“Understood.” They moved together as Reno tried to figure out where their enemy was hiding. “Take off to the barn, but don’t go inside until we make sure there’s no one in there,” he instructed the older boys.
Clay ran with them. A heartbeat after they moved, an arrow whizzed through the air and landed in the ground at Reno’s feet. He took a shot in the direction from which it came. “Bastards,” he growled under his breath.
At the barn, Clay sat the little ones down next to their brothers. “Stay here while I check inside to make sure all’s clear.”
“Reno!” Tess cried out, tears flowing down her cheeks.
“I’m here, little one.” He joined them, standing at the corner so he could keep a lookout. His mind was racing, straining to come up with a plan that would keep the children safe.
“Clear.” Clay announced.
“Get the horses hooked up to the wagon,” he told his friend. “Saul saddle up Traveler and Clay’s horse.”
“What?” Clay asked. “Are we gonna try and outrun them or just shoot it out?”
Reno shook his head. “No.” His mind raced. What did they want? There was nothing of value except the horses. Were they just blood thirsty? Possibly. “I’m going to try to lead them away. If I can, you go in the opposite direction and take the children to Ela Blue’s. You can keep an army at bay from inside that cave.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Clay agreed. “Not a good plan – but a plan. How many of them are there?”
“I don’t know.” Reno frowned as he watched the cabin. There didn’t seem to be as much smoke as one would expect. “What the hell?” As he watched, two Indians in full warpaint rushed out the front door of the cabin. Their arms were full. They’d been ransacking the place of the few possessions the children had left. He raised his rifle and took two shots. One man went down with a yelp, holding his leg. The other one helped him up, drew a gun and fired in Reno’s direction.
“Dang.” He took cover as one of the bullets whizzed close enough to his head for him to hear it go by. When he peeked around to take another shot, there was no one in sight.
“Ready!” Clay announced. “Load up, young’uns.”
Reno’s eyes were still peeled when he felt small arms go around his waist. “I don’t want to leave you,” Huck whispered, holding him tight.
Taking just a moment, he returned the boy’s hug. “You have to. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” He reached out to touch each child in turn as they stood next to the wagon. “You all go on now and be good. I’ll take care of these bad guys and just as soon as I finish my business I’ll be back. Before you know it, I’ll be home.”
“We’ll miss you,” Saul said as he mounted Clay’s horse.
“I’ll miss you too,” he told them solemnly as he reloaded his rifle. While Clay climbed atop the buckboard, Reno kept watch to make sure no one slipped up on them as they readied to leave. “All right. You’re all set.” Reno touched Clay’s arm. You wait until I give the signal, then you haul ass. All right?”
“What’s the signal gonna be?”
“Once they’re hot on my trail, I’ll let out the same yell we used when charging into battle.”
“All right. I think I’ll recognize that.” Clay chuckled, then turned serious. “I’m ready for anything, I promise.
Reno nodded. “I know. Take care. I love you all.” He had to just ignore the hiccupping sobs, or he would’ve never been able to walk away.
Keeping low, Reno moved to the back side of the barn, nearest to the cabin. He ducked down behind an empty barrel. Where were they?” He’d no more than processed the question in his mind before he saw three men coming around the corner from behind the cabin. One carried a bow and arrow, the other two held pistols in their hands.
“Did you find anything, Kinsella?”
Kinsella? The name shocked Reno and so did the accent of one asking the question. These men weren’t Indians. They were white as snow.
“Not a damn thing. I checked the smokehouse and the tool shed. Roberts, you and Taylor head to the barn and start shooting until somebody talks.”
Talks? “What the…” He growled under his breath. “Gold. They’re searching for the damn gold that doesn’t exist.” Suddenly, he knew exactly what to do. Darting back to the front of the barn, he whispered to Clay. “They’re looking for gold. I’m going to try and draw them away.” Clay nodded that he understood. Reno mounted Traveler and yelled loud enough for the outlaws to hear. “I don’t care what you say, Clay. I’m taking the loot and you can’t stop me!”
“I wouldn’t dream of trying,” Clay muttered softly from atop the buckboard. “God speed, Reno.”
“Let’s go boy.” With a last nod and wave to his friends, Reno took off at a quick gallop, setting a course away from the cabin. He prayed greed would entice the fake warriors to follow. Sure enough, in a few seconds he heard the sound of horses coming from behind him. Taking a deep breath, Reno let out his own version of a war whoop. When he did a bullet flew right by his head. Turning in the saddle, he answered with a shot, urging Traveler to pick up speed. “Faster, boy. I want to ride like the wind.”
Giving the stallion his head, Reno followed a path to the canyonlands just north of Enchanted Rock. If he could find cover, he’d give these idiots a taste of their own medicine. He
