Chase the Wind by Cindy Holby - Wind 01 - Chase the Wind

turned to focus on the fight. Mason had used his greater weight to force Ian onto his back, his hands wrapped around his neck, choking him. Faith raised the gun and fired.
    The bullet hit Mason in the right shoulder, the impact sending him off Ian and onto the ground. He clutched his shoulder and rolled in agony. Ian staggered to his feet, trying to draw air into his bruised throat.
    “I’ll get you for this,” Mason gasped. His right arm was hanging uselessly at his side; the bullet must have broken a bone.
    Faith ran to Ian, throwing her arms around his waist. Ian grabbed her shoulders and turned her to the horse.
    “If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll hunt you down and make you pay,” Mason growled as he climbed to his feet, still clutching his shoul der.
    Ian mounted and swung Faith up behind him.
    “No matter where you go, you won’t be safe!” Mason was scream ing at them now.
    Ian stopped the horse by Mason. “She chooses me,” he said calmly. “If you come after us, I’ll kill you.”
    “You won’t see me coming,” Mason screamed. Ian kicked the gray with his heels and they took off toward the ferry.

 
    Chapter Six
    The ferry master looked at them in disbelief when the mud-covered couple begged to be taken across. The storm had made the waters of the Ohio swirl and turn, so passage would be hazardous at best. It wasn’t until the young woman with the pale blue eyes laid her hand on his arm and said, “Please, sir, it means everything to us,” that he agreed. He shook his head as he swung the boat out into the river. The couple just stood with their arms around each other, the horse hanging his head over the man’s shoulder, the three of them seeking comfort from each other. They were quite a bedraggled sight. The captain wondered what had made them take flight on a night like this. It probably was best that he did not know. The ferry dipped and lurched in the raging waters, taking every bit of his strength and knowledge to keep the course straight and true. The couple still stood, wrapped in each other’s arms. The horse seemed a bit nervous with the water swirling around, but the man stood tall and spoke soothing words to the animal. When the ferry finally came to a halt against the bank, the couple hesitated. It seemed they didn’t know what to do next.
    “Do you need some shelter for the night?” the ferry master asked. “I’m goin’ to my sister’s, you’re welcome to come along.” There was something about these two that had struck a chord in his heart.
    Ian looked down at Faith, who wearily nodded. “That would be very nice,” he said. “I could pay her for a bed and bath.”
    “I’ll let you work that out with her,” the man replied. “Come along; let’s get out of this weather.”
    Ian and Faith followed the man, leading the horse with them. They walked a few blocks through the town, Faith wearily wondering if she would ever be dry again. The rain had washed most of the mud off of Ian, but he was still in sore need of a bath. They soon came to a cheerfully lit cottage. The man led them around to the back and directed Ian to a shed where he could bed the horse. He guided Faith to the back door, where a well-rounded woman stood with a lantern in her hand.
    “Jonas, I can’t believe you made the crossing in this weather,” she scolded.
    “At the time it seemed like the right thing to do,” he replied dryly. “I’ve brought you some company.”
    The woman held her lantern up to Faith’s face and immediately started fussing over her like a mother hen. “Oh, you poor thing, what are you doing out on a night like tonight? Get in this house and let me get you dried off.” She took Faith’s arm and led her into the kitchen, where a huge pot of soup was bubbling merrily on the stove. Faith stood in the middle of the room, blinking like an owl.
    “Her man’s in the shed puttin’ his horse away.” Jonas jerked his thumb in that direction. “I told him you’d give