Desperate now, Cassie looks around for a weapon and decides on a large rock. She picks it up, and everything seems to happen at once. When the large cat swipes at Dalton with his sharp claws, Cassie screams again and throws the rock at it.
Startled by her movement, it's predatory instinct kicks in, and he leaps towards the weaker of the two humans. Dalton dives onto the back of the animal and this time sinks his large knife deep into its eye socket. A roar of outrage and pain has the cat trying to buck Dalton off again, but he is already going for the kill. Dalton rips the blade free in a spray of blood and slices it down across the cat's belly before rolling free.
With a scream of agony, the bleeding animal drags its bloody body off into the night.
Dalton wipes the blood off his blade in the grass and returns it to the sheath on his belt. Cassie stands gaping at Dalton as he struggles to his feet.
“Dalton?” she moans and as the trembling starts, they move towards each other, desperate to touch. She limps towards him holding her side, and he cups her face in his before running his hands over her checking for injuries. The sleeve of her denim duster is ripped slightly from the claws, but there is no penetration.
“It’s okay, I’m fine. What about you?” he answers her unvoiced question and looks at her face, wiping away the dirt and tears.
“I’m okay, but the horses ran off.” She answers quietly. He runs his hands over her body looking for signs of serious injury. Satisfied when he finds only scratches and dust, he looks down into her eyes.
“Cassie we can't risk using our pistols or rifles. This land is teeming with bandits, soldiers, and Indians who target settlers. A mountain lion would seem a kitten compared to your fate if they capture you.”
“I know... but I thought you were going to die! It was a mountain lion!” Her voice breaks and she turns away to gather her composure. She wipes her dirt-streaked face and looks around for the horses.
Dalton pulls her back against his chest and kisses her neck softly. He takes a moment to hold her, and whispers into her hair, “I will never forgive myself if something happens to you.”
She turns swiftly in his arms and takes his mouth desperately. His mouth opens over hers, taking complete possession. He feels her fear beating at him, and his own terror at the sight of the lion attacking her echoes in his mind. When his hands clutch her waist, and he pulls her to his body, he realizes he is contemplating making love to her where they stand, he forces himself to stop. With his forehead pressed to hers, he holds her giving her the comfort they both need.
“Cassie, we have to get moving. The scent of blood will draw more predators.”
He releases her and starts tracking the horses. Forty minutes later they find all three horses near a stream. After checking them for injuries, Dalton mounts up and turns to see Cassie struggling to mount.
“Cass?” He asks with concern. She gives a final pull and is able to mount but sits doubled over and breathing hard.
“I'm okay. Let's get going.” She snaps and sits up straighter.
“We only have about two hours more to make the pass. I promise it will be worth it.” They ride silently alone the starlit path and Cassie is amazed at the brightness of the trail. Illuminated by only the moon and stars, they seem to be riding a path straight up to heaven. Soon, the horses are having to work harder to make it up the gravel and rocks. Cassie leans forward in her seat trying to ease the pain in her ribs and leg.
Dalton watches Cassie with growing concern. Her injuries must be more than she is letting on. They ride up the foothills, higher and begin to twist and turn through what seems to be an old river bed. Snaking up through crevices and canyons until finally stopping at the base of a wall of granite. It is overgrown with spruce trees. Snow paints the tips of the trees and the tops of the mountain.
Cassie sighs with relief when the horses stop. Dalton leaps down from his horse and begins to run his hands over the mountain face. Her eyes drift upward, and she stares up at the purple sky littered with diamonds. Exhausted, she says a quick prayer of thanks for having made it through the trials today.
When she glances back, Dalton is leading his horse along the wall to the left and soon disappears into the rock! Startled, she hesitates before urging the horses forward. Slowly, Cassie follows Dalton and to her surprise finds a pass that is camouflaged into the granite and undergrowth. As she turns the first corner, she sees Dalton waiting with a grin. The brim of his black hat is pulled low over his blonde hair, and she smiles at the image he presents. They wander through the narrow pass and higher into the tight canyon.
Finally, Dalton halts and dismounts. He gestures for Cassie to wait and disappears into the entrance of a cavern.
Cassie slides off her horse and leans heavily on the saddle for support. Pain shoots through her body, and she drops her head waiting for it to dim. Fatigue and pain radiate through her entire body, and she doesn't hear Dalton until he touches her.
“We're here. Can you walk?” She turns to him and shakes her head no. Her lips are pressed shut tight as she struggles not to cry out.
“I've got you, Angel.” Dalton scoops
