Earth and Sky

Then Delco retrieved a makeshift halter and a few ropes from the truck before he and his helper started making their way to the lean-to. Grant saw them looking around to see whether there was anyone who could spot them, but this didn’t slow their progress. Meanwhile, Grant hoped that Hunter had managed to persuade the sheriff to come out here in the middle of the night. It didn’t matter that both he and Hunter were about a head taller than Delco; he didn’t want to think what would happen if either of the thieves carried a gun and felt cornered.

    Grant moved as they moved, trying to stay out of their direct field of vision but keeping his eye on them. They looked around some more before suddenly slipping inside the lean-to.

    Grant’s heart stopped. What if they spotted Hunter? His Cowboy had no place to go! He held back, praying that Hunter would be able to hide among the twenty-some young horses that were huddled together in the shelter. Then he heard shouting and the horses ran out, but no men followed. Grant stood up and didn’t know what to do—give up his cover and run to the shelter or simply wait and hope he’d see the men emerge without Hunter.

Chapter 38

    Hunter knew it would only be a matter of time. The sheriff was on his way and Grant had his back. That said, he was still cornered. Delco and his compadre would have to come inside the lean-to to draw out the horses, and if they spotted him, they would certainly retaliate. He hoped Grant was only just behind them.

    Hunter took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves. He had to stay levelheaded. He wasn’t just looking out for his own hide, but for Grant’s too. And his horses. He couldn’t forfeit those by acting irrationally or out of fear. No, he had to lay low, keep his head down until the absolute last moment.

    They’d discussed how to catch Delco in the act. He’d have to be caught with clear intention of taking at least one horse with him. Preferably the horse would already be wearing some sort of makeshift bridle, so it would be clear that Delco was leading the horse away from the field.

    Hunter pushed himself into a dark corner and felt reassured by the nearness of the horses. He would just have to bide his time. How much longer? He tried to listen for footsteps, but although he’d heard the telltale crackling of fresh snow when Grant had walked away, now he couldn’t make out anything.

    Suddenly the horses at the front of the lean-to stirred and started running out, closely followed by the rest. The cold of the outside air flooded in, and Hunter shivered as adrenaline started coursing through his veins. When he saw a frantically waving man run into the shelter, Hunter tried to disappear into the thin wooden wall behind him, though he knew he couldn’t. He didn’t breathe again until the man ran after the horses, apparently unaware of Hunter’s presence.

    Trying to will away the need to run outside, Hunter panted heavily. He would have to give Delco the time to round up one of the young horses, put a halter over it, and start his way back to his trailer. How long would it take? A minute? Five? Surely Grant would find a way to signal him? Damn! Hunter wished they’d spent their nights in the lean-to planning every move instead of trying to find pleasurable ways of keeping warm. They would only get one chance at this.

    Then a shotgun blast rang through the frigid night air and Hunter ran outside so fast, his head was spinning. Almost automatically he cocked his rifle, pointing it at anything that moved, but there was chaos. The horses were running around the small corral with no means of finding an exit, and there were three men trying to do the same.

    Grant was shouting at them to stop moving, and in a flash Hunter saw one of the men go down. It was too dark to see if there was any blood involved, but he said a quick prayer nevertheless. It was clear it wasn’t Grant, though, since he was shouting Delco’s name. Another shot pierced the air, and the horses scattered again. This time it came from the other side of the meadow, and everyone froze. Even Delco stopped moving, and from the corners of his eyes, Hunter saw Grant tackle the compact rodeo cowboy until he was sitting on top of him. Hunter managed to make his legs move and approached the other man, cautiously coming closer with his rifle at the ready.

    “Seems you boys have everything under control,” the county sheriff said in his usual ultra-cool