Page 3 of That Fateful Ride

“Lame.”

The voice sounded a bit graveled as if he’d been sick. “So who’s this?”

“Polaris.”

He blinked. Robert had mentioned Polaris. His sister’s horse. She’d gotten him as a yearling from some Indians. Cy didn’t know much more about it than that but he knew the horse was strong, fast, and everything to the man’s sister.

“She let you take her horse?”

A slight stiffening followed by a brief nod. “After a fashion.”

He chuckled. Siblings. “I can take care of him.” It was part of his job. More hesitation before Robert slid free of the stirrups and hit the ground with a spur jarring thud. “There’re about four over there now sleeping but I reckon they’ll be getting up soon.”

Saddlebags slung over one shoulder, Robert walked off without a word.

Something still bothered him but Cy shook it off and went to take care of the mount. After he stripped Polaris, who hadn’t wanted to go with him but after Robert, he checked him over carefully to ensure he’d acquired no injuries. Content the horse was sound, he fed him and left him for some well-deserved rest.

The other riders other than Robert eventually woke and another dispatch heading the other way came in. About three hours later, he had just finished shoeing one of his horses when Thomas, another rider who was going to be heading toward Sacramento on the next run let out a yell.

“Cy! We’ve got a problem.”

Stripping off the leather apron, he hurried out into the bright sun. The urgency in the tone prompted him to not dally. The problem could be anything. Thieves, Indians, they had it all out here. Rifle in hand he headed to Thomas’ side.

“What?” he asked scanning the horizon.

Thomas gestured with his chin. Cy squinted in that direction and frowned when he saw a horse approaching at a trot. His scowl deepened when he recognized it as Bill’s horse…without Bill.

“What the…?”

They hurried toward the skittish gelding. When they captured him, Cy noticed the blood on the saddle and along one shoulder was a deep gash.Damn it!Thankfully, the mochila sat secured to the saddle.

“Do you think the Injuns got him?” Thomas asked as they hurried back to the stable.

“I have no idea.” He had a hunch though. And not a good one. “Take him and give him some water. I’ll be over shortly to patch him up.” He headed toward the bunkhouse, dispatches in hand.

Pushing through the darker and thankfully cooler interior, he paused to take it all in. Two of the guys were drinking which they weren’t supposed to do in excess. To the right he spied Robert lying on a bottom bunk, back to the wall.

“Bill’s horse came back,” he announced. “There was blood on the saddle. I need a rider to head out.”

Silence reined and he felt his disappointment rise. Then a graveled voice came to him.

“I’ll do it.”

Robert. He focused on him and not the two who were too busy pretending they’d not heard him. A few inches shorter than most of the riders, Robert often made him wonder if it wasn’t hard to be so small. Straightforward brown eyes met him from beneath the brim of his hat.

“Good. As soon as you can.”

Robert stood up and buckled on his weapons over his pants. He shoved into his boots before grabbing his saddlebags. Cy wanted to object but their top priority was keeping the delivery going. With a disgusted glare at the two who refused to step up, he led the way out.

“I have another horse—”

“Polaris will do.” The interruption came immediately. Firm and definitely expecting that statement to be followed.

He slowed so Robert’s shorter stride put them even. In the stable, he took a deep breath and saddled Polaris. He attached the delivery while Robert slid his rifle into the scabbard.

“Good luck.” Cy’s gaze travelled down to where the black handle of his revolver sat against one leg.Wait a minute. I thought Robert had silver ones.Before he could think on it anymore, the dun gelding had taken off.

Right now, Cy had more important things to attend but then he’d turn his attention to what it was about Robert that bothered him so much. Gathering the medical supplies needed, he went to tend the gelding.

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