Determined: Western Historical Romance (Lipstick and Lead series Book 5) Page 11

  The sound of a door slamming had them jumping apart. Quickly, she scooted back across the sofa just as Margaret walked into the room.

  Like a naughty schoolboy, he laid his book across his lap to hide the erection standing up in his pants like a flag waving in the breeze.

  Margaret glanced between the two of them, and Jackson was certain she had to know they’d been kissing. Hannah’s lips were swollen, her breathing heavy, and her curls disheveled.

  Clearing his throat, he said, “Did you have a nice visit?”

  She gave him a knowing grin that made him nervous. “I had a lovely time. I can see you guys are getting along nicely.”

  Hannah raised her brows. “We were discussing what books we enjoy reading.”

  Before Jackson could catch the book, it slipped off his lap and onto the floor.

  Glancing at his lap, Margaret shook her head then reached down and picked up the book from the floor. She read the title out loud and glanced down at his lap again then back up into his eyes. “My husband used to take a walk to clear his mind when difficult matters came up. Might I suggest you do the same, Reverend?”

  Jackson had to bite his lip to keep from laughing out loud. Instead, he jumped up, actually welcoming the escape. “Great suggestion, Margaret. Good night, ladies.”

  Chapter Ten

  The next morning, Hannah left Jackson’s home determined to walk through town and let the people see she wasn’t afraid. Plus, she wanted to make certain Elliott’s wanted poster was still hanging on the wall outside the sheriff’s office for all to see.

  Jackson had left the house early this morning, and Margaret had been busy preparing a special dinner for the preacher. Hannah had slipped out, knowing now would be a good time to stroll through town, making her presence known.

  As she walked down the wooden sidewalk past the mercantile, the memories of how Ruby had rescued her flooded her mind. Her chest ached with gratitude to the woman she called sister, the person she credited with saving her life. Hannah had been so lost. Her life at such a low point she’d considered suicide. Anything to escape the bordello.

  Ordinary people passed her as she walked the short distance to the sheriff’s office. The poster still hung on the wall, so she turned away, not wanting another confrontation with the sheriff.

  It was then she saw Daniel Gunter, an old client from the bordello. Her stomach clenched as anger rushed through her at the memory of how he’d forced himself on her, beating her for his own satisfaction. He was the worst of humanity, and she knew he was wanted. Dead or alive.

  During her training time with Ruby, they’d poured over wanted posters, and when she’d seen his name, she’d hated him even more.

  Today was her lucky day. Today, she would earn her first bounty alone. She’d caught wanted men with Ruby’s assistance but never by herself.

  Determined, she walked toward him. Pulling her gun out of her holster, she took aim and fired, bouncing the bullet in the dirt at his feet.

  Dust flew up in a cloud, and he jumped back. His eyes widened when he saw it was her. “What the hell?” His hand moved to his own gun.

  Fear exploded inside her, rushing like an avalanche toward her, but just before she was buried beneath the panic, her training kicked in. She took a nice deep breath.

  “Please pull your gun. I’d like nothing better than to kill you,” she said, her voice low and deadly. “If you want to live, you’ll unhook your gun belt nice and slow and sling it far away. If not, I’d be more than delighted to kill you right now.”

  Of all the men for her to capture for her first bounty, Daniel was someone she would be more than happy to put behind bars. It almost seemed fitting she was arresting him. She reminded herself to breathe nice and slow, calming her nerves, letting her training take over.

  “Hannah, I know you’ve been missing me. We can go right now to Mrs. Hutchins and take care of that itch you have. Hell, we could do it right here in the street, doesn’t matter to me.”

  She knew he was goading her. She knew he wanted her to react to him, but she refused to take the bait. Killing him would be so much easier. There would be no chance for him to escape and hurt someone else. Letting the law hang him would be the best course of action but not the most satisfying.

  He moved toward her.

  Hannah planted her feet firmly and cocked her gun. “Please keep walking toward me. I promise I will shoot you right here in the street. You’re wanted for murder. You’re wanted dead or alive. And I aim to collect on that bounty. Now you have a choice, remove your gun belt or give me the pleasure of shooting you. Your choice.”

  Inside, her nerves were quaking. In her childhood, she’d abhorred violence. As a woman, revenge was her lifeblood.

  His brows drew together in a frown. “And you think the sheriff is going to pay you that bounty?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe not, but it will give me great satisfaction turning you in. Now you have less than a minute to decide. Do you want to die today?”

  She’d never killed a man before. She’d only shot Elliott, but she wasn’t backing down. It almost felt like his life or hers, but she’d let him make the decision as to whether or not he wanted to live.

  Raising her pistol, she took aim.

  “You’re serious. You’d shoot me.”

  “With joy,” she said, knowing it wouldn’t change what he’d done to her.

  He started to unbuckle his gun belt. “After all those nights of pleasure I gave you, you’d shoot me.”

  She laughed. Why would a man think that hitting a woman gave her enjoyment? He was one twisted soul. “You hurt me physically. I’d love nothing more than to make you feel some of the same pain. But I’m going to do what’s right and turn you in to the law.”

  He slung his gun belt into the street.

  “Now start walking toward the sheriff’s office.”

  Smiling smugly, he said. “You know I won’t stay in jail long. Sheriff Wyatt is not going to keep me locked up.”

  “Then you better leave town because the next time I will save the state the time and trouble of giving you a fair trial. I’ll just shoot you and collect on the bounty again.”

  The Sheriff wouldn’t be so brazen as to let him go, would he? That could be even more dangerous for Jackson and Margaret.

  Daniel started walking toward the sheriff’s office, his hands raised in the air. “When I get out, I’m going to—”

  “Shut up, Daniel, and keep walking,” Jackson said, stepping out of the growing crowd. “Hannah’s letting you live. A month ago, she would have just shot you dead.”

  It was true, Hannah thought with a start. A month ago, she had burned with the need for revenge. Now it was just a warm simmer clenching her gut.

  Hannah walked stoically behind the outlaw, keeping her gun trained on him, refusing to look at Jackson. She didn’t need his help. She’d been trained as a bounty hunter. She knew what to do next.

  As they approached the sheriff’s office, she saw he was standing outside waiting on her to reach him. With his hands on his hips, he scowled at her like she was the evil one, not the man who had killed.

  “Well, well, Hannah, I see you’re stirring up trouble again.”

  There was more than enough danger already in this town. Hannah didn’t have to do anything to stir the problems up. They just naturally occurred.

  “No, Sheriff, I’m cleaning up this town. He’s wanted for the murder of a sixteen-year-old girl in San Antonio,” she said. “There’s a wanted poster with his picture on it. I’m sure if you looked at your collection of posters you’d find his name.”

  The sheriff stared at her like he wished he could kill her right here with all the townspeople watching, but she was no longer afraid of him. Later, when his goons had time to gather their forces, there could be trouble, but now with the good people of Hide Town as witnesses, he wouldn’t do anything to her.

  “I expect to receive the bounty for turning him in.”

  “Oh,
you’ll receive your due soon enough,” he said with enough conviction she knew he’d be coming for her.

  A trickle of unease wound down her spine like a spider weaving a web. If she were killed, it would just be her time to go, but she couldn’t stand the thought of Jackson or Margaret being hurt. They were innocents.

  A deputy took Daniel and hauled him inside the jailhouse. The sheriff followed.

  As the crowd dispersed, Jackson walked up beside her, his face glowing an unnatural red. “I don’t know whether to wring your pretty neck or slap you on the back and say good job. You didn’t kill him, which is what you would have done a month ago, but you just stirred up the biggest hornet’s nest.”

  She didn’t care. She was prepared for whatever happened, and no other woman would suffer at his hands. “He used to come into the bordello. He’s known for beating a woman before he has his way with her. He killed a young girl.”

  Jackson shook his head. “Come on. Let’s get you back to the house. I have some things over at the church I need to get to.”

  “No, I’m not leaving without my money.”

  The deputy came out the door and handed her the cash.

  “Now, let’s go,” she said to Jackson.

  Henrietta’s worried sick about you and I’ve got to dispatch a rider to Fort Griffin. They know we’re serious. There will be trouble.”

  She stopped and laid her hand on Jackson’s chest. “I’m sorry. I know you’re right. But I couldn’t just let him get away with what he’d done. I couldn’t let him do it to some other young woman. The girls in the bordello will be so relieved he’s not coming back.”

  Jackson sighed, picked up her hand and brought it to his lips. “You’re right. It’s just going to put our plan into motion sooner.”

  *

  Tea was cooling in the pot. The delicate porcelain cups were ready, and a beautiful cake sat beside them on the small table in front of the sofa. Hannah had put on the nicest dress she owned, Margaret was decked out in her Sunday dress…and no one was here.

  Ten minutes after the appointed hour and none of the ladies from the church had arrived.

  Margaret walked around wringing her hands, and Hannah felt bad for her. She’d gone to so much trouble arranging everything for no one to show.

  “I’m sorry, Hannah,” she said. “I didn’t think it would be so difficult.”

  Hannah nodded. She hadn’t wanted to hurt Margaret’s feelings, but after her frigid reception at the small church, she didn’t really think the women would want to appear for a social call. “I think you should pour up that tea, and the two of us can have our own little party.”

  “You’re right. Their loss.” Margaret sat next to Hannah on the sofa. “It's just I was hoping they would come and get to know you like I have. It’s not right. You didn’t choose that profession. This could happen to any of their daughters.”

  And that’s what Hannah and Jackson were trying to stop, more kidnappings, more women being forced into a life they didn’t want.

  “But we’re going to pray it doesn’t,” Hannah said. “I’m hoping what Jackson and I have set in motion will clean up this town. The Texas Rangers should be here any day now and even the cavalry,” she said, hoping it was true because if it wasn’t, they could be in real danger.

  “What about the madam?”

  “She’s been awfully quiet,” Hannah said. “I’m getting worried.”

  Since the day Hannah and Jackson had ridden back into town, she’d not seen the woman. Sure, the madam’s nights were busy, but if Hannah remembered correctly, the woman worked all the time, making sure the nights ran smoothly.

  “I don’t trust that woman,” Margaret said. “She’s a she-witch if ever there was one.”

  A knock sounded on the door, and Margaret’s eyes widened. She jumped up and ran to throw open the door.

  Two little old gray-haired ladies stood on the front step with their reticules and a covered dish. “Sorry we’re late, Margaret, but we had a pie in the oven and wanted to bring it to the reverend. That young man needs fattening up, so we thought one of our buttermilk pies would put some fat on him.”

  Hannah had suffered disappointment for Margaret when no one showed up, but she’d also felt relief there wouldn’t be an hour of small talk from ladies who didn’t like her. Now, these two women had arrived.

  “Come in, ladies. We’re glad you’re here,” Margaret said.

  Hannah rose and stood off to the side as the women entered.

  Once they stepped into the house, they turned to stare at her.

  “Lucille, I told you she was a beauty,” the older woman said. “I’m Clara, and this is Lucille. Nice to meet you.”

  They didn’t offer their hands, just a nod of the head. And Hannah knew they were here to scrutinize her; they weren’t really offering her their friendship.

  But what did it matter? Her mother had always taught her to be polite to her elders, and she would give these women the respect they were due. But she knew what they were doing. They were inspecting the whore who was living with their reverend.

  “Ladies, please have a seat,” she said and stepped back to let them choose where they would sit. Every day she felt more certain about moving away from Hide Town and starting over fresh someplace she didn’t have horrible memories of and where the townspeople wouldn’t label her a whore. Maybe she just needed to move on and put the past in the dust.

  Hannah stared at the teapot on the table between her and the elderly ladies sitting on the couch. She didn’t dare touch the tea for fear they wouldn’t drink it if she served.

  Margaret must have realized her predicament because she reached over and poured them each a cup. “We have sugar and cream as well, ladies, if you like your tea sweet.”

  “You know Sarah and Beatrice are not coming,” Lucille said. “They told us Hannah here is sweet on our preacher.”

  “What?” Hannah said, ready to deny the accusation. Yet, wasn’t it true they were sweet on each other? How many times had Jackson kissed her? Did she just think he was doing that to get her on her back?

  But they would never be a couple. Women like these ladies would make certain their precious man of God didn’t get involved with a woman who’d once been a prostitute.

  “Jackson and I are working together to try to clean up the town,” Hannah explained.

  “So he’s not sweet on you?”

  Margaret laughed. “Yes, he’s sweet on her, but he’s trying not to let it show, God love him.”

  Lucille shook her head. “Girl, you have quite a story, but it’s going to make it difficult on Jackson.”

  Tears welled up in Hannah’s eyes, and for a moment, she considered leaving the tea, but then she took a deep breath, raised her chin, and blinked the tears away. “Once we get the town cleaned up to where Jackson can preach without the threat of being beaten, then I’ll be leaving. I’d like to get a fresh start where my past can remain in the past.”

  If she remained a bounty hunter, she wouldn’t settle down anywhere, but she didn’t know if she wanted to continue with this profession after she’d caught Elliott and cleaned up the town. Sure, she liked wearing a gun, knowing she could protect herself, but chasing criminals didn’t seem enjoyable.

  Clara’s brows rose. “I can understand why you’d feel that way. But if our reverend has chosen you to be the girl to whom he gives his heart, then you’ll be his missus, and we’ll welcome you as well. Some of the women in our church are just a little tight in their corsets, and it takes them a while to come around. If Jackson chooses you, Lucille and I will make certain you’re welcome.”

  Hannah frowned at the women. So were they accepting her, or was it on condition of Jackson’s love? Because if it was, then to hell with them. They could either acknowledge her or not. It wasn’t an if.

  There came a time when Hannah had to defend herself. She’d been victimized enough. She thought of how she could express her feelings.

  “Jackson is a wo
nderful man. He needs a strong wife, but I’m not willing to be allowed into a church only if the reverend marries me. That seems contradictory. I’m still God’s creature, and I suffered at the hands of man. If God can forgive me, why can’t men and women?”

  The elderly women stared at her then glanced at Margaret.

  A smile slowly appeared on Lucille’s face. She reached out and patted Hannah on the arm. “I think you’re going to make an excellent preacher’s wife. You’re strong enough not to put up with the silliness of some women in the church and support our preacher. Welcome to the congregation.”

  Hannah frowned. What the hell had just happened? She glanced over at Margaret who was trying hard not to laugh. Were they opening up their arms and receiving her?

  “Ladies, he hasn’t asked me to marry him, and I don’t think I would say yes, even if he did,” she said. When she’d left the bordello, she’d never thought of getting married. She was tainted, and no man would ever want her. But then, Jackson had come into her life. He was slowly gaining her trust, and well, she kind of liked the man.

  But could he fall in love with her and marry her? So much was uncertain, and she feared more than anything she’d only get her heart broken. She’d suffered enough at the hands of men. She’d never give her heart, unless she was certain her love was returned.

  *

  Elliott walked into the saloon and looked around. He’d been gone for three weeks, and during that time, the only thing that had changed was that he’d gotten a bullet hole in his arm. Emily was going to be upset with him that he hadn’t brought her a new girl, but things hadn’t gone as planned.

  “Where’s Mrs. Hutchins?” he asked the bartender, who was busy restocking the shelves, preparing for the night.

  The man turned and glanced at him, raising his brow at the sling Elliott still wore around his arm that was damaged when the bullet ripped a gash from his shoulder to his elbow.

  “She’s in her office,” the bartender answered.

  “Thanks.” Elliott hurried to the back. When he opened the door, she glanced up.

  “Welcome back. Where’s my new girl?”