The Charlotte Series: Book 3: The Pretender's Gold

45

Chapter 45

Summer frowned, not wanting to leave her husband but when she finally paused to really look at the deputy leaning against the tree her heart stopped. She took in the man, his eyes, his hair, his face—and her heart leapt with joy. Then her eyes fell to the blood and she gasped.

"Hank!" she cried and ran to his side. "You've been shot!"

Hank reached up a hand to stop her advance.

"It's not as bad as it looks." He shrugged and held out his good arm. "Help me to camp, Squirt?"

Summer swallowed a sob and blinked back the tears that suddenly flowed from her eyes. With a nod, she slipped her arm around his waist and as best she could manage with her limp, they bumbled back to the camp.

Stuart didn't wait for them to get out of sight. He had a limited time to act before the excitement and energy wore off. He found the second man Quin handled tied up behind some shrubbery. With a chuckle, Stuart grabbed his collar and dragged him over to the other one. Grabbing the other one by the collar he winced as his muscles began to strain his wound.

Blowing a breath, he straightened and dragged them along behind him toward the camp. He took no note or care for roots or undergrowth as he went, hoping the extra bruises would last a spell.

By the time Summer finished plugging up the hole in Hank's shoulder he'd passed out on her. Hank was resting peacefully by the time Quin and Richard finished wrapping up the bodies. Summer had no desire to observe the bodies being tossed over the horses and tied down like so much baggage. Her stomach turned and she was grateful Stuart allowed her to fuss over him.

"We're ready to tie down the prisoners now." Quin announced as he approached.

"The two from the woods are over there." Summer waved her hand dismissively.

Quin pulled the saddles from the horses to make it easier for the horses and the two men made short work of the two men from the woods. Summer saw them exchange glances before they started back for the man in the ugly suit. They'd dragged him back to get him away from Stuart, but after he'd returned, Stuart sat close.

Seeing them returning for her captor, Summer moved to stand between him and Stuart.

"Don't be gentle." Stuart growled as he watched them toss the man in the ugly brown suit over the horse. It nickered, but didn't move away as they tied him down.

"I'm not being particularly careful, if you'll note." Richard called with a chuckle as he pulled the ropes tight and elicited a groan from the man in the ugly suit.

When they'd finished with all six, Quin took a length of rope and tied the horses together like a string of pack horses. They could be led easily and it would only take two men to post guard. At last they were ready to leave. Hank roused himself to help them get him in the saddle but warned them he might not stay there if he weren't tied down.

With a much gentler hand, they tied Hank's feet and hands to the saddle. Summer saw him leaning forward and quickly retrieved a blanket roll from one of the live prisoner's saddles. She smiled at her brother as she flopped it over the saddle horn.

"I've got some experience with riding belly over the saddle." She shrugged. "You'll ride easier without that horn grinding into your ribs the whole of the way."

"Thanks, Squirt." Hank grinned. Summer nodded and headed back to Stuart.

"I'll ride next to you, in case you start to lean out." Richard stated. Hank nodded his thanks.

"We go to Kingsdown." Quin decided, "It's closer than the town and I'll be able to dig out these bullets there."

"I can hardly wait." Richard groused as he painfully mounted.