Chapter 7 - The Bride Who Rode Into Crowe's Camp
Ingrid refused to surrender the ranch.
She also refused to abandon Calder.
Tom argued with her for nearly an hour.
“You ride into Crowe's camp and he takes you too.”
“Then we don't ride into his camp the way he expects.”
“What are you planning?”
Ingrid unfolded the financial papers.
“Crowe wants ownership legally transferred.”
“Yes.”
“Which means he cannot simply kill Calder and take it.”
Tom understood.
“He needs a signature.”
“Exactly.”
They created a false deed.
At sunset Ingrid drove the wagon toward Crowe's property alone.
At least, she appeared alone.
Tom and two ranch hands followed through the hills.
Ingrid's heart hammered.
But she kept driving.
Crowe's men surrounded the wagon.
Silas Crowe emerged.
He was older than she expected.
Gray-haired.
Elegant.
Cold.
“So this is Hale's bride.”
“Ingrid Sorenson.”
“Not Hale yet?”
“No.”
Crowe smiled.
“Then perhaps you're smarter than I heard.”
“Where is Calder?”
“Where's my deed?”
She held up the document.
Crowe motioned.
Two men brought Calder from the barn.
His hands were tied.
Blood marked his temple.
“Ingrid?”
His expression changed from relief to fury.
“What are you doing here?”
“Apparently rescuing you.”
“Go home.”
Crowe laughed.
“She has more courage than you give her credit for.”
“I know exactly how much courage she has.”
Calder's eyes remained on Ingrid.
That mattered.
Crowe took the deed.
He read quickly.
Then smiled.
“Excellent.”
“Release him.”
Crowe nodded.
A man cut Calder's ropes.
Calder crossed toward Ingrid.
Twenty feet.
Ten.
Five.
Then Crowe said, “Wait.”
Everyone stopped.
He examined the document again.
“You forgot something.”
Ingrid's stomach dropped.
“What?”
“My attorney taught me to recognize county seals.”
He tore the false deed in half.
Men drew guns.
Calder lunged.
Chaos exploded.
A rifle fired from the ridge.
Tom.
Calder tackled one man.
Ingrid grabbed the wagon whip and struck another across the face.
Horses screamed.
Gunfire cracked.
She climbed onto the wagon.
“Calder!”
He ran.
A bullet struck the wood beside him.
Ingrid slapped the reins.
Calder jumped aboard.
The wagon surged forward.
Crowe's men pursued.
They raced through a narrow canyon.
Calder took the reins.
“You came alone?”
“Of course not.”
Tom appeared on the ridge behind them.
Calder laughed.
It was wild, breathless laughter.
“You forged a deed?”
“Yes.”
“You hit a man with a whip?”
“He deserved it.”
Calder looked at her.
“I love you.”
Ingrid froze.
“What?”
His expression changed.
Apparently he hadn't intended to say it.
The horses continued racing.
Gunfire echoed behind them.
Ingrid stared at him.
“You choose now?”
“Timing has never been my strength.”
Despite everything, she laughed.
Then Calder suddenly jerked.
His body folded.
“Calder?”
Blood spread across his shirt.
Ingrid screamed.
She caught him before he fell from the wagon.
The reins slipped.
The horses raced uncontrolled toward a broken bridge.
May you like
And Ingrid realized she had only seconds to save them both.
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