by Linda Broday
“What did you think about that?”
“That Mama must’ve sent Nora to take her place.”
Sudden thickness blocked Jack’s ability to swallow. Finally, he managed, “I think so too.”
Deputy Jones came to the door. “Time to go, boy.”
Sawyer’s eyes shone with tears as he whispered. “I love you, Jack. Don’t ever leave me.”
Before Jack could form the right reply, Sawyer hurried out beside Jones. What the hell had he gotten into? How could he have let such a strong bond form between him and Sawyer?
Hell! Jack could barely take care of himself, and now he had a wife, a boy, and a baby depending on him. The image of his son, Alex, at his mother’s feet amid the smoldering, charred ruins of their home, swept across his vision. He’d picked up Alex’s little body, limp and lifeless, and held him. Tears had rolled down Jack’s face, his heart shattering like fine crystal.
The outlaws he’d been chasing had tied his Rachel to a chair. They broke the oil lamps on the floor. One match had turned his world to ash.
Alex would never marry. Never dream of a bright future. Never fully know the depth of his father’s love.
And now, Sawyer had snuck past the defenses he’d erected against that same pain. Hell and be damned!
* * *
Nora stood on the boardwalk with some time to kill. The name above a small, busy café caught her eye—the Amen Corner. She spoke to the men, and minutes later, all four strolled into the eatery and found a table.
A harried man wearing a long apron rushed by with plates of food in his hands. “Be with you folks in just a moment. The menu is on the blackboard.”
When he came over ten minutes later, Nora shouldn’t have been surprised to see him wearing a clergy collar, but she was. She ordered a bowl of stew. That was all she thought she could hold after seeing Jack. The men and Sawyer ordered a larger meal. Nora looked around at the full tables, and still people were pouring in. Except maybe a cook in the back, the one minister seemed to be the only person working, and he was drowning in food and tables.
Finally, Nora rose and approached him. “You look like you can use some help, sir.”
Relief flooded the man’s face. “Thank you. If you’ll do that, I’ll go to the kitchen and we’ll get these people cleared out.”
She’d told the men to go ahead and leave and she’d catch up to them later. She worked for an hour before she had a chance to look up.
When the rush ended at last, she sat down with the minister. “I’m Nora Bowdre and just passing through.”
He shook her hand. “Brother Paul. I know what you’re thinking, but this is only temporary. I’m looking for a congregation, but meanwhile, I have to feed my stomach.”
His spectacles made his eyes larger, but they were kind eyes. Other than a smattering of gray at his temples, Nora didn’t see any in his brown hair. She put him around forty. Brother Paul had some wear though, as evidenced by the lines in his face. Maybe tending a flock aged a man.
“Have you heard of a new town called Hope’s Crossing?”
“I’ve heard it mentioned. Folks say it’s a town of outlaws.”
“That’s right, but they’re good men and they love their families. The town needs a church. Will you come?”
“I can think of no greater need of a ministry. I’ll think about it.”
She didn’t have the heart to leave him with the mountain of dirty dishes, so she went for Sawyer and they set to work. It helped to keep her mind busy and off the impending jailbreak, where anything could go wrong.
* * *
Night fell and Sheriff Baxter came to light the oil lamp. The silver hair and mustache seemed deceptive, and Jack knew by his piercing eyes that it would be a mistake to think him weak. He’d heard how Baxter once stood up against the vicious Vincent gang, sending them all to their graves, and another time single-handedly prevented a jail escape of two murderers.
A man would be a fool to think Baxter easy.
“Supper was good tonight.” Jack walked to the iron bars. “You’ll have to thank the cook over at the café for me. That apple pie was purely a sin the way it melted in my mouth.” Too bad there hadn’t been near enough of his only meal of the day. His stomach growled.
“I’ll tell him. I doubt he’ll be impressed. George has seen a lot of bad men come through here.” Baxter stuck a match stem in his mouth. “You won’t be here long though, Bowdre. The judge arrives tomorrow.”
That was quick. Jack unconsciously loosened his collar.
He sighed. “Guess my luck’s about to run out.”
“So it seems. Get some sleep.” Baxter strode into his office and shut the door.
Jack had no way of knowing what time it was. He could only wait and listen for Clay. He must’ve dozed off, because at some point, he awoke with a start. The owl hoot came again. He rose, put on his hat, and removed the key from his pocket. In seconds, he unlocked his cell.
Every nerve was taut. A million things could go wrong.
He flattened himself against the wall and crept to the inner door, where he pressed his ear, listening. No sounds in the office. He turned the knob and found the room empty. Quick strides took him to the desk drawer, where he pulled out his gun belt, complete with the Colt in the holster. He checked and found it loaded before strapping it on. The second gun was also in the drawer, and Jack stuck that one in his boot.
Gripping his Colt, he cracked open the door to the street and looked out. Clear.
One more glance and he slid onto the boardwalk. Damn! He’d have to pass in front of two businesses before he reached the alley where the horses would be. While he recognized why Nora and his rescue group waited out of sight, he wished they would’ve left one mount out front. The promise of freedom was worth a struggle though.
His stomach clenched at being exposed a whole lot longer than he’d first thought.
He’d only taken two steps when some kind of large hound bounded from the shadows and came right up to him. It barked and sniffed his leg.
“Go on, dog.”
The animal whined and leaped up, barking again.
“Shush now. I can’t play with you.” For God’s sake, of all things! All he needed to make his jailbreak complete was for the dog to hike a leg on him, which Jack wouldn’t put past the hound right now. That would add even more sorry luck to his already pissy predicament.
The barking grew insistent. The fool thing would soon draw curious glances.
Lifting the large paws from his leg, Jack ducked low and sprinted to the door of the doctor’s office next to the jail. There, he stood in the deep recess, his gaze sweeping up and down the street. The dog followed, panting, apparently happy to have found a new friend.
A soft whistle and slight movement drew attention to the dark figure standing at the alley. Had to be Clay. At least he had help now, but if he didn’t get rid of the blasted dog…
Sawyer stepped past the dark figure and called to the animal. “Here, boy. See what I got.”
Still the animal stayed glued to Jack. “Go on now.”
The dog’s long, slobbery tongue snaked out and licked his hand.
“Scat.”
“Come on, boy. I got jerky.” Sawyer slapped his leg.
Finally, the hound loped toward the boy. But just as it appeared the path was clear, the door to the doctor’s office swung open. Ice slid down Jack’s spine. He tugged the collar of his jacket up around his neck and tried to act casual.
“What’s going on out here?” The man squinted through the darkness. Jack couldn’t tell if it was the doctor or someone visiting.
“My dog got loose,” Jack mumbled, turning his face deeper into the shadows. “Sorry he bothered you, mister.”
“I can help if you need me.”
“No thanks. My son caught him. If yo
u’ll excuse me, I’ll head on.”
The door shut behind the Good Samaritan. Jack drew in a lungful of air and limped for the alley as fast as he could.
“Stop!” someone yelled.
Jack ducked around the corner of the row of buildings to join the waiting group.
Just then, another man sounded the alarm that froze Jack’s blood. “Jailbreak! Bowdre’s getting away!”
“Here.” Clay handed him the reins of a horse.
Jack leaped into the saddle and followed behind Nora and Sawyer, who rode double.
Shots rang out and bullets landed around him. He plastered himself to his mount’s mane and returned fire, praying that Nora and the boy wouldn’t get hit.
A horse and rider gave pursuit. The dog loped along close behind.
Damn! Jack’s heart pounded. He spurred his horse and followed close to the others, desperate to find safety, but the rider kept coming.
They raced along the ground, each minute bringing their pursuer closer. Clay, Ridge, and Luke dropped back to protect Jack’s flank, laying down a blistering wall of gunfire and forcing the rider to finally turn back.
Jack relaxed and focused on avoiding any holes that could break his horse’s leg.
On through the night they galloped like silent ghost riders. A couple of hours later, they stopped at a creek. Sawyer slid off the back of the horse while Jack limped to help Nora dismount. His leg was giving him fits.
She flung her arms around his neck. “You’re free. I was so scared.”
Clay’s voice barely registered, the men moving away to give Jack and Nora some privacy. “Sawyer, let’s see to the horses. They need water.”
The moonlight shone on Nora’s face, illuminating the love shining in her eyes. Jack didn’t think he’d ever seen a more welcome sight. He fingered the blond silk of her hair. “God, how I missed holding you. I’m tired, filthy, and hungry enough to eat a horse, but man, how I want you, lady.”
Her breasts heaved wildly against his chest. Jack covered her parted mouth with his, the kiss sending that familiar need racing through his body.
Soon, he’d lay her down and make her his wife in every sense of the word. As he drank of her sweet lips, he traced her delicious curves with his hands—touching, kneading, caressing every inch within reach.
Ridge softly called Sawyer’s name again, but Jack could barely hear over the roar in his ears. Even if he spent the rest of his life in her arms, he’d never get his fill of Nora Kane. She set his world straight and gave it color. No longer was everything in black, white, and dull gray.
Jack ground his mouth to hers and slipped his tongue through the moist opening of her lips, tasting her need and savoring the fact that she belonged to him.
Nora wound her fingers in his hair and let out a soft whimper. Then, when he released her, she clung to the front of his jacket. Her voice was husky. “You’re mine, Jack Bowdre, and I would die inside if anything happened to you.”
“So would I if you were taken.” He kissed her temple, where her heartbeat throbbed. “But we have miles to go before we reach home, pretty lady.”
Though reluctant, they broke apart and Nora kept her gaze lowered and busied herself rifling through her saddlebags. He knew she was too embarrassed to look at the men. Nora had beat a rat to death with her boot, battled a fish down her dress, and faced down Darius Guthrie, but she didn’t want to kiss in front of an audience. She didn’t have to worry on that score. The men stood talking at the small creek, not paying them any attention.
Hiding a smile, Jack strode to his friends. “I think we should avoid Saint’s Roost for a while. Was anyone hit?”
“Nope. How does it feel to be free?” Ridge put a hand on Jack’s shoulder.
Jack rubbed his aching leg and grinned. “Pretty damned good.”
Sawyer came around the group and hugged him. “I’m glad you’re out, Jack.” His admission back in the jail that everyone around the boy had died swept into Jack’s mind. A thing like that could scar a boy forever.
“Thanks for calling the hound.” Jack ruffled Sawyer’s hair. “I couldn’t get rid of him no matter what. Craziest thing I ever saw.”
Clay laughed. “He followed us out of town a pretty good ways before we lost him. The fool dog wanted to go with us. Violet would’ve loved that. My daughter and animals are inseparable.”
Nora buckled the saddlebags and joined them, slipping one arm around Jack’s waist and holding a sack with the other. “I got us some food while we waited for darkness. Take your pick.” She opened the burlap sack and Sawyer took out a boiled egg.
“Thanks, Miz Nora.” Clay reached in for some of everything. “This looks good.”
Again, Nora surprised him. She’d thought ahead and made sure to have something to eat.
“I’m starving. Only had one meal in the last two days and it was barely enough to keep a bird alive.” Jack took out three eggs, two biscuits, and a portion of jerky. They did little more than take the edge off his hunger, but he enjoyed every bite. “Just curious, Nora, where did you get all this food?”
“While I waited for you, I worked in the Amen Corner café back in the town. Sawyer and I washed dishes and cleaned. In return, the owner let me use the kitchen and paid us in food.”
Sawyer grinned. “I helped.”
Jack draped an arm around the boy’s shoulders. “I’ll say you did. I’m flabbergasted. Lady, you beat all I ever saw.”
“Well, I needed something to do to pass the time and I knew everyone would be hungry.”
“If you don’t want to marry her, Jack, I’ll sure take her,” Ridge teased.
Jack growled low. “Just try it. And for your information, we’re already as married as you would’ve made us.”
His gaze met Nora’s glistening eyes, and he knew he was one lucky man. If they didn’t make it home by noon, Jack was going to cuss a blue streak. He was going to eat, take a bath, and lock himself in the bedroom with his smart and beautiful wife.
A god-awful racket came as something crashed through the brush behind him.
“Get down, Nora!” Jack swung around, his gun drawn. Beside him in a line were Luke, Clay, and Ridge—each with a pistol in his hand.
The hound from Saint’s Roost bounded from the thick vegetation, tongue lolling out, and made a beeline for Sawyer.
The hair rose on Jack’s arm. He stood rooted to the spot, expecting the lawmen from the town to come bursting through, expecting the order to throw down his weapon and surrender.
Only, no one appeared.
“What the hell!” Jack helped Nora up and turned to his friends. “How on earth did that dog follow us? He couldn’t have kept up with the horses.”
“Appears he sniffed his way.” Clay slid his Colt back into the holster and the others followed suit.
“She’s a girl dog.” Luke watched the hound leaping up on Sawyer, licking his face with her slobbery tongue. “Bloodhounds have an unbelievable sense of smell.”
Ridge snorted. “As ripe as Jack stinks, a blind jackass could follow him.”
“Watch it, Ridge. I’d expect better from a friend.” Jack grinned and scratched his itchy stubble. “I’m just glad the dog came alone. What are we going to do? Can’t take her back to town.”
Sawyer glanced up with hopeful eyes. “Can I keep her? Please?”
“Don’t see why not.” Jack draped an arm around Nora’s neck. “What do you think, darlin’?”
“Every boy needs a dog, and she might come in useful. You never know when we might need to find someone.” Nora’s gaze softened as it always did when she looked at Sawyer. “What will you name her?”
“She’s really pretty.” The kid glanced up. “Nora, what do you think about Scout?”
Jack didn’t have the heart to point out how the name sounded like one for a boy dog.
“That’s a fine name. Scout it is.” She knelt to rub between Scout’s long, floppy ears.
“How about we make tracks for home before something else happens? At the rate we’re going, we won’t get there by dark.” Jack couldn’t get rid of the low hum under his skin in anticipation of a bath and making love to Nora.
She reached for his hand, and her smile seemed to say that she meant to hold him to his silent promise.
Twenty-three
Home had never looked so good to Jack as when they rode in around noon. For a while he’d doubted he would see it again, especially when Belew had tried to execute him. Jack squinted up at the blue sky and took a cleansing breath before dismounting.
“We made it, darlin’.” He swung Nora down, his hands lingering on her waist for a long moment until the din of a gathering crowd broke them apart.
“Been trouble.” Tobias January stepped forward. “The bastard took Travis.”
Jack stilled. Travis Lassiter had been there since they first started building the town. He was a bit younger by a couple of years, but a man they all counted on.
“Who took him?” Clay barked.
“A damn bounty hunter. He waltzed in here and grabbed Travis. We tried to stop him.”
“I fired two good shots, sweetheart.” The voice belonged to Tally. She strode to Clay. “One hit him in the shoulder. Not sure where else. He never slowed down.”
Rebel Avery ran to them, sobbing. “You have to go get him back. I love him.”
“How long ago did this happen?” Jack asked. He was ready to climb back into the saddle and give chase. Hell, this was his fault—Clay, Ridge, and Luke had left the town to come help him. If they’d been there, no bounty hunter would’ve gotten through the entrance.
“Four or five hours ago. Travis, me, and the children had just finished breakfast.” Rebel’s green eyes flashed, and the breeze ruffled her black hair. “That bounty hunter didn’t even give us a chance. He barged into my soddy and took Travis at gunpoint. Please, go get him.”
