Her eyes fill with tears, and she leans into him. “I love you, Dalton Rivers.” She presses a kiss to his lips, and he answers back.
“I love you, more.” They lean into each other and watch the sun slip behind the mountains. Dalton sighs.
“We need to talk.” He picks up a stick and turns to an area that has dirt. He wipes it clean with his hand, and she follows him to watch.
“We are here, at the Crystal Spring.” Using a stick, he draws an x in the dirt. Soon he sketches out a graph with bumps and flat areas. “Tonight, we need to cross this small valley and head up into this tall mountain. It's called Warrior Peak. The mountain will offer plenty of coverage, but the valley is where we have to move carefully.”
“I understand. We need to make it across the valley quickly in order to get to cover before sunrise? Why is it so dangerous, Dalton?” she asks.
“Indians. Plain and simple. They are warring with each other and killing as many whites as possible in a last desperate attempt to hang on to their way of life. No questions will be asked, Cassie. Do you understand?” His gray eyes are stormy with worry for her.
“I understand the desperation they must feel. It doesn't seem right. Why do they have to be forced off the land they were born on?”
“I agree. My brothers and I felt it was important to work together to build a way of life that is not at war with local tribes. We sharecrop the land on our ranch with a tribe of Shoshone Indians. They live on the land and work with us to protect the cattle. In return, they earn a portion of the profits made and horses with cattle to eat. It also is a protection against other hostile tribes. It is one our proudest achievements.” His pride is evident, and she can't help but feel proud of the man she loves.
“Now who is amazing?” she asks nudging him with her knee.
“This first valley is small, we can make it across quickly.” He gestures to a larger bump beyond the valley. “Here is where it will get tricky. There is a pass on the lower side of Warriors Peak, which leads straight to the second valley. It is larger. It will take us several hours to cross. Once we make it to the mountain on the other side, we have a few options. We can cross using a lower pass or go straight up and over. After we reach the other side of Cathedral Peak, we will be almost home. Our family lands includes five thousand acres starting with the valley just past the peak.”
“Why are you telling me this?” her fear filled eyes snap to his and she grows angry when he looks at her.
“Cassie, if something happens and we are separated you are to ride hard. You must get to my family land.” He jumps up and begins stomping the fire out. “Once you reach our land, you will be safe.”
“I am NOT leaving you behind, Dalton,” she snaps, jumping up to face him.
He turns and advances on her. “You will do as you are told, Cassandra!” he orders. “If they get to us, I will buy you as much time as I can.” When she starts to shake her head and turn away from him, he jerks her back around to face him.
“Did it ever occur to you that you might already be carrying our child? Would you throw their life away as easily as you do your own?” he asks softening his tone.
Her hand goes to her flat stomach, and she looked at him thrilled and horrified at the same time. “No, Dalton. I can't be, it's... It's too soon,” she stammers out.
“No, it isn’t Cassie. You will protect yourself and my future five children and do as I ask.” She can’t help but laugh at his audacity. “Cassie, I love that you are a fighter, but I would not ask you to die for me. Promise me!”
Openly crying now, she sobs out, “I promise Dalton, to get to your family land if we are separated.” He pulls her close praying that doesn’t happen.
After cleaning up any traces of their visit, they mount up and head through the narrow canyons to the other side of a small pass which leads to the first small valley. It is just past sunset and scattered clouds fill the sky ahead making travel slow. The light they had the night before is diminished by the clouds. Luckily the horses know to follow the trail as it seems to be well worn. They travel an hour past sunset before making it to the small valley. Dalton decides to scout ahead and has Cassie follow slowly behind him.
He skirts around Bear Lake adding time when he finds fresh horse tracks. This is what he was afraid of. He waits for Cassie to catch up and keeps her close for the remaining journey.
Cassie is amazed at the open meadows they are traveling along. He wasn't kidding when he said there was no cover. It's almost midnight now, and they are moving as quickly as possible without stopping. The broken moonlight reveals Warriors Peak clearly and Cassie gasps.
Dalton pushes on, once they begin the ascent, he will feel better.
The tension from him floats to her, and she is worried. Maybe she could use her gift to see ahead of them? It would make things less stressful. When they stop for a break to water the horses, she will suggest it. Giving a gentle kick of her boot she urges her horse forward, and that's when she sees it. A quick flash of
