Echo of the Plains: Wings of the West, #7

By Kristy McCaffrey

A Wings of the West Short Story

 

Ecacusayet. Lightning flash. The renegade stallion known as Echo has eluded capture ever since he escaped the Ryan homestead shortly after birth. Seventeen-year-old Eli Ryan plans to change that. As his search narrows to the location of the horse's hideout, Eli nearly runs down Cassie Callahan in the Texas desert. Although an intriguing diversion, not even her compelling green eyes will deter him from his goal. But her stubborn protection of the legendary stallion just might steer him off course.

 

A sweet young adult romance set in 1895 North Texas.

 

Don't miss all the books in the series

The Wren: Book 1

The Dove: Book 2

The Sparrow: Book 3

The Blackbird: Book 4

The Bluebird: Book 5

The Songbird: Book 6 (Novella)

Echo of the Plains: Book 7 (Short Story)

The Starling: Book 8

The Canary: Book 9 (Coming Soon)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristy McCaffrey
• Release date: Feb 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9780998090726

Book preview

Chapter 1

North Texas, 1895

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Elijah Ryan pushed his horse into an all-out run, holding tight to the reins as the mare skimmed her way across the flat, open country. The plains extended to the horizon, only to be broken by an unexpected plateau or rocky obstacle, obliterating the illusion of endlessness. On this hot August day, the forced breeze felt good, drying Eli’s sweat-soaked shirt. Elation welled inside him—he was finally about to get that damned renegade stallion.

Like a ghost, Eli’s prey had disappeared minutes before, but Eli had seen him—seen him—and he wasn’t about to let his goal slip away yet again.

His mare snorted and stretched her legs while Eli hunched low. Without warning, she reared and lurched upright. Eli twisted his body to avoid being thrown, but it didn’t matter—a loud whinny filled his ears and a guttural yell tore from his throat as he lost his grip on the saddle. He slammed to the ground with a bone-jarring thud. Momentarily stunned, unable to breathe, he watched as his mare’s hooves landed inches from his face.

Move.

But his body wouldn’t respond. He waited for his life to flash before his eyes, but when the past didn’t come pouring forward to the present, he thought maybe seventeen years was too short for God to be bothered with a near-death accounting.

Shoo! Get on back! a female voice said.

Sprawled on the ground, Eli was relieved when he could bring a hand to his forehead. He attempted to rub the fog from his mind. The voice didn’t belong to one of his sisters. Katie was helping Aunt Claire tend to T.J. Walker’s wife—about to give birth for the sixth time and in jeopardy of losing yet another babe—and Josie still lay in bed recovering from the mountain lion attack that nearly claimed her life.

Are you all right? A southern lilt laced the feminine speech. That was quite a spill. A knee brushed against him as gentle hands touched his left arm and shoulder.

How many fingers am I holding up? she asked, her face shadowed by a wide-brimmed hat.

Eli blinked as she leaned over him, and his gaze shifted to her eyes. Green.

Green? Her pretty features showed instant concern. Just lie still. That fall must have been worse than it looked. Although I have to admit—it looked awfully bad.

Three fingers. Eli cleared his throat. You have green eyes.

Those clear, forest-colored eyes scrutinized him, and he wondered if she was a mirage. He couldn’t have conjured a more compelling one if he’d tried.

"Well, maybe you are fine, she conceded. Would you like to sit up?"

A clump of curly, dark hair fell over her shoulder and Eli caught a whiff of roses. His mind went blank. Every male instinct he possessed stampeded forward as she braced his shoulder and pushed him upright. In a daze, he stood and attempted to shake off his reaction, his