Tamera Alexander - [Timber Ridge Reflections 01] Read Online Free PDF

ridge in another two, Beauregard fast on his heels. His tethered horse whinnied as they passed. Even in the cool of dawn, sweat slicked his skin from the run, and his cotton shirt soaked up the moisture beneath the hand-sewn leather jacket.
    Only when he reached the familiar bluff did he slow his pace. His breath came heavy, his body weak from exertion and little sleep in recent days. The woman and man stood over the bull elk now lying on its side, surrendered to fate. Trickles of blood pulsed from the fatal wound, lessening with each fading heartbeat.
    Only seconds remained. . . .
    “ You’re responsible for this?” The woman made straight for him, her stance full of fight.
    But Daniel found little left in him. Not looking directly at her, he nodded, keeping his voice low. “Yes, ma’am, I am.” He whistled, and Beau dropped down beside him in the dirt, doleful eyes watchful, waiting. Daniel laid aside his rifle and his hat, and gave in to the fatigue weakening his legs. He knelt and stroked the elk’s neck.
    “You owe me an explanation, sir, for what just hap—”
    “Ma’am—” He looked up at her, working to bridle his frustration. It’d been four months since he’d spoken to another human being, even longer since he’d had a yearning to. He had regular conversations with Beau, but it wasn’t the same. Beau was much more pleasant than this woman promised to be. “Ma’am, I’ll answer your questions. I’ll even listen to your tirade . . . after I’m done here.”
    Stillness descended over the cliff—as if an unseen guest had been ushered in. Even the subtle chatter of wildlife fell hushed. The woman must have sensed it too, because her flow of accusations ceased. She stared at him as if she wasn’t quite sure what she was looking at, but it was clear she didn’t like what she saw.
    Thankful for the reprieve, however brief, Daniel focused his attention on the elk. He could feel the powerful cords of sinewy muscle succumbing to the diminishing flow of life. How insignificant and small he felt by comparison, and what he wouldn’t have given for his customary solitude in that moment.
    He moved closer to the animal’s head, and the memory he’d warded off moments earlier returned with a fierceness that made him shudder. He swallowed against the tightening in his throat, remembering the day he’d passed this tradition on to his youngest brother, Benjamin, on his first kill. Daniel kept his voice hushed, hoping only the dying elk—and perhaps Benjamin—would hear. “For your strength and bravery”—his voice broke—“I honor you. And for your sacrifice . . . my gratitude.”
    He could still see Benjamin’s frail hand resting against the doe’s throat as he’d repeated those same words, and the young, hot tears burning his brother’s dirt-stained cheeks. “I killed her, Danny,” his brother had whispered, over and over, his voice a blend of exhilaration and regret.
    “You have reason to be proud, Benjamin. You did well. Our family will eat for a month because of your bravery, and this animal’s sacrifice.” The smile on Benjamin’s upturned face had stayed fixed for at least a month following, and Daniel still knew it by heart.
    From the corner of his vision, he saw the woman move closer. The memory of his brother’s expression faded.
    “Do you have any idea what you’ve cost me?” Her voice had grown softer, yet more strident.
    Daniel raised his head and slowly rose to his full height. Her chin lifted in tiny increments as he did, the challenge in her eyes mirroring his own. To his surprise, she didn’t back down—nor did she look like the type of woman who would. He didn’t mind strong-spirited women. Out here, females toughened up real quick-like or they didn’t last long. His guess was that she possessed enough stubbornness to persevere. If whatever was causing the shadows beneath her eyes didn’t win out first.
    “No, ma’am, I reckon I don’t know. But I have a feeling