Page 59 of Coyote

"You told me you were checking the stitching."

"I lied."

"Were you going to cut it?"

"I thought about it."

Linc turned his head and swore.

John kept looking at me. "Why?"

"So you couldn't saddle him without me."

"You were going to strand me here?"

"I didn't do it."

His jaw tightened. "That isn't what I asked."

I shrugged. "I wanted to make sure you couldn't leave until I was ready to take you down."

John let out a long breath. "Jesus Christ."

"I would've taken care of you."

"You think that makes it better?"

"No." I stepped toward him. "But I would have."

His free hand came up between us. "Don't."

I stopped.

"Do not touch me right now, Coyote."

He looked at the space between us like he needed it to breathe.

Every part of me wanted to close it, but I stayed where I was.

John turned to Linc. "Take me to her."

Linc nodded and went for the horses.

John walked back into the cave. He moved carefully, one hand pressed to his ribs, and sat on the bedroll to pull on his boots. Reaching his feet folded him too tightly around the wound. He stopped halfway down and breathed through it.

I took one step. He looked at me, and I stopped.

John straightened and tried again. He managed the first boot, but Linc returned before he could reach for the second. Linc knelt, worked it over John's foot, and tied it for him.

John let him.

I turned to the fire and pulled the rabbit away before it burned. There was no reason to bring it now, but I wrapped the meat anyway and packed it with the food. I needed the work. I kicked dirt over the coals, sealed the tins, and rolled the blankets while Linc helped John button his shirt without twisting the dressing.

The report disappeared into John's pocket.

Linc carried the gelding's saddle out from under the overhang. I followed with the rest of the gear. Linc checked the cinch before tightening it.

I saddled my mare while Linc led the gelding beside a flat rock. John used it as a mounting block, getting his injured leg into the stirrup before he pulled himself up. Pain stopped him halfway. His arms shook and his face turned white.