Chapter 7 - The Brother Elias Couldn’t Save
Elias knew every wash, ridge, ravine, and cattle trail around Ward Ranch.
Calder knew none of them.
That became the difference.
Rather than approach the cabin, Elias led Aayoka north through a narrow arroyo and around the property.
They reached an old storage shed after dark.
Inside were supplies and a second horse trail leading toward town.
“We get help,” Aayoka said.
“Yes.”
“You are not going back alone.”
“I didn’t say I was.”
“You were thinking it.”
Elias smiled.
“You know me too well.”
“That is becoming unfortunate.”
Before dawn, Aayoka rode for Hayes.
Elias remained behind to watch Calder’s men.
It was the first time they had separated since Tucson.
He disliked it immediately.
Hours passed.
Then Calder appeared outside the cabin.
He shouted.
“Ward!”
Elias stayed hidden.
“I know you’re watching!”
Silence.
Calder laughed.
“You know what your problem is?”
Elias muttered, “Currently? You.”
Calder continued.
“You think protecting her makes you different.”
Elias’s jaw tightened.
“But eventually you’ll want something from her too.”
That bothered him.
Because Calder had accidentally touched the fear Elias had refused to name.
He cared about Aayoka.
Deeply.
Maybe enough that he wanted her to stay.
But wanting her to stay could become another kind of cage if he allowed his loneliness to determine her future.
That afternoon, Elias returned secretly to the cabin.
Inside he found Samuel’s whistle untouched.
Calder had searched everything else.
Elias held it.
“I couldn’t save you,” he whispered.
Then another thought came.
Saving Aayoka did not mean deciding for her.
It meant standing beside her while she decided for herself.
The realization settled something inside him.
At sunset, horses approached.
Elias prepared for Calder.
Instead he saw Aayoka.
Alone.
He rushed toward her.
“Where’s Hayes?”
“Coming tomorrow.”
“You rode back alone?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
She dismounted.
“Because you were here.”
Elias stared at her.
“That is a terrible reason.”
“It seemed good to me.”
“Aayoka—”
“You do not get to decide which risks I take.”
He stopped.
Again.
She was right.
“I hate when you do that.”
“Do what?”
“Make sense while I’m angry.”
Aayoka smiled.
Then she saw the whistle in his hand.
“Samuel?”
“Yes.”
She stepped closer.
“You could not save him.”
Elias’s face hardened.
“No.”
“But you loved him.”
“Yes.”
“Those are not the same thing.”
Something broke inside him.
Seven years of guilt.
Seven years of silence.
He looked away.
Aayoka touched his cheek.
“Elias.”
He looked at her.
Their faces were inches apart.
For one moment, he thought she would kiss him.
Instead she rested her forehead against his.
That was somehow more intimate.
“You are allowed to live,” she whispered.
Elias closed his eyes.
Then a rifle shot shattered the window.
They dropped.
May you like
Calder’s men were coming.
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