Give Me A Texas Outlaw Bundle with Give Me A Cowboy

by Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda

  And one had only to look at Beth to know they were capable.

  Despite the scorching heat from the sun, shivers ran the length of her.

  Larissa’s glance found her sister. Beth had never harmed another being. She’d been so innocent before all this happened. Now she was covered in bruises and wore a haunted look. Who knew the full scope of all she’d endured that she locked inside her head.

  Johnny touched Larissa’s arm, startling her. “You and Beth need to stay close. Don’t wander off.”

  “They’re coming, aren’t they?”

  “I’m just being cautious, I reckon.” Whether it was a grimace or a smile that quirked the corner of his mouth, it was gone as quickly as it had formed.

  “I’ll sacrifice myself before I’ll let them have Beth again,” she said in a brittle voice. “She’s gone through things no little girl should have to.” Larissa bit her trembling lip.

  Johnny caressed her cheek with the knuckle of his forefinger. “I’ll not let them have either of you.”

  “Why won’t they leave us alone?”

  “It has a lot to do with money. There’s no explaining evil in a man’s heart.”

  Johnny’s parents’ only crime had been in being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Beth had been safe in her own home yet the bad men had taken her. Her sister had been but a pawn that those men had used against their father.

  Larissa’s breath caught in her throat as she put it all together. “My father set these wheels in motion, either on purpose or accidentally. Either way, he’s to blame. Beth paid for his bad decisions.”

  He sighed. “Appears that way.”

  “I always knew he was ruthless and craved power but I didn’t know the full measure of it. I guess I didn’t want to see the truth. When a person comes face-to-face with the facts, they have to make a choice. They can continue on and try to wear blinders or they can make changes.” She gave him a weak smile. “I guess I was afraid to see too much, afraid of what I’d have to do about it.”

  “Change is hard, especially for a woman.”

  “I’m starting as of this minute. I want to hire your services.”

  “I still work for your father. What do you want me to do?”

  “Hunt down those men and make them pay.”

  “I plan on doing that . . . free of charge.”

  “Another thing.” She jutted her chin. “Just so you know, I’m not sorry you kissed me.”

  “I’m not sorry either.” He pushed back his black Stetson, his crystal blues staring into her eyes.

  Larissa’s heart fluttered with his nearness. The air shifted in a strange way whenever he was close. She didn’t have to close her eyes to remember the way his mouth had settled on hers as though she was a piece a land he was laying claim to.

  She couldn’t remember ever feeling so fully a woman.

  His head lowered and she held her breath. It seemed he might kiss her again.

  Instead, his breath ruffled the tendrils of hair beside her ear. “My dear Larissa,” he drawled, velvet softness wrapping each word. “One of these days I’ll accept what you’re willing to give and I won’t be shy about taking it.”

  Chapter 9

  The setting sun splashed a myriad of orange and purple hues across the expansive desert floor that was littered with scrub brush. A day of hard riding had brought them to the limestone outcroppings in which Johnny and Larissa had ridden out the sandstorm.

  Johnny pulled up near a cave and dismounted. “We have to stop. The horses are exhausted and we’re not far behind them.”

  Larissa nodded and slid from her horse while he helped Beth off the packhorse. He wished Larissa had waited. He loved any excuse to put his hands on her, to feel the warmth of her body, the satiny texture of her skin.

  Leading the horses into the rock shelter, he turned to watch her. Her hips gently swayed, her skirts swirling around booted ankles, as she moved to help Beth. He pictured Larissa in his bed wearing nothing but a come-hither smile on her face. He stumbled over an uneven place in the cave floor, so busy was he watching her.

  He shouldn’t be thinking about her.

  Or bedrooms.

  Or the way her hips moved when she walked.

  Or kissing.

  He had to keep his mind sharp so he could get them home alive. He turned his gaze away.

  Although he hadn’t said anything, he’d noticed a dust cloud behind them. At first he’d thought it was simply a dust devil, a swirling wind that formed a miniature cyclone. But since the dust hadn’t died down as it should have after a while, he knew it was riders. Three or four of them if he had to guess.

  And they were coming hard and fast.

  A good way to kill a horse.

  But if by miracle the horses somehow lasted, if they only rested them a short time and kept riding, they could catch up to them in a matter of hours.

  He didn’t like the sour feeling in his gut.

  Nothing he could do about the situation except to get ready for a fight.

  Had he been by himself, he’d have turned and ridden straight for them. Sometimes it paid to go on the offensive, instead of maintaining defense.

  But he wasn’t alone. He had responsibilities.

  Johnny glanced at Larissa and her sister, who were sitting on the cave floor. Beth was sobbing quietly while Larissa held her, crooning softly. The girl had been through the backside of hell and he had no choice but to put her through more.

  Turning, he unsaddled the horses. Then he grabbed his rifle and knelt in front of Larissa. “I’m going to see what I can scrounge for supper. Stay inside the cave.”

  “Be careful.” She reached out to lightly touch his hand.

  “I’m leaving my Colt. Just in case.” Johnny laid it beside her.

  In the waning twilight, he killed a couple of rabbits. He was walking back to the cave when he heard a gunshot. His blood froze and he sprang forward like a rock from a slingshot.

  Near the cave entrance, he dropped the rabbits. Flattening himself against the limestone, he gripped the rifle and listened for voices.

  Everything was quiet. He crept forward, his finger on the trigger of the rifle, every nerve taut.

  Then he saw Larissa. She was pointing the Colt at the floor. He stole toward her and took the gun from her trembling hands. In the low light, he made out a deadly rattlesnake at her feet. He let out the breath he’d been holding.

  Larissa thrust the Colt at him and threw her arms around his neck. “I was afraid I’d miss and the thing would strike.”

  “But it didn’t. You did real good.” He reveled in the feel of her in his arms, the rapid beat of her heart, the fragrance of her swimming up his nose.

  Perhaps conscious of Beth’s eyes on them, Larissa pulled away and took a tremulous breath. “I did, didn’t I?”

  “I couldn’t have done better myself.”

  “Did you find some game for supper?”

  “Rabbits. I dropped them outside the cave. Wasn’t sure what I’d find in here.” He picked up the snake and threw it out of the cave.

  Larissa patted her hair, smoothing it back. “I’ll hunt for some firewood while you skin the rabbits.”

  “No, stay in here with your sister. I’ll fetch some wood. The evening’s filled with predators.” Both the four-legged and two-legged variety, he added to himself.

  At least the cave would hide the campfire and not reveal their position. That was a plus. A hot meal would go a long way toward replenishing stamina for them all.

  “I can’t sit idle while you do all the work.”

  “You can get out the coffeepot and get it ready. A cup would sure be mighty nice.”

  A little while later, they had their stomachs full. Beth yawned big and stretched. Johnny spread out his bedroll beside Larissa’s and offered it to Beth. He’d have no need for it. He’d stand guard while they slept.

  It wasn’t long before the two women bedded down. He took up watch near the cave entrance. The men woul
d have to go through him to get to Larissa and Beth.

  Their quiet breathing kept his thoughts focused on the job at hand. His life wasn’t worth a plug nickel, him being an outlaw and all, but their lives were worth fighting for. His jaw hardened. Come hell or high water, he would ensure them a future to be and do whatever they desired.

  In the quiet solitude of the night, he thought about his life. He’d give anything to go back and undo some of the things he’d done.

  While he’d never shot anyone who hadn’t fired at him first, he could’ve had more patience and looked for a nonviolent solution.

  He could’ve tried harder to be a better man.

  None of that had mattered until now.

  He’d never figured on meeting a woman like Larissa. She made him examine the choices he’d made.

  What he wouldn’t give to wake up beside her every day.

  Suddenly Beth let out a bloodcurdling scream and sat up. “No!”

  Johnny jumped to his feet and started toward her, but Larissa beat him, taking her sister into her arms and softly assuring the girl she was safe. He watched Larissa’s devotion to Beth. Deep abiding love for her sister showed in everything Larissa did. As he thought of his own sisters, who perished on the Llano Estacado, his eyes misted. He’d give anything to be able to tell them how much he loved them.

  He sat back down and watched Larissa calm the girl. It didn’t take too long for Beth to go back to sleep. Then, instead of lying back down on her bedroll, Larissa came and dropped down beside him.

  “A nightmare?” He moved until their shoulders touched.

  “Afraid so. Frankly, I’m not surprised, seeing what she’s gone through. Have you seen anything?”

  Nothing but a wasted life.

  “It’s quiet out there so far,” he answered.

  “Johnny, you can be honest with me. I know you wouldn’t stand guard if you didn’t see the need for it. Any idea when those men will attack?”

  “No. Just my gut telling me it’ll be soon.”

  “You should’ve killed them back there in Del Rio.” Her voice was as hard as a piece of flint. It startled him.

  “Shooting unarmed men in cold blood isn’t my style.”

  “They deserve it. It’s going to take Beth a long time to get over this. Her little heart was pounding and her clothes were drenched. She’s so terrified it doesn’t matter if she’s awake or asleep.”

  “We’ll let her rest another hour or so and then we’ll need to ride out. Want to get a jump on daylight. Maybe you should lie back down while you can.”

  Larissa shook her head. “I’m wide awake. I’ll just sit here with you if you don’t mind.”

  The company was nice. He sure wasn’t about to turn down spending these quiet moments with her. He’d take as much as he could get and try to store it up for the long dry spells ahead.

  The inky blackness had lightened to a heavy gray by the time they’d ridden a few miles. Larissa kept a close eye on Beth without trying to smother the girl. Johnny kept glancing behind and knowing what he was looking for brought Larissa chills.

  A cloak of doom seemed to envelop them.

  Larissa followed Johnny down a steep ravine. As Arabella was climbing up the other side her foreleg turned wrong and the mare went down.

  Larissa screamed, more afraid for the animal than herself. Johnny turned around and leaped from the saddle. He grabbed Larissa and pulled her free.

  It was a struggle but the mare got to her feet, shuddering and shaking her head. Larissa rubbed her beloved friend’s neck, speaking softly, while Johnny examined its foreleg. She prayed it wasn’t serious. She’d had Arabella for eight years and wasn’t ready to lose her.

  “It’s not broken, just a bad sprain,” Johnny announced.

  “Thank God!” Larissa wiped tears from her eyes.

  Johnny’s gaze met hers. “You and Beth will have to ride double now. This will slow us down, but we’ll make it.”

  “And Arabella?”

  “She’ll make it too if we don’t push her.”

  He cupped his hands to form a step and helped her up behind Beth. He grabbed Arabella’s reins and mounted his Appaloosa. Mindful that they were sitting ducks, he urged the horses to a fast walk.

  Trouble caught up to them when they stopped to rest the horses in the shade of a rocky outcropping.

  Johnny shouted a hoarse warning and shoved her and Beth behind a group of boulders while he hurried back for their mounts. Breathing hard, he led the animals to safety as the first shots rang out.

  Larissa put her arm around Beth as they crouched low. Bullets zinged into the rocks and over their heads. Johnny returned fire.

  “Got you cornered now, don’t we?” yelled a voice during a lull. “Whoo-ee! How you like them apples?”

  “What do you want?” Johnny’s curt question could’ve sliced through steel. It left little room to think he’d be open to compromise.

  “Well, let’s see. There’s the little matter of money. You beat us out of the ransom. And we’ll take the Patrick women.”

  “Not gonna happen,” shouted Johnny as he reloaded his Colt.

  “Oh no? Care to make a wager on that? There’s three of us against you and two helpless females.”

  Helpless? Larissa would show them she wouldn’t wring her hands and cower. Spying Johnny’s Winchester in the scabbard, she sprinted for the Appaloosa. Keeping low, she returned. Ratcheting the lever of the Winchester, she took aim at the trio’s hiding place. The men were lying on their bellies in the dry creek bed of a draw.

  Johnny’s gaze reflected admiration when he glanced her way. His regard filled her with warmth. It felt good to be of use.

  The sun beat down on their heads. Sweat ran into her eyes, making them sting. Each time she grew weary, she had only to remember what they’d done to Beth.

  “Larissa, trade with me.” Johnny handed her his Colt and took the rifle. “I’m going to try to circle around and come up behind them. You keep shooting. Do you know how to reload?”

  “I think so.” The Colt was heavy so she gripped it in both hands.

  He gave her a quick demonstration and laid a box of bullets beside her. “In case I don’t make it back, I want you to save two bullets—one for you and one for Beth. Don’t let them take you alive.”

  Hot tears threatened, but she held them at bay. “Okay. Promise you’ll be careful.”

  “I plan on it.” He leaned and brushed her mouth with his in a quick kiss.

  Then he disappeared into the low brush.

  Fear dried the moisture in her mouth. Could she look Beth in the eye and pull the trigger, ending her life? She swallowed hard.

  Dear God she prayed she wouldn’t have to.

  Time dragged painfully slow. She kept her eyes on the creek bed. Nothing moved. Not a bird, a blade of grass, or a man who wanted them dead.

  What was happening? Where was Johnny?

  Beside her, Beth whispered, “I’m scared, Larissa.”

  “I know, honey. I am too. It’ll all be over with soon. Johnny will get us out of this.”

  “You have feelings for him, don’t you?”

  Larissa recalled his muscled chest and how safe she felt wrapped in his arms. The gentle way he brushed her cheek with his finger. And his full lips on hers, taking and giving in equal measure.

  “Yes, I guess I do. I didn’t mean for it to be so obvious, though.” Before she could say more, movement caught her attention. Three men strode from the creek bed.

  Her heart gave a painful lurch.

  Johnny Diamond led the way with a gun jammed into his side.

  Chapter 10

  “Pitch that hog leg down here, girly. You and your sister come out.” The snarl made the hair rise on Larissa’s arms.

  “Don’t do it!” Johnny yelled. “Remember what I told you.”

  Larissa met Beth’s frightened stare. She could no more put a bullet in her sister’s head than she could fly over the moon. The hand holding the Col
t shook.

  “You do as I say or I’ll shoot him, here and now, right in front of you. What’s it to be? Does he live or die? No skin off my nose either way.” The man doing the speaking had the appearance of a shaggy grizzly. He had enough hair on his head and face for a dozen men.

  Glancing at Beth’s bruises, she knew the man didn’t bluff. She weighed her choices. There were three kidnappers. Even if she managed to shoot one, there’d be two others to deal with.

  And she might miss them and hit Johnny.

  She couldn’t take that risk.

  “Larissa, they aim to kill us no matter what we do.” As the words left Johnny’s mouth, the hairy man hit him with the pistol. Larissa winced. Blood oozed from a gash on Johnny’s cheek.

  “You got three seconds to make up your mind. Then he dies.” The warning carried in the stifling air.

  She wet her dry lips and took Beth’s hand.

  “One. Two.”

  “Stop. We’re coming.” Larissa hurled the Colt toward them and she and Beth stood. Her legs trembled as she helped her sister down the rocky incline.

  “That’s more like it.” The man’s grin showed yellow rotten teeth. “You’re a lot more reasonable than your papa.”

  Standing in front of the man, Larissa tried not to breathe his stench. If they were to die, she wanted some answers first. “Why are you doing this? What have we done to you?”

  “The children must pay for the sins of the father.”

  She ignored Johnny’s silent plea to keep her tongue. “What did Dunston Patrick do to you?”

  “You’re awfully curious, girly.”

  “I know my father wronged you somehow. He did a lot of people.”

  “You want to know?” The man wiped his mouth with his dirty sleeve. “The great Dunston Patrick gave me an ultimatum. I leave the land I’d bought and paid for or he’d make me sorry. But I refused to be run off. One night he sent some riders. They set fire to the house. I escaped the flames but my wife and son didn’t. They were burned alive. He did the same to Pedro and McGee here.”

  Larissa gasped. Still, she wondered if the man truly spoke the truth. “How do you know those men worked for my father?”

  “They told me. Besides, the riders pitched Patrick’s calling card at my feet before they rode off.”