Page 56 of Coyote

"Linc."

I released John's ankle and stood. The horse took the climb at a walk, hooves striking stone while the loose buckle on Linc's bridle knocked against the bit. I'd told him to fix it. I should've cut the damn thing off myself.

John reached for his shirt. "Is something wrong?"

"I don't know yet."

That was a lie, too. Rafe had run out of patience and sent Linc to do what I wouldn't.

John started to get up. I put a hand on his shoulder before he could pull at his stitches. "Stay here."

His eyes moved to my hand.

I took it away. "The trail's narrow. Let me see what he wants first."

"All right." He settled back against the wall, but his attention stayed on me. "Don't be long."

I left the rabbit over the fire and went outside.

Linc had dismounted before the last climb and was leading the bay by the reins. Dust covered his jeans to the knee, and sweat had dried around the neck of his shirt. He looked tired and pissed off, and he wasn't surprised to find me standing in the trail.

"Rafe sent you," I said.

"Yeah."

"Tell him John's resting."

"I need to talk to John."

"He's hurt. You can talk to him tomorrow."

"Sarah reached Winston's office this afternoon."

I looked back at the cave before I could stop myself.

Linc saw it. "He still doesn't know, does he?"

"Keep your voice down."

"She's been sitting there for hours, Coyote."

"Winston can send her home."

"He isn't telling her anything until John decides what he wants."

"John can decide tomorrow." My hand closed around the knife at my belt. "You need to leave."

Linc tied his horse to a dead branch and started up the trail.

I moved in front of him. "You're not going up there."

"Yeah, I am."

"He's staying here tonight."

"Did he decide that?"

"He promised me today."