Chapter 11 #2
“Listen, fellas,” Joel said, sounding a little nervous. “Are you sure about this? Can’t we just, I don’t know, talk to the man? Surely he’ll see sense. Do we have to do all of this? I mean, tying him up and gagging him? It seems so sordid.”
“Trust us, Miguel will run if given half a chance,” Hunter said.
“Anyway, we won’t hurt him,” Robert said. “That’s not part of the plan. He’ll be cozy as can be in the cells by morning. And hopefully once he spills the beans on his friends, they will be joining him on his trip to Yuma for a nice long stay in prison.”
“Do you really think it will be that easy?” Joel asked. “Didn’t he refuse to talk at all last time? And what if he raises the alarm and all his friends come after us?”
“Last time he had Alberto around to keep him from talking. And his friends won’t,” Jeff said. “This lot aren’t the most loyal to each other. It took them ages to come looking for Miguel the last time we had him. This time they might not even bother.”
“I hope that’s the case this time,” Joel said.
“Come on, get going,” Robert said. “Or we’re never going to get this done.”
Joel made a sharp, loud noise and the horse began to move. The cart rattled behind it, and Bonnie lay under the tarp, wondering how far they had to go.
During the journey, she lost all track of time.
There was no way to know, and the rocking and swaying of the cart over the uneven ground was soothing and lulling.
She must have drifted off. There was no other explanation because one moment she was lying there, wondering how long this ride would be, and the next she jerked awake when the cart came rolling to a halt.
“Okay,” Hunter’s voice said. “It’s getting dark, which is perfect.
The bandit camp is just on the other side of that rocky outcropping.
We’re going to head that way. You, Joel, are going to wait in those bushes for us and help us to carry Miguel back here.
Now, if things go wrong, we’re going to have to shoot our way out.
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. You’ve got a gun, right? ”
“A rifle under the seat,” Joel said, sounding very nervous.
“Bring it,” Robert said. “Hunter, you, Jeff, and I will go and find Miguel. Remember to try and fit in until we find him. Any questions?”
“If we get separated, where do we meet?” Jeff asked.
“Back here,” Robert said. “Now, are you all ready?”
There were grunts and noises that Robert must have taken as yes, because the next thing Bonnie knew, she was alone with the horses and the cart.
Slowly, after counting to 500, she peeled the tarp back from her face. Lying on her back, she looked up into the darkening sky. Some early stars were blinking in the heavens.
Bonnie sat up.
She didn’t know what to do now. What would be the best way to help?
Perhaps she should stay put. If she went to the camp, she might inadvertently alert the bandits to Jeff and the others being there.
Then the whole mission would be ruined, and it would be her fault.
Her only goal had been to come along in case Jeff got hurt and needed her.
Other than that, she didn’t think she could be of much use.
So, she waited, and, despite her best efforts, she worried.
Around her, dusk turned to evening, and then evening turned to night.
The last rays of the sun disappeared, and all the stars in the night sky came out to shine on her.
They were lovely, and she thought about watching them with Jeff and how romantic it would be.
It would be like in one of the books she had read on the train—all kisses and whispered nothings.
Where was he? How long could it possibly take to kidnap one man?
The horses were growing restless. No doubt they wanted to be back at home with their hay and oats, having Kyle fuss over them.
Bonnie wouldn’t mind having some dinner either. She was quite hungry now, waiting in the cart.
Maybe waiting wasn’t such a good idea now. Maybe what she should be doing is heading to the camp to see what was going on. What harm could it do now? She was perfectly capable of hiding in a bush in the dark. She was even wearing dark clothing to make that possible.
Bonnie moved to the edge of the cart and climbed out.
She’d just inched away from the cart when she heard voices. Was it Jeff and the others returning?
She flattened herself behind a tree. Oh no. Why had she gotten impatient? Would they leave without her? Could she sneak back into the cart while they were looking elsewhere?
But the voices weren’t familiar. One was a gruff, harsh growl, and the other was deep and booming. She didn’t know anyone who spoke like that, and fear gripped her instantly. It wasn’t the men from Unity returning, she realized. This was something else.
Moving quickly, Bonnie ran to a bush close by and hunkered down behind it. Through the branches and leaves, she peered out at the scene.
Two lanterns swayed as they came closer in the dark.
“Mmm, right where they said it would be,” the booming voice said.
“Yes, come on, let’s get the other horse and go,” the gruff voice said. “I don’t like being out here. That coyote is hunting me. I heard him calling last night.”
“Raffa, you’re imagining things,” the boomer said.
“No, I’m not,” Raffa said. “Come on.”
The boomer climbed onto the cart, and Raffa went for Robert’s horse. The horse, not knowing the man, kicked up a fuss. Raffa was pulled this way and that by the horse trying to get free.
“Ridiculous animal!” Raffa cried. “I will shoot you.”
Just then Robert’s horse jerked his head, and Bonnie watched a well-placed hoof glance off Raffa’s thigh as the horse reared. The man lost his grip on his pistol, and Robert’s horse turned and galloped away.
Boomer laughed loudly. “Come on, get up.”
“That horse is as spirited as the ruffian who owns it,” Raffa said with pain in his voice.
“Then it’s better off out there with your coyote. Maybe he won’t come for you tonight because he will have horse to eat,” Boomer said with a chuckle.
“Maybe,” Raffa said, climbing onto the driver’s seat beside his friend. “Let’s go.”
The cart trundled off.
For a long, horrible moment, Bonnie was frozen to the spot. What could have happened? What could possibly have gone so wrong? How had Jeff and the others been caught—and so quietly that she hadn’t heard a thing?
And then it dawned on her. She was the only one who knew what happened. She had to go and get help. Jeff and the others didn’t know it, but they were depending on her to save them.
Quickly, she hurried after Robert’s horse, hoping it wouldn’t run too far. She needed to get back to Unity as fast as she could!
God, please keep the men safe until I can find somebody to come help them!