Beside Still Waters Read Online Free PDF

parts?”
    “I’ve lived here all my life and have never seen you. That’s all I meant.”
    Eva felt the third man’s dark gaze raking over her. “If we was lost, would you help us get unlost?”
    The innuendo in his tone sent warning bells ringing through Eva’s mind. She’d heard whispered rumors of what could happen to a woman caught alone on an abandoned road. Her pride had kept her from thinking anything harmful could happen to her. She’d always figured Patches would get her safely wherever she needed to go. He’d only been outrun by one other horse ever: Lady Anne. But there was nothing either of them could do now to avoid what was possibly to come.
    Eva tried to form a plan of escape. With Patches injured, running would be futile. If only she carried a pistol! Pa had given her one, but she hadn’t bothered to carry it with her. She prayed her arrogance wouldn’t get her killed. Or worse.
    “Whatsamatter with your horse, little lady?” the first man asked, nodding to Patches.
    Eva shrugged, attempting nonchalance. “He threw a shoe. I think he must have a stone bruise, because he keeps limping.”
    The hulking man dismounted. Eva caught her breath at his sheer size up close. He loomed over her, taller by more than a foot, she was sure. Her stomach dropped. There was no way she could fight off this man. Not in her own strength.
    A silent prayer formed in her mind.
Lord, I’m not ready to die. Please send help
.
    His meaty hands slid over Patches. “Yes siree, this is one fine horse. I bet he’d bring a good price.”
    “My horse is not for sale,” Eva said, summoning enough courage to give the man a cold tone.
    The man turned steely eyes on her. “He ain’t, huh?” He gave Patches a pat on the neck. In a flash, a knife appeared in his hand.
    Eva gasped and backed up. If she ran down the road, they’d catch her easily on horseback. In the woods, there’d be no chance of anyone finding her and coming to her rescue.
    Oh, Lord, what do I do?
    He reached his fat hand to her locket and yanked it from her neck.
    “Hey! My pa gave me that.”
    “That was real nice of him. But you won’t need it where you’re goin’.”
    “I—I won’t?”
    “Now, you be a good little girl and be still, and this won’t hurt a bit.”
    “Wh–what won’t hurt?”
    He gave a wicked laugh. “Don’t worry, honey. I only want the horse.”
    Somehow, knowing she wasn’t about to be violated gave her a sense of dignity. She lifted her chin. If there was to be no escape, she would at least die well. Like the Indians Pa so loved and admired. Closing her eyes, she waited for the end to come.

    Jonesy took his ma’s list of supplies and his pa’s instructions to pick up the new wagon wheel from the blacksmith’s shop and flapped the reins at the team of horses. The wagon jerked forward and rattled down the road. Jonesy noted the cool air, and his mind began to wander.
    Harvest was approaching rapidly. Before long, all the crops would be in. He’d be ready to head home to Texas soon. His brother Theodore was keeping an eye on the one hundred acres of land Pa had given to him—part as inheritance, part in payment for coming to Oregon and helping get the farm started. His end of the arrangement was almost fulfilled.
    Jonesy’s stomach churned with excitement as it always did at the thought of his own ranch. He’d saved every dime he’d earned as a cowhand on Pa’s farm, working since he was sixteen years old. He now had enough to start with a small herd of his own.
    The sound of an approaching rider captured his attention. He glanced over his shoulder and waved as he recognized Nathan Compton, a newly married young man with a small ranch a few miles south. He pulled his horse to a stop. Heavy breathing and a wild look in the man’s eyes caused Jonesy to tense with anticipation. “What’s wrong?”
    “My father’s ranch …” He gulped in a mouthful of air.
    “Take it easy,” Jonesy interjected. “Slow