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Lia's POV
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The following morning, I got chores done, saddled Warrior up and headed down to the bunk house. Letting them know I was going to go for a ride. I needed to clear my head and get some sense of me back. I told Butch, as well as Ruthann. Told Chief to stay and come get me should there be an issue. I was headed to my private thinking spot Chief knew where it was.
A cliff over looking a grassy valley below and the highway was my place to think. It provided protection via the natural tree line and the larger side of the cliff cast a shadow enough to make my spot hard to see. Warrior found his place just below with amble grass to munch while was lost in my thoughts. My rifle near me, added the pistol on my side. I breathed in the silence. Here I could just be me. Here I could ground into the reality I was just a small portion of a much larger world. Warrior and I had taken our time here. just walking along the cow trails that lead this way. I did not even know what time it was but the sun was high in the sky. Its warmth sending rays in my direction. Enjoyment and that happy feeling of life flowed into me with the sun's rays. I was energized once again. Where fear and worry had started the warmth of the sun had destroyed and replaced it with hope. I heard an engine in the distance, sitting up I looked at the empty highway wondering what was coming.
My hope was to see the Scout coming up the road. Hoping it was Red coming back. I disn't even care that he may bring more people from town. I just wanted to lay eyes and hands on him. To know he was safe. My heart dropped it was not him but a black SUV that was coming up the road. I seen another SUV behind it, and another behind that. Three of those black SUV's coming down the road a distance from each other. Another engine was coming, my heart fluttered a bit, the engine sounded familiar. I seen the Scout towing a trailer. I was not sure who was in any of the vehicles now. But I did know that I needed to get back to the ranch.
I stood sliding the rifle into the saddle case, I swung onto Warrior. He was already amped and ready to spring forward at a gallop. I watched the trees flash past me, as Warrior ate the ground with his hooves. Leaping over the fence not even paying attention the the gate nearby we covered ground fast. Fallen logs and trees did not stop us. Minutes passed, the back gate appeared. I seen the bunk house and hollered for Butch and Chief.
Once past the gate, we continued fast toward the bunk house. I seen Butch up ahead and Chief not far from him. "SUV's coming so is the Scout with a trailer." I yelled. "I don't know who is bringing them!" I continued past not stopping. I knew he would know what to do. We had been over the plan to get them into the hidden cave ruins just to the south of us. Ancients had made tunnel system that lead to ruin site no one had found before. I found it by luck and asking the right animal who had been there. I was gonna head to the gate.
At the gate, I looked to see the livestock guardian dog watching the road. I felt warrior bulk a bit he was prancing. looking around I seen Lada walk from under a tree.
"I felt your fear, what is it?" I heard her ask.
Tala was not happy hearing her say fear, but I figured they did not like to show that. "SUV's and the Scout are coming. I am.not sure who is in that group." I announced meanwhile trying to calm Warrior.
"Ah, I suspect it is your mate. But I will wait with you." She sat and looked at Warrior.
He danced under me, having a predator so close unnerved him. He was not happy about being this close. "I know you are not happy, but she wants yo help." I patted him. He settled some but still eyed her.
Lada I noticed stood, putting her back to him, she sat again and watched the road with me.