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“Open it, let’s see what the boy can do,” Mr. McCall shouted.
If Ma was here, I’d be getting a lecture and pulled down by my ear. Maybe. She forgot I was growing up and that I needed to find my place on the ranch. I had to have a useful skill or they’d not need me. Letting that thought leave me, I let out the growing frustration with a long breath before walking Inferno out of the gate.
The McCall ranch was wide open, similar to ours. There were open pastures, grazing grounds, and off in the distance, more land. It was beautiful this time of year. The crisp air, a slight breeze that sent a chill through you. Wyoming winters were amazing, and I couldn’t wait for the first snow. This landscape would be a snowy oasis. Freezing too, but we were all used to that.
I pushed Inferno a bit faster and stopped on the ridge. Looking out over the property, I let the horse under me take in the air and adjust to me being on his back.
I could see a rider coming our way. It wasn’t until they got closer that I realized something was wrong. I put my heels into Inferno’s sides. “Yah!”
The others noticed what I had, and all hell seemed to break loose. I could hear shouting in the distance, worry running through us all.
I rode hard, trying to catch up with the horse that was running full out across the pasture. I recognized the rider as I got closer. Keisha McCall was a leggy brunette who had stolen my heart in the second grade. I’d harbored a crush on her ever since. To see the look of panic on her face tore at my insides.
There was one thing I could say for Inferno; he may be big and stubborn as all get out, but he was fast. I pushed up, my legs straight, back arched slightly as he got me within touching distance.
“Hold on, I’ve got you.” I reached for the reins, gripping them in my free hand. The horse shied, bucking, ready to race off again, but I held on for her sake. “Easy, easy now. Whoa.” The horse started to calm, slowing then coming to a full stop.
“Th-thank you,” she stuttered, looking around before cursing. “Dammit.” She slid off the horse, her hands going to its sides and legs. “Easy girl, it’s okay.”
“What happened? Are you okay?”
Her head popped up; I could only see her because I sat taller than her horse. “Yeah, thank you. Nice riding. Didn't know the Cannons could keep up with the McCalls,” she teased.
“Ah, darlin’, I can keep up with anyone.”
“Sure ya can, cowboy.”
“Keisha, sweetheart, are you okay? What happened?”
“Dad, I’m okay.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I don’t know what happened. We were having a lazy run in the back pasture, I came through the back gate, and she went off like a rocket. Bucking, kicking. I didn’t see anything around, but I was trying to not get bucked off.”
Mr. McCall hugged her to his side and looked at the horse. I did the same, spotting red on her back flank.
“Hey, she’s got a bloody spot on her back left flank.”
“What the hell?” Keisha ran her hands over the horse. “What did that to you, sweet girl? Huh?”
“Looks like she was shot with something.”
“With what?” Mr. McCall asked.
“Pellets maybe.” I shrugged slightly, my anger growing. If someone shot at her horse…if she wasn’t the rider she was, she could have been killed if the horse tossed her. She could have been trampled. Any number of things could have gone wrong.
Another rider came up the hillside, barreling toward us. His brows were tugged together when he saw us all surrounding Keisha.
“What are you doing over here? I saw you running over there. I was coming to check on you.”
She ignored him, turning toward her father.
“We need to call Dr. Cannon.”
“No need, Keisha, I’m here. Get her back to the barn. Danny can walk her back.”
“I’m not leaving her.”
“Of course, you won’t. Come on, you can ride back with me,” I offered, my free hand going out to help her up.
“That horse isn’t ready for another rider.”
