Alexander Ranch

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I woke once more in the night. I must have woke with a start which must have startled – what was his name? Jordan? He jolted bolt upright. He was just about to speak, but I cut him off.

"They're here. Please don't let them in!" My eyes were wide with fear and panic.

"Who?"

"The men who-," I broke off sharply and looked at him with renewed suspicion. Maybe these men where who he was waiting for. Maybe the whole story he gave me earlier about his sister-in-law and brother was all a lie. I was in a panic. The rational part of my mind told me panic would get me nowhere. I needed to think. I forced myself to calm and opened my senses. He just seemed confused. I took a deep calming breath, which hurt my chest, and continued, "The men who were chasing me. Please, don't let them kill me."

He stared at me for a moment in confusion, then cocked his head and appeared to hear something. He gave me a confused, assessing look before glancing towards the door and then back at me. He was clearly on alert now and turned his full attention towards the door. I didn't hear anything, but he was concentrating as if listening very carefully.

I turned toward the door too now as I picked up the sound of approaching feet. How had he heard them before I did? I'd have to ponder that later. He turned back to me.

"I give you my word, no one will harm you. You are safe."

I looked at him for a long moment then released his arm. I hadn't realized I had grabbed his arm. I had unwittingly been straining to hold onto him and now fell back against the blankets. I still watched him warily but something had eased just a little. I was shocked to hear two sets of heeled feet approaching the door. He stood and turned to me.

"Do they know what you look like?"

I shook my head, my eyes watching his every move.

"I don't think so. I had my hat on and turned away from them to run," was my whispered reply.

"Good. Stay down, cover up, and play sleep," he said in a take charge voice. He didn't sound afraid or timid now. He sounded totally in control and in charge. I gingerly turned and buried myself under the blankets. I could hear them moving around on the porch and trying to peep in the window. Finally, a soft knock sounded. Jordan picked up a piece of fire wood and then swung the door open a crack surprising both of the rough looking men standing on the porch.

"Oh my," Jordan said blinking and adopting a sleepy but jovial voice, "I thought I heard something moving around out here. Thought maybe it was a raccoon or something."

"We're sorry to bother you. We lost our, uh, sister earlier today and are just so worried about her," one of the men said clearly lying and doing a bad job of it. His companion glared at him, but the first man forged on. "We're just checking with anyone around here to see if someone has seen her. But, there don't seem to be many people around here."

"Your sister, huh?" Jordan reacted, appearing instantly concerned. For a moment I was afraid he might believe the lying slime ball. "I haven't seen anyone around here. And yea, it's a little early in the season. Most of the cabins are still empty."

"You're sure you haven't seen anyone wondering around here?" The second man asked trying his best to get a peek around Jordan into the cabin. I could just make out their reflection in the small decorative mirror in the entryway.

Jordan turned to him giving him a meaningful guy to guy grin, "I haven't seen anyone, but I've been a bit preoccupied for the last 24 hours, if you know what I mean."

The men chuckled and it made my skin crawl as both men looked my direction and grinned with knowing looks. I didn't dare move. I was buried under the blankets but, if they'd tried to see me through the mirror, they might be able to make out my eyes watching them. But, neither man even noticed the mirror.