AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"You should have stayed out of this, Rivers. It ain't your concern." He came to the edge of the shadows and Chase could see the whites of his eyes. "Now get over here and be quick about it."
"If you've hurt her, I'll kill you Hawks, with my bare hands," Chase informed him, his body tensing as he walked closer.
"Well answer him," Hawks demanded as he turned slightly.
"I'm fine," Katherine uttered the words, her voice sounding hollow.
Chase recoiled hearing the deep sadness in her voice.
"She ain't hurt none, she's just tuckered is all…" Hawks chuckled. "Now you get over here and settle yourself."
Hawks held the rifle on him now and Chase moved silently into the darkness.
"Where's your friend?" Hawks demanded.
"What friend?" Chase replied, trying to focus on Katherine but it was impossible in the dark. All he could see was an occasional flash of the whites of their eyes.
"The one that was out there all day with you," Hawks said.
"The sun's playin' tricks on you Hawks, there was no one with me." Chase chuckled.
"There were two of you, I seen him with my own eyes. I knowed he's out there. But it won't do him no good." Hawks laughed.
"Katherine go to the barn and bring the ropes," Hawks commanded.
Katherine shook her head, "No…"
"Go or I'll kill him where he sits," Hawks demanded now.
Katherine skittered away from the shadow of the tree. Chase saw her heading for the barn. Good, at leas
t she would be out of the line of fire now. He would make a move and he could take Hawks.
***
But as Katherine went into the barn, Mathew was there and he quickly grabbed her and put his hand over her mouth, "Miss Katherine, hush now, it's me, Mathew. Don't scream. You stay here… and don't come out till we give you a yell. Understand?"
Katherine nodded, "Yes…" she finally managed as he took his hand away.
Before she knew what he was doing he hauled her against him and kissed her hard. It stole what little breath she had, "I needed that," he whispered. "Should have done it long ago. Then you'd be mine…"
"Mathew…" Katherine started to protest his actions, but in the light of the situation, she saw no need of it.
Mathew smiled sadly at her, "Don't make no never mind, it'll be a cold day in hell before I get another one, I guess. Want you to know…I've loved you all this time…Miss Katherine, but I was unable to speak my mind. Now it's too late…and I've got to kill that bastard Hawks. Goodbye, Miss Katherine…"
"Mathew…" Katherine gasped as she watched him go out and all manner of shots rang out.
There was a long silence and then Hawks yelled, "Get out here Katherine…"
Katherine felt the tears roll down her cheek, had he killed them both?
But the minute she opened the door, she knew the answer, for Hawks had the gun on Chase as he ran towards Mathew's body.
"Oh my God…." Katherine ran to Mathew. She cradled his head in her lap and cried.
Hawks shook his head, "Ain't no use wastin' time over him, he's dead, girl."
In a heated rush Katherine stood up and rushed to attack Hawks, it gave Chase just the chance he needed, and his fist came down on Hawks jaw hard and fast. There was a popping noise and Hawks eyes bulged for a second.
