In The Beginning by Gail Daley (top 100 books of all time checklist .TXT) 📕

For God's sake, don't let any of the bodies touch the cheese or Iris will have a fit," Bethany added. "When you've finished, you can turn the tricorns into the corral with the remuda. Get Tom and Mary to help you."

"Tessa," she called to a young girl about Paco's age who helped with her racing tricorns, "Come with me to the stable. You too Paco."

When they followed her into the stable, she pulled two light racing saddles out of the tack room. "Paco bring out Stinger and Glory. You and Tessa put these saddles on them."

"But those are your racing saddles," Tessa protested.

"And my racing tricorns," Bethany agreed. "The two of you will be my messengers. Which of you knows the way to Ruby Canyon the best?"

"I do," Tessa volunteered as she cinched the light saddle onto the brown and grey striped tricorn. Bethany slid the hackamore over Stinger's nose horn and fastened it behind his ears. She went on to do the same to Glory. She patted Glory's red and gold striped cheek before tossing the reins over her head.

"Tessa, you take Stinger. He is the distance runner. You find my husband and tell him what happened. I don't want Alec running to an ambush when he comes back the way Carlos just did. Tell him I've set Red to hunting the sniper so not to shoot him by mistake. Can you do that?"

The girl nodded. Bethany held out her cupped hands and boosted Tessa up into the saddle. Stinger tossed his head and danced, eager to run.

When she turned to help Paco mount Glory, he was already up. "Where do I go?"

Bethany patted Glory on the shoulder. "Paco, you ride into town for the Doctor. I don't know if anyone is watching the road but be careful. Try to get Sheriff Morrison to come out with you and the doctor."

She led the way to the back of the stable, opening the seldom used eastern doors. Both riders burst out of the stable at a dead run, Paco turning right toward town and Tessa heading through orchard.

Bethany watched them go. She was betting the sniper didn't know about the back way out of the ranch compound. Stinger's coloring would blend into the trees and rocks making him harder to spot if the sniper was looking for a rider. Glory was easier seen, but Paco would have the house between him and where Red thought the sniper was. The racers were fast and the riders light; with luck they would be too far away to shoot before the sniper saw them.

Red came toward her leading a tough, wiry tricorn. He had added a double row of saddle bags and a bedroll to the saddle. An extra rifle was thrust down in a second saddle scabbard.

"I'll have someone posted in the watchtower in relays to watch for signals," Bethany said, referring to the tall cupola on the roof the house.

"Did you send someone for McCaffey?" Red asked, handing her the key to the storeroom.

"Yes, I hope he will be here by morning. You will have help when he arrives."

Red swung into the saddle and set off at a trot.

Bethany closed the doors and returned to the house where she found her father waiting in the parlor.

"What is going on?" St. Vyr roared. "Don't ignore me! I'm crippled, not helpless Missy!"

Bethany took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Papa. I know you aren't helpless, but I had to—"

"Do the things I can't do anymore," her father said bitterly.

"Papa—"

He sighed. "It's not your fault. You're a good girl and I know you're doing your best."

"How is Carlos?" she asked.

"No one has come down to tell me that either," her father said.

"Shall I go find out, or do you want to hear what I've set in motion first?"

"Tell me what you've done first."

He nodded approvingly as Bethany detailed her activities for the past hour.

"You've done a good job girl. Now go check on my boy."

Bethany ran upstairs, stopping at the open door of Iris's room. Gran was just finishing sewing the cut made by the bullet on Carlos' head. Giselle added a few drops from a glass vial to a spoonful of honey. While Iris lifted his head, Giselle spooned the mixture into Carlos' mouth. He swallowed and closed his eyes.

Iris gently laid his head back down on a pillow and tucked the sheet in around him.

"Sleep, now Darling," she said, stroking his hair. "Everything is being taken care of. You just get better."

"Papa wants to know how he is," Bethany said.

"Flesh wounds only," Giselle assured her. "I will tell Mike he will live. Did you send for the doctor?"

"Yes, Paco rode Glory into town. I asked him to bring the Sheriff back with them. I sent Tessa out on Stinger for Alec."

"Thank you for sending your racehorses Bethany," Iris smiled tiredly at her. "I know how much you care about your racing stock."

"Yes, I love them," her sister agreed, "but they aren't worth more than the lives of my family." Bethany sank down on the chest at the foot of the bed. "How are you holding up?" she asked her sister.

Iris let her hand drift over Carlos damp hair again in a brief caress. "I could be better, but I am doing all right. I must keep reminding myself that he is alive and going to stay that way. Bethany, I was so scared when I saw him covered in blood—"

"So, when is the wedding?"

"He hasn't actually asked me yet, you know. And Papa—"

Her sister looked her over in silence and Iris shifted uncomfortably.

"That isn't what I asked you, Iris. What do you want? I've always thought you were more than halfway in love with him. Am I wrong?"

Iris let her hand drift over his damp curls again. She took a deep breath. "No, you aren't wrong. But I want—I need for him to love me too. I don't want him to marry me to please Papa."

"Alec says I'm not good at reading men,