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Out the corner of my eye, I saw Kate and Wyatt break from the main fight towards the animal enclosures. They ducked and wove between tents, using them as shields from the bullets. I took down a rustler as he emerged to shoot at them, giving them the cover they needed. Trusting they could handle their task, I focused on the enemies ahead of me. I fanned the hammer of my revolver, rapidly firing shots that dropped two more outlaws. My men pressed forward, pushing the rustlers back.
Suddenly, a hulking rustler tackled me from the side. My gun was knocked away as we crashed to the ground. I grappled fiercely with the brute, blocking his punches. He was stronger, but I was faster. I smashed my forehead against his nose, stunning him. As he reeled back, I punched him hard in the throat, finishing him off. I scrambled to my feet, scooping up my fallen gun. No time to catch my breath. More rustlers came at me guns blazing. I dove behind a stack of supply crates just as a barrage of shots exploded against the other side, peppering the wood with holes. I peered out and snapped off two clean shots, felling my attackers.
The firefight raged on, the air thick with gun smoke. My men were giving it their all. I saw young Lance take a bullet to the shoulder but keep fighting courageously. We were slowly gaining the upper hand through grit and skill. But the outlaws were desperate and dangerous.
A sudden loud crack split the chaos. I glanced over to see Kate and Wyatt had busted open the gates of the animal enclosure. Siroccos came streaming out, fleeing from the camp. The rustlers shouted angrily at the loss of their stolen herds. I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile. Kate had done it. Now we just had to finish this.
I burst from cover, rushing forward and bowling over a rustler with a shoulder check. We tumbled to the ground and my fists pummeled him senseless before he could react. I rose swiftly, gun raised, and sighted my next target. Only a handful of outlaws remained standing. We had them on the run.
“Kian, behind you!” Kate’s voice rang out. I spun to see a rustler taking aim at me. His gun roared, but Kate suddenly slammed into him, spoiling his shot. The bullet whizzed past my ear. Kate drove her elbow viciously into the rustler’s face, dropping him cold.
“I had your back,” she said with a fierce grin. I nodded my thanks. No time for words. The fight wasn’t over yet. Back to back, Kate and I advanced with the others, determined to finish this.
I sighted down my revolver, picking off the last few desperate rustlers as they tried to retreat. Most had already thrown down their weapons and surrendered once it was clear we had won the day. I felt fierce satisfaction seeing these outlaws finally face justice after all the suffering they’d inflicted.
A sudden commotion at the edge of camp drew my attention. One of the rustlers had managed to cut free a rope tying a powerful black stallion to a post. Before anyone could react, he leapt onto the creature’s back and spurred it into a gallop, thundering towards the canyon’s mouth.
That horse was Kodiak, one of the most prized siroccos in the region. He’d been stolen from a neighboring village weeks ago. Now this outlaw was trying to make off with him again. I raised my gun to shoot the fleeing man but hesitated, not wanting to risk hitting Kodiak.
“I’ll stop him!” Kate yelled, already sprinting for her sirocco, Willow. In a flash she had swung up into the saddle and taken off in pursuit. I wanted to call her back, tell her to let me handle this, but she was too fast. Cursing under my breath, I could only watch as she galloped after the escaping man. Reckless, brave woman.
Kate expertly guided Willow through the canyon, slowly gaining on the rustler. But every time she got close, he’d lash out with a whip, driving Kodiak faster. They raced dangerously around boulders and over rugged terrain. Still, Kate kept her nerve and focus. I’ll admit I was impressed by her skill as a rider.
Finally, Kate edged up alongside the man. He slashed his whip at her viciously, but she raised her arm to block it. Before he could strike again, she reached out and grabbed his shoulder, pulling hard. He snarled and tried to shove her off. They grappled furiously for a moment, still galloping at breakneck speed.
With a fierce cry, Kate wrenched back with all her strength. The rustler toppled from the saddle and crashed to the ground. Kate reined Willow in sharply. She leapt down and drew her knife, ready to defend herself if the man tried anything more. But he just lay groaning in pain from the fall. Kate had stopped him.
She soothed Kodiak, calming the agitated stallion. Only then did she look back towards the camp. I realized my heart had been pounding the whole time. Foolish, reckless woman. What was she thinking risking herself like that?
I rode down and approached her, trying to keep my voice steady. “That was dangerous, Kate. You could have been killed.”
She lifted her chin. “I couldn’t let him escape with Kodiak.”
“You should have let me handle it.”
“There wasn’t time. I did what I had to.” Her eyes flashed defiantly.
I bit back another scolding. It was useless arguing with her. She had courage and determination; I had to give her that. But it made her too bold for her own good.
I guided Kodiak back towards the camp, not looking at Kate. Let her take the injured rustler. I needed space to rein in my surging emotions. Relief that she was unharmed. Anger that she’d acted so rashly. Admiration for her skills. And yes, even fear that I could have lost her.
Back at the camp, my people gathered around Kate, congratulating her on retrieving Kodiak. They were impressed by how she had risen to the challenge. Even Lance clapped her on the shoulder. “You’ve got grit, Kate. Reckon you’re one of us now.”
* * *
I winced as Kate dabbed at the laser burn on my arm with a wet cloth. The wound still stung something fierce from the rustler’s lucky shot earlier. Kate had insisted on tending to my injury herself. I didn’t mind the excuse for her soft, careful touches, even if they did make me flinch.
“Sorry,” Kate murmured, glancing up to meet my eyes briefly before returning her focus to cleaning the wound. “I know it hurts, but I have to get it nice and clean. Laser burns can get infected fast.”
I nodded, clenching my jaw against the pain. Her blonde head bent industriously over my arm, delicate fingers working with unexpected skill. When she’d first crashed here, I’d figured her as helpless as a newborn sirocco foal. Yet she’d proven herself fierce as a sand viper when roused. Still, I hated seeing her in harm’s way.
“You were brave today,” I admitted gruffly. “Reckless, but brave. That rustler didn’t stand a chance once you set your sights on his prize stallion.”
Kate laughed, a warm, musical sound I’d come to crave. “I wasn’t about to let him ride off with a stolen sirocco. But you’re right, I should’ve been more careful.” She lifted her gaze again, sky-blue eyes earnest. “I just wanted to prove I could handle myself.”
I sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face with my free hand. “You’ve got grit, no denying that. But you’re not Surlon-born. I’ll always worry for your safety.”
“I know,” Kate said softly. She set aside the bloodied cloth and took out a jar of healing salve Marah had mixed up. “But it’s sweet of you to care. And I promise, no more reckless stunts.”
