Cole looked at Mateo.

“Twelve?”

The older rancher nodded.

“At least.”

Cole’s jaw tightened.

He looked toward Nalin.

She stood in the doorway, holding the oilskin pouch.

Her face was pale.

But her eyes were steady.

Cole took a slow breath.

“We leave now.”

Mateo nodded.

“I brought two horses.”

Cole looked toward the northern trail.

“Good.”

They had only minutes.

Cole saddled his gelding.

Mateo prepared the spare horse.

Nalin packed the remaining water.

Then Cole led them toward the ravine behind the barn.

The trail was narrow.

Rocky.

And difficult to follow from a distance.

If they could reach the northern hills before Rourke arrived, they might escape.

But halfway through the ravine, Nalin stopped.

Cole turned.

“What is it?”

She stared toward the southern ridge.

Then whispered:

“Smoke.”

Cole followed her gaze.

A dark column rose above the horizon.

Mateo swore softly.

“My ranch.”

Cole felt cold.

Rourke had gone after Mateo’s property.

The older man’s face hardened.

“My family.”

Cole grabbed his arm.

“Mateo, listen.”

But Mateo was already turning.

“My wife is there.”

Cole looked toward Nalin.

She understood immediately.

“Go,” she said.

Cole hesitated.

Nalin stepped closer.

“Help his family.”

Cole stared at her.

He couldn’t abandon her.

But he couldn’t leave Mateo’s family in danger either.

He looked toward the northern hills.

Then made a decision.

“Nalin, take my horse.”

She shook her head.

“No.”

Cole continued.

“Follow the ravine north. There’s a trading station near the old mission road.”

She stared.

“Tell them to send word to the territorial marshal.”

Nalin shook her head harder.

“I stay.”

Cole felt his chest tighten.

“Nalin—”

She stepped closer.

Her voice trembled.

“I run from Rourke.”

He nodded.

“I know.”

She continued.

“I run three days.”

Tears filled her eyes.

“I will not run from helping.”

Cole stared.

For a moment, he saw Samuel.

His brother had once said almost the same thing.

Not about revenge.

About doing what was right.

Cole took a slow breath.

“All right.”

Mateo looked between them.

“We need to move.”

They turned toward the smoke.

But Nalin suddenly grabbed Cole’s sleeve.

“Wait.”

He looked at her.

She pointed toward a narrow passage between two cliffs.

“That way.”

Cole frowned.

“It leads toward the old mining trail.”

She nodded.

“High ground.”

Cole studied the terrain.

Then understood.

The mining trail overlooked the road Rourke’s men would use.

From there, they could see the ranch.

And perhaps reach Mateo’s family without riding directly into the gang.

Cole nodded.

“Good thinking.”

Nalin looked at him.

For the first time, she wasn’t simply following his instructions.

She was helping make the plan.

They moved quickly.

By midmorning, they reached the mining trail.

From the ridge, Cole could see Mateo’s ranch.

Smoke rose from a storage shed.

But the main house still stood.

Several horses were tied near the corral.

Men moved around the property.

Cole counted six.

Then spotted another group near the road.

Rourke’s gang.

Mateo gripped his rifle.

“My wife and daughter are inside.”

Cole studied the house.

Then noticed something.

A white cloth hung from an upstairs window.

Mateo’s face changed.

“That’s our signal.”

Cole looked at him.

“What does it mean?”

Mateo swallowed.

“They’re alive.”

Relief crossed his face.

Then he saw two outlaws dragging supplies from the barn.

His expression hardened again.

Cole placed a hand on his shoulder.

“We’re getting them out.”

Mateo nodded.

Nalin looked toward the house.

Then pointed toward the irrigation ditch.

“Water path.”

Cole followed her gaze.

The ditch ran behind the house.

Partially concealed by brush.

A person could approach without crossing the open yard.

Cole studied it.

Then smiled grimly.

“Nalin, you may have just saved us.”

She looked at him.

He continued.

“We can reach the back door.”

Mateo nodded.

They waited until the outlaws moved toward the corral.

Then descended the ridge.

Slowly.

Carefully.

They reached the ditch.

Crawled through the brush.

And approached the rear of the house.

Cole tapped three times on the door.

A woman’s voice answered.

“Mateo?”

The older rancher nearly cried.

“Lucia.”

The door opened.

Mateo’s wife stood inside.

Behind her was their daughter, Isabel.

Both were frightened.

But unharmed.

Mateo embraced them.

Cole looked toward the yard.

“We need to leave.”

Lucia nodded.

Then whispered:

“There’s something you should know.”

Cole turned.

She looked at Nalin.

Then said:

**”Rourke isn’t just looking for her. He’s looking for the paper she stole.”**