A Cowboy and an Angel

Chapter 10

The sun was beating down on Hank and Kel as they rode down the path that would lead to the arranged meeting place. Kel began looking around and was keeping the landmarks in her mind. She needed to get away and soon. It wasn't too long before she saw her uncle and that man Leman on the other side of the small creek. She made up her mind.

"Hank?" Kel asked as she grabbed the pistol from the saddle bag. She found the pistol just two hours ago and hadn't wanted to use it, but she now knew she needed to get way and the only way that was going to happen was by using the gun.

Hank turned and barked, "What now?" He wanted to get paid and be on his way.

Kel didn't answer as she fired the gun. She didn't wait to see if she killed the man. She just turned the horse and started it in a gallop back to the Barkleys house, following the landmarks she'd committed to memory. Kel knew that her uncle and Leman would be coming after her, but she was not going to give in so easily.

Charles and Leman watched the whole scene unfold and cussed at Hanks stupidity in allowing Angelica to find the gun. They watched Hank fall to the ground and knew instantly that he was dead. They took off after her wanting to end all this trouble once and for all and head back home.

Kel had seen them closing the gap between them before she went around the last bend. Suddenly, she felt the horse she was riding go out from under her and knew they had shot the horse. She got to her feet after rolling a couple of times then started running towards the trees. Once she was in hidden by the trees, she knew her pursuers would be forced to slow down a bit.

Just a few miles away, Heath, Nick, and Rodney heard the gun shot. Heath quickly surmised the direction his gut had told him the shot came from and pulled his horse up, then headed off. Both Nick and Rodney galloped after him. They weren't about to assume that gunshot wasn't meant for Kel. As they rode around the bend, Heath prayed Kel was alright.

Kel come out running out of the trees and almost hit Nick's horse, barely avoiding being trampled. As Nick spun his horse around, Heath quickly dismounted and was soon beside Kel.

Kel was bent over and breathing hard trying to catch her breath when Heath asked, "Are you okay?"

"I knew… you were going… to come after me. My uncle and… Leman are after me. They are… not far… behind me. They shot… my horse… Shot Hank… don't know if… I killed him." Kel said as she slowed down her breathing.

"Rodney!" Heath yelled.

Rodney rode up to Heath and asked, "Mr. Barkley, Yes?"

"Take Kel home. Nick and I will be home later." Heath said, fighting to keep his temper under control.

Rodney didn't answer as he helped Kel up behind him. They rode off, as Heath mounted his horse once again. He pulled out his rifle and laid it across his legs as he and Nick started down the trail again.

Nick did the same as his brother; he saw the fight of control Heath was having. It was not hard to imagine the fear and the anger, if he had a love one out there. "Don't go firing the minute we see them." Nick said as they went around the bend.

"I won't, I plan on telling them to leave her alone. She deserves to be left alone, but ifin they ain't gonna listen, well then…" Heath spoke as he looked at his brother out of the corner of his eye.

As the trail straightened out Nick and Heath came face to face with the men that had been chasing Kel. You could tell that the man on the left was indeed her uncle; too much of a family resemblance for it not to be him and Leman was right by his side.

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Rodney and Kel rode down the path. They both knew they would not stop when the night fell. They needed to get back to the house.

Kel told herself that Nick and Heath would be alright; and they would be back when as soon as the trouble was over. She calmed herself, slightly, but knew she would need the energy left by the fear, to keep her upright and strong for the ride home.

Kel watched the scenery pass her by and she sent a prayer of thanks upward. She didn't have to run anymore. Maybe someday she would go back and see her family graves after her uncle passed on. She could tell her parents and her aunt she found a home.

"How are you feeling?" Rodney asked.

"Better then I was a few hours ago." Kel answered.

"You tell me when you need a rest. We don't want you back in the bed feeling sick again." Rodney said with a smile.

Kel laughed, "If I get tired, I will let you know."

The rest of the trip was spent in silence.