Ride With Me (A Quaking Heart Novel - Book One), Page 2

  Chapter 2

  The thunder of hooves thrummed in Clint's ears. That alone was enough to get his blood surging to the tips of his toes, making him feel alive. But today was about more than a man and his horse. Today was about justice.

  The elusive beast darted ahead of him through the trees. He gave the gelding his head and chased at the heels of the mountain cat. Clint spotted a branch in time to dip his weight into his right stirrup, stretching beside his horse's neck to duck under it. He broke through the brush and into the clearing beyond.

  The other five horsemen crashed through one by one behind him and divided. They circled an array of boulders to close in on their target. The golden flash they'd been tracking for the better part of an hour bolted up a huge stone and disappeared.

  Clint's horse reared, striking back to the ground with an irritated snort. He scanned the area for the sure cause and his gaze caught on the peak of the nearest boulder. There stood the cougar looking like a monument of strength, with taut muscles poised and ready. Carefully, Clint stripped his rifle from its scabbard. The lithe cat crouched, preparing to spring toward him. With little time to react, Clint raised his rifle.

  The cat lunged.

  He fired.