King's Fancy

by Sable Hunter

  As she hurried, she kept scanning in every direction. “Beauty! Diablo!” He probably wouldn’t pay attention to her, no matter what she called him. She wished she’d brought along an apple to entice him. If she found him, she didn’t know how she’d lead him back. She hadn’t brought a rope. Grabbing her nervous stomach, Fancy realized she didn’t think this through very well. “At least I’ll know he’s okay, that nothing’s happened to him.”

  …About a half mile away, King was frustrated as hell. In addition to there being no sign of the bull, he felt disturbed about the confrontation with Fancy. He couldn’t forget the expression on her face after he’d yelled at her, accusing her of being responsible for the bull’s escape.

  Shading his eyes, he gazed into the distance, trying to see if he could spot any of the men. Seeing nothing, he turned his horse and headed west. The open range was a damn big place and not knowing how much of a head start the animal had, they’d have to just spread out and keep looking until they found him.

  …Fancy held up her skirt. She was trying to hurry and not do any damage to her new dress in the process. Almost in tears, she acknowledged how helpless she felt. Her idea about the river didn’t pan out, the bull was nowhere to be seen. Going deeper into the canyon, she decided to search some of the narrow gorges. During the rainy season, Reno had warned her these places would flood. Anything in those deep places would drown when the water came rushing in from higher ground and swollen, overflowing streams. “Are you in here?” she asked. “Beauty?”

  Going deeper into the canyon, she kept her eyes wide open. Fancy sure didn’t want to run into a snake, she hated snakes. Hopping from rock to rock, she prayed around the next bend, she’d find the big, black bull.

  Suddenly, a scream rent the air, a scream that ended in a blood-curdling guttural growl.

  The shock of the sudden noise tore a scream from her own chest. She wheeled around, falling and twisting her ankle. Crying out with pain, she raised her head, not knowing if she’d find a banshee or a monster. The sight of the snow-white cougar, crouching on a high bluff over her head, terrified Fancy. Knowing the big cat was about to pounce, she tried to run, every step agonizing. “Oh, King, I’m so sorry. I’m in a mess,” she whispered. Every second, she expected to feel the sharp claws and tearing teeth of the huge feline. Hazarding one glance over her shoulder, she prayed the cougar had gone on about its business. With a wry gasp, she concluded she was the cat’s business, for he was coming leisurely along behind her.

  Fancy was being stalked.

  With an anguished whimper, she glanced desperately around. There was no way she could out run it and she had nothing to fight with. The only thing she could do was hide. Checking around frantically, she saw a cave. Her first instinct was to dart inside. But would she be trapped? Could she fight off the animal or would she be easy prey, cornered with nowhere to go? Seeing the opening was large, she passed it by, hunting any alternative, one that might afford her some degree of protection.

  A loud snarl not too far behind her spurred Fancy on, even though every step brought her great pain. Taking a split second to look over her shoulder, she saw the cougar was not in a hurry, but still on her trail. Fancy knew she wasn’t presenting much of a challenge. Apparently, the big cat like to play with its food.

  Praying with every step, Fancy scanned the canyon walls for any place that she could seek shelter from the danger dogging her steps. Finally, when she was almost about to give up hope, she spotted a small cave in the hillside. Fancy knew if she could get through the opening, so could the cougar. But she had no choice, maybe there’d be enough nearby rocks she could pelt it with, discourage the animal from coming closer.

  With a strangled cry, she dragged herself into the hole, hoping against hope there were no snakes inside. If she had to choose between facing the cougar or facing a den of reptiles, she’d go with the cat any day. As she stepped inside, she breathed a sigh of relief, seeing no snakes. Plastering herself against the side of the wall, she tried to peer into the darkness. There was nothing to keep the animal out. There were a few rocks, and a good-size stick, but going head to head with the animal wasn’t her best option. Gazing around, she saw another opening, deeper in the cave. Knowing she had little time, and little choice, she moved farther back, hoping to find some type of shelter the cat couldn’t reach.

  “Please, please, please,” she chanted, hoping to find a way to protect herself. A growl outside the door, told her she had little time. To her immense relief, she saw a narrow crevice, just big enough for her body to fit in. Narrow at the onset, if she could squeeze through, she might could keep the cougar at bay with the stick and the rocks. Grabbing a few make-shift weapons, she struggled to get in place before her uninvited company arrived. “Dear Lord, if you’ll just help me out of this mess, I’ll be the best person I can be.”

  …Even though autumn had arrived, the high noon sun beat down hot on King’s head. Removing his hat, he wiped his brow. So far, there was no trace of the prize bull. Every ridge he topped, he expected to find some evidence, but so far – nothing.

  “King!” Reno’s voice sounded to his right.

  “Here!” he answered.

  “We’ve got them!”

  King tugged his horse to a stop, urging it to the right to meet up with Reno. To his surprise, he wasn’t alone. Domino was with him and they were leading the bull and a horse with a rider whose hands were tied behind him.

  Harvey Bohannon.

  “What the hell?” King couldn’t believe his eyes. “Do you know what we do to cattle thieves in these parts, Bohannon?”

  “I saw him in town yesterday, boss. He was one of the ones admiring the animal. I guess he let his coveting get out of hand.” Domino held a rope that was tied around the man’s waist, along with the rope attached to the horse.

  “Mr. Bohannon and I have had trouble in the past.” King well remembered knocking the man to his feet with his crutch. At the time, he’d been defending Fancy. A bitter blade of remorse ripped through his gut when he remembered how he’d treated Fancy, assuming she’d been the one to release the bull.

  He’d been wrong.

  “Son-of-a-bitch,” he breathed. “After you return the bull to the barn, Reno, go with Domino into town and have this man arrested.”

  With those words of direction, he set his horse to a gallop, heading back to the ranch.

  There was an apology he needed to make.

  * * *

  “Stay back, you beast!” Fancy pressed herself into the cleft of the rock, as close as she possibly could. The cougar hadn’t given up, he was blocking the opening, slapping at her with his front right paw. Every time he swiped, she struck his outstretched leg with the stick. Fancy knew her efforts were futile. The possibility was very likely that she’d tire before the big cat did. A feeling of resignation overcame her. No one was looking for her, they were all searching for the bull. For a moment, she considered just giving up the fight. Only the thought of King, and the hope of seeing him one more time kept her fighting. “No! Go away!” Picking up a rock, she chunked it at the beast, hitting him on the shoulder. He backed away a step or two, but it wasn’t long before he returned.

  …Pulling his horse up short, King dismounted as fast as he could. Seeing Ace on the front porch, he called out. “Tell Fancy to come out. We found the bull!” His jovial demeanor hid a guilty conscience. Telling Fancy that he’d been wrong wouldn’t be easy.

  Bounding off the porch, Ace came running to meet him. “She’s not here, King. I’ve looked everywhere. She must’ve left.”

  Left? “Are you sure? Did you check the barn?”

  “Yea, I did. She’s just gone.”

  Gone. “Is there a horse missing?”

  “No. The buckboards are still here too. Wherever she went, she’s on foot. Do you think she’s hunting the bull too?”

  “Probably.” He wouldn’t doubt it. “Dammit.” Just thinking how hurt she’d been when he lambasted her, what she must
be thinking about him, how desperate she must feel to find the bull and prove him wrong.

  Because he was wrong. He’d jumped to a false conclusion. Blamed the one who hoped to please him the most. King felt like a cruel, overbearing fool.

  “Don’t worry, Ace, I’ll find her. When the others come in, let them know, tell them Fancy is missing.”

  With reins in hand, he walked his horse around the cabin, making sure there was no sign of her. He looked out over the fields, trying to imagine which way he’d go on foot. They’d checked the pastureland, knowing the bull would seek out the existing herd. There’d been no sign of her there. That only left the area near Packsaddle and the river. Taking a chance that would be her choice, he urged his horse into a canter and headed for the canyon.

  … “If you’ll just go away, I’ll make sure you get a nice juicy steak. I’ll bring it out here to you myself.” She whacked the cougar’s paw again. Fancy got the feeling that she was no more than a toy. Not a challenge, just something to amuse the monster. She was tiring, though, and the cat seemed to exert very little effort into the game. He had her trapped like a rat and was in no hurry for his next meal. “Do we have a deal?”

  The cougar’s roar made her jump, and she took it as a resounding ‘no’. The albino animal didn’t seem in the mood to make a bargain. Fancy had always heard when a person faces death that the events of their life passes before their eyes. She was glad that did not seem to be case with her. The life she’d led didn’t bear reviewing, much less repeating. No, she didn’t think about what had gone before, she grieved over what would never be. Of course, she had no assurance that the rest of her life would be any better than what had gone before, but if she were alive, she had hope.

  At the moment, unfortunately, her situation seemed pretty hopeless.

  …As King’s horse picked its way down the canyon path, he kept his eyes peeled. There’d been nothing by the river. What was the likelihood that she’d traveled into this winding maze? He was just about to turn around when he heard it – the ear-splitting scream of a cougar. He reined in his horse and looked all around. Sound traveled in the canyon, echoes bounced over the tall, stone walls. It was hard to tell from which way the noise was coming from. His heart started pounding with the realization that Fancy could be in danger.

  When the next swipe came a little closer, Fancy knew it was over. This wouldn’t go on very much longer. The cat wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was she. There was really only one foregone conclusion. Shutting her eyes, she just waited…

  “Fancy! Fancy! Can you hear me?”

  Her eyes blinked open. “King! King! I’m here! I’m here!”

  The cougar reacted to her exclamation, lashing out. In her excitement, she’d moved just close enough that his sharp claws caught her arm, ripping her skin.

  When King heard her answering cry, an ocean of gratitude swamped him. He was so weak with relief, he swayed in the saddle. Urging his horse forward, he went further into the canyon. “Talk to me, Fancy! Where are you?”

  Grabbing her arm, she plastered herself against the back wall. Suddenly, she wanted to live very, very badly. “King! I’m in a cave! Here!”

  Hearing her voice once more, he pinpointed her location. Jumping from the horse, he winced when the full weight of his body landed on his leg. Grabbing his horse by the mane, he steadied himself and pulled his gun. Climbing up the side of the cliff, he made his way to a narrow opening, where he thought her voice and the cat’s roar came from. “Fancy! Keep talking!”

  Tears ran down Fancy’s cheek as she let herself believe she was going to be rescued. “Here, King! There’s a cougar! Be careful!” Making eye contact with the cougar, she warned him. “You’d better run. Kingston Ramsay’s coming after me.”

  Nearing the entrance to the cave, he lifted his gun in the air and fired off a shot.

  Hearing the gunfire, the cougar sprang back and bounded from the cave, almost on top of King.

  Outside, King jumped back, dropping his rifle, amazed at the sight of the unusual, but deadly animal.

  “Fancy!”

  Weak from fright, Fancy held on to the wall as she made her way out of the cave. The sun was still high in the sky and she blinked her eyes, trying to see King’s beloved face. “You came!” she spoke in abject wonder.

  “Yes, I came,” he said, stepping forward to sweep her up in his arms. “Are you hurt?”

  “Just a scratch,” she whispered. “And my ankle, I twisted it, but not too bad. I can walk.”

  “Let me see.”

  She removed her hand from where the cat clawed her. “My new dress is ruined.”

  “I’ll buy you a new one.”

  He looked at the place. “Not too deep. We’ll clean it and when Domino returns from town, he’ll fix you right up.”

  “Let me wrap it.” She went to bend over. “I’ll just tear a strip of material off my shift.”

  “Nope, you’re not using your new shift.” King pulled his shirt hem from his pants and proceeded to rip a strip off it.”

  Fancy gasped. “You shouldn’t have, King!”

  “Nonsense.” He worked to wrap the cloth around her arm, kissing her soft skin just above the wound.

  Fancy shivered. “Careful, I might get blood on you.” The fact that he was holding her was too wonderful to process. Part of her mind wanted to think this amazing rescue was another of her daydreams. Very possibly, she was still in the cave and the cougar was inching closer.

  “I don’t give a damn.” Taking her in his arms, he sought out her mouth with his, covering her lips and kissing her with complete abandon.

  When his mouth slid from her lips to her neck, she cupped the side of his beautiful face. “Are you real?”

  “I’m a jackass, but I’m real.” He kissed her again for good measure. “I’m so sorry, Fancy. So damn sorry.”

  If this is what happened when she got cornered by a cougar, Fancy planned on putting the big cat on retainer. “No, it’s all my fault. I came down here looking for the lost bull. I tried to think about it, King, and I might have let him go. I was upset. I just don’t remember too well.” She kissed his cheek. “I apologize, I’ll help you find him, and if…”

  “Hush.” He layered his mouth to hers, drinking from her lips, as if she were cool water and he was starving for a drink. “The bull was stolen, you didn’t let it loose. I owe you an apology.”

  “Really? You found him? Beauty’s fine?”

  The happiness on her face as he gave her the news humbled him. She wasn’t angry, she bore him no animosity. Instead, she’d helped in the search, almost losing her life in the process. “Yes, he’s fine. Reno and Domino caught Harvey Bohannon herding him home on the end of a rope.”

  Fancy let go of all her worry. “I’m so relieved. Thank you for saving me, King. I think the cat was just about to tire of our game.”

  King shuddered at the thought. “Let’s go home.” He helped her back to the horse, climbed on, then held down his hand to help her. “Come on, up here with me.” She held up her arms and he clasped her close, bringing her across the saddle and settling her in front of him. “Now, lay your head on my chest and let me hold you.”

  Fancy dared not question her good fortune. “This is much nicer than riding alone.”

  King chuckled. “Well, you have a saddle this time.”

  “Yes, and you.”

  “Yes, and me.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “When we get home, I think we need to talk.”

  “Talk?” She shivered. She’d rather not talk, she’d rather just be happy and marvel at this new turn of events. “If you say so. Lunch will be late, and I didn’t even finish breakfast. Everybody will starve.”

  “Nobody is going to starve. Quit worrying about it. We’ll make flap jacks for supper.”

  Fancy hung her head and tears began to flow. “I don’t understand what’s going on, King. You’re confusing me.”

  He pulled her back against him
and kissed her neck. “Don’t be confused. I’ve finally come to my senses. High time, don’t you think?”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Fancy kept pinching herself. Kingston Ramsay was treating her like gold. Like she was precious. Cherished.

  Like she was his!

  When he said he’d come to his senses, she wasn’t sure what he meant, all she knew was that she was ecstatic beyond measure. Somehow, some way, all her dearest dreams were coming true. “I’m just so glad everything worked out. Why did the Bohannon man steal Beauty?” Fancy asked as she rested against King, their bodies swaying gently with the even gait of the horse.

  “Because he’s an idiot. He’ll be doing some jailtime over this.”

  “Was it because you defended me against him?” As she spoke, her eyes took in the vast majesty of King’s Ransom. He and his men had forged a home for themselves in this wild wilderness. Each time she viewed this land, taking in the grandeur of the rolling plains, the rocky limestone cliffs, and the sky-blue waters, she thought of him.

  King tightened his arms around her. “Yea, probably. He’s getting what he deserved. I just hate I acted like a jerk toward you, accusing you, I didn’t even listen when you tried to tell me you didn’t leave the gate open.”

  Even though she was nestled against him, Fancy trembled. “Like I told you earlier, I didn’t think I’d left it open, but I was so upset, I began to doubt myself.”

  “Upset?” King wasn’t sure he wanted to hear this. “Why?”

  Fancy didn’t want to bring up what she’d overheard, not when things were going so good. Thanks to meeting up with Jericho, the conversation could be postponed.

  “You found her!” Jericho announced happily, riding up beside them. Seeing the bloodstained bandage on her arm, he frowned. “What happened to you?”

  “The albino cougar happened. He had Fancy cornered, but she fought him off.” King sounded very proud.

  “Not really, I was just in a lucky, tight spot. He couldn’t reach me,” Fancy said, blushing up a storm when King kissed her on the cheek, mainly because Jericho saw it and a grin spread across his face.