This Calder Sky (54 page)

With Maggie leading the way, they crouched low to take full advantage of the ravine's protection and followed the twisting path of its gravel-strewn course. Occasionally they heard sounds to indicate the riders were still seeking out their quarry. The ground above the wash became rougher, a tangle of rock and brush.

A rustle of grass on the bank behind them was the only advance warning they had. They both turned as Buck vaulted down to the bed of the wash. His startled look told them he had no knowledge they were there. He tried to bring the barrel of his rifle around, but Chase reacted more quickly. With a swing of his arm, he knocked the rifle out of Buck's hand and hit him in the chest with his shoulder, pulling him to the ground with the weight of his body. Buck recovered instantly, bringing up his knees and driving them into Chase's ribs. Pain exploded, rolling Chase aside while Maggie scrambled for the rifle.

Reaching it, she immediately levered a bullet into the firing chamber and raised it to her shoulder. As she took aim on her target, she looked down the sights at Buck's shocked and motionless face, frozen by this glimpse of death, ever the coyote slinking through the dark shadows of life.

A hand thrust the rifle barrel skyward and twisted it from her grip. “No, Maggie.” Chase stood in front of her. Before Buck could attempt to flee, two riders halted their horses on the ravine's rim, covering him with their guns. She looked at Chase, half-puzzled that
he had stopped her. Within the grimness of his expression, there was the ache of sadness. “He's the closest I've ever come to having a brother,” he explained quietly.

He had spared her brother, whom she loved despite everything, and was asking the same for himself. With a muted cry, she went into his arms, wrapping her own around his shoulders and pressing herself close to his side. Her face was buried against his shirt as his hand moved to once again apply pressure to his wound. She felt the brush of his lips against her hair and shuddered in relieved longing.

“Is Mom all right?” She heard Ty ask.

“She's fine. We're both fine,” Chase answered.

A sky of promise,
A sky so grand,
This sky that carries
The Calder brand.

Don't miss the first four
classic novels in the beloved
Calder family series from

JANET DAILEY

This Calder Range

This Calder Sky

Stands a Calder Man

Calder Born, Calder Bred

JANET DAILEY is the author of scores of popular, uniquely American novels, including the bestselling
The Glory Game; Silver Wings, Santiago Blue; The Pride of Hannah Wade;
and the phenomenal CALDER SAGA. Since her first novel was published in 1975, Janet Dailey has become the bestselling female author in America, with more than three hundred million copies of her books in print. Her books have been published in 17 languages and are sold in 90 different countries. Janet Dailey's careful research and her intimate knowledge of America have made her one of the best-loved authors in the country—and around the world.