Willa Mansi

Run for Your Life

Tex took Blade by the arm, "Wait a minute, we can't jes run out there with a girl over our shoulder like a sack of potatoes," he gestured to Bud.

"Why not?" Bud scowled.

"Have to," Blade shrugged,  "No other plans."

"We'll be killed!" he gasped.

"The kid is right," I agreed quickly.

"And I say, move your ass before we get caught then," Luke pointed behind us and jumped up on his horse.

I turned around and saw three men running toward us. "Shit!" I hissed and got up on my horse. Bud threw his bride up at me. "What the hell?" I grunted as I caught her in my arms.

Bud put the horses reins in my hand and looked up at me, "I'm trusting you with her life again, Doc. Get her out of here!" he yelled, slapped my horse in the hind quarters and jumped back.

My horse jumped forward quickly and ran for the gate. I could hear another horse running with me and shots exchanged behind me.  We ran past the guard house and bullets whizzed as they flew by us. Ann moaned and tried to move. "Hold on!" I ordered, praying that I didn't drop her. Something heavy thunked into my shoulder and Ann gasped. "Hold on!" I grunted and I could feel her fingers clutch my shirt tighter.

"Go!" I heard Tex yell, "Two are following us!"

I looked back at the riders as I nudged my horse, "Where's Blade?" I yelled.

"Right behind them!" he said excitedly, then added, "Hold on, Little Ann. We'll get ya home, Darlin."

"Is that true?" she looked up at me.

I smiled down at her, "Yes Mame." Her eyes filled with tears and she buried her face in my chest.

"Here!" Tex pointed and turned towards the trees. We slowed the horses a little, but rode quickly.  We could still hear the crack of a shot gun behind us.
"Look!" Tex said excitedly and slowed his horse down to a stop.

"What is it?" I stopped next to him.

"We'll hide in there," he pointed to a cave and jumped down.

"Yes!" Ann gasped and slid down to the ground.  She looked up at me and frowned,  "Are you okay?"

I clutched my arm tight, "I took a bullet."

"Shoulder wound," Tex said, reached up for me and pulled me down. "Come on. We ain't got time for it now." He looked at Ann, "You good to walk?"

"Some," she nodded, wearily wiping her brow.

"Come on, Doc," Tex laughed, put his arm around me and tried to lead me towards the cave.

I pulled away from him, "Help Ann. I'll follow," I smiled and Tex nodded.

He led us up an overgrown path and into the cool cave. It was small and dark, but it would hide us for a while, without exposing us out in the open. He sat Ann on a boulder and rushed over to me. "Come on, Doc," he helped me inside and sat me in the dirt. He leaned me against the wall and looked over at Ann. "You see anything?" he frowned.

She shook her head and panted, "Nothing." She looked at me, "You said you were taking me home. Is my husband with you?"

"Was," I nodded as Tex carefully opened my shirt and put a handkerchief on my wound.

"Looks like it went through," he said softly.

I looked down and he showed the wound to me. I nodded, "I feel no bones broken."

"Lucky shot," he laughed and put the handkerchief back.

"Doesn't feel lucky," I winced and Tex laughed.

"Doc, where are you?" Blade called out and Ann winced, taking a step back.

"That's Blade, he's with us!" Tex said and helped me stand. We went to the cave opening as Ann ran out.

"Ann!" Bud yelled and ran up to her. She jumped into his arms as she cried. "My God!" Bud cried and kissed her hard. She kissed him back, without letting him breathe, but he didn't care. He kissed her again and again, thanking God between each gulp of air. I could hear her cry and moan as her arms clenched around his neck.

"I hate to break this up," Blade laughed, but there are still a few men after us."

Bud held her face away, but kept her in his hands, "I have to get you back to town." Fresh tears fell down his face, "I love you so much."

"I love you too!" she laughed through her tears and kissed him quick. "Let's go home," she smiled.

"Come on!" he took her hand and pulled her towards his horse.

"But," Tex pointed at me as I got on my horse.

"Let's go," I smiled at him.

"You'll be okay?" he pointed at my shoulder.

"I'm fine," I winked and urged my horse forward.