Rain Shadow(47)

I walked toward the gate first. Max wasn’t even at his post. He’d been assigned the early morning shift but my doctored stew had knocked him out. I could pull the switch and leave right now but there was one friend who was going with me, at least for the first part of my journey.

I hurried across the yard and around the cabins to Chance’s stall. He lifted his head and looked surprised to see me so early. I walked over to the hook on the wall and picked up his bridle.

“Hey, big guy, up for a morning ride?” I slid the bit into his mouth and adjusted the headstall. He plodded behind me as I led him through the yard. A noise from my grandfather’s cabin made me stop. I waited but everything remained quiet. Chance and I continued to the gate. I pulled the switch. I had no way to close it once we were out, but I didn’t care. Max would probably stumble out eventually and shut it before anyone noticed that he’d left it open. Jericho liked to sleep late, so I had a good four hours before anyone would know I was gone.

The wrought iron gate swung open and I glanced back to make sure the yard was still deserted. The place looked grim and harsh and the opposite of home. I walked through and climbed on Chance’s back. I never turned around after that.



The brisk morning air gave Chance energy and he trotted along through the sagebrush. He picked up his pace when we hit the road. His hooves clacked the asphalt, scaring the birds from the bushes. Chance lifted his head and snorted in delight as he realized we were heading toward his favorite place. Five miles down the road from the compound, a woman named Kathy, who’d been widowed for years, lived on a small farm with her horses, dogs and goats. Chance loved the place because there were other horses, and Kathy always brought out an apple for him when she saw us. She’d always admired Chance.

I didn’t see Kathy, but her horses were already out in their turnout pen. Chance loped toward the pen, and his horse friends all whinnied to him. Kathy came out onto her porch to see what the noise was about. She shielded her eyes with her hand. “Angel, you two are out early.”

I slid off of Chance and led him to her. “Could you watch him for me, Kathy. I have to go away for awhile, and I don’t know when I’ll be back. But I know he’ll be in good hands here.”

She had the kind of brown eyes that looked as if they could see straight into your mind. She knew I was leaving for good. She took the reins. “I’d be happy to watch Chance for you, Angel. You take care now. Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m set. Thanks, Kathy.” I turned around and kissed Chance’s nose. Then I headed back toward the road.

Several roadrunners scurried across the asphalt, and the jackrabbits were out nibbling at the dry foliage. It was eerily quiet and the blue sky above promised scorching heat. There was a long stretch of highway between me and a different life. I would have to watch over my shoulder wherever I went, and I had no idea what I’d do for money or shelter yet. But I didn’t mind. I was free.