Chained Apache Woman Begged Him to Do Anything — The Cowboy Did the Unexpected Thing
Chapter 6
Theme:
Font Size:
24px
"There is no next step. There's only waiting for them to come.""Then we'll wait together."He heard her shift on the bed, settling in. "You should give me a weapon."That caught his attention. He turned from the window. "Why?""Because when they come, I won't go back alive, and I won't let them take me without a fight." Her voice was steady, certain. "I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees."Caleb walked to the gun cabinet in the corner and pulled out a revolver. He checked it was loaded, then brought it to her. "You know how to use this?""My father made sure I knew how to shoot before he made sure I knew how to read. Said a woman who could defend herself was worth more than one who couldn't. Ironic, isn't it?"He placed the gun on the table beside the bed, within her reach. "Don't shoot me by accident.""I don't do anything by accident."Caleb returned to the window, his own rifle now in hand. The night was deep and quiet, but he could feel eyes on his cabin: maybe imagination, maybe instinct. Either way, he wasn't going to sleep tonight."Caleb?""Yeah?""Thank you. For the mercy, even if it kills us both.""You're welcome."Hours passed in silence. Ayla's breathing eventually evened out into something resembling sleep, though he suspected it was more exhaustion than rest. Caleb kept his vigil at the window, watching the darkness for movement that never came.But it would come. She was right about that. He'd made his choice when he broke those chains, and now he'd live with the consequences. Or die with them. Either way, he was done walking away.As the first hint of dawn began to gray the eastern sky, Caleb heard Ayla stir behind him."You didn't sleep," she said."Someone needed to keep watch.""They won't come in daylight. They'll wait for another night. Let your guard drop. Let you think maybe you're safe after all.""You know them well.""I should. I spent 22 years learning how they think." She sat up slowly, moving like every bone hurt. "My father is methodical. The Carvers are patient. They'll want to make an example of you, which means they'll take their time. Make it public. Make it hurt.""Cheerful morning thoughts.""I'm just trying to prepare you for what's coming."Caleb set his rifle against the wall and moved to the stove, stirring up the fire to heat water for coffee. "What do you want to do?""What do you mean?""You. What do you want? Because right now, you've got a choice. You can stay here, help me defend this place when they come. Or I can give you a horse, supplies, and you can ride. Put as much distance between yourself and this mess as possible."Ayla laughed, sharp and bitter. "Run? Where exactly would I run to? My father controls everything for 300 miles in every direction. The Carvers have reach even beyond that. There's nowhere I could go that they wouldn't find me eventually."