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enough to find a town and send a wire for Caleb or Eli Gray to come with a wagon to get her.
    Sadie wouldn’t let her down, not Sadie. Willow had taken in Sadie and others when that horrible illness swept the train. She owed Willow and all the women of Thunder Ridge a debt of gratitude. Was that she, waiting right behind the bush?
    Dropping to her knees, she crawled now, pulling herself along the frost-covered ground until her strength gave way and she collapsed on her face. She lay for a moment fightingdefeat. She couldn’t get there. She couldn’t make it to the row of mesquite, and if she called out, her plan would be exposed.
    Gathering grit, she dug her nails into the ground and pulled, easing her body an inch at a time. She could do this. But then the white-hot fire in her ankle rendered her light-headed. She couldn’t faint; she would die of exposure in the falling temperatures and nobody knew she was out here. The sudden idiocy of her scheme came home to roost. She couldn’t escape; she had barely enough strength to breathe. Burying her face in her hands, she awaited her fate. Dear God, please let Willow and Audrey understand…
    â€œI’ll bet you’re looking for a horse.”
    Redlin. Why should she be surprised that he would be the one to find her? Not some kind, compassionate soul. Oh no. It had to be Josh. But the laugh was on him. She was dying. This hellish pain blistering her body could mean nothing less. So she would lie here and let him talk his fool head off and she’d say nothing. Mr. Smarty-pants knew everything, so surely Sadie had told him about the plan. Just let Sadie need something again and Copper wouldn’t lift a hand to help—though she’d have no hand to lift. She’d be dead. The joke was on Redlin.
    Josh’s tone turned mystified. “Did I misinterpret? You did request a horse, warm clothing, and a couple of days’ supplies?”
    Copper rolled to her back and faced him. “And you, sir, were kind enough to bring them.”
    His gaze indicated the waiting animal beside him, the bulging saddlebags. “I think you’ll find everything you need here.”
    She focused on him, squinting through one eye. “And now you’re about to tell me that you’re going to let me go.”
    He stood aside, affecting a gallant sweep. “Go with God.”
    It took a moment to decide if he was toying with her or if he was serious. Serious, she decided. She was free! He wasn’t going to stop her! Clearing her throat, she asked. “Could you…help me aboard?”
    â€œMy pleasure.” She suddenly found herself in his arms—arms that felt like steel bands—and sat in the saddle. He rechecked the cinch, and then lowered the stirrup. “Everything seems in order. Do you need a light?”
    A lantern. She’d not thought that far. She’d have to have light. “Yes—thank you.”
    He indicated the item tied to the saddle. She stared at the heavy object. “What do I do with it?”
    â€œWhy, hold it.” He smiled. “Moon’s bright tonight, but who knows what tomorrow night will be.” He stuck his hands in his front pockets and stared up at a brilliant sky. “Ring around the moon. Rain’s coming in. I packed a slicker for you.”
    Now how was she going to hold a heavy lantern, control the horse, and hang on the saddle pommel when she barely had the strength to exhale? With a sinking heart, she knew that she couldn’t. She couldn’t ride through unfamiliar terrain in the darkness, holding a lantern.
    Again he had bested her.
    â€œWell now, you have a good ride home, Miss Wilson.” He turned his collar up. “That storm will likely turn to snow but it’ll melt the minute it hits the ground, but then in these parts you just never know. Could be knee-deep by morning and it could miss us and head north, but I’dbe sure and build a fire