Ryan Read Free Page A

water in the canteen.”
    Ryan
reached under the saddle bag and pulled it out. He took off the top and offered
it to her.
    Her
hands shook and she wrapped them around his as he held the canteen to her lips.
After taking a gulp of water she began choking.
    “Slow
down and you’ll be just fine honey,” said Ryan, patting her on the back.
    She
swallowed again but then was clearly too weak to hold the canteen any longer,
even with his help. It slipped from her hands. Ryan caught it before it fell to
the ground, spilling the rest of its contents, and secured the top.
    “When’s
the last time you ate?” he asked her.
    She
didn’t respond. Her eyes fluttered and it looked like she was going to pass
out. He guessed it was a long time ago.
    “I’m
going to take you into town and get the doctor to look at you, but you’re going
to have to ride on the horse with me.”
    He
knew he wouldn’t have time to ride back and go get the wagon. It was going to
be dark soon and he doubted she’d survive that long. Ryan had to act quickly.
He lifted her up in his arms.
    “Put
one leg over the saddle honey, and we’ll be back in town before you know it.”
    Her
boot got stuck on the top of the horse’s saddle but then she finally managed to
slide her leg over. Ryan quickly mounted the horse making sure she didn’t slip
off while he did so. He put his arms around her, securing her between the front
of his saddle and his body. She was shivering and cold.
    He
pulled on the reins, willing the horse to go as fast as it could down the path
it had traveled up less than ten minutes ago. Once they were back on flat land and
on firmer footing he’d make the horse go as fast as it could.
    Ryan
sensed time was of the essence. He’d seen his fair share of people close to
death and he was pretty sure this young woman was hanging by a thread. Splatters
of rain began to fall as the horse neared the edge of the canyon.   Dark clouds gathered above them.
    “Go
boy, go,” shouted Ryan, pulling on the reins as soon as they cleared the rocks
and sage bush.
    Ryan
tried to shield her body from the rain as best he could. Her fingers dug into
the saddle like she was scared of slipping so he moved his body in closer to
her, squeezing hers with both his arms.
    “We’ll
soon be in Grantsville. My name’s Ryan Doyle and I’m the sheriff. I know some people who will take good care of you.”
    She
leaned forward like she was about to pass out. So he held her even tighter
while hoping he wasn’t hurting her in any way.
    He
was pushing the horse as much as he could. Any faster and the poor thing would
collapse and the young woman would die.
    Ryan
saw the outskirts of town coming into view. He’d never been so glad to see it
in all his life. Thank god he’d chosen tonight to take a ride up in the ravines
and canyons or this poor young woman would have died up there.
    He
wondered what she was doing there all by herself. How long had she been up in
the mountain area? Hopefully she’d survive and be able to tell him everything
that had happened to her.
    Ryan’s
shirt and pants were soaked through to his skin. He was sure the young woman
was in the same condition and hoped she didn’t catch pneumonia.
    The
main street of Grantsville came into view. He was home and he prayed he’d been
quick enough in saving this young woman’s life.
    He
didn’t hesitate about where he was going to take her. Maggie McGuire’s place
was the most obvious choice. Once he got her safely inside there he’d go get
the doctor.   Some might think that a
whorehouse wasn’t the most appropriate place for a young woman but Maggie was
the nurturing kind and she’d know exactly what to do.
    Ryan
pulled the horse up outside Maggie’s and slid off it, all the time holding onto
the young lady. She fell into his arms. He lifted her up and carried her,
stepping up onto the sidewalk and into Maggie’s place.
    A
few of her girls were sitting drinking with some customers. Everyone