Chapter 6 - The Wife of the Mountain DevilTo escape Briggs, Ariel had to become the very woman the town believed she was too weak to be.
The explosion sealed the eastern passage.
For several minutes, neither side could move.
Smoke filled the tunnels.
Briggs cursed.
Carson ordered the men back.
Gerard seized the opportunity.
He dragged Ariel toward a narrow passage that sloped upward.
They emerged at the edge of a cliff.
Below them was the valley.
Behind them, smoke rose from the mountain.
Ariel coughed.
"Did you set that explosion?"
Gerard shook his head.
"No."
"Then who did?"
He stared toward the forest.
"I don't know."
They reached the cabin at sunrise.
Gerard collapsed.
Ariel caught him.
Blood soaked his shirt.
The bullet had entered his side.
"You lied."
"I said it was a graze."
"This is not a graze."
He laughed weakly.
"You're learning fast."
Ariel tore open his shirt.
She cleaned the wound with boiled water.
Gerard winced.
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"You're talking too much."
"I'm trying to keep you conscious."
"Then sing."
"What?"
"Anything."
Ariel stared at him.
"I don't sing."
"You sew."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Nothing."
Despite herself, she smiled.
For the first time since arriving in Bitter Creek, the cabin felt almost safe.
Almost.
That night, Gerard woke to find Ariel asleep beside the fireplace.
She had refused to leave him.
He watched her quietly.
When she woke, she found him sitting upright.
"You should rest."
"So should you."
"I was thinking."
"That's dangerous."
She frowned.
"Do you regret marrying me?"
Gerard's face softened.
"No."
"Even though I trapped you?"
"You didn't."
"I used your death to protect myself."
"You saved my life."
"How?"
"If you hadn't interrupted that hanging, Briggs would have killed me."
Ariel blinked.
"The gunshot."
Gerard nodded.
"Someone in town shot the rope."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
Ariel remembered the mysterious figure.
Then Gerard said:
"But there's something else."
He handed her Arthur's final letter.
There was writing on the back she hadn't noticed.
A single sentence.
Trust the woman who pours the sheriff's whiskey.
Ariel stared.
"Ruby."
Gerard nodded.
"Exactly."
Before they could discuss it, they heard hooves.
Someone was approaching.
Gerard reached for his rifle.
A rider stopped outside.
A woman dismounted.
Ruby.
She ran inside.
"They know you're alive."
Gerard raised the rifle.
"Who?"
"The governor's men."
Ariel frowned.
"Why would the governor care?"
Ruby looked at her.
"Because Briggs isn't acting alone."
She pulled out a telegram.
"Someone in Cheyenne sent this."
Gerard took it.
His expression changed.
"What?"
Ariel asked.
He handed her the telegram.
She read:
JIMENEZ MARRIED BAKER. LIQUIDATE BOTH. CLAIM MUST NOT REACH FEDERAL COURT.
Ariel looked up.
"They want us dead."
Ruby nodded.
"And they're coming here tomorrow."
Gerard stood.
"No."
Ariel stared.
"Where are you going?"
"To Bitter Creek."
"Why?"
"To end this."
She grabbed his arm.
"You're wounded."
"I know."
"And you're going back to the sheriff?"
"Yes."
"Alone?"
He looked at her.
"No."
Ariel understood.
She picked up her rifle.
"I am coming."
Gerard sighed.
"You really are stubborn."
"I've been told."
Ruby smiled.
Then suddenly the cabin window shattered.
A bullet struck the wall.
Gerard pulled Ariel down.
Another shot.
Then another.
From the ridge came dozens of riders.
Ruby's face went pale.
"That's not the sheriff."
Gerard stared outside.
"No."
May you like
His voice became cold.
"That's an army."
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