The whine of a bullet hissed past her. She pulled Daddy’s Colt and fired over her shoulder behind her. When she’d emptied the Colt’s bullets she holstered the revolver. She heard shouts as rustlers pursued her, and knew their horses galloped faster than her little mare.
If they catch me, I’m a goner for sure. There’s no shelter, nowhere to hide. I have to outrun them to the house. Will I even be safe there with only Jake to help me? “Come on, Star, dig in your heels, girl.” The sweet little mare was not built for this kind of race.
Clouds covered the moon, and flashes of lightning boomed closer. A bullet sent her hat flying from her head and grazed her ear lobe. Damn! They were going to kill her for sure. She pulled the Winchester from its saddle scabbard. Levering the rifle, she looked behind her and fired. The closest rider fell from his horse. Dear Lord, had she killed her own cousin?
A giant blaze of light shook the earth in front of her. Before Penny could rack another bullet into the chamber, Star reared then fell. Penny jumped free, the rifle still in her hands. She hit hard. Cradling the firearm to her, she rolled down an incline into darkness.
OUT OF THE BLUE Page 29
