Beth Williamson [Devils on Horseback 05] G

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It surprised the hell out of him.
Martha! I know it was Martha. She s the one who always thinks up trouble, but she s real smart.
Chloe held up a scrap of blue clutched in her fingers. She tied a piece of ribbon to this bush.
He glanced at the tattered-looking ribbon. Are you sure? It looks like it s been hanging there quite
some time.
She shook her fist. I am absolutely sure. We bought the girls this ribbon right before we left Virginia.
It s the same shade of blue as their eyes. We could only buy one length, and the girls split it between
them. She pulled his face down and kissed him hard. We found their trail!
He hardly had time to react before she went barreling through the brush looking for more signs. In no
time, they d found the campsite with the ashes not quite cool. The grass on the side of the road was beaten
down as if there had been something heavy resting on it.
Gideon smiled grimly at Chloe. We found their trail.
She whooped again, waving that tiny scrap of blue as if she had found a fortune in gold. He scooped
her up and flipped her on his shoulder, carrying her back to the wagon as she protested loudly.
What in tarnation are you doing? She punched his back hard enough to make him wince.
He set her on the seat to stop any more protests. Then he kissed her, catching her breath of surprise in
a hot meeting of their lips.
Getting back on the trail so we can find your family.
She rewarded him with a wide smile on her flushed face.
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Devils on Horseback: Gideon
Then let s hit that trail, Blackwood.
Gideon jumped into the wagon and used as much gusto as he could to get the nags moving. They were
back on the scent.
He thought perhaps they would find more evidence of the kidnappers, but as the day wore on, they
encountered nothing but dirt and a faint set of tracks. It was something but not much. Chloe s jubilation at
finding Martha s ribbon waned as the afternoon faded into evening. It was hot and uncomfortable, and they
needed real food. The meager supplies they had were nearly gone, and if they didn t find sustenance soon,
they might not ever catch up with the Ruskin family.
His stomach yowled loud enough it scared some birds out of a tree. Chloe looked at him askance but
didn t say anything. They had nothing but a few strips of jerky, some coffee beans and whatever water they
could find. It wouldn t last another day.
We can catch a rabbit or something. She touched the butt of the rifle. I m a good shot.
I don t want to stop just yet. We still have a bit more daylight left.
She nodded, and he had a feeling she was grateful. Every minute they spent looking was another
minute her family didn t have to spend with whatever bastards took them. He could have wept when he saw
the buildings in the distance.
Miraculously they d arrived at a town.
Where are we?
I don t know, never been this way, but I m guessing they ll have supplies. He glanced at her weary
face. We need supplies.
She shook her head. I don t have any money. Hell, Gid, everything I owned was on that wagon or
back in the field where we left the furniture. She looked away. I don t have anything.
He took her hand, turned it palm up and placed a kiss in the center. You have me.
Her mouth fell open, and her eyes reflected confusion and what he dared to guess was hope.
You just want your horse back.
He kissed her forehead next. I think Domino would be fine without me.
Domino? That s his name? She snorted softly. I had that all wrong.
By the time he kissed her mouth, his breath was ragged and his body practically begged to be with
her. No, you ve got it all right.
To his surprise, she pushed him back. Don t get all cow-eyed on me, Blackwood. We ve got a long
road to travel before we re done.
He stared into her narrowed eyes and realized he d acted like an ass. Chloe seemed to have that effect
on him. Where the hell was his famous captain s ability to focus? It was as if she d thrown a bucket of
water on him. He was shocked but stupidly grateful. His brother or cousins would have told him what an
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Beth Williamson
ass he d been if they d been there. Now it fell to a little slip of a woman with a harsh mouth and a stiff
spine.
You re right.
She raised one brow. Don t think I ve heard that before.
He nodded tightly. I assure you that you won t hear it again.
Chloe waved a hand toward the town. Get a move on, then. Time is ticking away.
Gideon slipped away from his own confusion, shutting the door on it until they accomplished what
they d set out to do. He rode into town with the eye of a trained soldier, taking in the sleepy feel of it, the
well-swept wood-planked sidewalks and the curtains in the windows. It had the air of a safe place, but he
would remain on guard.
They stopped the wagon at the end of the street next to the mercantile. The livery was close by as
well. Chloe looked around with more suspicion than he did. He still wished the Devils were there with him
too and not just one small, ornery woman.
What now?
He jumped down, and before he could get to the other side of the wagon, she was down and waiting
for him. With a frown, he took her arm.
We ll go into the mercantile and make friends, so be a good girl and pretend we re happily married.
As they walked in, a small bell tinkled over the door. She pinched him under the arm hard enough to
make his eyes water. Instead of annoying him, her gesture made him smile. She was a warrior, full of fight
and life. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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