Page 110 of Legacy of Lies
Chapter 26
The sturdy horse stomped one hoof and whuffed a breath of vapor as Sara grabbed the saddle horn.
“Sorry, fella, you’ve got more work to do tonight before you rest.” Garrison patted the horse’s neck. He turned to Sara. “Rode much?”
“No. But I’ll become an expert if this is our ticket out of here.” She glanced over her shoulder, imagining a shadow form running through the forest, stalking them.
Garrison grasped the reins and led the horse through the snow-covered terrain. His gait remained unsteady.
“What about you?” she asked.
“I’ll walk until we get to safer terrain.”
“But—”
The warmth of his hand on her leg dispelled the shivers of fear shaking her body. Yes, they could do this. They were going to get out of here, in one piece. Alive.
“But nothing. Let’s go home.” He tilted his face up with a mangled smile. “And don’t get cocky. We’ve got several hours of travel ahead of us.” He checked his watch. “It’s 10:30. Going to be a long night.”
“Can’t be much longer than it already has been.”
He nodded. “We’ll be home soon, don’t worry.”
Home.
Her gut clenched.
Sure, Garrison had risked his life to save her from Hank. But the facts remained. Her relationship with Hank had laid the groundwork for the deadly actions this night. Zach had nearly died.
Home.
Didn’t matter how much the Taggart family had welcomed her, she had no place in this family. To be fair, she had no place at all. Not in Copper River. Not anywhere.
It also didn’t matter how much she adored Zach. Didn’t matter how much she ... cared for Garrison. She couldn’t stay in his life. Her own life lay before her. Her plans.
And after tonight, she had even more reason to want to leave Copper River the minute her contract ended. Time to stop hurting the people around her.
Her legs ached, and her face throbbed. Thankfully, the sensation had returned to her hands, though the rope burns on her wrists stung when fabric brushed over them. But after what Garrison had done for her tonight, no way would she complain. Mother Mary, if he hadn’t come for her, she’d be dead. No question.
Limping in front of the horse, he led the way through the rough, snowy terrain. He bent into the frigid wind. A lump formed in her throat. Here she sat, wrapped in his toasty sheepskin coat. There he walked, coatless, dealing with the dropping temperatures like it was no big deal.
Damned if his essence didn’t permeate the coat. The simple act of ducking her face into the collar and taking a deep breath brought memories of his rugged face and their night of passion. His masculine scent made her nerves tingle.
His scent made her heart ache.
“Garrison, do you want to ride for a while? You’ve been walking forever.”
He paused and looked up, his face hidden in the darkness. “You know what? Yes, I’d love to ride. My knee’s killing me.”
“Absolutely.” She removed her right leg from the stirrup to swing over the saddle.
His hand on her leg froze her in place and then sent a zing of excitement straight into her belly. She had to remember to breathe. Holy cow, all that from touching her leg?
His quiet voice split the still air. “I’d like to join you, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” Her voice came out way too thready. Riding double with Garrison was dangerously like other things they would never do together again.
“Um, if you hop down for a second?” One corner of his swollen mouth lifted.
