Page 112 of Lord of Fortune
She didn’t respond before turning and walking along the river to find an area that was calm enough to cross. This took several minutes as there was a fair bit of rapidly moving white water at the top of the falls. Thankfully, the river wasn’t very deep, and she was able to ford it with a minimum of water hitting above her boots.
Aware of splashing behind her, she reached the other side of the river and turned to watch Thaddeus and Price cross. It was no wonder Price had slipped on the path. He was incredibly unbalanced as he made his way over the slick bottom of the riverbed.
At last they joined her, and Thaddeus gestured toward the falls. “Lead the way, then.”
She started back along the riverbank, which was mostly flat, slick rock. It sloped slightly down as they neared the falls, and she had to work to keep her balance. The sound of the rushing water combined with the excessive apprehension she felt at having to climb down to the ledge.
When they reached the top, she veered to the right to a place where they could easily—well, as easily as possible—make their way down to the ledge. She stopped before climbing down and caught her breath.
Thaddeus joined her and studied the falls. “You’re sure it’s there?”
“As sure as anything,” she lied. Now that she was here, she began to panic. The heartwasn’tthere. What would he do when he couldn’t find it? “I’ll wait here,” she said.
He shook his head. “No, you’re coming with me. And it better be there.” He looked up at Price. “Hold your pistol on her. If the heart isn’t there, shoot her.”
Amelia swallowed. And prayed Penn would arrive in time.
* * *
Penn cameupon the man lying off to the side of the path. He was pale and cold. And quite dead. Without pausing to ponder what had happened, he relieved the poor fellow of both his pistol and Penn’s. He said a silent prayer, then hurried up the path, crouching low as he looked toward the top of the falls.
His heart leapt into his throat as he saw them—Amelia was climbing down a slope of rock to the ledge partway down the falls with Forrest following behind her. The other, and thankfully last, henchman stood at the top with his pistol directed at Amelia.
Penn scanned the river, looking for where they’d crossed. Seeing a slower portion just up the way, he hurried along the path, keeping himself as low as possible in the hope they wouldn’t see him. He was grateful for the excessive foliage on this side of the river, and not just because it was keeping him partially dry. The rain had started a bit ago and while it was only a mist, it was the kind that soaked you over time.
Not that he cared. He’d brave a thousand storms and climb a thousand canyons to reach Amelia.
He made it to the other side of the river without being seen. This next part would be trickier because there was nothing to shield him on that side of the water. He had to hope the brigand would keep his focus on Amelia. Who Penn couldn’t even see right now, and that drove him mad.
Moving as quickly and quietly as possible, he hastened along the slick bank of mostly rock. As he neared the top of the falls, his foot slipped. He wobbled and dropped one of the pistols. His breath caught, but it didn’t go off. Still, it was enough for the man at the top of the falls to turn and look.
“Forrest!” The man brought his arm around and fired his pistol at Penn.
Penn dodged to the right but felt a burning sensation in his left bicep. He rushed forward and raised his weapon, squeezing the trigger. The bullet hit the man square in the chest. He wove for a moment from side to side, then fell gently backward, disappearing over the fall.
Amelia’s scream rent the air, and Penn ran to where the man had fallen. Now he could see her. She stood on the ledge near the fall. Forrest had a hold of her, one arm wrapped around her waist and the other pointing a pistol at Penn.
“I can easily shoot you and throw her over the falls,” Forrest yelled over the sound of the rushing water.
Penn could barely breathe. If he lost her… He struggled to find words that could somehow defuse the situation. “You’ll never find the heart, then.”
“It isn’t here?” Forrest moved his hand up and tossed the hat from Amelia’s head. He thrust his fingers against her scalp and gripped her hair. “You lied to me. Give me one good reason not to throw you over right now.”
“Wait!” Penn cried. “I can get the heart for you. This is the wrong place. Don’t blame her. I told her the wrong falls. I’d planned for us not to find it and leave. Then I’d come back and have it for myself.”
“You expect me to believe you were both trying to cheat each other?” Forrest let out a hollow laugh. “You must think me incredibly stupid.”
Yes, actually.But not stupid enough since he held the woman Penn loved and was completely in command.
“No. But the heart isn’t here. It’s at the lower falls. Let me take you there, and we can find it.”
Forrest pushed Amelia toward the edge but didn’t let go. She let out a sound that was half sob and half shriek, putting her hand up and trying to grab his wrist.
“I’ll push you, my darling. Please don’t make me. I’d hate to see your beautiful face splattered below.”
Fear sliced through Penn. He started to make his way down the rock face to the ledge.
Forrest cocked the pistol. “Don’t come any closer, Bowen.”
