Sarah’s Bounty
By Terri Crews
Copyright 2012 Terri Crews
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Cover Art by Joan Alley
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are the product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Published by Inspired Romance Novels
ISBN-978-0-9847645-6-3 First Edition, 2012
Published in the United States of America
Contact info: contact@inspiredromancenovels.com
http://www.inspiredromancenovels.com
Chapter One
1850
Raleigh, North Carolina
J.T. Blake shifted his tall bulky frame uncomfortably on the settee of deep gold velvet, feeling out of his element as he waited for the person or persons that’d sent for him. The room’s lavish furnishings had cost more than he could make in a year’s time bounty hunting.
Fancy floral wall coverings in shades of gold, brown, red, and green ran from floor to ceiling and the windows were dressed in heavy velvet—red with sheer gold panels tied back with tassels. A stone fireplace graced the wall on one side of the room and two richly colored urns stood on either side of the hearth. Above the mantle, an elegant painting of a train hung and under it sat a replica of the same engine.
Every detail of the massive house spoke for itself—whoever lived here had money and lots of it. No place for a bounty hunter dressed in buckskins. He groaned, his thoughts echoing the questions on his mind. Who had sent for him? Why was he here?
The doorknob clicked from behind him and he turned just in time to see the massive oak door open. The same servant who initially greeted him held the way as if for royalty. Finally, he could unearth the answers to his being here.
“Thank you, Walter. Could you be so kind as to bring us some tea please?” the refined female voice asked.
“Yes, madam.” The balding man conceded.
With a swish of skirts, the woman made her way into the room.
Blake rose to his feet. Never had he seen a woman as beautiful or dressed so elegantly in silk and lace. He estimated her to be in her mid-thirties.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Blake.”
Out of respect, Blake reached up and removed his hat. Heck if he wasn't nervous now. “Everyone just calls me Blake. No mister necessary.”
“I appreciate you coming on such short notice. I do hope you didn’t have problems finding my home.” She spoke in proper English and carried herself with the grace of a queen.
“No, ma’am, no problem at all finding it.” How could one miss it?
“Please do sit. Allow me introduce myself.” She moved to join him in the matching high-back chair across from his settee, gathering her voluminous skirts in neat folds around her legs.
“I’m Amanda Cummings.” She offered her hand.
Blake stared at the well-manicured hand before he took it lightly, afraid her fingers might break in his rough, calloused hands. It took him a few seconds to recall where he had heard the name before. No, it couldn’t be—Cummings Railroad?
“You’re Sidney Cummings’ daughter?” Blake asked.
She laughed, a deep, throaty sound. “No. I’m his widow.”
Blake’s jaw dropped. Sidney Cummings had to be at least thirty years her senior.
“My husband passed away just a couple of months ago, which is why I’m in need of your services now.”
An awkward silence ensued and she rose to her feet, walking to the window and looking out at the town as if deep in thought. Her strange behavior and the silence worried him. Was she in danger? Had she been threatened? Moments later, she sighed and turned toward him.
“Mr. Blake, allow me to address the reason you are here. I don’t intend to waste any more time, mine or yours. I understand you have the reputation for getting your man, but in this case, I need your help in getting a young woman.”
Blake came to his feet. “I am sorry, ma’am. Did you say a young woman?”
“Yes, indeed I did.”
He backed up and bumped into the settee.
“Whoa, Mrs. Cummings. I think you have the wrong man. I’m a bounty hunter—I go after outlaws, horse thieves, cattle rustlers, and just your everyday outlaw. Not females.”
He replaced his hat on his head and turned for the door.
“Good day to you, ma’am.”
Blake heard the whispers of silk behind him just before a gentle hand caught his arm. “No, please. Don’t leave until you have heard me out.”
Blake half-sighed, half-groaned. Removing his hat, he plunked to the settee once more and it creaked under his weight. “This had better be good,” he muttered to himself. There was no way that he was going to deal with hauling a woman around creation—too many issues with women.
“Mr. Blake, I need you to retrieve my daughter.”
“Your daughter,” he echoed. “Has she run away?”
“No. She’s never lived with me.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I don’t understand. Can’t you just send for her if you know where’s she’s at?” It didn’t make sense to kidnap one’s own flesh and blood.
“Mr. Blake, there’s much I need to explain and it will all make sense once I do. But I need to know right now that you will help me. If not, then there’s no need to waste my time or yours.” Her voice carried authority, but her green eyes carried a plea. “I will pay you well for your time and help.”
Blake considered that. No doubt a woman like her would stand good to her word. Just look around—she had more wealth than she could possibly spend in a lifetime, having been married to railroad tycoon Sydney Cummings, a man known for his lavish lifestyle. There was tell of his indulged, pretty young wife.
Now Blake knew both rumors to be fact.
Shoot, a woman in her position could afford to pay ten times the going rate. And it wasn’t as if he had anything pressing to do right now.
So he’d see what she had to say. Time was money, of course, but she might prove worth a few more minutes.
“All right, Mrs. Cummings, tell me your story and I’ll see what I can do.”
Just as she opened her mouth to begin, the door opened. A maid with a tray of silver came in the room. She rested it on the table beside Mrs. Cummings.
“Tea, Mr. Blake?” she offered.
“Whiskey, if you have it.”
“Of course. Esther, would you please bring Mr. Blake a bottle of Mr. Cummings’ finest from his office?”
The maid nodded and was gone.
Chapter Two
Was he crazy? Why in tarnation had he agreed to this fanatical task? Such thoughts ran rampant in the back of his mind as Blake replaced the whiskey glass on the table with a thump. After several days hard riding, he’d finally reached his destination of Brownsville, Tennessee. With a scrutinizing eye, he considered his setting.
So this was the Ruby Rose Saloon. As the sign had read out front—home of the best whiskey, girls and steaks of this side of Tennessee. Well, the whiskey was decent. It’d removed the dryness from his mouth. He had yet to discover if the statements rang true on the other claims.
Even for a Thursday afternoon, the place was slow. Only a few cowboys sat at the bar. The bar keep was huge, his fierce features revealing him to be a misplaced quarter or half-breed Indian with orangish hair but skin too dark to be considered white. The man looked like a mountain and no doubt kept the peace. A saloon girl came to Blake with a second glass of whiskey and an offer of a good time. She was very pretty—dark hair, red lips and very curvy.
Blake informed her that after days of riding, he’d just take the whiskey for now. The few patrons didn’t seem to notice a stranger sat amongst them. Maybe they had so many pass through they paid no mind to one unknown. This could be to his advantage.
The only thing that worried him was the huge barkeep. The man had to be almost seven-foot tall and likely weighed three-hundred pounds, if not better. Blake himself was not a small man at six-feet-four inches tall and two-hundred-forty pounds. But still, he’d hate to tangle with the man behind the bar.
Blake finished his second whiskey and sat the glass down, reaching inside his pocket for the locket. It contained the faded cameo of a young girl. She was right pretty. Looked like her mother.
“Hello, stranger,” a sultry, female voice greeted him.
Blake quickly shut the locket and tucked it away, greeting the bright red hair, creamy complication and green eyes that stared down at him.
He grinned slightly. She was lovely and no doubt lively too.
“Howdy, ma’am,” he returned and pushed his hat back.
“I wanted to come and personally welcome you to the Ruby Rose. I’m, of course, Ruby Rose. You can call me Ruby or Ms. Rose—I’d prefer you call me a good time, if you’d like. You see, Maria came to me and told me that she offered you the same and you refused.” She moved around him in a cat-like way. “I was hoping maybe she wasn’t your taste. Perhaps you like your women with a little more...experience.”
“Well, ma’am, to be honest, I’ve spent many days traveling and I just wanted to come in, have a drink and relax. Maybe try one of those steaks a little later.”
Blake couldn’t think about what she offered right now. There was a wad of money in his pocket and that was only half. He preferred to keep it hidden from all eyes and more importantly, wanted to get this task over with, gather his payout and move on.
Ruby pouted her lips and leaned down so that he could see more of her amble bosom.
“Well, suit yourself then, stranger. Just remember, we are open all day and all night.” With that she walked away, swaying her hips in her retreat.
So that was the famous Ruby Rose, he thought. He cocked his head and sucked on his teeth. She was bold, he’d give her that. But not at all to his liking. Woman like her were the kind a man needed to stay away from. There was only one thing that made their world turn—money—and besides, he wasn’t going to take any chances.
Blake leaned his chair against the wall. He’d selected the corner table so he would have a good view of the place and the folks who came and went.
He wanted it to appear that he was napping, so Blake covered his eyes with his hat. Many jobs ago, Blake had the band of his hat cut with a hole just wide enough for him to see through. It was a useful trick and had saved his skin on more than one occasion.
For a couple of hours, Blake watched as people—mainly men—came and went. The smell of steaks sizzled from somewhere behind the bar, taking its toll on his senses. After all, he could afford a steak now.
The widow Cummings had indeed made her request worth his time. J.T. Blake was employed by Amanda Cummings to retrieve her daughter from the Ruby Rose Saloon—at least, that was the last place known to find her daughter. But awkward as this task was going to prove, there was no way he was going to pass up five-thousand dollars. That kind of money to kidnap some unsuspecting female? Mrs. Cummings had said “retrieve,” but to him it was as good as kidnapping. Still, easy money.
With twenty-five-hundred in his pocket now, the other half was promised when he delivered Miss Sarah Rose to her rightful mother. Miss Sarah would be about twenty now, born right here in the Ruby Rose Saloon and reared here as well, though her presence remained to be seen.
Blake recalled the last part of the agreement. Mrs. Cummings’ words echoed in his mind.
“Mr. Blake, just because she was born and brought up in a saloon does not mean she’s one of the saloon girls. So make certain she is treated like a lady and you will receive the rest of the money when she arrives to me safe and untouched,” she’d stressed the last word.
Mrs. Cummings was so sure of herself when she made this statement, Blake couldn’t help but ask. “Mrs. Cummings, how in the world do know what kind of state she may already be in? She was raised in a saloon. You can’t expect her not to be—” Blake halted his words at the look he received.
The older woman’s eyes lit with a fire.
“Because I have paid for her to be untouched, Mr. Blake. It’s cost me dearly over the years. I’ve waited for the time to come in which I could send for her, but I have not received a response from Ruby on this matter. I’m tired of waiting. She’s my daughter, my only child.
“I can only hope to find her a worthy suitor and bury the truth of her childhood. It’s high time she’s lived a life she deserves. In my social circles, there are plenty well-bred gentlemen to choose from. Not some cowboy.”
Her gaze sliced over him, sizing him up. Her eyes said as much, but her judgment didn’t faze him. He wore his label proudly. Blake was a bounty hunter, nothing more or nothing less.
“No one who you associate with would want to wed a saloon girl,” he said point blank.
Looks were often deceiving. Under all that silk and lace lay a woman who was ugly inside. A self-righteous snob.
He hoped that her daughter—if she was here—wasn’t the same or shoot, even worse. After all, she could be a beauty to look at and as bold as Ruby. Either way, he was doomed. The next week or so of his life wasn’t going to be fun and Blake was ready to get this over with.
Chapter Three
Blake enjoyed one of the best steaks he’d ever tasted. No sign of Sarah, he’d remained at the saloon most of the day and could no longer stand the torture as he watched others with their succulent cuts of meat. He relished every bite and pushed away the plate only when it was bare. He closed his eyes in contentment.
“Can I get you anything else, mister?”
A soft, well-spoken voice caught his attention. The tone managed to hit every nerve ending. He jerked his head up, surprised and shocked. It was her—Sarah. He was rendered dumfounded and speechless.
She was the image of her mother. Beautiful, with hair the color of honey and eyes a soft brown with gold flecks in them. Her lips were full and formed in the perfect bow shape. Her face wasn’t round nor long, but a pleasant oval.
The dress she wore wasn’t what the other girls at Ruby Rose’s flounced around in. Instead, she was clothed in plain brown dress, prim and high-collared, though even it couldn’t hide the fact that she was all woman.
“Mister, would you like something else from the kitchen?”
“Oh, no, miss. I’m good.”
He was more than good. He was five-thousand dollars worth of good. This bounty was going to be the easiest he’d ever made.
“Can I refill your beer?”
He nodded. “Yes, please.”
“I’ll be right back.”
She took the glass as well as the plate. He watched as she walked away. Her hair hung straight down her back to her waist.
No doubt, Mrs. Cummings had paid dearly for the state she was promised her daughter would remain in. Sarah looked every bit prim and proper, so he reckoned Ruby used her as a barmaid or a servant.
He watched her slip behind the bar and into the kitchen. Blake met the eyes of the large barkeep. The man stared him down from where he stood and Blake received his message loud and clear.
Amos watched the stranger as his eyes followed Sarah. The man had been in here all day and Amos didn’t appreciate the way he hung around, not wanting the girls, barely drinking. Instead seeming to watch every move everybody made.
Amos especially didn’t like the way he watched Sarah. He had a gut feeling and didn’t like it none. Sarah came back from the kitchen and poured a glass of beer.
“Who’s that for?” Amos asked.
“The man at the corner table,” she replied.
He took the glass from her.
“I’ll take it.”
It wasn’t unusual for Amos to serve. He often handled the drinks for the men he worried might be a threat to Sarah. To warn them, just in case they developed any bad ideas. They touched her, they’d deal with him. To Amos, Sarah was like of his own child. Skin color didn’t matter none—the redheaded grandmother who’d raised him had always taught him that.
Amos had watched that child take her first steps, doctored her bloody knees growing up, and witnessed her bloom into a beautiful young woman. No one was going to do her any harm, not as long as he lived and breathed.
He approached the corner table and sat the glass in front of the man with a loud thump. “Your beer, mister. And don’t be getting no misconceptions about Miss Sarah. She ain’t for sale,” Amos growled.
Blake looked up at the big man, his message loud and clear to anyone else who sat within earshot.
“Thank you for the beer.”
The man made a low grunt in his throat, turned and stalked back to the bar. Sarah stopped and stood in front of Amos.
“I could have taken it to him.”
“I knows you could’ve. But I needed to tell him something.”
“Oh Amos, what am I to do with you? You think everybody is out to get me.”
“I don’t like him none. Been here all day, just sitting, watching and sleeping. I tells you, I gots a bad feeling.”
He nodded in the stranger’s direction.
Sarah laughed. “Amos, every stranger who comes into the saloon you ‘gots a bad feeling about’. What have I told you about you putting a ‘s’ on words that don’t require one?”
Amos smiled. For years, Sarah had taught him and his wife Natalie how to read, write, figure and use proper English. “Plus, Amos, I can take care of myself. I know the weak points on a man’s body.”
Amos laughed heartily. Sometimes Sarah was too smart for her own good.
* * * *
Blake watched from under his hat as Sarah hung a sign that read Kitchen Closed. She glanced his way and without meaning to, he caught her stare and held it for several moments. Jerking her eyes away, appearing flustered, she retreated back into the kitchen.
What had he been thinking?
Clearly Blake was in dire need of sleep. His watch said ten o’clock and he decided it was time to call it a night. As Blake tipped his hat and left the saloon, he caught the steely gaze of the large man behind the bar. Once outside, Blake hung a right and walked toward his horse. Untying him, he held the reins as he sauntered toward the edge of town.
Not many folks were awake this time of night. It was quiet, still. He reached the edge of the saloon building when a slight noise caught his attention. In the shadows, he spotted the figure of a woman. He would’ve kept on walking, but as luck had it, that image turn out to be Miss Sarah Rose herself. He stood in silence and watched her, Sarah unaware of his presence.
Kneeling down, she spoke softly to someone.
“Come on, that’s it,” she urged. A small dog dashed from under the building next to the saloon.
Sarah was feeding a stray. She reached out to touch the animal, but the pup backed away. The wild canine had yet to trust the hand that fed him.
“It’s all right. I won’t hurt you,” she coaxed. Her voice was sweet and kind.
But still the dog backed away. She drew a sigh and rose to stand.
“All right then, enjoy your meal.”
Blake watched her for several moments. There was innocence about her. Her image was cast against a half moon and the breeze blew her hair softly. She was certainly something to behold.
Deliver untouched ricocheted in his mind. No wonder Amanda Cummings paid him so well.
That was going to be easier said than done, Blake decided as he stared at the stunning woman.
The wheels began to turn in Blake’s mind. She must trust her surroundings or else she wouldn’t stand out here unprotected. This could prove helpful in grabbing the girl. Just to make sure no one else hung around this time of night, he’d watch the next few days.
The comfort of a bed at the Brownsville motel would be nice, but out of the question. He headed to a spot on the outskirts of town where he was less likely to be noticed.
Chapter Four
Blake spent the next few days as an occasional patron of the Ruby Rose Saloon. He didn’t want to become too noticed, especially since that mountain of a barkeep watched him like a hawk. He grew weary of idling—he was one who liked staying on the move. There was less risk to him that way. Because of his profession, he was as much a wanted man as an outlaw. He was after the bad guys—and the bad guys were after him.
Tonight he would make his move. Sarah had been like clockwork every night with her visits with the puppy. She even managed to pet the mutt last night. But Blake had to be careful because he noticed how much she was liked by the folks who frequented the saloon.
For example, last night. A rowdy crowd of cattle ranchers rode through town, headed home from delivering the herd. They had pockets full of money and hardy appetites for whiskey and women. Sarah had served beer to the group that sat playing cards. One man who had too much to drink reached out and grabbed her bottom.
Several men stood to her defense. Blake was surprised when he realized he was among them. For a man of his girth, Amos had moved quickly around the bar, but neither did Sarah waste any time. She dumped the glass of beer over the assaulter’s bald head and the man let out a string of curses, bolting to his feet.
“You’ll pay for that, missy!”
As the man reached for her, she lifted the hem of her dress just high enough that she could make contact with his groin. He bent over in pain.
By the time the man was finally able to stand upright, a circle of local cowpokes had surrounded the table. Amos stood by Sarah. He loomed over the man, his eyes dangerous.
“It’s time for you all to go,” Amos growled.
The group made haste and headed out. Carla and Maria fussed at Amos for running off their customers, their eyes cutting to Sarah. The two headed for the stairs to the rooms above the saloon, ranting the entire way about Sarah and once again losing money over her.
Blake had to grab her quick and hightail it out of there. He was no match for the barkeep and besides, it wasn’t a good idea for a man who walked on the right side of the law to start running from it. The sooner this was over, the better. Hopefully, once she was in custody, he could talk to her and earn her cooperation—maybe, but as Blake had learned tonight, her feet were lethal.
* * * *
Blake crept behind the saloon and waited in the shadows. Just like clockwork, Sarah appeared to feed the puppy. She knelt to pet the scruffy mutt she designated “Rascal” as he ate the scraps, but when he let out a low growl, she stood upright.
Blake boots didn’t make a sound as he sleuthed behind her. His heart rate quickened as he reached for her and placed a rag over her mouth. She struggled, but was no match for his arms as he held her firm.
Blake spoke softly in her ear. “Don’t scream. I’m not here to hurt you, but I reckon you’re mighty scared—I’m sorry. I was sent to fetch you. If you will come with me quietly, I’ll explain everything.”
Like hell! Sarah struggled against the man who held her.
“Don’t fight me,” he warned again. “It’ll do you no good.”
Sarah’s mind raced. Who would want her? Someone had sent for her?
Hadn’t he ever heard of simply addressing her like a normal person? She kicked wildly at the man to break free as he lifted her off her feet.
“Don’t do that,” the voice growled in her ear. “Stop!”
When he grunted in pain, she knew she had found his shin and delivered a more powerful blow, causing him to stumble.
Still, he held her firmly but gently against him. He was big, powerful, and his grip unrelenting as steel. She struggled on, unwilling to stop. She wasn’t going anywhere with anyone!
“Sarah, you leave me no choice.”
She stiffened at the sound of her name.
Blake didn’t want to, but he shifted his weight and wrapped one leg around hers to keep her from fighting him, then took his arm quickly from around her middle and smothered a rag over her nose and mouth so that the lack of air would cause her to pass out.
Sarah panicked. She clawed at his arm, fearing he was going to suffocate her to death. Minutes ticked by, impossible to breathe and blackness edged in then finally claimed her.
Blake felt her go limp and quickly released the hold, swinging her into his arms. In a matter of a few minutes, she’d come to and the kicking and screaming would commence. Far be it for a woman to be reasonable.
Blake slung her over his horse and mounted behind her, gathering her in his arms then slowly creeping out of town through back alleys. When he was far enough away, he kicked the horse into a full gallop.
With her so amiable, Blake made good time. Only when he was far enough no one could hear her screams did he slow the horse. He expected her to come to anytime, screaming and scratching.
Several minutes ticked by, but she remained lifeless. Blake began to worry. He drew his horse to a halt and leaned down, placing his ear to her chest and listening to her heart. He found a steady, quick beat.
Suddenly her hands shot up, burying like claw daggers in his hair.
“Damnation, woman!” Blake never knew he was so tender-headed until now. “Let go!”
“I’m going to make you sorry you ever laid eyes me!”
So she wasn’t the screaming type after all, he thought. He gritted his teeth with the pain. This was a new experience. He found it hard to keep his wits and control of his horse.
“Let go, Sarah!”
The horse paced nervously under them.
“You’re going to cause us to be thrown!”
Blake tried his best to steady the horse while attempting to pry her hands free before she removed his scalp. But his one hand was no match for the both of hers. Her fingers buried deep and held tight.
“Let go!” he ordered again.
“Not on your life, mister!”
Then she managed to bite the one hand that clutched the reins.
“Ouch!”
With this new onset of pain, Blake lost his grasp. The nervous horse paced more rapidly and with no tension on the reins, reared. They both landed with a jarring thud on the ground, Blake breaking her fall as the wind was knocked from him.
The impact momentarily loosened his hold on her and it took all of a breath for her to realize her freedom. Sarah claimed her chance, scrambling to her feet.
“Ouch, hellfire!” he bellowed as she used his leg for leverage. Blake scrambled to his feet as she bolted.
Sarah could hear him just steps behind her. She attempted to gather her long skirts but they still got in the way, the loose fabric tripping her.
Blake watched her go down and sighed with relief. It gave him the break that he needed. Before she could find her feet, he was upon her, his weight pinning her to the ground.
Beneath him, she struggled to move. He knew how heavy he must be. Wrapping both his arms around her middle, he rolled on his back and took her with him.
Minutes they both lay there. Her breathing labored as hard as his. As time passed, her closeness began to wreak havoc with his senses. Her scent and soft, womanly feel screamed danger to a lonely man. Blake loosened his arms and just as he did, he realized his mistake. She struggled and kicked wildly again, this time making contact with his groin. He choked back a well-earned oath.
He rolled again and pinned her beneath him. The force of his weight stopped her in her tracks and she whimpered.
“Woman, you are trying my patience.”
She sniveled again.
Blake refused to feel sorry for her. His mind over matter had returned with full force. He closed his eyes and took several breaths to keep from smothering her for real.
“Please, I can’t breathe,” she whimpered.
“I’ll get off you only if you promise to behave.”
“Okay,” she managed.
Slowly he rolled again. “Better?”
“Yes.” She nodded in the dark.
“Are you hurt anywhere?” He couldn’t afford to arrive with damaged goods.
“Just my pride.” Defeat laced her voice.
Blake smiled. The girl had wit even with her predicament.
“Mine has seen better days. I won’t say anything if you don’t,” he returned.
In his mind he could see the headline—Well-known Bounty Hunter Takes Whipping from Hundred-pound Girl! He wanted to laugh, but smiled despite the situation.
“Well, what’s going to happen now?” she asked.
“I think what needs to happen now is for me to get a rope—for your safety and mine.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“I would,” he said.
His main motive why reminded him as he moved. He groaned inwardly with each step.
After several minutes and more struggles, Sarah found herself tied to one end of a rope that looped around her waist. And guess where the other end was tied?
“There, that should do it.” Blake adjusted his end.
“This is ridiculous,” she complained.
“This is necessary. Now Sarah, if you will.”
He pulled on the rope slightly.
She rooted herself where she stood.
“We need to ride and be far away from here by sunup. We got a long way to travel.”
Blake walked toward his horse. The rope tightened with dead weight. She could at least move with him. He reached and gave it a forceful yank due to her reluctance.
Sarah braced herself against the force. It was her mistake—he only pulled it harder.
“Mister, will you please tell me why you’ve kidnapped me?”
She stumbled forward, huffing in frustration.
“Well, for starters my name is Blake, J.T. Blake.”
Sarah gasped at the name and tugged at the rope in determination not to be treated this way. The notorious bounty hunter, J.T. Blake! It’s hopeless, she thought. J.T. Blake was one of the best.
“Well, Mr. Blake, I insist you tell me who has hired you to kidnap me and why!”
“You can call me Blake, no mister necessary, being how we’re going to be acquainted many days and nights, as I warned you earlier when you got the notion to try to run off.” He pulled on the rope again as a reminder. “I was hired to bring you to someone,” he explained. “And I aim to.”
“Who?” she asked through clenched teeth.
She wasn’t an animal. She jerked the rope toward her to let him know how it felt.
“I’m getting there.” He hauled her toward him again. “Your mother.”
With that, he turned toward the horse.
“My mother? Why on earth would Ruby hire someone to kidnap me?” she whispered.
Blake waited on her to take the hint to climb on the horse, but she just stood there gawking. He sighed and circled her waist with his hands.
“Not Ruby. Your rightful mother.”
Finding she weighed as much as a child, he placed her on the horse.
For once, Sarah was rendered silent.
Ruby wasn’t her mother? Sarah’s mind reeled with questions and her heart filled with hurt. For two reasons—for one, she very much loved and cared about the people who raised her. Secondly, why now—after twenty years—would a “rightful” mother contact her child?
And yet, the instant Blake had spoken the words, some piece of her knew he spoke the truth. Ruby wasn’t her mother.
So who was? “What’s her name?”
Blake could hear emotion quaking in her voice.
“Amanda Cummings,” he said softly and settled in behind her, reaching around for the reins.
The name sounded familiar. Sarah tried to brainstorm. She recalled a letter that came for Ruby with the same name on it. She’d been old enough to read, that she remembered. The envelope was kind of thick and Ruby snatched it from her.
“Business, Sarah,” was all she explained.
Now that she thought really hard about it, what kind of business? There had been more than one envelope addressed by Amanda Cummings delivered to the saloon and they were all kind of thick. Sarah couldn’t help but to feel as though her life was about to change for the drastic.
A secret mother? A bounty hunter hired to kidnap her? What else might the future hold?
Her life, all the hard work she’d done to prepare for her future, would go in the wash like unwanted dirt. And Sarah liked her life just fine as it was.
Why now? Why did her rightful mother even give her away? Did she not love her enough to keep her? Sarah closed her eyes and tried really hard to keep tears from forming. She didn’t even get to say goodbye to her friends.
Blake remained silent, sorry he had to be the deliverer of the hard-to-swallow news. He was almost certain he felt tears on his wrist and could only imagine what was racing through her mind. He didn’t reckon anyone would want to be in her position right now—taken away from all that she’d known. Informed her life was but a lie.
They rode in dark silence. A wolf called somewhere in the nearby woods. She jerked at the sound then settled back down. Eventually, her gentled breathing and relaxed body let him know that she’d fallen asleep in his arms.
She slipped slightly from his grasp and he paused, adjusting her closer to keep her from falling. Then Blake kept on riding right into the early hours of the morning. His arms cramped, but he held on to the limp girl, ever so often stopping to readjust.
Each time he did, he closed his eyes and fought the urge to linger in her nearness.
Never in all his years of bounty hunting had he ever carried his captive. Not that he would complain about holding one as lovely as this. She smelled nice too. Not like all the numerous outlaws he’d captured. Their sweaty sour stench was well replaced by the faint earthy rose scent that teased his senses.
He had to mentally shake himself as she snuggled and slightly sighed. His fingers itched to thread themselves in the silk mass that danced within his reach.
He nodded and she slipped.
Blake jerked awake, amazed they both were still in the saddle. He stopped and adjusted again. Her head flopped sideways on his shoulder. He lowered his head closer to hers and realized his mistake. The soft warmth of her cheek called to him to explore and he gritted his teeth.
Suddenly, he’d give anything for her to be a sweaty, stinky outlaw. He tortured himself with the need to stay focused—five-thousand dollars worth of focused.
Well that did it. He whipped his face from her.
Blake sighed. It wasn’t easy doing what he did, but it was who he was. He was on his own most days and never really thought about it much until this very moment. The woman in his arms made him realize his loneliness. No soft, sweet wife to hold at night, not even a lady to call his own. He had a ranch, but was never home enough to settle down. He’d get a wire from different lawmen with their request for help and he’d go. The cold, hard ground and outlaws for conversation were all he knew. His pa was retired and saw to his land and livestock while he was away.
Funny how he walked the same path that his pa had earlier in life. His ma couldn’t tolerate it. Left when he was ten and didn’t look back. Blake snorted at his pa’s words that fateful day.
“Falling in love with a woman is easy, son. It’s keeping her and keeping her happy that’s the hard part.” They’d watched as she boarded the stage coach. She never once looked back.
Blake knew the reason why he’d never settled. He figured love would leave him as it did his pa—alone as he was already, but aching inside. Dying a little each day. Better to just remain alone. A man got used to it, anyhow.
Chapter Five
Dawn emerged on the horizon. Blake really needed to stop awhile, to give himself a breather and most importantly, rest his horse. The animal had ridden all night, a stressful task since horses couldn’t see well at night. The next town would come into sight soon and he needed to pick up supplies.
Their shopping trip would need to be a quick one. He hoped that no one would have time to notice them or had received word of the kidnapping. No doubt, her friends would miss her soon and form a posse—if they hadn’t already.
The sun had just risen when Sarah began to stir. Blake stared down at her pretty face, his eyes greedy until she opened her eyes.
“Good morning.” He pulled his gaze away. Ugly outlaws were instantly diminished from his memory, replaced by a dirty-faced beauty with an innocent stare.
She blinked and tried to focus on the face of the man who held her all night. Dreams of being rocked in her mama’s arms were now the reality of her kidnapper and the horse’s movements. Memories from the night before flooded her mind.
She pushed from his chest and tried to straighten herself from his hold. His arm clamped around her, cinching. She pushed at the grip that locked her tight.
“Sorry, you were about to fall off.” Blake loosened his grasp.
For the very first time, she really studied his face. She’d thought he was handsome before in the saloon, but always kept her distance. This close, she got a good look. His eyes were clear blue, his hair a dark sandy blonde. The sun had darkened his skin.
On his face, a mustache and a day’s accumulation of beard made itself known. Despite a strong jaw line and square chin with a dimple in the middle of it not yet hidden by the new growth, he almost had a boyish look about him.
How old was the famous James T. Blake? she wondered.
He glanced down at her, aware of her eyes upon him. It was only fair, he guessed. He’d done his share of looking earlier.
“When are we stopping?”
“Right about now.”
Blake spotted a watering hole and a grassy area where his horse could graze. Reining in the horse, he slid off, turned and reached for her.
She had been manhandled enough and was quite capable on her own.
“I can do it.”
She refused his help, determined to slide down on her own.
“Suit yourself.”
She was rewarded by turning her ankle.
Blake heard her intake of breath from behind him. He jerked around, noticing her limp as she tried a few steps.
“What’d you do, allow your stubbornness to get yourself hurt?” he asked smartly. “No surprise, really.”
She shot him a look.
“Should’ve let me help you down.”
“I’ll be fine.” She winced as she put her weight on foot.
“Oh, for crying out loud!” He stalked the few feet between them and didn’t ask—just swung her into his arms.
“Put me down! How many times are you going manhandle me? Just because you were paid to kidnap me doesn’t give you the right to treat me like a sack of potatoes!”
“I’m beginning to think I wasn’t paid enough,” he grumbled.
He spotted a good-sized rock and placed her on top of it, kneeling in front of her to carefully take her ankle in hand. He pushed at the hem of her dress just far enough to expose her boot.
“I beg your pardon! Just what do you think you are doing?”
She pulled on her leg.
He pulled on it in return. Oh she spoke proper, she looked proper, but she was one stubborn little mule.
“I am removing your boot so I can examine your ankle.”
“I thought you were a bounty hunter, not a doctor.”
He shot her a look. He really wasn’t being paid enough.
“Thank you for pointing that out. I’m not a doctor. I may have to charge your ma an extra fee.”
By now he had unlaced the strings and tugged the boot off. He looked at the blue purplish mark on the creamy white skin of her ankle. Damnation, he didn’t have time for playing nursemaid to an injured female. They had to get moving.
“Is it very bad?”
“Why you asking me? I’m not a doctor, remember? But there is one thing I can do.”
He scooped her up and carried her to the bank of the watering hole, setting her down with a plop. He guided her leg into the cool water. “Don’t move.”
Blake turned in the direction of the horse, but forgot he was still tied at the waist. He halted with a jerk as she grunted. “You told me not to move,” she snapped.
“Sorry,” he sighed and untied the binding.
“I suppose you’re happy. Now that I’m injured, I won’t be running anywhere,” she smarted as he dropped the rope from his waist.
“If you’ve got half a brain, you’ll stay put where you’re at for a few minutes. I’ll be right back.”
She watched him disappear into the woods and released a long sigh. Why didn’t her mama come herself? Instead, she sent this bounty hunter to kidnap her. She wasn’t an outlaw. A criminal. At least he didn’t treat her as one. She felt as if she could trust him.
But her mother?
Blake returned in just a few minutes. Sitting down beside her, he handed her some beef jerky.
“It ain’t much, but it’ll hold you until we reach town. We’ll need to get going soon. I need to purchase another horse and more supplies. I’m warning you now, Sarah, don’t get any ideas about saying anything to anyone. You got me? I’ll just tell folks you’re touched in the head.”
“I could say the same about you, Mr. Blake,” she shot in response. “Or I could tell them you’re a kidnapping criminal who’s abusing me and prove my case with a simple wire home. Lucky for you, I’m in the mood to meet my mother. At least at the moment.”
Beautiful or not, he should’ve charged more for this little pain in the ass.
“Let’s go,” he ordered.
“What about my ankle?” She crossed her arms.
He muttered under his breath. He bent down and scooped her up.
“You are no gentleman,” she accused.
“I’ll list that right beside my not being a doctor. At least I’m not acting like a two year old,” he grumbled.
He placed her on top of the horse and swung into the saddle behind her.
Because of her dress, she sat sidesaddle and Sarah couldn’t help but steal glances at his face most of the time they rode together. She studied his features once more. It would’ve helped her to remember her manners not to stare if her captor was hideous, but J.T. Blake was anything but. She could tell he started to grow weary. His eyes looked glassy and heavy.
What drove a man like Blake? she asked herself, then posed the question out loud, “Blake, what entices you to bounty hunt?”
He glanced down at her.
“Well, for one thing the money is good and for another, someone needs to help enforce the law. There are times when sheriffs need someone like me to come in and track for them.”
“They can’t track for themselves?” she asked.
“Well some do, some have other obligations, and some have families,” he explained.
“Don’t you have a family?”
Boy, she was nosy.
“My father and I own a ranch on the outskirts of North Carolina. It’s nothing fancy, just a place to call home when I’m not tracking.”
“No children?” she wanted to know.
“None, I never married. I came close once, but realized that I was too restless to settle down.” He didn’t want to admit otherwise.
An outlaw never said much. But she was full of questions.
“I bet you broke her heart.”
And observant, he thought.
“Well, not really. She had others who were eager to step in and comfort her. Now she’s married with a couple of kids of her own.”
Blake spotted the town in the distance. A sign that said Lexington came into view. Well, at least her chattering had kept him awake.
Chapter Six
At the Ruby Rose saloon, Ruby, Amos, and Natalie all searched for Sarah. The other girls in the saloon could’ve cared less. They watched the others dart around desperately in their search. Carla sipped at coffee while Maria buttered a fat biscuit.
“Her bed is still made up, Ms. Ruby,” Amos exclaimed as he thumped down the stairs.
Natalie rushed in from outside. “There’s no sign of her and nobody has seen her this morning. Oh, Lord, don’t let nothing happen to my Sarah.” Tears flooded Natalie’s eyes and Amos came to her side, looping his arm around his wife.
“She’s going to be all right, Nattie.”
Ruby watched the couple with envy—they were truly heartbroken. Ruby, on the hand, would miss the money and the free help. She’d really never been the mothering type, but it was because of Sarah that she could afford to live in luxury.
If that money stopped coming in, she’d have to work again like a common saloon girl. Right now she worked when she wanted. Could choose at her leisure. Her thoughts went back the stranger—a man like that didn’t come about too often. And she’d as soon cuddle up with that stray puppy outside than with some of the men who frequented her establishment. Ruby looked over at Carla and Maria, who idled over breakfast and did nothing.
“You two get up off your butts and help us find Sarah!”
They jumped.
“What about working the saloon?” Maria asked.
“Well, I tell you what—if we don’t find Sarah, you two won’t have any work! One of you go down to that blasted school and see if she’s there,” Ruby ordered.
Carla rolled her eyes. She took a step toward the doors.
“Move!” yelled Ruby.
Carla bolted through the swinging doors, headed toward the school. She never understood what was so special about Sarah anyhow. She was no better than a hired servant. She never had to work like her and Maria and as far as Carla was concerned, Sarah could stay gone.
Carla couldn’t count the men who asked her about Sarah and why she wasn’t available. Yeah, Miss Prim-and-Proper could stay gone. She and Maria wouldn’t miss her a bit.
* * * *
Blake stopped the horse in front of the general store. After dismounting, he reached up for Sarah and couldn’t help but smirk at her. This time, she allowed him to help her with no fuss. He bent and whispered in her ear.
“Remember now, don’t say anything to anyone. You just play along, sweetheart.” With that, he circled his arm around her waist.
A part of Sarah wanted to scream at the first person she saw. It’d be purely out of spite, all because he’d ordered her not to. More than that, she wanted to slap that smug look off his face. Not to mention the goose bumps that still stood on her arms.
Sweetheart, she thought to herself. Hmph!
Sarah limped as they entered the store. The door opened and a small bell sounded. When it did, a short gray-haired lady appeared from the back through a curtain.
“Good morning. How are you folks today?” she greeted with a smile.
“We’re fine, ma’am. How about yourself?” As Blake spoke, he gathered her closer to him.
She wanted to take her good foot and kick the daylights out of him. Just then, Blake looked down at her and witnessed the reprimand on her face. Without warning, he bent and kissed her cheek close to her ear. A rush of heat burst to her face.
“Smile, honey. You’re a newlywed today.”
“Oh, goody,” she whispered through clenched teeth.
“I’m sorry dear, did you say something?” the lady asked. “I don’t hear as well as I used to.”
Before Sarah could open her mouth, Blake spoke for her.
“She called me, honey, ma’am. My wife’s a sweet girl. Why, we only been married just few short days and she ain’t got over it yet. I can hardly believe it myself.” And again he bent and kissed her cheek. Unable to resist, he pecked the cheek a third time. That blush did something to him.
“Ain’t that right, darling?” A flash flood of warmth flowed over him. He barely escaped drowning in it with five-thousand reasons why to resist it.
Sarah narrowed her eyes. She didn’t want her first kiss to be a show and certainly not from someone she cared for no more than a hill of beans. His accent was laced with a fake southern drawl. It was a ridiculous display of intelligence or the lack there of.
“You’re laying it on kind of thick, honey,” Sarah smiled sweetly. Two can play at this game.
“Oh dear, you’re going to be sick?” the lady asked. She cupped her ear.
He enjoyed this immensely. Blake smiled largely, not about to miss this opportunity.
“Darling, it’s got to be the heat. Because sweetheart, it’s too soon for you to be in the family way.” Blake smiled as a deeper red blush stained her cheeks. He patted her hip. “But nothing would make me happier, darling.”
He’d taken one too many liberties. It was her turn.
“Really, honey? Even if there’s a chance it might not be yours?” she said with a sweet southern drawl of her own. She glorified in the shocked look on his face as the lady behind the counter gasped and blushed as well.
“You folks just get what you need and call me when you’re ready.” She rushed behind the curtain.
“Yeah, darling,” he stressed the word “darling.” “You go and get what you need. And I’ll be right back.”
“All right, honey, you just take your time,” she shot back.
He treated her to a stern warning look and was gone. Once outside, Blake grinned to himself. She’d thrown him for a loop with her bold remark and shocked the socks off the woman in the store. He chuckled. She played along, he’d give her that.
Sarah found a breath of relief as she walked carefully down each aisle and examined various goods. She’d never had the luxury to just browse and shop before and “Honey” said for her to get whatever she needed, right?
Let’s see...a bar of sweet smelling soap would be nice. Oh look—a silver handled brush and comb set. She had to have that, she thought. After all, she didn’t have time to pack for her honeymoon.
Oh look over there—new petticoats and undergarments. With all the dust on the trail, she needed at least five of those. She rummaged through the stack for the right fit, hoping she’d embarrass him thoroughly with the purchases. A couple of corsets, a nightgown, new ribbons for her hair—oh, she hadn’t even thought about her hair and the mess she must be! She’d braided it earlier, but the strands framing her face proved it was coming loose by now.
She limped to the aisle where she’d selected the brush set and gazed in the mirror that matched. She looked worse than a throw away. Her face was smudged with dirt, her hair disheveled, not to mention her dress was soiled and a button missing just above her bosom.
A blush crept to her cheeks. Sarah was never a vain girl, but she did look a fright. Over in the window display, there was a green dress. It was prettier than any she had ever owned. She turned to ask the lady about it, but the bell rung over the door and there stood Blake. He put a smile on his lips and strode over to her.
“Darling, that there is mighty pretty and it would look mighty pretty on you,” he complimented. “But honey, what you need is a pair of them pants over there. We’ll be doing a lot of riding.”
Sarah looked over at the mound of denim and back at him in shock.
“Well, honey, you know I’ve never worn pants before and it ain’t proper for a lady to do so.”
Blake clamped his teeth. “Proper or not, sweetheart, it’s the best for riding horses.”
“Well, I don’t intend on riding—”
“Whether you intended on it or not, darling, I’ve purchased you a horse and you’re going to ride him.” She clearly tested his temper.
“I never rode and I don’t know how,” she explained.
“Well, you’re going to now and you’re going to learn—there’s nothing to it. All you need to remember is to hold firmly to the reins and move with the animal.”
She highly suspected there was more to riding than that. Nonetheless, he glided her to the mound of pants.
“And choose yourself a couple of them shirts right there also,” he commanded. “Make sure they’re long sleeved. I don’t want you to get burned by the sun. Try on a hat too, while you’re at it.”
And try a hat too, she mocked in her mind. Boy, if he wasn’t so big, she’d...she’d what? Sarah asked herself. She looked his direction and glared at his back. He was big, wide-shouldered with a narrow waist and long legs. She only stood to his chest.
What could she truly do to a man that size? Bite, kick, and pull hair, she answered herself. Not that’d do a lot of damage. She turned her attention from him back to the pants and pulled out a pair that looked small enough to fit, holding them up to her waist. They looked about right.
After a few more minutes, Sarah had her arms full. She’d selected a couple of small shirts and a hat that was just larger than her head.
“Darling, are you done?” he asked.
She walked to the counter and heaped the remaining items on her pile. The lady waited on another.
Blake looked at her selections and shook his head. He’d told her to get what she needed—but fancy soap and ribbons? This was a bit much.
“You folks ready?” asked the lady.
“Yes ma’am, I believe we are. Did you find everything you needed, sweetheart?”
“I sure did, honey.” She smiled sweetly. She watched him eye her pile of stuff with interest.
Blake only blamed himself for forgetting to tell her they needed to travel with as little as possible. He wasn’t going to buy a pack mule and shoot, he might be broke when he paid for all of this. Mrs. Cummings only provided him five hundred extra dollars for any expense Sarah might have.
He watched as the lady went through and started to add everything. He saw petticoats, corsets, various lacy bottoms and a nightgown. What on earth did she need a nightgown for? She was going to be sleeping on the ground in the wide open. Once again, Blake took the situation for what it was—another opportunity.
“Darling, you know that you won’t be needing that nightgown.” He smiled devilishly.
The blush returned twofold, satisfying him immensely.
“As a matter of fact, sweetheart, we need to pack just a little lighter. A horse can only carry so much and it might be days before we find us a place to homestead. Then I can take you shopping for all that you need.” He thinned out the load as he spoke.
When he was done, she was allowed to keep the two shirts and pants, a chemise, and two pantaloons, the brush and comb, one ribbon, the soap and hat. The lady totaled up the sale.
Blake paid, laying the money down on the counter.
“Is there any place in town where we might get cleaned up?” he asked.