out of one of the many, odd hollows in the solid stone where water lingered from a recent rain. The hollows held anywhere from a cup to several gallons of water.
In the end, Eve decided not to go back, because she didn’t want to walk one more yard than was absolutely necessary. Besides, the hollows were alive with tiny swimming creatures.
Eve took a deep breath and approached the black opening that lay between her and the horses. From the marks she could see on the rock, the mustangs had sat on their hocks, skidded down to the ledge, and then stepped or jumped to the other side of the channel. There was no slope to scramble up on the far side. She could fall flat when she landed and it wouldn’t matter.
Easy as jumping down a stair. Nothing to it.
Taking another breath, Eve walked forward.
A pebble turned under the ball of her foot, throwing her off balance. She turned as she fell, her arms wide, her fingers reaching for anything that would stop her fall. There was nothing to grab but air.
The force of the fall knocked the breath out of Eve and sent her rolling rapidly toward the black gap. There was no bottom, no top, nothing to cling to. She was flailing down a slide made of stone, hurtling toward an endless night.
«Reno!» Eve screamed.
First her feet, then her knees, bumped over the ledge, then her thighs. Somehow her hands found enough purchase on the rock to halt her tumbling. She lay with her cheek against the rock, her arms shaking, and her legs dangling over eternity. When she tried to pull herself up out of the abyss, she nearly lost what grip she had upon the stone.
An instant later Eve felt herself being torn free of the rock. She fought wildly before she realized that it was Reno lifting and turning her, pulling her back from the abyss. He braced his feet apart and held her against his body.
«Easy, gata. I’ve got you.»
Trembling in every limb, Eve sagged against Reno.
«Are you hurt?» he asked urgently.
Eve shook her head.
He looked at the pallor of her face, the trembling of her lips, and the shiny trails tears had left on her skin.
«Can you stand?» he asked.
She took a shuddering breath and put more of her weight on her own feet. He released her just enough to find out if she could stand. She could, but she was shaking.
«We can’t go back,» Reno said. «We have to go on.»
Though he tried to speak in gentle tones, the race of adrenaline in his system made his voice harsh.
Nodding to show she understood, Eve tried to take a step. Immediately she was betrayed by the shaking of her legs.
Reno caught her and brushed his mouth lightly over hers. The kiss was unlike any he had given her, for it asked nothing of her in return. He eased her down onto the stone and sat beside her, cradling her while she shook with a mixture of fatigue and exhaustion, fear and relief.
Reno took off the canteen he wore slung down his back. The rasp of a canteen stopper was followed by the silvery music of water trickling out as he dampened his bandanna. When the cool cloth touched Eve’s face, she flinched.
«Easy, little one,» Reno murmured. «It’s just water, like your tears.»
«I’m n-not crying. I’m…resting.»
He poured a bit more water on his dark bandanna and wiped Eve’s pale, tear-stained face. She let out a ragged breath and sat quietly while he removed the evidence of her tears.
«Drink,» he said.
Eve felt the metal rim of the canteen nudge her lips. She sipped lightly, then with more interest as the water slid over the parched tissues of her mouth.
A low sound of pleasure came from her as she swallowed. She hadn’t known anything could taste so clean, so perfect. Holding the canteen with both hands, she drank greedily, ignoring the tiny trickle that escaped at one corner of her mouth.
Reno blotted the extra water with his bandanna at first, then with his tongue. The warm caress so startled Eve that she dropped the canteen. He laughed and caught the canteen, stoppered it, and slung it across his back once more.
«Ready to go?» he asked softly.
«Do I have any choice?»
«Yes. You can take that gap with your eyes open and me right beside you, or you can take it unconscious over my shoulder.»
Eve’s eyes widened.
«I wouldn’t hurt you,» he added.
Gently his hands circled her throat. His thumbs found the points where blood flowed into her brain.
«A bit of pressure and you’ll faint,» Reno said calmly. «You’ll wake up within seconds, but you’ll be on the other side by then.»
«You can’t carry me over that,» she protested.
«You’re like a cat. Sleek and lithe. But for all their speed and grace, cats don’t weigh much.»
Reno stood, pulling Eve to her feet and then off them in a smooth, easy motion. He shifted his grip, holding her balanced against his hip with one arm. It all happened so quickly, she didn’t have time to draw a breath.
Eve’s eyes widened in shock as she realized how much of Reno’s strength he had kept in check when he touched her. She had always known he was stronger than she was. She just hadn’t known how much stronger. An odd, strangled sound escaped her lips.
Reno frowned.
«I didn’t mean to frighten you,» he said.
«It’s not that,» she said faintly.
He waited, watching her.
«It’s just…» Eve made a sound that was half laugh, half sob. «I’m used to being the strong one.»
There was a long silence while Reno held Eve and thought about what she had said. Slowly he nodded. It explained a lot, including why she hadn’t told him how close to the end of her rope she was. It simply hadn’t occurred to her. She was used to being with people who had less strength and stamina than she did, not more.
«And I’m used to traveling alone,» Reno said. «I’ve pushed you too hard. I’m sorry.»
Carefully he set Eve on her feet again.
«Can you walk?» he asked.
Eve sighed and nodded.
One of Reno’s arms slid around her waist.
«Tired littlegata. Put you arm around me and lean. It’s not far.»
«I can —»
Abruptly Reno’s hand came down over Eve’s mouth, shutting off her words.
«Quiet,» he whispered against her ear. «Someone is coming.»
Eve froze and strained to hear beyond the wild beating of her heart.
Reno was right. The lazy breeze was carrying the sound of someone cursing savagely.
«Damnation,» hissed Reno. «Get down!»
Eve had no choice about it. He had her pressed on her stomach against the rock before she could blink.
«Keep your head down,» he said in a very soft voice. «They won’t be able to see you until they’re at the top of the slope above us.»
Reno took off his hat, handed Eve the canteen, and drew his gun. She watched as he began crawling on his stomach up the ten-foot slickrock incline.
On the other side were three Comancheros leading wiry mustangs. They were headed straight for Reno. Crooked Bear was in the lead. He spotted Reno immediately. When the Comanchero shouted, bullets started
