River to Cross, A by Yvonne Harris Read Free Book Online Page A

mule well back into the cave.
    There, the animals would be protected from the rain and any horse odors would be contained inside.
    “Only an Indian can track at night,” Jake said. “An Indian scout can smell horse manure a mile away. We’re taking no chances.”
    Once off her horse, Elizabeth stood in the circle of lantern light, surprised at how large the cavern was. The ceiling—if there was one—disappeared into blackness overhead. Hesitating, she reached a hand out to the smooth stone wall. It was damp and cold. Air currents stirred above, a whisper of wind from the entrance. From somewhere came the sound of dripping water.
    “This place is creepy,” she said.
    Fred went out to find firewood and kindling to start a cook fire. He found a pile of damp mesquite blown back under a ledge by the wind and partially protected from the rain. “Once we get a fire going, it’ll dry out just fine.”
    The Rangers had stripped the Mexicans’ food supplies and now had flour, sugar, coffee—things they’d done without on their rush down from Texas.

     
    Supper that night was quail that Gus and Fred had shot earlier in the afternoon. They roasted the little birds on a primitive spit over the fragrant mesquite. Elizabeth was astounded by how much these men knew about cooking. Beans and hot biscuits rounded out their dinner.
    Smiling, she sat with her quail in her lap, fingers flying, picking every shred of meat off the tiny bones. “I hadn’t realized how hungry I was. What a relief to eat with people who aren’t planning to kill you.”
    Afterward, she warmed herself near the smoldering embers of the fire. “When will we get back to Texas? Day after tomorrow?”
    Fred shot a look at Gus and then shoved to his feet. He stuck out his hand and pulled Gus up. “How ’bout we go spread out the blankets and unroll the bed sacks?”

     
    Jake had wondered when she’d get around to asking that. He waited until Gus and Fred and their lantern glow disappeared around a corner, then said, “I wish we could go back right away, but that’s not likely to happen. With any luck, we may be able to go back next week.”
    She stiffened. “Next week? Why next week? I need to go home now. I’ve got a little niece with no family and I’m frantic about her.”
    “Right now, I expect Ruthie is safer than she’ll ever be in her life again. I took her to Fort Bliss with me when we left your house. At your father’s request, she’s staying with Colonel Gordon and his family until he gets there. She has other children to play with and a twenty-four-hour guard.”
    “Guard? You think she’s still in danger?”
    “I’m not sure. Your housekeeper told one of my men that the Mexicans wanted to take her with them, but the major overruled it.” He threw another piece of wood on the fire. Damp, it smoked for a minute, then popped and sent a burst of sparks flying upward. “A revolt against President Hector Guevara is brewing in Mexico.”
    “I know. Lloyd recognized Major Chavez in the courthouse. He said Diego is the brains behind the revolt.”
    “He’s probably right, but the U.S. needs that confirmed absolutely. That’s what Fred and Gus and I hope we can find out. Nobody wants another war with Mexico.”
    “So, Gus and Fred are in on this as well?”
    Jake nodded. “We’re all part of an operation.” He sighed and stood up. “I’m going to leave you with friends of mine about twenty miles from here. You’ll like his wife. She’s half Aztec and teaches English at a monastery. They’re good people.”
    “Which is why you chose this cave,” she said.
    “And why—for your own safety and theirs—I didn’t tell you before.”
    He also didn’t tell her that his friend was a former Ranger he’d served with. He and Ricardo Romero had saved each other’s lives several times. Jake considered Ricardo the brother he never had. He saw the Romeros a couple of times a year, on official trips or “unofficial” business, like