“Of course,” he said politely.
She walked away from him, past Tynan, then hid in the undergrowth until both men had left camp. Nobody ever slapped a saddle on a horse faster than she did. The poor animal pranced around, lifting its legs. “Be a good boy now,” she coaxed. “We’re going to have a good run.”
“And where would that be, Miss Mathison?”
Chris whirled on her heel to face Tynan, her jaw set. “I’m going to take my story to John Anderson and if you plan to stop me you’ll have to tie me here—and you’ll have to watch me night and day. You’ll have to give up sleep and—”
“I understand,” he said and Chris saw amusement in his eyes. “How far away is this Anderson?”
Chris held her breath. “With hard riding, I can be back by sundown.”
“And what did you plan to do about Lanier’s men? What if they’re waiting on the edge of the forest?”
“Run just as fast as I can and pray I don’t get shot.”
He stood there looking at her for a while, then withdrew his gun from its holster, making sure it was loaded. “Maybe I can help some. Which way is this town?”
Chris mounted her horse. “Southeast from the edge of the forest. John’s office is the third building on the right.”
Tynan saddled his horse. “As soon as we drop it off, Lanier pulls a gun and takes it. You got more paper? Why don’t you drop a package off at the freight line—if there is one—then stop and say hello to Mrs. Anderson?”
“Why…yes, that might work,” she said, looking at him in wonder. “There is no Mrs. Anderson but his sister is married to the town doctor.”
“Even better,” Ty said, mounting. “You know how to ride?”
“I can go anywhere you can,” Chris said arrogantly but soon wondered if she were telling the truth. Tynan led a pace that scared her—and her horse. She had to use all the muscles in her arms to control the animal as they ran through the dangerous forest.
At the edge of the trees, Ty didn’t slow down but kept pounding down the road. Chris half expected gunshots over her head but all was quiet. When no one shot at them, Ty halted his horse and turned back to her. “We’re going in the back way. No doubt they’re waiting for us in town. I’m going to drop you off at the freight office and I want you to stay there until you see me. I’ll take the story to the doctor’s wife and leave your horse in back of the freight office. When you see me ride past the front, run out the back and get on the horse and ride like hell. I’ll be right behind you. Think you can do that?”
“Yes,” Chris answered, controlling her horse. “But if they catch you with the story—”
“Don’t worry about me, worry about obeying my orders. My temper’s worse than Lanier’s bullets.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, smiling and he winked at her as he turned his horse and continued southeast.
They paused outside the new, rough little town, the single main street a rutted tract. Tynan sat still for a moment, looking at the town, then turned to her. “I think they’re here.”
“How could you know that?”
“Too many men doing nothing but looking, their hands on their guns. They’re watching for somebody. Give me your story,” he said, and when he had tucked it inside his shirt he looked at her. “You ready? You remember what you’re to do?”
“It’s not exactly complicated.”
“But vital. Come on.”
He led her through the back of the town, skirting in and out of shadows, staying close to the buildings, keeping her inside as he rode protectively on the outside. Once, a wagon came around a building and instantly Tynan pulled her halfway across his saddle into his arms. “You still sick, honey?” he asked loudly. “It’s always that way with the first baby.”
As soon as the wagon was gone, he pushed Chris back. He certainly is a f
ast thinker, she thought.
“Wait here,” he said as they came to the freight building. There was a big loading platform and ramp in back and a hook suspended over the doorway. Chris sat on her horse and waited, jumping at every little sound. With Tynan gone, she suddenly didn’t feel so brave.
“Here she is,” she heard Tynan say, as he walked up on the dock with another man beside him. “She just can’t go another step.” Before she could speak, Ty pulled her up from the saddle onto the dock. “It’s her first one and she’s not used to the sickness yet, so mind if I leave her here while I fetch the doctor?”
“Sure thing. I got eight of my own, but I don’t know what the doc can do. She’ll just have to wait it out.”
Tynan practically smothered Chris in his protective embrace. “If it’ll help her rest easier having the doctor, then I’ll do it.”