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Chapter 1

Tarrant, Texas 1847

Sunlight filtered through the trees in thin beams slicing through the darkness of the dense forest. Courtney Pierce closed her eyes and breathed in deep, enjoying the smell of pine and earth. She loved it here and felt grateful that she wasn't stuck in the house working today. She'd begged her father to let her work outside on the ranch with him. Papa usually relented and let her have her way and it drove her Mama crazy. Courtney chuckled just thinking about it. Papa had sent her out to check the fences and never willing to let a good opportunity go to waste, she'd decided to go on a ride first. Starting out on the same trail that she always took, she decided to leave it behind to head deeper into the forest where it was always so much cooler.

Courtney wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her arm. It wasn't even midmorning yet but it was already getting hot. A cool breeze wafted over her sweaty skin and she closed her eyes, sighing in relief. Leaning down, she rested her cheek against her horse, Rebel.

"That's my girl." She stroked her muzzle lovingly.

She'd get to those fences soon, just not quite yet. Hearing the sound of a stream nearby, she realized how far off the trail she'd gone. If she was that close to the stream then she was dangerously close to Comanche territory but she didn't think she could resist the temptation of a cool drink. Hesitating only for an instant, she ventured forward anyway.

Moaning, she lowered herself from the saddle and walked to the stream. She nearly fell headfirst into the water when she tried to kneel down with stiff legs from riding. She hadn't realized that she had been gone so long. Her father would skin her hide if she didn't hurry and check those fences. If the Comanche didn't get to her first. She felt gooseflesh rising on her skin as if there was another cool breeze, except there wasn't any air moving. Courtney took a quick look around. The stream was shallow but wide and the water rippled over the smooth rock that covered the bottom. She looked past it to the other side and saw nothing but the tree branches gently swaying. Must be a breeze after all. Feeling silly for getting spooked so easily, she blushed and shook her head over her own embarrassment. There wasn't even anyone around to see. Splashing her face with water, she thought about what a constant nuisance the Comanche were. So far they hadn't ventured onto Peirce land but their war parties had raised havoc everywhere

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