Chapter 42

Ruby

A twig snapped from behind the cover of cypress trees. Ruby's heart pounded as she jerked her head toward the sound, looking behind her and Tommy. A swamp rabbit hopped away, kicking up mud as it ran. Ruby scanned the woods, her senses alert. A gun would be very handy now.

"Tommy?" God, his hand looked awful. His arm was swollen and his hand purple.

He licked his dry lips. "Grab the knife out of my boot."

Pretending to lose her footing for the benefit of anyone spying on them, she bent down, and snatched the blade. Poised, she removed the sheath and pointed it at the cypress tree. "We know you're there. Come out."

"You look like a bonne a riene, a pretty girl, with your red hair. Such an easy target." A broad man with beady eyes and white beard emerged from the dense woods. "Why you hanging all over that one?" He pointed his chin to Tommy. "He a Couyon or something?"