Day 8 -- 10,051 (28,115 book/93497 total)

It was another day where I didn't expect to do as well as I did. I'm over half way on this book -- not really sure what I'm going to do for this second half, but it's still going well.

Here's a little snippet:


"Take care of the horse," he said softly. Then he turned back to the house.

Mrs. Oliveria and Mrs. Lopez were at the door.

"Senor?" Mrs. Lopez said softly.

"DeLancie's horse, without the rider. They think he's dead."

"Madre de Dios," she said, her hand going to her heart. "No!"

"It's not proven yet," he said, because he didn't want to see her so upset. "We don't know anything for sure. And -- I have reason to think he's not. But that's between the three of us, ladies. No one else. We have some people on the ranch who are problems."

"The boy isn't gone, is he?" Mrs. Oliveria said, looking him full in the face -- the way she had when he as a boy. He still couldn't lie to her.

"No, he isn't gone. He's been keeping watch over us ladies. It's a dangerous time. But we'll pull through."

"I want my husband," Mrs. Lopez said with a whisper. "I want him safe."

"So do I."

She nodded and went back into the house. Mrs. Oliveria put a hand on his arm. She had not done that in a long time. "You are a good man. This is only a trial."

"I've had a few too many trials," he said. But then he shook his head. "But you're right. We'll get through this. If it comes to it, be sure to get Mrs. Lopez and the girls up on the roof and make sure they keep their heads down. You know what needs to be done."

"I know. Be careful, Senor."

He nodded and went back to his office. It didn't feel right. He shouldn't be sitting here, sitting and waiting and doing nothing.

And then he heard the gunshot.

He came out of the room, not surprised to see Mrs. Oliveria already gathering up the guests and heading them upstairs, even though they had no idea what was going on yet. Better to be safe.

He went out, of course. There were shouts from around the bunkhouse and then another shot out by the gate. He could see movement in the dim light of dusk. The wind had kicked up again, a cold brush like death itself against his face. He hadn't gotten his coat. He didn't care.

The enemy was coming for them.

He saw the line spread out to the right and left of the gate -- a hundred or more? He couldn't tell. It was too many. They couldn't hold.

But he could help make the odds a little better. He looked around, and spotted Craig and Divers, heading out toward the right, like they were going to keep guard in that direction.

"Pedro! Mark!"

They came at a run, wild-eyed and worried.

"Trust me on this. Craig and Divers are trouble."

"Damn," Mark said. He looked where they were going. "We'll cover them."

He and Pedro took off in that direction as well. He hoped they were careful. But there were too many --

And they attacked.