I was halfway around when it happened. A scream from mere yards away. It was so primal, so loud, so totally evil that I froze, unable to move, to get the shotgun up or to do anything.
It screamed again. Somewhere, from what seemed like a far distant place, I heard Max’s shout and the sound of his footsteps running. “Shoot, Maggie, shoot the damn thing.” His words jerked me from my trance as a third scream rent the night, this time closer. But still I couldn't move, not fast enough.
The cougar knew I was there and was coming for me. The horses were in the barn but I was nearby. I tried to point the shotgun but didn’t have time to raise it before I a crashing in the brush said the cat was attacking.
My father had said I didn’t have to aim. It was why I had a shotgun. “Just shoot,” he’d said and let the buckshot scatter enough to do damage. So I did. The shotgun was only half raised when I pulled the trigger but the shot blasted a hole in the night larger and louder than the scream of the cougar.
The cougar’s charge stopped. Another scream, this one of pain, but closer than before.
“Maggie!” Max was beside me, turning me around, pushing me behind his body, terror in his voice.
“I hit it!" Fierce elation shot through my veins. It was trying to kill me but I didn't let it. I'm a terrible shot but I wounded it.
The scream came again. Louder. More primal. The sound of pain.
“It’s wounded. Shit!” He looked at the black forest. “Go into the barn and stay there. Reload the shotgun. Keep it ready just in case."
"Where are you going?"
"To see if you hit it somewhere vital. If it's dying.”
"You can't see a thing. What if it's not mortally wounded?" I took a deep breath. "You can't go after it. It's not safe. You'll be killed.”
He shoved me towards the barn, holding both guns because I was so distraught I couldn’t be trusted with one. "Go. Be safe. I'll be back in a few minutes."
I started to shake. “Please.” I was shaking so hard I couldn't hold the shotgun he shoved at me so he leaned it against a wall, and then came towards me. Holding the thirty-ought-six with one hand, he wrapped his free arm around me and pulled me close. I leaned against his chest. It was warm and solid and I could hear his heart in a steady, comforting beat. Mine was out of control.
“Don't worry about me. I'm not chasing the SOB through the entire forest. Just far enough to see how badly it's wounded. I'll be back in a minute or so.”
I burrowed into his shirt and didn't care that I was being a baby. I'd just been attacked by a dangerous animal, I needed the warmth of his body, the safety of it. “If you die, it'll be my fault."
"I promise not to blame you if I die." It was supposed to be a joke, but it wasn't funny. He sighed, then leaned the thirty-ought-six against the wall next to the shotgun so he could wrap both arms around me as I burrowed even deeper into him, seeking a part of him that I couldn’t reach but knew existed. A part I'd seen briefly while he worked the horses and kissed me at dawn. A part that said he would keep safe anyone or anything he cared about. And maybe he cared about me. He pushed me a few inches away. “You really are scared, aren't you?”
"Terrified."
"It's done with. You shot him. You're safe." But I couldn't stop shaking. He pulled me back against his chest and started to speak a couple times, then stopped, finally saying, "You have reason to be scared." I wrapped my arms around him as best I could while being caged by his arms and body. "But believe me, Maggie, I know what I'm doing. So let me do it. I’ll come back and tomorrow we'll get that SOB.”
I merely shook harder. "Promise?"
"Hope to die. He pulled back a second time, put a hand beneath my chin and tipped my head up. “Maggie, love, even crying all over my shirt and shaking like a leaf you are still one formidable woman and don't you forget it. I feel sorry for any big cat that gets in your way. I feel sorry for the cat you shot tonight, he should have known better." He stroked my hair, smoothing back strands that now went every which way because I was shaking so hard. I could see the shine of his eyes but not the color.
Then his voice hardened slightly. He had work to do whether I dealt with my fear or not. "When I leave, shut the door and stay in the barn. It'll be safe and the horses will feel better for you being with them. I'll help drag your mattress to the barn when I return so we can stay there and you can get a good night's sleep."
"What about you?" I pushed away from him because I couldn't spend the night bawling into his shirt. I had to come to terms with what had happened. "You need sleep too."
"It's a big mattress. Can we share? I'm sure the cat is far away by now, I doubt we'll have to worry about it returning tonight so we should both be able to get some sleep. And frankly that hay bale of the other night isn't my idea of luxury."
Two hands cupped my head then he touched my lips with a thumb. Gently, lightly, giving me some of his inner strength. The odd thing was that it worked. The shaking lessened and I was able to stand straight and alone.
Then, just as casually as strolling along a sidewalk, he backed slightly, gathered the thirty-ought-six with one hand while he reached out and trailed the other lightly along my neck and shoulder and all the way down my arm until it reached my hand. He took it in his and squeezed. "Don't you worry, Maggie Squires, I'll be back and, when I am, I'll either be dragging that cougar's body or I'll know where he's headed."
With a silent salute, he shut the stable door and disappeared.