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This Shadowed Land (Shadows) (Volume 4)

By Tina Pinson

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Chapter One
...The long shadow of a man cast across a barren land, carried on the wings of a prayer -- like a dream he means to possess.
"I'll tie you up if you go for that horse again," Elijah threatened Rebekah Cavanaugh. Aaron guarded the horses so she couldn't leave, but watching her pace long paths at the edge of the camp, Elijah wrestled with the idea anyway. The way she scanned the prairie looking for any sign of her husband, Matthew Cavanaugh, unsettled him. Caroline, Katrina, Jenny, and Miriam walked with her and added to his frustration. The lower the sun set, the faster they seemed to walk.
The pit in his stomach grew. His neck ached.
He whittled for a time to ease his mind, but his thoughts returned to the prairie, to the man and the boy who were out there somewhere. Possibly dying.
He didn't want to believe it. Not when everything seemed to be settling. Anthony Friedmont was gone and would never return to hurt Rebekah or Caroline again. Clay and Caroline were married, and Rebekah and Matthew were back with the train. After she was taken, Elijah feared Rebekah might never come back, but God had been gracious. Matthew met with the Indians who'd taken Rebekah and, after exchanging a wagon for her freedom, brought her to the train.
Elijah, still healing from his beating at Fort Laramie, hoped to fall into the droll routine of the trail. But, Fisted Hand, one of the braves from the Indian camp, had come to take Rebekah. First, he wanted to do away with Matthew.
Thankfully, another brave, Standing Water, whose Christian name was Thomas, had come to warn them and he rode to out get to Matthew and Rebekah's son, Andrew.
Elijah prayed Thomas would reach them in time. His gaze drifted to the prairie. There were no riders on the lonely stretch of land. He drew a ragged breath and groaned when it stung his ribs. He tried to focus on the bit of wood in his palm, but couldn't. He slid the wood in his shirt pocket and went to check on Clay. Clay had tried to go after Matthew after hearing about Fisted Hand, and gave Elijah a fight when he tried to get the feverish man to his wagon.
Thank heaven he rested now 'cause Elijah didn't have the strength to fight him again. He left Clay with hopes he'd stay asleep, and went to start the evening fire.
Layering kindling and chips in the pit, he glanced at Rebekah and fought a growing hankering to walk with the womenfolk. He snapped a twig on his leg and tossed it on the tiny flame.
Maintaining calm for Rebekah and the womenfolk, he took his seat again. Battling another painful breath through clenched teeth, he drew the small piece of wood from his pocket, pulled his knife, and whittled again. After several deft cuts in the wood, he blew away the loose particles and ran his thumb along the forming image. His gaze turned to the women.
Rebekah made yet another turn. Walking back and forth like a sentry at post.
Caroline sobbed and babbled incoherently. She began to jump around and point toward the horizon. Elijah gazed in the direction of her flapping arm and noticed three horses heading toward them against the backdrop of a red sky.
"It's Matthew and Andrew." Caroline cupped her hands about her eyes to look across the darkening prairie. Her knees buckled slightly. Jenny caught her hand.
Rebekah ambled like she might fall too, but she straightened and stood silently, her lithe body swaying as if carried along by a breeze as she watched the incoming riders.
Thomas rode the first mount with Andrew cradled in his arms. Turning his gaze to Goliath, Elijah's heart wrenched. The rider leaned forward on the great horse's neck. He didn't move.
"Matthew." Rebekah took a few faltering steps and stopped. Elijah drew to her side and Kat came to stand at her other side. Caroline went to Clay, who leaned against the wagon for his own support. Elijah shook his head. Clay should be lying down, but the three horses held his attention too.
*****
Intent on Matthew, Thomas and Andrew were nearly upon Rebekah when she finally looked their way.
"Mama," Andrew cried softly. Rebekah lifted him from Thomas's arms. Blood and dust covered his face and clothes, but a closer check showed he was okay and it wasn’t his blood. She held close and let him cry, but didn't allowed the same of herself.
"It's okay," she soothed him. Moving closer to Goliath, she gingerly put out her hand, afraid to touch the bloody body the horse carried. The man she loved. Was he dead? She touched his neck, prepared to say goodbye, but his body was warm and there was a pulse. Her knees nearly buckled before she caught herself.

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