
“I might have to hire her to be one of my deputies,” Reardon teased. He reached down and helped Holt stand. “Can you walk?”
“Not in a straight line. You’d better keep a hold on me, much as it shames me to say.”
Reardon walked him to the helicopter. “You tough guys hate to need help.”
“True. I came close to dying once for that very reason.” Holt climbed awkwardly into the helo and fell into the seat. He closed his eyes as his stomach tried to flip-flop.
The sheriff waved at Gray. “See you in town.”
* * * *
Natalie flew through the door of the doctor’s office and into the exam room. Holt’s head was turned toward her. He winked.
The doctor was working on the cut to the right side of Holt’s head. His gaze raised above the glasses dangling at the end of his nose. He glared at her and Gray, standing behind her.
“Get out of here and wait in my waiting room,” he said gruffly. “That’s why the damn room is called a waiting room.”
“Watch your language, Doc. That’s the lady we plan to marry,” Holt said.
“Well, come here,” he snapped at Natalie. “Hold his hand and maybe he’ll be still. Kept saying he had to see Natalie. I suppose that’s you.”
“Yes, sir,” Nat said.
“Ain’t sir, it’s Doc. Everyone calls me Doc. You going to stand in that door the whole time, Gray?”
“I may, Doc. What put you in such a good mood?” Gray asked.
Doc threaded his needle. “Sarcasm doesn’t become you, Gray. All this ruckus on a Sunday morning. I’m glad you shot the guy for disturbing my peace.
“My wife had just fed me a good, full breakfast. I’d settled with my morning paper and had on all those political talk shows on the morning stations.” He glanced up from where he was sewing the cut on Holt’s head. His old eyes twinkled. “I sure love to hear those fancy boys argue back and forth. There aren’t any real statesmen left. It’s a shame.”
He bent back to his work. Holt gripped Natalie’s hand tight. “Did you miss me?”
“Miss an idiot who’d stay behind and put himself right in the line of fire? We all could have made it.” She blinked quickly to hide the tears.
“I had to be the hero, honey.”
“Yes, you and Gray. I’d started to follow Gray when I saw the helicopter fly over.”
“Damn, woman. Can’t you ever follow orders?”
“I’m not your sergeant, Holt Ramm. I’m my own woman.”
“And you need a good paddling,” Holt murmured.
“Don’t even think about trying it.”
Doc straightened. He’d finished his work. He wore a big grin. “She sounds just like my lady when Frank and I met her. She gave us a time before we were able to settle her down and get her to marry us.” Doc looked at Holt and across at Nat. “Give them hell, little lady. But in the end you won’t find two better men than these.” He went to the sink and washed his hands then walked back to Holt. “Sit up.” He took Holt’s arm and helped him into a sitting position. “How’s the eyesight?”
“Much better. I just have a headache.”
“Take two of these when you get home.” Doc handed him a small envelope with eight pills. “Then one every eight hours to ward off any infection. Take whatever you usually do for the headache. You were lucky, an inch closer and you’d be in much worse shape. By tomorrow you’ll be sore but all right. I cleaned that small place on your arm. It’s just a scratch.”
Holt slid off the table. “What about Natalie? I saw a bullet graze her head.”
“I’m not hurt. The bullet slid through my thick hair but missed my scalp.”
For his own satisfaction, Holt looked for himself. He put his arm around Natalie’s shoulders. “Then I guess we’re done. Thanks, Doc. When do the stitches come out?”
“Be back here in a week or see someone, wherever you are, to remove them.”
Gray, Holt, and Nat went out to the car. Gray opened the door and motioned Nat in.
“I’ll ride in the back. Let Holt have the room.”
“Get in.” Holt ordered. “I want to feel you close to me.”
“You are an annoying man. Especially when you didn’t take my word and checked my head. I’m not a child.” She glared at Holt.
He stood waiting for her to get in. They stared at each other. Finally, Nat got in the front seat, in the middle.
“I’m taking you to my parents’ house. Mom will love fussing over you.” Gray grinned when Holt frowned at him.
“I don’t need mothering.”
“You loved it when you had that bad flu two years ago. You just don’t want to admit it. Anyway, we’re going there. The MacClouds are meeting us. I’m going to call the detectives. My guess is Ubel has been released out on bail and this guy has something to do with him. But why he didn’t go after Sondra is the big question.”
A huge sign hung over the entran
ce noting the Callahan Ranch. In the far distance on a small hill Nat saw the large farmhouse and other barns and buildings to the far left. Angus cattle grazed in the pasture to their right.
Nat hadn’t seen Gray’s parents in several years, but she’d always liked them. They had treated her like another daughter when she visited Gray’s sisters. Now the last sister was married, but they all three lived within a two-hundred-mile radius. The youngest, Trina, lived the closest.
One of Trina’s husbands, Rick, was the local pharmacist, and the other, Hank, had moved to town four years ago. He’d bought land to raise cattle. He and Rick became close friends, and then both married Trina.
“How do you like your newest brother-in-laws?” Nat asked Gray.
“I’ve known Rick all my life. Hank’s a good guy. They all seem happy, especially since Trina’s expecting their first child in about four months.”
“I hadn’t heard. Will they be here today?”
“Most likely.” Gray turned to the right and went around the hill to park in back of the house. Gray’s mom had Holt in control as soon as he came in.
“You are going to the guest room to rest.”
“I don’t need to lie down. All I have is a little headache.”
Gray’s mom put her hands on her hips. “Do you want me to get rough with you?” she said with a smile.
Her two tall, strong husbands came to her side. “She means we’d have to tackle you and tie you in that bed. It’s easier to do what she says.” A glimmer of amusement shone in both their eyes.
Holt threw up his hands. “I give up. I knew I was in trouble when Gray said he was bringing me here.”
“Quit whining,” Sissy Callahan ordered. “You like the attention.” She followed him down the hall and stopped at the last door. “Throw out your clothes so I can wash them, and then get in bed. I’ll bring water so you can take any pills Doc gave you.” She glanced at Nat. “Better yet, I’ll send her.”
Possessive Protectors [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 11