Bucking Bronc Lodge 04(21)

His son’s tears dampened his shirt. Or maybe it was his own.

Miles didn’t know and he didn’t care.

He’d do anything to take away Timmy’s nightmares. Only he didn’t know if he could.

And that scared him more than anything.

* * *

JORDAN KEPT AN EYE OUT for anyone suspicious as she and Timmy entered the barn to saddle horses for their evening ride. All week she’d been on edge.

The night she’d awakened to the opened window still haunted her.

Who had been inside her cabin? The man who’d killed Timmy’s mother? Was he here on the BBL?

Or what if it was one of the B-2-8s?

Surely they hadn’t found her here. Besides, she and Brody had both checked the boys’ records for affiliations to the gang and found nothing.

Timmy tugged at her arm, a sign that he was learning to trust her. He still hadn’t talked, but in the past week he’d made baby steps, going on a hike with the other campers his age, picking up sticks for the fire and helping her brush down the horses. He’d also regained his appetite.

“What is it, Timmy?” She knelt beside him. “You do want to take that ride, don’t you?”

He gave a little nod, then she saddled the two horses they’d chosen.

She squeezed Timmy’s shoulder. “I’m so proud of how well you’ve learned to handle Smoky. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’ve been riding all your life.”

A tiny movement of his mouth hinted that he appreciated her praise, but he didn’t quite smile.

“Come on, let’s lead the horses outside.” She handed him Smoky’s reins, and she took the palomino named Winnie. More gray skies greeted them as they headed into the riding arena where they’d practiced the day before.

“I thought we’d ride out to the creek,” Jordan said. “We’ll be back by dinner and you can catch up with your dad and your group.”

Thankfully Wayling had taken him under his wing, and Kenny, Johnny Long’s stepson, was here this week, and he seemed to have befriended Timmy, too. Johnny volunteered at the BBL, like Miles, and Kenny had stayed at the ranch numerous times so he seemed to know everything about the ranch and its operation.

She helped Timmy into the saddle, then climbed on top of Winnie and nudged the horse, leading the way. Timmy was a natural rider and guided Smoky to follow Winnie.

Jordan scanned the property, the fresh air chilly but invigorating as they rode across the field, past the stables where Johnny and Brody were teaching some of the older boys how to tie rope knots.

She waved to the group, pointing out that Timmy would learn to tie knots with his own group if he was interested. “Did you and your daddy ride before?”

Timmy shrugged, his little body steady in the saddle. They crossed the east ridge, then she paused to point out the cattle grazing in the pasture. “I think the hands plan to herd the cattle to the south pasture next week. If you want, maybe we can join in the ride.”

She nudged Winnie to a trot, and Timmy kept up, but they paused to watch a deer drinking from the creek.

Suddenly the hair on the back of Jordan’s neck prickled. She twisted her head around, searching the horizon. Horses...cattle...more deer...squirrels...woods and bare land...

A sound cracked the air, and Winnie jolted. Smoky dug his hooves into the ground and began to balk. The sound splintered the air again, and Jordan’s breath caught as a bullet whizzed by her head.

“Timmy, get down!”

But her warning came too late. His horse bolted, Timmy lost his balance and slid off the animal just as another bullet ricocheted off the tree beside her.

She bit back a scream, panic slamming into her as Timmy hit the ground.





Chapter Six




Jordan’s breath caught. Dear God, please don’t let him be hurt!

She yanked on Winnie’s reins and steered her to a tree, then jumped down, scanning the woods in search of the shooter.

Another shot ripped by her head, and she ducked to avoid being hit, crouching low as she rushed toward Timmy. He looked stunned, but he was trying to sit up. A good sign.

Dirt coated his jeans and smudged his face, but she didn’t see blood or any visible injuries. Had he hit his head?

She lifted his chin to look at his face. His eyes looked clear, and thankfully she didn’t see any bruises on his forehead. “Timmy, are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?”

He looked dazed, worrying her more, so she checked his arms and legs, but they didn’t appear injured. Smoky had gotten spooked and had taken off galloping back toward the stables. “Come on, we have to get out of here.”

Jordan took his hand. “Stay low. I’m going to climb on Winnie then pull you up and we’ll head back.”