STONE wasn’t sure what woke him, but he sat up, alert, and reached for his g*n. Wincing as a stab of pain raced across his chest, he slowly rolled out of bed and stood up. Taking his time, calming his breathing, he padded to the open bedroom door and listened for a moment. There was nothing, so he went straight out onto the porch.
It was Cole’s horse.
With painful but required slowness, Stone stepped down and moved up to the animal, conscious of the need not to make any sudden gestures. However, the horse appeared calm. Watchful, its eyes never left him as he tenderly reached out a hand and stroked its nose.
“Where’s your master, eh?” he said softly.
He scanned the surroundings. There was no sign of Cole, and the fear gradually crawled up Stone’s spine. The man who rode with him, the o
