Chapter 73

Finally, Elliott reached the rushing rapids down the mountainside. He looked up and down on both sides for anything different or out of place where someone might have gotten out of the water. But he saw nothing than the ordinary. He headed north at a gallop, his eyes searched left, right, and straight ahead for any stomped down grass, or Sam. He couldn't, he wouldn't accept the thought he'd be too late to save her. He'd been too late to help Mariah and that was his fault. This time, he had to make it there in time to save the woman he loved.

He kept north, sometimes at a slow pace and at other times he was able to go faster, letting the horse pick and choose the best way to get across the rocky path.

He finally saw a dark brown object, on the bank of the raging water, just south of an overhanging cliff. He soon got near enough to see it was Sam, in her tan winter coat, now dark brown because it was wet.

He sprang from the horse and rushed to her side. Checking for a pulse, he found